So what exactly is the "A-11 Offense"? Well, it happens to come from the brilliant minds of high school coaches Steven Humphries and Kurt Bryan of Piedmont High School in California. The concept of the A-11 was spread greatly through an article circulated on Rivals, which actually prompted me to post that Youtube video that's been on the top right-hand corner for about half a month and to interview the masterminds behind it all.
If you want some background on the offense and to see it in action, just watch this video. Sorry if you don't like Franz Ferdinand.
You know what sucks? Some guy beat me to the punch at posting this video. That little amount of time was worth an extra 33,000 hits :(
1. How did you guys come up with this? What caught my attention was how unique it was. Did you guys sit down one night and say, "let's invent a new offense!"?
Coach Bryan: We were at Steve's house brainstorming and he drew up our Base formation on the white board and talked about having two QB's in the backfield. I liked it and thought it would be great if everybody was a potential down field vertical threat or eligible WR. So we researched the NFHS rule book and came up with idea of the idea about the A-11 Offense. In great detail, we drafted all of our thoughts, X & O formations, and many other items and submitted to the NFHS. They looked at it, then instructed us to have it reviewed by the CIF rules interpreter. We did, and after several months of review it was approved.
2. What was it like implementing this system at Piedmont High? How receptive were the players to something they've never seen before?
Coach Humphries: As with any new "system" it took the players a little time to get used to thinking about the game of football in a new way and understanding a new strategy they haven't seen in football before. Once the players got used to it, they were very receptive and took significant pride in developing something homegrown and something unique to the Piedmont Football program.
3. How did your team develop during the regular season using the A-11?
Coach Humphries: Even though we lost our first two games of the season, we could see in our game film sessions that we were just a blown assignment away from big gains on many plays. We learned from our mistakes and when we chalked up or first win in week 3, the team really believed the A-11 was viable and our execution took off. Throughout the season we faced 9 different defensive schemes in 11 games and it allowed our players to continuously learn and help develop new techniques to offset what we were facing on the defensive side of the ball. This ended up being a wealth of knowledge that we will take with us moving forward.
4. Now onto X's and O's. How can all 11 players be involved on the same play?
Coach Bryan: In the A-11, just like other offenses ONLY five of the potentially eligible receivers can go down field to catch a forward pass on that certain play. However, what makes the system unique, is on any given play dependent upon formation, a virtually limitless amount of sets allow you to create an exciting array of potential threats. * The Anchors (covered & ineligible receivers) on a given play cannot go down field to catch a pass, BUT, they can take a reverse lateral pitch in the backfield, and they can catch a Negative Hitch or Bubble Screen behind the LOS as long as it is a Lateral.
5. Explain some of the mismatches that the A-11 creates against defenses.
Coach Humphries: Our motion puts significant stress on the defense and leads to mis-matches. Because of the last second shifting onto the line, reminiscent of the old single wing system in the 40's, defenses try to "even up" with our players across the field because they cannot tell who is going to be eligible until we shift. When we move a player with motion across the formation after the shift, we can create numbers advantages in different zones across the field. These numbers advantages can translate to vertical threats in the passing game or additional blockers in the running game. A progression from the numbers mis-match is to use that motion to put one of our athletes in a better leverage position or match up with a certain defender.
6. What kind of athletes are you looking for, ideally, especially at QB?
Ideal Personnel in A-11 (Featuring a Right Handed Primary QB)
Our BASE set:
X...................R..................U...C...Y.......................E.......................Z
..........A.............................................................................B..........
..........................................2.........................................................
...............................................1....................................................
Receivers:
X: The second fastest "pure " wide receiver in your lineup but exceptionally sure-handed. A solid possession receiver able to catch any type of throw; will also be a very able blocker.
A: A smaller, quicker slot-back type of receiver with precise route-running skills and sticky hands; able to catch a short pass or screen and score from midfield or closer. Should be one of your best blockers on screens, the running game and Hunt blocks.
R: One of your two biggest and strongest receivers with good hands and unafraid to catch the Slant route over the middle or shift into an "Anchor Tight" set and become a serious blocker. Top notch Hunt blocker too. Typical Tight End & Big Tailback players are a good fit at this position.
E: Your toughest, biggest and strongest receiver with good hands and unafraid to catch the Slant route over the middle or shift into an "Anchor Tight" set and become a serious blocker. Must be your most physical receiver on all types of blocks: Hunt, Stalk, etc.
B: The larger of your two slot-back type receivers with more emphasis on the big play-making ability; able to catch a deep Post route and will also come down with the football in traffic. A "Headhunter" of a blocker who will make Defensive Ends pay dearly when he executes the Hunt block. Can simply take over the game once or twice a season.
Z: The most naturally gifted and fastest pure receiver in your lineup with very good hands and runs great routes. Puts fear into the heart of the defense because of his blazing speed and game-breaking ability. If he is less of a blocker, it can be offset by his outstanding skills as a receiver.
OL: (Usually operating with 3-foot splits between the U-C-Y)
U: Your most athletically gifted pure offensive lineman - a quick guard type. Great technique on Pass Pro and able to get downfield on screens; will also be able to drive block a Defensive End and/or shield his opponent away from the play when needed.
C: THE most important person in the A-11. He is your Long-Snapper and nothing good happens without him perfecting a quick and accurate snap down the middle. (The Quarterbacks field the snap down the middle most of the time). The Center must practice 50 snaps per day BEFORE practice, and the 2nd most important person is your Backup Center in the A-11.
Y: A big, true Tight End and/or your most powerful offensive lineman. Able to catch the quick outs, middle screens and delays if he is a TE type. If he is an offensive lineman then he is your most dominant lineman on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterbacks:
1: A great athlete with excellent feet, a quick release and outstanding decision making ability. He is able to turn a QB - Draw into a 30-yard touchdown run. He can make all of the throws required, especially the short and medium routes, but can hit the deep pass enough to keep teams honest.
2: Either a very good Lefty! Or your backup QB but reliable enough to attempt 5 - 10 passes per game. He can fill in as a spot starter for the # 1 QB if needed and your team can still get the win with him at the helm. A fearless blocker, able to run with the football and catch short passes and screens. *You can also insert a Fullback or Running Back type of player in for the # 2 on many plays.
7. This offense would be illegal in the NCAA, wouldn't it?
Coach Bryan: The A-11 Offense IS legal in the NCAA, but for now only on a limited basis, such as 4th downs, any conversion or FG attempt, any end of the half or end of game type of play, and in some cases on 3rd down a very long. * Realistically, in your average collegiate game, roughly 12 - 15 possible opportunities they will be able to use true A-11 personnel and numbering. Plus, there are collegiate coaches communicating with us about using A-11 type of play packages with regular numbered personnel, etc.
8. What has it been like hearing from college coaches about A-11 offense principles?
Coach Bryan: The collegiate coaches have been great, very respectful, sincere and open minded. At their level, they will look seriously at any type of new system that can help them win one or two games more per year. Which for them can mean the difference between a major bowl game and/or looking for a new job, etc.
9. How can we expect to see the principles added into college offensive schemes?
Coach Humphries: I believe we will see the A-11 unveiled as "packages" that will be run in those 3rd and long and 4th down situations on the opponents side of the field. It might show itself as a mix-up look that could cause the defense to burn a valuable time out too. The A-11 is a natural fit as a package for the spread option teams, so we will probably see them trying it first. In the college game, the fact the A-11 can only be used in the later downs means it will be unveiled in important situations. If using the A-11 proves to be a game breaking move for a team that makes a SportsCenter highlight, more and more teams will use it in the following weeks. We are really excited to see if an innovative A-11 play makes the difference in a major game this season.
10. Should we expect this offense to become the offense of the future?
Coach Bryan: Yes because fortunately the A-11 is already making lots of players, coaches and fans excited about the next evolution in football. Of course, not everybody is going to like it, but that's the case with any offense...the triple option, double wing, veer, etc. Take a look back at football history and you'll notice the basic dimensions of the playing field have not changed in more than 100 years, but the athletes have big time! The game is becoming so fast and the players are able to decipher massive amounts of information rapidly, so the game must adapt, it has no choice but to evolve to satisfy the great potential of its athletes. The A-11 also allows coaches to open up their minds and expand their creativity, and a lot of football fans love the wide-open aspects of the A-11.
I just wanted to say thanks once again to the coaches for taking the time to answer these A-11 Offense related questions! If you're looking for more info, you can visit the following sites:
A-11 Offense--Home
Piedmont Football Home
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