Husky Football Offense

Jason Bachtel is stepping into the spotlight as the new head coach at Houston Christian. After a successful stint as the team’s offensive coordinator, Bachtel’s journey from a high school head coach in Texas to a Division 1 head coach is a testament to his dedication and expertise. His philosophy is simple: bloom where you are planted.

The Husky Offense: Seven Simple Principles

Bachtel’s offensive strategy is built on seven core principles:

1. Play as fast as you can: Speed keeps the defense on its heels.
2. Be simple: Complexity can lead to confusion; simplicity ensures clarity.
3. Give playmakers a chance to make a play: Spotlight the talent.
4. Get many people involved: A diverse offense is a dynamic offense.
5. Score from the long: Big plays demoralize defenses.
6. Attach an RPO with every play: Keep defenses guessing.
7. Practice trick plays and run them: Surprise is a powerful weapon.

With these principles, Bachtel emphasizes the importance of adapting to your personnel and focusing on the playmakers rather than the plays themselves.

Mastering the RPO: QB Thoughts

Run-Pass Options (RPOs) are at the core of Bachtel’s offensive game plan. He coaches his players to excel in pre-snap and post-snap reads, box counts, and making crucial yardage decisions. Here’s a closer look at how he structures these plays:

1. Pre-snap/post-snap IDs: Identify the defense before and after the snap.
2. Box count: Determine if the numbers favor a run or pass.
3. Where can we make 4 yards?: Aim to gain at least four yards on every play.
4. Post Snap: Mesh

Bachtel’s quarterbacks are taught to default to handing the ball off if they’re unsure, ensuring a consistent forward push.

The Six RPOs: Versatility in Action

Bachtel’s RPO arsenal includes six different plays, each with its own set of rules and objectives:

1. Single Rules: Focus on a single receiver who reads the defense. For the Huskies, this involves the outside foot up, 4-step hitch. If this gains four yards, it’s an automatic go-to.
2. Read Game: This flexible play allows any formation. The quarterback just needs to find the open grass and throw to it.
3. Badger and Bruin: These plays differ by the live RPO read. In Badger, the key is the slant or bender inside; in Bruin, it’s the outside dig.
4. Switch: This fast screen play requires receivers to drive hard (1,2) and get back to the line quickly to set up blockers.
5. Blaze: Another single receiver route where all players run hard, with the pass thrown off the back guy’s shoulder, targeting the RPO defender’s outside hip.

Each of these RPOs is designed to exploit defensive weaknesses and leverage the strengths of Bachtel’s offensive lineup.

Empowering Quarterbacks: Freedom to Play

Bachtel’s approach gives his quarterbacks significant freedom to make decisions and execute plays. His philosophy is not to over-coach but to allow his players to be the playmakers they are. This leads to a dynamic and an unpredictable offense that can adapt and thrive.