Mastering Deep Choice with Coach Adam Donnelly of Lake Mary High School
In an earlier episode of the Board Drill Podcast we featured Coach Adam Donnelly, the offensive coordinator at Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, FL, and dove into the details of the Deep Choice concept. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Deep Choice concept, its implementation, and its strategic advantages.
Introduction to Deep Choice
The Deep Choice concept, an evolution of traditional passing strategies, has become a cornerstone of modern football offenses, particularly in systems inspired by the Run-and-Shoot philosophy. Popularized by coaches like Art Briles at Baylor and currently utilized by Josh Heupel at Tennessee, the Deep Choice allows for dynamic adjustments based on defensive coverages, making it a versatile and potent offensive weapon (Throw Deep Publishing) (VolNation).
The Core Concept
What is Deep Choice?
At its essence, the Deep Choice route gives the receiver the flexibility to adjust their route based on the defender’s positioning. The receiver typically has three main options at the "decision point," which is around ten yards downfield:
Go Route: If the defender is even or trailing, the receiver continues to sprint vertically.
Post/ Bender Route: If the defender is positioned to the outside, the receiver cuts inside to pace away from the safety.
Stop Route: If the defender is playing off, the receiver stops or comes back towards the quarterback.
In essence, deep choice is designed to create space, attack those openings, and keep the read simple for the quarterback. This allows the offense to attack aggressively while still being efficient in the pass game.
Strategic Implementation
The implementation of the Deep Choice requires extensive practice to ensure synchronization between the quarterback and the receiver. Both players must make split-second decisions based on the defense's movements. The offense aims to isolate a single defender, forcing them into a no-win situation where the receiver adjusts their route to exploit the defender’s position (Riley-Kolste Football).
Keys to Success
Repetitions and Chemistry
The success of the Deep Choice route hinges on repetition and the chemistry between the quarterback and the receiver. Continuous practice helps develop an understanding between players, reducing the chances of miscommunication during the game. Additionally, coordinators must find a way to replicate these reps into practice drills.
Proper Spacing
Effective spacing is crucial. Wide receiver splits are typically very wide, often extending halfway between the numbers and the sideline. This spacing forces defenders to cover more ground and makes it difficult for them to provide help coverage, thus isolating the targeted defender. This also provides the offense with a more accurate box count since the defense can no longer use “gray area” players on alignment.
Quarterback Proficiency
A quarterback’s ability to read the defense and make accurate throws under pressure is essential. The quarterback must quickly interpret the receiver's adjustment and deliver the ball precisely. This requires not just physical skill but also a deep mental connection with the receiver .
Coach Adam Donnelly’s Approach
Why Deep Choice?
Take shots and stretch the field
Can run against any coverage/ defense
Simplified reads for quarterback and receivers
Adapting to Personnel
Coach Donnelly highlighted the importance of tailoring the Deep Choice concept to fit the team’s strengths. For Lake Mary High School, this meant leveraging their quarterback's strong arm and their receivers' speed. By pushing the splits wider and focusing on simple, executable rules, they maximized the effectiveness of the Deep Choice in their offensive scheme. Unlike many teams, Lake Mary only used Deep Choice as a concept in their deep throw game as opposed to it being their only deep game concept.
Quarterback Progression
Take a 3 step drop and look the safety away
Locate the DB covering the choice route to get your read
Confirm and fire
What can take you off a tagged receiver?
If the slot is tagged, runs a go, and the corner plays over top, go outside to the trace
If the underneath defender gets enough depth to play under where you want to go, check down to the running back.
Teaching the tagged WR
Speed to 10 yards
Read the defensive back
Have you broken the DB's cushion?
Then go!
Has the DB maintained his cushion?
Trace back down your stem
Has DB’s hips opened?
Work inside
Teaching the untagged WR
Tagged receiver is OUTSIDE of you
Bend and hold the safety
Tagged receiver is INSIDE of you
Trace and be available
Tagged receiver is on the other side of the field
Relax
Drills
During practice, Coach Donnelly emphasizes drills that mimic game situations to prepare his players for the Deep Choice execution. This includes repetitive one-on-one drills where receivers practice making their reads and quarterbacks work on their timing and accuracy. Coach Donnelly says the progression is to teach them on the board in the classroom, a “routes on air” install, 1-on1’s with DBs, then cutting it loose in team segments. Additionally, they use a variation of routes on air, but add in a coverage player that use different leverages on alignment, play bail or off, or work from low into phase.
Game-Time Adjustments
In-game, the ability to adjust based on the defense’s response is key. Coach Donnelly uses film study and game night observations to tweak the strategy, ensuring that his team can exploit defensive weaknesses. This approach has led to significant success, including high completion rates and explosive plays. Coach Donnelly talks about how stacking the receivers, or using switch releases, can be one of those small in-game adjustments that help throw a wrench in the defensive coverages.
Practical Applications and Results
Real-World Success
In the first year of implementing the Deep Choice, Lake Mary High School saw remarkable results. They achieved 12 yards-per-attempt compared to 9 yards-per-attempt on other plays, indicating the effectiveness of the route in stretching the field and creating big plays. The offense's ability to adapt mid-game, coupled with the players' understanding of the concept, minimized mistakes and maximized their scoring opportunities. Lake Mary used simple tags to decide which receiver had the “choice” giving them a direct way to target defensive backs they felt like they had a matchup advantage over. Additionally, since this concept involves a quick release of the football, Lake Mary’s sack rate dropped dramatically when calling deep choice. (2 total sacks on that concept)
Learning from Challenges
Challenges such as miscommunications and overthrows were initially common but were addressed through focused practice and adjustments. Coach Donnelly's willingness to learn and adapt from these challenges has refined the execution of the Deep Choice, making it a reliable component of their offensive arsenal.
Conclusion
The Deep Choice concept, with its flexibility and adaptability, offers a significant strategic advantage for football teams willing to invest the time in mastering it. Coach Adam Donnelly’s success with this concept at Lake Mary High School serves as an excellent case study for other coaches looking to enhance their offensive strategies. By understanding the nuances of the Deep Choice and committing to rigorous practice, teams can unlock a potent weapon that challenges defenses and creates opportunities for big plays.
If you have any questions about this article or any other football questions, please reach out to us at TheBoardDrillPodcast@gmail.com or DM us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @BoardDrillPod.
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