GUN BOOT PASS

When coaches think boot pass, many coaches think run play action. A few years ago I attended a clinic talk that used a hitch as the action fake. The boot pass is a great play and is often overlooked by spread teams. The hitch action allows a pass happy team to add a boot element to their offense. This also is an important addition which changes the QB’s launch point. The multiple routes and formations make this a very versatile play.
The starting point is the QB. The hitch action needs to be practiced to see what footwork works the best. The starting point is the QB pumps the hitch route and then opens to the boot side. Some QBs may prefer a harder pump, then a pivot on the lead which shows the QB back to the defense. The QB needs to whip his head around to find his WRs and the possible rush.

Protection is the standard turn back with the pulling guard.



If you don’t have a guard that can pull then you may add an H back and have him chip the DE before releasing.



As stated before, you can vary the routes and formations. First we will look at it from an ACE formation (3 WR and 1 TE).

BACKSIDE WR ROUTE = HITCH.
5 yard Hitch. Drive at CB's outside shoulder, plant, look for ball NOW!

BACKSIDE SLOT ROUTE = DRAG.
Run under LB at depth of 5 yards, avoid LBs! Get into QB view ASAP.

FRONTSIDE TE ROUTE = DELAY.
Hard inside step to PSE, push off the DE then get to flats to a depth of five yards.

FRONTSIDE WR ROUTE = POST CORNER.
Break at 7 to sell POST route, turn CB's hips THEN break to CORNER. Use Pylon rules.



From the ACE formation booting away from the TE.

BACKSIDE WR ROUTE = HITCH.
5 yard Hitch. Drive at CB's outside shoulder, plant, look for ball NOW!

PLAYSIDE SLOT ROUTE = CORNER.
Break at 8 yards to corner of endzone. Use Pylon rules.

FRONTSIDE TE ROUTE = DRAG.
Run under LB at depth of 5 yards, avoid LBs! Get into QB view ASAP!

FRONTSIDE WR ROUTE = WHIP.
Run at LB at depth of 4 yards, avoid LBs! plant whip to outside gaining a depth of 5 yards.



From the TREY formation.

BACKSIDE WR ROUTE = HITCH.
5 yard Hitch. Drive at CB's outside shoulder, plant, look for ball NOW!

PLAYSIDE SLOT ROUTE = WHIP.
Run at LB at depth of 4 yards, avoid LBs! plant whip to outside gainig a depth of 5 yards.

FRONTSIDE TE ROUTE = DELAY.
Hard inside step to PSE, push off the DE then get to flats to a depth of five yards.

FRONTSIDE WR ROUTE = POST CORNER.
Break at 7 to sell POST route, turn CB's hips THEN break to CORNER. Use Pylon rules.



From the TRIPS formation

BACKSIDE WR ROUTE = HITCH.
5 yard Hitch. Drive at CB's outside shoulder, plant, look for ball NOW!

BACKSIDE SLOT POST.
Break at 7 yards then get behind the Free Safety and into QB's view.

BACKSIDE TE ROUTE = CROSS.
1 step upfield then run across BOX. Not a DRAG! Settle in grass.THEN climb up field.

FRONTSIDE WR ROUTE = COMEBACK.
Drive 12 yards then break to the sidelines at 45 degree angle.



Additional tweaks could include replacing the DRAG route with the Air Raid CROSS route.

I will try to find some clips from Wisconsin Whitewater dvd.