Newbie Veer Question

bakahump

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Jan 8, 2001
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We are getting a new HS Coach. Looks like a long term thing. I am one of the more senior members of the Youth football Coaching/Board.
The new coach looks to be bringing in the Veer (splitback).

In the past we have predominantly ran an I, with occasional Pro and power variants. So in an effort to work in the Veer and expose the youth to it I have been studying online about the Veer and its concepts.

One thing that I am seemingly missing is what is the difference between the Inside and Outside Veer.
Is it the hole the FB hits? 2 Hole ("Guards inside Leg") as opposed to the 4 Hole ("Guards Outside Leg").
From the 2 Hole "veering" Inside? (almost towards the Backside Inside backer)
From the 4 hole "veering" outside? (Aiming between the playside Inside and outside backer)


I understand (or think I do) that the "type of Veer" is only referring to what the FB does, with the QB and TB/WB/Pitchman Always running outside the Tackles/Ends down the "Chute".(unless you run something more advanced like Midline etc etc).
 

mikeysox

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
45
One thing that I am seemingly missing is what is the difference between the Inside and Outside Veer.
Is it the hole the FB hits? 2 Hole ("Guards inside Leg") as opposed to the 4 Hole ("Guards Outside Leg").
From the 2 Hole "veering" Inside? (almost towards the Backside Inside backer)
From the 4 hole "veering" outside? (Aiming between the playside Inside and outside backer)

I understand (or think I do) that the "type of Veer" is only referring to what the FB does, with the QB and TB/WB/Pitchman Always running outside the Tackles/Ends down the "Chute".(unless you run something more advanced like Midline etc etc).
My high school football team ran the veer. I was the starting fullback my senior year (all 165 lbs of me).That was 25 years ago (!) so my memory of it isn't super sharp, but it was a great offense for a team that was undersized but fast and reasonably smart. We went 9-1 and were conference champs. Along the way we beat teams that had much more size and talent because they were befuddled by the triple option. So, I love the veer and am glad to hear it is still alive.

Anyway, here's what I remember, keep in mind I am only going on what what our coach taught us.From what I remember, inside and outside just referred to what hole the FB hit, not what he did after. For us, inside was 4 hole, just of the guard's outside leg, I think. Outside was 6 hole, off tackle. We ran the inside play much more often. The specific spot was often adjusted at the line based on how the DL lined up, but 34 was always around the guard and 36 was always around the tackle.

In either case, the FB would hit the hole and the QB would either hand off or keep, depending on whether the DT crashed onto the FB or stepped up into the backfield to cut of the QB. It may be that on the outside veer, the decision on whether or not to hand off to the FB was based on what the DE did.

After the hand off the FB would typically "veer" outside because the OT would be trying to cut off inside LB pursuit. I don't recall ever veering inside after a handoff. All the blocking help was coming from the other direction. But, we were probably running a simplified version. We did have a play that went straight through the center, but we ran it out of the I and I don't think it was an option. More of a trap.
 

bakahump

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Thanks Mikey Thats what I was thinking but probably not explaining well. Except for the Fact that the FB always tried to get "outside" after getting through the Traffic at the line and 2nd level. Your explanation about all the blocking help coming from the outside (SE and WB) makes sense that you would want to get outside.

We are smaller then most of our rivals. We are also pretty smart mostly due to a strong youth program. So hopefully this will help us after years of struggling with the I.

Thanks for the help.

(BTW...I think "Midline" is the Play that goes right through center. Usually you use that to defeat a 4 man front spread a little wide in an attempt to contain the Option. At least according to a couple sites I have seen. )
 

mikeysox

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
45
Thanks Mikey Thats what I was thinking but probably not explaining well. Except for the Fact that the FB always tried to get "outside" after getting through the Traffic at the line and 2nd level. Your explanation about all the blocking help coming from the outside (SE and WB) makes sense that you would want to get outside.

We are smaller then most of our rivals. We are also pretty smart mostly due to a strong youth program. So hopefully this will help us after years of struggling with the I.

Thanks for the help.

(BTW...I think "Midline" is the Play that goes right through center. Usually you use that to defeat a 4 man front spread a little wide in an attempt to contain the Option. At least according to a couple sites I have seen. )
Excellent. Good luck this season! The midline was a good play. I had a 50 yard TD run on it once (glory days!).
When the veer is working, it is awesome. If your backs can both start from a 2 point stance, it will give you even more flexibility since the D can't tell which back will be the dive back.
 

bakahump

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I think (he still needs to meet with us and clarify what version he wants to install) he does split backs. Not sure if they both are in 2 or 3 pt. Based on what I read its better to run it from the spread. As its more balanced and you can focus more on each positions responsibilities (dive only focuses on the mesh and hitting the right hole, Wings only focus on timing up the motion and running parallel for the pitch). Plus they say its easier to come up with personnel (1 big 2 fast) to run out of the spread then 2 backs big enough and fast enough to run from the split. But he will dictate.

Thanks again for the help!
 

BigJimEd

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Jan 4, 2002
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Haven't coached it myself. Our High School does run it though. I'm friends with the freshman coach so I'll try to get a hold of him tonight and see what insight he has

From what I remember in discussing with him last year and researching there was some other slight differences. I think the QB read is different and blocking assignments may vary slightly.

They only run outside to TE side but inside can go to either. They do use split backs.

All of this should be in playbook though for you and players. Last year was my friends first year coaching it and he really liked it. Said it wasn't as difficult to coach as he thought although they did have less options than varsity. Lots of reps.