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"The Fisher King Special" CFN Top 5 trick plays

Discussion in 'The Tiger's Den' started by locoguano, Aug 26, 2005.

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locoguano Founding Member

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Top 5 trick plays that should be taken off the dustheap..."The King Fisher Special" is #2... http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2005/Columnists/MZ/TrickPlays.htm

Number Two
Category: Use/Manipulation of the Line of Scrimmage
Play: “The Fisher King Special” The description of this play is excerpted from the Monday Morning Quarterback on December 1, 2003:

”Beyond Fisher’s overall trends, however, the brain behind the Tigers’ offense also displayed one of the best and most creative plays ever witnessed on a football field. It gained only two yards because of unbelievable reactions from Arkansas’ defense, but it is a play that can and should represent the best of offensive play calling in the 21st Century. Let’s break it down…

Fisher had Matt Mauck line up in a shotgun formation, fake a handoff, hesitate (to freeze the Hogs’ defense), and then run to his right with an option pitchman still available and—here’s the wrinkle—a receiver in the right flat who was easily available for a pass, given the initial hesitation at the line of scrimmage, which cleared out the passing lanes toward the edges.

Usually, when teams use option plays (this is especially true for option/wishbone teams), they have the quarterback “break the bone,” which means running down the line to sell option, only to then drop straight back and throw a pass deep in the backfield. The genius of this play from Fisher was manifested on several levels: first, it had the feel of an option play, but it was able to gain that feel from a pro-set shotgun spread formation. Secondly, the play’s misdirection element enabled the quarterback (Mauck) to be able to comfortably throw a forward pass without having to “break the bone,” a very potent proposition for offenses and an equally scary one for defenses. Third, Mauck’s execution of the play showed why this play—or variations of it with similar principles—has a chance to be so consistently devastating throughout the 21st Century. (Offensive coordinators, I hope you’re taking notes here…)

One concept that needs to be part of a newly innovative and creative brand of play calling that will modernize and advance college football (not to mention football at any other level) is the clever use of the line of scrimmage. A boatload of creative plays can and should come from the fact that ballcarriers can sucker defenses by running at full speed up to the line of scrimmage, only to then throw a lateral or forward pass that will leave defenses totally dumbfounded.

Matt Mauck perfectly executed Fisher’s fabulous play because he ran the option at regular speed, went down the line, and, without moving away from the line of scrimmage—but without running PAST the line of scrimmage at the same time—immediately uncorked a forward pass.

Let’s face it: how many times do you see a quarterback run an option down the line and, just when you think he’ll release the ball by pitching to the pitchman, suddenly throw a forward pass? That’s just it—you hardly ever see that kind of a play from a coordinator and the quarterback to whom he entrusts a play with an option look. The use of the line of scrimmage will enable teams and their skill position players to throw forward passes precisely when defenses don’t—and can’t—expect them. Having players throw forward passes or laterals at full speed while being just half a yard behind the line of scrimmage is the next frontier in play calling (and while we’re at it, slick ballhandling and the practice drills that will cultivate such skills).

Jimbo is the Fisher King after a magnificently creative display.”
Click to expand...

locoguano, Aug 26, 2005

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locoguano Founding Member

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if i ever get to be head coach of a hs team they will be running the spread option with plays like this.. its a fun offense..

locoguano, Aug 26, 2005

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Consensus Founding Member

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I remember that play, too. It was phenominal! My brother missed the play, and I had to explain it to him immediately after. I'm sure I didn't do it justice, cause he just didn't seem too impressed!

I can't believe we haven't seen it resurface. It was a play that just really struck you - "Damn, what was that?" Like the bubble screen, only more so, this play looked so different in developing, you thought you were watching the history of the game take a turn as it unfolded. It takes a great sell job by the QB, who needs to be able to make a finesse throw while running forward.

(For that reason I don't expect to see J. Russell be called upon to execute this play. It's more suited, IMO, for a player like M. Flynn or, even more so, for a Ryan Perriloux, once he gets over the rookie jitters.)

Consensus, Aug 26, 2005

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tirk im the lyrical jessie james

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i musta been really loaded. i can't remember this play.

tirk, Aug 26, 2005

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tigermark Rematches suck!

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I remember it and at first I thought that Mauck had pull a "Booty" and invented the play on the fly. Then I saw the replay. Totally cool. That one has definitely stuck with me and like others on this thread, I kept expecting to see it again. Maybe Flynn or Ryan P. can run it this year or next.

tigermark, Aug 26, 2005

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red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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Trick plays depend upon fooling the opponent. You run them too often and the defense will practise against it. I expect Jimbo has a dozen plays that he rarely runs but is saving them for the right time.

red55, Aug 26, 2005

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locoguano Founding Member

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I really dont see this as a "trick play".. its an option.. a trick play usually has one out.. a reverse sometimes has a pass added to it.. but this play is spread option at its best, with a slight change in the direction that he qb runs.. Utah rans something like this last year, but instead of the qb running toward the line with the pitchman trailing, he ran parallel to the line with a rb underneath for the shuttle pass...

locoguano, Aug 26, 2005

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wingman Founding Member

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locoguano said:

Top 5 trick plays that should be taken off the dustheap..."The King Fisher Special" is #2... http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2005/Columnists/MZ/TrickPlays.htm

Let’s face it: how many times do you see a quarterback run an option down the line and, just when you think he’ll release the ball by pitching to the pitchman, suddenly throw a forward pass? That’s just it—you hardly ever see that kind of a play from a coordinator and the quarterback to whom he entrusts a play with an option look.
Click to expand...

I don't want to see this run at LSU. With the speed and power in today's SEC defenses, it will subject your QB to a greater chance of injury as he's almost assured of a ferocious hit and multiple tacklers rolling onto him. Tricks are for kids and guys named Tuberville that don't have the best talent in the league. Air it out and whip them on the mismatches. There are several other schemes that I do like, but no where the risks to your QB are great.

This is why Leak won't last the year. Fast badass defenses, including LSU's will punish this risky rollout nonsense. The Wishbone & Option attack (Spread Option also) is like Disco. It's dead, but some just don't want to admit it!

wingman, Aug 26, 2005

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locoguano Founding Member

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So... by that logic I guess we dont want to see Skyler Green running anymore reverses for touchdowns...

locoguano, Aug 26, 2005

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clair Rockets

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tirk said:

i musta been really loaded. i can't remember this play.
Click to expand...

I remember it... but it wasnt that special...

I mean it didnt work...

I would like to see it again

clair, Aug 26, 2005

#10

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