Sid Gillman's Coaching Points on the "Hitch pass"

Via Coach Bill Mountjoy. This is a bread and butter play for everyone, but, even though almost everyone has it in their playbook I think it is underused (particularly if you also throw the hitch and go).

QB COACHING POINTS ON “HITCH PASS” (SID GILLMAN)


KEY: CORNERS.

A) BEST LOCATED CORNER – DEEPEST AND FARTHEST OFF X OR Z.
B) IF ROTATION – CHANGE SIDES OF HIT THE DRIFTER (BACK)
C) HIT THE FADE VS ROTATION – LAY IT UP. ALSO VS BUMP AND RUN (VS B&R WITH NO DEEP HELP – PUT THE BALL IN THE AIR TO HIS OUTSIDE AT 8-10 YARDS – LAY IT IN THE AIR & LET HIM RUN UNDER IT).

SET UP AND THROW:

A) STRETCH OUT 3 STEPS AND RELEASE ON THE RECEIVER’S HITCH. THE BALL MUST BE IN THE AIR AS HE TURNS.
B) CARRY THE BALL WITH TWO HANDS, CHEST HIGH AND AS YOU SET TO THROW – PUSH THE BALL UP WITH BOTH HANDS.
C) GET THE BALL UP AND READY AS YOU SET UP.
D) THE BALL MUST BE ON IT’S WAY JUST AFTER YOU PLANT.
E) YOU MUST KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING WITH THE BALL AS YOU SET UP.
F) YOU MUST NOT FLAG THE BALL AND CHANGE SIDES – IT IS TROUBLE! YOU CAN HIT THE DRIFTER (BACK) BUT NOT SWITCH SIDES. YOU CAN CHANGE SIDES IF YOU DECIDE EARLY.
G) IF YOU ARE GOING TO CHANGE SIDES – SEE IT BEFORE YOU SET UP.
H) THE “CATCH” CORNER IS HARDEST TO BEAT.

COACHING POINTS:

A) YOU MUST NOT STARE AT THE RECEIVER – MOST CORNERS ARE “CLUERS” AND READ YOU. LB’s WILL BUZZ TO THE OUTSIDE.
B) ZERO IN ON A SAFETY TO THE SIDE AND THEN TRANSFER YOUR VISION – GO TO THE RECEIVER JUST BEFORE YOU ARE SET TO THROW. YOU MUST SEE THE UNDERNEATH COVERAGE.
C) YOU MUST BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR DRIFTING BACK AND BE PREPARED TO GO TO HIM IF YOU READ KICK – (ROTATION).
D) THE HITCH WILL GO TO A FADE VS ROTATION. THE FADE IS A VERY DELICATE PASS AND NEEDS PRACTICE.
E) YOU CAN THROW THE HITCH ANY TIME, ANY PLACE IF THE CORNER MEN ARE DEEP.
F) IF YOU DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU SEE (EVERYTHING COVERED TOO TIGHT) YOU CAN:
1. RUN
2. THROW THE BALL OUT OF BOUNDS