1. THE ‘PISTOL’ Spin, Theory, Ball Handling, and Backfield action
Kyle Hockman
Head Football Coach
Campbell High School, Smyrna, GA

2. Pistol – what is it?
Shorter ‘Shot Gun’.
QB heals at 4yds.
RB still in TB spot.
Offset FB or ‘H’Back
One Back

3. ALIGNMENT
QB 4yd
Must adjust dept according to your scheme, speed of TB, snap speed

4. ALIGNMENT
4 YDS Q
6 ½ YDS
Must adjust dept according to your scheme, speed of TB, snap speed

5. THEORY Why? Advantages of ‘Gun’ QB instant separation
QB line of sight, vision
QB read element
QB run element

6. THEORY Why? Advantages of ‘I’ down hill run game
-Iso, Power, Counter, Toss, etc.
RB shoulder square
Either direction
Runners/runners & blockers are blockers
Pressure off QB

7. Plus - SPIN
Deception – we all need it, not good enough to line up and beat people.
QB blocks vision of Defense to RB.
QB turning back to Defense to hide the ball.
Ball quicker to RB.
.35 ave time to QB, undercenter .75
.95 ave time pistol +3, undercenter 1.35

9. PISTOL – Is it for you? You like those ideas?
Ok, so fit all those elements together with the Pistol
Gun but need more power
Under center but need more deception.

10. Ball Handling -must Consider…
Must practice snaps everyday – pre-practice warm up.
Center snaps – accuracy more critical in the pistol because its quicker than Gun.
QB’s ball skills – same reason as above, slow twitch guy.
Would you do it with back ups?
Would you do it in the rain and mud?

12. Center Snaps Techniques – spin and flip – both
Which is best for center or QB.
Firm but not fast – trail and error.
Adjust depths and steps according to speed of snap.
Narrow base and low butt – small window, small miss.
Flick wrist as arm hits leg.
Trail and error – for spin – our center,1 ½ rotations.

13. RISKY? Campbell ’06 – Pistol/Gun 500 snaps = 2 bad snap, 1 bobble.
‘Undercenter’
100 snaps = 1 muffed snap.
7 turnovers all season – 6 fumbles, 1 int.

14. Backfield Techniques Timing – can adjust depths if needed.
RB toes at 6 ½ yds, have moved to 7 or 6 based on speed and play.
QB spin must be quick and consistent to specific play.
QB must stomach ball like under center.
Hand-off are executed like under center.
QB angle will adjusted based on play.
Toss must be a quick, flat toss.