West Coast Offense

Bill Walsh's revolutionary offense

While the Sid Gillman offense with the 60s San Diego Chargers and the Don Coryell offenses with the 70s St. Louis Cardinals and Chargers serve as the prototypes, Bill Walsh developed and refined the West Coast Offense with the 80s San Francisco 49ers. (The Gillman and Coryell offenses, in short, were timed vertical offenses.)

What it does:

• Uses short, high percentage passes. Some of the short passes to the RB are really extensions of running plays.
• Renders blitzing ineffective.
• Burns the clock.
• Stretches the defense.

What it requires:

• Smart quarterback able to read defenses.
• QB with accurate arm. Arm strength is a luxury and isn't necessary.
• RB and TE with hands.

What can stop it? The Cover 2 defense was designed largely in response to the West Coast Offense.