West coast offense vs. Vertical passing game???

[fantasizing]

can someone explain to me exactly how these two offenses differ? and don't jsut say that one throws the ball deep and the other throws it short. A little more technical explanation would be welcome. Curious after the commendators said that Seattle plays west coast while the Rams are more vertical.

[Atog]

This is a great explanation of the West Coast Offense
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_offense


A Vertical Offense is really based around throwing low or medium percentage long passes to excellent recievers, like Holt and Bruce. Because their skill allows them to catch those passes, any reception can potentionally be a huge play.

[Calyxes]

Throw the ball deep, and throw those dumb ass short passes and go out on third down

[J2thez929]

Throw the ball deep, and throw those dumb ass short passes and go out on third down

U make no sense!

[Atog]

Throw the ball deep, and throw those dumb ass short passes and go out on third down

U make no sense!

for a Lions fan, it makes perfect sense.

[OwenTheBlonde]

Simplistically it really is a "small chunk" offense vs "large chunk" offense. West coast emphasizes short, high-percentages passes and particularly involves the RB in the scheme with short passes that act as runs. Slants, quick slants and quick outs are favorite plays in this scheme as well as the occasional sprint out made famous by "The Catch". A vertical offense, usually credited to "Air" Coryell(sp?) concentrates on deep, longer-developing pass patterns with more go routes, post patterns, fades, etc. It is not as high-percentage but big plays are truly that. Also deep passing opens up the running game more by forcing back DBs and even linebackers.

[Daddymike59]

It would seem that with a West Coast Offense the game is in the q/b's hand at the line and he has to be smart and quick to make decisions at the time of the snap whereas with the vertical game the q/b is most generally a drop back passer given time to read and audible in a more timely fashion but at a higher risk of fuc**ng up, ie the sack bad read int etc.