East Coast
Offense

The system

Tempo and communication

The same calls run at three speeds. Every call is a number on a wristband, sent in by hand signal or sign board.

Cruise

Huddle and break. Mast lines up on the Hinge side. In the four-minute offense, snap with fewer than 10 seconds on the 40-second play clock.

Squall

No huddle. The two ends stay on their side of the field and only Hinge and Jet change sides, so the offense is set within seconds. Snap with 25 or more on the play clock.

Freeze

Line up at Squall speed, then stop and look to the sideline. The staff counts the box and sends the call. A hurried defense often shows its coverage and its pressure.

Cadence

“Set. Go. Hit.” On Set all eleven are still for a full second. On Go, Jet starts his Tide motion. On Hit the ball is snapped, timed so Jet is 2 yards from the quarterback. Without motion the ball is snapped on Hit after Set.

Two repeat words

“Again” runs the same play. “Flip” runs the same play with the strength on the other side. Both let the offense snap the ball before the defense has substituted or reset.

What the rules allow

Wristband play cards may be worn on the wrist, arm or belt. Sign boards are legal, including fixed electronic signs that show still images. Radio in the helmet is not allowed in high school football.

Common questions

Questions coaches ask.

What are the three tempos?
Cruise (huddle and break), Squall (no huddle; the two ends stay on their side of the field and only Hinge and Jet change sides) and Freeze (line up at Squall speed, then stop and look to the sideline while the staff counts the box). The same calls run at all three.
How are calls sent in?
Every call is a number on a wristband, sent in by hand signal or sign board. NFHS allows play cards on the wrist, arm or belt and sign boards including fixed electronic signs with still images; radio in the helmet is not allowed in high school football.
What is the cadence?
“Set. Go. Hit.” On Set all eleven are still for a full second, which satisfies the shift rule. On Go the Jet starts his Tide motion. On Hit the ball is snapped, timed so the Jet is 2 yards from the quarterback. Without motion the ball is snapped on Hit after Set.
What do “Again” and “Flip” do?
“Again” runs the same play. “Flip” runs the same play with the strength on the other side. Both let the offense snap the ball before the defense has substituted or reset.
When do you use Freeze?
When you want information. A hurried defense often shows its coverage and its pressure when the offense lines up fast and stops. The staff counts the box and sends the call, including the Storm check if the box is loaded.
What tempo protects a lead?
Cruise, in the four-minute offense, snapping with fewer than 10 seconds on the 40-second play clock. The four-minute menu on the Tide Table is 88 percent run.