Bolt Offense

Joe Osovet has been coaching for 28 years with stints at all different levels of football. Currently he is in his second year as head football coach at Heritage HS in Maryville, TN.  He presented at the 2024 AFCA Convention about his Bolt Offense.  Here is how coach Osovet implements that philosophy.

Offensive Philosophy:  

• Foundation is TOUGHNESS…NOT finesse, gadgets, or tricks! 
• Limit the number of schemes for your offensive line 
• Rely heavily on RPO game to NOT get “+” in box 
• Ability to run the “READ game” from ALL our POWER PLAYS 
• Make defense defend multiple players during same play (Triple RPO’s) 
• Be MULTIPLE in our Pre-snap alignment (Disguising Best Schemes) 
• Play Fast – Well-conditioned athletes DEFEAT tired talent! 

• MAKE CONDITIONING A FACTOR! 

• Put all the thought process on your QB (He touches the ball the most) 
• DO NOT let the defense play downhill 
• Must have ANSWERS on game day 

How We Operate: 

• Install is predicated on CONCEPTS, NO numbering system, NO passing tree 
• Be Multiple in our Pre-Snap Alignment (Backfield & Perimeter Alignment) 
• Emphasis on Word Association 
• ALL HAND SIGNALS (we signal Pers. Grouping & Play) 
• 1 TEMPO-Ability to play FAST!…1 WORD CALL gives us direction/play/Secondary Manipulation 
• Implementation of “SNAP VARIANCE” cadence (change indicator) 
• “JOKER” cadence  
• Emphasis on Simplicity (Limited Schemes up front with Multiple Variations) 
• “FREEZE” Cadence 
• Checkers System (Predicated off the Defense pre-snap alignment) NEVER IN WRONG PLAY! 

The Five Rules of Tempo: 

1. 10 SECONDS TO GET SIGNAL & ALIGN 

*Tempo starts with WR alignment (They run the furthest!) 

2. ALL balls NEVER hit the ground (GIVEN TO UMPIRE)
3. “RUN FROM SIGNAL” – Getting aligned as signal being given
4. MUST have Limited Verbiage & Signals (OL/QB)
5. MOTIONS & SHIFTS INCORPORATED into Concepts

* ROAD RUNNER DRILL 

Schematic Elements While Game Planning  

Make the defense defend the ENTIRE FIELD 

1. Length & Width
2. Formation 
3. RUN & PASS sideline to sideline 

• Create 1 on 1 matchup with vertical Alley to run in 
• O-LINE: How can we get them “OTA” and NOT “NOTA” 
• Create an Answer Sheet-Do your best thinking in a controlled environment.  

Advantages of Read Game 

• Ability to attack defensive structures multiple ways 
• Gets you even/+1 inbox allows for DOUBLE TEAMS at the point of attack 
• Slows down aggressive style defenses 
• Takes advantage of FAST FLOW players (Use aggressiveness against them) 

**90% of Offense is POST-SNAP READ GAME** 

The ENTIRE run game fits into these 3 Blocking Schemes 

• REO-LEO   
• DEMON SCHEME 
• LEAVE “2” 
• **ZIP** (TRUE ZONE) 

Offensive Line Beliefs 

Focus on: 

• TECHNIQUE, FUNDAMENTALS, & COMMUNICATION 
• INSTEAD of learning multiple blocking schemes 
• *Eliminates cognitive process 
• “IF YOU WANT TO PUT IN A NEW WRINKLE, MAKE SURE IT LOOKS THE SAME FOR THE GUYS UP FRONT!” 

“A” Level Reads 

• A Level Reads=Defensive line 

“B” Level Reads 

• B Level Reads=Linebackers 

“C” Level Reads 

• C Level Reads=Safeties 

Bounce: 

• Reading the 50 backer in a 3×1 look 
• Watch where the linebackers go 
• Trying to get 5×5 in the box 

Sniper: 

• No change from bounce as far as offensive line 
• Multiple plays to run it 
• Same reads 

 RPO’s: 

• How to coach RPO’s 
• You need to practice them every single day