Move the Pocket with the Dash Pass Concept
The Hitch Naked Concept Evolved
The Dash pass concept has been along for a while now, but we have seen it gain a ton of popularity in the past few seasons. While not 100% confirmed but the first person to really bring attention to this concept was Jim Zebrowski (currently the offensive coordinator at Kansas, but the concept was developed while he was at University of Wisconsin Whitewater.) Initially Zebrowski referred to it as their "hitch naked" package because it featured a hitch on one side and a boot concept on the other side. The Naked aspect referred to it as a naked bootleg after the quarterback declined to throw the hitch or quick game side. The offensive line would full slide to the quick game side and the running back would protect to the naked side. The play has evolved so that now most teams will keep a tight end or fullback in to block and release the running back to the flat away from the quick game.
Here are a few examples of what this concept looks like in action.
2024 Memphis running the Dash concept on 4th and 3 to pick up a huge first down against Florida State. They motion the outside receiver in to prevent press coverage and make the defense move their eyes. They run a basic flood concept with the Dash action.
Another look at 2024 Memphis as they run Dash on the goal line. You can see the route up top is not a hitch, and really isn't a viable route to start- but the action still freezes the linebackers and allows the QB to roll out and find the running back in the flat for a touchdown.
2024 Clemson with a Dash concept in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. They run a switch curl concept to move the defense and find a zone to sit down in. This was a big first down on the opening drive of the game to keep the chains moving.
The final example we have is Oregon against Washington in the 2023 Pac 12 Championship Game. They motion their H Back in and use him to control the defensive end. They are running a flood concept behind it, but the Tez Johnson finds the soft spot in the coverage and sits down where they find him wide open for a huge gain.
Two more great coaches who love the Dash concept are Joe Matheson at UW-River Falls and Bob Davies now at Marist College. They call this concept more than anyone else in the nation and both have great coaching resources out on it. You need to check them both out! Click on the photo below and it will take you directly to the site. Better yet- use promo code CHUCKTHEROCK to save 20%!
