The Ferris State Bulldogs Pistol Option Offense - aka The Showgun

Rob Zeitman - Ferris State Assistant HC and Offensive Coordinator

The Pistol Option Offense, aka The Showgun, is the high-powered offense of Ferris State University in Michigan.  Our video collection begins with the original nine videos that were created by Rob Zeitman to present a comprehensive overview of the Offense, followed by additional videos that provide in-depth looks at the Power Read, Jet Zone Read and other plays that complement the option and power read plays in the FSU Offense.  A number of additions are planned for 2016.

The first video in the collection presents The Inside Veer - the core play in the Showgun, in 4 parts totaling 43 minutes. It contains introductory material, philosophy and other information, so we recommend that it is viewed prior to viewing other videos in the series.  As with all Option Central videos, we've optimized the videos for streaming and convenient viewing. The videos are presented in cutup format for more convenient viewing when appropriate. To watch a video recording, click the link to open a video player page for that particular video.

Please disregard the password located in the upper left corner of the individual video player pages.  To make it easier for our Members to view videos, passwords are no longer required for viewing the videos in the video resource library. In the event we missed a video (there were about 200 when we removed the passwords), enter the password in the upper left corner of the individual video screen, and then please Contact Us to let us know which one we misssed.

The Inside Veer - Video 1 in the series covers the base play in the Showgun Pistol Option Offense (Updated Version)
Part 1 - Introduction to the Showgun - 12:28 minutes
Part 2 - Quarterback Play, Slot Fundamentals, Running Back Fundamentals and Perimeter Blocking - 13:50 minutes
Part 3 - Offensive Line Play, Half Line Inside Veer Drill - 6:21 minutes
Part 4 - Blocking Scheme AdjustmentsCutups 10:32 minutes

BONUS VIDEO
Game Cuts - Quarterback Runs compliation provides an in-depth look at using your QB as a primary ball carrier. It consists of Quarterback runs & Option Plays utilized between 2013 and 2015 - a period when the Ferris State Offense has averaged over 300 yards rushing per game .. in each of the last 3 years. Ferris State finished second in the NCAA Division II rankings last season in several offensive categories including scoring offense & total offense.

The Quarterback run Game Cuts learning tool has tight & wide angle video of plays preceded by schematic diagrams detailing play assignments & coaching points. The video is over 45 minutes in length, is presented by Option Central in 5 parts - organized by the type of play. Game cutups show varying formations & play actions that disguise the repetitive nature of these plays. This compilation formed the core run game that propelled the Ferris State’s Dual Threat Quarterback to the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2014.

Game Cuts - QB Runs Part 1 - In the first in a 5 part video, two Ferris State Triple Options are featured - the Zone Triple and the Veer Triple. Plays are shown from various formations, and include Give, Pitch and Keep reads.  Both good and bad plays included - 6:49 minutes

The Midline Veer - Video 2 in the series, covers the Midline Veer play in the Showgun Pistol Option Offense (Updated Version)
Part 1 - Introduction to the Midline Veer, Skill position fundamentals - 16:56 minutes
Part 2 - Offensive Line Play, Blocking Scheme Adjustments - 9:12 minutes
Part 3 - Cutups - 9:01 minutes

The Passing Game in the Short Pistol - Video 3 in the series, covers the Passing Game in the Showgun Pistol Option Offense  (Updated Version)
Part 1 - Introduction, Bubble Screen, Bubble Screen Derivatives - 9:37 minutes
Part 2 - The 3-Step Passing Game - 7:26 minutes
Part 3 - Play Action Passing - 12:21 minutes
Part 4 - Pass Protections - 5:41 minutes

Video 4 - Option Variations in the Showgun Pistol Option Offense - 43 minutes

Video 5 - The No Huddle Game in the Short Pistol - Video 5 in the series. Now available in 4 parts. (Updated Version - 2015)

Part 1 - Introduction, Basics and Philosophy Utilizing Formations - 15:18 minutes
Part 2 - Implementation of the No Huddle Attack, Language of the No Huddle - 15:56 minutes
Part 3 - Making Practices fit the No Huddle system - 10:10 minutes
Part 4 - Practing Situations - 8:18 minutes

Video 6 - Offensive Line Play in the Showgun Pistol Option Offense - 34:17 minutes

Video 7 - Game Planning and Preparation - Ferris State Pistol Option Offense - 39:46 minutes

Video 8 - Situational Offense - Ferris State Pistol Option Offense - 26:15 minutes

Video 9 - Complementary Plays Volume 1 - a six part series, each focusing on a play that complements the Pistol Option attack. 

Part 1 - Introduction to Ferris State Play Selection, including The Spin Trap play (aka Trap Option from the Pistol) - 9:34 minutes
Part 2 - Jet and Fly (Navy Toss) Sweep : Two perimeter sweeps that complement the Pistol Option - great for getting to the edge quickly - 13:06 minutes
Part 3 - Wing Counter - Wing Counter from the Pistol - 7:42 minutes
Part 4 - Zone Read - Zone Read from the Pistol - 5:26 minutes
Part 5 - Jet Zone Read: The Inverted Veer - A twist on the Zone Read play that is based on Jet Sweep action  - 8:34 minutes
Part 6 - The Outside Veer - Outside Veer play from the Pistol  - 6:45 minutes

Zone Read Game Cuts - Cut ups from the zone read double option play, the zone triple option play, and the zone read play with center wrap on the ILB. These three key complimentary pistol plays are shown from various formations, with good and bad plays included - 26:25 minutes

Game Cuts - QB Runs Part 2 - In the second in a 5 part video, a number of Ferris State QB Runs are featured, including the Jet Draw, QB Counter Trey, Jet Zone Read, Lead Option with Center Pull and Zone Read with Center Pull. Plays are shown from various formations, with and without motion.  10:43 minutes

Videos 10 through 12  - The Power Read and Jet Zone Read Plays in depth - This three part series was produced after the 2013 season, and focuses on the Power Read and Jet Zone Read plays introduced in Part 4 and 5 from Video 9 respectively. 

Part 1 - Introduction to the Power Read and Jet Zone Read Plays (also includes an updated Intro/Overview of the Offensive concepts) - 13:24 minutes
Part 2 - Power Read Play  in depth discussion of the Power Read, including offensive line blocking and game footage -  17:58 minutes
Part 3 - Jet Zone Read Play - similar to the Power Read, the Jet Zone Read is run from a number of formations, including an "Empty" backfield - 9:40 minutes

Power Read Game Cuts - Cut ups illustratiing the Power Read, organized by the type of formation. Understand the dynamics of this popular play from a wide variety of sets, including 2x2 and 3x1 sets with and without a TE and an H Back. Also included are 2 TE sets, motion and  plays run to a nub Tight End or with 3x1 to the boundary. - 14:57 minutes

Jet Read Game Cuts - Cut ups illustratiing the Jet Read. Organized like the Power Read Game Cuts by the type of formation. Shows the play from a wide variety of sets, including 2x2 and 3x1 sets with and without a TE and an H Back. Also included are 2 TE sets, Empty Sets,  plays with motion and  plays run to a nub Tight End or with 3x1 to the boundary. - 11:49 minutes

Game Cuts - QB Runs Part 3 - In the third in a 5 part video, a number of Ferris State QB Runs are featured. An added feature of the QB Runs Game Cuts is that plays are preceded by schematic diagrams detailing play assignments & coaching points. This video includes the Power Read, QB Counter Trey off of Power Read Action and QB Iso and Counter Iso off of Jet Action. Plays are shown from various formations, with and without motion.  14:03 minutes

Videos 13 and 15 - Power Read and Jet Zone Read Complimentary Plays - A second three part series produced after the 2013 season that focuses on the Jet Sweep, Quarterback Iso, Play Action passes and variations from a number of backfield sets. These plays complement the Power and Jet Zone Read Plays in particular, and are great additions to the playbook of any Spread Gun Offense - regardless of the location of the running back (i.e. Pistol set is not required).

Part 1 - Jet Sweep  (Includes an Introduction to the use of Complimentary Plays for the Power and Jet Zone Read series and in depth discussion of the Jet Sweep from a variety of Spread Formations. - 14:55 minutes
Part 2 - Quarterback Iso  in depth discussion of the Quarterback Isolation Play and its variations from a number of formations -  29:01 minutes
Part 3 - QB Sweep and Play Action Passes - an additional play that gets the QB to the perimeter with an army of lead blocks, followed by Pass Plays that stress the Defense as it attempts to defend the Power Read and Jet Zone Read plays  - 9:14 minutes

Complementary Plays Volume II -  Also produced after the 2013 season, includes the Zone Read, Zone Read with Center Pull, Wrap Play, Counter Option with Counter Iso, and Outside Zone. Use with any Spread Offense.

Part 1 - The Wrap Play (includes a review of the FSU Offensive Philosophy) and an in-depth discussion of their quick-hitting, Wrap Play  - 13:51 minutes
Part 2 - Zone Triple  - the FSU Zone triple option features lead blockers on the playside corner and safety and dive, QB Keep and Pitch threats -  9:33 minutes
Part 3 - Zone Read - the FSU variation of the venerable Double Option play, shown from a trips spread formation. Also includes an answer to the "Squeeze/Scrape" method of defending the Zone Read - the Zone Read Center Pull variation.  8:24 minutes
Part 4 - Counter Option / Counter Iso  - a triple option play that uses motion to create misdirection, along with a varation that takes advantage of fast-pursuing defenses, the Counter Iso.  7:14 minutes
Part 5 - Outside Zone  - a "stretch" style play from both Tight End and 2x2 spread sets, to the field and boundary, that uses pulling (uncovered) linemen -  5:25 minutes

Game Cuts - QB Runs Part 4 - In the fourth in a 5 part video, a number of Ferris State QB Runs and RPOs are featured. An added feature of the QB Runs Game Cuts is that plays are preceded by schematic diagrams detailing play assignments & coaching points. This video includes the Counter Trey off of Jet Action, the Dual Read Trey Pass RPO, a QB Outside Zone,  and a Dual Read Power Pass RPO. Plays are shown from various formations, with and without motion.  7: 31 minutes

Game Cuts - QB Runs Part 5 - In the fourth in a 5 part video, the Midline, Midline with Center Wrap and QB Draw play are presented . Also included is a Midline with Center Wrap/Bubble RPO, a Center Wrap QB Keep, a QB Trap, and a QB Draw. An added feature of the QB Runs Game Cuts is that plays are preceded by schematic diagrams detailing play assignments & coaching points. Plays are shown from various formations, with and without motion.  11: 04 minutes

Counter Option, Iso and Center Wrap Game Cuts - Cut ups illustrating the Counter Option play that is designed to look like the zone read or zone triple play, Includes a Counter Iso play cut up from various formations and the Center Wrap Iso-play that looks like inside veer. Three successful complementary plays.  37:02 minutes

* The Pistol Option Offense collection includes a total of 15 volumes plus Bonus 4 Game Cuts collections.  Members have unlimited access to the entire series.