Pistol Option Offense: 2-Man Game with Lead

with Chris Klenakis,
Vanderbilt Offensive Line Coach;
2025 FootballScoop Offensive Line Coach of the Year;
Kennesaw State Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach in 2023;
Liberty Offensive Line Coach in 2022;
South Alabama Quality Control Analyst in 2021;
Louisville Tight Ends/Offensive Line Coach from 2014 to 2018, Co-Offensive Coordinator in 2016;
Iowa State University Offensive Line Coach in 2013;
Arkansas Offensive Line Coach from 2010 to 2012;
Nevada Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach from 2004 to 2009;
Central Missouri Offensive Coordinator in 2003;
Southern Miss Offensive Coordinator from 2000 to 2002;
Nevada Assistant Coach/Offensive Coordinator from 1990 to 1999;
Churchill County (NV) HS Head Coach from 1987 to 1989;
2x Nevada HS Coach of the Year;
was the first Offensive Coordinator in D-I history to coach an offense that led the nation in rushing and passing during his career;
as a college OL coach, has developed 24 NFL offensive linemen;
as an Offensive Coordinator, developed Lamar Jackson (Louisville) and Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) into elite, dual-threat quarterbacks;
the 2009 Wolf Pack squad featured three different 1000-yard rushers - the only school in NCAA history to do so

Chris Klenakis can lay claim as the only coach who was an integral part of the molding process of both Colin Kaepernick and Lamar Jackson into elite players while they were in college. Thanks to his time at Nevada and Louisville, Klenakis has observed what it takes to maximize the Pistol Option Offense.

In this video, Coach Klenakis covers how to run the Two-Man Zone Read with a lead from multiple formations. He explains how to choose which side of the defense to attack, covers blocking variations that are effective against various types of defenses, and more!

Two-Man Game with a Lead Blocker

Coach Klenakis begins by explaining what the Two-Man Read Game is - a zone read scheme that involves either a give to the running back or a keep by the quarterback. This scheme is improved upon by including a lead blocker for the QB. Klenakis details the different ways that a lead blocker can be gained, including a T-block, arc, insert, slice, and ice blocks. Additionally, Coach Klenakis explains how he uses "blinders" to take advantage of defenses that key the H-back to gain an extra defender on the QB.

In all, you'll learn how to:

• "Borrow" blockers to create a lead blocker for the QB.
• Coach the individual lead blocks and know when to use each one.
• Use "blinders" to create conflict with the linebacker's reads.

Formations Used with the Two-Man Lead Scheme

Next, Klenakis covers the individual formations and personnel groups that are used to create the lead blocker. He breaks down the differences between playing the tight end on the line as opposed to off the line, and how he uses both alignments to his advantage.

You'll also observe formations from several personnel groups, including; 1 TE, 2 TE, 1, 2, and 3RBs, as well as 2 TE, 2 RB short yardage personnel groups. Several motion and shift concepts are used to give the offense advantages from various formations. Also, Coach Klenakis covers how he counts defenders to determine which way to run the two-man read scheme.

Overall, this is a great addition to any football coach's library. Coach Klenakis' knowledge on and experiences with the Pistol is impressively rich and deep, and you'll benefit greatly from all of the coaching tips and game footage included in this video!

119 minutes. 2020.