Pistol Option Offense: 2-Man Game

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

Coach Chris Klenakis was at the helm of the Pistol Offense that featured QB Colin Kaepernick at Nevada. Similar offensive principals aided Lamar Jackson's impressive college career that included a Heisman Trophy while Klenakis was on the Louisville staff. The advantage of the Pistol Zone Read is that it can be run from one back formations that spread the defense out. This allows the offense to attack the defense's weakest points!

Coach Klenakis shows how to teach the Pistol Zone Read to attack various defensive fronts and coverages. He uses over 40 minutes of game film, as well as in-depth whiteboard illustrations to show the intricacies of a running play that can exploit the defense by using your running back inside, or getting your quarterback on the edge.

Tips for Running a Two Man Option from Pistol

Klenakis explains the teaching points that dramatically improve the success of the running game, including:

• Adjusting your offense to read gaps, linebackers, and/or defensive linemen.
• Offensive line calls Lock, Insert, and Lead.
• Adjusting blocking angles to attack various defensive fronts.
• Attacking the defense using 10 personnel formations (3x1 and 2x2).

Game Film

Coach Klenakis shows over 40 minutes of game film that illustrates how his offense spreads the field and limits the defense to a few options within the box. He then shows how to attack each of these defensive boxes by reading gaps, first level players, or second level players. He also details how to teach linemen to take advantage of angles that will help the running back gain yards with quick hitting, downhill runs. This opens up the QB run game by attacking the edges of the defense.

You will see Coach Klenakis use game film to break down the techniques necessary to run the Pistol Zone Read. This video is a must-have for any offensive coach who wants to learn various nuances that can make a simple running play the staple of a zone running attack!

75 minutes. 2020.