The Pistol Horn Play

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

Effective, easy to implement and adaptable to many different situations, the horn play is an integral part of one of the most exciting offenses to come along in decades. Chris Klenakis, an innovative offensive line coach who helped develop the pistol offense, details one of his top running plays in this dynamic presentation. The horn play, which is similar to the traditional "Wing T Buck Sweep" play but with a tight end, will help stretch the field while creating a north-south downhill power running approach.

This true power scheme stretches the field horizontally. It utilizes an athletic, powerful and guard or tackle to pull lineman in the scheme. Coach Klenakis breaks down each position and their responsibilities, and also details the adjustments needed based on opposing defensive techniques.

Coach Klenakis shares his progression for running the horn play from a 3-by-1 set, a double tight end set and a 2-by-2 set. You'll see how he uses a counting system and a pass run option to take advantage of the defense and their adjustments, while leaving the offense ahead in the game.

Finally, Coach Klenakis moves into a two-part game film session. Various formations are shown, along with detailed adjustments and the responsibilities and techniques each player must execute in order to be successful.

This video shows you how to stretch the defense horizontally while executing a downhill power run play. Make your offense successful this season by maintaining time of possession while still getting the quick strike play you need in your offense.

82 minutes. 2014.