How Ole Miss OC Phil Longo gets the most out of 7on7

By Katelyn Lemen | Posted 6/13/2017

Phil Longo, the new offensive coordinator at Ole Miss, likes to think a little outside of the box when it comes to maximizing his team’s work in 7on7 sessions.

Longo, who spent the last three seasons at Sam Houston State, compiling more than 22,000 total yards during that stretch, thinks that sometimes, 7on7 drills don’t accurately reflect game-like situations.

The problem? Many times, quarterbacks don’t feel pressured to pass as quickly. They have too much time to decide, making the drill unrealistic.

“It’s a drill done without the O-line, so sometimes it can cultivate a security for the quarterback that they don’t have,” Longo said, in a recent episode of the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast.

Longo likes to implement simple pressures on the quarterback to help simulate a rush—making it a more productive, realistic experience for the quarterback.

“We have guys out there with their hands up, going through stunts so the quarterback still has the feeling of a moving pocket," he said.

If the quarterback doesn’t get rid of the ball in a timely manner, Longo will end the play and call it a sack or turn it into a scramble drill.

“We are not going to sit back there for five seconds when we know we won’t have five seconds in a game,” Longo said.

This is the opposite of some drills and routes that seem specifically designed for passing with no pads on—which don’t translate very well to plays that teams will actually run during the season:

Listen to the full Coach and Coordinator podcast with Phil Longo below, and check out the USA Football 7on7 here.

Share