How to run mesh

 Mesh is one of the staples of the air raid offense. When you hear air raid, this is one of the plays, if not THE play that comes to mind. It is a play that gives QB quick reads, and can put the defense in conflict with the crossing routes in the middle and can still attack deeper down the field. This is why there has been a debate on if it is a quick game or a drop back. 

The godfather of the air raid, Coach Hal Mumme, ran the mesh differently that the way Coach Mike Leach does. But, but they still have very close similarities. It is a play that has evolved over time, and started to get more tags. We will be talking about the Coach Mumme way, and the Coach Mike Leach way.

We will look at the Ace formation in the Air raid terms. This is a 10 personnel 2x2 spread set. The Y always sets the mesh at about 5-6 yards. He is running right behind where the 2 inside linebackers are sitting. In Coach Mumme's way, the X was running the mesh. He is aiming for 4-5 yards, after he sees where the Y is setting the mesh. They will literally slap hands and keep running. The H (In the air raid he is the F) is running the arrow route or a quick out. The Z is running an out or a corner. The T is running the arrow route, or could run a swing route. The mesh WR's, if the do not get the ball after they pass the outside linebackers, they will continue up the field for a deep play. The read for the QB is towards the Z, back to the running back, to mesh then back to the H or F. 

Coach Mumme, and others, have started to add the run and shoot type of routes into the air raid. Now, he has the Z and QB communicate on which route to run. The QB will signal to the WR what route he wants them to run, depending on the leverage of the defense. He will run a speed out, a corner, or post/post dig. Everything else in the 2x2 from the previous way to run mesh is the same. The read for the QB is the same. He will read towards the route he gave the Z, to the RB, to the mesh, then to the H. If H is open, he will yell he is open since it is the quickest route. 

Coach Mike Leach worked with Hal Mumme for many years at different schools. When coach Leach became a HC, he took the mesh and made some tweaks. Out of the 2x2 (ace), there are some differences but lots of similarities. The outside WR's will run a corner, but can run more of a capped out. Y still sets the mesh at about 5-6 yards. H or F will run 4-5 yard mesh and slap hands with the QB. If it is man coverage, they will keep running to the sideline. If it is zone coverage, they will sit down in open grass. The running back will run a swing route. The read for the QB is the softest corner. If the softest corner is to the left, he will read to the left Wr, to the RB, then back to the mesh. This opens up the mesh more when working the other routes. 

Mesh out of 3x1 for Coach Leach. The Y still sets the mesh, but now the Z will run the mesh at 4-5 yards. Still the same rules, man coverage continue to run to the sideline. If it is zone coverage, sit in open grass. The H (F) will now run a post or a post dig. The X will run a corner or corner out route. The running back will run a swing away from the trips. The read is where the safety is lined up. If the H can get leverage inside, that is the first read. If not, the read is the out, to post, back to the mesh then to the RB. 

The mesh is a simple play that can be used in any offense. But, it takes a ton of reps, and a ton of practice for the QB. But this gives simple reads for the QB, and can get you a deep play or a quick throw. 

Always be simple!

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