Marrying Stick and Zone Bubble

Ian Formaz · Mike Ward

Feb 2015 · Coaches Edge Technologies, LLC

About this ebook

 Coach Formaz and Coach Ward share one of their successful concepts in their read game.  They illustrate how marrying the zone run concept with the stick and bubble pass concepts allows them to incorporate the read game with a quarterback who is not a runner.  This run-pass option is an effective way to attack the defense.  Multi-angle game cut-ups are provided.

About the author

Ian Formaz is in his third season as co-offensive coordinator at Ohio Wesleyan.  He helped mastermind a Battling Bishop offense that ranked fifth in passing among all NCAA Division III schools.

Formaz came to Ohio Wesleyan from Lake Erie College, where he was the offensive line coach and strength & conditioning coordinator for the Storm for 5 seasons.  He coached a Storm offense that averaged over 400 yards and 25 points per game during a 3-season span.  Lake Erie ranked in the top 25 nationally in rushing twice under Formaz's guidance.

Prior to joining the Lake Erie staff, Formaz coached at Concord University for 2 seasons, serving as offensive and defensive line coach as well as the team's strength & conditioning coordinator.  He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Baldwin-Wallace College, where he coached the junior varsity offensive line.

During his playing career, Formaz was a 2-year starter on the Baldwin-Wallace offensive line, earning second-team Associated Press Little All-America honors as well as a first-team All-America nod from the SID Division III All-America team.  He was a first-team all-region selection and a first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference pick.

Formaz is a 2005 graduate of Baldwin-Wallace, earning a degree in physical education, health promotion and education with an emphasis in fitness management.  He continued his education at Concord, earning a master's degree in behavorial science in 2007.

Mike Ward is in his fourth season as an assistant football coach at Ohio Wesleyan University.  He serves as co-offensive coordinator and coaches the Battling Bishop quarterbacks.

Last year, he helped mastermind a Battling Bishop offense that ranked fifth in passing among all NCAA Division III schools.

Ward came to Ohio Wesleyan after coaching stops at Marshall University and Baldwin-Wallace College.  He earned his master’s degree in adult and technical education from Marshall in 2010.

Ward is a 2007 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan.  During his Battling Bishop career, he lettered 4 times in football and track & field.