What is west coast offense?

The West Coast offense is a style of offensive system in American football that was popularized by coach Bill Walsh during his time with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s. It emphasizes short, quick passes and precise timing between the quarterback and receivers. The system relies on precision route-running, timing and accuracy from the quarterback, as well as decision-making based on the defense's coverage.

The West Coast offense is typically characterized by a high completion rate, with the idea that short passes can be used as an extension of the running game. It also makes use of multi-receiver sets and relies on creating mismatches with defenders, often through pre-snap motion, shifts and formations.

The West Coast offense has been adopted by numerous NFL teams and is still widely used in the league today, with many variations and adaptations to fit different personnel and coaching styles. It has been influential in shaping modern passing offenses in football.