COACHES CHECKLIST FOR OFFENSIVE GAME PLANNING

by Hank Schrader, Bellevue (WA) High School - The Coaches Checklist for Offensive Game Planning

Offensive Strategy Running Attack Passing Attack Developing a game plan OFFENSIVE STRATEGY Balance- what kind of balance of run to pass plays ratio do you want Diversity- multiple points of attack Flexibility- an ability to adjust plays to attack defensive schemes and weaknesses Deceptiveness- using run and pass plays that look alike to confuse defenses - Switching assignments on same play OFFENSIVE EMPHASIS: Attack- Strike the first blow Dictate- force the defense to match your formation and game tempo Execution- you win by how well you performed the designed play Be unpredictable- confused defenses play slow STYLES OF PLAY: Field Position Theory- play calls designed by field position Ball Control Theory- 3 yards and a cloud of dust, keep away from opponent Big Play Theory- chop away then go for the big play Running Game Theory- run the ball more Passing Game Theory- throw the ball more unless forced to RUNNING ATTACK ESTABLISHING THE RUN YOUR RUN GAME NEEDS 3 KIND OF PLAYS: Power Game- getting more players to the point of attack than the defense Speed Game- Plays in which the ball carrier quickly attacks the L.O.S. before the defense can react Finesse Game- plays based on misdirection to fool the defenders 12 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN FORMING YOUR RUNNING

ATTACK: 1. What plays should we run ? 2. Where should we run the play ? 3. We should we avoid running ? 4. How can we dictate defensive alignments by our formations, shifts, and motions ? 5. How many yards rushing are needed to win the game ? 6. How many times do we want to run ? 7. How many practice reps do we need to accomplish our goal? 8. How many different sets do we need to win this game? 9. How many tight end and split end formations do we need to use to win ? 10. How will field position change our running game (both hash marks and by vertical field positions) 11. Do we need an audible run plan for this game? 12. What is our plan for the following situations : - Short yardage - Goal line - Danger zone - Red zone - 2 minute offense - Slow down offense - 2 point conversions - Must have first downs - Killing the clock

RUNNING STRATEGY BY DOWN AND DISTANCE:

FIRST AND 10: - Use your best ball carrier - Quick hitting dives and traps - Try for positive runs of 3-5 yards or sweeps to the outside for a sure gain - Defenses vary looks on first down- sweeps, zone, toss SECOND AND LONG: - Use high % runs to get into 3rd and medium/short situation - Counters, reverses, bootlegs - Run/Pass option plays are excellent - Draws can be successful since defenders will make their drops sooner and deeper - Play action passes THIRD AND LONG (10 or MORE)

Use your fastest ball carrier with big play potential Need to designate plays with big play potential Avoid screens and draws (Defenses expect this) Run pass option plays Must prepare players mentally for this situation

2nd 3RD AND 7-10 - Spread the field if possible and use traps or counters - Use the back with the best chance of getting the first down - Quick toss plays - 3 step pass game 3RD AND 4-6 - DEFENSES often use their best formation/call in this situation so go with your best call - Force the defense out of their comfort zone by forcing a switch in alignment, or tempo - Your runner must get up field on one cut, no dancing - Often the defense will blitz so consider a run-pass option play 3rd and SHORT (3 or less) - Power type plays with lead blocker (iso, belly, power) - Run away from opponents strength - Use most consistent back and best blockers - Change up cadences (go on first sound or 2 or 3) - RUNNING STRATEGY BY DOWN AND DISTANCE: RED ZONE (opp. 25 AND IN) - Anticipate man coverage, use quick hitters and more consistent plays - Give the ball to the 2nd back using lead blocker type plays - Anticipate blitzes: use draws, traps, screens, and tricks possibly RED ZONE (15 and IN) - Consider roll out, sprint passing game, with possiblility of QB run - Make the defense defend the entire field with counters, reverses, sweeps - Attack weakest links of defenses - Use the run to set up the pass (sweep then fake sweep bootleg pass) DOWN AND GOAL RED ZONE - Eliminate mistakes - Best back should run behind best blockers

- Protect the football and eliminate extra ball handling - Run your best plays - Must score DANGER ZONE - BACKED UP (your own 30 to your own goalline) - Use quick hitters with most reliable back - Avoid slow to develop plays - If on the goaline, you must gain at least 5 yards for the punter to not be crowded

COMPOENENTS FOR BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL PASSING GAME:

You must develop a wide (horizontal) and deep (vertical) game A TOTAL PASS PACKAGE includes: drop back passes (3, 5, 7, 9, step drops), quick passes, sprint out passes, play action passes, screens, and some sort of blitz control Time to throw is critical meaning you cant throw it if you cant block it 12 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN FORMING PASS GAME PLAN: 1. What pass plays should we run 2. Where should we pass 3. Where should we avoid passing 4. How can we make the defense change alignment by motions, shifts, and formations 5. How many yards passing do we need to win the game 6. How many times do we want to pass 7. How many practice reps do we need to accomplish these goals 8. How many different sets to we need for this game 9. How many tight end or split end sets do we need 10. How will field position change our passing game 11. Do we need an audible pass plan for this game 12. What is our plan / call for certain situations PASSING ATTACK BY DOWN AND DISTANCE: 1st and 10: - Use play action passes that look like run plays - Utilize high % quick throws (3 step game) - Qb must not take a sack - Defenses vary their looks the most in this situation so disguise high % plays 2nd and long: - Use high % calls to get to 2nd and medium or less - Have your qb use rhythm throws of 3 or 5 step drops with an option to 2nd level if short receivers are covered - This is a blitz down, use a hot receiver - Delay routes are effective, DBs use drops sooner and deeper

3rd and 12 or more: - deep flag routes are usually high % throws, switch routes, dig routes, are also very good - consider hook routes and running plays vs. soft zone - Consider keeping one blocker in to give QB time and play call to develop 3rd and 7-10 - Possible blitz situation- Think Max Protection - Use hooking routes vs. zone coverage and comeback routes on boundaries vs. man - Short crosses and delays are also good in this situation - QB has more time to wait for WRs to get open, WHY? A sack on 3rd down is not as bad as a sack on other downs 3rd and 4-6 - Defenses are going to use their best call, QB and WR pre snap reads are critical - WR must be aware of first down marker and run route accordingly - WR must get up field after catch - Common blitzing down, have a hot receiver 3rd and 3 or less - Expect tight coverage, so WR must push hard to get up field, Teach WRS to get up field and break contact at LOS - Hot receiver must always be ready for the ball - Out routes in the flats should be ran at least 1 yard pass first down marker PASSING ATTACK BY ZONE (FIELD POSITION) Red Zone (25 and in) - Anticipate man coverage - Use at least 1 play with possible TD ability - Anticipate blitzes , think hot routes, and protection adjustments Red Zone (15 and in) - Use crossing routes and attack corners of endzone teach QB to lead receivers when throwing into this area - Have a blitz plan - Recievers must know to find the back of the endzone if original route breaks down - Use distinct receiver breaks and push hard reduced room = tighter coverage Red Zone (down and goal) - Receivers must run all routes over the goaline - Use crossing and play action routes

- QB must not take a sack, get rid of the ball - Misses must be outside and deep, do not throw off the back foot or late - Recievers must work to get to the back of the endzone if route breaks down - Expect tight coverage, teach receivers how to break free Danger Zone - Backed up (your 30 and in) - Have a hot receiver ready in case of blitz - Use isolation routes on the edges away from traffic - Use max protection to give your QB time

DEVELOPING AN OFFENSIVE GAME PLAN

9 Steps for Developing your Game Plan: 1. Break down game film of your opposition 2. Self scouting is crucial 3. Gather printed scouting material 4. Create scouting reports 5. Diagram / staff chalk talk 6. Develop the game plan 7. Educate your players 8. Design the practice 9. Execute the game plan GAME FILM OF YOUR OPPOENENT: What is their basic defensive scheme ? Do they play passively or attack ? What are their situational defenses ? What are their tendencies by field position, formation, and down & distance ? SELF SCOUTING Are you faking well ? Do you run the same exact play in the same exact situation ? Do you substitute one player than give him the ball ? Is your team predictable ? GATHER PRINTED SCOUTING MATERIAL With your film breakdown determine: Their best players by position Who is their best tackler, best pass rusher, best coverage player Relative strength of DLs, LBs, DBs Key backups and situational subs Tip offs such as blitz alignments Position techniques of opponents such as favorite moves CREATE SCOUTING REPORT

Profile the opposition by: height, weight, starters, numbers, class, best and worst players Diagram defensive fronts and coverages with notes for players List play % on fronts, coverages, blitzes, by down and distance, and field position Tell your team what they must do to win DIAGRAM / STAFF CHALK TALK Staff needs to focus on play selection and blocking schemes Select your play list from master play list and adjust blocking scheme if necessary Consider developing a list of best plays versus certain defenses/fronts DEVELOPING THE GAME PLAN Two Types of Game Plans: Situational - plays organized by down and distance Script- pre determined plays from a script with a plan for situations that call to go off script EDUCATE YOUR PLAYERS Its not what you know, its what they know If you have a film session reviewing previous game, afterwards have a quick overview of upcoming game Monday- give out scouting report, only include information that players will need to succeed Practice new plays or seldom used plays , handouts with blocking adjustments helpful Keep education process going Tuesday and Wednesday with final review on Thursday DESIGNING PRACTICES Monday: individual and group skills, some team front and coverage recognition Tuesday: features group and team units with the 1st team look at scout defense (scripted), adjust game plan if needed Wednesday: Team live vs. scout in scripted special situations Thursday: Run through script vs bags, make sure each play is executed perfectly, if I do not run a play 10 times in practice, I will not use it in a game How you accomplish this task is not as important as establishing a practice routine that your players know and understand EXECUTING THE GAME PLAN Get a moment alone to practice your play calling while watching film Before a team meeting, check in with the booth coaches to review game plan and forms and to insure they know what to look for Review the game plan with the team and any last minute reminders Game time communication- develop sound techniques and procedures Look for early adjustments and fix them quickly At the end of each series coaches must provide feedback, make sure players know what is expected

Halftime adjustments: What were our most successful plays (CHART PLAYS !) Why ? What must we do to win this game? Never forget the players. Its not the X and Os, its the Jimmies and Joes. If you got a stud, make sure you use him all you can despite criticism.

I have noticed while being sidelined for two seasons that many of the youth teams I have seen dont use a series based system. What I have seen is coaches doing what Coach Ted Seay said in one of his interviews on my show Madden Play calling coaches. We all have ran across or seen this type of play calling. This is a coach that has a group of plays and a playbook of the size of Coach Saunders that use to coach for the Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs. The problem with this is that when defensive adjustments are made its hard for these coaches to make adjustments. They fuse all kind of schemes and systems into one and try to re-invent the wheel. This is the wrong approach when it comes to play calling as a youth coach. Then you have times when you cant get your team in a flow. Its times that these types of coaches get into a situation and seem to stall and not be able to move the ball effectively because they dont have a series to get them into a flow. The main problem with Madden Play Calling is that the use of series allows you to have a systematic approach at attacking a team. Find a system you know and understand

When you settled on a system find a series that allow you to have a balanced attack. If you settled with the Wing T you may want to use the 20 series. This is the bucksweep series that many teams hang their hats on. This series is based off of a power sweep to the edge. Now when the defense makes an adjustment you can attack other areas. If they flow to the strong side you can use the criss cross which is a counter going away from the strong side. If you see the LBs shifting you can also come back with a trap inside. Then if you see the safety come down you can use a waggle PA pass to attack in the air. All of these plays look alike and bring a form of balance to your attack offensively. So pick a series that allow you to have a balanced attack this put pressure on the defense and keep them on their heels the whole game. Understand the defensive adjustments with your series When you have found a system you like, and you find a series you like to run understand the adjustments. Many of the series you run there is a key read per play to let you know what the next play should be. In most systems you have to key on certain adjustments to help you know how to attack the defense. In some cases it can be a formation adjustment, use of motion, a shift, or an on me check that allows the QB to flip the play at the line. I have seen in some cases a team has the right series, but get away from a play because of poor adjustments. If youre a double wing team and use a jet series and the defense make an adjustment by bring the dbs in tight and blitz the edge you dont have to dump the jet sweep. You can just flair the FB outside to force the corner back to account for him. If they dont slide the corner back over the flared FB

you can call a quick bubble to him and take advantage of that match-up. Once they slide the DB back you can continue your jet sweep attack and force them to make another adjustment. Some series are based off of the edge defender, a shift, or the use of the safeties getting involved. You may see timed blitzes as well. When you pick a series just do the research to know what these adjustments are. You can also go to local forums and post questions about adjustments and coaches will tell you how teams they faced adjusted to the series. You want to be proactive and not wait till someone makes an adjustment that you cant account for. When they do you just go into your toolbox and find the tool to fix the problem. In some cases you may have to go to another series to extend your offensive attack.

Pick a series that fit your team This is a twofold tip really when it comes to the system and the series you want to run. Dont go to an option system if you dont have the QB to run the system. Dont go to an I form pro system and you dont have the components to run it effectively. Find a system that fit your team and only run a series that play to your strengths. You may laugh and say this is common sense, but you will be surprised. You will really enjoy your season if you pick a system that fit the talent you have on your team. If you use a Wing T and you like the 20 seriesyou may have a poor FB. This doesnt mean you can run the trap, but you may find that your QB is better at running than you FB. You make the adjustment by using an empty attack and allow the QB to run the trap and get the same effect. You may sub in a back runner to the FB spot when you want to run trap as well. Find a system that fit your team, make sure you have a series that fit your skill sets, and make adjustments to ensure you can run the series effectively. Dont preceded to the next series before you get the 1st one down This is one that I cant stress enough. You will find that some coaches will jump to one series before they get the base on down 1st. When I sat in on Coach Dave Cisar lectures he talked about how people would jump the base series and go to the spinner or mouse series. The key with some of these systems is that the base series is the foundation of other series. You will find that you will be running the same plays, but with other series within your system the backfield action will change. If your series has a dive, toss, and counter. If you add a rocket series you will still run the same base plays with the rocket motion. Now when you run the rocket sweep they will flow to the rocket and you still can dive and run counter off of it. The thing is that if you can get the toss, dive, and counter down how effective you think your rocket action will be? Make sure you walk before you run. Make sure you get the base series down and when you do go to the next one. You will find that you will be prepared and move the ball with ease when you take this approach. Try to use series that have the same blocking scheme Try to find a series that have the same blocking scheme. You dont want your kids learning 25 blocking schemes. You will find that many of the series that are out there have the same blocking within that series. This will help you time wise and cut down on how much you kids have to

learn. Coach Olsen that runs the shotgun jet sweep only has 3 blocking schemes within 3 series. He can run up to 20 plays, but the kids know that all they need to learn is 3 blocking schemes. This is huge and cut down his time when installing his series. Coach Johnston only runs one formation and runs 2-3 blocking schemes as well. This allows both coaches to focus on other things that teaching so many blocking schemes. I have a close friend of mines that coach. He had well over 12 blocking schemes for his kids w/ no series what so ever. Its safe to say what happen in the end. The kids learned the blocking scheme, but they werent great at any of them. You want to have a small amount of plays/blocking schemes down very well. Then you can add other adjustments to enhance you scheme. Coach Mcnew flips his offensive line so he doesnt have to teach both ways. This is very old school but look at how much time he saved by doing this. Then how many people at the youth level will know that the offensive linemen have flipped sides?

When you use a series based attack you will find that you will be more successful and have a systematic approach at attacking any defense. Make sure you tape your practice and your games. This is a key tool to help you fine tune your scheme. Have your coaches break down the film. Also make sure you assign coaches to areas of adjustment. You will find that many asst. coaches are watching the game instead of coaching the game. When you settle of a series or two have them assigned to an area. This way when an adjustment is made you will be ready for the next move. You will find that the use of series based play calling will make you look like a genius when all the while the defense is telling you where you attack them on every play.