5 Keys to Offensive Success

Regardless of what system you run or what level you coach, there are 5 things you need to do if you want to be successful on offense. These five things make a huge difference in the level of success you will enjoy. 

Before I get into the five things you must do, I want to focus on perhaps the biggest mistake we make as offensive coordinators. One of the easiest ways to jack up your offensive game plan is to try to do too much. It is very easy to draw things on the board and come up with a million great ideas. Those ideas always look good on paper and on the board. Then you get into the game, and your players don't execute them very well. You find yourself scratching your head. How come this concept didn't work. 

When you add too much into a game plan, you are going to be frustrated. It is very difficult to be good at anything you do, because you can't rep everything. The most important thing you can do when you build your game plan is to cut things out. Find the best of what you like and build from there. 

Think about this. You are going to snap the ball somewhere between 55 and 75 times a game, depending on how fast you play, how much you throw, and how much time your opponent has the football. If you play fast, and you play a team that plays fast, you might get 85 or 90 snaps. If you play a team that runs the ball and eats clock, you might get 45 or 50 snaps. Even you get 80 snaps in a game, you aren't going to need to run 80 different plays. In fact, you are going to repeat things that are working, and cut things out that don't work. It is okay to run the same play back-to-back, and even three or four times in a row. In 1999 we ran I-Right 42 Iso 16 plays in a row. For 2 straight drives that is all we ran. We scored both drives. We had had an advantage on the right side of our line, and our fullback was better than their Mike. 

If you have something they can't stop, run it again and again and again. As you game plan, look for formations that give you leverage, numbers, and green grass. You may find that team lines up different than you expected to a set, and they don't have a force guy, or they are a hat short. Once you find this, exploit it. 

How Much Is Too Much? 5 Negatives When You Install To Much

How much is too much? This is the age old question of offensive coordinators everywhere. At what point do we have too much installed? Why does this even matter? Is there such a thing as too much?

The first thing I will say is that I never once thought we had too little installed. There never was a season where I said, man, we didn't have enough in our system. There have, however, been several seasons where we felt we had too much installed. And often, it showed on the field. 

When you have too much installed, there are 5 things that you will find. 

1. You never get good at anything

2. Your players can't execute at a high level

3. Your coaches struggle to troubleshoot during games

4. It becomes harder to call plays, especially the right plays

5. You don't have an identity. 

    When you have too much installed, it is hard to be good at anything. You will find that you become really good at being average. How many times have you called the perfect play, only to have a kid bust on assignments? This is going to happen at times, but it is going to happen far more often when you have too much installed. 

    I equate installation to a jar full of sand. Once that jar gets full, you put the lid on. You can't add any more sand because there isn't any room. When you add some more sand to the jar, you can't put the lid back on. If you do get the lid on, you risk the jar breaking. How many times have you overloaded your players to the point they can't execute? Everything you install has to be practiced. It has to be rehearsed. You have to be able to run it against any front. The more things you try to do, the less time you have to practice each thing. 

    Another big issue that comes up is troubleshooting. When you have too many plays in your playbook it makes it really difficult to troubleshoot. Your guys come to the sideline after a series, only to be overloaded with information. They are not going to be able to process that information.  Your kids won't be able to make adjustments on the fly. If I am a receiver who has to adjust my blocking based on who the force guy is, I have to be able to determine if this is one high or two high. I have to know based on depth, eyes, and leverage if the corner is a force guy, or a deep zone dropper, or playing man. The more I have to remember, the harder it is going to be for me to make an adjustment and block the right guy. It is why we have receivers blocking no one. They are unsure. This happens all the time in games. Or, a guy will run the wrong route. An offensive lineman will step with the wrong foot. Having too much creates confusion and makes it harder to troubleshoot. 

    The hardest thing to do as a play caller is choose the right play to call when you have too much installed. You are looking at your call sheet, and it is just filled with information. There are really great things on your call sheet, and you can't pick what to call. Or, you can't find something you are looking for. You become indecisive. When you are indecisive you are not going to be as effective as a play caller. If you are targeted in your preparation, you will find yourself being a better play caller. 

    What is your identity? You have to have an identity concept if you are gong to be successful. What is the one play that you can run in your sleep when you need a first down? What is the one thing people must be able to stop if they are going to beat you? That doesn't mean you aren't good at other things, but knowing your identity and identity concept are vital for you to be explosive on offense. Your kids also feed into your identity. When you don't know your identity, they won't know your identity. 

    This is the big challenge coaches face each season, and each game week. How much is too much? It is going to be different for each team. What works for one team may not work for another. Some teams have a higher football aptitude. When a backup is in the game, your call sheet might be limited even further. The less they have to learn, the more effective they will be able to be. 

    As you prepare for the upcoming season, ask yourself these three questions.

Using Formations To Create Leverage, Numbers, and Grass

Using multiple formations can give you an immense advantage on offense. The goal on offense is to create leverage, numbers, green grass, and matchups. Every defense you face will have formations they don't align well to, or that you can find a favorable matchup. Most defenses are well versed at aligning to two back pro sets, doubles, and twins open. It helps to have a formation system that allows you to align in sets that defenses don't see as often. 

When you align in multiple formations, you can create problems for the defense. They have to be able to identify your tight end or tight ends, your running backs, and your receivers. When those guys always line up in the same place, the defense can easily line up and make a strength call. When you change formations and move your personnel, the defense not only has to get lined up right, they have to get the strength call right and identify your personnel. They also have to make sure they have a force guy to each side, and be gap sound. If you have a dude, they have to have a plan for that guy. 

Something very important that goes with this is being able to align in multiple formations from each personnel group. If you are in 11 personnel, you want to be able to align in more than just 11 personnel sets. We have always prided ourselves on being able to line up in everything from 3 backs to empty with each of our personnel groups. Having a simple system of communication makes it easy on your kids, but complex for the defense. Defensive coordinators often make calls based on which personnel group is in the game. We want to force them into bad calls, and make defensive coordinators more vanilla. Certain pressures they run can only be used against certain sets. We want to keep them guessing, and unsure of how we will line up. 

The other aspect is that we are dealing with 16, 17, and 18 year-old young people. The more we can make them think, the slower and less confident they will play. We want to give them multiple factors to think about. We want them concerned with personnel, formations, and conflicting strength calls. 

Four Advantages To Using Multiple Formations

1. Create plus one opportunities

In a plus one opportunity, we have one more gap than the defense has hats. We can force them to have to invert their secondary, or two gap a defender. We can also use formations to create a plus one on the perimeter. We can align in formations that force the defense to have to make choices. When we find a formation where we can have numbers and grass, we want to use that formation. Sometimes we will have numbers in the box to the tight end, sometimes we will have numbers away from the tight end. We also can use formations to have numbers on the perimeter. We want to have a plus one, and we are going to find formations to give us the best opportunity for that. 

2. We can create conflicts within the strength call

Using nub sets, 2 TE sets, and sets with a sniffer can force the defense to have conflict within their strength call. Not everyone calls their strength the same way. When we scout an opponent, we want to know where they call the strength. Some teams call the strength to the most receivers. Other teams call the strength to the tight end. There are teams that have a run strength and a pass strength. Some defensive coordinators change the strength call based on 1 back or 2 backs in the backfield. By using multiple formations, particularly nub sets, we can create conflict for the defense calling the strength. 

3. Leverage and Angles

We often find certain formations that give us the best leverage and angles for running certain plays. We define leverage as an advantage. That means we have an advantage at the point of attack over the defender assigned to that area. We use formations to create leverage opportunities, where we can have a better angle to run certain plays. 

4. Create Matchup Problems

When you have a really good receiver, teams are going to find answers to take that receiver away. Using different formations where your best player moves around, forces defenses to have multiple answers. If they are going to bracket your best outside WR with the corner and safety, you want to be able to move your WR inside to a slot. You can find formations where teams are going to give you single coverage on your best wide out. 

Formation Into The Boundary (FIB)

Before we look at formations, I want to talk to you about the importance of setting the formation into the boundary at times. There are teams that are going to make field/boundary calls. When you set the formation into the boundary, you are going to have a numeric advantage. This gives you an opportunity to create plays to stay on schedule, and to get back on schedule. Never be afraid to set your formation into the boundary against teams that are going to defend the field. 

The other aspect of putting your formation into the field is how the defense will play coverage. They are going to play 3 receiver to the field different than they play three receivers into the boundary. They are more apt to rotate their coverage to favor three receivers to the field. When you put three receivers to the boundary, you are often going to have an uncovered receiver on the boundary side. As you go consider the importance of multiple formations, don't forget to look at setting your formations into the boundary during the course of your game planning. 

Looking at Formations (3x1 Sets)

Let's look at a couple of formation examples and how they give you an advantage. I believe everyone should run a Trips Nub Set and a Trey Set. In a trips nub set, you have the tight end on the line with his hand down to one side, and three receivers to the side opposite the tight end. This forces the defense to have to line up to the tight end, while also accounting for three receivers away from the tight end. We find many teams have trouble aligning to Trips Nub. 

Above is an example of a trips nub set. The defense must determine whether their strength call is to the TE, or to the multiple receivers. Often we can find ourselves with an advantage in the box, or on the perimeter. 

The figure above shows a typical even front defensive alignment we saw. The defense was going to walk a linebacker down over the tight end and roll the corner back. They would roll a safety down over the #2 receiver, or between #2 and #3. This look gave us a 3 on 2 advantage to the trips, and a plus one in the box with our read game. 

In the figure above, the defense is using a 3-4 structure. They walk a linebacker up on the tight end and roll the corner back. The defense is one gap short unless they 2 gap the nose or move the front.  If they move the front they have to borrow a secondary or perimeter player to add to the box.

Trey Set

In a trey set, we are going to have our tight end aligned to one side of the formation with his hand down, and two receivers outside the tight end. The trey set forces the defense to make decisions on what they want to defend. They have to be gap sound in the box, and also have a free tackler to the trey side. 

Above is an example of a trey set. The defense has to account for the extra gap the TE creates, and account for the 2 receivers to that side. This can create conflicts for the defense. 

Above is an even front against a trey set. This is the look we saw most often against our trey formations. In this alignment, the defense has no definitive force player away from the tight end. To the Trey side, the defense is a gap short. They are asking the invert to be a dual responsibility player. He has a pass responsibility, and a gap responsibility. This can be difficult for defenses to adjust to. The main adjustment we see is the defense to roll down to play cover 3. 

The picture above shows the defense rolled down to play cover 3. This gives them a way to defend the tight end side run. But the roll down makes it more difficult to play pass coverage. We still feel like we have numbers for the run game as we can get a hat for a hat. We also get a matchup on the backside. When you put your best receiver to the single, the defense has to decide how they will align to the trey set, and make sure your best receiver is accounted for. 

Ace

Two tight end sets are difficult for teams to line up to. Most defenses have a strong side and a weak side. When you align with two tight ends, you not only create an extra gap, but you force the weak side of the defense to have to play strong side techniques. Typically the weakside outside backer is not as good at playing a tight end as the strong side inside backer. 

Above is an example of a base two TE set. This forces an extra gap for defenses to defend to each side of the formation. It also forced defenders who typically played away from the tight end to now have to know TE side rules. 

The picture above shows the typical look we get from a 3-4 defense when we align in an Ace set. The defense has to have the safeties get very involved in the run game. The Ace set gives you the ability to create an extra gap for the defense, and can give you expanded running lanes inside. 

Wing Sets

Whenever you install a wing set, you now give your defense another letter gap they have to account for. They now have an A gap, B Gap, C Gap, D Gap, and an E Gap. This often forces them to use a corner as a force player. If they don't use the corner as a force player, they are having to build in additional rules for their defense. 

One important note is that you don't have to be a Wing-T or Slot-T offense to install a wing set. You also don't necessarily have to personnel your wing. You can slide a receiver in to be the wing. This opens up several possibilities for different concepts you can run. When your wing is a TE, the wing set will be different than when the wing is a receiver or running back. This poses problems for the defense as they have to prepare for multiple personnel groups when you use a wing. 

The figure above shows a wing set from 11 personnel against an under front defense. They defense has to roll their secondary weak to be able to have a force guy. The corner now has to cloud to the wing side. We now have forced their corner to play the E gap. 

You can also get into a Trey Wing Set. Now you put your wing and a receiver on the same side. 

This forces the defense to make choices. They have to be able to have enough defenders to account for 5 gaps strong, and cover your pass game. Often you can create a 1-on-1 matchup to your single. You also can force teams to vacate an invert weak. This means the defensive end or inside linebacker becomes the force guy. If the defense aligns in a 2 high look, you are going to have one more hat than they have to the TE/Wing side. 

Empty Formations

Another way you can stress defenses is to get into an empty set. If you have a mobile quarterback, this can put a lot of pressure on the defense. Defenses typically only have 2 calls against an empty set. Most defenses either drop 8 or bring 6. They usually don't have a variety of calls for facing empty. You can get a very predictable look. 

Using empty sets with a TE can give you an advantage in the box. If the defense loads the box, they are short in coverage. 

In the picture above, the offense is in a trey wing empty set. This forces the defense to make some decisions on how they align to make sure they are gap sound, while having enough defenders to cover 5 potential receivers. 

A formation that really causes the defense problems is going trips nub empty with a wing. You put 3 receivers to one side and a TE wing opposite the 3 receivers. Defenses have to align to the wing, especially if your QB has some running ability. Because you can motion and run jet sweep and some misdirection off jet, you can get defenses having to communicate and adjust quickly. I love the set above to throw the football to the trips side. Often you end up with a zone look to trips, giving you an opportunity for high percentage throws. If the defense plays man, you can find a matchup. 

Using formations can put the defense in a situation where they misalign. We can cause problems because they have to be able to communicate the front and the coverage. When using multiple formations, you can often get a defense in a situation where they are -1 in the box, or -1 in coverage. You can create matchups, and give yourself opportunities for big plays. 

Unbalanced Sets/Formation of the Week

Adding unbalanced sets creates issues for defenses. They have to have rules in place to defend your formations, and with unbalanced sets you gain huge advantages. I like to have a new formation each week that is some sort of unbalanced set. This is something the defense hasn't seen before on film. We used to call this our formation of the week. We might run one or two things from it, but we were going to show it early and put it on film. 

Above is an example of an unbalanced set with the formation into the boundary. When you go tackle over, defenses often have to make a special strength call. They have to have a call to identify that the TE is not on the strong side of the formation. They also have to identify who is eligible. I love this set because we have all of our two back run game, and we almost guarantee we are going to get a safety spun down, giving us man coverage on the outside. If your QB is a runner, this formation becomes even more dangerous. 

Using Reports

After each game run a self-scout report and look at what formations you ran, and the concepts you ran from those formations. Self-Scouting lets you see tendencies for both run/pass, down and distance scenarios, and where you attacked from each formation. Your opponent is going to look at these reports to prepare. If there is something you ran from a certain formation, you may have set up a complementary play. You might have been in a wing set and ran buck sweep to the wing three times. Now you have set up a reverse off buck sweep action, or something working opposite the buck. Formation reports are an important part of your self-scout. 

Final Thoughts

Having multiple formations can cause issues for the defense. With that said, you have to be careful not to put too much into your game plan. You don't have to run every formation each game. Depending on your opponent and matchups, you may use certain formations one week and not use them the next. The cool part is that your opponent still sees these formations on film, and while you may have only run them two weeks ago and not last week, they still have to prepare. Make sure you maximize your formation efficiency, without overloading your own players. 

Last year I got hooked up with CoachTube, and put together three courses for offensive football coaches. I put together two courses on RPO's, and a course on Building An Elite System of Communication. All of these courses will help you to score more points! 

https://coachtube.com/users/coachvint

All three of these courses are detailed, with everything you need to be more explosive and to score more points. 

The course on communication gives you a detailed approach to your gameday communication. I give you a system and a process to improve the quality of conversations, leading to improved play calling on game day. This course has received outstanding reviews from coaches at all level of football. A coach with multiple state titles told me this course helped them to be much more efficient and explosive this season. 

My two RPO courses take you through a systematic process of installing RPO's into your offensive system. RPO's put the defense in conflict, forcing them to defend all 53 yards of width and all 6 skill players every single play. I not only give you a system, but I teach you the methods to develop your own RPO concepts. 

https://coachtube.com/users/coachvint

Additional Resources

A few years ago I was speaking at a clinic about our game planning and an FBS coordinator asked me after the talk to go through what we do. I shared with him our offensive game planning resource and he used it through the spring. He emailed me back that it was a game changer. It was an honor to have him use these documents. After speaking at clinics and hearing that more coaches didn't know where to start, I decided to make these available.

Here is a link to my offensive game planning documents: https://sellfy.com/p/AndN/ 

It includes everything from a scouting report template, to practice plans, to a two-sided color call sheet, and more! Each of the nine documents are fully editable and customizable! Order today and start preparing for your first game right now! At one time this was $99, but it is available right now for less than $13!

Here are a couple of screen shots to show you what our call sheet looks like: 

This shows you a small portion of it. It is a fully editable, customizable two sided call sheet. It gives you the ability to better organize and be prepared on game day. It helped us to be better play callers on game day. There are eight other fully customizable documents! Some of the top high school programs in the country use this, as do several college programs!

When I was a defensive coordinator we adapted this to our defensive preparation! 

Here is a link to the defensive game planning documents. It includes 12 fully editable and customizable documents. https://sellfy.com/p/AY1u/ These are what we used to post 6 shutouts when I was a defensive coordinator. Defensive coordinators at all levels of football are using this. Again, it is less than $13 right now!

And finally, I put together a special teams resource. This has everything you need, included drill tape, practice tape, and game footage. It includes teaching presentations and scouting forms just for special teams! https://sellfy.com/p/tJwz/ This helped us to build dominating special teams! 

I wanted these to be available at a very reasonable cost. These can help you to be more successful on the field and more efficient in the office! 

Over the last several months, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and wrote a new book about faith and purpose. The book is available as a paperback on Amazon, and as an eBook for the Kindle App. The cool thing about the Kindle app is that you can read the book on any device. I invite you to read it, and discover the power you receive when you make a decision to walk with the Lord. Here is a link to the book: Finding Faith

Since publishing the book, I have received numerous texts, calls, and emails, from people who are going through similar trials and tribulations. They were feeling many of the same things I was feeling. The found comfort in the book. They also found they had a desire to change and to live better. They wanted more joy. 

I would invite you to read the book and discover the possibilities that God has planned for your life.

 

Teaching the Running Back to Read 1 to 2 on Outside Zone

The outside zone play is a versatile concept that gives you the opportunity to attack multiple gaps of the defense using a wide angle. We want to be able to create vertical seams in the defense through horizontal movement. Our ultimate goal with the outside zone play is to get the ball to the perimeter. Once you establish that you can get the ball on then edge, you can get the defense flowing. This creates opportunities for the back to get north and south before getting to the edge. 

When I talk about outside zone at clinics, I get a lot of questions asking how we coach the running backs. Coaching the back is a vital component of having success with the outside zone. The back must understand his aiming point, the angle of his pads, the timing, and where his eyes should be. He has to know when to put his outside foot in the ground to get vertical, and he has to know when to take the edge. Our running backs coach at Estacado, Alfonzo Franklin, does an outstanding job of teaching our backs the proper vision points. 

When we installed outside zone in 2000, we told the back to run to daylight. Our backs with speed would race to the edge and usually win. What we found, however, was that we missed opportunities for explosive plays when we didn't get the box locked. What we mean by getting the box locked, is that the offensive line gets leverage on the defenders by getting to their outside bicep, essentially locking them inside. We made an adjustment to how we coached our backs, and it made all the difference. Once we made this adjustment, we increased our per play average on outside zone from 6.4 yards per play to 8.2 yards per play. 

Running Aiming Point

When we are under center or in the pistol meshing playside, the running back's aiming point is the outside leg of the tackle. We had the exact same aiming point on inside and outside zone. The back takes a zone step playside, comes to balance, and works to the outside leg of the playside tackle. 

 

If the back is in a sidecar position, he is going to be fast and flat, attacking the edge. We want him to accelerate across the toes of the quarterback, through the mesh. We tell him to take three steps through the mesh and three steps to decision. 

The path of the back is very important on all runs, but it is particularly important on our outside zone play. 

Coaching The Running Back's Eyes

The change we made was having our running back read what we called "1 to 2." This will determine whether the back was going to hit the edge, or hit downhill. And if he hit the play downhill, it made him always be right when he hit downhill. This gave them a definitive place to put their eyes, and helped us to have more consistent play. 

We identify the number 1 as the widest first level defender. The number 2 is the next first level defender inside the number 1. 

In the figure above, we are running outside zone to the right. The walked up outside linebacker is on the line. He is the number 1. The defensive end is the number 2. The running back must identify and know that he is reading one to two. 

In the figure above the defense is in a 4-2 look, with the defensive end in a 9 technique. He becomes number 1, and the defensive tackle is number 2. 

In the figure above, the offense is running inside zone to the left, away from the tight end. The defensive end is number 1, and the defensive tackle is number 2. Our rules for #1 to #2 were adaptable whether we ran the play to the tight end, or away from the tight end. This helped to simplify things for our running backs, regardless of what formation we were running our outside zone play from. 

Once the running back understands who number 1 and number 2 are, he can learn what he is reading. It is vital he has his eyes in the right place. We want him to have his eyes going from 1 to 2. We drill this into the running backs every day. His rules are simple:

• If 1 is in, I'm Out.
• If 1 is out, I'm In, My Eyes Go to 2. 
• If 2 is in, I'm Out.
• If 2 is out, I'm In.

As the back attacks, his aiming point, he is going to put his eyes on number 1. If number one is in, meaning we get him reached, the back is going to accelerate to the edge. He knows he is running outside. This is the easiest read for the running back. 

When we teach the running backs, the first thing we teach them is 1 being in. To create creases, we must force the defense to flow. We want them to know that we can take the edge, and force them to run. When they run, they create creases. 

Below is a video clip of #1 being in and the back hitting the edge. 

The tight end gets to the outside of the OLB who is number 1, and that gives the running back the edge. 

Below is another clip of #1 being in. The TE gets to the outside bicep of the OLB, creating an opportunity to get the running back to the edge. 

We want to use our outside zone play to get to the edge. When we can get our athletes on the perimeter, we will have more big play opportunities. 

What happens when #1 goes out? Is the play dead? That is what happened to us when we first installed the outside zone. We didn't give the back an option to put his foot in the ground and get vertical. We told him to win to the edge. Once we made an adjustment when #1 was stretching the play, we became more explosive. At one point we had worked on installing mid-zone, but with our #1 to #2 read on outside zone, we essentially gained the benefits of mid-zone without having to invest in the installation. 

When #1 is out, the running back gets his eyes to #2. The back knows he doesn't have the edge, and #2 will show him where the vertical crease will be. If #2 is out, the back will go inside of #2. If #2 is in, the back will go outside of #2. 

The back sees #1 is out, so he takes his eyes to #2. He sees #2 is out, so he hits downhill inside #2. The flow of the defense has created a crease where the play hits downhill. The play is hitting in the A gap, but the A gap is where the C gap was located presnap. It looks like the play hit hard downhill, but that is because of the horizontal displacement of the defense. 

Below is a video clip illustrating #1 being out and #2 being out. 

You can see, this creates a crease to hit downhill. The defense is flowing to take away the perimeter, and they are giving the offense a crease inside. This all is predicated with creating flow. 

Below is another clip of #1 and #2 being out. 

And one more...

And another...

As you can see, the defense is flowing fast to take away the wide action. This creates seams for the running back. 

Let's look at the next read. If #1 is Out, and the back takes his eyes to #2 and sees #2 in, the back will hit between #1 and #2. This often happen against under front defenses when we can the 1 technique reached, and against odd defenses with a 0 nose guard. 

The figure above illustrates when #1 is out and #2 is in. This gives us a crease between #1 and
#2. 

Below is a video example of #1 being out and #2 being in. When #1 is out and #2 is in, the back hits downhill between 1 and 2. 

Here is another clip with 1 out and 2 in. This is from a trips look where we have the #3 receiver working inside to account for the playside inside backer. This is a wrinkle that is good from 3x1 sets where #3 is uncovered. 

Here is another clip of #1 being out and #2 being in. This time it is to a 3 man surface. 

You can see from the video above that the read for the back allows you to add versatility to the outside zone play. You stress the defense, and force them to slow down their ability to flow to the edge. Anytime you can make defenders play slower, you are going to have more explosive plays. 

Whether you are man or zone blocking, the back must be able to force the defense to defend the edge. Once he forces them to defend the edge, the back can use his vision to find the crease when the edge player widens to take away the perimeter. Teaching your young running backs to read 1 to 2 will help them be able to better find the crease, and will help you to be more successful running this concept. It also will give them more concrete and specific coaching than simply saying run to daylight. 

I wish you the best as you prepare for the upcoming season. If you are looking for some resources that will help you in your preparation, I have put together some things that coaches at all level of football are using with their programs. Not only will these help you be more organized, they will save you valuable time on the weekends. 

A few years ago I was speaking at a clinic about our game planning and an FBS coordinator asked me after the talk to go through what we do. I shared with him our offensive game planning resource and he used it through the spring. He emailed me back that it was a game changer. It was an honor to have him use these documents. After speaking at clinics and hearing that more coaches didn't know where to start, I decided to make these available.

Here is a link to my offensive game planning documents: https://sellfy.com/p/AndN/ 

It includes everything from a scouting report template, to practice plans, to a two-sided color call sheet, and more! Each of the nine documents are fully editable and customizable! Order today and start preparing for your first game right now! At one time this was $99, but it is available right now for less than $13!

Here are a couple of screen shots to show you what our call sheet looks like: 

This shows you a small portion of it. It is a fully editable, customizable two sided call sheet. It gives you the ability to better organize and be prepared on game day. It helped us to be better play callers on game day. There are eight other fully customizable documents! Some of the top high school programs in the country use this, as do several college programs!

When I was a defensive coordinator we adapted this to our defensive preparation! 

Here is a link to the defensive game planning documents. It includes 12 fully editable and customizable documents. https://sellfy.com/p/AY1u/ These are what we used to post 6 shutouts when I was a defensive coordinator. Defensive coordinators at all levels of football are using this. Again, it is less than $13 right now!

And finally, I put together a special teams resource. This has everything you need, included drill tape, practice tape, and game footage. It includes teaching presentations and scouting forms just for special teams! https://sellfy.com/p/tJwz/ This helped us to build dominating special teams! 

I wanted these to be available at a very reasonable cost. These can help you to be more successful on the field and more efficient in the office! 

 Last year I got hooked up with CoachTube, and put together three courses for offensive football coaches. I put together two courses on RPO's, and a course on Building An Elite System of Communication. All of these courses will help you to score more points! 

https://coachtube.com/users/coachvint

All three of these courses are detailed, with everything you need to be more explosive and to score more points. 

The course on communication gives you a detailed approach to your gameday communication. I give you a system and a process to improve the quality of conversations, leading to improved play calling on game day. This course has received outstanding reviews from coaches at all level of football. A coach with multiple state titles told me this course helped them to be much more efficient and explosive this season. 

My two RPO courses take you through a systematic process of installing RPO's into your offensive system. RPO's put the defense in conflict, forcing them to defend all 53 yards of width and all 6 skill players every single play. I not only give you a system, but I teach you the methods to develop your own RPO concepts. 

https://coachtube.com/users/coachvint

New Book

Over the last several months, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and wrote a new book about faith and purpose. The book is available as a paperback on Amazon, and as an eBook for the Kindle App. The cool thing about the Kindle app is that you can read the book on any device. I invite you to read it, and discover the power you receive when you make a decision to walk with the Lord. Here is a link to the book: Finding Faith

Since publishing the book, I have received numerous texts, calls, and emails, from people who are going through similar trials and tribulations. They were feeling many of the same things I was feeling. The found comfort in the book. They also found they had a desire to change and to live better. They wanted more joy. 

I would invite you to read the book and discover the possibilities that God has planned for your life. 

Three Keys to Playing at a Fast Tempo on Offense

People ask me at clinics how we were able to snap the ball over 30 times in a quarter. A few years back we had several games of over 100 snaps and averaged 92 snaps a game for the season. How is it that we are able to get the ball snapped so quickly? What are we doing that is allowing us to play so fast? The answer lies in three keys.

1. A Repeatable Process of going from one play to the next. What I mean is, we have to have a system for them to go from the end of one play to the beginning of the next that never changes. We don't always play fast, but our process never changes.

The Process:
When the play ends, our players are hustling to the ball while looking at the sideline. A coach is communicating the tempo. If he is communicating that we are going Nascar tempo, the players are also getting a play call. When we play at Nascar tempo we are going to use a one signal call. In this one signal call the players are getting the formation and the play. Our signal can be anything we want.   The key is that it must be one hand motion that can be communicated quickly. When our players see the nascar tempo and hand signal, they sprint to the line. Once everyone is set the quarterback calls for the snap. Our goal is to snap the ball 12 seconds following the end of the previous play.

If the signaler is giving them our signal for normal tempo, the players are getting a formation and play signal. Once coach signals play and another signals formation. The players are moving quickly to get lined up and run the play. The extra signal adds 4 seconds to the process. Our goal in our normal mode is to snap the ball 16 seconds after the previous play ends.

2. Simplicity- You have to have a simple way to call your plays. We use one word/one signal calls for our fastest tempo. We don't have play calls that have more than two hand motions in our normal mode. The shorter the signal, the faster the process. It also allows your players to process information quickly and not get jumbled down.

Our signals are essentially stimulus response. Coach signals this, I do that. It is a way of simple memorization that allows our kids to be able to process quickly. We can build tempo calls into each game and change them week to week if we wish.

3. Organized Call Sheet- This is vital to being able to make quick decisions during games. There is no perfect call sheet, but you want your call sheet to be organized in such a way that you can quickly find what you are looking for. Our call sheet is divided into sections, with each section serving a purpose. We build scripts for each down and distance situation that might come up. These scripts are based on our scouting report. If an opponent brings a 5 man pressure 42% of the time on 2nd and 6 to 10, we are going to have a screen scripted for the at situation. If our opponent drops 8 on 2nd and long, we are going to script a draw. Our call sheet is easy to follow and gives us a chance to quickly call plays. We have additional sections as well to meet our most important needs on offense. Below is  a screen shot of the section of our call sheet covering down and distance scripts.

We script everything in practice as well. This allows us to make sure we get everything covered. Our scripts in practice our taken from our game call sheet. These are put together on Saturday and Sunday as we prepare for our opponent. We are highly organized in our approach, which helps us to practice faster during the week, and play faster on Friday Night. Our call sheet was a nightmare to create. It took several hours to build onto an excel document. Ty Palmer, who I worked with at Seminole High School, helped me to improve the formatting to what you see today. He helped me convert it from Microsoft Publisher to Excel.

Tempo Is A Weapon
What I mean is, playing fast is good. Having the ability to snap the ball in 6 seconds is really tough to stop. But if you don't get first downs, it can be really hard on your defense. And if all you do is play really fast, defenses can catch up. Mixing up your tempo is really, really good!

Final Thoughts:
Just because you can play fast doesn't mean you should. Playing fast is in vogue right now, but it is not the best thing for everyone. If your defense can't stop anyone, then you might use tempo to score a lot of points. If you have a really good defense, the goal on offense should be to put them in a good position. Use tempo as a weapon and change speeds, and do what is best for your team.

Building The Call Sheet
If you want to save several hours building your own call sheet, I have made available and offensive game planning packet. It includes 9 editable and customizable documents, including my two-sided color call sheet! This call sheet will help you be more organized and will help you score more points!

The packet includes everything from install scheduled to weekly and daily practice plans. It will help you to prepare for the upcoming season, and to prepare for each game you play. You can order this packet by clicking here: Game and Practice Planning Packet.

I also wrote a book on Tempo that might give you some great insight into running a multiple tempo system. The book I wrote will take you through a detailed, systematic process of building tempo into your existing offense. Here is a picture of what coaches are saying:

The iBook version for the iPad, iPhone, and Mac contains over an hour of embedded video! I give you a systematic process to build tempo into your offense. I show you multiple ways to communicate your concepts, including sign boards! Here is a link to the iBooks version: Coach Vint's iBook on Tempo

It is also available on Amazon if you have an Android or Windows device. You can find it here: Coach Vint's Book on Tempo on Amazon.

Additionally, I wrote a book on RPO's. In my RPO book I describe in detail a systematic process to install RPO's. I go over first level, second level, third level, and multi-level reads. I show you how to scaffold the install and build a system that will fit what you are already doing. 

Here is a picture of the cover with some quotes from other coaches on the book:

 

Here is a link to the iBook version of my RPO book: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1078061959

If you have an iPad or iPhone, buy the ibooks version! If you have an android or PC based device, I have a Kindle version for sale on Amazon. Here is a link to that version: Kindle Version of Coach Vint's RPO Book on Amazon. The kindle version has everything but the video.

I hope you found this information valuable!

 Last year I got hooked up with CoachTube, and put together three courses for offensive football coaches. I put together two courses on RPO's, and a course on Building An Elite System of Communication. All of these courses will help you to score more points! 

https://coachtube.com/users/coachvint

All three of these courses are detailed, with everything you need to be more explosive and to score more points. 

The course on communication gives you a detailed approach to your gameday communication. I give you a system and a process to improve the quality of conversations, leading to improved play calling on game day. This course has received outstanding reviews from coaches at all level of football. A coach with multiple state titles told me this course helped them to be much more efficient and explosive this season. 

My two RPO courses take you through a systematic process of installing RPO's into your offensive system. RPO's put the defense in conflict, forcing them to defend all 53 yards of width and all 6 skill players every single play. I not only give you a system, but I teach you the methods to develop your own RPO concepts. 

https://coachtube.com/users/coachvint

Part Two of: Power--The Most Versatile Concept In Football

Perhaps the most versatile play in football is the power play. With one blocking scheme the offense can give the defense a multitude of different looks. We are a power run offense despite being based in the gun. We want to be physical and have the mentality that we are going to run the football and create explosive plays. We want to manipulate space and force the defense to have to have to defend the entire field. This helps to open up the box.

We have two main goals on offense. First, we want to find the leverage point. We define the leverage point as the area we have an advantage on the defense. Second, we want to put as many defenders in conflict as possible. Rather than running a concept from one formation and giving the defense the same look, we want to give them the same concept from several different formations with multiple backfield actions. This is why we like the "power" play so much.

The first way we install the power is as the traditional downhill power play. Our frontside is going to block gap away. The center is going to block back, the backside guard is going to pull through the first window, and the backside tackle is going to dig out the backside B gap to hinge. The offensive line is leaving the frontside End Man on the Line (EMOL) unblocked. When we originally ran power in the 90's, we ran it to a tight end. We blocked down on the frontside, kickout out the end man on the line with the fullback, and wrapped the backside guard for the playside linebacker. Here is an example of the two back power play from pistol.

A couple of years later we decided to make an adjustment and change who we kicked out. To marry all of our different looks on power, we began to kick out the first defender outside the offensive tackle. Defensive ends and outside linebackers tend to be dominating players on defense. Because of this, we want to be able to put them in conflict to slow them down. If they know that when they get a down block they will get a kickout block, the will be able to anticipate the kickout and box or spill the player based on the defensive call. However, if the defender doesn't know who is kicking him, or if he is being read, or if he is going to be cracked, he is going to hesitate. It is through this hesitation that we gain a tremendous advantage.

Below is an illustration of power kicking the first player outside the tackle.

When we adjusted the blocking we had a simple rule for the running back. Our rule for the back was to hit the A gap until you can't. We wanted him to get downhill and stay inside the kickout block. Another variation is the have the QB open away from the play and mesh with the back. This forces the defense to hesitate slightly as they don't know if the point of attack is to the mesh side, or away from the mesh side. We can also offset the back to or away from the side we were running power. 

Here is an example of Power kicking the C gap player.

Because we want to keep the EMOL guessing, we can exchange the assignments of the pulling guard and the kickout player. This is a great variation from two and three back sets. In the three back look, the frontside back will block the primary force player. The backside guard will pull and kick out the end man on the line, while the backside back will lead through the window. The quarterback can open to the play, or away from the play.

Another variation of this concept is the power read. The offensive line blocks power. The backs and receivers execute their assignments as if we are calling an outside run. Instead of kicking out the first man outside the tackle, we read him. 

Below is an example of the power read play.

If the backside B gap defender is giving the offense a problem, they can make a GUS call, which means guard stay. Because the backside back can replace the puller, the backside guard can now protect the backside B gap. This allows the center and frontside guard to combo the nose. 

The next evolution was to add RPO, or Run Pass Options, to the power play. By rule, if we call power, we will have quick game concepts to both sides. We will have a stop route to the single receiver side, and a now screen to the twins side. If the QB has no underneath defender to the single WR side, he can throw the stop route. If he has a two on one to the twins side, he can throw the now screen.

Adding this presnap read helps to protect the run. The defense has to honor our skill guys on the edge. If the defense wants to play press man, we can covert the stop routes to verticals. The QB then reads separation. If we get separation, the QB can pull and throw the vertical. If there is no separation he can give the ball. We can also give the quarterback a red light. That means he will execute the run regardless of what the defense does.

Below is an example of power with quick game concepts attached. The QB sees we have numbers to the twins, and throws the quick.

The great thing about power is that we can build any of our pass concepts into the concept. We can take advantage of anything the defense is doing to disrupt power. For example, if they want to creep a safety into the box, we can read the safety and run a post behind him. If the safety flat foot reads or attacks the box, the QB will pull and throw the post. If the safety bails or slow plays, the QB gives the ball.

Below is an example of power with stop routes to the twins side. The QB is reading the corner. If the corner bails, the QB will pull and throw, reading inside to out. If the corner does anything else, the QB will give the ball.

This barely scratches the surface of the new innovations of the traditional power concept. The power has been a successful concept for many years, and with new variations, it has grown to be one of the most versatile offensive concepts being run. 

For these and many, many more concepts of the power and power read, check out my DVD on the power and power read from Coaches Choice. It will give you dozens of ways to put the defense in conflict while getting your best athletes the football in open space! The DVD covers multiple ways to run the power and power read from the pistol and gun! I take you through the mechanics and schematics of of the frontside and backside power read from three backs empty! This DVD will help you score more points!

Power and Power Read From the Pistol and Gun

In January of 2016 I published a couple of iBooks that have been read by coaches at all levels of football. The first is on Installing RPO's into any offense, that will give you a systematic approach to installing RPO's. Here is a link to the iBooks version: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1078061959. The ibooks version includes explanations, diagrams, and video clips on multiple RPO Concepts. It will give you a simple process for implementing them into your offense. It is less than $15!

If you don't have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can order the paperback on Amazon. It is just $12! https://www.amazon.com/Installing-Explosive-Concepts-Into-Offense/dp/1520447485/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

I also wrote a book on Tempo. It will greatly help you build a multiple tempo system with simple communication that will allow your kids to play with confidence. It also had over an hour of video clips! You can order the ibooks version here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1075902270.

Order the Amazon Kindle version here:

http://www.amazon.com/Using-Multiple-Tempos-Create-Explosive-ebook/dp/B01ATOL46A/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

One of the keys to our success was tremendous preparation!The key to  preparation was our outstanding group of documents we used for all three phases. If you are looking for fully editable and customizable documents that you can tailor to your program, I have made mine available. 

Here is a link to my offensive game planning documents: https://sellfy.com/p/AndN/

It includes everything from a scouting report template, to practice plans, to a two-sided color call sheet, and more! Each of the nine documents are fully editable and customizable! Order today for under $15 and download them tonight!

Here is a link to the defensive game planning documents. It includes 12 fully editable and customizable documents. https://sellfy.com/p/AY1u/

And finally, I put together a special teams resource. This has everything you need, included drill tape, practice tape, and game footage. It includes teaching presentations and scouting forms just for special teams! https://sellfy.com/p/tJwz/