Priorities for Putting in the Offense

During the last post I discussed the first 5 priorities that set the foundation for everything else you want to do on offense. This is the way I break it down. Obviously, there is more than one way to get the job done. This breakdown seems to work for me. For detailed explanation of how to put in a youth football offense, and a detailed explanation of all facets of the game take a look at John T. Reed's articles on youth football site. His book Coaching Youth Football 4th edition offers detailed descriptions of every aspect of youth football. Many of my ideas for coaching middle school football have been influenced by his work.

With a staff of two, I am the only coach available for putting in the offense and running the offense specific drills, which influences my priorities and how I teach each priority. Hopefully, you will have more coaches available.

Priority 6 Basic ball control and blocking techniques

The first two skills I teach is how to properly carry the football. Earlier in my coaching I neglected this skill. Kids will carry the ball in any number of ways. You can teach whatever method you like (I prefer the high and tight technique - see Univ. of Wisconsin RBs). I then I have to teach a basic fit and drive blocking technique, and show them what holding is and how not to do it (hands inside the frame of the opponent). I practice this with blocking dummies and then live with partners. As an aside, I really wish I had more time in practice to teach the finer points of techniques and fundamentals, but remember, these kids have a game to play soon. I basically need them to fire off, make solid contact, and maintain contact.

Before we move on to the next priorities, its important to think about which plays you'll need to run for the first game. Basically, you'll need and inside run, outside run, a counter play, and two passes. Each run to the right and left. Don't laugh, you cannot get more complicated than that. That is 10 plays and that will be a lot. They are going to have to learn your play calling terminology also.

Prioritiy 7 Combine the snap with a handoff, teaching the proper way to receive a handoff

Your centers, quarterbacks, and fullbacks execute an inside running play. In my situation with split the team. Half are working on offense, half on defense. So, I have a group of 15 +/- kids. We have around 3 groups working together. At this point, the centers and quarterbacks have begun to step forward. At the end of practice 6 kids will have worked at center and 6 at quarterback. I let everybody else have a chance to play fullback. This is not a minor point. After a practice or two nobody can say that they weren't at least given a chance to play the "glamour" positions. Its obvious some kids won't play the ball handling positions, but they have been given the opportunity.
Priority 8 Execute the inside run against air then against dummies at the point of attack

We're beginning to put all the priorities together now. You should have a pretty good idea which kids will fill certain positions. Put the team in formation (proper stance, staying still), the quarterback calls the cadence (getting off on a snap count), run the play with everybody sprinting 5 yards. Now I teach them the number for each hole (if you number holes, this is the time). Our inside play is 2 Wedge. After a few reps against air, I add blocking dummies in front of the center and guards and teach the wedge block (I'm not going to go into the techniques here).

Priority 9 Execute the outside run against air then against dummies at the point of attack
Same as priority 8, put the team in formation and run your sweep. Then put blocking dummies at the point of attack, both to the right and to the left. At this point you should be putting in your blocking scheme too.

Priority 10 Execute your counter play against air then against dummies

For the first game your counter play may simply be a quarterback bootleg off your sweep. Thats okay, in youth football it can be very effective. However, since that is very easy to teach, I usually teach a sweep off of a fake up the middle. We're faking a wedge and running wide (Buck sweep).

Priority 11 Teach your pass plays the same way a hand off is broken down

Quarterbacks and centers have emerged. Now teach your two basic pass patterns in 3 groups with everyone getting a chance at the receiver positions. Again, this is not a minor point. Every player should at least be able to say they have been given a chance. I would discourage you from putting in a drop back pass. Middle school linemen cannot give the time needed and middle school quarterbacks cannot see past the chaos going on in front of them to find a receiver. All my pass plays are sprint out or roll outs. Particularly effective are waggle plays off the buck sweep. The quarterback is in space and he has the option to just keep running if the receiver forgets to run his pattern (yes, it does happen). One other thing, don't require middle school quarterbacks to make reads. Connect the dots for him. One receiver, he'll be in this spot, throw the ball. Okay, the one read he can make is whether or not a defender is on the receiver, in which case take off running forward (yes, you must specify forward or he'll take off backwards trying to buy time).

Priority 12 Run some plays against a live defense
Its time to put it all together and see how it works. Remember there's a game coming up soon. You won't feel ready to go 11 on 11 and probably aren't ready, but you need to see what adjustments need to be made when plays are run against a live defense. If you want to give the offense some confidence and make a teaching point to the defense, for your very first 11 on 11 play run a quarterback bootleg. Typically there's no one within 10 yards of him as he turns up field. Thats not a bad play call for your first game either.

Have I left a lot out, definately. Remember the time crunch I'm working under. If you are blessed with more time, I think the priorities still hold true. You can just spend more time and go into more detail when teaching them to the team. We're still not ready for a game, but we're getting closer.