When Calling Your Plays......

[HOOP]

i have some questions that i desperately need some answers to in getting ready for the BAM league. Can you guys help me out ?

1 - TRUTHFULLY, How many of you guys stick with and run the exact play you had in mind when setting up?(regardless of the D - pivoting yes, but still staying with the run play called or staying with the pass play called)

2 - How many of you guys have a play in mind while setting up, but change the play when you see the defense? and what i am talking about mainly is, you set up to run, but then decide to pass, or vice verse.

3 - How many of you guys just set up a formation WITH NO PARTICULAR play in mind, then call your play after the you see the defense?

[the mellow canary]

I usually call the play after I see the defense setup

[Reginald Rutledge]

1 - TRUTHFULLY, How many of you guys stick with and run the exact play you had in mind when setting up?(regardless of the D - pivoting yes, but still staying with the run play called or staying with the pass play called)

Coach, I will try to answer these questions according to my knowledge of the Shootout Rules system. This is from the perspective of a coach who runs wide splits (base length) apart more than 80% of the time and change up with the Jumbo package straight-ahead power line.

On every given play, with the type of offensive scheme I use, I preset my blocks ahead of time. At the beginning of every play, I have a particular hole that I want to exploit in mind. That is why I allow for wide splits. In this type of offensive system, the defense is initially at a disadvantage because of the 3-1 player movement that we emphasize. So in your initial set-up, you're just baiting the defense to think you are gonna do something. For instance, you start in the Power I-formation. Because of the clocks and the fact that you have 35 seconds and the D has 45, you have to confidently know at the beginning that I want to run an off-tackle play to my tailback. The defense has no idea where the blocks are going to be set/coming from so they load up to rush through all the gaps. But because the offense can audible after his 45 seconds is up, you can go into the "real" formation you wanted to run in the first place. The defense, which should have started in an honest scheme, is now stuck deciding which back to stop. Either the right or the left back from the Pro Set.

This is definitely a "cat and mouse" game. Then when the defense thinks they got that covered and bring up that safety, you can run slants to attack the middle of the field.

Also, the screen pass is most effective in this type of system when you set a person up.

2 - How many of you guys have a play in mind while setting up, but change the play when you see the defense? and what i am talking about mainly is, you set up to run, but then decide to pass, or vice verse.

For me, the formation of the defense dictates what I am gonna do. If it's open, might as well exploit the weakness. Most coaches prepare to stop our run. There is a macho/testosterone thinking in all of us that says "At least you did not run on me", thinking that makes you the better coach. But if you stack up to stop the run and I've got receivers averaging 23 yards a catch as I matriculate down the field, it becomes even easier. Then they spread out to stop the run (which by that time is too late) and the running lanes become so wide, you can drive a Mack Truck through them.

The key to all of this is having the ability to pass with great accuracy. I am not talking about passes when no one is looking but when everyone is standing over you in a stadium and sweat is dripping down your face, that's what I am talking about. It is a rite of passage in the DFW to experience that type of intensity.

When guys match you with physicality, it then becomes a game of cerebral thinking.

3 - How many of you guys just set up a formation WITH NO PARTICULAR play in mind, then call your play after the you see the defense? Again, my plays are based on what the D gives me. I have an array.

I am gonna be showing some. Here's a simple one I just showed on Youtube about a week ago. What you see is wide split linemen with their arms in a pass blocking motion but have the ability to hit the OLBs as well. Even in the A and B gaps, it appears the DTs have a clear shot to the QB but look at how the gaps close and the DTs want nothing to do with the interior line. Furthermore, watch how the RT slides out with his right hand, pushes the LLB out of the play and Emerson Boozer slides up field for a 20 yard play. This happens in this style of play.

There are so many variations off this one scheme that you can run that will make the defensive coordinator so frustrated, it's scary!

[HOOP]

Thanks Mellow And Reg For Your Replies. I Want To Hear From Others TOO. Chime On In.

Hey Mellow, I Was Just In Orlando For A Week, Wish We Could Have Gotten Together Real Quick For A Scrimmage.

[HOOP]

bumppity bump

[Coach K-LO]

when setting up on offense, most of the time I have 2 or 3 options on any given play. it is up to the defense to (1) read the formation correctly; (2) adjust to the formation.

I have in mind what I want from a play based on down and distance from a 1st down. I don't spend too much time on the big play because if you execute your plays correctly - a big play can happen at any time during a game and it may not have anything to do with formations....

[HOOP]

so you are saying you break the huddle (set up) with a formation in mind with 2 or 3 plays that you know you can run from that formation. then, based on the defensive set up, you run one of those plays?

[Coach K-LO]

Originally Posted by MICHAEL DOWNS

so you are saying you break the huddle (set up) with a formation in mind with 2 or 3 plays that you know you can run from that formation. then, based on the defensive set up, you run one of those plays?

correct.... I may still run the primary play, but if the defense is "stacked" to stop one play, the others are open..... but you have to keep in mind that you are still trying to move the ball down field. What I find in some of my opponents is the notion that one one play call can work.

[detroitchild]

Thought this thread was informative. Would like more input from some of you "seasoned" coaches.

DC

[HOOP]

up.

Any new opinions or additions to this strategy discussion?