8V8, K-2, Advice Needed

[Coach Ron 0]

I'm a 2nd year coach, first time as an independent head coach. (I do have a great assistant coach, but he's a soccer coach, no FB experience) I have a million questions, but I'll try to limit it to about 100 or so.

I'm coaching K-2, 8v8, rushing from 7 yards, screen blocking allowed. Can run 100% of the time if I want. We've had two weeks of practice so far.

I've read tons here, but I've been unable to find definite answers to a few questions.

1) I've tried end arounds, but they don't seem to work. My kids seem to be taking too long to get to the ball and I also feel like with 8v8, there are just too many kids on the field for the misdirection to work. Am I doing something wrong?

2) What is the best way to teach the kids the positions on the field? I'm running a wishbone with the following layout:

WR___TE_C_TE___WR

________QB_______

_____RB____RB____

I'm really struggling with getting the kids into position for each play, and everyone seems to forget who is getting the ball once we do get lined up. (Have I mentioned that I think 8v8 is WAY too many kids?)

I will use additional formations once the kids have this one down, unless you can recommend a better "starting" formation.

3) We are snapping through the legs. The rest of the teams in our league snap sideways. I like snapping through the legs because I think it keeps the center ready to run and is the position these boys will use if they continue on to tackle. I tell the boys to turn the ball sideways and let the QB take the ball from you. So far we've only had 1 or 2 fumbled snaps. Would you agree or disagree with this approach?

4) Last scrimmage, we had about 1000 yards rushing east to west (and quite a few south as well ) and about 2 yards north. What's the best way to get the kids running north?

5) Fake handoffs: What's the best method for helping the kids to understand delaying? Right now my faker and my RB are both getting to the QB at the same time. I've tried telling the RB to count to 2 mississippi, but that's not working.

Thanks for the help. This forum has been an invaluable resource for me.

Coach Ron