8 replies to this topic

[RedBaron]

Hello,

This is my first post. I recently joined and love the site.

I am coaching 6 on 6 flag football for the first time. I've done basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and helped with volleyball, but, this is my rookie football season.

Our league does not allow the QB to run. We must use direct handoffs, no pitches or tosses and all passes must cross the line of scrimmage. Shovel passes are allowed. We are not allowed to block in any way. The defense must rush from seven yards back, but can bring any number of defenders. The QB has a seven second pass clock. All players are pass eligible, including the QB after a handoff. The QB can take a return handoff and run.

I was wondering if anyone has had success using a shovel pass in this situation. We won our first game 13-8 and our resonably strong on defense. We only gavee up one run of any distance. Half of our 12 players have never played (7-8 year olds).

Our Qb has played and seems to have a good grasp on the game. We threw 7 or so passes, last game and completed three of them and had another, that had it not been raining, probably goes for about a 40 yard run and catch.

We have an experienced RB who can flat out fly. He had two 65 yard runs (70 yard field, start from the 5), where he got around the corner and took off. One he made an excellent cut back on, to the middle of the field.

I am looking for something to change up from the basic run plays. Something we can get the ball to the speed guy, as well as some others to spread it around, that can possibly turn into a "make one guy miss and break it" type of play. Especially if the defense starts looking outside. I also think thise could work well in the no running zones, near midfield and from the 5 in to the goal line.

We have practice Thursday and I would like to implement it. We did not face any rush our last game. I think we can run it against a rush or even against a drop back defense, perhaps out of a 3 wr plus the center set, with one RB.

I also thought about running it as a quick slant type of route with a WR, set up closer to the center, sort of like a TE.

Any ideas you can give me would be appreciated. Neither of the toher two coaches have done football before. WE have a guy who helps out sometimes, who did it last year, so we are a little inexperienced.

[GeorgeC]

I was wondering if anyone has had success using a shovel pass in this situation. We won our first game 13-8 and our resonably strong on defense. We only gavee up one run of any distance. Half of our 12 players have never played (7-8 year olds).

Look for Orange's playbook for 6/6. I have the same rules as you do, except only one rusher. In Orange's playbook, use the Center Drag plays and let your QB shovel to the center. Combined with the misdirection, this play (if even decently executed) should yield 5-6 yards.

[Johnp2]

I had good success with the shuffle (shovel) pass when I coached younger kids (4-6). Of course back then we ran a very basic version of it (this is when we played 8v8). One of my guards would run about a three yard curl. My QB would step back as to if to throw deep, and then shuffle it to him. This worked well as the initial three yard sprint my Guard did caused his defender to drop way back (and often keep running back). ;-)

As the kids aged, they obviously became smarter, and defenses began to shut this play down--so I have not executed it in about five seasons. This season (coaching 10-12....6v6), I've modified it to be more of a a traditional shuffle pass play in that the QB will shuffle it while on the run. To give the intended receiver some room, we will fake a hand-off in the opposite direction. See attached. Note: I've yet to try this with the team yet--but this is my thought on how we will execute it this season.

Attached Files

•  Shuff_2010.doc   27K   217 downloads

[RedBaron]

THanks for the replies.

We have been toying with it and might use it this week. We normally face a 3-2-1 or similar set up. The team we play this week, plays a 3-3 and we are looking for something to hit the gaps quickly..

[Johnp2]

I believe the play I attached will hit the gaps (at least that is my plan). The key, as you mentioned, is to quickly hit the gaps. When you hit the gap like this, you can't jack around. I coach my kids two things with respect to when they have the ball: 1) Think ahead. Every move should be cognizant. 2) The second you see a gap, burst through it. These points might seem like they contradict one another, but thinking about what you will do when you see a hole and executing on that=Vision. You can take an average player and make him a stud by teaching proper vision.

If a defense is undisciplined enough to give us the corner, we will take that all day. However, when facing a team that plays the ends tight (as they should), I've found success by pounding those gaps over and over until they give space to the corners.

[RedBaron]

THanks,

It is something we are going to continue working on. I can see the potential in it, especially against certain set ups. Our problem on shorter stuff like this has been we've gotten the rep as being a "throwing team" and teams are starting to blitz a lot.

By a "throwing team", I mean we may throw 7 or 8 times per game. In our league, that is like a run and shoot. It is not uncommon to see a team go an entire game with only 3 passes, all coming at the end when they ar elooking for a miracle way to make up 3 touchdowns. THat or they only come in the no run zones.

I like the idea behind a play like this to hit teams who tend to rush from one side. The idea being to hit the gap they aren't rushing from and leaving one less guy, in the secondary, for our man to beat.

Then again, I may be over thinking again.

[Orange]

I love the shuffle pass at the younger ages. We can wing the ball around a little more (kids getting older) but we still use it even now. Its a very easy pass to throw, even on the run (like to roll out with it). And it also very easy to catch since it usually comes slower and more accurate than a traditional overhand pass. I highly recommend the shuffle pass at your level.

[towney]

Can someone direct me to Orange's playbook.

[GeorgeC]

Can someone direct me to Orange's playbook.

Go here: http://www.y-coach.c...hp?showforum=23 and look down. You'll see Orange plays. Additions to Orange plays and more. In one labeled "Flag football plays template" (http://www.y-coach.c...?showtopic=2067), you can download the Orange plays in powerpoint.