BulldogJim

Is it just me or does anyone elso notice that most offenses at the youth level are designed to or happen to "hit the big one"?

This last weekend we played a game in wich we had 3 drives of more than 10 plays.  The first, a 12 play 62 yard drive off the opening kick using nearly 7 min of the 10 min quarter.  We had another of 11 plays 45 yards to close out the 2nd.  Our first possession in the 3rd was a 17 play drive that started at our own 9 and went 70 yards before we lost a fumble at the 1.  (We got it back the next play and scored from the 1)  But 70 yards in 17 plays?  (we play on an 80 yard field.  Our one limitation other than age and wieght) More than half of the 3rd and some of the 4th gone on that one drive.

We had 295 total yards of offense on 41 plays.  That is 7.1 yards per play.  My 12 year old qb was 7-16-98-TD.  (A 5 yard TD to the TE on the opening drive) 15 first downs.

Even with all that offense we only scored 3 times.  We won.

What made me take notice was the 17 play 70 yard drive.

I decided to try to run a ball control offense after being waxed week 1 48-0 with my old offensive stratigies.  We are now 5 and 2 and play the #2 team this weekend in the season finale.  We win, we are # 2 going into the playoffs.  (Incidently, the team that beat us 48-0 has not been scored on this season and is #1 at 7-0)  In each of our 5 wins we have had at least 2 double digit play drives.  They do not always end in TD's but they keep the opposition off the field.  Most of our games have been precariously close.  The boy's seem to be understanding the idea of ball control offense the last 4 games .  Positive yards.

I have been trying to teach the concept of ball control offense because I have the smallest (size wise) team in the league.  I have less than average team speed and am pretty short on talent.  These boys have absolutely amazed me with their unselfishness and discipline.  This last weekend we had only 4 offensive penelties, 1 holding, 2 movment, and 1 spearing after a TD.

Just curious if anyone else has tried to use this type of slow down offense with kids 11, 12, and a few 13 yearolds.  What type of success?  What did you use?

An area that I feel is overlooked at the youth level is O-Line.  Anyone who has coached kids for any length of time has probably had kids quit because they knew they would play on the O-Line.  That is a shame, but it happens.  Kids just do not have a positive attitude about playing on the offensive line.

Many coaches, new coaches in particular, log on here and many other places, seeking advice as to what offense to run or what is the best running attack or whatever.  I have yet to see, myself as guilty as anyone, a reply that stresses the importance of quality offensive line play.

The fact that my 24 year old son started at both center and and DT through the youth leagues and high school, DT/DE  in college (preseason knee his first 2 seasons ended his football career)  and my 11 year old 145lb son is now my center makes me a little more guilty of the oversight than most.  The fact of the matter is that without the second coming of #34 or #22, you must have a good O-Line and O-Line plan to be able win consistantly.

In chess it is common knowledge that he who controls the center of the board usually controls the game.  That is just one of the simularities between Football and the "Game of Kings".  I have unfortunately not been blessed with a #34 or #22.  I am still able to run the ball effectively because of the work and heart of the big boy's up front.

This season, I have been fortunate to have 2 starters returning, Center (as if he has a choice) and my RT.  2 boys who had rotated in and out last season have returned with such an attitude and desire to play the O-Line, the likes of which I have not seen before.  The fifth is new but is working hard and enjoying it.  11, 12, and 13 year old boys wanting to play on the O-Line? Go figure.

Last season, my first with most of these boys, I stressed the importance of the O-Line.  I included them in the normal accolades and then went further to add their own.  I made sure that each Back understood the importance of those big boys in front of them and paid them the respect they deserved.  In seasons past I tried to always include the O-Line as an intrigal part of the team.  This past season I realized that the kids know when I, as the head coach, really care as much about the Right Guard as I do the QB or the 2Back.  To myself, as a coach, I now see that until last season, the big boys saw right trough me.

I am now, and will always be a defensive minded coach.  I have spent my entire football life learning offense and offensive technigue simply to find ways to destroy them.  I hve learned that I can stop your #34.  I can crush your #22.   It is your #67 that will beat me.

Want to build a offense?  Start with big boys up front.  Work them hard.  Teach them the basics.  Teach them to cross.  Teach them to trap.  Teach them to pull.  Teach them to play as team within a team.  Give them their due.  Make them feel important.  Make them proud to say to their freinds that they are an offensive guard.  You will see success as an offensive unit.

BulldogJim

Two coaches asked for copies of my playbooks, Tim and another. Due to a massive computer crash I lost your email addresses. All is well now. If you still wnat them resend the request to: Jimrose53@bellsouth.net.

BulldogJim

As Football has taken over the role as America's Sport I have become more and more concerned as to the direction or lack of direction that our youth athletes are receiving.  Those who are reading this are obviously not part of the problem as they are here; reading, exchanging experience, gaining knowledge and advice, and making an effort to improve their ability to coach our kids.  I have read many of the posts but have always been more intrigued by the answers and advice that is given.  The wealth of knowledge that is available here and at many other sights like this is amazing.

Where have we been?  We have been in a place where Football had taken a back seat.  Coaches coached what they had been coached.  Right or wrong, it was what what were taught.  Few ever begged to question and even fewer actually attempted to move forward.  That was left to those revered as legends and those who got paid.

Somewhere, somehow, somewhen, someone remembered that in the begining, before Lombardi, before Halas, football was something else.  That person remembered that Football was about winning and losing.  Someone remembered that the boundries that were set so many years ago were merely 100 yards X 11 men.  The desire for creativity within the the human spirit, mind, body, and heart and the need to push each of those qualities and continually test their limits was what made Football great.

Today I see many that are still satisfied with what was.  But mostly I am seeing those who are a part of what will be as well as what was.  Those who are willing to push the envelope and try what has yet to be tested.  In the Honor and memory of such recent inovators as Tom Landry (Flex extrordinair), Buddy Ryan (Thanks Doug Plank), Bill Walsh (which coast?), and the new breed:  you.

Football has not become America's #1 sport because of advertisement, money, or fame.  Football has become America's #1 sport because of the guys who do not get the accolades or the money.  That guy who beleived in Emmitt Smith when he was 11.  That guy who first got in his face and told him he was not giving it everything he had  or that he was dodging a tackle instead of breaking one.  Those are the guy's responsible for football.

Where are we going?  I do not know about the rest of you coaches, but for 2004, I am going to the Super Bowl.  Encourage those around you to seek out the knowledge they need to become better coaches.  There is nothing that we cannot become better at.  There will always be something to learn and somone to lern it from.  Often in the most unlikely places.  To quote an old, but very wise beer comercial:

"As soon as were are satisfied as a player, we are finished as a team."
(Feel free to replace "Player" with "Coach")

To all those who strap that whistle on, spend more hours dedicated to other poeples kids than they will at work this fall, and to all those new century inovators, teachers, coaches:  This Bud's for you!

Good luck to all and to all a good game!

Bulldogjim