10 Keys to becoming a better Offensive Coordinator

For the past 6 years, I have have served as Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator and each year I have refined my process of Coordinating the offense. Here are my tips to help you become a better Offensive Coordinator!

#1 - Essentialism

Go hear Podcast with the Author & Article from Forbes !

Limit the number of concepts you RUN!

We use 4 run plays... It could change from year to year! This year the plan is Inside Zone, Dart, Outside Zone and Pin-N-Pull. However last year we ran Buck Sweep and Counter GT.

Limit your schemes. I love the Snag passing Game. Why? It can be used for Multiple Formations. use whatever you like Y Cross, Curls, etc......

#2 - Possession and Ten

I can not detail enough how important I think this down is!  I think it is the most important down in football. In doing a game breakdown for a friend this past season. They played the team that won there region, overall they were 4-2-5 cover 3 57% of the time on base downs, HOWEVER on possession and ten 96% of the time they were 2 high cover 4! Knowing this would have made a difference in his game planning!

In 2017, the average #FBS team scored points on 45% of possessions when they were efficient (4 or more yards) on P&10. When they weren't efficient (3 yards or less) on P&10, the average team scored points 27% of the time. A dramatic difference based on one play.

— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) March 28, 2018

#3 - Explosive Plays

You have to create explosive plays to score! Teams that score average 2 explosive plays per drive. The question becomes how to do you create explosive plays! One reason why coaches love the wing-t is because it is system based.

Sweep Play/Inside Trap/Waggle..

Every offense should be this way! You need a base play, a reaction play for a change in defense, a play to deal with the blitz off of it and a touchdown call!

For us we are going to run the zone with a bubble screen, you better believe that faking the bubble and going vertical is in the playbook!

So far in 2016, teams winning the turnover margin AND explosive play battle are 82-6 (93.18%).

— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) September 21, 2016

#4 Common Language

How does your offensive coaches and players communicate to each other. How many steps is a curl, how do you explain what is open, you need to really have a deep look at how you communicate all these things!

If you need help and a starting point. I recommend you go buy this book today - What is Open by Dub Maddox!   . Everyone on offense needs to speak a common language!

#5 - Goal line and Red Zone

Yes, you need a plan of attack for it! It could be a separate formation 22p, wildcat, etc.. Or it could be a set of plays! What has worked well for me has been a) determining when the Red Zone begins for us we saw that teams really didn't start to play us differently until the 13 yard line, so that is when our Red Zone thinking really kicked in. b) Study the breakdown on the front and coverages teams gave on scout film to determine what you should expect inside the Red Zone. c) For us we were more successful when we found 6 play variations off of things that we did that we used in the red zone!

There are certain plays in our base offense that work well anywhere, but we have a catalog of plays that we found that work well in the red zone and we work 2-3 a week and rotate them during the season, really changed our offense for the better in the red zone.

Score In the Red Zone

#6 - 3rd Down is really all about protection

I use to just try to get a bunch of plays from people that "worked" on 3rd down and we focused too much on 3rd down. A - the best offenses DO NOT PLAY 3rd down. That should be your #1 3rd down goal. However, study 3rd down and write down the blitzes, what you will find is most DC's have a rhyme and reason to how they blitz on 3rd down. 1st determine how you will protect your QB on 3rd down and then with the rest of the WR's not needed to protect the QB come up with the best pass play to attack the defense to get the 1st down.

#7 - DO NOT ALLOW SACKS

There is a 216% difference between the average FBS team's chance of scoring a TD on drives with and without one or more sacks.

— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) July 31, 2016

You see how much sacks matter even at the college level! So I learned something from my Brother Coach K . He practices Pass Protection 10 minutes Monday - Wednesday! Take your lineman OL/DL and work stunts and Pass Protection Daily. He does this more than Inside Run. We haven't done it to this level but will more. One nugget when we script plays I picked up from Bobby Bentley was to practice 2 passes for every 1 run. Work on pass protection.

#8 - Group is just as important as Indy

You don't need 30 minutes of Indy only! Find ways to steal time for group no matter the offense.

Spread Teams here are 2 samples...

Wing-T

#9 - YES you must have a script to start the game

Develop a method any method. First 10, First 15. Have a method. Here is mine with my staff

#10 Self-Scout

Always know what plays you have run the last 2 games. Don't let the defense know more than you!

Take a look back, the easiest way is to print out for calls for each individual game from HUDL and then add the last 2 games back together. Know you better than they ever could!

Those are my ten tips to becoming a better offensive coordinator! Doing a few of these or all 10 can make you a better OC this upcoming season! Good LUCK and go score! 


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Inside Zone Variations and Updates....

I know, everyone has sent me a message waiting on Part 2 of my Glazier Clinic Notes from Brent Dearmon and they are coming soon..

This past month I haven't had a chance to update the blog, due to my new position as Head Football Coach at a new school. Busy with Spring Football and licking my chops being able to teach the game from the ground up again!

This doesn't mean, we don't have some great updates for you!

If you subscribe to my YouTube Channel you know I have dropped off some exciting videos this last month!


Inside Zone Bash

The hottest article on this site in a while was The Bash Concept posted by John Konecki!

While like him I love the Bash Concept when paired with Counter. Here is an alternative for those of you who are heavy Inside Zone.

Inside Zone Drills, Formations and Film

If you are a member of our Facebook Group No Huddle Tempo Practice you know the question how do you run Inside Zone is asked a TON!

I am a firm believer in as many double teams as possible.  But here is a presentation on how to install the Inside Zone.

Variation and Window Dressing the IZ in the Spread 

My best selling CoachTube Class is no doubt Using The Stick Route In the RPO Game and I have now followed up with Game Tested RPOS , but everyone is not 100% ready and willing to go full RPOs such as those.

Here is a simple way to add a post-snap pass off of Inside Zone that will give the defense multiple looks! I got this from Joe Osovet and The Bolt Offense

Two Must Read Articles

If you want to become a better offensive coach, I have 2 must read articles that have been recently published!

Read tags in the Shotgun Run Game by Barry Hoover
How to Minimize Football Plays & Maximize Production: #R4 & the Pareto Principle.. by Dub Maddox 

READ BOOKS THIS SUMMER

and if I can only give you 2, I would encourage my favorite author, Joshua Medcalf, Start with Chop Wood, Carry Water and Burn Your Goals! 

New Podcast to add to your Playlist

The Culture Classroom --> AMAZING! 

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Hindsight (Game Planning in the Off-Season) + book updates

Hindsight (Game Planning in the Off-Season)

Two questions, I have been asked a lot via email or via DM's on Twitter is how do I do advance game planning in the off-season and what data do I pull from last season's film.

Two areas of data, I want you to focus on from last season.

1. Go research the amount of times on Possession & 10  that you got 4 yards and find out did you score. Possession & 10 is the first play of the drive. Data shows that in D1 Football teams that gain 4 yards or more on P&10 score 77% of the time. I did my data from last season and it was 79% of the time.

That led me to do 2 things a) start the play calls that got us 4 or more and b) emphasis the importance of P&10 to my kids on offense and defense. More important than 3rd down.

2. Go back and chart your Red Zone areas (20-15) (14-8) (8-3) (3-GL). What plays worked and didn't. You have to figure out a game plan for these areas.
Dear Spread Coaches, it is ok to practice and have a 2 TE, 3 H-back Goal Line Package!

If you fix these two areas and research and improve them from last year, I guarantee it will lead you to more points!

Now on to Game Planning in the Off-Season...

On each opponent you play each next that is the same as last season. You and every coach on your offensive staff should fill out a hindsight sheet.

What goes on this sheet?

1.  What plays worked well? Both Run & Pass
2.  What plays DID NOT work and Why? Both Run & Pass
3.  What did they do to work us?
4.  What did they do that we didn't expect?
5. What do we need to add for next year? Both Run & Pass?

Next, pick 6 formations and go through based on the look you got and write down 2 runs and 2 passes you should have or did use that would or did work. For example, if in 10 personnel trips and zone both ways, along with stick and flood worked,  right it down. If you should have run power read weak instead, write it down.

You are coming up with a base package for next year AND you can find out what plays you are running that need more attention or less attention. For example if you installed 3 man snag but it doesn't show up in the game plan nor what worked well, maybe it's time to scale back. Likewise if you spent limited time on counter and it shows up a lot, maybe more time is needed on this concept.

Book Update

#4 

I have an autographed copy and finally decided to read it! Man, why did I wait so long! When at BYU, Coach Mendenhall focused on the process of being different, what could they do well that fit them!

How they recruited players, special teams, what coaches were in charge of what, duty to the mission.

Two takeaways that I have started to use. #1 Player led special teams, he has a special team coordinator but he has a special team captain for each unit. That captain is responsible for grading film, conducting a meeting, helping the SPC decide who belongs on the unit.  The SPC becomes the facilitator.

#2 Delegation of processes to help the team. Not only does he have an OC, DC and STC, Director of Football Operations but a Locker Room Coordinator, Field Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, Academic Coordinator, Strength & Conditioning Coordinator. I gave all my coaches a duty, told them my non-negotiables and let them do the rest! Delegate authority! It creates BUY-IN!

#5

Wasn't on my to do list UNTIL Coach Maddox released it. Take your game planning and understanding of pass concepts to the next level. If you are not a member of the r4footballsystems, BUT want to do more in the R4 process, this book is for you.

This book teaches you secondary progressions off of your primary ones and how to change 1 route to help turn a cover 3 beater into a cover 2 beater, etc....

#6

Life lessons are important for growth and the head. Using his boat as a metaphor Richard Bode helps you reflect and learn how to live your best life! Before you can win a state championship or score 50 points there is a process. You have to start with baby steps such as installation of plays and the teaching of concepts.


Next article will be coming shortly with spring football ending, also my next coachtube class is being designed as we speak!

As always...... I thank everyone who has purchased my Coach Tube Class, you can still get 20% off from this blog!

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How I take clinic notes...

As the clinic season gets underway for me, I thought I would share some insight on how I take, then compile my notes. This year I will try out using my iPad as well as my newest addition of a Bluetooth keyboard. I got a great deal on the keyboard thanks to nomorerack.com.

Here are the staples of what I like to pack in my bag.

TEMPLATE PAPER

Yes, I know most clinics supply a tablet, BUT I am somewhat "OCD"  and I have discovered the spacing is not always the best...

Sorry IRISH...

Here is what I like to use. Email me if you want a copy. DRAW A PLAY TEMPLATE

MARKERS

and of course highlights too! This is the result of using the R4 system. I like to go back and color the diagrams with colors for RHYTHM, READ, RUSH. Or just separate the OLine blocking and the RBs...

 

EXTRA PENS and PENCILS

This is one of my "PAY IT FORWARDS". Just is case someone forgets one. Plus the Vendors always seem to have a ton.

FLASH DRIVE or THUMB DRIVE 

or whatever you call it now a days... If a Speaker has a PowerPoint to share, I can sometimes get him to drop it on my drive. It save him an email. However, the popularity of the HUDL presentation may make this tech tool obsolete!

VARIOUS ITEMS 

I always try to pack Chap Stick, gum and mints. These are necessities for morning breath..and I always share!

YES, I'm one those nerds that like to sit up front. I always try to make sure to sit on the side opposite of the speaker. This is the best view!

TIP: Don't hesitate to ask the speaker to join you for lunch or dinner...especially if the coach is from out of town.

If the speaker has handouts, great, I will still try to make additional notes and then put them into my Power Points.Why do use Power Point? Because I can have notes AND drawings availiable. As most of the coaches I have shared notes with know, I mainly use two different types of slides.

The first one has a large TEXT BOX for general notes.

  

 

The other is a yard line grid. It is adapted from PLAYMAKER PRO with some "life-life" colors. The bottom has player assignments.

If the play diagrammed is a run play, I will try to use a larger view for the blocking scheme.

 

And for drills, I will use some shape to make figures...

Over the years, I have become pretty adept at "drawing" in Power Point. This the result of trial and error. Lines have become fairly simple. The new version of Power Point made the line more difficult (For shame Bill Gates!). But, I found that is If use an old PP file the lines translate...

So, after the clinic, I try to highlight one idea from each speaker and post some CLINIC NUGGETS.

Then, in the weeks to follow, depending upon my schedule. I transfer my notes to a PP.

I put them on a clip board and set on my "Macgyver Prop Up".

No gum was not used...just PVC, electrical tape and some shelf liner to keep it from sliding around.

I'm lucky, that I have an hour at school, after the students have been loaded on the bus. Some peace and quiet in my office. Unless, I'm at home as a result of a SNOW DAY!

I plan to make a short video on how to draw curvy line in PowerPoint. But that will become obsolete as a make full transition to the APPLE WORLD.

OH YES... IT WILL BE  MINE!!!