Watching a Nike COY clinic video on Dana Holgerson and he said the following.
If you are fast all the time defense loves it.
If you are slow all the time defense loves it.
If you vary it, then defense not so happy......
When I was a young play caller, I had the attitude of tempo meant everything! I wanted to go fast! I wanted to run as man plays as I could, I thought it didn't really mater what I called on 1st and 2nd down, the only down where slowing it down could matter was 3rd down. As I have progressed I can tell you that is not the same philosophy I have today! Varying tempo and knowing when to use it is important as ever.
A few years ago, I heard Neal Brown at a clinic talk about his Blur package a collection of plays that he would run to use tempo anywhere on the field. Basically, the were base plays packaged and ready to go on a moments notice.
Here is a sample of the Blur package we used in the past as HC.
Blur 1
Blur 2
Blur 3
Blur 4
One thing I wanted to do was combine Tempo with the ability to run downhill. Coach Steve Addazio said it best.
So what did we evolve to you ask?
This is a question I have answered in my new CoachTube class, named Tempo Plays and One Word Calls in Your Offense.
The ability to use one word plays to control tempo. We have about 7 or 8. We call them when most convenient for us. If you have followed this blog, you know I am a huge fan of zone-stick. In this class I show how it became a one word play for us, where we would rotate the formation to best fit us weekly.
To find out more about our one word plays and how we use them to control the tempo in our power spread offense click here.
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This is my impression after reading "Find A Way" by Kenny Simpson. He cares about all facets of coaching. Not just the winning, but building relationships with the community, parents and staff. The book is great blueprint for successful program. "Find A Way" contains ten informative chapters.
Introduction
Getting the Job
I got the job... Now What
Sharing the Vision
Grow your Program
Decide, Delegate, Depart
There is no Off-Season
Building a Staff
X's and O's or Jack's or Joe's
Mistakes I made
Conclusion
The book begins by Coach Simpson giving a short family history. He was part of a military family which means moving a lot. I'm sure he learned to be flexible! Coach Simpson wrote about his strong connections. A highlight of the book was the Father-Son Retreat that was started by former Coach Ronnie Peacock.
I will highlight my favorite nugget from each chapter.
Chapter 1: Getting the Job
Coach Simpson is very detailed about the key tips before the interview. Biggest takeaways are be prepared... not to talk about your playbook and be articulate when talking to the interview panel which often consists of people that don't have a large football IQ.
Chapter 2: I Got the Job... Now What?
Real easy... Sell Your Program! Through Social Media and special nights that involve the parents.
Chapter 3: Sharing the Vision
Creating a mission statement can help set the tone. Make sure it is broad and all-encompassing.
Chapter 4: Grow your Program
This chapter provides some helpful tips on youth football, which can be challenging!
Chapter 5: Decide, Delegate and Depart
One of my favorite chapters! It outlines the need to find support for a successful program. The head coach can't do it all!
Chapter 6: There is no Off-season
Coach Simpson breaks down weight training into basic information. But I think it was more that basic! He breaks it down into five parts: Mental Toughness, Injury Prevention, Discipline, Winning Attitude, and Consistent Participation.
Chapter 7: Building a Staff
A tough assignment! Coach Simpson is able to rank the importance of individual positions.
Most important aspects are
Assistants that are LOYAL!
Assistants that know THEIR "why"
Assistants that know YOUR "why"
Chapter 8: X's and O's or Jack's or Joe's
Every part the game is highlighted from PAT to how to watch opponent's film.
Make sure to highlight the 5 points on page 60!
Chapter 9: Mistakes I made
It takes a brave man to admit his mistakes... It takes a courageous man to write them in a book! Kudos to Coach Simpson!
Chapter 10 summaries the book. A few quotes...
"Be aware that your words you carry a lot of weight, and you are being watched by lots of eyes. I've had players come back and share stories of some of the things I've said that they still remember, and I didn't even realize at the time what I was saying or doing even really mattered to them."
So true!
This book is a great addition to any and all coaches! Find A Way to buy it soon!
Coach Simpson has started a YouTube channel with some great content.
3 Ways Using The Tight End can improve your Passing Game & RPO Clinic Tape
******** IF You are reading this BLOG Post between 11/26/2019 and 12/4/2019, all of my coachtube classes are 65% off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday --> CLICK HERE ***********
3 Ways we have used the TE to enhance our offense are as follows.
1. Flood is a great concept, very rarely do I run Sprint Out, however this was our most effective Flood Pass, great explosive and great on third and 7+
2. Depending on how much of a weapon your TE is, Trips usually pulls the coverage towards it and that leaves a chance to run weak flood, if teams run what is known as "Steal" coverage.
Combining Smash with Drive, gives us a great weak flood concept...
3. Throwing Verticals has a lot to do with spacing, one of the best ways to formation a defense is using Empty with one or multiple tight ends. Depending on how teams rotate you can get a vertical shot called combined with seam read and shallow allowing for shallow dig as a response or a quick seam shot.
Here is film on all 3 concepts.
RPO Clinic
Here is film on Study Tape for RPO's.. I have been holding on to this one for a LONG TIME. I think you will find something useful or it will reinforce something that you do!
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If you are a member of the No Huddle Tempo Practice Page, then you saw the post earlier this summer about what do you give your players for scouting reports during the season.
I like to make my digital and share.
All you end is a Screen Recorder, HUDL and YouTube.
Using Screen-O-Matic, I record a walk-through on HUDL, going through formations and plays, then I upload to YouTube and share with my team in our group chat.
Below is a Sample.
I encourage you to look at this option for the upcoming season for your players....
Score In The Redzone
As the season approaches make sure you have a plan!
Read The Article Here --> CLICK ME
More Info & Plays on Scoring In The RedZone --> CLICK ME Using The Stick Route in The RPO/Game Tested RPOS (Updated)
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!
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.
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%).
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.
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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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
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!
I had the pleasure of listening to Brent Dearmon at the Atlanta Football Glazier Clinics. He was worth the FULL CLINIC. I fully hope Kansas uses what he knows!
If you know me, you know I am a RPO lover. We ran a lot of RPOs at Newton High School and over the last 8 years starting with my favorite stick-draw to the most used one for me Stick-Zone.
But Brent Dearmon has taken RPO, playcalling, development and understanding to the next level.
In part one, I want to give you what I learned from him to make the Zone game better.....
#1 - That he plays with Field and Boundary Wide Receivers. He plays his best WR to the boundary and that his Field WR is his best blocker
#2 He teaches the H-back to duck walk 3 steps, with eyes on the LB, who is the run fitter, before going on to the safety.
#3 He installs IZ for the 1st 2 days because his team is in Helmets he wants to make sure he gets the base of his offense right.
#4 He spoke about how to use the Zone Read Bubble with 2 RBs 1st
Does your program use them? Should you use them? And if you have the information what do you do with it?
Coach Konecki has talked a lot over the last 2 years about his study of Analytics and how it has helped him prepare and re-think practice.
Coach Perry of Pearl HS, I came across last year and dove off the deep end after hearing him and thinking about the information that Coach Konecki had preached about.
Here are 2 coaches who have played for state titles (multiple) talking about analytics! Maybe I should learn more - both talked about SportSource Analytics . Come listen and learn about Analytics and dive into your off-season study! Here are some of issues and topics we talked about and dove into on the podcast.
Our objectives are a big part of our success! Kids know this is how we are gonna win! We preach them, grade them and reward them! pic.twitter.com/Dw4rdwm4JR
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 7, 2019
Note to defensive coaches: At the FBS level, teams score TD's: 9% of drives when one or more sacks is recorded; 15% of drives when one or more negative plays is recorded; 4% of drives without a big play (12+ yard run or 15+ yard pass); & 20% of drives when inefficient on P&10.
— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) March 9, 2018
