Showing posts with label Coaching football coaching Sprint Out Pass Play RPO Run pass option offensive football coaching coaching offense coaching video On side kick Pass rush Sprint Out Pass Concept PAT/Field Goal Basics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coaching football coaching Sprint Out Pass Play RPO Run pass option offensive football coaching coaching offense coaching video On side kick Pass rush Sprint Out Pass Concept PAT/Field Goal Basics. Show all posts
As we head into the last quarter of the season (at the writing of this article), finding adjustments or wrinkles to what you already do with little change to what is already in can pay huge dividends. To your opponent, it’s something that they haven’t seen yet so when it is used they will not have prepared for it, but for you, the wrinkle was easily implemented. That’s an efficient use of your time.
Let’s take a look at some adjustments and wrinkles that might make sense to you. Even if they don’t fit exactly what you do, the thought process or strategy can be helpful.
Offense
#1) The Double Move
Your opponent certainly will work on recognizing patterns to try to have their defensive backs be able to get a quick break on the ball. For the routes and combos you use most often, they will drill recognition and reaction on those all week long. The double move lets you exploit their aggressiveness and create a big play or touchdown. At the very least, it will have the effect of slowing their reaction down.
In pass protection, there will be situations that may not occur often but can hurt you when they do. Elliott Wratten, OC/OL Coach at Alcorn State prepares his players for that in his 5-man protection. He teaches an MDM or “Most Dangerous Man” call to his man side tackles. He likes it because it saves time in game planning. He explains the adjustment here:
#3) Have a plan for tough techniques - defenders attacking the backfield mesh on read game
If I was facing a team running power read, attacking the mesh point would be my primary strategy in defending it. It causes the offense to speed up the read and decision, and in any form of option football, speeding things up creates some opportunity for the decision-maker to be wrong. However, having a plan for it and drilling it allows the offense to stay in rhythm and handle this situation. I explain that in this video in which the end is attacking the mesh point on power read:
Knowing your opponent and their abilities can help put you in the correct schemes. For example, knowing that you are facing a QB who is better sitting in the pocket and picking a defense apart rather than trying to hurt you with his legs can be used to an advantage. Branden Jakubcin, defensive coordinator at Heidelberg University likes to utilize their Cover 2 Man in this situation. He can have great coverage underneath with help on both sides of the field overtop while knowing that the QB run won't hurt him as much when running this coverage. He explains his strategy here:
Against most offenses, you will see plenty of 3x1, so having some multiple looks and change-ups is important. RPI defensive coordinator Jeff Dittman explains the multiple adjustments he has in for 3x1 in this video
As the season progresses, special teams' play should get better and better with teams refining technique. It may put your players in a position where if they utilize the wrong technique, you can end up with a flag on the field and a poor starting position for your drive. Tony Coaxum, head coach at Bluefield State, teaches his players “penalty beaters” which are techniques designed to allow them to adjust and put themselves in a position where they can execute without drawing a laundry. He explains “sit and fit shield” in this video:
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As the game constantly evolves, plays and concepts come and go, and that’s been true of stand alone quick game.
In my first year as a head coach, we had plenty of issues to deal with and one of those was a very undersized offensive line. In the run game we made use of plenty of gap schemes to give our guys angles, but the passing game required us to use play action, which we did, and most importantly, get the ball out quick!
At that time I studied Andrew Coverdale’s books inside and out and went and watched him for six sessions at a Glazier Clinic to learn all he was teaching. It paid off as we led our conference in passing primarily off of quick game.
Quick game is something that Arizona State Tight Ends Coach Jason Mohns believes in. In an era of RPO, the quick game on its own disappeared temporarily, but Coach Mohns mad his case for putting it back in your offense in his talk at Lauren’s First and Goal. al.
The Need for Quick Passing Game
Coach Mohns noted that in recent years, they’ve observed a decline in completion percentages, which he attributed to the fact that they weren't calling a lot of quick game anymore. Defenses started to get better at defending RPOs, taking away gift routes and easy completions. This has forced the offense into more shot plays down the field and one-on-ones.
To counter this, he decided to focus on creating easy throws for their quarterbacks to get into a rhythm and bring back some built-in adjustments to man coverages.
Benefits of Quick Passing Games
#1) Get the ball in your playmaker's hands effectively and efficiently: Quick passing games involve higher percentage throws for your quarterbacks when you're not pushing downfield. This allows you to get the ball to your playmakers more quickly and efficiently.
#2) Great built-in answers to pressure: Quick passing games help you avoid having to worry about picking up six and seven-man pressures. Instead, you can throw the ball to beat the bullets and keep your quarterback in the game.
#3) Simple and easy progressions: Quick passing games have simple and easy progressions for your quarterbacks, making it easier for them to execute the plays.
#4) Versatility: Quick passing games can be easily dressed up and disguised to keep your opponents guessing. You can use window dressing to make your schemes look different while keeping the progression the same for the quarterback.
#5) Ideal for open down calls and first and 10 and second along calls: When building your game plan, quick passing games can show up consistently on your game plan, providing you with more options to outsmart your opponents.
Incorporating Quick Passing Game into Your Strategy
To start incorporating quick passing games into your offensive strategy, focus on creating easy throws for your quarterbacks to get into a rhythm. Study your offense, do some self-scouting, and make sure you have some built-in adjustments to man coverages. Dress up your schemes with the illusion of complexity to keep your opponents guessing, and make sure you have open down calls, first and 10, and second along calls in your game plan.
Examples from Coach Mohns
Consider Adding Quicks…
By mastering the art of quick passing, you can significantly improve your offensive production and boost your completion percentages. Quick passing games offer versatility, efficiency, and a higher probability of success for your quarterbacks.
It’s worth exploring putting quick game back into your offensive menu. Learn more......
Check out more live WFA Action Right Here!
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Bryan Weston's journey into buying and selling sports gear started in a relatable way —as a dad trying to keep up with his son's evolving baseball needs.
With eight years of gear taking up space and a growing teenager constantly changing positions on the field, Bryan stumbled upon SidelineSwap while looking for a new glove. What started as a simple purchase quickly turned into a side hustle and passion that would connect him with athletes across the globe.
Throughout his son’s journey from t-ball to high school baseball, Bryan realized he had accumulated a stockpile of equipment—gloves, bats, cleats, and more. "I didn't want to throw it all away...and I'm kind of a hoarder anyway," Bryan admits. "So, I kept the gear sentimental to my son and listed the rest on SidelineSwap.”
Photo above contains “three gloves and three bats that my son Grady has used from Little League until now. He played in the Babe Ruth 14U World Series last summer and the memento included in the blue glove is a game ball and his Player of the Game Award from their first game, a win over Aruba.” Gloves include: 9 1/2” Rawlings Heart of the Hide inside of an 11.75” Nokona, inside of a Rawlings Pro Preferred 12.25”. Bats include: 29” DeMarini Glitch, a 30” Warstic Bonesaber, and Grady’s current bat, a 32” Combat Spec A1.
"I'm really kind of hooked on gloves."
What started as a means to offload extra gear quickly became an obsession. Bryan was drawn to the craftsmanship of baseball gloves. He began curating a personal collection, some of which he keeps for himself and others he resells for a profit.
"I would buy my son a glove, let him use it for a few weeks, and then sell it—sometimes even making money off the deal," Bryan recalls. "He loves it because he constantly gets new gloves to try out."
And as Bryan explains, it takes a while to break in a new glove; buying a used one allows his son to go straight to the field and play with it. Then he can decide to keep it, or sell it and try another.
Bryan and his son Grady showcasing their collection.
"We live in the middle of absolute nowhere."
Living in Del Rio, Texas—far from major sports retailers—SidelineSwap became essential for accessing equipment. "If you want to buy a glove in Del Rio, you must do it online," Bryan explains. "There's nowhere local to get the latest gloves, bats, whatever."
Del Rio lies on the edge of the Tamaulipan mezquital (also called the South Texas brush country), an area larger than the state of Alabama but with a population of less than 35,000. Although remote, this borderland is home to a thriving baseball scene.
Grady at the plate in the 2024 Babe Ruth 14U World Series vs. Aruba. Photo courtesy of Vanessa Salas Photography.
Over time, Bryan became known in his community as the go-to guy for baseball gloves. His son's teammates would turn to him for recommendations, and he would track down the best deals, selling at cost to help young athletes.
"Do you have any pink gloves?"
When Bryan first started buying and selling gloves, his son and teammates were all about bold, colorful designs—pink, blue, and flashy patterns were the hottest trends.
But as his son grew older and entered high school, the trend completely shifted. The once-popular vibrant gloves were no longer considered “cool,” the players began opting for more traditional, single-colored gloves that looked professional and mature.
Still, younger kids in his town often ask him—“Do you have any pink gloves?”—a reminder of how quickly trends change as kids grow up. Bryan laughs when he explains that while he doesn’t stock as many bright gloves anymore, he’ll still track one down if a young player wants it.
It’s all part of keeping up with the ever-changing world of youth sports.
"Don't try to hide any flaws."
One of Bryan's favorite aspects of buying and selling on SidelineSwap is finding hidden gems. Bryan scouts for unique and well-worn gloves, cleans and relaces them when needed, and ensures they're in top condition before listing them for sale.
Just some of the gloves that Bryan has sold from his locker: @GunRoomGloves
"I always make sure to clearly describe any flaws because honesty is key in keeping a good reputation," Bryan says. "And I really appreciate Sideline's built-in protections for both buyers and sellers."
Unlike other resale platforms, SidelineSwap provides a level of security that gives Bryan confidence in every deal. His experience buying gloves elsewhere hasn’t always been as seamless. He once purchased a glove off eBay, only to have it arrive stuffed into a flimsy envelope, completely flattened.
“It took me weeks to get the shape back,” he recalls, frustrated by how poorly it was packaged.
But his worst experience was receiving a glove from a smoker’s home. The moment he opened the box, the overpowering smell of smoke hit him. Despite multiple attempts to clean and air it out, the odor lingered. Eventually, he had to take the glove completely apart, remove the laces, and clean every inch to finally rid it of the smell.
For those looking to start their gear-selling side hustle, Bryan offers a few key tips:
Be honest about the condition of the items. Buyers appreciate transparency, and it prevents unnecessary, costly returns.
Package items properly. Never ship a glove in an envelope. Use a box to maintain the glove's shape.
Ship quickly. Fast shipping leads to better reviews and return customers.
Follow market trends. Kids' preferences for gear colors and styles change, so knowing what's in demand is important.
"I don't plan to quit my day job."
Bryan finds immense joy in this hobby-turned-business. He doesn’t plan on it ever being a full-time thing, and that's okay. Whether restoring a classic glove, helping another parent find affordable gear, or just indulging in his love for baseball equipment, SidelineSwap has provided an unexpected but welcome adventure.
As for his son? "He used to love getting a new glove every couple of weeks, but now he wants to stick with one," Bryan laughs. "We'll see how long that lasts."
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Want to start selling? Here's how Bryan did it.
Like Bryan, thousands of parents and players have turned their gear rooms into cash on SidelineSwap. Here are a few tools Bryan uses to fuel his selling strategy, increase sales, and maintain his reputable standing within the community.
Seller Protection: SidelineSwap ensures that payments are securely processed and held until the buyer confirms receipt of the item in good condition. This system protects sellers from fraudulent claims and chargebacks, providing peace of mind throughout the transaction process.
Advanced Insights: SidelineSwap’s "Insights" feature offers valuable data, such as average sales prices, sales volumes, and sell-through rates for similar items. Bryan can make informed pricing decisions, ensuring his listings are competitive and appealing to buyers.
Messaging System: SidelineSwap's integrated messaging allows direct communication between buyers and sellers. This feature lets Bryan answer questions, provide additional item details, and build trust with buyers, leading to smoother transactions and positive reviews.
Inspired by Bryan’s story? Start selling today on SidelineSwap—turn your extra gear into cash and connect with the next generation of athletes!
Want to help kids find sports they love? Sign up to be a coach or volunteer in a local youth sports program. Learn more ways to support youth sports in the National Youth Sports Strategy: https://bit.ly/2lIHPUc
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