Here we are - 3 weeks into the season.  Hopefully, your team has been healthy, and you are finding success.  But, no matter how successful, one must address specific parts of the offense or defense that needs correction.  As a big proponent of structure in teaching as I am, I also realize that there are times where adjustments must be made; if there is a way to put a better overall product on the field, the coach must be compelled to explore that option.

This was the case with us, as I coach my young son's team.  As I had previously thought, the setup of our verbiage allows for great flexibility in learning - we execute a high number of plays (averaging 51 per game - which is above average at the youth level) with very little hesitation.  The biggest fluctuation has come in the practice plan; our small roster has forced us to cross train positional players.  For example, we began teaching 2 of our receivers as running backs in individual work as part of our plan a few weeks ago; this decision proved valuable this week, as an injury allowed us to get out of a game, while maintaining offensive production. 

In order to remain within the time constraints of practice, certain things had to go.   We lengthened teaching periods on the first and third practices of the week, shortening or omitting some group work.  Because the offense is so streamlined, we never felt like we were losing reps; rather, we were able to gain in regard to individual details.

Also - we eliminated all things that were getting in the way of our success.   I feel that the easiest way to protect is the pocket, rather than sprint/ bootleg, because the pocket can account for any "free hats" that other protections cannot.  Further, certain routes were de-emphasized because of the timing required, or the skill set of the majority of the players.  While one should always carry special ways to get great players the ball, a coach should not waste valuable time throwing getting reps to people in positions they will never be in.  For example, if you have a great deep threat and want to throw a "stop and go" route to him, practice that with HIM, not to a line of receivers who will never have that play called for them.  Be specific, be organized, and have a plan for individual routes to be practiced at a high tempo.

This system of teaching allows for several things: the honing QB reads, an awareness of when to scramble, and an emphasis on timing:

Every individual route has a timing, and because of this, we can manipulate the QB's read with the navigation tag attached. Here, we use the MAVERICK advantage principle, with the back (who mostly plays receiver) motioning out :

The extra attention paid to the timing of the routes can be hammered home in individual work as group/ team settings; we have also separated the protection aspect from the route for the QB in many instances in practice.  Even routes on air are thrown with consideration for passing lanes, and timing/ availability of routes is always stressed.   The key differences of knowing when to work the pocket and when to escape can be taught in the scramble drill, which serves a conditioning tool for the QB:

Speaking of timing, the number of quality reps can be increased exponentially with great pace and teaching in individual settings.   Here, we see the timing of a quick post: 

In short, careful inspection and honest assessment of a team's needs needs should supersede what a coach "has always done"; sometimes, less "team" and more "individual" work can improve the overall scheme. 

Most of all, with a small roster, a coach is able to save his players' legs during the week.  Individual teaching can still teach the same lessons as group drills, with less people running on every play.  For some, this could pay huge dividends.

Coaching is also putting players in a position to be successful.  Unfortunately, one of the poorest examples of such could be seen (at least on the offensive side of the ball) with a team very near and dear to my heart.  The struggles that my Alma Mater have been through in this very young season can be seen as an illustration of what I am talking about.  

Simply saying "they have bad players" cannot be an excuse; while I am the first to point out that recruiting stars mean very little, one would be simply ignorant to look at a D1 roster and say they have no talent.  For example, Jonathan Gray was one of the most explosive backs in the country, yet coming out of camp, there is no means to free release him in pass patterns to get him the ball?  Just because you free release the back doesn't mean you are relegated to 5 man protections - that's what H Backs are for. 

It should be noted here that the H-Back's protection assignment is NOT a down lineman, but rather a linebacker.  This does two things: first, it avoids the obvious mismatch in a skilled pass rusher on a part'time pass protector.   Second, it allows flexibility without changing pass protections.  

An explosive back can also be taken advantage of in the VERTICAL passing game.  With all the complex combination coverage schemes designed to hinder 3x1 sets, the RB can be an effective weapon.  Also, PROPER TRAINING of the passer and protection unit can alter the misconception that 5-man protections are vulnerable to the blitz.  Here, the ball is gone in under 2 seconds.  The key is the awareness of protection problems in concert with a route that is available on any step.

Here is another example.  The differing trajectories on the throws by are made possible because these stimuli are given in practice.  

Drills in practice must achieve the desired results come game time.    The age or skill level of the players is NOT a factor.  I read an article just yesterday about the demise of the QB in relation to the NFL.  Perhaps the problem is the teaching that some are receiving at that level?    I wonder.  

Even with 11-year olds, for example, our option routes are never simply run on air.  There is always a stimulus for the Mike LB (because they are a RAM read for us) to ensure the option route is isolated, followed by a defender upon whom the option runner will key.  Drills are what allows this:

To look like this:

The formula is simple:
- Have a design that allows your players to be in a position to play "downhill"
- Put them in those situations as many times as possible in practice

Paris roots its passing game with Seam Reads, Drags, and Stick Routes as far as individual routes are concerned.  Added to this is the ability to mix and match frontside and backside patterns -- giving the defense multiple problems while leaving the offensive players nothing out of the ordinary.

Also, with the incorporation of passing principles defined by ACTS, the quarterback's thought process is streamlined; the coach can also offer extra direction with the use of Navigation Tags.  

Even at the lower levels, these principles can be applied and executed with a high degree of consistency.  As many know, the current format of the offense was achieved in an effort to teach advanced concepts to my son's team.  Though adjustments to play signalling have been made, the system is intact.