I wanted to take a moment to congratulate Fort Osage High School from Independence, MO on winning the 2015 5A Missouri State Championship!   As the Kansas City Star reported, they won convincingly yesterday by a score of  63-28.  Their superstar QB (Kansas State commit Skylar Thompson) threw for 4 scores and ran for 3 more as he set a championship game record of 455 yards of total offense.  

I especially wanted to congratulate their coaching staff, led by Ryan Schartz.  Coach Schartz inherited a program that had won only 5 total games in the 4 seasons prior to his assuming the head coaching position.  After a 1-9 season in his inaugural season as head coach, Ryan went on to go 92-18 the next 10 seasons for the Indians.  Despite him having already having turned the program around almost immediately  - Coach Schartz decided that further improvement in his offensive system was needed.   

Not many coaches would be willing to contact me after an 11-1 2013 season, but that is precisely what he did.   He wanted to increase their passing game potential, yet maintain balance in their attack.   In the 2 seasons since installing this passing game, Skylar Thompson's production has looked like this:

2014: 64.8 % completions, 2385 yds, 24 TD/ 6 INT; 461 rushing yds, 9 TD
2015: 67% completions, 2127 yds, 25 TD/ 3 INT; 1096 rushing yards, 21 TD

When I write of the coach's need to be accountable to his players, Coach Schartz embodies this principle.  Despite his stellar record, he sought to improve for his players.   I'm grateful that he gave me a chance to help them, and look forward to updating the system to further benefit Coach Shartz and all the other coaches I work with.

Though there has been plenty of success with the high schools that have implemented this system, I frequently get questions on the merits of teaching my passing game to younger players.  Since I "Recoded" my terminology a few years ago, I have not had any issues teaching the passing game to youth, middle school, or high school players.  In fact, several schools I have helped have made historic playoff runs in the past few seasons.

The key here is that the pattern structures that are built on principles:
- Every route has a defined timing
- Every concept will outnumber the defense at the "point of attack"
- There will be built in outlets as well as blitz/ uncovered beater on the backside.

Here is a relatively common combination with a curl, flag, and flat (we call this 471)...note that the backside pattern not only has a THIRD FIX element, but a built in blitz-beater as well:

Because principles are attached to everything that is taught, and the method of the system makes for little memorization on the part of the players, we are able to dictate different match-ups with ease in execution for the offensive personnel.   In the same game, we are able to change personnel, use motion from the backfield to force the defense to bump, and get what we want:

Here, we see 2 things at work in this system with a youth player that are relatively complex:  
- First, the use of wide motion from the backfield to affect the defense and make them "show their hand"
​- Second, the quick breaker becoming available...and the QB delivering!

Having a true system is what allows one to attack a defense; the "grab bag" approach is not sustainable  year in and year out.

​What's even more important is this: COACHES SHOULD TEACH SKILLS THAT WILL HELP PLAYERS MOVING FORWARD.

Just as important as WHEN to throw is teaching the principle of WHEN NOT to throw; in the clip below,  the option route runner in a pattern using the RAM (Read Away from Mike) Advantage Principle slips out of the break:  

A vast majority of the high schools I see are in some type of spread offense, and virtually every college uses some elements of the passing game, no matter how run-oriented.  For this reason, I would think that a father/ youth coach would want to prepare their kids for the future, rather than wasting all the time practicing skills and concepts the player will never use again.  The mindset needs to go beyond this season, or even this level.  ​

Towards the end of October, it is natural for offensive output to plateau.  In tracking several levels of football, one can gather that at this time, defenses have adjusted to the identity of an offense.  Further, this time of the season presents familiar conference foes for both high school and college staffs, and there is the obvious desire to rev things up for the playoffs. 

What types of things can be done to counter this stagnation?  For many, this is the time to push towards a postseason berth, thus making offensive production crucial.  

1. Re-Assess Personnel.  How often does an off-season (or pre-season) hero melt when actual game action arrives?  Likewise, how often does the steady (albeit unspectacular) player show consistency?  Not all players are meant to be "stars", but many can serve a purpose helping the team win.  If a staff can creatively maximize a "gamer's" role, it can be done so that the effectiveness of a player is utilized without becoming a liability.

For example, you might have discovered that a backup receiver  has decent size, is a willing blocker, and though he lacks speed, decent hands.  While this player might not provide the big play on his own, his presence might allow for others around him to benefit.  Perhaps a new role as a utility player (similar to an H-Back) can be carved out; while having this player on the field for 50 plays would hinder the offense, 15-20 could make the team more effective as a unit.

2. Take the Monotony out of Drill Work.  Be creative in the teaching of the offense.  In an attempt to gain further understanding of the offense, 7 on 7 can, as an example, be replaced with a "3on3" pass drill.  One is able to save the legs of 2-way players, and really focus on the understanding of a route package.  

On this day, our "0 plus Seam Read" structure was run in every conceivable combination, with every possible receiver.   Each player had repetitions as the Locked Seam, the Seam Read, and the Drag outlet.  In the example below, the locked seam is to the QB's right, with the Seam Read on the left, and the back cutting underneath.

3.  Re-invest in Details.  It's not about attacking Cover 3 - it's about attacking the weak side LB's drop in Cover 3.  All too often, we become enamored with scheme, rather than using the tools  in our offensive toolbox.  In fact, this system utilized here has a HIT LIST for each coverage, with dozens of attack ideas for each.

4. Revisit Offseason Study.  Go back to your notes. Many things are forgotten in the grind of a season.   It's always a good idea to have a means to reference the notes made in the calm of an office - without the added demands of a season.  Once again, our HIT LISTS provide an excellent source of ideas.

5. Adapt and overcome.  We redefined the COBRA navigation tag this season.  This Navigation Tag was initially introduced with the instruction "Come Off To the Back Right Away".  However, as we were planning certain "RAC" (Run After Catch" into each game plan, we needed the flexibility of calling it to people other than the back.

So, COBRA was changed to "Come Off to the Best Runner Available".  We identified our best RAC players, and had special plays for them.  As an added dimension, COBRA always began with the advantage route - then down to the RAC guy.  This proved to be an excellent way of helping patterns stay alive.  For example, the clip below features the X on a drag underneath vertical releases, which augments our 3x1 Seam Read looks.