Comments on: Thoughts on the spread and run and shoot offenses — Hemlock’s comment

By: Grand Fantasia Gold

Grand Fantasia Gold — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:48:05 +0000

its great, finally found it here, good job!!

By: Line Coach

Line Coach — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:45:46 +0000

I have coached football at two class one schools in Missouri for 9 years. The first was an average class one school, finishing a game or two under or over .500 year after year. In my lifetime I can remember 10 head coaches at this school.

The other school hasn’t had a losing record since the 1970s. Only two excellent head coaches in that timespan. Keep it simple. Run the ball. Practice intensely. Play excellent special teams. Make fewer mistakes.

For kids who play offense, defense, and special teams, a simple system works much better.

By: Hemlock

Hemlock — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:30:10 +0000

James & Stan:

I think you are both correct, but you are missing something – perhaps my fault – probably.

Programs are built on systems. Georgia Tech is a perfect example. So is Texas Tech, Navy, SMU, and Northwestern. The point is to stick with what you BELIEVE in, as you noted and not to scrap it when things fail to gel all at once. SMU is bowl eligible this year. Last year they were a bad team that was at best sporadically effective on offense while they were installing the system. Many coaches in the same situation as Jones’ would have panicked. Samething at GTech. Paul Johnson’s program is about more than schemes – undoubtedly, but what he puts on the field is. And he is successful for two reasons: He BELIEVES in his system; UNDERSTANDS his system; and knows how to TEACH his system.

This can be done with any style of football. My pedigree is in the Run-n-Shoot, but I LOVE the triple option – I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. Why? Because it is an integrated system with a developed teaching platform that has answers to anything a defense may throw at it.

By: James

James — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:40:54 +0000

“As a side note, Nick Saban did not have all the pieces in place at UA his first year to run his defense? Did he compromise? No. He taught his system and laid the foundation for his program.”

I would argue that running a defensive system is much different as it must apply to many possible opponents and systems. Everyone should have a systematic way of teaching and preparing a defense because of the variation of offensive styles across high school/college football.

Sometimes, even the best programs have restraints on their offensive system by personnel. It is quite “ivory-towerish” of you to state that teams should simply procure or develop talent for their system as if that is the easiest thing to do in the world.

Furthermore, I agree with Stan that building a program on schemes is beyond foolish. Built a program on character and quality traits of the people within the program- not something as insignificant as offense systems. There are so many different yet successful programs in the football landscape that have nothing in common as far as schemes go. But they all have togetherness in their beliefs. That is what I would argue successful teams do- they practice and use what they believe in, regardless of whether it is purely system-based or multiple.

From an outside perspective, I would say that this is what has led to your success- running something you believe in- rather than it being a system.

By: Coach T

Coach T — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:04:48 +0000

I run a multiple formation offense. It is very successful because we run a limited number of plays. 4 running plays, 5 if the quarterback is a runner. 3 quick passing concepts, 5 dropback concepts, playactions are a combo of best run plus a dropback so no new teaching. One or two screens depending on personal and a draw. We teach all our plays as concepts and explain that to the kids before we even introduce our alignment system. Every concept has rules and we teach those rules day in and day out. It may take a little longer to see that confidence in your players but once they get it it pays exponetially. The real key to multiple formations is using the right laugage. We align in many formations just by moving one or two players most of the time. Once in a while we move three. Patience is the key. It gives a team with lesser athletes but who are intelligent an advantage over the better teams. If I had monsters on the line and a stud running back every year then yes I would line up in one formation. Give your kids some credit. They are smarter than you think. You have to make sure you are the best teacher that you can be.

By: steve sharik

steve sharik — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:27:13 +0000

The problem with the run and shoot really isn’t offense, IMO. You need to ask what effect the run and shoot will have on your own defense. If your offense doesn’t have TEs and FBs, what happens when you face a power running team? You don’t have the personnel to simulate such an attack in practice. This Lions and Oilers did b/c they were in the NFL. But Hawaii, Texas Tech, etc. have had a lot of difficulty defending power running attacks such as Wisconsin b/c they can’t simulate it in practice, much in the same way a full house T team can’t simulate a spread offense well.

I love you offensive guys, but head coaches need to consider the effects it will have on the entire team, not just how well they can put points on the board.

By: Sammy Carpe

Sammy Carpe — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:19:19 +0000

It would be interesting to see how Indy does if Peyton ever goes down. So much of Brady’s success is from the system as proven last year.

I hope to never find this out because I love to watch Peyton play.

By: Sammy Carpe

Sammy Carpe — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:17:18 +0000

New England has been able to be so successful and with so many of the players being replace and still being successful. Replacement quarterback and still a successful offense. How many other teams have been able to have a winning season after losing their starting QB.

By: Eugene Carpet

Eugene Carpet — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:14:10 +0000

Success from focusing and becoming good at one thing. Prying open windows in a defense that is attempting to cover the four wides just takes a little time.
With only one set you get a lot of repetitions for your offense to become comfortable.

By: stan

stan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:07:05 +0000

Hemlock,

I think it’s foolish to build a team’s identity around an offensive system (and the run and shoot at that!). Better to build a team identity and ethos around far more important qualities that apply on both sides of the ball and on special teams.