Posts in category Youth Football Free Plays

Unbalanced Formations

May14
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

The great thing about an unbalanced formation is that many youth football coaches do not even notice that the offense is unbalanced to a side. Going unbalanced will allow you to outnumber the defense at the point of attack. It will also create large gaps along the defensive front, which will create natural running lanes. Bringing over the extra blocker will also allow for easier double teams on dominate defenders. You can take that extra blocker and use him anyway you want. This gives your offense a ton of blocking options and flexibility. Beside the no huddle, unbalanced formations are probably the most underutilized strategies in youth football.

Using an unbalanced formation works well in goal line and short yardage situations. Another way we use an unbalanced formation is we will go right to the line (no huddle), line up and call the play. This will catch the defense off guard and does not allow them to adjust to the unbalanced formation. When teams finally realize that you are in an unbalanced formation and start shifting- they will usually over shift their defense. Once the defense over shifts it is a good idea to have a play going away from the unbalanced.

Here is a power football play I use out of an unbalanced formation.

We now have a free split-back football playbook available for immediate download! This PDF playbook is a series based scheme. Included in this playbook is power, blast, counter, cross, sweep, and power pass plays. This is a great complementary playbook that will supple your team with a balanced offensive attack! Download it today! Free Playbook-Split-Back Offense

Posted in Coaching Offense, General Coaching Tips

Bubble Screen Play

May10
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

This play is a bubble screen pass out of a spread formation. This football play attacks the perimeter of the defense. This screen play needs to be thrown to the best athlete on your team. The bubble screen pass play will allow your play makers to get the ball and make plays out in space.

The Formation. This play features a 5 receiver formation, which really spreads the defense out horizontally (this play can be executed out of many different formations). We will have 3 receivers to the right side of the field. The two outside receivers are stacked (Y & Z), with a slot receiver inside (outside receiver must be on the line of scrimmage). We will have 2 wide receivers to the left (X & S) (outside receiver is on the LOS). The QB will be alone in the backfield, in the shotgun formation.

The Motion. The inside shot receiver (RB) will come in full speed jet motion across the formation. To initiate the motion the QB can either give a verbal command or he can give a visual command, whatever you prefer. The QB must get the ball snapped when the motion player is passing the far offensive tackle. If the motion is executed at full speed the defender following the motion player will be behind or delayed. The motion player cannot go or lean forward when going in motion until the ball is snapped. We teach our players to keep their shoulders square to the side lines.

The Bubble Screen Route. The inside receiver (S) to the left will run the bubble route. When running the bubble screen play, make sure your receiver takes his first step outside and into the backfield. It is vital that the bubble receiver gets depth and gets his head around after no more than two steps. Once the ball is caught the (S) needs to get up the field and make a play! Make sure the receiver knows to catch the first ball, then run. Also, if the receiver drops the ball make sure he understand he needs to fall on it.

The Throw. The QB must give a quick throw to the outside shoulder of the bubble screen receiver. The throw cannot be too high or too low! We want the ball ideally thrown to the outside shoulder, jersey number level. The quarterback must catch the snap and get the ball out accurately and quickly.

Blocking. The outside receiver (X) will block down on the defender covering the slot bubble screen player. It is very important that the outside receiver(X) understands he must block the defender that is the biggest threat to the bubble screen pass. The motion player (RB) will block the cornerback that is covering the outside receiver. The difference between getting 3 yards and getting 15 depends on how well your blocking is on the outside. As far as the offensive linemen go, they will secure their inside gap, attacking their blocks.

The bubble screen play can really be an effective play on the youth football level. I implement some kind of bubble screen when I have a real good athlete that I want to get the ball out in space.

Crucial Coaching Tips:

Practice throwing the bubble play often. The QB must make a quick and accurate throw. The QB must get the ball out quickly!
Practice running the bubble screen route properly with multiple receivers.
WRs must know to jump on the ball if it is not completed.
Work on stalk blocking and cross blocking in space.
Work on motion timing.

Click here for more free youth football plays!

Good Luck!

Posted in Coaching Offense, Quarterbacks, Receivers, Spread Offense - Tagged bubble screen play

7 on 7 Flag Football Plays

Mar22
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

To stay in shape for the spring a couple of my players are participating in a 7 on 7 flag football league. This is a great way for the kids to stay in shape and a great way to start developing their football muscle memory. Playing baseball in the spring is fine, but it does not put the kids through football type drills and motions. I push all my players to enroll in a 7 on 7 flag football league to stay in shape and prepare for the fall.

This 7 on 7 league will allow me to install all of our passing combinations and rocket/jet sweep plays. We will be able to work on our timing, route running, chemistry, catching, throwing, and stalk blocking. We will also work on our zone and man to man coverage techniques. Working on losing blocks and pursuit to the football will also be worked on heavily.

Most 7 on 7 defenses will play man to man coverage, leaving them open to rub, combination, and play action passing plays. Here are some 7 on 7 flag football plays that will destroy man to man coverage. Flag football rules vary, it depends on the league. In the league I am coaching in all 7 players can go out for passes and there is no formation requirement.

7 0n 7 Flag Football Plays

Jet Sweep

QB Counter-Once the defense starts to over play the jet sweep, hit them with QB counter.

Post/ Corner

Post/ Wheel

Rub-This play absolutely kills man to man coverage.

Slant/Fade- when the defensive back is not playing with inside leverage, throw a fade route. On this flag football play make sure the SE executes an outside release so the defensive back turns his back to the QB. This will make it difficult for the DB to track the ball once it is thrown.

Posted in Coaching Offense, Flag Football - Tagged 7 on 7 flag football plays, flag football plays

Overload Blitz Play 53 Defense

Feb26
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

This overload blitz play is designed to send more defenders than the offense can block. This blitz is best called to the short side of the field. This will allow the field side outside linebacker to read and cover the field (wide side) flat, which will be attacked often in youth football. This play is out of the 53 defense which features five defensive linemen, three linebackers, and three defensive backs. This is an easy defense to implement and is great for youth football.

Defensive Line

The right defensive end will slant down to C-gap, crossing the face of the tight-end. The defensive tackle will slant down to B-gap and the nose guard will slant to the left A-gap, crossing the face of the center. The left defensive tackle will slant B-gap, and the left defensive end will contain. Defensive linemen must watch the ball and use their hands and feet to defeat blocks.

Linebackers

The left outside linebacker will loop around the tight-end and rush outside, holding outside leverage. The middle linebacker will blitz the right A-gap. The left outside linebacker will have left C-gap and cover the wide side flat. Linebackers must watch the ball and use their hands and feet to defeat blocks.

Defensive Backs

The defensive backs will play a cover 3 zone. Since we are using an overload blitz we do not have enough defenders to cover man to man, so zone coverage is recommended. The left cornerback will have deep 3^rd coverage, middle safety will have deep 3^rd zone coverage, and the boundary cornerback will have deep 3^rd coverage.

When you blitz, make sure you blitz strategically. Try not to blitz your defenders right out of the play. When doing this overload blitz play your players need to get penetration. The blitzing defenders must rush hard, cannot blitz with half effort. Good Luck.

Posted in Coaching Defense, Defense 53, General Coaching Tips - Tagged 53 defense, overload blitz play

The Power O Football Play

Feb06
2013 1 Comment Written by Guest

Read Coach Ross Maddalon’s article on the Power “O” football play. Coach Maddalon is the varsity offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Old Bridge High School in Central New Jersey.

The Power “O”

The Power “O”, or Power for short, is an off-tackle play that utilizes a “gap” blocking scheme. The play is used in some form at every level, from youth football to the NFL. Different than the traditional ISO play, the Power play attacks defenses that like to take away the “B” gap from the offense. Through the years, running strong ISO against a 4-3 team with a dominating 3-technique can prove to be difficult. Against an odd front, teams will slant or play their DEs/DTs in the B gaps to take away any type of isolation play. One of the best schemes around for any offense is the gap scheme utilized by the Power play.

Power Blocking Rules

PSTE, PST, PSG – Gap, Down, Backer (Combo blocks can be used if there is no blitz threat)

C – Protect Pulling Guard Hole

BSG – Pull and lead up for PSLB

BST, BSTE – Scoop Playside

The advantages of this scheme…

Blitz-proof – Since it’s a gap scheme, not a man-blocking scheme
Can be run strong or weak
Can be run out of multiple formations, offenses, philosophies

Seen below is an example of the true “Power-O” scheme out of the traditional I-Formation.

The Power play can also be run by Wing-T teams as their “Lead Sweep” play.

Gun and Gun Pistol teams have been running the Power play as a good compliment to their inside and outside zone plays.

More teams, especially at the collegiate and professional levels, are starting to utilize the 1-Back Power scheme against defenses that empty the box. Instead of your PSTE or PST blocking down, they can either Base block or Pass Block their defenders up the field.

The Pulling Guard

We use a “skip” pull method where the BSG will always keep his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage. The BSG will put his backside foot back an inch in his stance so he can explode off that foot first. After the step, he will “skip” with his inside foot, staying low, and staying square towards his destination. I want our guards to seal any leakage before he gets to the hole in order to prevent a bad play. If there is no leakage, he will be able to explode onto the PSLB since his shoulders will still be square to the line of scrimmage.

By incorporating this scheme into your philosophy, you have more answers and fewer questions to what the defense gives you.

Coach Ross recently wrote a great article about implementing an easy pass blocking scheme for youth football.

Follow Coach Ross on twitter: @ MadDawgFBall

Posted in Coaching Offense, General Coaching Tips, Guest Blogs, I Formation, Offensive Linemen, Wing T - Tagged I formation, pistol offense, power o football play, single back, Wing T

YFO Plays: Running Back Screen Pass

Feb02
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

Running Back Screen Pass

This youth football play is lights out- here’s how you do it.

Upon snap, the left side of the line will pass block , let the defensive linemen through as your team pulls out to the open field, get in front of the half back and let your kid football athletes work in space.

Key points for this play to be successful:

Ensure your quarterback gets a deep enough drop back.
The QB should look the defense off to the right.
Your youth QB should not throw this too soon, we want that the defense (particularly the linebackers and secondary)”flows” to the right.

Visit our youth football playbook page for comprehensive plays.

Tell us what you think in the comments below.

running back screen play

Posted in Coaching Offense, Videos

Wishbone Passing Play- Power Pass

Jan06
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

This play-action pass play is executed out of the wishbone formation. This is a balanced formation which features a tight-end to the left and to the right side. The backfield features a fullback and two running backs. The good thing about balanced formations is that they do not give the defense a strong side of the field. Balanced formations will stretch the defense horizontally and make the defense defend both sides of the formation.

This wishbone passing play is off of play-action. This football passing play attacks the defense with a high/low route flood. The offensive linemen will pass block, securing their inside gap. The full back will block c gap (gap between the TE and OT). The left RB (halfback) will fake taking a hand off and then the RB will pass block. The play-side RB will run a short out route into the flat. If you are having troubling blocking the play-side defensive end you can have the play-side RB chip the DE. The play-side tight-end will do a 10-15 yard corner route. The QB will execute a good fake hand off to the left RB, then drop back three more steps plant and throw the ball to the open player. The QB’s read is the corner back. If the CB flies up for run, the quarterback will throw to the tight-end running the corner pattern. If the cornerback runs with the tight-end, the QB throws to the right RB in the flat.

The wishbone offense is a great offense. The wishbone offense will allow you to pound the football, which will set up the play-action power pass. This is wishbone passing play works best when you have your power and counter running game going. This is a great wishbone passing play that will consistently give your team a shot for a big play.

Posted in Coaching Offense, Wish Bone - Tagged wishbone offense, wishbone passing play, wishbone plays

Option Play for Youth Football- Lead Option

Dec09
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

Lead option is a youth football play that I have ran with much success. Lead option is easy to instruct and it will be a lights out play for your offense. This play features the split-end split out to the left, lined up on the line of scrimmage. There is also a receiver split out to the right, off the line of scrimmage. The QB is in the shotgun formation with an off-set running back to his right. There is also one tight-end to the right along with a wing back to the left. There are two guards, two tackle, and a center of course.

The back side linemen will secure their inside gap then release looking to cut off defenders running to the football. The center and right guard will double team the nose guard, then the right guard will combo off onto the middle linebacker. The right tackle and tight-end will double team the defensive tackle, then the right tackle will combo off onto the Strong side (S) linebacker. If the tight-end cannot get to the S linebacker because the S linebacker scrapped across fast, the TE must look to take first defender inside of him pursuing the football. The wing back will come in motion on the first sound of the QB (make sure the motion back does not go or lean forward until the ball is snapped). The WB must keep a good pitch relationship with the QB. We want the pitch back to be about 5-6 yard depth and 2’ in ahead of the QB. The off-set running back will lead block, taking first defender around the defensive end.

The QB’s read is the defensive end. Once the QB gets the snap he attacks the outside hip of the tight-end’s double team block. The QB cannot belly or get too flat along the line of scrimmage-we want this play to attack downhill. Now, if the defensive end squeezes down with the tight-end or attacks the QB, the QB must pitch the ball to the pitch back. If the Defensive end sits in his 9 technique, or gets up field the QB gets right behind the tight-end and tackle double team block. What usually happens when running the lead option football play on the youth football level is that defensive end will take the QB, making him pitch the ball. You can also have your QB get the snap and run right at the defensive end. Attacking the DE will make it an automatic pitch. If you decide to implement the lead option football play make sure you practice your pitch with the QB. You do not want to put the ball on the ground because of a bad pitch. Also, practice having your QB step away from the contact as he pitches the football. This will soften the blow from the defender.

Posted in Coaching Offense - Tagged lead option, youth football play

Defensive Line Stunts “Slant Indy”

Nov13
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

This is a play that we have used for many years with great success. This is a play we usually call against balanced offensive formations. This slant play will defend the off-tackle play and the sweep play. This play will have the defensive linemen slant down and the linebackers loop outside. This is a great defensive stunt play that works well in youth football.

This defensive stunt play is out of the 53 defense. Here are the assignments of each position:

(N) Nose Guard: Slant away side A-gap.

(T) Defensive Tackles: Both defensive tackles slant down to B-gap.

(E) Defensive Ends: Stunt side DE slants down to C-gap. The other defensive end contains.

(M) Middle Linebacker: Blitzes stunt side A-gap.

(S) Strong Side Linebacker: Loops around the defensive end and contains.

(w) Weak Side Linebacker: Secures C-gap, if play goes away he pursuits to the football.

(C) Cornerbacks: Deep 3rd zone coverage. You can also play man to man coverage.

(S) Safety: Deep 3rd coverage. No body gets behind the safety. The safety must be the deepest player on the field. The safety always lines up in the middle of the field, not over the ball or on the hashes.

Coaching Tip: Blitz strategically, do not blitz your defenders out of the play!

Posted in Coaching Offense - Tagged 53 defense, blitz, defensive line stunts, stunt blitz play

Spread Offense- Double Twins Swing Pass vs. Man to Man Coverage

Sep19
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

This youth football play is out of the spread formation which features twin receivers to both sides of the field. This play features 5 down offensive linemen, 2 split-ends, 2 slot receivers, 1 half back off-set to the right and the QB in shotgun. The play is designed to get the off-set running back the ball out in space. This is usually thrown to best skilled

position player. This play will get your best athlete the ball out in the open field, making the defense tackle your best player in space. This youth football play is very explosive when executed properly, rep this play often in practice. Reminder, you need to have at least seven players on the line of scrimmage. Have one receiver to the left and to the right on the line of scrimmage. Make sure your receivers tell the side referee that they are on the ball.

The split-end to the right runs a post pattern right at the middle safety. The receiver in the slot to the right will run a drag route across the middle of the field, crossing the paths of the linebackers. The back side slot receiver will run a skinny post. The back side split-end will run a go route. This youth football passing play out of the spread offense is a man to man coverage beater. This play makes the defense tackle your running back in the open field, which is very difficult to do in youth football.

Posted in Coaching Offense, Spread Offense - Tagged free youth football plays, youth football passing play, youth football plays

4-4 Defense Inside Cross Blitz

Sep03
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

This play is executed out of the 44 defense. This is a great defensive formation for youth football and for blitzing. The 4-4 defense will allow you to blitz any of the 4 linebackers. This defense will allow you to get after offenses with multiple blitzes and stunts.

This play is an inside cross blitz play. This play has the two interior defensive tackles lined up on the inside shoulders of the guards. When the ball is snapped the DTs will slant outside to the B gap, crossing the face of the guards. The two inside linebackers will then force the A gaps. The defensive ends will force C gaps and the outside linebackers will be our contain players.

This blitz play will send two linebackers to the A gaps with the offense only having one blocker (the center). This play will create havoc all game long for the offense. Also, when you blitz make sure your players know that they need to get there. There is no half effort blitzes! You live by the blitz, you die by the blitz. With that said, get after the offense smartly.

Good Luck.

Posted in Coaching Defense, Defense 44 - Tagged 4-4 defense, blitz plays, youth football defense

Spread Offense Shotgun Jet Sweep Play

Aug12
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

This play is designed to attack the edge of the defense with the ball carrier coming in Jet motion. Having the ball carrier in jet motion will allow him to receive the hand-off running full speed. The spread offense is increasing in popularity.

This spread offensive formation features two slot receivers, two split ends (on the line of scrimmage), two tackles, two guards, one center, one QB, and an offset running back. The split ends will stalk block cornerbacks. The two slot receivers will stalk block any defender that lines up to cover them. If no defender slides out over the slot receiver the slot receiver will crack block the first defender to their inside. The left slot receiver will come in full speed jet motion and receive a hand-off from the QB in the shotgun formation. The off-set running back will lead block for the jet motion player. The offensive linemen will step play-side and look to cut off defenders running to the football.

spread offense youth football

Once the defense starts to over play the jet sweep, hit the defense with an inside hitting play off jet motion. If you have a mobile QB you can hit the defense with a QB power or QB Trap. If you have an athletic quarterback the shotgun spread offense is a great idea. It will make defenses have to prepare for the QB as a threat to run the ball as well. The spread offense can be used in youth football with much success.

Posted in Coaching Offense - Tagged jet sweep, spread offense, youth football plays

Shotgun Flex-Bone Reverse

Jun25
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

This is a reverse play that comes off jet motion. This play works best when the defense starts to over play the jet motion. This formation is the flex-bone, but in this case we put the QB in shotgun. You can run this play with your QB under center as well. Misdirection plays are the best plays for youth football.

This youth football play features two split-ends, two slot/wing backs, two tackles, two guards, center, QB, and an off set half back. The backside split-end (right) runs and blocks the middle safety. The play-side split-end (left) cracks down on the first defender inside, which will usually be the outside linebacker. The left slot back comes in jet motion and receives the hand-off from the QB. The slot back then carries the ball and hands it off to the right slot back. The right slot back takes a 180 degree step back, opens up and takes an outside hand off from the left slot back. Once the QB hands the ball off to the left slot back, the QB then runs and hook blocks the left defensive end or edge defender. The off set running back blocks the right defensive end.

The right guard pulls out and kicks out the first defender outside the QB’s hook block. The right offensive tackle down blocks. Finally, the left guard and tackle block down on the first defensive linemen inside of them. This is a great play to use in youth football. It will really take advantage of over aggressive and blitz happy defenses. Have a coach watch the opposing defensive ends, once they start over playing the motion hit them with this reverse play.

Good Luck.

Posted in Coaching Offense - Tagged flex bone offense, jet motion, jet sweep, reverse play, shotgun formation, youth football offensive plays, youth football plays

The 44 Defense- Twist Stunt

May31
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

The 44 defense features 4 defensive linemen, 4 linebackers, and 3 defensive backs. This twist stunt play is a great play because it is very confusing for offensive linemen. Why this play is so successful is because many youth football offenses do not have blocking schemes, or they do not utilize their snap count advantage. This stunt play is called twist because the two defensive linemen are crossing. This play is successful against both outside and inside hitting plays.

Twist Blitz-44 Defense The play-side defensive tackle slants outside ripping through and crossing the face of the offensive tackle. The play-side (red) defensive end slants down ripping through and crossing the face of the offensive guard. The defensive end slants down first, then the defensive tackle slants outside right off the defensive end’s butt. The middle linebacker blitzes the A gap. The play-side outside linebacker holds containment. The back-side DT (opposite side of the twist) forces A gap, the back-side DE forces C gap, and the back-side outside linebacker holds containment. The secondary plays cover 3. This is a great play out of the 44 defense. If executed properly, it will be a nightmare for O-linemen.

It is very important that your defense gets to the football. The trademark of any successful defense is relentless swarm to the ball carrier. When you call this defensive play make sure your players execute it with great energy and force. Remember, do not blitz your youth football defenders out of the play, blitz strategically. Go out and scout your opponent, this will allow you to prepare your defense for what they are going to see come game day.

Good Luck

Coach Jeff

Posted in Coaching Defense, Defense 44 - Tagged 44 defense, blitzes and stunts, twist stunt, youth football 44 defense, youth football blitz play, Youth football defenses

Spread Offense: Post -Wheel Passing Play

May15
2012 1 Comment Written by Coach Jeff

Youth Football Spread Offense Passing Play

The post wheel combination pass play is an underrated and under used play in youth football. Most youth football defenses play man to man coverage. The post wheel combination passing play is a man to man killer. This play is out of the spread offense, with the QB in shotgun and a running back off set to his right.

Spread Offense This play features a split-end and a slot receiver split out to the right. The left side has a receiver off the ball and a tight-end. The backside tight-end pass blocks, while the receiver off the ball does a skinny post. The split-end that is line up out wide to the right side does a post pattern at the safety. You want the split-end to put his hand up like he is open, this will hold the middle safety. The receiver in slot does a wheel route. The slot receiver needs to run his wheel route right off the butt of the split-end running the post route.

The QB catches the snap and does a quick fake to the off-set running back. The running back needs to do a good fake to hold the linebackers in the box. After the QB does his fake he plants his feet and throws to the slot receiver running the wheel route. The ball needs to be thrown to the receiver’s outside shoulder. This is a youth football passing play that works! How do you beat man to man coverage? You use play action passing plays and passing plays with combination routes.

Posted in Coaching Offense, Spread Offense - Tagged combination routes, post wheel combination route, spread offense, youth football, youth football passing play, youth football passing plays

3-5-3 Stack Defense- “Indy” Youth Football Blitz Play

Apr16
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

The 3-5-3 stack defense is a very deceptive defense. This defense has the linebackers stacked behind the defensive linemen. This will allow the defense to disguise who will blitz or stunt. This features 3 defensive linemen, 5 linebackers and 3 secondary players. This youth football defense is not very common in youth football, at least not in my league. Because this defense is uncommon, it could illustrate a problem for offenses that have not seen it before.

3-5-3 defense

“Indy” is a blitz play where we have the defensive linemen slant inside and the linebackers blitz outside. In this case we have the defensive linemen slant down and the linebackers blitz outside. This creates a problem with the offenses blocking scheme. It will confuse the offensive linemen because they will have a defender shooting their inside gap and a defender shooting their outside gap. There is an old saying you live by the blitz and die by the blitz- so blitz strategically.

Good Luck!

Posted in Coaching Defense, Defense 3-5-3 - Tagged 3-5-3 defense, blitz and stunts, coaching defense, football plays, youth football blitz play, youth football defense

Youth Football 52 Defense

Mar28
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

The 52 defense features 5 defensive linemen, 2 middle linebackers, and 4 defensive backs. There is 1 nose guard, 2 defensive tackles, and 2 defensive ends. There are 2 middle linebackers, a strong safety (also known as a “monster backer”), 2 corners and a free safety.

The 52 generally uses the monster backer (Strong Safety) as the strong side player. This defense will use the monster backer to adjust to any unbalanced offensive formations.

The 52 defense requires disciplined athletes that can follow their keys precisely, and not get tricked by misdirection plays. The pass coverage is usually cover 3 zone-based. This defense also can have success using man to man coverage. When the opposing offense is in a balanced formation the monster backer becomes an outside linebacker. The defense then turns into a 53.

This youth football defense helps protect the strong side of the field. The 52 defense is effective when defending speed teams that love attacking the wide side of the field with sweeps.

Posted in Coaching Defense, Defense 52 - Tagged 52 defense, 52 monster defense, coaching youth football, cover 3 zone defense, defense, man to man coverage, winning youth football defense

The Full House Offense

Mar21
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

The Full House Offense features 3 backs in the back field, along with 2 tight-ends. This is power offense, with flexibility. This youth football offense has been around for quit a while.

Full House Formation

The best play for this offense is the off-tackle play. Having three running backs in the backfield along with two tight-ends will allow you to run off-tackle to either side. It will make the defense have to respect both sides of the offensive formation. Having a balanced formation will spread the defense out laterally, creating running room inside.

Having three running backs in the backfield will also allow your offensive linemen to work double teams at the point of attack. The offensive line is all about getting a push, having double teams at the point of attack will push the defender back.

Full House Off-Tackle Youth Football Play

This play is called “Off-Tackle” because the running back cuts off the tackle/guard double team block. This is a basic play with a high success rate.

Full House Youth Football Off Tackle Play The play-side tackle and guard double team the play-side defensive tackle. The right full back will lead block for the running back, with the right running back kicking out the edge defender (defensive end). The tight-end will down block onto a linebacker. The back side of the offensive line will secure their inside gap then look to cut off the defensive pursuit to the football. The full house is also an option friendly formation.

The full house is a great youth football formation. You can do many different things out of this formation. It is easy to implement and the players will catch on rather quickly.

Posted in Coaching Offense - Tagged full house formation, full house offense, off tackle football play, youth football offenses

Wishbone Offense- A Youth Football Classic

Feb28
2012 1 Comment Written by Coach Jeff

The wishbone offense is a trademark offense in youth football. This offense has a great deal of history that has withstood the test of time; it continues to dominate in the youth football world. This offense formation came about during the 1970s and quickly became a popular offense to use by offensive coordinators. The wishbone youth football offense allows you to run the triple option with a lead blocker. The extra blocker was usually used to load block a defensive end or lead block outside for the pitch back (load option). To this day the wishbone is one of the best formations for the option. Many youth football organizations, high schools, and colleges are currently running the wishbone.

What is great about this formation is you can have a two tight-ends look, two receiver look (twins or two split-ends), and one tight and one split-end. Having two split-ends will take defenders out of the box- it will keep safeties out of the box to respect receivers that can really stretch the field. Having split-ends will allow you to either stalk box the cornerback or crack block on a linebacker or safety coming down into the alley. You would think that having two split-ends will take blockers away from the power running game-but the wishbone offense has three backs in the backfield which will still allow you to run an isolation/power play with to lead blockers. Many popular formations today have come from the wishbone.

I have used a 3 play series out of the wishbone to complement my wing t rocket/jet series playbook. I ran the wishbone with one split end and one tight end. This has added flexibility to my play calling. If the defense over shifts to my tight-end side we will run to the split-end side- crack on sweeps and stalk on power plays. If the defense did not shift to the tight-end side we would run power all day to the tight-end side. The wishbone is a solid youth football offense and it is very easy to implement.

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Posted in Coaching Offense, Wish Bone - Tagged pop warner, triple option, wishbone offense, youth football

Youth Football I Formation- Power Iso

Jan02
2012 1 Comment Written by Coach Jeff

Power Iso-I Formation

The I formation is a part of youth football tradition. Whether it is your first year coaching or it’s been your 20^th year coaching, everyone knows the power I formation.

This play attacks the interior of the defense. This play is also known by many as I formation Power play. We run it primarly off-tackle. You can double team the defensive tackle to get a push on the line of scrimmage. You can also base block it (one on one). This formation has two tight-ends, half back, fullback, and a power-back. The power-back is lined up behind the tackle. You can do many different things with this power-back. First off, most of the time the defense doesn’t even realize it is an unbalanced formation (we have an extra blocker to the right side). It will also allow you to kick out the defensive end, or you can have the tight-end block the defensive end out and have the power back lead through the point of attack. The fullback will lead through the hole.

Coaching Tip- make sure your running back doesn’t belly towards the quarterback. We want the running back to explode and get the hand off at the point of attack- it is the quarterback’s job to get the ball to the running back at the point of attack.

This play is easy to implement and will provide a high success rate in youth football.

Posted in Coaching Offense, I Formation - Tagged I formation, iso, power iso, youth football formations, youth football plays