Making Adjustments in Your Scheme
Coaches have a philosophy of coaching football which they base their offensive and defensive schemes around. It is important to have a consistent system in place to build and progress the football program through each season and through the years. Sometimes we get to a point in the season where something needs to change.
When to Change
Making the decision to change, or tweak your system can be tough, but sometimes it becomes necessary based on a few factors that impact your team. The first thing to consider would be the physical abilities and make up of your team. Can Jimmy and Joe execute the offense or defense you want to use, and does it give them the best opportunity to be successful? Do you have enough Jimmies and Joes to execute the style of play? These are the two most important questions to ask and answer when planning the system your program will use during your tenure.
When I coached for a program with lower numbers and fewer athletes, we ran a conservative, ball control offense and a simple defense. All players had an offensive and defensive position and all coaches coached both sides of the ball. We had no problem figuring out how to play our best players because ALL coaches were invested in our offense and defense.
The athletic ability of your players can promote change as well. After several games one season we weren’t having a lot of success with our gap scheme plays, but we were with our zone scheme plays. We looked at our offensive line and we were playing some very large kids that couldn’t move well, so pulling and getting outside of their zone wasn’t putting them in winning situations. Once we changed our focus solely to a zone and lead scheme our running game took off and I fully believe our line was a huge factor in getting us to the semifinals that year. If you are asking your players to do something far outside their skill set, look at the part of your system that uses what they do best and then your team will perform at their best.
Using Analytics
In today’s game, there is almost no reason why you should not use and refer to an analytics app to evaluate your performance. Coaches always like to say that the film does not lie. Well, the analytics program completes the story of what you see on the film. With today’s rules, you can even see exactly how you are performing during the game and adjust accordingly. Platforms like Modern Football make it easy for coaches to input data and APPLY the results for an immediate impact.
Analytics programs help you eliminate your bias in your play calling. The simplest example of this is having a favorite play, but when you perform your self-scout you see that your team is actually running a different play more successfully, while your favorite play is struggling. Once you see the data, it helps you make a better call in the game.
Analytics also helps with personnel decisions. Which running back is more productive with their carries? Which receiver is getting more yards per catch? Which player needs more touches? However you look at your stats, look at them to help your team perform at it’s most productive level.
Built-in System Adaptations
The flexibility of your system is important as well. You shouldn’t have to revamp in order to take advantage of your best players, but you may need to refocus. Consider the formations you use on offense and move your best skill kids around in order to increase opportunities to get the ball in their hands. The evolution of the quarterback is a direct result of coaches looking for ways to increase touches for their best athlete. If you have a playmaker that you are struggling with getting the ball, perhaps a position change will create the opportunities you are looking for and what your team needs to be successful.
Consider using a variety of tempos. If you are an up-tempo team, but your defense struggles to stop opponents then you may be able to improve your defense by slowing down your own offense. Going back to the huddle and sending in the play with a player will slow down the pace and also allow extra time for your defense to regroup and rehash their assignments as they prepare to return to the field.
Keys to Success
Coaching and communication are key to a smooth transition as you evolve throughout the season. Your system needs to have the terminology already built in to ensure the athletes understand what they are being asked to do. This goes back to the flexibility of your system. You may want to be a Power-I team and pound the ball, but have several play makers at receiver. You should have the terminology to transition from the I-formation to spread formations and run an effective offense. It also makes it easy for your coaches to communicate and teach. The ability of your players to transition from one scheme to another relies on the teaching ability of the coaches.
No matter your reasoning, every step of the way should be focused on your athletes and giving them the best opportunity to be successful on the football field. Making an in-season change can be just what the team needs to help them turn the corner and make a difference in the season.