Plan for the "what ifs"......there are a couple of ways to do this
1. Let's say your base play is Power. Your attack is predicated on opening the C-gap and running through it. (BTW, this would be an EXECUTION phase of your offense)
Now, let's say you are facing a 4-4 G-front. This team has their 8 tech. crash down upon recognizing a down block by your TE.
You are not getting a good kick-out, or hole to run Power.
WHAT DO YOU DO? (this is where you need an answer)
Part of the answer comes in the second item of my list: CONFLICT.
A DE that is C-gap conscious is prone to getting reached, so you now run a little OZ or toss sweep. This loosens him up, which allows you to eventually run power again.
Now, let's say you face a DE that is really great at reading the TE's block and reacting accordingly. He can play the sweep and the power well enough to hold you to minimal gains.
WHAT DO YOU DO?This is more of a scheming question now (a true ANSWERS aspect of offense). One thing you can do is on Power, arc release the TE to the force player. The DE reads a "reach block", and flys outside, he is then kicked out by the FB and the C-gap is once again established.
HAVING ANSWERS needs to be done off your base play for all defenders. Per our example:
FS starts getting too close to the LOS to help on Power.
WHAT DO YOU DO? Run Boot with a backside post.
3 tech is fighting the double team and reducing the size of our hole.
WHAT DO YOU DO? Run trap.
MLB is flying right into your TE and squeezing the play
WHAT DO YOU DO? Run a PAP with the TE hooking in his zone.
Here is a great article on series based football:
coachhuey.proboards42.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=offarticles&thread=953&page=1#6648Essentially, calling plays is easier when you have 1-2 base plays that you EXECUTE. Then, you architect the rest of your offense off how you can CONFLICT each defender's reaction to stop your base play. Then, you add schematic wrinkles (not overhauls) to combat other problems (superior defensive personnel, your weak sister, gain a numbers advantage through formation/motioning).
Basically, good offenses have a 1-2 base plays that they get DAM
N good at, then the rest are compliments to attack over-reactions to stop the base plays.
2. Have answers for situations.
*3rd and 7+ versus this week's opponent, we like:
x, y, z.
*If we are playing in a typhoon, we want to do
this adjustment in our play calling.
*What do we call in Overtime, if we go there?
*What is our plan if the starting QB goes down?
*What do we do if Timmy cannot block that Mike backer (personnel deficiencies)?
*How do we get Joey the ball more?
*Where are our personnel match-ups favorable?
