Coach in the Box

offense:

coach A - down/distance immediately after the play. keeps a hit chart (where we ran/threw; gain/loss). watches backside pursuit (specifically DE/LB gap exchange and secondary rotation)

coach B - keeps the tackle chart (who made the tackle) and notifies when asked. watches point of attack (specifically 2nd & 3rd level reactions)

Coach A: Tells me the presnap coverage and if it changed post snap. He should watch the routes on passes and on runs watch watch the backside misdirection key.

Coach B: Tells me where the bubbles are and how they close post snap if they do. On pass plays it is his job to tell me where the pass pro broke down.

So it sounds like you all recommend if I have two guys that they both work offense and defense?

We are fortunate to have 2 for D and 2 for O. But back in the day, I have been 1 of 2 and few times the only 1.

I made up some simple formation/hit chart sheets that I just added tic marks as the game progressed.

- the first one I made (by hand) had the offensive formation and how we thought the opponent would line up verses it based on film. This took up about the top 1/4 of the sheet. Then below it I devided the space in half (like a portrait) and had 8-10 more mini versions of the formation that I I could draw on based on how they were actually lining up or the adjustments they were making. Now I had some thing that I could bring down at half time, or in a pinch hand to a runner to send to the sideline. I used the margins to makes notes about play that were/werenot working. WE were a formation team at the time and would focus on 3-4 formations week, so I didn't have but 4-5 sheets to shuffle through at the most.

- Another one I worked up for defense was based on formation/play. Again from film work, I had a sheet of divided into 6 sections with a mini drawing of the formation and on the edge of each box, the top plays that were ran to the strength and to the weak side of the formation. If they were a big motion team (especially if the motion meant something like a type of play) I would have a catagory for that as well. AS the game went along I would just add tic marks beside each play to see if they were on schedule based on the scout work, or it they were breaking tendencies. I would bring that down at half time to go over, or again could simply tally it up as the game was progressing to relay down to the side line.

If we played a team that used several formation, I usually tried to have a 2 RB sheet and a 1 RB sheet.

At half time I made sure to change the color of my pen I used for the tic marks so I could see if they had made any adjustments at half time.

-The other one we use is a Down&Distance/Play sheet. Basically it is just like the Formaiton/Play sheet except we just just track top plays verse the D&D. Basical break down is 1&10; 2nd & long (8+), mediuim (4-7), and short (0-3); and 3rd & long (7+), meduim (3-7), and short (0-2).

Again be sure to change colors at half time.

That what you dont' have to write so much during the game, all your writing is done during the week as you are planning.

**One coach I worked with a had a system for Formaiton/Play was to keep track of D&D at the same time. He had a hand full of different colored pens and has he was making his tic marks, each color meant a different down. Too much for me to keep track of.

The key like in Brophy's article is to speak the same language. Whenever I take a new job I make sure that I know exactly what the guy I am talking on the side line wants to hear and exactly what it MEANS. I learned that early the hard way. If you are trying out new stuff (new team, offense/defense, coaches, etc...) Not only do you need to rep it durng the week, but do it during scrimmages/jambos too.

There are also lots of different reminders you may need to keep in the box as well---- keeping track of time outs (if you scoreboard doesn't), personnell changes/key personnel substitutions, depth chart ( b/c you ain't going to be on the side line to run around and find somebody to grab, you're in the box), special teams charts, kill the clock charts, quick refernce for penalties, lay out of the staduim sections so you can point out the mummy mummies to the coaches on the sideline, dip cup, water bottles, sunglasses, poncho, etc....

sorry for all the typos, trying to finish before supper....

Coach Woodall- great stuff. Let me chew on this a bit and I am sure I will have questions

I love everything that has been said. I have been in the box for the last two years and it is an ART to see (everything). One person asks watch my DE on this play and then your asked where did the backside LB go, Hmm, well.

We played a team in our playoffs and they had 11 coaches in the box, which was split O/D, we had two, not counting the wasps.

Charts help, greatly!!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the person in the box needs to know the rule book inside and out. When a flag hits the field it is only seconds until you need to make a decision and sometimes there are multiple options. Plus your trying to decide on the next play or other game time decisions and you may forget an option that you are entitled to.

And clock management, particularly towards the end of the half or game. 1min 30 secs "coach take a knee three times and milk the clock" ball game

Almost as important to list what to keep out of the box.
Parents, coaches who want to be cheerleaders, and coaches who act as play by play guys.

I like one part of your question....job description......whatever you choose to do be specific with your coaches...

my first year in the box was great...specific assignments...head coach told me exactly what he wanted every week.....

Second year in the box was a mess....different header and no specifics....just hell raising on the radio like i was suppose to read his mind.....

Also...i wasn't trusted....put somebody up there you trust....if he calls it like he sees it, you gotta believe him...otherwise he becomes a spectator with the best view...


Good luck!!