I have made very detailed scouting reports before but as has already been mentioned, all that is important to me, is not important to them, so our scouting report is:
Cover Sheet - basically a personal assessment of our previous game, not derogatory (usually) but I point out where we need to improve, be it tackling, getting off the field on 3rd down, whatever. I also speak briefly about this week's opponent.
- cover sheet always has some kind of short story or quote at the bottom. I'm big on Sun Tzu, Lombardi and Woody quotes.
Tackle stat sheet - my tackle stat sheet is our defensive stat sheet that tracks tackles, (solo/assist), TFLs, sacks, fum Caused, fum rec., INT, Big Hits, plays made, qtrs played and helmet decals earned based on performance for the week.
Deck Sheet - listing of the their offensive personnel. Position, Name, height, weight, grade. I like for our kids to know what they are going to be dealing with. Also since our kids tend to talk more trash than Mike Tyson, I think they should at least be able to call the opposition by his proper name. I also use this to help me keep track of who they graduate from year to year.
- also included are main subs
- also some player's characteristics; Example: #9 - QB, left handed, 40 yd arm, will take off at slightest sign of pressure, very quick in space (break your feet down, no big hit)
Formation Sheet - which is just a sheet where I list their formations and our alignment to them. Also included in each formation is coverage options, their top 3 running plays and top 1-2 pass plays out of each formation.
- on the coverage options, I spend a lot of prep time with my safeties, since they will call coverage. We will try all listed during the week of practice, then discuss D&D common sense.
Play Sheet - is just pages of their plays out of each formation. I don't necessarily draw up every play they run out of each formation, but I always draw up their top 3 running plays and then maybe a trick play out of the formation or a counter play...you get it.
Then the last sheet is where if I have any automatic blitzes to install or some different types of adjustments.
Something that worked well last year and I'm going to do it again this year, is I am going to make the kids draw up their scouting report. I will run the copies with all the words and everything in them, but THEY are going to pay attention to the overhead and copy down the plays. This is in an effort to raise our kid's football IQ. Which most right now are well below poor.