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Post by Wingtman on Sept 29, 2021 8:10:43 GMT -6
Lets talk the best part of practice, getting a scout team look, mostly on offense. What are some of your tips and tricks for an effective session? We are a small program of about 40 kids, and our best "tricks" (that I'm sure a lot of people use) are color coding the skill guys, trying to match body type to the scout player (opponent has a 220 pound running back, we use a kid whos 220 even if hes not a back for example) and also putting our opponents plays in our terms. What are some other things you guys do to get the best look possible, or does everyone just have the All-District DE teeing off on a 175 pound freshman LT, who just played a JV game the night before?  |
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Post by larrymoe on Sept 29, 2021 8:47:40 GMT -6
We would take half our defensive starters and put them on offense (they were usually offensive starters for us too) to get a good look. So, our offensive right side would be 1st teamers against the 1st team left side defense. We'd usually only run right or go right during that period. Sometimes I'd go left to keep them honest,, but it ended up being JV on JV so it wasn't a major party foul. Halfway through we'd switch. Sure, the defense knew where it was going, but it gave us a look.
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Post by woodyboyd on Sept 29, 2021 8:49:41 GMT -6
Use a nerf ball. Start with the ball in the QB's hands and have the center snap the nerf ball. No more fumbled snaps and kids don't get hurt stepping on the nerf ball. Color-code everything like you said. Have a detailed personnel chart for the scout team in the weekly scouting report. Spend 15-30 min teaching the scout team the opposition's plays through film on Saturday or Monday morning walk-thru. As stated, call plays in your own language as much as possible. Only use scout cards for plays extremely different than anything you run. Use two scout huddles when possible. If you have the money, invest in www.gorout.com/ These are some things we did at a school with 50 on the roster. About 225 boys in the school. |
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Post by chi5hi on Sept 29, 2021 8:51:10 GMT -6
Lets talk the best part of practice, getting a scout team look, mostly on offense. What are some of your tips and tricks for an effective session? We are a small program of about 40 kids, and our best "tricks" (that I'm sure a lot of people use) are color coding the skill guys, trying to match body type to the scout player (opponent has a 220 pound running back, we use a kid whos 220 even if hes not a back for example) and also putting our opponents plays in our terms. What are some other things you guys do to get the best look possible, or does everyone just have the All-District DE teeing off on a 175 pound freshman LT, who just played a JV game the night before? Yeah, you can do the color-code thing... We have a patch of ground that is on an incline...maybe 5 degrees...so we put the scout team on the up-hill side of the incline. They play down hill into the starters. Gravity helps the scouts and being down-hill helps keep the starters low in their blocking because they have to work up-hill. Some may need to be taped (ankles)...and keep the lateral plays to a minimum. If you can get the scouts to attack downhill, it gives the starters a better look. |
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 29, 2021 9:13:29 GMT -6
Use a nerf ball. Start with the ball in the QB's hands and have the center snap the nerf ball. No more fumbled snaps and kids don't get hurt stepping on the nerf ball. Color-code everything like you said. Have a detailed personnel chart for the scout team in the weekly scouting report. Spend 15-30 min teaching the scout team the opposition's plays through film on Saturday or Monday morning walk-thru. As stated, call plays in your own language as much as possible. Only use scout cards for plays extremely different than anything you run. Use two scout huddles when possible. If you have the money, invest in www.gorout.com/ These are some things we did at a school with 50 on the roster. About 225 boys in the school. Gorout.com- What is this sorcery??? |
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Post by woodyboyd on Sept 29, 2021 9:24:41 GMT -6
Use a nerf ball. Start with the ball in the QB's hands and have the center snap the nerf ball. No more fumbled snaps and kids don't get hurt stepping on the nerf ball. Color-code everything like you said. Have a detailed personnel chart for the scout team in the weekly scouting report. Spend 15-30 min teaching the scout team the opposition's plays through film on Saturday or Monday morning walk-thru. As stated, call plays in your own language as much as possible. Only use scout cards for plays extremely different than anything you run. Use two scout huddles when possible. If you have the money, invest in www.gorout.com/ These are some things we did at a school with 50 on the roster. About 225 boys in the school. Gorout.com- What is this sorcery??? It's a game changer.... if you have a rich booster club president who's son plays football and likes to spend money. |
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Post by carookie on Sept 29, 2021 10:05:28 GMT -6
Gorout.com- What is this sorcery??? It's a game changer.... if you have a rich booster club president who's son plays football and likes to spend money. And I here I am, re-sleeving my scout book during my prep after ripping pages out of it while slamming it to the ground... I gotta ask, the devices the players look at, how small/safe are they? |
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Post by woodyboyd on Sept 29, 2021 10:18:28 GMT -6
It's a game changer.... if you have a rich booster club president who's son plays football and likes to spend money. And I here I am, re-sleeving my scout book during my prep after ripping pages out of it while slamming it to the ground... I gotta ask, the devices the players look at, how small/safe are they? First year using them. They seem to hold up well so far. I'd compare them to a large I-Phone or large wrist coach. It certainly makes practice more efficient. |
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Post by MICoach on Sept 29, 2021 11:10:03 GMT -6
We draw the week's scout cards as a staff on Sunday - this could be done at home if you don't meet - and put them in sleeves in a binder. We should have the entire week's scout team plays done and in order by Sunday afternoon.
We also have a designated coach who is in charge of the scout team. Usually that is a varsity coach who only coaches the other side of the ball (e.g. RB's coach runs scout O while varsity is on D).
We use our personnel and scheme naming to make things easier to learn and more relevant to our offense.
If it is a week where we have enough healthy bodies we will do two scout teams, with each one running on for one play before running to the sideline to see the card for the next play. This seems hectic, but 1- it's good for your kids to be used to hectic situations and 2- we get way more reps than having everyone waddle back to huddle.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 11:33:40 GMT -6
Lets talk the best part of practice, getting a scout team look, mostly on offense. What are some of your tips and tricks for an effective session? We are a small program of about 40 kids, and our best "tricks" (that I'm sure a lot of people use) are color coding the skill guys, trying to match body type to the scout player (opponent has a 220 pound running back, we use a kid whos 220 even if hes not a back for example) and also putting our opponents plays in our terms. What are some other things you guys do to get the best look possible, or does everyone just have the All-District DE teeing off on a 175 pound freshman LT, who just played a JV game the night before? The absolute best thing I ever did on Scout O was to just simulate all the snaps. The QB will start the play with the ball in his hands and slap it after he calls for the snap to start the play while the C just hikes an empty hand back. It saves the period from devolving into a waste of time when your scout C is having problems or doesn't even know how to snap. The second thing I find best is to let the most athletic coach play scout team QB, so we at least know there will be some reasonable decisions made with the football. This coach is in shorts and a t-shirt, so he's not allowed to be hit. Instead of a sack, let him throw the pass so the secondary guys get some work. After that, if at all possible, try to have the same 5 dudes as your "scout" OL and just tell them the blocking schemes in your terminology ("Alright guys, up front this is just like Power Right."). Then don't just color code your skill guys, but also number them. That way, when the formation changes, the skill guys just find their number and move. Script everything and give EVERY SINGLE COACH involved in the drill a script that you've worked out in advance. This should script the Scout offensive play, as well as the defensive call against that. The point isn't to puff up everybody's ego and shut down the Scout O, though I have worked with a DC who seemed to enjoy that. The point is so that every coach knows what's coming and knows what their guys need to be doing to stop it. Try to script some very unfavorable looks for the defense in there, like running a play right at a spot that the front is stunting out of. If you can have 2 scout huddles going, that's another great way to knock out reps quickly: one will run the play while the other is getting their play. When the last play is dead, you spot the ball and the 2nd group is ready to line up and roll while the other scout huddle gets their next play. If you're more focused on trying to get a physically even matchup, half line and individual/group periods are where you're going to be in the best shape to do that. Another think I like on scout O is to have the offensive coaches (if they are available) there to watch the scout kids and coach them on technique and fundamentals so the reps are meaningful for the scout players, too. If the scout OL is running your Power scheme and a kid screws up, this is a chance to coach him up and correct that. If a scout WR screws up a stalk block because he's out of position or loafing, that's a chance for coaching. Etc. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 19:46:06 GMT -6
It should matter.
Grade the tape if you have it.
Have depth chart. Should be fluid.
Discuss daily with staff
Dont put kids out on scout team who you no intention of playing on game night.
Your best coaches should be on scout team. Kids need to see and hear importance of scout team.
Scout team should be held accountable for knowing what to do. No point in giving hudl access to kids otherwise.
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Post by tripsclosed on Sept 29, 2021 20:01:18 GMT -6
If you're more focused on trying to get a physically even matchup, half line and individual/group periods are where you're going to be in the best shape to do that. If you were going to hedge and do the above AND normal, what stuff would you want to make sure you have a challenge from the scout team, and what stuff are you good just getting the look/preparation for? |
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Post by 44dlcoach on Sept 29, 2021 23:17:04 GMT -6
We work run fits with our DL and LB in group period twice a week for 10-15 minutes each. One day working all our "Base" calls and one day working all of our "Blitz" calls vs the blocking We expect that week.
Could easily make that a half line period but we've mostly kept that with a full OL/Backfield and defensive front other than the beginning of the year.
Our hope is that we can really work reads, fits, technique in that period and then have the focus in team periods be pursuit and tackling.
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Post by jgordon1 on Sept 30, 2021 11:14:47 GMT -6
Lets talk the best part of practice, getting a scout team look, mostly on offense. What are some of your tips and tricks for an effective session? We are a small program of about 40 kids, and our best "tricks" (that I'm sure a lot of people use) are color coding the skill guys, trying to match body type to the scout player (opponent has a 220 pound running back, we use a kid whos 220 even if hes not a back for example) and also putting our opponents plays in our terms. What are some other things you guys do to get the best look possible, or does everyone just have the All-District DE teeing off on a 175 pound freshman LT, who just played a JV game the night before? The absolute best thing I ever did on Scout O was to just simulate all the snaps. The QB will start the play with the ball in his hands and slap it after he calls for the snap to start the play while the C just hikes an empty hand back. It saves the period from devolving into a waste of time when your scout C is having problems or doesn't even know how to snap. The second thing I find best is to let the most athletic coach play scout team QB, so we at least know there will be some reasonable decisions made with the football. This coach is in shorts and a t-shirt, so he's not allowed to be hit. Instead of a sack, let him throw the pass so the secondary guys get some work. After that, if at all possible, try to have the same 5 dudes as your "scout" OL and just tell them the blocking schemes in your terminology ("Alright guys, up front this is just like Power Right."). Then don't just color code your skill guys, but also number them. That way, when the formation changes, the skill guys just find their number and move. Script everything and give EVERY SINGLE COACH involved in the drill a script that you've worked out in advance. This should script the Scout offensive play, as well as the defensive call against that. The point isn't to puff up everybody's ego and shut down the Scout O, though I have worked with a DC who seemed to enjoy that. The point is so that every coach knows what's coming and knows what their guys need to be doing to stop it. Try to script some very unfavorable looks for the defense in there, like running a play right at a spot that the front is stunting out of. If you can have 2 scout huddles going, that's another great way to knock out reps quickly: one will run the play while the other is getting their play. When the last play is dead, you spot the ball and the 2nd group is ready to line up and roll while the other scout huddle gets their next play. If you're more focused on trying to get a physically even matchup, half line and individual/group periods are where you're going to be in the best shape to do that. Another think I like on scout O is to have the offensive coaches (if they are available) there to watch the scout kids and coach them on technique and fundamentals so the reps are meaningful for the scout players, too. If the scout OL is running your Power scheme and a kid screws up, this is a chance to coach him up and correct that. If a scout WR screws up a stalk block because he's out of position or loafing, that's a chance for coaching. Etc. Right ..We have always had the HC run the Off Scout and the DC run the D scout. I was a DC so I ran it putting it in my terms and then we would coach the kids..good stances good back pedal watch the qb's eys spill your block etc |
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Post by nicku on Sept 30, 2021 11:19:40 GMT -6
The second thing I find best is to let the most athletic coach play scout team QB, so we at least know there will be some reasonable decisions made with the football. This coach is in shorts and a t-shirt, so he's not allowed to be hit. Instead of a sack, let him throw the pass so the secondary guys get some work. I took a power read to the CRIB last week doing just this!! They didn't let the D1 receiver commit at QB do it during the game, either, so I must have given them a good look. |
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Post by wolfden12 on Sept 30, 2021 11:33:35 GMT -6
Get the best available (players)
Get as many coaches involved as possible
Coaches get excited about anything positive (small things) - show enthusiasm
Encourage starters upper classroom to help coach, support, others
Make it a competition with the starters - loser has a consequence
Rotate kids
Cheats for scout guys (color coated, description, etc.)
Keep session flowing (time) if going for longer than 2o minutes break-up with a half-time (water) allow for both sides to coach up and correct guys from 1st session.
Preach effort and attitude
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Post by agap on Sept 30, 2021 12:00:33 GMT -6
We number the scout players so they just have to know where their number is. We barely have enough for our defense plus scout team, so we can't use two huddles or rotate players. We found that it's more important just to have a coach who makes the scout team hurry up and gets after them to go hard. Otherwise we're getting one rep every three minutes, which doesn't amount to much in 15 minutes.
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Sept 30, 2021 12:15:48 GMT -6
A couple of ideas our staff uses:
1) Watch film - our DC does a fantastic job of taking the scout offense and watching opponent game film during the week so they know what all the lines mean on the scout card.
2) JV starters are the scout team - it is an expectation. If a kid can't start JV then he shouldn't be placed in front of a varsity kid in a team setting
3) Praise/Pride- love them up. Shout them out. If we get a shutout then the defense AND scout O get donuts the following week. We also have a scout team player award at our banquet.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2021 12:45:19 GMT -6
If you're more focused on trying to get a physically even matchup, half line and individual/group periods are where you're going to be in the best shape to do that. If you were going to hedge and do the above AND normal, what stuff would you want to make sure you have a challenge from the scout team, and what stuff are you good just getting the look/preparation for? Ideally, you're going to try to get the best matchups you can on scout, but the reality for most teams is that if the scout players were good athletes, they'd be starting somewhere and probably not playing much scout team. Now, if you have the numbers to 2 platoon, having the varsity starting OL and some varsity skill players rotating in every now and then will help give you a better look physically up front, but the tradeoff is that you risk a starter getting hurt on scout team (which happens a lot) and you're also taking reps away from your kids who are at the bottom of the depth chart and would just be standing around all day without scout team giving them a role. If you can't use the varsity starters, make your JV starters be the scout team, as was said above. A lot of teams may not have the luxury of a JV now, with numbers and stuff being what they are, but that's what I'd look at. Frankly, I find that 11 vs. 11 scout team scrimmaging should not really be about focusing on a physical challenge so much as it's just getting the starters a look at how the opponent will line up and what to look out for and expect. It's more about mental preparation and, IMO, should be focused and structured to get the most bang for your buck with the fewest snaps, because the mismatches you are likely to get on scout teams can be ugly. If your scout team is giving your starters a fight, you probably have bigger problems to worry about than getting a good look on scout. One nice thing you can do, if you have the luxury of 2 platooning (or mostly 2 platooning) and face an opponent who is very similar to you on one side of the ball, is to just let your starters run your own stuff as your "scout team" and then make your starters on the other side have a competitive intra-squad scrimmage. You may need to still draw up a few scout cards, but it'll really allow you to get a lot of benefit from these periods. Another thing you might want to do for a better look is play some kids out of position on scout, like lining up an OL at TE or FB to block. While I caution against using starters on scout, sometimes it might be worthwhile to let a WR get some reps at RB or try a RB out at LB so you can see how kids move and look in those positions. My senior year of HS, we had an athletic junior come out to play RB, where he was kind of mediocre and tentative (as well as 2nd/3rd string). One day, our OL coach (who ran scout D) put him in at LB during camp and after a few plays it was like a light went on. That kid went on to be All State and Conference DPOY twice as our starting LB before getting a D1 scholarship. |
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