Coach - 

As offensive coordinators, the key to success lies in meticulous game planning and structured weekly workflows.

Drawing from the practices of Lincoln Riley, head coach at the USC, we can gain valuable insights into an effective approach that balances preparation, flexibility, and execution.

Philosophy and Approach

Lincoln Riley emphasizes that mentality precedes scheme. While the chess match of football strategy is crucial, maintaining a strong team mentality is paramount. Balance is also redefined; it’s not merely about an even split between running and passing but about having the capability to attack defenses in multiple ways. This includes running the ball, quick passing, tempo adjustments, and more.

This video gives an overview of the week:

Video: Game Week Overview

Sunday: Game Review and Independent Film Study

Coach Riley’s week starts with a thorough game review on Sunday. After a brief staff meeting, coaches work independently. This approach fosters creativity and independent thought, allowing each coach to delve deeply into their areas of responsibility. This independent film study helps in understanding the opponent from a broad perspective before narrowing down to specifics.

Monday: Open Field Game Plan

On Monday morning, the team practices the open field game plan. Monday night is dedicated to finalizing the third down game plan. By front-loading the week with intense preparation, Riley ensures that the bulk of the game plan is ready early, allowing more time for refinement and practice.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Narrowing the Focus

Tuesday and Wednesday are crucial for scripting and practicing specific scenarios. For instance, third down plays and red zone strategies are honed during these sessions. Riley's practice involves competitive drills, where the offense must achieve a high success rate against the scout team, simulating game intensity.

Thursday: Detailed Walkthroughs

Thursday is reserved for detailed walkthroughs. This day focuses on worst-case scenarios and repeats from earlier in the week. It’s a mental day, with players running at 50% speed but focusing intently on situational understanding and execution.

Friday: Final Practice

Friday’s practice is shorter but conducted at full speed, albeit with limited contact. This session ensures that the team is sharp and ready, with a clear understanding of the game plan. Riley's game menu, a condensed list of plays, is finalized and practiced thoroughly. The menu typically includes 28 open field plays, 9 red zone plays, and a few special and situational calls.

Key Components of the Game Plan

Riley's game plan includes a broad menu of plays that are gradually narrowed down. His goal is to have 80% of the plays be versatile enough to work against any defense. The remaining 20% are situational plays designed to exploit specific weaknesses of the opponent. This balance ensures that the team is prepared for a variety of defensive looks.

Riley also highlights the importance of matchups, constantly evaluating and creating favorable conditions for his players. This involves moving players around, using formations creatively, and always having contingency plans.

Collaboration and Trust

A distinctive aspect of Riley's process is the collaborative environment he fosters. Each coach is responsible for specific parts of the game plan, and every opinion is valued. This collaborative approach extends to the players, especially the quarterback, whose feedback is crucial in finalizing the game plan. Trust in the system and the players' ability to execute is a recurring theme in Riley's philosophy.

Conclusion

Lincoln Riley's game planning and weekly workflow offer a blueprint for offensive coordinators aiming to achieve success. His emphasis on mentality, balance, independent study, and collaboration creates a comprehensive and flexible approach to game preparation. By adopting these practices, coaches can ensure their teams are well-prepared, adaptable, and confident, ready to face any challenge on game day.

Always be growing!

Coaches Clinic

P.S. Here are resources from the Coach Riley

Offense Weekly Practice Plan - Lincoln Riley, USC

Lincoln Riley- Y Cross, Trail and QB Run Game

P.S. Speaking of Game Planning. at a coaching convention in Texas today, and super excited about this new program to help coaches, everyone is talking about this free game planning software saving coaches tons of time --->