One Word Plays - a Great Tool for the Playoffs
Oct 24, 2024 9:30 pm
Coach -
Our CoachesClinic High School Team of the Week is Wise High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
After dropping a close game in their opener, Wise has reeled off six straight wins. They allowed 20 points in that first loss and have only allowed 13 since.
On offense, the Pumas have been explosive scoring 43.3 points per game over the last six games.
It’s been a great inaugural season for first-year head coach Steve Rapp.
The Pumas are led by DeCarlos Young, Eric Wedge, Peyton Nelson, and Trent Wilson,
Coach Rapp utilizes a number of tools in his offense. One of those is one word plays.
As you make your playoff push, converting some of your best plays into one-words may provide an advantage.
Coach Rapp's offensive philosophy is centered around using a power-based approach, incorporating plays like one-back and two-back power, counters, and ISO, with occasional outside zone and pin-and-pull techniques.
A significant focus is on adaptability, allowing the team to execute their core plays even against misaligned or undermanned defenses. This adaptability not only creates an uncommon offense but also gives them an advantage, especially when facing unfamiliar teams in playoff situations. The true impact of their tempo changes isn't fully evident until game day, which makes it difficult for opponents to prepare adequately just by watching film.
Tempo plays a critical role in creating opportunities for Coach Rapp's offense. By pushing the pace and lining up quickly, the offense forces the defense to react, often leading to misalignments that create exploitable gaps.
This quick tempo disrupts the defense's typical alignments, sometimes causing players to be out of position, which opens up more space for offensive opportunities.
He explains the power of one-word plays to create an advantage in this video:
Of course, these need to be practice efficiently. Coach Rapp shares practice considerations in the next video.
Video: 1-Word Practice Periods
Congratulations to Coach Rapp and the Pumas and best of luck to everyone this week!
Coach Grabowski
P.S. Here are two of Coach Rapp’s Clinics:
One Word Tempo Plays and Game Planning