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Insight on Offense - Short Yardage, QB Confidence, Two-Minute

Sep 06, 2022 3:49 pm

Coach ,

Wow! That was a fun Week 1 of college football. The high school season is in full swing, and the NFL kicks off Thursday with the Rams vs. Bills.

The fun part is learning from the situations that you see in these and other games that you may have watched. Here are some ideas to enhance your offense.

#1) Plan for and Practice Last Plays/2 minute

Many games came down to the final seconds as offenses executed their two-minute procedures to perfection.

Two-minute usually receive a ton of time in camp installs or practice, but it is definitely something to plan for, and be sure that it is worked into your weekly practice schedule.

I explain the way which we approached this from both a planning and practice perspective in this video (click on image for video):

Video: 2 Minute

It’s something that USFL Offensive Coordinator Eric Marty and I talked about on the OC Office Hour. Check out the conversation here: OC Office Hour.

#2) Success on Offense is Directly Related to Short Yardage Success

What has made its way back into many offenses is the use of 21, 22, or 23 personnel in offenses. It allows the offense to utilize the fullback to insert into a gap and get that extra blocker at the point of attack.

Of course, you need to train these players up to win in these situations, but the concepts you might use like, Power, Iso, or Duo certainly can find multiple looks over the course of the season to allow you to adjust this package as necessary. When it comes to learning the techniques, there is no one better to teach it than Tyler Roehl, OC at defending FCS National Champion North Dakota State. Here he gives a coaching point on Iso blocks on pad level (click on image for video):

Video: Exceeding Pad Level

Having a lead blocker can and does work in a spread offense. It is something that Wake Forest RB Coach John Hunter teaches the backs. In the Wake offense, they become lead blockers on the run as the QB decides to keep and add a hat to the run game on the fly. Coach Hunter illustrates the teaching in the drill video and then how that translates to the game video (click on image for video):

Video: Leads

If you use zone, the insert scheme allows you to create the iso-type plays without installing a new blocking scheme. While the concept is simple, insert a blocker from the backfield and be able to push the combos, the technique that is needed for this to be a successful play is critical.

It’s something that Kyle Flood, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the University of Texas is very familiar with. He shared the coaching points at the COOL Clinic.

It’s all about whether it is a front-side insert or a back-side insert, and the fit of the block on the second-level defender has to be done a certain way. Coach Flood explains the coaching point in this video (click on image for video):

Video: Coaching the Insert Player

#3) Build QB Confidence - It will allow you to be a confident play-caller

In a world of cool drills, complex plays, and numerous philosophies on developing a quarterback, Old Dominion OC Coach Patenaude has simplified his job down to one simple concept - alleviate stress and anxiety on the quarterback. He uses the analogy of taking a test and that preparation leads to confidence. He explains his philosophy here (click on image for video):

Video: My Job

On the practical side, it all starts with utilizing concepts that can start drives, boost confidence, and build the quarterback’s ego. New Eastern Illinois OC Joe Davis believes within all the concepts that are available, you can create a menu that allows the quarterback, especially the young quarterback to be successful as he explains in this video: