Youth Football Offensive Overview



Posted: Sunday, March 20, 2005

by
http://www.i-youth-football.com/

Choosing the correct youth football offense strategy to install for your team is a major decision. While there are many successful schemes to pick from, not all will mesh with your teams ability. This article is designed to help you in the process of fitting your players with a offensive system that they can actually perform.

I would like to assume that every youth coach takes the time to position their players correctly. I say assume because I often witness teams whose primary downfall on offense is kids playing out of position. This is normally due to bad coaching and the most common reason is the parent is the coach. Putting your child at a skilled position if he/she is not THE MOST QUALIFIED is just plain wrong. Each player (time allowing) should be given the chance to try out for any position. It does not take long to begin placing your players by position once you have an idea of their skill level. Please don't make the mistake of classifying kids by size, weight, or speed before giving them a chance to perform. This is especially true in a full contact sport like football. You do not know what your player is capable of until he is in a full contact situation. Any player can look the part when not faced with being hit. It's knowing you will be hit and still doing your job that matters on the field. I firmly believe that placing your players in the correct position is one of the biggest factors in helping your team reach it's full potential. That said, let's move on.

Once you have established player position and skill level of your team, you can choose a system that is right for you. The deciding factors are usually speed and size. If you have both than consider yourself blessed because neither one can be coached. A fast team will most likely want to use sweeps and outside plays to get their players into the open field. A slower (hopefully large) team will want  a system that controls the ball and gets first downs. Misdirection should be used regardless. The schemes normally used at the youth level are the Wing T, I formation, Wishbone, Pro, and possibly some form of spread offense. I would recommend buying into one and not trying to take a little from each. Each formation can be modified in certain ways and are all excellent systems. Only you can decide which will fit your particular teams needs. Choose wisely. Thanks for reading this article from www.i-youth-football.com

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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by E Grand
from Dallas, Tx. 6 years 220 days ago.
Very insightful advice. I'll will use some of your information and use it for my own evaluations of my 5th & 6th grade team.
» left by JJACK
from NEW KEN PA 6 years 176 days ago.
GOOD ARTICLE DO YOU HAVE A EMAIL ADDRESS?
» left by TONY
from GARLAND TX 2 years 160 days ago.
I AGREE 100% THANKS FOR THE ADVICE.
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