passing game in little league

Coach, depending on the size and throwing/running ability of your quarterback, I'd say the gun or sprintout passing game would work well. I've had small but mobile guys at QB most years and pretty much sprint them out or put them in the gun which also complements our running game from the gun.

We look to the gun to try to hit something vertically, as anything more than a 3-step drop will not work plus it helps out from a pre-snap read standpoint as to favorable matchups since we face man coverage almost exclusively.

Our favorite sprintout features a roll to the tightside with our fullback blocking playside and the tailback blocking backside. The TE runs a 7yd out with the flanker running a go route on that side. The backside receiver runs a post. We also run a sprintout using a curl/wheel combination although most of the youth receivers Ive had have a tough time performing a decent curl consistently.

Actually our most effective play throwing the ball is a bootleg off of an inside zone play to the TB. Our fullback (offset I to the open side) will chip the backside EMLOS and release into the flat while the split receiver to that side runs a go as a clear out. We drag our TE back to the boot side with our tailback altering his path after the ball fake to pick up that DE. The key is to have the QB get enough depth and get outside enough to:

1) shorten the throw to the flat
2) attract the attention of the defender(s) covering our deep receiver
3) give the TE time to get into his route
4) provide a lane for him to keep the ball if everything's covered up

Hope this gives you some ideas coach. Good luck.

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach

oj,
keep doing what your high school coach has taught you. never forget fundamentals and run/throw what your QB can execute effectively.

Our team ran 4 wide, trips, and an empty back field with alot of success. The 4 wide set consisted of 2 wr, and 2 slots . If you get your recievers to get inside position on the db, the best route that was an 80%completion ratio was a quick slant. Our team was 9,10,& 11 year olds.

To all youth coaches:

Depending upon the age group you coach, probably would not be practical for those under 10, but here is a suggestion you might try:

Instead of lining the little guys up and running a sweep to either side, teach your QB and wide outs how to throw and run a simple 6 yd. hitch pass. It is a much more expedient way of getting the ball on the perimeter. Just teach them to run a simple little smash route combo. For example, have your formation include a slot receiver and a wideout to the side you want to throw to, send the wide guy on a hitch of 6 yds. depth by teaching him to just drive hard at the outside shoulder of the CB and when he gets to the 6 yd depth ( teach him to read the yd line stripes to get the right depth) just simply plant and step INSIDE BACK TO QB. Have the slot guy run a corner route that is workable for your age group kids by teaching him to read the FS if they are in man coverage, or the SS who will be on his side if they are in cover 2, and break to the corner at a depth that works for your kids. AS your QB becomes more aware of what is going on, he will learn to look to the post first and then check down to the hitch. BUT, if the hitch is what you want to be your primary target, just have your QB and the receiver who will be running the route in your games work together to develop their timing of the throw. You will find it is a very effective pattern at any level of footbal, but with the little guys it will work really well as they get more profecient at executing it. Just a suggestion, as always.

Coach Easton

In youth football there is often a large disparity in height and limb length even amongst players of similar weights. A player who understands proper conventional hand placement for pass protection is still at a decided disadvantage against an opponent who has a large reach advantage. In my SAMURAI FOOTBALL system we counter this by attacking the inside bending portion of the elbow and push both elbows laterally( away from mid-line of body) with the pinky side of each mirror-image hand.The elbows only need to be re-directed enough to disrupt pass rushers forward momentum.This requires minimal strength and allows blocker to be in an ideal position to counter any next moves.This technique (and many others) can be seen on the DEVELOPING MARTIAL ARTS GRAPPLING SKILLS IN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN available on the Products page on this website. Please let me know how well it works for you. Mark Miller