New youth football team

Coach P,

Here's a link to Coach Teed's Coaching Resources site which contains info/playbooks on several youth offensive and defensive schemes. If your league does not have any restrictions regarding what kind of front you play (man over the center restrictions or limited number of men on l.o.s.) or blitzing, I'd probably choose a 5-3, a 5-2 Monster or 6-2 defense since you're going to most likely see a lot of outside runs from the offenses you face at this age level. Any of them will be sound against the run and I'd recommend choosing the one that you understand best.

At the youth level, I've always been partial to odd-fronts because it inherently puts pressure on the QB/Center exchange on every play. A dominant player at nose can be very difficult for many teams to handle. Make sure your scheme adequately covers the gaps provided and that you cover alignment adjustments for the formations you're defense is likely to see during the course of the season. Rather than attempting to teach keys at this level, I'd simply try to teach your kids to read flow (direction and type), to pursue the football until the whistle blows on every snap and to tackle with proper form. If you can get your kids to line up in the right spots (most of the time!), run to the football and to tackle properly, coach, you'll put a good defense on the field and will have started your players out the right way, in my opinion.

I would encourage you to post often on this and the many other forums here on Coach Campbell's site. I think you'll find the coaches on this board to be extremely helpful in sharing their knowledge of the game with coaches at all levels. Many of them began coaching at the youth level and are very willing to help those of us coaching at this level.

Please let me know if I can help you in any way and best of luck with your defense this season!

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach

Take a look ar the 5-3 Double Eagle!