Post by rocky21 on Sept 29, 2008 11:50:31 GMT
I coach a team full of 8th graders that are used to running a power style offense. We run a Spread to get these kids ready for next year. The problem is that in my area not alot of people are open to the spread because they think you should play old school, 3 yards and a cloud of dust, football. Two years ago we ran a wishbone offense and lost to teams that weren't as talented as us because they could put 10 or 11 in the box. It doesn't matter how good you are it is nearly impossible to block. Last year we changed to the Spread and went 6-3 with a horrible line and only two athletes. This year our team as a whole should be a lot better. We have more skill in the skill positions and our line is bigger and has more talent. The one problem I knew I would have this year is that my QB is a 2nd year player this year that hasn't played the position before. Well he is doing good as are my RB, 1 of my slot guys, and one of my receivers. My line play has been absolutely atrocious for the last two weeks. They got their butts kicked by four guys last week with no blitzing so we couldn't get anything done from the pocket. This week I made some adjustments to take some pressure off and rolled out everytime we threw the ball. We told the line to zone step the way the play was going and turn their guy. Well I don't know how many times my QB caught the snap, took 3 or 4 steps and had somebody nearly dragging him down by the back of his jersey. Our line wasn't even touching the guys they were supposed to block sometimes. Then it didn't help, when we did get to throw the ball, that I had receivers jogging routes. The same receivers wouldn't block downfield either. I think that I have a couple things going on here that aren't helping. I think that some parents are telling the kids that this type of offense isn't going to work. Then I think that the kids start thinking that way as well giving them an excuse if they don't do well. I also believe that I have one or two cancers on my O-Line but I don't really have the kids to fill in. Does anybody have any suggestions on how I can or should approach this situation. I am not changing the offense because I know that it works but I need to figure out how to get these kids behind me. Any help is appreciated and will be considered. Thank you!