Installing Today’s Hybrid Pistol Offense Run & Pass from Top to Bottom
This manual provides you with the full offensive line, receiver, and quarterback mechanics for installing each offensive play presented. Coach Campbell has left no stone unturned for implementing today’s Pistol Offense into your program.
Coaches at the youth level, it is thier job to teach. Allow these kids to learn this game. What exactly are they going to learn other than the idea that good special teams play is able to be avoided? These kids are here to learn how to play as a team, and if they play as a team with sound coaching and technique, they can keep a good kick returner in check. I see it as not so much unethical, but it is a weak approach--and the kids will see it. Kids will take this as an idea that this other kid is better than them, and they can't stop him.
Stopping a kick returner is not difficult. Do not name "gunners." Each kid should be a gunner. Coverage men need to keep the returner on thier inside shoulder, be aware of flow of blockers, and NEVER run behind a same-colored jersey. I used these simple rules along with plenty of reps in practice to help a team of completely out-gunned, injury-decimated kids, who got their tails handed to them in every game, not give up a return past the 50 yard line all season...it was one of the few bright spots of our season.
I have a serious problem with youth coaches who put the idea of winning ahead of fundamentals. If a team has to squib, fine, that's strategic--kicking out of bounds is illegal...seems a simple decision to teach these kids what is right.
Ryan Kelly
Offensive Coordinator
Austin High School
Austin, MN
There is nothing that will show a man's true character like the 2 yard line.
thank you for your input I do appreciate it. However you say you have a problem with putting winning above fundamentals.(so do I) If your kids have done their job all game long wouldnt you find it your job as a coach to put them in the best situation to win the game? I guess that is where the squib kick comes in ? how many times will you squib in a game and give them that field posistion? 5-6? Obviouslly if that happened you failed during the practice week wouldnt you think ?
(by the way, Im dealing with 6-8th graders just to give you an idea of where Im at)
Field position should be a wash--if you do the squib right, you'd be better off, plus you did it without committing a penalty. Also, you actually have a chance to get the ball back--something you don't have the opportunity to do on a kick out of bounds.
Ryan Kelly
Offensive Coordinator
Austin High School
Austin, MN
There is nothing that will show a man's true character like the 2 yard line.
Im talking about throughout a game also. I mean there are just some special talents you will run up against that when they get the ball with even just a little space to work with,theyre gone. I understand that you disagree with that philosophy(kicking out)in the youth area but how about at the Varsity level etc.
Are there any other coaches with opinions,ideas etc. please I would like to know your thoughts on this.
My personal philosophy is to always do what's necessary to avoid giving up a big play on special teams. If I had any real doubt about my coverage team's ability to make the play every time down, I'd squib it, onside it, whatever needed to be done to not give up a home run. Rather than give their "difference maker" a chance to make a play against lesser athletes in the open field, I'd prefer to take my chances with our defense on the field, even if it means sacrificing field position to do it.
Just my opinion.
Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach
"It's not the will to win that matters - everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
I have absolutely no problem with a squib kick, I often will use a squib kick as a weapon. I have had kickers in the past who were fabulous squib kickers. I had one kicker who was able to kick a line drive right at people--we got two or three kicks back during the season because he could drill the middle wedge man right in the chest. If you don't have a kicker who can help out your coverage, or you have not been able to put together a kickoff team that works well together, squibbing is the way to go. My biggest problem with the idea earlier is the thought of committing a penalty on purpose.
When it is all said and done, coach em up! Doesn't matter if they are beginners, high schoolers, or professionals. it is very important to make sure your special teams is not a forgotten phase where one can try to hide players. The kids need to know proper technique, rules, and need to have a good understanding of what thier team is trying to do and what the other team is trying to do to them.
Ryan Kelly
Offensive Coordinator
Austin High School
Austin, MN
There is nothing that will show a man's true character like the 2 yard line.
I will have a different view on this topic. I have coached special teams for a couple of years (3 as a coordinator) and i am currently a Head high school coach. I feel you have to balance teaching your kids to work together as a unit and also put your players in the best possible position for them to succeed. Not necessarily win or lose but compete at there best.
We run a kick off scheme where we line up on the hash closest to our bench so i can communicate with them. I don't usually make the call until i see how the KOR team sets up. Our KO team set up in a bunch. When we do kick deep we aim for the numbers on our sideline. I never tell him to kick it out of bounds but if he misses the numbers then the ball usually goes out of bounds. I never want the ball in the middle. I want to create a shorter field for them. I also place our best coverage guys on the side where we are kicking to.
Bottom line, you don't have to kick it out of bounds..... but you don't have to kick it right to him. We have onsided several times from our bunch formation and we got 3 of them this year. If a team adjusts over because they think we are kicking down our sideline i will make a different call and we will kick to the other sideline.
if interested in knowing more email me at smithl@hicksvilleschools.org