Opinions: the best offensive scheme?

Coach,

The answer to that question is simple, but probably not what you're hoping for:

The "best offensive scheme out there" is whatever system you know and believe in and that fits your athletes that particular season. I feel that to win at the youth level through high school (and some would argue at ALL levels) you must be able to run the ball effectively. Other than making that general statement, I think any scheme is a great scheme if it is coached well and if it exploits all your talent and hides your weaknesses.

We have a system in place that allows us to run anything from Straight T and Double Wing to 5 Wides Gun. Of course, we would never do so all in one season. Currently, we are a "Multiple I" backfield package with a West Coast passing game. We believe in having a system who's terminology, blocking rules, reads, etc. are logical, progressive, and translatable into any offense. Because of having so many multiple options, we can adapt our offense to whatever we need in that particular season. However, despite this flexibility, the base plays always stay the same and the terminology and rules never change. Because of this, you are able to foster consistancy across the program while still being able to change your focus from season to season.

My advice is to never "buy into" someone else's canned system. Have something that you believe in and evolve it to fit your personnel each season. Coaches who try to say "the option is the best" or "run the Double Wing!" are really just telling you what has worked for THEM. Each coach and each team is different. Go with what works best!