splits for double slot option

Coaches;

We run the double slot and used 3 foot splits for all lineman. I am wondering if it would be better to tighten guards to two feet - any suggestions?

Thanks Coach - We added Outside veer and lead option this year so those split rules will apply now.

Coach.

My opinion? If your changing your splits for inside and outside, if I am a defensive linemen it shouldn't take me to long to figure that out. I have always went with 2-2-2 and one half between the ST and your TE. That is not to dis anyone elses way of doing it, and of course here you are talking about flexed ends with slots. But, overall, my theory is the wider the splits, the deeper the penetration and in my mind that hold up for any formation. Again, just my opinion.

J.C.Easton

airman,

I totally agree with the mesh point statement. But, unless he is the BEST runner out of himself, dive back, and pitchback why would it be attractive to you that the wide splits enable him to keep the ball more? If he isn't the best runner, get it in the hands of the guy who is. Qb's, unless your Dee Douis of Air Force fame, or Holloway from Oklohoma or one of those truly great running QB's, are not made to take poundings week after week. Now, if your down close and you want to minimize the necesity of a handoff chancing a fumble, I can see that. What is your thinking on this? Just asking in order to see where you are coming from, certainly not trying to offend in any manner.

J.C.Easton

Hey Coach,

I lived about 50 miles from Georgia Southern when they were in there heyday with Tracy ham, Rodney gross and those types of QBs there. Irk Russell was the HC then and he was recruiting my son who was the 6th ranked QB in the state of Florida in 1987. We spent the whole day with him on the GSU campus and enjoyed the day. My son was the #1 recruit on the list for the Citadel that year also. Their head coach was Charlie taffe, who had built the bone at Army. My son is 6'2 and 190 lbs at that time. He threw for 95 completions out of 171 attempts and 15 touchdowns against only 2 ints, the whole year. He ran for 460 yds more and another 5 TD's. To make a long story short, he ended up going to Clemson and then played professionally for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena 1 League. I started him at age 8 and he played until he was 29. As a QB he benched 340, ran a 4.39 in the pros, set 10 out of 11 records for QB's at Clemson when he tested the very first day he was there, including running the mile and a half in 8:54 seconds flat, ran it in 8:27 as a Senior.
My only point in telling you this is to underscore the fact it is crazy to take a kid who is a valuable asset to your team as the starting QB and magnify his chances a hundred fold of sustaining an injury that may put him out for a long time, when he can pitch it and let the RB and FB do the hit taking,imo. Now, I'm not talking about being a whimp, the QB has to be able to take as good lick as anyone else. At any rate, thats my opinion. Most option QB's that are good enough to go on to the next level, usually end up in the CFL after college, Tracy Ham being a good example. I appreciate your views and your explanation of those views. We all have to coach what we are comfortable with. Good luck in the coming season! Hope you win them all!

J.C.Esaton

CoachKramer,

Just like we always say, if that is the scheme that works for your squad and that is the way you coach it, by all means stick with it. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". More than one scheme can be successful in any facet of football. Give 'em heck and hope you win 'em all this year!!!

J.C.Easton

Best approach to an offense is to coach what you know how to fix when it isn't going well for your team and adjustments must be made. Making adjustments on the run is a key to a good football coach in my mind. Coach CAmpbell