7 ON 7

I agree with Coach Lyle wholeheartedly. We are about to start our 7-on-7 leagues and we will run our base passing game and our standard coverages...even if those coverages are not necessarily designed to defend the passing offense exclusively. The idea is just to run our base stuff and get the kids really comfortable with those skills and that timing / execution on offense. I guess we could get our butts kicked every night, but as long as we're getting the work in...we don't care. We care in September.

We just competed in a 7 on 7 tourney last Friday and I was dismayed to find that most of our opponents were playing some pretty weird hybrid coverages against us. We are known in the area as a very good passing team and have a very good wr. Most teams double-teamed our top wideout with an OLB and CB, and rolled their zones towards him as well. Now we took advantage of this to a certain extent, but it's nothing that we'd see in a real game. If we do and I don't hve the brains to run weak all day, I will have to swallow my whistle.

That's what I told the kids coach. It was just frustrating for my #1 guy to see so many double-teams. I basically told him to get used to it because he'd probably see some more of it during the season. And like I said, if we see that during the season, we'd better put up about 300 yds on the ground.

pdow27, as 7-on-7 coach at MHS for Coach Campbell, my opinion is that your first comment is right on the money and is well worth the investment. Our team has played in 4 state qualifying tournaments with our state tournament coming up on the 16th and 17th of July. I feel good about what we've accomplished so far but that has less to do with our recent success on the field than does the fact that I can see the kids taking their on and off field relationships to the next level. They know a little more about each other as competitors and have learned to trust each other to a greater degree to get the job done.

My main goal for our kids was to convince them that they could and should compete successfully with anyone in the state. Although we're not quite there yet, I know we've made progress in raising their expectations for themselves and for their team this fall. We utilize Coach Campbell's passing game with the additional complementary routes added for 80% of our offense. The other 20% is comprised of some "sandlot" 7-on-7 type plays. Defensively we play mostly Man 2 with some straight Cover 2 at times. I personally think that one of the best benefits of 7-on-7 play is that the kids become more aware of what's taking place around them on the field and that they learn to look for personnel mismatches and backside routes as well. As all of you know, there's no direct correlation to playing on Friday nights but I'm a believer that 7-on-7 can benefit just about anyone's program. I know I've had a blast working with the kids and very much appreciate Coach Campbell's willingness to let me help out.

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach