UPON MY RETURN TO THE GAME OF YOUTH FOOTBALL, I faced the challenge of efficiently running an offense. And I am not talking about the Xs and Os or the strategic play-calling. Instead of showing, the emphasis is on telling players what to do and providing instructions on how to do it. In simpler terms, you are instructing a drowning man to swim, imparting no guidance on preventing drowning.

I have observed the frustration players feel when they are instructed to block someone without being given any context or understanding of the strategy involved.

What follows is the chaos of yelling and frustration, as the coach or, God forbid, the entire staff raise their voices shouting those dreadful words, “HEY O-LINE, YOU NEED TO BLOCK!”

Even worse is when parents pipe in from the stands with the proverbial, “Let’s go O-Line, block somebody.”

Lost amidst the commotion and disorder of game-day is the fact that the O-Line simply lacks clarity in their blocking assignments. And it is not because they are not listening or are unprepared; rather, it is because of the constant shifting of alignments, movement of D-Linemen, and, to be very honest, the unpredictable nature of defensive players.

These articles provide a better understanding of creating schemes and rules for Youth Football Coaches. I hope they will provide your O-Lineman with a clear understanding of the scheme, enabling them to execute it flawlessly, no matter the Defensive fronts or movements they face.