Coaching 5th-6th grade youth football

that young....just teach the basics

simpler the better

These guys above are spot on..you aren't going to win with crazy schemes(doesn't seem like you are trying to, just saying)..fundamentals and talent wins..

I hear ya with the simplicity. I am sure I made it sound more complicated than it is.

I put a focus on head up tackling and crossing the bow so to speak. See what you hit. Other than that, I teach them where to line up (basically for gap control) and from there it is individual responsibility.

The DEs never go more than 2yds into the backfield so that they can read and keep containment easier, DT/NGs always either pinch down or both oush the center into the backfield as soon as he flinches the ball.

LBs are either blitzing or strafing while they read and react to ensure they don't get beat on the B gap counter opposite the blitz. The b gao is HUGE to protect. I never have a play even installed in my defense the doesn't cover the b gap because mist teams a) can't pass well and b) gash opposing teams with off tackle and counter plays.

My secondary knows whether they are in man or zone by a very simple design... Unless the play SAYS zone, you are in man. I have a table set up in their wristband that says the play name and a brief responsibility description.

For example: The play call says ZONE STRONG. The description says STRONG SIDE PLAYS FLAT ZONE, WEAK SIDE MAN COVERAGE.

Short and sweet. Flat zone is another play call, so they know what to do to begin with, and if not then that play is on their wristband as well. Simple way to run a combo coverage. My play calls are all the same too, no matter what front I am in. The only thing that changes between fronts is my # of linebackers. My best/smartest guy is the one that switches between DE and LB.

Honestly I've coached at this level. Just have your corners play man and your safety's read the QB and find the ball. You can crash with your d-Line and just have your lb's read the guards or center on the play. I wouldn't get into much play calling or changing it up. At this level just let them play and the team with better athletes will win. I don't even think you can stunt at this age, part of the rules.

You aren't supposed to, but you are at a disadvantage if you don't because the other teams do it anyway as well. I am not one to send my kids out for a vicious beating every Saturday, so I prefer to be the aggressor.

And I agree 100% on the technique. If they are well conditioned and you teach them the foundation skills like tackling and backpedaling as you said, then you have a leg up. As the coach though, you can do more scheming than a lot of people think, as long as you do keep it simple.

Having 4-6 plays for each group on d to memorize/act upon is an easy way to scheme because you can call any combo of stunts/coverages, and the offense never knows where your pressure is going to come from. It is an easier way to "hide" your weaker players while putting them in position to succeed, while also featuring your better players in impact positions.

My DE/LB switch guy is ALWAYS on the strong side, and I ALWAYS stunt my line and backers in complimentary fashion to cover the back side. Also, my safeties play ten yards off the ball so as to support the run and dare them to pass, which is a low percentage endeavor.

any defense where you will be running half man and half zone will probably blow these kids minds. most high schools don't even do that...not saying it doesnt make sense to you or me or anyone but for kids that young that is, IMO, just a little to advanced. I could be totally wrong though thats just my 2 cents

I would teach one zone and one man coverage and a few basic blitzes and just teach the basics and help them learn the game. Its not like they are going to be going 5 wide chucking the ball around you may get lucky to have 5 passes a game

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don't forget the pursuit drill on defense

every coach i ever had made a point about everybody getting to the ball and never giving up on a play.

"Make them run another play" they use to say.

My son's team went undefeated and won the city championship last year at that level with about 3 defensive variations, I think. The defense was dominating, though, because the boys were aggressive and tackled well and played team ball.

Fundamentals are far more important than scheme, although in any scheme make sure that you are able to move guys to plug the middle and cover the sweep.

Don't make it too complicated, but make sure that you are getting players to the ball.

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