O ver the years we havecome to realize thatscouting and filmbreakdown are essen-
tial elements of game preparation.Without a framework to use whenbreaking down film, it's possible tomiss key elements that might comeback to haunt us on game day.
One particular game a few yearsago drove home this point. We hadprepared for it with a very bad scout-ing tape and r\otes taken by a parent.Tn the game, the opposing QB provedto be very elusive with the QB keeperand throwing in the perimeter.
We did not realize that he was byfar their best athlete and neededspecial attention and emphasis inour game preparation. We ended uplosing by a point and learning ahard lesson.
Rather than look at film and justtake notes, we have come up with asystem of asking essential questionsthat can help us break down filmand construct the offensive anddefensive game plan that we canpass on to our players.
We start with the premise thatthere is no substitute for good gamefilm. With no film exchange at our
level, the quality of the film is entire-ly left to our staff. We have to trainour film people to get the type ofshots we want... and that does notalways mean a scope that spans theLB's and the offensive backfield.
For instance, in long yardage situ-ations we want a wider angle to get alook at pass routes.
In short-yardage situations we likea tighter focus of the offensive anddefensive lines. We also find it helpfulto get at least a few shots at groundlevel in back of the offense anddefense, to give us an idea of offensivesplits and defensive gap responsibilityand alignment. Again, there is nosubstitute for good game film.
The actual breakdown of film isseparated into two areas. We startwith our opponents' defense. (1 thinkit is far better to concentrate on oneside of the ball rather than flip-flopback and forth.)
As we go along, we attempt toanswer our essential defensive ques-tions. Sometimes it requires a secondreview of key plays to answer everyquestion accurately.
Our essential defensive questionsare as follows:
De^nse:I. What is their base defense? Any
other alignment?How do they adjust to Iwinsand trips?Do they flop the defensive endsand linebackers based on offen-sive alignment, and can wequick-snap them?Do they have a comer or a line-backer who plays the wide side?Do the LBs stunt? Do they runtwists with the linemen?How do they tackle scale 1-5?Who is their weakest defensivelineman? Weakest comer?Do the LB's tap and gapexchange with the linemen?Rate the LB speed. Scale 1-5Do they blitz? Strong side? Weakside? Inside blitz or off theedge? What down?
II. Do they corner or safety blitz?
4.
5.
6.7.
8
9.10
4 O COACH AND ATHLETIC DIREt
Football FilmsAgainst what formations?What down?
12. Do their d-ends box, come up thefield or read?
13. Rate the DB speed. Scale 1-514. Do the d-backs use press cover-
age? Cover 3? Cover 2? Cover 1?
15. Punt depth and alignment. Ratethe long snapper, scale 1-5. Canwe block their punt? Middle
block or off the edge?16. Punt coverage alignment and
speed?17. Who makes most of the tackles?18. How does the defense react to
motion19. When and where do they use
their goal-line defense?20. Do they have any trick or special
plays?
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After reviewing team defense, wemove on to our opponents' offense,charting every offensive play withresult and down, then creating ouressential offensive questions.
Offense:1. Identify their four best plays.2. Script six other plays in rank
order for a total package of 10.For 50/50 pass-run teams, scriptfive best run, five best pass.
3. What plays do they like to useinside the 10?
4. Do they trap or base block forthe fullback?
5. Do their guards pull or are theyprimarily a zone or base block-ing team?
6. Do they run into the tight end oraway?
7. Who can we take advantage ofon their offensive line?
8. How good is the center? Scale1-5
9. Who are their best players?10. Can we blitz and where? Comer?
Safety?
11. Who do they throw to? Sprint?Dropback? Bootleg? Short, medi-um, or long passing game?
12. Rate the QB. Scale 1-5.13. Running backs. Speed rate 1-5.
Size? Blocking?14. Can we use press coverage?15. Do they use motion? Why?
How much do they run playsinto the motion?
16. Punt Depth and coverage? Dothey squeeze the middle?
After completing our offensiveand essential defensive questions, wefeel we have laid a basis for con-structing the offensive and defensivegame plan for our next opponent.
Our defensive game plan hingeson placing special emphasis on stop-ping our opponents' four best plays.
Offensively, our game planinvolves play selection and blitzrecognition. We think that film break-down is the first vital key in gameplanning and by answering essentialquestions we begin to remove the ele-ment of chance from our game plan! •
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