Why Scheme?

[learningthegame]

I have recently been part of an ongoing discussion with several coaches about the importance of topics like scheming, keeping it simple, player development, X's and O's verses Jimmy's and Joe's. Each coach is supremely confident in their particular view point, and I am wondering what a larger body of coaches might have to say about the topic.

[Guest workinprogress]

I have recently been part of an ongoing discussion with several coaches about the importance of topics like scheming, keeping it simple, player development, X's and O's verses Jimmy's and Joe's. Each coach is supremely confident in their particular view point, and I am wondering what a larger body of coaches might have to say about the topic.

 

I think this one depends on the coach, the players, the systems progress, etc. Players will do whatever they can to meet or exceed a coach's expectations as long as they respect the coach. So if you have a well respected coach, a team of juniors and seniors who have started in the system from day one, then you can definately make things more complicated. If you are a new coach then starting out simple and working towards more complicated is best so that the players can have time to develop. Again, there is way too much to this question than a simple answer. But I'll try by saying this, its better to keep it simple and have the appearance of being complicated than to be complicated and have the appearance of being simple.

[Footballfan15]

The KISS priciple works best.

[beethoven]

If you change the scheme constantly, then it better be real simple. If the scheme is constant, then the players are more capable of tweaks to enhance the scheme. Even the best scheme won't win with players who can't execute it or players who are inferior to the opponent.

 

Biggest mistake: assuming your players can do more than they are capable

Biggest mistake 2: assuming that this or that small change will be easy to learn and won't effect execution

Biggest mistake 3: underestimating the talent and coaching you are facing.

 

Everyone in the NFL is a great at coaching. The difference is the players on the field. Every coaching staff in high school is different. Every team in high school is different talent wise. You better have a simple scheme that the players can execute in the face of superior or inferior talent.

[fblover]

I believe in the KISS BUT theory, you all know what the first part means, but you had better have enough to get the job done. Here is the thing every group of players are different, the key for coaches is knowing how much your kids can handle and making sure they have it down before Friday night. Our playbook is probably larger than most, but we never carry all of it into the game. We have a small group of core plays that we hope to be able to execute against anything, then based on scouting and personel we choose a few additional plays from our package based on what our opponent does & personel matchups. IF WE DON'T WORK ON SOMETHING AT PRACTICE THAT WEEK WE DON'T RUN IT IN THE GAME.