This is an inside zone blocking scheme that should be familiar to those who run RPOs. Combined with large volumes of reps, this allows players to lock into their assignment by the second practice of the week and play at a tempo unmatched by the defense. While this sounds like a lot for a college student to do on a weekly basis, we give them rhyme and reason by grouping plays into categories.įor instance, black and white will always be in the zone category, but the formation and route tag may change. With fewer plays, we ask our guys to memorize 10 to 12 one-word plays each week. Our motto is, “Small menu, large understanding.” We limit our run and pass plays so our players can execute against all defensive looks. There are two ways to simplify: fewer plays and fewer words. When 11 athletes play at their top speed, your offense can reach its full potential. When players need not think about assignment, they are free to play at their highest speed. What I learned from these two championship offenses is that simplicity is key. That offense was top five nationally for five consecutive years. I spent one year under a record-setting offense at Baylor. That offense set multiple records by scoring 60-plus points in five consecutive games, produced more than a dozen NFL players and featured a Heisman Trophy quarterback. We used fast tempo mixed with a tight end, downhill run game. I was part of the Oklahoma staff that was one of the original no-huddle offenses, a precursor to RPOs. I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of cutting-edge offensive staffs. The defense must defend from sideline to sideline and as far as the quarterback can throw. There are multiple ways to attack every area. Championship offenses attack every single inch. Today’s great offenses can change the pace of the game at any moment and continuously pressure opposing defenses.Ī football field is 53.3 yards wide and 120 yards long. Although a fast offense can be difficult to defend, it must also control the game’s tempo. Tempo is commonly associated with today’s fast-paced offenses. The right personnel wins those arguments. There are different philosophies on how to get this done: big and powerful, speed and space, quarterback run and run-pass option are popular. Championship teams find a way to run the football. The ability to run the football is what separates teams that score a lot of points and teams that win a lot of games. It’s through these experiences that I have developed my beliefs for winning offensive football. I am forever thankful that I have been in the tight end room since college, because it’s forced me to learn and know the entire offense at every place I’ve been. My experience as a tight end was eye-opening, because I could learn both the run and pass game. When I left Norman, Okla., we were a multiple offense that was consistently among the nation’s best. There was still an Air Raid mentality left from Mike Leach, but the offense was slowly being transformed by Chuck Long and Kevin Wilson. As a tight end for the Sooners, I was fortunate to be in a transition period for our offense. When I moved on to play under Bob Stoops at the University of Oklahoma, my offensive education continued to grow. As my senior year rolled around, my dad decided that we were going to continue to run that offense, but we were going to do it without using a huddle, which I absolutely loved. I learned how to run the option and check to plays that gave us a number advantage in the run game. We switched schemes to the offense that helped Tom Osborne win three national championships in four years. When my older brother graduated and went on to play safety at the University of Nebraska, my dad changed completely. Growing up, Wing-T was the offense that was most popular because of the Permian Panthers’ great teams. It was in high school that I learned my first two offensive schemes. I played quarterback for my father, Mickey Finley, at Arlington High School, so I have always had an offensive mind, which is perfect for one-word RPOs. Being a coach’s kid in a football state gave me the unique opportunity to learn what it means to be a coach. Football in the state of Texas is a way of life.
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