Playcalling

Question
I need some help with playcalling.  I'm not sure which plays to call at which time.   I know to pass on 3rd and long and run on _ and short but which plays, offensively and defensively, should I call based on what the other team is doing?  Basically, I need to learn how to call plays at the right time.  Thanks

Mitch

Answer
Mitch -

Thanks for writing.  Well, its really hard to answer this for you over a site, with no real specifics to work off of.  Play calling is a complicated aspect of football, and it takes a lot of time and experience to get good at it. What I can do is go over a few basics and you can see what you think up to that point.

No down and distance requires a pass, or a run.  Now, of course, the longer the distance, the higher the chances for success on a pass.  But there are so many different factors to consider.  Here is a good one that goes against the "grain".  What if it is third and 20, and you are on your own 3 yard line?  To pass, you have to drop into your own end zone, risking a safety.  If its incomplete, you will have to punt, but wont even have the normal 15 yards to snap to the punter.  So is a pass the best idea here? Or how about a run to gain 3-4 yards to at least give your team the normal 15 yards for  punt.  FIELD POSITION WINS GAMES Mitch.  Always remember that. Sometimes a pass is right here, and other times, maybe it isnt that smart.  A big mistake coaches make is trying to win the game on every play, not paying attention to what could be in 2-3 series down the line.  Unless it is a "must score on this drive" situation, always think of whats best on an overall basis.  

The specifics of play calling depend on numerous factors.  What do you do best?  What are the defenses strengths / wekanesses?  Situation of the game? Weather?  Game plan?  On and on they go.  

To be a good play caller, you must master your offense first.  Know what it is you do well, what it is you want to do, strengths of your players / weaknesses of them? What fits your game plan? Have you played them before? What worked / didnt work?  Do you have films of your opponent from other games?  What worked / didnt work?  Also, you have to fully understand defenses, the specific defense you are playing?  Etc.  Until you have a great understanding of all of this, play calling will be difficult to master.  

Coaching, studying the game, watching HOURS AND HOURS of films, all will help you out to get better at this. Read as many books on coaching football as possible.  Go to coaching clinics. You will find the more experience you have in coaching, the better you will get. Hang in there, put in the work, and things will happen.

Best wishes

Coach Perl