Coaches, coaching clinics and articles in coaching publications often feature information on an offensive red area attack. There is no doubt that this is an important area of offensive thinking especially since success in this area can result in your offense scoring points. Spending time, energy and thought on coming out from your own goal line will not result in points but it can often determine who will win the game. We looked at this as our ìgreen area attackî and felt that it was as important, if not more important than our red area attack, to our team goal of winning the game.

CLINIC SUMMARY

There are some basic principles that we felt we had to incorporate into our thinking and into our presentation to our offensive team for our green area attack. First, we wanted to instill in our offensive team that during each game we had to win the battle with our opponents of fewest punts in this area.

Second, everyone on our offensive team had to know that our goal in the green area was making first downs and moving out into the center of the field. This had to be a mind set that was constantly emphasized each time we practice our offense in this area. Everyday we needed to practice our green area attack.

Third, it was vital that each of our offensive players understand that the opponent may blitz in this area and that we had to be prepared for the blitz on any play that we might select to run.

Fourth, every player had to know that a penalty in this area could not be tolerated and eliminating any chance of a penalty had to be the goal of everyone of our players.

Fifth, that everyone of our offensive players had to understand that turnovers, while bad at any position on the field, become especially devastating in this area of the field. Preventing and eliminating turnovers must be a number one priority for the offensive team.

In analyzing the type of attack we would use in the green area, we always started with our running attack. In our selection of the running plays that we would use in this area, we always tried to use some form of power blocking.

We also felt, that whenever possible we would select running plays where we would hand the ball rather than pitch it to the running back.

In deciding on our running attack, we would feature offensive personnel sets that utilized some two tight end offense with either one or two running backs.

We always tried to select running plays for this area that quickly attacked the line of scrimmage and eliminated, as much as possible, ever being tackled for a loss.

In looking at our passing game, we started with the thought that we wanted all patterns clearly defined and our quarterback reads quick and easy to see. We also wanted one receiver in the route running a pattern that if completed took us out of the green zone on the field.

In our mind, protection had priority over pattern in the green area of the field. A sack in this area of the field had to be avoided at all cost. Check release type of patterns were featured in our pattern selection.

We integrated motion into our passing game to force defensive decisions, to help the quarterback get pre-snap reads and to allow for quick passes for short gains.

Our first down green area attack was designed to feature play action passing based on running plays that attacked the line aggressively and incorporated at least one receiver running a deep outside pass route. We also wanted our first down attack to feature a different type of speed and slip screen package each week.

Quarterbacks and receivers were constantly reminded that third down routes and completions must gain the needed yardage for the first down. Alternative third down passing had to feature a screen and draw package from all personnel sets and formations.

It was also very important for our quarterback to understand that it was far better to throw the ball away rather than take a sack or force the ball where an interception was possible.

Getting the ball out of the green zone requires thought, practice and a definite mind set by every member of the offensive team.

Our In Depth Clinic ìGoal Line to Twentyî will discuss in detail each one of the topics that I have outlined in this summary. The bound clinic material that you will receive for your reference library and for your immediate personal use will include diagrams in addition to complete and thorough explanations. The clinic will provide you with new innovative ideas, specific techniques, plans for implementation and valuable insights that will make you a better teacher and coach.

I have designed the clinic to provide you with the information and advantage every football coach is continually seeking, the added edge which can greatly increase your teamís opportunity for Victory.

Good luck this season and if you have any specific questions that you feel I might help you with, please feel free to e-mail me at CoachBass@AOL.com
Coach Bass