One interesting area of discussion in football circles today is the use of multiple personnel sets in your total offensive package. When you look at and consider the implementation of this type of approach, it may seem much too complicated and time consuming for you to undertake. This is not the case if you carefully analyze how and why you would make this move.

CLINIC SUMMARY

Prior to the implementation and introduction of the use of multiple personnel sets in our offensive package, we felt that there were five very important areas that we needed to consider and agree upon as a staff before the season ever began.

First, we wanted to evaluate our entire squad and see, if by substitution, we would be putting our players to best use and increase our effectiveness. This consideration included not only receiving, but blocking as well.

Second, it was vital for us to take the time and pre-determine why the personnel set was going to be used. We never wanted to be in a position of substituting just to be substituting. Every substitution had to have a very specific reason in our game plan. We wanted to determine if our base offense, both runs and passes, could be run from a variety of personnel sets with limited additional teaching and the same good results.

Third, once we had determined that we were going to use a certain personnel set in our offensive scheme, we then had to determine where on the field it would be the most effective. Was it a set we would use at only our end of the field? Did it lend itself to be used in multiple areas of the field? In this discussion, instead of adding new sets and trying to force every personnel set into every position on the field, we always tried to pick the best for that particular area of the field.

Fourth, it was important for us to decide and pre-determine which set was best suited for what down and distance. Obviously a personnel set that is suited for the short passing game would not be used on third and 7 or more. Once again our goal was to find the best personnel sets to run in every down and distance situation that we were preparing to face, from 1st and long all the way to 4th and inches.

Finally, we wanted to look at every personnel set we had and all the various formations that could be used with each personnel set and then determine which sets we could use to dictate to the defense. The areas we were looking to dictate to the defense were; frontal alignment, gap responsibility, blitz frequency, run force and coverage. Not every personnel set would or could force the defense into every certain predictable course of action. It was our feeling, that if the personnel set we selected caused just one predictable defensive reaction that we then could use to our advantage then it was worth considering.

PERSONNEL SETS UNDER CONSIDERATION

The following are the different personnel sets that we considered and used. Remember, these are only the people in the game and not the formations which we used from each set. The ìClinic In Depthî material will include the formation variations from each set, plus detailed explanations of everything in the ìClinic Summaryî.

A SET - 2 BACKS - 1 TIGHT END - 2 WIDE RECEIVERS.
B SET - 2 BACKS - 2 TIGHT ENDS - 1 WIDE RECEIVER.
C SET - 1 BACK - 2 TIGHT ENDS - 2 WIDE RECEIVERS.

D SET - 1 BACK - 1 TIGHT END - 3 WIDE RECEIVERS.
E SET - 2 BACKS - NO TIGHT END - 3 WIDE RECEIVERS.
F SET - 1 BACK - NO TIGHT END - 4 WIDE RECEIVERS.

G SET - 2 BACKS - 3 TIGHT ENDS - NO WIDE RECEIVERS.
H SET - 3 BACKS - 2 TIGHT ENDS - NO WIDE RECEIVERS.
J SET - 3 BACKS - 1 TIGHT END - 1 WIDE RECEIVER.
K SET - 1 BACK - 3 TIGHT ENDS - 1 WIDE RECEIVER.

[WE DID NOT USE AN I SET BECAUSE WE HAD AN I FORMATION IN OUR NORMAL TERMINOLOGY AND DID NOT WANT CONFUSION.]

Do you need this many personnel sets in your offensive package? Maybe not, but if you think ahead and at least consider the possibility, there may come a game when you can use something new to your advantage and you will be prepared.

I hope this summary gives you a good feeling and insight into the written text and diagrams which will be included in the detailed material available to you in the In-Depth Clinic. Each of the areas in this summary will be fully covered and developed in the In -Depth Clinic material. 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 am very happy to be able to share with you my first hand knowledge, experience and understanding of the game.

Good luck this week and please e-mail me at CoachBass@AOL.com for any questions you may have, Coach Bass.