The post Why the 4-4 Stack Defense is Great for Youth Football appeared first on Youth Football Online.

5 Reasons Your Defense Is Giving Up Big Plays

1. Misalignment
One of the biggest reasons defenses give up big plays is misalignment. When your defense is not properly aligned, offenses can easily outnumber or out-leverage you to either side, creating instant
advantages. Never allow the offense to outnumber and /or out-leverage you to any side.

Coaching Points:  Practice alignments every day – Ensure players understand leverage and spacing – Alignment should be automatic and fast.

2. Poor Pursuit Paths / Lack of Swarm
Bad angles turn small gains into explosive plays. When defenders take poor paths to the ball carrier, they lose leverage and allow cutbacks, bounce-outs, and extra yards after contact. Contain players need to set the edge, wall players / pursuit players need to run track the near hip of the ball carrier- pursuit inside to out.

Coaching Points: Set the edge and force the ball inside – Pursue inside-out with a near-hip aiming point – Do pursuit drills every single day – Swarm the ball carrier with multiple defenders

3. Too Static / Not Aggressive Enough
If your defense is predictable, offenses will pick you apart. Sitting in the same looks and not applying pressure allows offenses to get comfortable and execute without stress. Don’t stay in the same alignment and don’t attack the same gaps with the same defenders. Mix it up and keep the offensive line guessing.

Coaching Points: Mix up fronts and coverages – Bring pressure consistently – Force the offense to react to you – Use defensive line movement (STEM)

4. Eyes in the Backfield
Getting caught watching backfield action leads to blown coverages. Linebackers and defensive backs bite on play-action and defensive backs lose receivers, resulting in wide open plays.

Coaching Points: – Maintain eye discipline – Read your keys and trust your assignment – Understand down and distance – Don’t get nosy in the backfield. If you’re playing man coverage, eyes on your guy!

5. Not Creating Turnovers
If you’re not taking the ball away, you’re giving the offense more opportunities to create big plays. Turnovers shift momentum and stop explosive drives. Many youth football defense don’t force any turnovers. When I say force turnovers- that means stripping the ball or getting an interception- not receiving a botched snap from the QB/ C.

Coaching Points: Emphasize stripping the football – Attack the catch point aggressively – Turn every play into a takeaway opportunity – Build a takeaway mindset into your defense.

The post 5 Reasons Your Defense Is Giving Up Big Plays and Easy Yardage appeared first on Youth Football Online.

• Allows you to easily align to any formation that offense comes out in.
• Allows you to attack offenses with multiple blitzes and stunts- that they won’t be able to pick up.
• It’s an attacking defense- it gives you defense an identity! It’s a fun defense to run!

Playbook: 4-4 Stack Defense Playbook 

The post B-Gap Cross Blitz out of the 4-4 Stack Defense appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Youth Football Coaching Guide: Developing Middle Linebackers

1. Role of the Middle Linebacker (MLB)

The middle linebacker (often called the “quarterback of the defense”) is the leader of the defense. They are responsible for:

-Calling plays and adjustments on the field.

-Reading the offense (formation, backfield, linemen).

-Stopping the run by filling gaps and tackling.

-Dropping into coverage (zones, hooks, man-to-man on RB/TE).

-Keeping teammates aligned with correct positioning.

At the youth level, MLBs must be:

-Tough and physical. Your best defender!

-Smart, with good football instincts.

-Vocal leaders who communicate clearly.

-Consistent tacklers.

2. Stance & Alignment

Stance:

-Feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointed slightly inward.

-Knees bent, weight balanced on balls of feet.

-Chest slightly forward, back straight.

-Hands loose in front of thighs, ready to strike or move.

Alignment:

-3–5 yards off the line of scrimmage (closer in goal line situations).

-Directly over the center or shaded depending on defensive call.

-Head up, eyes scanning the backfield and offensive line.

3. Pre-Snap Keys & Reads

A middle linebacker must “read, react, and attack.”

Pre-Snap Checklist:

Identify offensive formation (balanced, unbalanced, trips, tight).

-Find the backs—who’s deep, who’s offset.

-Watch the guards—linemen usually tell the story.

Primary Reads:

Run reads: Watch the near guard’s first step.

-Down block → run to that side.

-Pull → follow puller (trap, counter, sweep).

-High hat (pass set) → drop into coverage.

Backfield keys:

-Fullback → first threat to hole.

-Tailback alignment → likely run direction.

QB drop → pass alert.

4. Responsibilities

Run Defense:

-Fill assigned gap quickly and with force.

-Take on blockers with proper technique (inside shoulder, leverage).

-Wrap up and finish tackles—never overrun.

Pass Defense:

-Drop to hook/curl zone (5–10 yards deep).

-Cover RB or TE if in man assignments.

-Keep eyes on QB but don’t drift out of zone.

Leadership:

-Call strength (strong side of formation).

-Adjust defense (shift line, backers, DBs).

-Keep defense calm and focused.

5. Drills for Middle Linebacker Development

A. Stance & Start

-Linebackers set in stance.

-On coach’s movement (ball snap), practice explosive first step toward read key.

B. Read & React Drill

-Coach lines up with a guard/center dummy.

-Guards simulate down block, pull, or pass set.

-MLB reads and reacts correctly.

C. Angle Tackle Drill

-Set ball carrier at 45° angle.

-MLB takes proper angle, breaks down, and wraps up.

D. Gap Fill Drill

-Cones mark gaps.

-Coach or RB runs through random gap.

-MLB fills quickly, squares up, and tackles.

E. Pass Drop Drill

-MLB starts in stance, on ball snap drops 7–10 yards.

-QB/coach passes—MLB reads QB eyes, breaks on ball.

F. Block Shedding Drill

-Offensive lineman (pad or shield) engages MLB.

-MLB uses hands and hips to shed, then makes tackle.

G. Pursuit Drill

-Entire defense runs pursuit angles to ball.

-MLB leads with correct angle, showing hustle and leadership.

6. Coaching Tips for Youth MLBs

Keep reads simple: “Read the guards. Flow to the ball.”

Teach patience: Don’t overrun plays—shuffle, then attack.

Emphasize tackling form: Head up, wrap, drive.

Promote communication: MLB should be loud and clear pre-snap.

Encourage leadership: Give them responsibility for defensive calls.

Build instincts: Film study, walk-throughs, and repetition create smarter linebackers.

7. Common Mistakes to Correct

Over-pursuit: Teach breakdown steps before contact.

Guessing plays: Stick to reads, don’t freelance.

Poor tackling: No arm tackling—always wrap and drive.

Quiet MLBs: Must communicate strength calls and adjustments.

Standing flat-footed: Keep weight on balls of feet, always ready.

8. Daily MLB Development Routine

1. Warm-up: Agility ladders, quick feet.

2. Stance/start reps: 10 reps.

3. Read & react: 10 reps each (down block, pull, pass).

4. Tackling circuit: Open-field, angle, gap.

5. Coverage reps: Hook/curl drops.

6. Film or whiteboard session: Review plays & alignments.

By mastering stance, reads, tackling, and leadership, your middle linebacker will truly become the “quarterback of your defense.”

The post Developing Middle Linebackers in Youth-High School Football appeared first on Youth Football Online.

In this article, we’ll cover 10 overlooked defensive strategies that every youth football defensive coordinator should pay attention to if they want to outsmart opponents, prevent explosive plays, and give their team a competitive edge.

10 Less Obvious Things Youth DCs Overlook

Field Side vs. Boundary Side Defense

Not adjusting alignments or responsibilities based on the wide side of the field (more space for sweeps, quick screens, and QB rollouts).

QB Hand/Throwing Side Tendencies

Most teams design plays to their QB’s strong side. Coordinators often forget to overload or adjust pursuit to that side.

Tight End Strength Call Discipline

Defenses don’t always set their strength correctly, leaving them vulnerable to strong-side plays.

See Also: Setting the Strength on Defense 

Defending Misdirection/Backfield Action

Over-pursuing to the first movement without teaching defenders to stay home on counters, reverses, or bootlegs.

Backfield Depth Cues

Ignoring RB or QB alignment depth (e.g., deep back means sweep/toss, shallow back means dive/quick hitter).

Offensive Line Splits

Not teaching players to recognize wide splits (likely sweep/stretch play) vs. tight splits (power/inside run).

Motion Adjustments

Failing to have simple automatic checks for jet motion, orbit motion, or shifts — kids freeze instead of reacting.

Screen Game Awareness

Ignoring RB/WR screen tendencies, especially after successful blitzes.

Pass Rush Lanes

Over-blitzing or sending kids wild without lane discipline, opening up huge escape lanes for scrambling QBs.

QB Sneak / Short Yardage Defense

Not prepping for QB sneaks under center — one of the most common youth short-yardage plays.

Kicking Game Defense

Not defending against fake punts, onside kicks, or surprise 4th-down plays (many youth teams gamble here).

Play Tempo

Overlooking hurry-up or “sugar huddle” teams that prevent defenses from getting aligned.

Field Position Awareness

Calling risky blitzes in the red zone where less space makes the defense naturally tighter.

Overloading the Box vs. Spread Looks

Forgetting that most youth QBs can’t throw consistently — coordinators stay too balanced instead of daring the pass.

Ball-Carrier Handedness

Ignoring which hand the RB carries the ball in (many kids only carry in their strong hand, easier to strip if you know which side).

Defending the “Bad Snap” Play

Youth football has a ton of broken plays; defenses often don’t coach kids to stay disciplined when the play falls apart.

Perimeter Blocking by WRs

Underestimating how dangerous WR crack blocks and stalk blocks can be if not recognized and communicated.

End of Half / End of Game Situations

Not teaching prevent defense or “last play of the half” awareness, where offenses take shots downfield or run trick plays.

Defending the Flat

Youth defenses usually cover deep poorly, but they also forget the flat — where QBs can hit easy completions or backs in space.

Silent Cues from Coaches

Many youth coaches yell the play or signal obviously. Few DCs train players to listen for those sideline giveaways.

The post 10 Less Obvious Things Defensive Coordinators Overlook appeared first on Youth Football Online.

3 Non-Negotiables to Building a Championship Defense

Strong Body Language and Posture 

We want our defenders to always stand tall. We want our kids to maintain good posture and always have good body language. This will actually help keep the kids feeling confident and locked in. Body language screams! It screams and everyone can see it! Body language is constantly sending messages to yourself, your teammates, your opponent, and the people in the crowd. No matter the game or practice situation, we always want to have good body language.

Why Body Language is Important

• Locks your players in mentally and rubs off on teammates.
• Always stand tall- look ready to go.
• Good football stances, always ready to go.
• Always be ready (aligned and in a good football stance) so you don’t have to get ready! We are always ready before the offense.

We grade our kids on body language every single week. ALL coaches need to hold these kids to this standard. ALL coaches need to be that standard themselves!

Body Language Never Whispers- It Screams!!! 

Run to the Football- Swarm the Ball Carrier

If our players aren’t able or willing to run to the ball carrier on every run and pass play, they won’t be playing very much defense for us. It’s that simple. When we turn on the game film we want to see all our defenders around the football once the whistle is blown. We want to be that defense that is known for their relentless pursuit and swarming of the ball carrier. Running to the football is one of the best things that you can do from a defensive standpoint. It’s just as important as technique and scheme. When your defenders run to the football good things happen for your defense.

Why Swarming the Ball Carrier is Important  

• When your defenders consistently run to the ball carrier you give up less big plays- you have numbers around the ball carrier.
• You will naturally generate more turnovers- you will have the numbers around the ball carrier when he fumbles (more likely to recover the fumble).
• It demoralizes the offense. It demoralizes the opposing coaches.
• Even if you lack talent / skill on defense- relentless pursuit to the ball carrier will help be an equalizer.
• Do the pursuit drill every single practice- that’s were this swarm mentality is really instilled.

When we watch game film we count how many defenders are near the ball carrier when the whistle blows. We tell our kids that you been be in the video frame by the end of the play. This is a standard that needs to be practice. Kids need to be held accountable to this standard by ALL coaches.

See Also: Utilizing the Pursuit Drill in Youth Football

A player’s commitment to his team’s defense is judge by how fair he is from the ball carrier once the whistle is blown.  

Play Defense with Enthusiasm

Playing defense is fun! We want our players to be excited when we’re on defense. We want our kids to have good body language, we want them running to the ball carrier, and we want them to be excited! If a player makes a big play, let’s get excited about it! If our teammate makes a big play, let’s get excited about. If one of our players makes a big play, our sidelines and coaches need to be excited about. We will also grade our players on enthusiasm. We want our players to be excited to be there and excited to play defense.

Why Enthusiasm is Important 

• Enthusiasm boosts motivation and effort.
• Enthusiasm rubs off on teammates, coaches, and parents!
• Builds a fun and positive environment.
• Improves focus, engagement, and coachability- all of which will lead to you playing better defense.

Enthusiasm is contagious! Players need to be excited to play defense and coaches need to be excited to coach defense. 

These 3 Non-Negotiables to Building a Championship Defense apply not only to players, but to coaches as well. We all have control of these 3 things- let’s do them well.

The post 3 Non-Negotiables to Building a Championship Defense appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Defending the Sweep Play in Youth Football

Why the Sweep Works in Youth Football

Most youth offenses rely on the sweep because:

• It gets the ball outside quickly- makes defenders tackle your best players in space.

• Most youth defenders over-pursue or get caught inside.

• Offensive linemen don’t need to dominate – you only need to get the edge defenders blocked.

• Defenses are taught to ‘box’ rather than setting the edge.

How to Stop the Sweep Play

Set the Edge – Every Single Play

The key to stopping the sweep starts with the defensive end or outside linebacker (contain player). That player must force the play back inside — not chase the ball and get hooked inside. Teach them to:

• Maintain outside leverage.

• Keep their outside shoulder free and hip free.

• Expand outside, keep the line without getting reached or sealed.

• Don’t shoot up field and ‘box’- the back will just cut in for a second and bounce it right outside again.

If your edge player consistently sets the edge, the sweep gets funneled back into traffic / pursuit.

Linebacker Flow & Pursuit Angles

Linebackers need to flow to the football working their inside-out pursuit path. If the contain player does his job and sets the edge and forces the ball carrier to slow down or turn back in and there is no one there, the back will still hit a big run.

• Take proper angles to the ball- inside to out pursuit players. Aiming point is the near hip of the ball carrier.

• Don’t overrun and allow a cutback- stay on your pursuit track!

• Do the Pursuit Drill every single practice.

• Run to the football- effort. At the end of the day if your defenders hustle to the ball carrier, you will play solid defense. Swarm! Swarm! Swarm!

Alignment! Formation Recognition

Most of the time when a youth football defense gives up a big play it’s because of misalignment. You cannot allow the offense to outnumber or outflank you to any side. Your edge players need to understand the leverage blockers have on the them. For example, say a wing back lines up outside the defensive end, it’s very likely your DE will get cracked or sealed by that wing back. If they compress a receiver down, your DE might get cracked by the receiver.

How offensive players (backs and WRs) are align will tell you a lot of what they are trying to do. Aligning properly to unbalanced formations is critical! You can’t allow them to give you extra gaps that you aren’t accounting for.  A lot of youth teams will direct snap to their best player and run outside. Don’t get out-leveraged! Also, you need to teach your CBs how to crack replace.

Watch Film and Scout Tendencies

Most youth teams have clear tendencies. Do they always run sweep from a certain formation? Does their best athlete always motion before the sweep? Do they run sweep mostly to the wide side? Watching film or scouting live can give you the edge to prepare your defense with specific calls or alignments. Offenses are going to do what they do- go scout!

Put your Best Players to the Wide Side

Putting your best edge defenders to the wide side is a great option. In youth football, you always have to protect the field. I am not saying you don’t have to worry about the boundary, but there is a lot less field there. If the offense sweeps outside (to the boundary side) and they break contain, you can just squeeze them to the sidelines. Defend the field!

Final Thoughts

Defending the Sweep Play in youth football requires discipline, proper alignment, and physical play on the edge. It’s not about having the fastest defense — it’s about assignment football. It’s about setting the edge and running to the ball carrier- swarm! Coach your players to understand their role, maintain leverage, and pursue relentlessly. Shut down the sweep, and you force your opponent to beat you in ways they’re not as comfortable with. If you can defend the sweep play you will give up a lot less big plays defensively.

The post Defending the Sweep Play in Youth Football appeared first on Youth Football Online.

The 5 Biggest Misconceptions of Youth Football

1. No Huddle = Calling Plays Fast

There is a big difference between going no huddle and executing a hurry up offense. When you go No Huddle it will allow you to look at the defense and see where you have numbers, leverage and/or player advantage. It’s all about seeing how the defense is aligned and calling a play that will give our kids the best chance of success. No huddle isn’t about tempo / calling plays fast for us- it’s about calling a play that gives our kids the best chance of success vs. the alignment and/or personnel we are facing.

With all that said, going no huddle does give you the ability to play fast if you want to. 

Benefits of Playing Fast: 

• Control the pace, play fast or slow the game down.
• Makes subbing in or subbing players out for the defense much more difficult.
• Tires the defense out and makes them align and adjust on the fly.
• Most youth football teams aren’t ready for a fast / no huddle practice- most coaches don’t practice aligning with an offense that utilizes fast no huddle.

2. More Contact in Practice Makes Kids Tougher

Full-contact practices every day don’t toughen kids up; they increase the risk of injury and burnout. Proper tackling technique, controlled contact drills, and player safety should always come first. I am not saying you don’t need to practice live tackling every week- that would be a big mistake. What I’m saying is, there are several different non-live tackling drills that can be executed without beating your kids up. Yes, you need to practice talking every single day- we definitely do. But we mix in non-live tackling drills that focus on the proper techniques and fundamentals of how to tackle safely and effectively. When you have kids that aren’t aggressive, it’s critical that you slowly build up their confidence.

3. You Need a Complex / Extensive  Playbook

Some coaches think they need an NFL-style playbook to be successful. In reality, execution beats complexity. A well-run simple play (like Power and  Counter) will always be more effective than a confusing, poorly executed scheme. I always tell coaches have an interior run, off-tackle run, outside run / toss, have a off-tackle counter play, and have a play that reverses field. Also, have two play-action passing plays off of your two best run plays. This will give you an attack that force the defense to defend the entire width of the field. Get really good at those couple plays and run them out of several different formations.

Coaching Tip

Run the same plays out of different formations. Run your core plays out of a balanced (more compressed formation), unbalanced, and spread formation. It’s much easier to add formations than it is to add plays. This will allow you to be multiple (to the defense), while keep things simple for your kids on offense.

4. All Players Learn the Same Way

Every player is different. Some learn best by watching, some by doing, and others by repetition. Coaches need to adjust their teaching styles to ensure all kids understand what you are asking them to do. Every player is different in regard to motivation as well. Some players respond better to  encouragement. Some respond better when you are little bit harder on them. Again, every kid is different. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong when you coach with enthusiasm, positivity, and with a building their confidence approach.

5. The Spread Offense = Passing the Football Every Play 

Out of the 5 biggest misconceptions of youth football this is the one that makes me cringe the most. So many coaches hear ‘spread offenses’ and think oh, you  can’t run the spread offense on the youth football level- because it’s all passing. I hear that I just think to myself- YIKES! When a coach runs the spread offense that doesn’t mean he is throwing the football every single time. Spread is really just a formation.

You can spread the field 2×2, 3×1, go empty, trips bunch, and run the football! Spreading the field and running the football is a thing. It’s a great way to take defenders out of the box. If they don’t you can easily get the ball to your athletes in space. Coaches, when coaches say they run the spread, that doesn’t mean they are just passing the football every play. YOU CAN SPREAD THE FIELD AND RUN THE FOOTBALL! We do it all the time.

The post The 5 Biggest Misconceptions of Youth Football | Coaching Standpoint appeared first on Youth Football Online.

The 4-2-5 Defense is Prefect for Youth Football

Simplicity in Structure

The structure provides clear assignments, minimizing confusion and helping young players focus on execution. This defense will allow you to get aligned quickly and easily against any formation. It’s great against the pass and great against the run. It fits the personnel / skill set of what most youth football teams have.

Versatility Against Modern Offenses

Youth offenses often vary greatly, from power-run schemes to spread formations. The 4-2-5 defense is well-equipped to handle this variety. This balance allows coaches to adjust on the fly without over-complicating the game plan. It’s great against anything!

Improved / Multiple Coverage Options

With an additional defensive back, the 4-2-5 provides more flexibility in coverage. Whether it’s man-to-man, zone, or a hybrid scheme, this defense allows coaches to tailor their coverage to exploit the weaknesses of opposing offenses. You can easily play man or zone coverage. This defense will allow you to be multiple with your coverages.

Download Playbook: 4-2-5 Defense Playbook

Puts Speed on the field 

Speed kills in football, and the 4-2-5 defense emphasizes this principle. By incorporating five defensive backs, the scheme prioritizes faster, more agile players who can cover ground quickly. This approach is particularly effective against teams that rely on quick passes or misdirection plays.

 Strong Against the Run

Contrary to common misconceptions, the 4-2-5 is not a “soft” run defense. The four linemen provide a solid front, while the two linebackers act as primary run stoppers. The defensive backs are also positioned to quickly fill gaps or support on outside runs. The 4-2-5 alignment will allow you to attack the offense with several different run and pass pressures (blitzes / stunts).

Multiple Blitzing and Stunt Combinations

The 4-2-5 Defense offers numerous blitzing options that can disrupt opposing offenses. These blitzes add an element of unpredictability, keeping offenses guessing and forcing them to adapt quickly. Let me ask you a question- how often do you think youth football coaches practice picking up stunts / blitzes during the practice week? Not very much, if at all. When you attack the offense with multiple blitzes and stunt combinations you will create confusion and penetration. The stunts and blitzes our of this defense are unstoppable.

Popular Blitzes in the 4-2-5 Defense

The 4-2-5 defense offers numerous blitzing options that can disrupt opposing offenses:

• Linebacker Blitz: Send one or both linebackers through the A or B gaps to pressure the quarterback or stop the run.
• Edge Blitz: Utilize a cornerback or safety to blitz off the edge, targeting outside runs or quick passes.
• Double-A Gap Blitz: Both linebackers attack the A gaps, overwhelming the center and guards, collapsing the pocket.
• Crossfire Blitz: Linebackers cross paths as they blitz, creating confusion for the offensive line.
• Zone Blitz: Drop a defensive lineman into coverage while sending a linebacker or defensive back on a blitz to disguise the attack.

Final Thoughts

The 4-2-5 defense offers a winning combination of simplicity, versatility, and effectiveness that makes it a perfect fit for youth football. If you’re a coach looking to maximize your defense’s potential, consider giving the 4-2-5 defense a look. It might just be the game-changing defense you’ve been searching for! Download our 4-2-5 Defense Playbook today!

The post Why the 4-2-5 Defense is Prefect for Youth Football appeared first on Youth Football Online.

𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: 4-4 Stack Defense Playbook

The 4-4 Defense is a great because you can easily align to any formation. You can also be multiple with your pass coverages.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟑 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥?

✓ Minimizes big plays by having 3 deep defenders.

✓ Takes away the wide side flat.

✓ Easy to install, great for youth football.

✓ Allows you defenders to play faster- better eye discipline.

✓ Great against most passing concepts executed on the youth football level.

Cover 3 is great for all age levels of football. It’s easy to install and it takes away the deep plays and the wide side flat- all the areas youth football offenses attack regularly.

The post 4-4 Stack Defense: Cover 3 Zone for Youth Football appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Essential Offseason Tips for Youth Football Coaches

Reflect and Analyze

Start by reviewing the past season in detail. Analyze game footage, team performance, and individual player progress. Ask yourself:

• What plays worked well?
• What plays didn’t work well?
• What defense gave us the most trouble?
• What offense gave us the most trouble?
• Where did the team struggle?
• Were our practice as optimized and productive as they could be?

Gather feedback from assistant coaches, players, and even parents to gain a well-rounded perspective. This reflection will provide insights to help you improve. Use game film, stats, and notes to identify areas of growth for your players and coaching staff. It’s also time to trim the playbook fat! Self scout and see what plays you wasted time practicing and didn’t use in the game. Out of all the essential offseason tips for youth football coaches reflection is probably the most important tip!

Practice Optimization

You need to analyze and reflect on your practices. Were they as optimized as they could have been? Are kids getting reps in drills? How can you make more practices upbeat and fluent? How was the energy and emphasis of players and COACHES? What areas of your football team needs the most improvement? All these questions need to be answered before you work on creating practice plans. After evaluations / reflect be sure to create a clear and focused practice plan that ensures every minute of practiced is utilized. It’s not just about running drills; it’s about teaching skills, building confidence, and creating a team that works together like a well-oiled machine.

Practice Tips:

• Script practices, have a plan. Make sure all coaches know the plan and execute.
• Give coaches responsibilities and a position to coach. Let them take ownership of those responsivities, but also hold them accountable.
• Get every player reps. For example, set the same drill up in 2 or 3 areas so the kids all get 2x / 3x the reps. No kid should be standing around.
• All coaches need to look like they want to be there. All coaches need to enthusiastic. Coaches energy and body language is contagious.

See Also: Eliminate These 10 Youth Football Practice Time Wasters

Update Your Playbook

Offseason is the perfect time to refresh your playbook. Consider:

Offense:

• Simplify and remove plays from your playbook that didn’t work or you didn’t call consistently.
• Adding new plays that match your team’s strengths.
• Studying trends in youth football or learning from other successful coaches.
• Add formations not plays! Take the plays you did well and run them out of multiple formations.
• Get really good at a few plays, then run them out of multiple formations. This will allow you to multiple while keeping thing simple for your kids.
• Check out our Youth Football Playbook Library .

Defense

• Self scout! See what alignments, stunts / blitzes worked and which ones didn’t.
• What run plays hurt your defense. How was your overall run defense?
• Look back at what you struggled to defend. Once you know you can work on improving your ability to coach the areas your defense struggled with.
• See what areas of pass coverage that needs improvement. What pass routes / concepts gave you the most trouble?
• Playing defense isn’t so much about blitzes, stunts, and coverage- it’s more so about alignment, assignment, and attack!

See Also: The 3 A’s of Defense

Player Development Programs

Encourage players to stay active and improve their skills during the offseason. Share resources like:

• Drills to improve speed, agility, and endurance.
• Push them to play other sports!
• Videos or guides for practicing fundamentals like throwing, catching, and tackling.
• Weightlifting and conditioning programs appropriate for their age and development.
• Host optional offseason training sessions or skills clinics can also keep players engaged and improving.

Coach Development

Great coaches are always learning. Use the offseason to grow by:

• Attending coaching clinics- there are several in-person and virtual clinic resources online.
• Download one of our Virtual football Coaching Clinics. They’re cheap and won’t disappoint!
• Reading books or watching videos about coaching strategies, team management, or leadership.
• Networking with other coaches to exchange ideas and experiences.
• The more you invest in yourself, the better equipped you’ll be to lead your team.
• Visit YFO’s YouTube channel. There’s videos covering every single aspect of youth football.

Visit: Youth Football Online YouTube

Plan and Organize

Success starts with preparation. Spend the offseason:

• Recruiting new players to fill any gaps in your roster. Push your players to recruit. Many times they’ll be your best recruiters.
• Finalizing your coaching staff and their roles.
• Outlining goals for the upcoming season.
• Create pre-season practice schedules. It’s never too early to improve and create practice plans.
• A well-organized coach sets the tone for a smooth and productive season.

Foster Team Connection

Maintaining relationships with your players and their families during the offseason is key to building team culture. Consider:

• Hosting team events like pizza nights, bowling, or other fun activities. Realistically, I know this is challenging to do during the offseason. However, we will always try to get together as a team once or twice over the winter. We’ll push to do more team events during the spring. This stuff really does help with team building.
• Sending periodic updates about upcoming plans, camps, or training opportunities.
• Have team workouts. Many gyms / training facilities will give you good team / groups rates.
• Sharing motivational messages or highlights from the previous season to keep excitement high.

The offseason is an opportunity to shape the future of your team. By reflecting on the past, planning for the future, improving as a coach, and staying connected with your players, you can create a winning formula that ensures success both on and off the field. I hope you found these essential offseason tips for youth football coaches helpful. Remember coaches, get better in all aspects of coaching.

The post Maximizing the Offseason: Essential Offseason Tips for Youth Football Coaches appeared first on Youth Football Online.

, I’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t, both on and off the field. This guide is designed for fellow youth football coaches who are looking for practical, no-nonsense tips to improve their coaching game. Whether it’s managing parent interactions, preparing for game days, or supporting your players’ development, these pro tips are drawn from years of experience and countless hours spent on the field.

Article by Coach Jason Stork. Coach Jason currently coaches 10u. He has 25 years of experience coaching all ages levels of youth football.

Coaching Tips Part 1 

• Most coaches are volunteers. Unless you are volunteering to coach, please keep criticism to a minimum.
• Understand when to vent about coaching/officiating. Driving home from an away game with your kid in the back seat listening to you complain about their coach/officiating is one of the worst things you can do. It lets them believe that there is no accountability for their own play and that they can blame any future struggles on others.
• For rainy games, stuff newspaper in cleats to dry them overnight.
• Have a full change of clothes, towels, and slip-on comfy shoes ready to go in your car for after every game. Change in the parking lot after the game. Your kid will thank you, trust me. It also shifts their mindset and allows them to “wind down.”
• After a loss or poor-performing game, try to let your child absorb the feeling without asking, “Why did that happen?” or criticizing the team or coaches. Their coaches will be the ones to correct issues. After a game, win or lose, be supportive parents. Say things like, “I love to watch you play this game,” etc.
• Follow the 24-hour rule when talking to coaches after a game. Emotions run high for everyone right after a game. If you feel you need to address something with a coach, go home, type an email that night, and let it sit for 24 hours. Often, the next day you will either erase or change the message to a more reasonable, non-emotional one.

Coaching Tips Part 2 

• Have a cooler with drinks and snacks for the ride home after a game.
• For away games, have your car packed the night before. Avoid scrambling the morning of looking for a mouthpiece or cleats.
• For away games, leave 20 minutes earlier than you think you need to. We all love iced coffee.
• Inform your coach before the season about any potential health or other issues your child may have. Things like medication can have mental and physical effects that they need to know about.
• Be aware of criticizing your child’s teammates. Parents don’t take kindly to someone being critical of their kids, and this can cause major issues on the sidelines.
• Criticism of officials needs to stop. You are an adult. Stop yelling at officials. We are at an all-time low for officiating participation because of this. Mark my words, if it does not stop, we will have parent-less games where you are sitting in the parking lot, not in the stands or on the sidelines.
• Your child will not get a D1 college scholarship in youth sports. Establish fun and fundamental play. Play multiple sports; please don’t specialize in one sport and play year-round. The number one reason kids stop playing sports is burnout, and number two is embarrassing parents.
• Practice makes perfect. The practices are MORE important than the games. If you do not bring your child to practice, or are always late or need to leave early, you are killing your child’s chances of becoming successful on the field. Being a “GAMER” IS NOT A THING.

Coaching Tips Part 3

• VOLUNTEER! Football is family, and I cannot stress this enough. Get to know the other kids’ parents and HELP run the volunteer activities. Things like the first down chain crew, scoreboard operations, announcing, and 50/50 fundraising are how you become one big family.
• Parents, your game day must-haves include an umbrella, bag chairs, sunscreen, extra sweatshirts, hats, sunglasses, jackets, aspirin or ibuprofen, a small cooler with water for the ride home, slip-on shoes, and snacks.
• Have a short memory. Don’t get too caught up in the wins or losses. Don’t bring up a week 2 loss over and over if you’re in week 7. The same goes for wins. Kids need to concentrate on the week they are in.

In my 25 years of coaching, I’ve seen the difference that a well-prepared and thoughtful coach can make in the lives of young athletes. By following these practical tips, you can create a positive and effective environment for your team. Remember, it’s not just about winning games but about helping kids grow, learn, and enjoy the sport. Let’s use our experience to make every practice and game a valuable experience for our players.

Coach Jason Stork currently coaches 10u. He has 25 years of experience coaching all ages levels of youth football.

The post Coaching Tips from a 25 Year Veteran Youth Football Coach appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Twist Blitz out of the 3-5 Stack Defense

N: Dip and rip, slant right A-gap. Anchor- don’t get washed down.

RDE: Contain. If there is a running back to his side, he will play peel technique.

LDE: Dip and rip, slant left A-gap. Anchor- don’t get washed. You can have him cheat his alignment down to lessen the distance he has to slant.

L: When QB begins his cadence, L creeps up. When the football is snapped he blitzes off of the edge- he has contain. If he has a running back to his side he will play peel technique.

M: When QB begins his cadence, M creeps up. When the ball is snapped, he will blitz B-gap. Pre-snap he should show that he’s blitzing A-gap. Post snap- he will blitz B-gap, behind the LDE slanting A-gap.

R: Blitz C-gap. You can also have him creep up when the QB begins his cadence.

D: Inside leverage, man coverage on the Y.

D: Inside leverage, man coverage on the S.

CB: Inside leverage on the Z.

CB: Inside leverage on the X.

FS: Man free (deep middle) read the shoulders of the QB.

Playbook: 3-5 Stack Defense Playbook 

Coaching Points 

-Make sure all slanting defensive linemen dip and rip. They cannot allow themselves to get washed down.

-Blitzing linebackers should disguise their blitz for as long as they can- don’t give away where they’re blitzing.

-You can play press man or off man- whatever works for your team.

-Peel technique means the contain players will peel off and cover the running back if he swings out to his side.

-This is a great blitz that will pretty much always work. Think about this- how often do coaches practice how to pick up these type of blitz / slants? Not very much, or at all. The Twister Blitz out of the 3-5 Defense is a great blitz that will terrorize offenses and you’re kids will love it. Be sure to focus on the coaching points above if you are going to implement this blitz.

The post Twister Blitz out of the 3-5 Stack Defense appeared first on Youth Football Online.

How to Teach Press Man Coverage in Youth Football

The post How to Teach Press Man Coverage appeared first on Youth Football Online.

It’s important that you do have your DE (slanting out defender) slanting down to the B-gap a couple times to set this up. For us we have two base calls- Downtown and Uptown. Downtown will tell the DE that he is slanting B-gap and the stacked backer behind him is responsible for C-gap.

Uptown tells the DE that he is slanting to the C-gap and the stack linebacker behind him has B-gap. If you mix up these calls it will keep the offensive linemen guessing, which will slow down their ‘fire out’ because they don’t know which way the defender is going to slant. Here’s the breakdown of the Uptown LEO blitz out of the 3-5 Stack Defense.

Uptown LEO Blitz out of the 3-5 Stack Defense

Right DE (E): Dip & Rip, C-gap. Cutback defender when play is going away.

Nose (N): Double A-gap responsible. Shock and shed.

Left DE (E): Dip and rip, slant C-gap. Do not get washed out. Cutback defender on backside pursuit.

Middle LB (M): Read and react. Since the N is two gapping the A-gaps, the M is free to run to the football. Make sure the M is always chasing the ball carrier inside to out. He is one of the primary cutback players.

Rip LB (right stacked LB): Read step B-gap, cut back / wall player when play goes away.

Leo LB (left stacked LB): Creep up once the QB begins his cadence. Stay stacked behind the DE, blitz right off his butt on ball movement. He cannot show where he is blitzing pre-snap.

Right Dog (D): Contain player. He is not blitzing, he is responsible for contain / force. Flat on pass.

Left Dog (D): Contain player. He is not blitzing, he is responsible for contain / force. Flat on pass.

CB: Deep 3rd, contain support on run. If man coverage- they have #1 receiver (widest eligible receiver)

CB: Deep 3rd, contain support on run. If man coverage- they have #1 receiver.

FS: Deep middle 3rd. If man coverage, he’ll be the post player.

Note: pass cover responsibilities vary, depending on the coverage you use.

The great thing about the 3-5 Stack Defense is that it allows you to be multiple, in regard to slants & stunts. It’s also a great defense for youth football because you can easily align to any formation the offense is coming out in. It’s great against spread formations and great against double tight compressed formations. We’ve used the 3-5 Stack Defense for the last 5 years with great success. Here’s a link to the playbook.

Playbook: 3-5 Stack Defense Playbook 

Coaching Points 

• Slanting DEs need to dip and rip and anchor the C-gap. They cannot slant themselves too wide or out of the play.
• Stacked blitzing linebacker will creep up once the QB begins his cadence. He will creep up stacked right behind the DE. You don’t want him to giveaway where he is blitzing.
• Make sure you have your DE slant down a couple time before changing it up and having him slant out (calling this blitz). If you set this up, the blitz will be unblockable.
• Don’t blitz for the sake of blitzing. This is a great blitz play to the TE side (3-man surface) and if you know it’s going to be Power, ISO, or any other off-tackle play.

The post Uptown LEO Blitz out of the 3-5 Stack Defense appeared first on Youth Football Online.