The Miami Wildcat Formation at Pee Wee Football

Any reader of my previous articles knows how I feel about coaches using offensive systems or playbooks that are too complicated for young kids. I think that’s the number one mistake youth soccer coaches make today.

So what are you supposed to do when you sit on the couch on a Sunday afternoon and stare at the television while listening to the announcers go on and on about this new Wildcat Offense? Most yahoos watch a play or two, jot down what they can remember from the goofball, and go out on the field to teach their 8-year-olds the “unstoppable” system.

There are all sorts of problems with the above scenario, but sadly it’s common in this great country of ours. Let’s keep this post Wildcat specific and I’ll explain the way I handle it.

Let’s start with some misconceptions about the “wildcat”. This so-called “new generation” offense is a variation on the classic single-wing offense used by Glen “Pop” Warner in 1895 at the University of Georgia. Training has evolved, but the basic premise remains the same.

First, there is no quarterback and the ball is thrown directly from the center to the chosen running back. Depending on the type of wing formation you are teaching, there may be anywhere from one to three runners ready to receive the snap off center.

The next familiar concept is the strong running game. This is accomplished by using more blockers in the part of the field where the running back is designed to go. This is most commonly accomplished by pulling the lineman, blocking on two teams, or using an unbalanced formation. Many times, two or three of the above will be used at the same time.

Lastly, there is a lot of ball manipulation, which makes it very difficult for the defense to know who has the ball, until it is too late. It’s easy to watch videos on the internet where the entire defensive team chases a ball carrier and the actual ball carrier runs untouched for a TD.

I use the same knowledge that has allowed me to have a great winning percentage over the years, making sure to modify any play, system, or formation for the specific AGE and TALENT level of the kids I coach in the year in question. course. I have designed a set of “tried and tested” lock styles as well as specific lock schemes that we have designed and taught with outstanding results over 24 years.

I combine the basic philosophy of the game and combine one of my blocking schemes and presto I have a perfectly designed game that I can use at the right level. Naturally, any move designed on paper is useless, at least until we get a chance to test it in practice. We make the necessary adjustments to them, before I even consider using it in a gaming situation.

In short, I think such a “sexy” offense like the Wildcat can be used at almost every level of football, but it needs to be modified first.