Coaching Youth Football Tips & Talk

I started running The Beast offensive formation back in 1994 with my Plano youth football team.  Only until recently did I learn it is called The Beast.  I call it Loud n Rowdy for Left and Right.  I also have a “T” middle formation which is called Monkey, so Loud, Rowdy, Monkey.  The kids love the name.  You basically line up the three running backs in a line and move them left, middle or right depending on what you want to do.  Yes, this is a very simple offensive formation, but very effective  Both years I ran this offense as my main offense, we went to the playoffs.  In 2006, we were 0-4 trying to run an I formation backfield with sweeps and off-tackle plays.  I did not have the talent to sweep wide or block, so I moved to Loud n Rowdy, and we ended up 4-4 and beat an undefeated team in the process, 6 to 2.  Here’s my base play….

Wide Rowdy QB Sweep Right

In the Wide Rowdy Sweep Right, the Quarterback lines up under center, and the three backs split out right.  The Fullback lines up in a tight slot right off the TE tail.  The other two backs have one yard splits off the FB.  The backs block down, the FB watches for any open gaps and picks up any blitzes.  The offensive line blocks down and away from the attack hole.  The QB sweeps right and tight just off the FB, if he sees an opening before the FB, he cuts up for yardage.   I have severe angle blocking ( SAB ) pictured here for the offensive line assignments.  I also over stacked the right side of the o-line with the left tackle.   If you have a good center, you can run this from a shotgun too.   The other Rowdy backfield splits are Power and just Rowdy.  Power Rowdy the FB lines up just outside the Guard and Rowdy he lines up just outside the first tackle.  The two other backs line up off the FB in the gaps to his right in either of these Rowdy splits. 

Yes, it looks and is very simple.  But that’s a good thing for young football players.  It is easy to remember your blocking assignments and which way to run.  A couple of other things this offense does.  It eats up the clock / play count.  You churn runs out at 3 to 5 yards a play.  It keeps the ball very close to the line of scrimmage so if you do take a sack in the backfield you only lose one yard.  It puts a lot of blockers at the attack point, thus overpowering the defense.  Plus, you can rotate your 3 to 4 backs at the QB position and they are better rested and everyone gets a chance to run the ball.   This offense works well for your second string squad to get some play time too. 

Even though we had great success with the Spin Offense last year, averaging over 40 points a game, we still run five Loud Rowdy Monkey / Beast plays.  We do this in case one of our top running backs or quarterback gets hurt, and we need to eat up the clock / play count.  It is also my main offense for my 3rd string developmental backs. 

Don’t laugh, because the Loud Rowdy Monkey Beast just might beat you one day.

Good luck this season. 

Check out my latest post about the Beast and it has video.