How to Prepare for the Playoffs – Mind of a Football Coach Podcast
How to Prepare for the Playoffs – Mind of a Football Coach Podcast
Howdy, folks, and welcome back to the blog! Today we are talking about How to Prepare for the Playoffs. Coach Parker here, ready to dive into some serious gridiron talk. If you’ve been following along, you know I love sitting down with Zach Davis (Mind of a Football Coach) to hash out the similarities and differences between youth and high school ball. Well, this time, we had a timely conversation that I wanted to summarize for all you coaches out there: Preparing Your Team for the Playoffs.
I’ve been coaching youth football since ‘94—that’s about 30 tackle seasons—and if there’s one thing I’ve learned about the postseason, it’s that you can’t take anything for granted, especially with the young guys.
The Playoff Mindset: It’s Not the Regular Season Anymore
At the youth level, we, as adults, often assume these big kids know the stakes, but they usually don’t. You have to explain to them that the playoffs are like a new season. If you lose just one game, it’s over! No makeup game, no second chances. While we certainly still have our end-of-season party (which is fun), what’s funner is the Super Bowl, because winning is funner.
Before you even worry about the Xs and Os, I want you to check the administrative stuff. Every league, especially at the youth level, changes the rules yearly. You need to read those playoff rules, understand the tiebreakers, and know exactly how your bracket works. Sometimes the lower seeds are left out, or the bracket structure changes. Don’t assume anything is the same as last year.
Strategy, Scouting, and Knowing Your Team
One of the biggest strategic challenges in the playoffs is playing an opponent multiple times. If you play a team for the third time in a season, they are definitely out for revenge, and your kids might think it’s a “piece of cake”—but it’s not. Any given Sunday, or Saturday in youth ball, you can lose. Conversely, some teams peak late, figure things out, and are dangerous even if they had a losing record early on.
This is why scouting is crucial. And I don’t just mean scouting the opponent; you have to scout yourself. Look at your own film and stats to narrow down the plays that drove them crazy and what works best for us offensively and defensively. I geek out on the numbers, so finding those tendencies is key.
On defense, we make player adjustments based on film. We identify their key threats—we call the fastest running back the “rabbit” and the top receiver the “birdie”. If you can shut down that top player, it helps a lot. We’re trying to make the opponent play left-handed.
Now, talking offense, I’m a fan of adding wrinkles. I usually try to install a three to six-play wrinkle package. I like to look at film of teams that successfully scored against our opponent and use those exact plays. But heed my warning: know your team! If your team can’t handle the install without freaking out, don’t do it. The key is to lean into what your team is good at. Don’t keep trying to fix weaknesses now; accentuate your strengths and just run those plays a bunch.
Power Football and Clock Control
If you face a high-powered offense in the playoffs, you need to remember that your offense becomes your defense. Our strategy is simple: do not let them get the ball. This is where power offenses thrive. We pound it, grind it out, get those beautiful three or four-yard gains, maintain possession, and wear out their defense.
We also become much more aggressive on fourth down. I got religion on this in the early 2000s—the percentages are there. Unless we’re really deep in our territory, we are likely going for it. Treating third down like you have two more plays means you can maintain that possession. I remember one drive we held the ball for 14 minutes and 36 seconds—that’s a quarter and a half—against a stacked team, and we won! Possessing the ball is how you keep their offense off the field.
Special Teams and Logistics
Special teams play an incredibly significant role in the playoffs and can dramatically impact the outcome. I have lost three semi-final games due to muffed punts. We hardly ever punt in youth ball, but when we do, it has to be strategic, like rugby punting out of bounds.
On kickoffs, never, ever kick deep to their top player. At the youth level, I’m a big fan of directional onside kicks to the sideline. Also, a critical note on personnel: don’t put linemen or players who can’t catch on the front line of your kick return unit just because of Minimum Play Rules (MPP). Put your best “hands guys” there.
Finally, check your logistical admin details. High school coaches deal with this, too, but for youth, be wary of holidays. I’ve beaten teams because their best player was out of town for Thanksgiving vacation. Send that email early, check schedules, and make sure your kids are healthy. In the playoffs, you’re going to play your best guys as much as you need to win.
The stakes are higher, but if you know your team, utilize the numbers, and stick to what you do best, you’re ready to roll. Good luck in the playoffs—go get them, go win, because winning is funner!
What are your thoughts on Preparing for the Playoffs? Do you agree with us or disagree? Leave your comments below. We would love to hear from you…..
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Remember, Play for Fun and Winning is Funner!
Good Luck this Season,
Coach Parker
Keller, Texas, DFW, Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas
