Small School AIR RAID

It is a privilege to be able share part of our program with others, since we can’t take credit
for everything we do, but have used ideas from others to best fit our program. Following our
2005 season, and losing Offensive Coordinators two years in a row to the Head Coaching
ranks, we made a decision committing to throwing the football. We had used “Spread”
principles as a part of our two previous systems, but we weren’t a “Spread” team.

The old saying is true, that, “If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” I decided I
was going to take over play-calling duties and as a staff we were going to sell-out to the
Tony Franklin System. I spoke with Tony at length over the phone, voicing my concerns
about the practice time and depth needed to successfully install his brand of the “Air-Raid”
offense. He assured me if, we were willing to coach as hard as we could it would be the best
thing we ever did. He even offered to refund my money if I wasn’t satisfied with his
services.

We installed the offense one week before our Spring Practice began in May, and never
looked back. We went from 3-7 (2004) to 4-6 (2005), made the switch to the Tony Franklin
System and went 10-0 and District Champions (2006). This past year we went undefeated
in District play and won back-to-back championships.

Our school, Catholic High of Pointe Coupee, located in New Roads, LA (population under
4,000), has 197 students in Grades Nine through Twelve. This year’s squad dressed out 38
players. We participate in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association in Class 1A
(smallest football division).

Offensive Package

We use as a part of our offensive package: 7 Drop-back (3-step from the “gun”) routes, 6
Quick game (1-step or no-steps from the “gun”), 5 Screens, and a wide variety of run plays
(Zone Read, Counter/Power/GT, Veer Option, and the popular “Spin” offense).

“Platooning”

We feel that our best football players must play, meaning sometimes a player may need to
start on both sides of the ball. However, when possible, we like to “start” as many different
players as possible. For example, in 2006 we were able to limit our two-way starters to only
3 players, while in 2007 we had 3 players limited to only offense.

Because of our platoon philosophy we must practice both Offense and Defense on both days
with portions of our practice devoted entirely to one side of the ball, or the other.

Practice Organization

The following are percentages of time spent each day on Offense and Defense:
Monday – 60% Offense, 40% Defense
Tuesday – 80% Offense, 20% Defense
Wednesday – 25% Offense, 75% Defense
Thursday – Game Simulation/Walk-through
The following is a list of practice segments for each day on Offense:
Monday
Settle and Noose
Pat and Go
Mesh Drill
Routes on Air
Run Game Review
Team Screen versus barrels
Team Script: Openers, Coming off, 3rd and Short

Tuesday
Settle and Noose
Pat and Go
Individual
Mesh Drill
Routes on Air
Run Game – Inside Drill
11 on 11 Pass-Under-Pressure
Team Screen versus Scout Team
Team Script: Openers, (-5 to -20), 3rd and Medium

Wednesday
Settle and Noose
Pat and Go
Mesh Drill
Routes on Air
Team Script: Red Zone, Goal Line, 3rd and Long

“Numbers” problems

The traditional “Air Raid” offense uses their “Routes On Air” Drill as a staple in practicing
route packages. The drill calls for five Quarterbacks lined up almost “shoulder-to-shoulder”
throwing to the five eligible receivers in the pattern. As many small school programs
probably know, having five quarterbacks on a team of less than forty players is a rare thing.
So to keep all five receivers in the drill, we asked two of our assistant coaches to rotate in
with the Quarterbacks. So, our coaches rotate along with the QB’s so that they can throw
each part of the progression throughout the drill.

One concern we had going in to our first year with the system was the ability to install our
entire package while having players spend time on both sides of the ball. In other words,
can our players remember their plays? Using the Tony Franklin System wristband
technology, our problems were erased. Players have an individualized wristband insert, so
that only their assignment is on the wristband. This allowed us to not only install our entire
package but we were able to interchange personnel and positions through the course of a
game if injury would occur. For instance, in one game our starting Strong Safety, was bale
to fill in on offense at X, H, and F positions, without ever having to learn what each player
does on each route.

Another issue was conditioning. With most of our squad playing both offense and defense,
would we be able to effectively run a “No-Huddle” offense and still be strong in the Fourth
Quarter? Our practice tempo enabled us to practice for a full two hours without having to
“waste” 15 minutes at the beginning of practice on stretching and 15 minutes at the end of
practice running conditioning drills. We used our “Settle and Noose” and “Pat and Go” drills
to warm-up and still coach the fundamentals and individual techniques needed in our
passing game. Our up-tempo style of play is even sped-up during practice, so we
“condition” while running our ROA Drills along with our Team Scripts.

Final Thoughts

The last four years turning the program around has been very rewarding for our staff. Once
we “sold-out” to the spread two seasons ago, we really started to have some fun, which is
spelled “W-I-N” in the world of football coaching. Is the “spread offense” the answer for
you? Is it the best offense to run? I don’t know. It was for us, because it is what got our
staff the most excited. We have other offenses in our state that are very successful “option”
teams, while there is plenty teams lighting up scoreboards running the Wing-T. I think we all
agree that the offense that works best is the one that you and your staff can get excited
about enough that you don’t get bored coaching the small things.

You can contact me with any questions you may have by emailing me at
nweiner@catholicpc.com.