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 it’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 TV while listening to the announcers talk over and over again about this new Wildcat Offense? Most yahoos watch a play or two, write down what they can remember from the idiot box, and take 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 a common thing 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 “next generation” offense is a variation on the classic single-wing offense used by Glen “Pop” Warner in 1895 at the University of Georgia. The 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 forward formation you are teaching, there may be anywhere from one to three running backs ready to take the snap off center.

The next familiar concept is the strong running game. This is accomplished by using more blockers on 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 mentioned 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 see videos on the internet where the entire defensive team chases a ball carrier and the actual ball carrier runs untagged for a TD.

I use the same knowledge that has allowed me to have a great winning percentage over the years, making sure to fine-tune any plays, systems, or formations for the specific AGE and TALENT level of the kids I coach in the year in course. I have designed a set of “tried and tested” lockout styles as well as specific lockout schemes that we have designed and taught with outstanding results over the past 24 years.

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

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