level, the quality of the film is entire-
ly left to our staff. We have to train
O
ver the years we have
come to realize that
scouting and film
breakdown are essen-
tial elements of game preparation.
Without a framework to use when
breaking down film, it's possible to
miss key elements that might come
back to haunt us on game day.
One particular game a few years
ago drove home this point. We had
prepared for it with a very bad scout-
ing tape and r\otes taken by a parent.
Tn the game, the opposing QB proved
to be very elusive with the QB keeper
and throwing in the perimeter.
4O
We did not realize that he was by
far their best athlete and needed
special attention and emphasis in
our game preparation. We ended up
losing by a point and learning a
hard lesson.
Rather than look at film and just
take notes, we have come up with a
system of asking essential questions
that can help us break down film
and construct the offensive and
defensive game plan that we can
pass on to our players.
We start with the premise that
there is no substitute for good game
film. With no film exchange at our
COACH AND ATHLETIC DIREt
our film people to get the type of
shots we want... and that does not
always mean a scope that spans the
LB's and the offensive backfield.
For instance, in long yardage situ-
ations we want a wider angle to get a
look at pass routes.
In short-yardage situations we like
a tighter focus of the offensive and
defensive lines. We also find it helpful
to get at least a few shots at ground
level in back of the offense and
defense, to give us an idea of offensive
splits and defensive gap responsibility
and alignment. Again, there is no
substitute for good game film.
The actual breakdown of film is
separated into two areas. We start
with our opponents' defense. (1 think
it is far better to concentrate on one
side of the ball rather than flip-flop
back and forth.)
As we go along, we attempt to
answer our essential defensive ques-
tions. Sometimes it requires a second
review of key plays to answer every
question accurately.
Our essential defensive questions
are as follows:
De^nse:
I. What is their base defense? Any
other alignment?
How do they adjust to Iwins
and trips?
Do they flop the defensive ends
and linebackers based on offen-
sive alignment, and can we
quick-snap them?
4. Do they have a comer or a line-
backer who plays the wide side?
5. Do the LBs stunt? Do they run
twists with the linemen?
6. How do they tackle scale 1-5?
7. Who is their weakest defensive
lineman? Weakest comer?
8 Do the LB's tap and gap
exchange with the linemen?
9. Rate the LB speed. Scale 1-5
10 Do they blitz? Strong side? Weak
side? Inside blitz or off the
edge? What down?
II. Do they corner or safety blitz?
 Football Films
Against what formations?
What down?
12. Do their d-ends box, come up the
field or read?
13. Rate the DB speed. Scale 1-5
14. Do the d-backs use press cover-
age? Cover 3? Cover 2? Cover 1?
15. Punt depth and alignment. Rate
the long snapper, scale 1-5. Can
we block their punt? Middle
block or off the edge?
16. Punt coverage alignment and
speed?
17. Who makes most of the tackles?
18. How does the defense react to
motion
19. When and where do they use
their goal-line defense?
20. Do they have any trick or special
plays?
After reviewing team defense, we
move on to our opponents' offense,
charting every offensive play with
result and down, then creating our
essential offensive questions.
Offense:
1. Identify their four best plays.
2. Script six other plays in rank
order for a total package of 10.
For 50/50 pass-run teams, script
five best run, five best pass.

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6. Do they run into the tight end or
away?
7. Who can we take advantage of
on their offensive line?
8. How good is the center? Scale
1-5
9. Who are their best players?
10. Can we blitz and where? Comer?
Safety?
11. Who do they throw to? Sprint?
Dropback? Bootleg? Short, medi-
um, or long passing game?
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