Swift Strategies for Success – A Thesis on How to be Competitive Quick

[SageBow]

Welcome coaches, newcomers and veterans alike. You may be thinking, “Man my team looks awful. Progressions did not go well, all my stars graduated, I’m in for a world of hurt this season.” Well look no further, I’m here to help. After one full season of running the new gameplans (thanks @Rocketcan!), here are some tips on how to position yourself to be competitive in 2025.

Obviously, there are some teams at the very tip-top of this game; coaches that have recruited top 10 classes over and over again that are rolling out juggernauts in 2025. Teams that have the talent to run anything and everything and 90% of the time will win on sheer talent alone. If you want to get to that level, you have to recruit to that level year after year, but that is not a Swift Strategy for Success. Let’s get some of the coaches that feel hopeless a path forward this transfer portal cycle where you come out feeling your team can be in the games and even pull some upsets. No one wants to be blown out week after week!

Evaluate Your Roster – Find Your “Punch Play”

Everyone that has been around for the past season knows that long passing has one of the best success rates that we’ve seen, and for the most part the dynamic teams have been ones with pocket passing quarterbacks and speed wide receivers to take advantage of the deep ball. For many of the top teams this past season (Tennessee / Georgia Tech / West Virginia / Tulsa), the long pass has been their “Punch Play”. In this, I am defining Punch Play as the primary focus of your offense, the one that will create the most success for you based on your personnel. Good offenses run their Punch Play over and over again. If you’re looking to be competitive with a low-talent team, do the same. There is no reason to expand the offensive playbook if you end up running plays your personnel is not as effective with. Hit this Punch Play as often as you feel comfortable (~30-50%). 

Flip Defensively – Find Your “Counter-Punch”

Now go to the other side of the line of scrimmage. You have your punch play in mind, how would you stop it? With more limited options defensively, most of this is down to how talented your players on that side of the ball are. Right now, defensive gameplanning allows you to focus select plays, but the rest of the sliders are on type of play (run vs pass), blitz aggressiveness and frequency, and defensive formation. So using those sliders, how would you stop your Punch Play? Then, identify a play that you can use to stop that defensive setting. That is your “Counter-Punch”. Hit this Counter-Punch at a similar rate to your Punch Play (~30-40%), with the remainder of your offense other plays to keep defenses honest.

Portal Time – Get Impact Guys for these Plays

We have limited points and promises in the portal. Not everyone is going to be able to land the elite quarterback, but everyone has an opportunity to get better. You have your Punch Play for your existing personnel, how can you make that play more effective? Or maybe you do not have the personnel to run your Counter-Punch effectively at the volume you need to stress defenses. Well use this opportunity to shore up those spots! A quality starter in the archetype you need for these two plays will be the quickest way to get up to speed, keep the fans entertained behind you, and importantly your head in the game. Take it from me, a guy that has had three back to back 2-10 seasons before finally winning a bowl game this year, being a perennial loser is tough!

Workshop – Lets Look at Some Examples!

Ex #1 – Long Pass / Screens

The “meta” offense of the last season. For the most effective long pass, a good Pocket Quarterback and Speed Wide Receiver combination maximizes this play. Defensively, teams are going to run heavy defensive back formations (nickel/dime) and blitz often. Counter-Punch – Screens. Throw the screen at a high percentage to get yardage when teams send their edge rushers relentlessly. Receiving Running Backs have found great success as screen outlets.

Ex #2 – Run / Play-Action Pass

Say you have a dependable running back, a guy that you want to get touches early and often. Maybe it’s a scrambling quarterback that is deadly with his legs. Find a run play that maximizes their success rate. Common combinations will be Run Blocking Guard/Center with a Power Running Back (inside runs) or a Run Blocking Tackle with a Speed Running Back (outside runs). Defensively, teams are going to match you by stacking the box with additional defensive linemen or linebackers. Hit them over the top with the play-action pass. Strong combinations would be scrambling quarterback to possession receiver to increase the catch rate.

Ex #3 – Short Pass / Run

Maybe on your team there is a top Receiving Tight End, a match up bruiser that you need to get the ball to early and often. Maybe it’s a star receiver, but your quarterback lacks the arm strength to push the deep ball. Utilize these short pass routes, target your star guy in space, and let him do the damage. Defensively, teams are going to run pass stopping sets, with blitzing involved. Find a run play as the outlet! It could be your Scrambling Quarterback running at a consistent rate behind a Run Blocking guard (inside runs). It could be a running back that you pick up in the portal to fit your offensive line, or vice versa to have a play that will get you yards when your star man is being double teamed and covered, to keep defenses honest.

Summary

Again, to be a contender every season, you’re looking at top 10 recruiting classes over and over again. But if you are worried about your team even being competitive, just follow these steps and you’ll have a fighting chance most weeks next season. Get a Punch Play that best utilizes your players, identify your counter-punch,  and grab portal guys that will fit that set up. Best of luck!

[Piercewise1]

#3 is also a great candidate for RPO, if you have an offensive scheme that allows it. Pick the run location and direction that best fits your line (inside/outside and left/right) and give your QB the chance to read the defense. "Choice" plays are decided ahead of time, while "Peek" plays depend on the defense's response...QB IQ plays a big part in the latter!