Welcome to PAL Junior Development Football

This playbook is yours to keep. The information it contains is very important to the success of our program and to your enjoyment of the game. Please read it thoroughly and study it before and after practice. It is especially important to study your playbook early in the season when so much of the information may be new to you. Ask Mom or Dad to help you with any parts that may be confusing to you.

Everything discussed in the playbook will be explained during practice. We will run most of the plays described in the book and maybe a few more, depending upon the players we have and their specific skills. We will be adding a few basic pass plays a little later in the season after you have learned the basic running plays illustrated here.

Our coaches will work with you to teach you the safe, proper blocking and tackling techniques as well as the fundamentals of the various positions. I hope that each player will learn how to play every position both offensively and defensively.

It is very important to attend practice, but if you have to miss a practice please call or email your coach before hand. During practice please pay attention to what the coaches have to say and do your best to follow their instructions. If you do so, I am confident you will have a safe and enjoyable football experience.

Good Luck and have Fun!

Coach Rob & Police Athletic League Staff

PAL Junior Development Football Mission

Mission:The mission of the Police Athletic League Junior Development youth Football Program is to provide a safe, player-friendly environment, in which children can learn, play, and enjoy the game of Football. Essential to this mission are:

• Balanced Competition• Full and Equal Participation• A Unique Coaching approach

The goal of this program is that every single participant has a positive and enjoyable experience regardless of their skill or ability-an experience in which each player has the opportunity to develop new skills, gain confidence, and learn life-lessons regarding the importance of teamwork, responsibility, sportsmanship, and discipline. Achieving this goal can encourage continued participation in the sport.

PAL Junior DevelopmentOverview and Expectations of

Coaches

OverviewThe Police Athletic League Junior Development Youth Football Program is patterned in principle after the NFL’s Junior Development Program and while the implementation of this program is uniquely different, the guiding principles of the two programs are identical:Make It FunLimit Standing AroundEveryone PlaysTeach Every Position to Every ParticipantEmphasize the FundamentalsEstablish a Progression of Skill Development for Every ParticipantYell Encouragement, Whisper Constructive Criticism

Many experts agree that these should be the objectives of any quality, wholesome youth sports program, but unfortunately insensitive and overly competitive adults often undermine these principles

Junior Development Football addresses the common “problem situations” that are so prevalent in youth football today, including: Insufficient playing time for all players, an overemphasis on winning, insensitive and abusive coaches and competitive mismatches.

Junior Development football coaches are expected to focus on the fun aspects of playing the game of football by following these “fundamental” guidelines:

– Make drills short, realistic, and game-like– Keep all players active, and keep lines short.– Let kids make some decisions– Find something each player does well, and let him demonstrate it.– Praise and reward effort and accomplishment in any form– Be specific and animated in your praise– Criticize the technique, not the individual– Break-up routines with unusual activities– Give all players an opportunity to play and practice their favorite position– Remember: Players are children, not adults

PAL Junior Development Football Divisions

Players participating in the Junior Development League program are grouped by age and weight, but an additional factor -- ability -- is also a consideration in placing a player in a particular division. Each Division will consist of 34 – 36 players. The 2014 season will include approximately 216 players, who will be grouped into five (5) separate divisions, including MS Football.

Division 1: These are the youngest and smallest players, generally 7 – 8 yrs old, and weighing an average of 60 pounds.

Division 2: Players 8 – 9 yrs old, weighing an average of 70 pounds.

Division 3: Players 9 – 10 yrs old, weighing an average of 85 pounds.

Division 4: Players 10 – 11 yrs old, typically weighing an average of 100 pounds.

Middle School Division: Players 12 – 14 yrs old, some 6th graders as well as 7th & 8th graders. These age and weight guidelines are flexible to reflect a player’s skill level and experience. During the first 3 weeks of practice every player will be broken up into smaller, manageable groups, giving the coaches appropriate time for evaluation. The coaches will then meet and assign each player to the appropriate division.

Hole Numbers

The Straight “T” formation is the Offense run in the Junior Development Program

The Holes are defined as the spaces in between each offensive linemen. These holes are numbered as follows:• The holes to the right of the Center are assigned even numbers; the #2 hole is closest to the Center, followed by the #4 hole, then the #6, and then the #8.• The holes to the left of the Center are assigned odd numbers: the #1 hole being the hole closest to the Center, followed by the #3 hole, then the #5, and then the #7.

Spacing

Spacing (or the Splits) is the distance between the players on the Offensive Line.• The Offensive Guards line up 1.5 feet from the Center• The Offensive Tackles line up 3.0 feet from the Guards• The Ends line up 3.5 feet from the Tackles

In the straight “T” formation, the running backs line up “one-arm length” apart with the Fullback directly behind the quarterback. In “Spread” or “Power” formations, the Halfback will line up in spread positions as follows:

– The “Notch” Back lines up between the Tackle and the End, and 1-yard in the backfield.– The “Flanker” back lines up 1-yard outside the End and 1-yard in the backfield

Quarterback#1

Right Halfback

#4Fullback

#3

Left Halfback

#2

1 2 4 6 8

Right Guard

RightTackle

Right EndLeft End

357

Left Tackle

CenterLeft Guard

Offensive Blocking Priorities

Terminology:

“On-Side” and “Back-Side”: “On-Side” refers to the side to which a play will go. “Back-Side” refers to the side away (or opposite) from which the play will go.

Example: If we decide to run the ball to the right, the right-side of the Center is the “On-Side”, and the left-side of the Center is the “Back-Side”. In this case, the Offensive Linemen located to the right of the Center are called “On-Side” linemen. Also in this case, the Offensive Linemen located to the left of the Center are called the “Back-Side” linemen.

“Gap” and “Head-Up” or “Head-On”: The space between the Offensive Linemen. When a Defensive player lines up in the space between the linemen, we say that he is lined-up in the “Gap”. If the Defensive player lines up directly in front of an Offensive Lineman, we say that he is playing “Head-On” that Offensive Lineman. (See examples listed in diagram above).

“Inside” and “Outside”: “Inside” is the term that refers to any position, or direction, closer to the ball. “Outside” refers to any position, or direction, away-from the ball. In the example listed above, the Defensive Guard is lined up to the “Inside” of the Left Offensive Guard.

The key for Offensive Line Blocking by On-Side Offensive Linemen is:

G O LG: Stands for GAP, and that is the blocker’s priority. This means that if there is a Defensive Player lined up in a blocker’s inside-gap, that is the player the blocker must block.

O: If there is no Defensive Player lined-up in a blocker’s inside-gap, then the blocker must block any player lined up directly “Over” or in front of him.

L: If there is no Defensive Linemen lined up in a blocker’s inside-gap or in front of him, then the blocker should block the closest Linebacker.

Back-side Offensive Linemen always block the Defensive Player that attempts to come through their inside gap.

DE

LeftTackle

Left Guard

Left End

Def-Guard lined up in “Gap”

DG

Center

DGDTDE

Right Tackle

Right End

Def-Tackle lined up on “Outside”

of Offensive Tackle

Right Guard

DT

Def-Guard lined up “Head-On” the

Offensive Guard

Offensive Plays

On these two plays, the ball is handed to the fullback running between the Guard and Center. After making the handoff, the Quarterback fakes to the

halfback as shown.

1

23

4

31 Dive

1

23

4

32 Dive

1

23 4

1

23

4

45 Slant 26 Slant

On these two plays, the companions to 31 and 32, the ball is faked to the fullback and handed to the halfback. The key is a good fake to the

fullback.

3

1

2 4

1

2 4

23 Dive 44 Dive

On these two plays, the Quarterback hands the ball to the Halfback as shown, without a fake. The Fullback runs to the back-side of the

Quarterback.

3

Offensive PlaysCounters / Sweeps

3

45 Counter

1

23

4

26 Counter

On the 26-Counter, the Quarterback fakes the ball to the Fullback through the #1 hole, and makes a deep handoff to the Left Half-Back, who runs through the #6 hole. For the 45-Counter, the QB fakes to the FB in the #2 hole, then makes

the deep handoff to the Right Half-Back, who runs through the #5 hole.

1

23

4

1

23

4

47 Sweep 28 Sweep

1

23

4

38 Toss Sweep37 Toss Sweep

1

2 4

On the 28 Sweep, the Quarterback makes a deep handoff to the Left Half-Back, who runs through to the # 8 hole. On the 47 Sweep, the QB makes a

deep handoff to the Right Half-Back, who runs to the # 7 hole.

1

23

4

On the 38 Toss Sweep, the Quarterback opens to the right and pitches the ball to the Full-Back, who runs to the # 8 hole. On the 37 Toss Sweep, the

QB opens left and pitches the ball to the FB, who runs to the # 7 hole.

Offensive Plays – Reverses/Rollouts

On the 47 Sweep Reverse, the Quarterback will hand-off to the #2 HB, who will run the same motion as a #28 Sweep. The #4 HB runs behind the #2 HB, and receive the hand-off

(this is an “Outside” hand-off for the #2 Back). On the 28 Sweep Reverse, the QB will hand-off to the #4 HB, who will run the same motion as a #47 Sweep. The #2HB will

receive the hand-off from the #4 HB.

1

23

4

Flanker Right – 47 Reverse

12

34

Flanker Left – 28 Reverse

1

23

4

3

Flanker Left 17 Rollout

12

4

Flanker Right 18 Rollout

1

23

4

17-Counter

1

23

4

18-Counter

On the Flanker Right – 18 rollout, the QB will rollout to his left, making a hand-fake to the FB through the #1 hole. The QB then runs a Sweep-Right around the Right-End. On the 17-Rollout, the QB will roll to his right, faking to the #2 hole, then reversing direction, running

to the #7 Hole.

On the 18-Counter, the QB will make a hand-fake to the #1 hole to the FB, then reverse-field and run through the 8 hole. The #2 and #4 backs will run toward the #7 hole. On the

17-Counter, the direction is reversed, with the hand-fake to the #2 hole, and the QB running to the #7 hole.

Offensive Plays – Passing Plays

12 4

3

Flankers - Left TE Seam Pass Flankers – Right TE Seam Pass

12 4

3

Flankers Right TE Arrow PassFlankers Left TE Arrow Pass

12 4

3

12 4

3Flanker goes 1st

Flanker goes 1st

Fake 32 – 48 Flair Pass

1

2 43

1

2 43

Fake 31 – 27 Flair Pass

Offensive Plays – Passing PlaysFlankers – Right Bubble Pass

12 4

3

12 4

3

Flankers - Left Bubble Pass

Fake 26 Slant – TE Pass

42

3

1

Wide Receiver Right or Left Pass

#1 - Hitch

#2 - Slant

#3 – Quick Out

#4 – Go Route

1

2 43

1

2 43

Fake 45 Slant – TE Pass

Defensive Formations

LB LBLB

DT LDG RDG DEDE

LB

DB DB

The 6-3 Defense

MLB LBLB

DB

LDE LDT LDG RDG RDT RDE

The Police Athletic League’s Junior Development Football program limits the defensive formations that can be used to the 6-3 and 5-4

defenses and does not allow linebackers to Blitz.

* The 5-4 defense is limited to divisions 2 & 3

The 5-4 Defense

DB