Why The Relationship Between the OC And DC Is So Important

OC/DC Competition

Ah...the OC and DC. Who is smarter when it comes to football? Does it matter? Nope. Unless your Bill Belichick. Some may argue the DC is smarter because they not only know the defense schemes, but also how to stop the offense and have seen it all. But the same can be applied to the OC. The OC has seen all the defensive schemes and knows how to exploit them. So is this a Harry Potter vs. Voldemort or Obi Wan vs. Darth Vader? Probably. But someone has to win. In football, thats the team.

So why is the relationship between the OC and DC so important. I will tell you! As a coach, personally, who is more offensive focused, my brain thinks about how to exploit a defense and put defensive players in conflict, exploit weaknesses and put my players in space. I think my offensive schemes are amazing and are a TD or First down every time. That is, until the defense adjusts.

Football is a game of inches right? Maybe....I would say more accurately, football is a game of responding, reacting and adjusting. My brain thinks one way and while I try to look at my schemes from what I think the defense will see, I am still thinking as an offensive coach.

This is why having a good relationship i.e. synergistic with your OC and DC is critical. You can bounce ideas off of each other. What are you seeing here? How would you stop this? When running our opponents defense, what are you looking at (please tell me your DC doesn't just "run" a scout D" for a look), if I do this, what would you do? OR vice versa... If I run this defensive scheme how would your attack it offensively? If I put my DB's in Man and slide one back to Zone, what would you do?

I have witnessed many teams that stop the offensive reps so the QB can review what they just saw from the scout D or the OC will stop the play to talk with the DC and allow the team to understand what just happened, why and how to fix it. Why did we not pick up the blitz? etc. I have seen the same thing with the defense against the scout O. I have done this myself.

Having the OC or DC explain what just happened and why helps the team understand what they are seeing and why, and why the play worked or didn't. This is critical to ensuring your team is prepared. If your players can see what will happen in practice they will be prepared in the game.

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention that just having a card or sheet of scout O or D and just running plays agains it is a waste. As the OC and DC you must run your scout O/D as if you are running your plays in a game with down and distance, etc. Just running them to run them is waste of time and ineffective. You must have purpose to what you are doing. Practice like you play and play like you practice.

To many times I have seen coaches who are adversarial. Even coming close to blows or arguing during this practice period. This not only sets a bad example, but is unproductive. Its fine to be competitive when going against each other, but make it productive.

In your prep for the weeks practice, get together, outline what each of you want to see from the scout O and D, don't be afraid to stop the play or rep to discuss, explain and review what is happening or why. Engage to discuss and explore how to attack the defense or offense. As an O coach, I want to know how a DC will be attack my offense, he will see things I don't or may miss, and vice versa.

You might say, Coach, I don't have time for that. We have a tight practice schedule, etc. I would say, Coach, practice like you play and play like you practice. Maybe cut something like special teams....just kidding, to ensure your covering the bases or be prepared and effective in practice. Manage your time.

So...I encourage you the HC, to engage your OC and DC to explore how to neutralize each other based off of your opponent. This will help both be successful AND help the team win. This can also be done in a coaches meeting. Control the variables!

Lastly, its very important to include your QB in this at some level. Especially during O reps agains the scout D. Don't be afraid to encourage your QB to stop the play or after the play is over to ask questions from the DC...i.e. how did you pick that? What did you see? Did we give away a key? Was I late in my reads, etc. Why did you shift the safety? These are all important inputs to the offense and QB which will help them execute better and win. It could be other things like stunts the O line didn't pick up, or the RB got confused on the blitz pick up, the DB's misread the motion, etc. The main point is communication and perspective. The more the team has seen and is prepared, the better they will perform. That includes the coaches!

This should be a part of any teams "standard". Encourage and foster this and your team will succeed.

Coach David Frederick