Is Coaching Modified Football Easier Than 11v11?


By FirstDown PlayBook on Aug 19, 2021

Is coaching 6v6 modified football any easier than coaching 11v11 youth football? Take it from FirstDown PlayBook when we say that fewer numbers does not always mean fewer problems. We love it that there are so many different versions of our game out there right now.

After coaching in the NFL and college football for 30 years it has been refreshing to see all of the different ways to play football. The obvious opportunities it gives kids to play in areas with small populations is a no brainer. In some ways the game can be much faster than 11v11 too.

Let’s get back to the coaching part for a moment though. It is important to separate what is called 6 man football which is played at the high school level. This is a complete animal unto itself. FirstDown PlayBook has a ton of help for these coaches.

Today we want to look at what some call “modified football”. The younger players wear pads but often all play from a two point stance. We did extensive work on different versions of this for USA Football and Football Canada a few years back. What we found was that even though you don’t have as many players, the coaching detail is still important.

The Youth Football Power I Formation Gives You Downhill Punch

This is why FirstDown PlayBook treats every area of football that we draw up (pretty much everything) the same with detailed coaching points and detailed drawings. We block the modified plays up vs multiple defenses just like we do our 11v11 youth football plays.

Take a look at this short video to learn more. We have also pasted in some coaching points for the play you see in the video so you have an idea of how detailed our youth modified football help is.

6v6 Modified Football: H Dive Fake-Z Around

QUARTERBACK:

BRING THE Z IN ORBIT MOTION.

OPEN AT 6:00 TO THE STRONG SIDE.

HAND THE DIVE TO THE H WITH THE AWAY HAND.

FAKE THE HANDOFF TO THE Z ON THE AROUND WITH THE NEAR HAND.

BOOT OPPOSITE.

H:

ON THE SNAP ATTACK THE STRONG SIDE A GAP.

HAVE YOUR INSIDE ELBOW UP.

SECURE THE HANDOFF FROM THE QB.

UNDERSTAND THE SLB MAY BE UNBLOCKED.


Z:

COME IN ORBIT MOTION ON THE QB’S CUE.

ON THE SNAP TRAVEL BEHIND THE QB AND FAKE THE AROUND HANDOFF.

SELL THE DEFENSE ON THE PERIMETER RUN.


OFFENSIVE LINE:

BASE BLOCK THE DEFENDER OVER YOU ON OR OFF THE LOS.

GIVE THE H A TWO WAY GO TO MAKE A CUT.