All,

I have recently volunteered to be the defensive coach for a PoP Warner league Team. A lack of volunteers, forced my hand. The average age of the kids is nine.

My experience is your standard playing from middle school to high school. I also played while in the military. It's one thing to have played and coaching seems a bit foreign to me right now. My biggest worry is to not let down the kids.

I only need to concentrate on defense. Im looking for drills that would be good for kids of this age, defense oriented. I am also up in the air on defensive schemes to run.

Defensive schemes - It seems to me I should concentrate on teaching the kids basic techniques, such as stances, positions, how to tackle and hit/shed blockers.

I think it would be best to have only a couple of Defensive schemes. I have been looking at the following D's.
44
5-2
5-3
10-1
6-2
Which would do the best for kids of this age group. I have been leaning toward the 44 and 62. It seems that there are mostly run oriented offenses at this stage with some passing.

Any advice/help is appreciated. feel free to email me directly.

Thanks in advance.
John

I also coach youth football. On the defensive end of the ball, the 44 scheme works the best, assuming that all youth football is taught the basics and the first basic play on the offense is the RuN. I would have your defense kept honest, always stressing to stop the run. In youth football, the basics should be the sufficient task that should be repeated. The kids have plenty of time to learn , more in depth schemes, as they mature towards Bantam and High School Football.
I suggest searching the net for " specific drills" i.e. "linebacker drills or defensive lineman drills" you would be suprised to see how much support is out there. Stress to your players that playing defense, requires intense conditioning, proper tackle technique, taught to "react" opposed to thinking, pursue inside out, and communication. Good Luck, You are going to be a great influence on your kids, on and off the Grid-Iron!...Regards,
Ed

I am a Head Coach at a High School and a defensive coordinator. The defense I would Recommmend is a 5-5-1. These kids are 8-9 yaers old. Passing skills at this level is not polished. You will be woorried about teams using power football running attacks such as leads and sweeps. No teams will be you by the pass stick 10 in the box and play 3 deep zone in passing situation and you will be fine.

Mike, I am a first year head coach ( for the upcoming 2004 season ) and I am very interested in the 5-5-1 defense you mentioned. You you possibly direct me to where I could get a book or some info on this defense. Thanks Carl Ertel Buffalo NY