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AFM Magazine


How Running the Football Can Demoralize Your Opposition

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By Paul Anthony Markowski
Fullbacks Coach, Simon Fraser University

There are many different offensive philosophies that have been devised throughout the history of football. During the 60’s and 70’s, the running game was en vogue with both the wishbone and “I” formations dominating. During the 80’s and 90’s, the game changed to a more pass happy strategy. Today, in the 21st century, the spread offense is the preferred strategy to move the pigskin down the field. However, the one constant that has remained steadfastly true within the coaching strategic realm is the fact that running the football down your opponent’s throats will ultimately lead to the demoralization of that team. This article outlines four reasons why the running game will deprive your opposition of the courage that is required to win a football game.

1-The “Band-Aid” Analogy

We can all relate to the immense difference that “speed” can have in the removal of a band-aid from your skin. For example, if that bandage is slowly removed, greater discomfort and apprehension ensues. On the other hand, if that bandage is removed with a quick pull, much less pain and discomfort is experienced. This same analogy can be used in comparing the discouraging effects that are felt by a team that has just had a touchdown scored against them. Was that TD scored as the result of a very slow, methodical, clock-gouging run-oriented approach? Or was it the result of one (or even a few) long pass(es) that took very little time off the clock? It is this author’s contention that the former scenario will cause much more grief, less confidence and start the demoralization process sooner, than the later. Psychologically, the damage that a long, run-oriented drive will cause for the defensive team is real. Confidence in oneself, as well as the confidence within the defensive unit as a whole, will be brought into question. Simply put, by running the ball at your opponent, the offensive team establishes “control” over the tempo of the game. While the numerical “end result” may be the same whether a team scores a TD through the air or on the ground, there can be no dispute that a quick strike, passing TD inflicts much less psychological trauma on the defensive unit than a long, drawn-out running game.

2-Being Manhandled

Football is a very macho game. Both sides love to be able to brag that their side is stronger, tougher, and more talented than their opponents. Given this fact, is it any surprise that an offensive unit might want to be able to brag how they “manhandled” the opposing team’s defensive linemen and linebackers throughout the game? Certainly not! Once again, the two different approaches to scoring points come into play here. The running strategy enables the team’s offensive linemen to be put into the perfect scenario of being able to dominate and manhandle their opponents. A well-known football fact is how the majority of offensive linemen love to be able to run block instead of pass block. Why? They all love to “pancake” or run over their opponents on every play. Running the ball allows them to do just that. On the other hand, pass blocking is not as physical or aggressive for linemen and thus, the machismo is lost in a pass happy strategy. So once again, by incorporating a run-first offensive strategy, a team will create the perfect path for the demoralization of their opponent.

3-Physically Tired

The running game allows for the offense to physically “tire-out” their defensive opponents. This is accomplished by keeping the defense on the field for more time and by forcing the defense to have to continually tackle a running back play after play. This strategy will quickly physically drain your opposition to the extent that by the start of the second half, those 3-5 yard runs between the tackles start to turn into 10-12 yard runs as the defensive linemen have now tired to a point where they no longer have the strength to throw their bodies into each tackle. Instead, they start to use “arm-tackling” strategies only. Discouraged, tired and demoralized, this game (for all intents and purposes) is OVER!

4-Dictating Pace

Having “control” is very empowering for anyone in almost any facet of their lives. The gridiron is no exception to that rule. As a coach, player or a member of the offensive unit, dictating the pace at which the game proceeds is exceptionally gratifying. A successful running game allows the offense to do just that. The feeling of power and control over your archrivals cannot be minimized. Being able to successfully take 8-10 minutes off the clock during your offensive drive is not only a great strategy (since if your offense is on the field, your opponent’s offense can’t score), but it also becomes very discouraging for your opponent as they will feel helpless when you drive methodically down the field. They simply cannot do a thing to stop you.

I hope that this article has explained how a superior running game can help to not only win football games, but also demoralize your opponent to the extent that they will have no fight left by the second half.

If coaches have any questions regarding this article, please feel free to contact me at paulmarkowski2009@gmail.com


Visit Coach Markowski's Pistol-Flex Triple Option Blog






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