Developing an Offensive Game Plan (Third Edition)

The purpose of this book is to provide a basic overview of the steps involved in setting up and implementing an offensive game plan. Although the scope of variations facing a coach in high school, college, or professional football can be quite diverse, it is my experience that the basic fundamentals used in installing an offensive structure and game plan remain the same. The first edition of this book was written in 1995, and obviously, a great deal has change with regards to offensive football: or has it? Even with the advent of spread and no huddle offenses of the last 10 years, the principles and numbers addressing the scope and focus of offensive game planning have changed very little. The primary focus of this book is to outline a very special structure as to how to determine the size and scope of the offensive scheme you may be using, how to focus that package into a weekly game plan and practice format, and then finally, how to lay out that plan in as direct and simple a manner as possible for both coaches and players. My coaching experiences range from high school to small and major college to the National Football League. After leaving the Baltimore Ravens in 2007, I spent the next five years doing game analysis for Fox. This assignment provided me unique access to visit virtually every team in the NFL and meet with coaches, players, general managers, and owners, all the while being allowed to watch practice, and in some instances, sit in meetings. These experiences have shown me that in spite of the unique problems and advantages encountered at each competitive level, the game has certain qualities that carry over from one level to the next. You should keep in mind that even though the text includes several examples of teams I have been associated with that have had success, coupled with my observations of the current level of play in the NFL, they serve strictly as examples. It is not my intention to suggest a specific style of play or even a run/pass ratio. Likewise, while this book will focus on laying out an offensive game plan, it can equally be used to structure the needs on the defensive side of the ball. Indeed, many of the principles I am outlining in this book began with my working with Tony Dungy when we were coordinating together with the Minnesota Vikings in the mid-90s. I learned a great deal about structuring and offensive game planning based on Tony showing me how he approached preparing for an offense and the different situations he felt he had to address in his defensive game plans.

Former Super Bowl-winning head coach Brian Billick is currently an analyst for the NFL Network, a position he has held since the 2009 season. During the regular season, Billick appears every Sunday as an analyst on NFL GameDay First and appears on NFL Total Access during the weekdays. Billick began his broadcasting career after spending nine years as an NFL head coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 1999-2007. As the second head coach in Baltimore Ravens history, Billick compiled a record of 85-67, including a 5-3 playoff record. In just his second season as Ravens head coach, Brian followed up an 8-8 rookie campaign with a 12-4 overall record and the franchise s first championship in Super Bowl XXXV, with a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants. While Billick is known for his offensive expertise, the Ravens became one of the league s fiercest defenses under his tutelage, allowing an NFL record-low 165 points and leading the league in turnover differential in their 2000 championship season. In addition, during his tenure in Baltimore, six different Ravens assistant coaches went on to become NFL head coaches at five different franchises. Prior to his time in Baltimore, Billick spent seven seasons (1992-1998) as the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings under then-head coach Dennis Green. During that time, the Vikings made six playoff appearances and in 1998 set a then-NFL record for most points scored in a season (556) and a team record for touchdown passes (41). Previously, Billick held assistant coaching stints with San Diego State University and Utah State University, before being hired by Green at Stanford University in 1989, where he spent three seasons as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach. A graduate of Brigham Young University, with a degree in journalism, Billick was a standout tight end for the Cougars, earning All-WAC and honorable mention All-America honors in 1976. Subsequently, he was selected in the 11th round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Billick has written several books, including co-authoring Finding the Winning Edge with Bill Walsh. Brian also wrote the well-received book Competitive Leadership.