THE HUDDLE - This is where every successful play begins.
LISTEN and HEAR - try to visualize your assignment; calls if any; keep the starting count on your mind. JOG to the L.O.S. -
NEVER WALK - this has a positive psychological advantage over your opponent especially as the game goes along. Every time at practice, when we break the huddle, I remind the offensive line to jog to the L.O.S.. Your opponent does not need to know that you may be getting tired. If your opponent senses that you may be getting tired, it then becomes a psychological advantage for them.
THE SNAP COUNT - In order to control the L.O.S., it is extremely important that you execute the starting count. The single greatest advantage that the offensive line has over the defense is that you know when the ball will be snapped and where the play is going.
Not enough emphasis can be put on the line to get off on the snap count together. It's my experience that sometimes we get so caught up in the football game that we don't hear the snap count or we just forget it prior to the snap of the ball. So, how do I ask for the snap count while on the L.O.S.? Remember, when conducting your drills and initiating movement always try and do this with your starting count. So that your offensive line doesn't get use to always going on the same snap count all the time, be sure and mix your snap count up ( on one, on two, on three etc. ) What I teach is the following:
1. Alert calls to be used by the offensive line when asking for the snap count to be repeated.
A. ORANGE - Word used to ask for the snap count. So, if any member of the offense forgets the snap count all he has to do is to alert orange, orange. Any offensive person can respond with the following alert words:
B. FIGHT - word used to alert that the ball will be snapped on first sound.
C. LAKE - word used to alert that the ball will be snapped on one.
The alerts listed above can be changed to fit your personal preference. This gives your offensive line a method by which to get the snap count repeated. Another system I've used to alert snap counts is a follows:
A. WHAT'S FOR DINNER - Alert used by any offensive person requesting the snap count be repeated. Any player can respond by using the following alerts.
B. ICE - alerts the offense that we are using the "FREEZE" snap. Nobody moves until the ball is snapped or the quarterback has audibilized to a play.
C. KILL - Ball is going to be snapped on first sound.
D. ORANGE - Ball will be snapped on the first color used by the quarterback.
E. PIZZA - Ball is going to be snapped on first "HUT".
F. PIZZA, PIZZA - Ball is going to be snapped on two or second "HUT, HUT".
G. STEAK - Ball is going to be snapped on three or third "HUT".
THE PRE-SNAP SET - can be handled in several different ways, according to the believes of the coach. In my system the offensive line is required upon reaching the L.O.S. to get down in their pre-snap playing position, which is a three point stance. I will allow our offensive line the opportunity to play from a two point stance only in obvious passing downs or when trying to execute screens and draws. The center becomes a very important factor when getting to the L.O.S.. It is the center that the rest of the offensive line sets their stance on, so, the center must get to the L.O.S. and get set.
Courtesy Coach Jerry Campbell
