Check Tempo

Check is the final Tempo that fits into our Fast Tempo package.   Check was created out of the desire to teach the quarterback some simple indicators we look for when checking a play from the press box.  We utilize this to avoid the stall that takes place when the players look to the sideline for a change.  Defenses also showed that they would change what they were doing when we looked to the sideline, so we might change our play while they are changing their defense, and we are no longer in an optimum play.

We utilize this within the game plan by setting up plays that are checks at the line of scrimmage.  The idea was that our players could see a few key indicators that we were looking for from the press box as well or better than we could upstairs.  The quarterback would false cadence, make a quick call to let the rest of the offense know to run the called play, or he could change it based on the parameters of the game plan.

Thought Process for Quarterback on field Check Tempo:

1.  Have a procedure that allows this.  There may be times when you don’t want the quarterback to check anything.  Be having a procedure that puts him in a “check” mode, he know he is looking for a simple indicator or two to put the offense in a certain play.

2.  Find the obvious and most expected looks that you will face in the game and utilize something already in your offense to attack it.  Checking to a special may cause confusion on game day because the play being checked to isn’t that familiar to the players.

3.  Script in enough of those situations during the week that the offense understands the checks and can execute them.  If you don’t have time to practice it, then it shouldn’t be a part of what you do on game day.

When the players can learn the why and know it as well as the how, they can effectively attack the weaknesses of the defense.