Many teams view tempo as something that is used exclusively for no-huddle teams. In many coaches’ eyes, tempo is only for the team trying to run 80 plays a game. On the other end of the spectrum, a ball-control team looking to win time of possession doesn't need to use tempo. With times I consult with whether huddle or go no huddle, I have tempo tools that I suggest for a team operating under either procedure. These tools are effective in any type of team’s attack.

Again

Having the ability to communicate to your team to get up to the ball and run the exact same play again is an effective way to continue to exploit a defense when you feel you have them exactly where you want them. The procedure for us is simple: We have a code word that is signaled in to the entire offense and relayed to everyone. It tells them to align in the same formation and run the exact same play as soon as the ball is spotted. If the previous play has motion, the player who went in motion simply aligns in the spot that he motioned to.

Again Tempo Illustration

Flip it

Similar to our Again procedure is “flip it.” Again, the players get the code word from the sideline, and it is relayed to everyone quickly. The only difference with “flip it” is that it is used for boundary and field sensitive plays, such as 31 zone read bubble or 31 stick-draw. We align in the opposite formation and run the play to the other side.

Just having these two tools in your offense is a great start. It allows you to put the defense on their heels. Most times, a defense will get into a base look or run the same defense as the previous snap.

Freeze

Once we have run a series of these plays, the most basic way we get out of the play is to align in the same formation, false cadence and freeze to try to induce the defense to jump. At the college level, this entails snapping the ball when the defense is offsides. At high school, once the defense crosses into the neutral zone, it is automatically penalized five yards. Regardless, the likelihood of getting the defense to move is great because we were operating at a fast pace and snapping the ball quickly. They are put into a situation that they are just trying to align as fast as they can. Not jumping offsides isn't the first thing on the defensive lineman’s mind.

Here is an example of freeze.

Sequenced plays

Another tool I suggest is a series of three plays without a huddle. We typically call our base run, a counter off of it, then a play action. All of these are from the same personnel and formation. If we use motion, it will be on the first play only with all subsequent plays having the motion player align where he was after the motion. Procedurally, the offense will look to the sideline after the first play to confirm we are still in the sequence. If something happens where we don’t want to run the play, we just signal in a different tempo, and we move on. We like to use this at the beginning of a series or after we pick up a first down.

Here is an example of a three play sequence resulting in a touchdown.

 

 

The up-tempo huddle

The other tool that I am intensely interested in is the up-tempo huddle. For teams that changed personnel, I believe this is the best way to operate. More and more, the official will stand over the ball and hold the snap until the defense makes its changes. Aligning and presenting to the defense is no longer an advantage. Auburn utilized this procedure in the SEC championship, and it proved very effective. It’s a tool that I suggest for both huddle and no-huddle teams. The effect it has is allowing the defense little time to recognize and adjust.

After the quarterback calls the play once with the snap count, the receivers leave the huddle to get a head start to get to their position, then the quarterback repeats the cadence (some teams would repeat the whole call) and says “ready” and the remaining players say, “Break” while clapping their hands and getting to the line of scrimmage.

There’s a slight twist on Auburn’s huddle, which allows them to get in motion and snap the ball within four seconds of breaking the huddle.

In the video below, the quarterback calls the play in the huddle and lets his receivers deploy. Notice that the line is only about two yards away from the ball. Marshall strategically waits until his receivers are in position, then breaks the huddle with himself and the remaining seven players aligning quickly. After about two seconds, a receiver is put in motion and the ball is snapped at about four seconds after the huddle was broken.

Consider incorporating these simple yet effective tools into your offense. Think of tempo as another facet of your offensive attack. Be sure to practice these procedures during the week. Don’t expect to just break them out on game day and have them be effective. It takes only a little practice for your players to understand these procedures and make them work in the game.

Keith Grabowski recently completed his 25th year in coaching, serving as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at his alma mater, Baldwin-Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. He previously was a head coach at the high school level for eight years. Grabowski is a columnist for American Football Monthly and writes his own blog at coachgrabowski.wordpress.com. He's the author of "101+ Pro Style Pistol Offense Plays," available on Apple's iBookstore and operates Coaches Edge Technologies. Follow him on Twitter @CoachKeithGrabowski.