Breaking Down Film In-Season

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Saturday morning, I watch last night’s game once. The result in already in the book so I watch strictly my position group. As a defensive coach, I tally guys within 5yds of the ball at the end of the play but overall the result doesn’t matter; its already over. What does matter it taking advantage of coaching points to either grow players or praise players. When praising, I will use a player’s name, “Johnny, great job your shoulder free and forcing it back to help.” When correcting, I use “we”. I want to pat players on the back for succeeding on the field and learn as a team when we don’t.
High school games fly by on film so usually I watch most available film on the upcoming team over the weekend. Understanding time can be limited, I would strive for minimum of 2-3 games when preparing week to week for an opponent. Priority being on if they played a team running similar scheme to your own and their two last games.
I have a notebook for film breakdown. I keep all my old notes. I start the new page with game date, opponent, and their “scheme/philosophy” at the top. (i.e. 09/08/2017, @ABC HS, spread (option)/ 3-4)

1. Watch it once straight through looking things that pop out.
   1. Favorite plays
   2. Hard tendencies.
   3. Standout players
2. Re-watch focusing on your position group (and special teams).
   1. As a DB coach, I watched for most common patterns, favorite target, tells and down and distance plays. Also, like to gauge QB arm strength.
   2. As a QB coach, I look for coverage, alignment/fonts, and pressures.

Once I am done watching film, I look over my notes and think about how our scheme can capitalize and limit our opponent. I make a list of what I think we need to stress to the team (i.e. favorite plays, formation tendencies etc), adjustments/installs ideas, and key players for our opponent.
I’ll take my notes/ideas to our staff meeting, usually on Sunday afternoon. Here, we push through a quick recap of our last game to identify focus points for practice. Next, we have everyone put their “two cents” on what they saw from our upcoming opponent. Each position coach should also share more details related to their group. You will see trends in what coaches are seeing.
After that, we do the same with our suggestions. This should be as open as possible, you want everyone to feel comfortable sharing thoughts. The head coach should lead this and make a point to make everyone participate. This will shape the game plan. The head coach can guide this to make sure needed points are addressed and work towards agreements as much as possible on what to do. Head Coach always has final say.
Once a general game plan is finalized, you are ready for the week. The head coach (typically) should write up and pass out this game plan to the staff so the staff can use it when planning practice for the week. This game plan should include the talking points and general game plan, adjustments, key players(/plays), etc.  If you have a large staff or help and can have your film fully broken down, this game plan can include formations (usage), play tendencies, etc.
I will put a copy in my notebook. If there are adjustment made leading up to gameday, I mark those on the game plan. This can be a reference for future games. New this year, I plan to write the score and quick recap on the games; mainly I want to highlight failures/successes in relation to game plan and any in game adjustment.  This should be very basic (like coverage check changes, etc.)
If you share copy with your players it should be more basic and limited. Unfortunately, players aren’t eager to watch film or scour over a game plan. For this same reason, game plans should never be too elaborate either; use your system!
All coaches following this and a collaboration of idea will allow you to position your team to execute and win on gameday.
The work is done Saturday to Thursday, game day is all about collecting the paycheck!