What are the most obscure things you've ever charted doing an opponent breakdown?
We talked about it on Twitter and here are some of the best answers.
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If you know anything about me, you know I love talking about watching film and scouting opponents.
Yesterday on Twitter, I asked a simple question:
Coaches, what are some of the most obscure or seemingly minor things you've ever charted when breaking down an opponent (In any phase of the game)?
Definitely interested if something like that ended up yielding great information.
A few coaches wanted to stay anonymous but still shared some great stuff in the DM’s about things they’ve spotted from specific opponents:
Great response from someone who wanted to remain anonymous because he's got a great read on a specific coach:
Offense
Every detail matters, just ask Coach Blazer.
Once @coachcobes had me chart where a specific Wing back lined up (he was their stud RB, & always the Rt Wing) for 5-6 games.
One play he lined up on the left, and it was Toss Pass w/him throwing.
Guess what they tried to run vs us that week.
Guess what play didn’t work. https://t.co/Qo4HDuiVPG
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
This was a really popular answer.
@AlexJKirby When the QB wipes his hands on his waist towel. Many subconsciously do it before a pass and not a hand off or run
The running back can give you all kinds of information.
@AlexJKirby Back alignment. Deeper than QB was A or B gap run game, even w QB was C or D gap run game, and in front of QB was pass.
Even at the pro level.
@AlexJKirby I didn't chart it, but the craziest one I've heard was worked with someone who's charted RB stance for run pass for a NFL rushing leader. Heard someone else say square stance compared to foot up was a run pass tell for a former Heisman QB.
Make sure you turn the audio off on your HUDL video before you exchange it.
Hudl audio of the coach calling the play out loud lol Sorry not sorry.
State then double digit number
Illinois 22 was RB dive right😂
Ohio 18 was QB sweep right 😂
We beat them preeeettttyyyy soundly. https://t.co/fc5fHvf0ke
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
Charting the hands and the stances of the offensive line was a very popular answer.
When I played safety in HS, I used to watch the linemen’s hands when down in a 3 point. At least 1 lineman every game would dig their hand into the ground on a run play, and have it barely touch the ground on a pass play https://t.co/UpvjcUrhrM
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
A lot of great tells here.
I’ve picked up on
RBs hands on knees/weight forward = getting the ball
WR wiping gloves on pants = getting the ball
OL staggered feet = pass pro
OC echoing signal repeatedly = Pass
OL tapping each other = communicating pass pro https://t.co/XwixFo69rk
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
Here’s something to keep in mind when scouting receivers.
I once saw a receiver only putting in his mouth guard pre-snap if he was running an in-breaking route. If it was run or an outside break towards the boundary, that thing was hanging free.
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
Even Beastmode has a tell.
Who was it that noticed if marshawn lynch touched his thighs presnap he was getting the ball. I think it was michael bennett
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
Defense
Hand placement makes a big difference.
@AlexJKirby Which hand the 0 tech NG had down in a s last 50 defense. It was an indicator of which gap he stunted to. It was over 95% accurate.
Some teams have a designated blitzer.
@AlexJKirby We "Mike'd" a specific linebacker regardless of alignment in a game and went 12/13 on it. A bizarre trend that he was the only kid they blitzed lol.
Charting the number of footsteps from a pre-snap look is going DEEP into film.
@AlexJKirby Amount of steps up to the line of scrimmage by backers pre snap to identify probe/blitzing tendencies.
Something to keep in mind if you’re playing a team that’s a little thin at DB.
there was a bad CB I watched who had to start for a game cause of injuries and he would stand up straight and take a deep breath whenever he was in man coverage
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
Keeping track of this stuff is invaluable.
@AlexJKirby Played a team that was 100% the same blitz if they lined up a shaded center instead of a 2. Another that lined up a super wide 9 on the tight end no matter how wide the te split... As long as he was in a 3pt. Dud had a 5 foot split for part of the game!
Special Teams
Not a really a tell, but still a good idea to keep track of this stuff.
One coach upstairs knows all player numbers of their kick teams. Since the smallest amount of time is spent each week on kicking.... any substitution needs to be attacked ! https://t.co/TFu11VRCGJ
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
This is an old favorite of a lot of great coaches.
Great thread! Curious to hear other coaches responses as well
One of my favorites is Belichick watching the other head coach to see if he’s involved with special teams or not.
If he’s typically not involved, but is seen near the huddle in a fake situation, it’s probably coming https://t.co/zbmgLgf2q9
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
It’s always nice when you’ve got a kicker with a sniper for a leg.
ST I would look at front line on KOR for OL to see if they left early and turned back to ball.
Our kicker daily practiced drilling tackling dummy bags with the football, he could hit that kid 4/5 times.
Also he was a scholarship soccer player so that ball off a tee was ☄️☄️ https://t.co/Qo4HDuiVPG
Alex Kirby @AlexJKirby
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