The head football coach at St. Edward High School (Lakewood, Ohio) takes a different approach to play-calling during the summer.

Tom Lombardo, a recent guest of USA Football’s Coach and Coordinator podcast,  believes he can learn a lot about his team—and about his signal-caller—when he gives his quarterback the opportunity to call plays during 7on7.

“I let the quarterback call his own plays, that’s what they used to in football back in the day,” Lombardo said. “I especially do it in 7on7 and some full team.”

MORE: How QBs can make the most out of 7on7s

Allowing quarterbacks to call their own plays is something that hasn’t happened in the NFL for decades.

Lombardo believes that giving his quarterback the freedom to choose the play gives him an insight into his quarterback’s thought process.

“I write down what he calls. How else to learn what the kid is most comfortable with? When he’s out there under fire, what’s on his head? What’s he comfortable with? And what’s he going to call? I learn a ton,” Lombardo said.

He takes notes, so he knows what the quarterback prefers and will know to call those plays more often. Lombardo points to Vince Lombardi, who allowed quarterback Bart Starr to call his own plays, as an inspiration.

“I’ve been doing it for four or five years now,” Lombardo said. “I think it’s great.”

The approach seems to be working nicely. St. Edward finished 14-1 and captured a state title in 2015, Lombardo’s first season, and posted a 9-3 record in 2016.

Listen to the full interview below, and learn more about the USA Football 7on7 here: