The up-tempo and no-huddle offenses are taking flight on every age level of football. A fast offense controls the pace of the game and executes plays very quickly and effectively.

Here’s a look at why and how you might consider this approach.

Benefits

• Fast offenses dictate the pace of the game. The offense will make the defense play at the offense’s pace. 
• Many defenses are not prepared for an up-tempo offense. Subbing in players will be a problem for the defense.
• You will make the opposing team burn time outs to readjust.
• You will tire the defense out and use your conditioning to take over the game.
• You will create poor alignments, meaning the defense will align to your offense incorrectly because they are scrambling.
• You can utilize snap counts. Going on quick counts a couple plays in a row and then hitting them with a long count can make the defense jump offsides. 
• Mixing the snap count will slow down the defense’s rush. 

Becoming a fast offense

• If you want to become a fast offense, you have practice fast. It all starts in practice.
• Do drills fast.
• Come out of the huddle fast.
• Practice plays fast.
• No walking on the field what so ever.

Do not do just do sprints. Run play sprints out of your offense. Have the kids get into the huddle, then call a play and have them run to the line, get set, execute the play and finish the play with a 20-yard sprint.

The kids who aren’t in will run off to the side. Do two play sprints, there and back and then have your second offense switch in and run the plays. This is not only excellent conditioning this will get additional play reps for all your players. 

Utilize fast hitting plays like the jet sweep, trap and wedge. To be a fast offense, you have to have fast hitting plays. 

Jeff Hemhauser is the co-founder of Youth Football Online.