Introduction to Football Strategy
American football might at first appear to be a game relying almost entirely on strength, speed, and size, but the strategic elements of the game are also extremely important. Prior to a game, a team’s coaching staff and players must be aware of their own offensive and defensive capabilities and how those match up with those of their opponent. Successful strategy also includes choosing between relying on the team’s strengths and doing what they do best (which is what the opponent will expect them to do), or relying on the element of surprise, utilizing unconventional tactics to catch an opponent off guard and thus gain the advantage.
As each team alternates between being on offense and defense, a clear overall strategy - with the head coach, offensive and defensive coordinators, and players working together as a unit - is the key to effective play. Whether on offense, defense, or special teams, each member of a team must know how the team as a whole will “attack” and must be prepared to react to the opposing team’s strategy.