The Flex Offense - Time To Love It?

I am involved with a team that is coached by a very good coach. So there's not much for me to offer. But this team has hit a trough, and it is staring up at some deep, rocky sides of that trough. So the coach commented to me the other day that he is seriously thinking of installing some kind of pattern offense - like the flex - just to get some movement and direction for his team. Giving his guys specific responsibilities and routes to run. Sounds great, right?

Except for one thing. We are not trying to teach the guys how to run routes, we are trying to teach the guys to play the game. So that when some idiot does require that they run a ridiculous pattern offense they will be able to make plays out of it.

But this is a short cautionary tale. If you are teaching your guys to play the game, rather than play your offense, you will run into troughs. And it will be to tough to climb out of that trough. It is inevitable. Because the teams you're playing against are going to get better, bigger, faster. Which means that what you knew yesterday is nor longer enough. You have to constantly build upon what you knew yesterday and develop new skills, reads, shot moves, and your understanding of the game. Yeah, it's going to be frustrating because it will seem like you are always starting over. But, as we discussed before, you have to decide if you're willing to risk your reputation as a coach to get your kids over this hump? Or are you content to coach for the guys in the stands and have your kids worse for it?

Up to you. I know where I will be. How about you?