At the small school level it does not have to be one or the other. Most successful small schools programs use players both ways.......the key is not to use them on every play both ways. Some may play a kid at LB on 80% of the defensive snaps and fullback on 25% of the offensive snaps. Another kid may play OG on 40% of the offensive snaps and 25% at DE on defense. And if you watch small schools closely you will notice that the better two way players may get more time as the playoffs get deeper and deeper.

You are right, I meant to say with platooning players aren't as tired therefor won't lead itself to a player suseptiple to getting injured as much.

How would that be considered a "con" to platooning?

What limits coaching is coaches. You have to have the staff to be able to do it. Not all schools have that.

The biggest key to the two platoon system is kids and parents have to sacrifice their personal goals, wants, needs and be a team player even if that means playing out of position. Once ALL players and parents buy into the system then ya got something...

 

Teams that do it well buy into the philosophy, teams that fail at it are because kids and parents are not happy...Not about them, its all about the team effort and everyone buying into it whether you like it or not...:thumb:

I think that the biggest "Pro" is that practices are more competitive since players have game experience and repetitions.

 

Something that really hasn't been mentioned explicitly yet, but may have been touched on is that when a single player does go down with an injury, it's "next man up" and others are more prepared and ready to step in and play.

Very few cons of the platooning system. If you have a true stud, let them play both ways. Everyone else focuses on one aspect of the game and gets coached there everyday, all day.

Edited September 12, 201313 yr by JokersWild24

Very few cons of the platooning system. If you have a true stud, let them play both ways. Everyone else focuses on one aspect of the game and gets coached their everyday, all day.

 

I disagree. Not fair to the other 10 guys on each side of the ball that is fresh and ready to go to have a stud slow them down...JMO

 

Pick a side for the betterment of the team...

 

Now if you got a Stud that can go both ways and your defense is on the field the whole game then if he is just standing around I agree, get him reps but to think a stud can go both ways equally and play every play of the game is just possible imo.

 

Not at the schools I have seen that are successful at two platooning...

It sounds like many people have the answer. But here is the golden question...if you have a two platoon system in place and you come across a down class or injury plagued season, what do you do? Continue with your philosophy and play younger guys and take lumps? Or do what you can to win football games?

I disagree. Not fair to the other 10 guys on each side of the ball that is fresh and ready to go to have a stud slow them down...JMO

 

Pick a side for the betterment of the team...

 

Now if you got a Stud that can go both ways and your defense is on the field the whole game then if he is just standing around I agree, get him reps but to think a stud can go both ways equally and play every play of the game is just possible imo.

 

Not at the schools I have seen that are successful at two platooning...

So you wouldn't play a stud both ways? I'm not talking about just the best player on your team I'm talking about a legit D-1 athlete. Them at 80% is better than most of the other kids (probably all) at 100%. A D1 DB shouldn't play a little WR?

For the record I'm talking skill positions. No way a linemen should go both ways in a two platoon system. But if I have a Michael Bush he's playing offense and at least half the game of defense.

I disagree. Not fair to the other 10 guys on each side of the ball that is fresh and ready to go to have a stud slow them down...JMO

 

Pick a side for the betterment of the team...

 

Now if you got a Stud that can go both ways and your defense is on the field the whole game then if he is just standing around I agree, get him reps but to think a stud can go both ways equally and play every play of the game is just possible imo.

 

Not at the schools I have seen that are successful at two platooning...

 

Eh, kinda depends on the class to me. If you are 3A or lower, I think you have a good case for playing a stud both ways just based on sheer numbers. Of course, you'll get him off the field to rest at some point, but at that level, you probably want them out there as much as you can have them out there.

 

We may be defining "stud" differently though.

 

I would call a true "stud" a kid like Lamar Dawson. I don't think Boyle County would have been nearly as successful with him sitting out at least 1/3 of the game as they were having him out there for 80% of the offensive or defensive snaps. Another example would be a kid like David Jones at Belfry, Winston Guy at Lexington Catholic, etc.

 

Just too talented to keep off the field, especially considering what you would be replacing them with. If you're a Sabermetrics person, think of it as WAR (wins above replacement).

It sounds like many people have the answer. But here is the golden question...if you have a two platoon system in place and you come across a down class or injury plagued season, what do you do? Continue with your philosophy and play younger guys and take lumps? Or do what you can to win football games?

 

If I'm in contention to win state, I do what I can.

 

If I'm having a down year anyway, I build for the next year.

 

I realize there is lots of grey area in between though.

Dont you need a minimum of 44 players? If not then your 1st team is also your scout team or am I missing something on how they run practice?

Dont you need a minimum of 44 players? If not then your 1st team is also your scout team or am I missing something on how they run practice?

Your starting defense would practice against you starting offense, increasing quality reps for both due to the fact they are both playing against starters not a scout team.

Your starting defense would practice against you starting offense, increasing quality reps for both due to the fact they are both playing against starters not a scout team.

Right but I get what doubledeuce is asking. On Defensive days, your 1st team offense still has to run the scout offense for that week and vice-versa. For me it would still be a positive for both sides of the ball though.