Why Mindset Trumps Skill Set in Implementing the Flexbone Triple Option Offense
December 10, 2024
The Flexbone Triple Option isn’t just a playbook; it’s a way of life. Successfully running this offense demands more than technical know-how—it requires a complete shift in how a coach thinks about football. Here’s why changing a coach’s mindset is essential before tackling their skill set.
1. Paradigm Shift
The Flexbone requires abandoning traditional offensive mindsets, whether pass-heavy or balanced, in favor of a run-dominated, option-based system. This is not just a tactical adjustment; it’s a lifestyle one.
•Embracing Simplicity: The Flexbone thrives on a handful of well-executed plays, not a bloated playbook. Coaches must trust in its simplicity and precision to create chaos for the defense.
•Trust in the Process: Skeptics and opponents may challenge this unconventional system, but a coach with the right mindset can stay committed to its principles, inspiring their team to follow suit.
2. Player Development
To run the Flexbone, players must develop mentally as much as physically. This requires a teaching approach rooted in patience, clarity, and discipline.
•Mental Toughness: Players need to make split-second decisions, read defenses, and execute their roles with selfless precision. Coaches must adopt a mindset that prioritizes this development.
•Patience and Vision: Mastering the Flexbone doesn’t happen overnight. Coaches need to understand that small, consistent improvements lead to long-term success, even if early results aren’t immediate.
3. Built-In Game Planning and Strategy
The Flexbone demands a shift from reactive coaching to a proactive, control-driven approach.
•Dictating the Game: The Flexbone philosophy focuses on controlling tempo, minimizing mistakes, and forcing defenses to respond. This requires a mindset focused on strategic discipline over flashy plays.
•Adaptability: While the core plays are simple, executing them against different defenses requires constant practice and flexibility.
4. Leadership and Environment
The Flexbone isn’t just an offense—it’s an environmental perception. Success begins with a coach’s ability to model and instill discipline, commitment, and selflessness in their team.
•Building Unity: This system thrives when players buy into their roles as part of a cohesive unit. A coach’s mindset sets the tone for this culture of accountability and teamwork.
•Commitment to the System: A coach’s unwavering belief in the Flexbone inspires the same in players. Without this mindset, skepticism can spread, undermining the system’s potential.
5. Skill Set Development Comes Last
A coach’s mindset is the foundation on which their skill set grows. Only after embracing the Flexbone mindset can they effectively learn its techniques, play designs, and strategies.
•Purposeful Learning: Every read, block, and adjustment makes sense when grounded in the larger vision. Skill set development without the right mindset remains superficial and unsustainable.
Conclusion
The Flexbone Triple Option isn’t just a system; it’s a way of thinking. Without the right mindset, even the best-designed plays fail to achieve their purpose. Coaches must embrace simplicity and trust the system!
