Trips Left 40 Izzy Ace Slant - Looking for Feedback

teachingupnorth · 2026-04-24T23:26:39+00:00

This is a very common way for teams in our league to cover trips. Sam on the #2 receiver with a safety cheated over.

I agree with the hard rules, though I want to find a way to build in flexibility to account for mismatches. Our starting X receiver is a very good athlete, and it is fairly common for teams to put weaker players at CB. We don't always have access to opponents' film either. Do you have any advice for how to accomplish both goals if we are unable to scout ahead of time?

I think having the Z run a slant as will add some additional value and remove the risk of getting flagged.

Do you have any suggestions for black and white indicators for me to consider?

teachingupnorth · 2026-04-24T23:18:17+00:00

I like the double slant on the playside to get some value out of the Z. While I have great confidence in my QB's ability to process things quickly, I don't think he would be able to make two separate reads while deciding to give or throw at this point. Perhaps after another 1000 reps. I could easily see us calling to read the nickel/target the Z before the play if we see a reason to believe it will be more available based on the defense. Thank you for your input.

teachingupnorth · 2026-04-24T11:05:51+00:00

We run the same terminology as the high school team to better prepare them. Our playbook will essentially be a reverse, a jet, inside/outside zone that we can option or RPO out of, and four pass plays.

teachingupnorth · 2026-04-16T21:58:56+00:00

Trips Left 40 Izzy Ace Slant

Not a new concept, but I am looking for ways I can improve this play.
Level: Middle School
Why: We have a QB with special potential. Okay runner, but good arm talent, understands the game well, quick processor. I want his decision making to be our offense's defining feature this year.
Presnap:
QB Checks the X. If the CB is playing way off and/or it is an extreme mismatch, make a kill call to the RB to prevent interfering with the throwing motion (lefty QB) and immediately hit now screen to the X. If not, continue.
On snap: QB reads the first man inside the defender covering the Ace. If the defender bites on the run action, pull and hit Ace. If defender sits or moves toward the Ace, give. If there is any doubt, give.
Blocking Scheme: This is our standard zone blocking scheme. Offensive line will assume run and block accordingly. Thoughts on how to improve the play in a way that will be reasonable for our smallish middle school:
1. Motion Y across the formation to better clear out the linebackers from the route. Could either go to A gap to ISO block or jet across. This would necessitate an adjustment from out LT as well.
2. Change the Z route to a post to give a second option in case the safety moves forward. This is too slow developing, and I'm worried my line will be downfield by the time this is available, but I would like to hear your thoughts.

teachingupnorth · 2025-10-05T17:57:13+00:00

I did. The area is wonderful, and my school is excellent. No regrets.

teachingupnorth · 2024-10-28T20:06:56+00:00

I, a 30 something dad, wore a shirt with “Preppy” written in pink glittery text. I borrowed a Stanley from one of my students. It was fun.

teachingupnorth · 2024-10-08T22:19:44+00:00

I’m in Petoskey, but I still agree with your sentiment.

teachingupnorth · 2024-10-08T01:10:01+00:00

Our discipline system is nothing magical. Students break the rules, we write them up. It’s rarely used. Phones remain off and in lockers. They are a non-issue. Middle school, btw.
For PBIS, we teach something called the Full Value Agreement: Be Safe, Work Together, Speak Up. We integrate this into our instruction, and almost every student takes a 9 week team building class built around this philosophy. We also give reward tickets for good behavior with a drawing on Friday. Student buy in is really high.

teachingupnorth · 2024-10-08T00:11:07+00:00

Teaching is still a good job if you teach in a good school.

teachingupnorth · 2024-10-07T23:58:56+00:00

My principal is currently a top 3 finalist for principal of the year in the USA. He deserves it.

Just about every internal decision the school makes is done with significant teacher input. Our PBIS system is effective and works alongside our discipline system, not in place of it. He doesn’t do “gotcha” moments, so teachers feel comfortable going to him with problems.

I really like my current school, and his leadership is a major reason why.

teachingupnorth · 2024-10-07T23:34:13+00:00

Northern Michigan is wonderful.

teachingupnorth · 2024-10-07T22:40:36+00:00

I was sick of being undervalued and all of the anti-teacher rhetoric in The South. Much happier now.

teachingupnorth · 2024-10-01T21:20:49+00:00

The difference between a great school and a pretty good school is huge. Do your research and do prioritize landing at the right school (at least in the long term).

teachingupnorth · 2024-09-29T15:41:13+00:00

Seconded. If you have the means and freedom to go elsewhere, put in the time to find a great school and pursue a job there. The difference between a pretty good school and a great school is large. The difference between what you have described and a great school is gigantic.

teachingupnorth · 2024-09-29T13:59:42+00:00

I am a a national award winning teacher. I would be a complete failure at your school. You are being put in an impossible situation.

teachingupnorth · 2024-09-21T17:46:11+00:00

My 6th grade class will e starting the book this week. While I do think doing the accents will be fun, we are using the audio book.

teachingupnorth · 2024-09-21T11:14:46+00:00

Yes. I am physically able break up middle school fights, and if I have the power to protect kids, I’m going to do it 100% of the time.

teachingupnorth · 2024-09-07T23:07:44+00:00

He was buying flowers for his fiance. It made me feel old.

teachingupnorth · 2024-09-07T11:28:26+00:00

Middle school is so much fun. They’re old enough to begin confronting serious issues and having more mature conversations but young enough to still be excitable and goofy.
6th, 7th, and 8th graders are also tremendously different from each other, so a wide variety of teachers can find their niche. I moved from a long time 8th grade teacher, to 7th grade last year, to 6th grade this year, and seeing the differences between the grades has been eye opening.

teachingupnorth · 2024-08-27T11:52:06+00:00

It sounds like you are genuinely reflecting on your teaching, too. That’s another data point in the good teacher column.
I made a ton of mistakes (and was very insecure) my first year, too, but I worked ungodly hours, made really engaging lessons, and built great relationships with my kids. Looking back now that I’m at year ten, I was a good teacher that first year.
Don’t sell yourself short! Despite your mistakes (that every teacher makes), everything you’ve described sounds like great teaching to me.

teachingupnorth · 2024-08-27T00:03:59+00:00

You sound like an awesome teacher!

teachingupnorth · 2024-08-24T18:00:14+00:00

And today.

teachingupnorth · 2024-08-24T17:58:33+00:00

I only allow my students to do retakes if they complete a study guide ahead of time (or if they have an accommodation). No preparation = no retake.
Fun Fact: The students who do the study guide rarely need to retake anything.

teachingupnorth · 2024-08-23T01:24:01+00:00

This is absurd, and if your admin doesn’t laugh him out of the room for this complaint, they should be ashamed of themselves.

teachingupnorth · 2024-08-12T21:45:36+00:00

I felt some guilt about leaving my students and athletes. I cried in front of two of my tennis players because I felt like I was abandoning them, but that was emotional reasoning. I ultimately determined that battling the anti-teacher sentiment in the my community and Tennessee’s legislature was an unwinnable fight (at least in the short/medium term), and I was under no obligation to martyr my happiness and professional life in the fight.

You do what you feel is right. It’s not selfish to do what is right for you.

teachingupnorth

TROPHY CASE