By: Tony DeMeo

Everybody has a system of Game-planning. Some coaches script the first 15 or 20 plays, some coaches like Paul Johnson wing it based on his experience. Coaches color code & highlighters became their life-blood. But how about time-management?

Well of course everyone has their 2 minute drill ready or their 4 minute victory offense and the word “Tempo” is a popular buzzword used hundreds of times per game by the “experts”. But as someone once said is that all there is?

I had the great fortune of working with a strategic genius, who could have also been a stand-up comic, Jim Valvano. Jimmy used the clock like Picasso used a pastel. He used up-tempo or slow down stall ball based on opponent or situation. His adage that I took to heart was: “He who controls the pace, wins the race” – basically when facing a superior opponent – shorten the game BUT if you had the superior team then put your foot on the gas & make them play. I soaked up everything I could in the 4 years I worked with him. I’ve spoken often about idea of Tempo-Control & even had a chapter about it in my book: Commonsense Rules for Everyday Leaders. Tempo is not a philosophy, it’s a tool to use. http://tonydemeo.com/articles/jimmy-v-rule/

Another great piece of Valvano Wisdom that I used throughout my career was: “The Six Minute Games”. Even though “V” was a Hoops Coach, there were many of his ideas that were very applicable to football.

The Six Minute Games

In every game there are 4 key Six Minute Periods that your team must control. They are:

1. The first 6 minutes of the game.

2. The 6 minutes prior to the end of the half

3. The first 6 minutes of the second half

4. The last 6 minutes of the game

Those were the 4 areas that Jim thought you had to control.

Click here to read more and learn how Coach DeMeo applied this concept of 4 Six Minute periods in  his game planning approach

This is an excerpt from an article that was written by Tony DeMeo. Coach DeMeo, now retired, is an accomplished Author, sought after Speaker, and the creator of the Triple Gun Offense. He continues to travel around the country instructing coaches and players that run his Offense.

Coach DeMeo recently published the sixth volume in his Virtual Playbook series entitled The Gun Triple, and a Quarterback Drills video – both in collaboration with CompuSports Media Services.  Both titles, along with other titles in the Virtual Playbook series can be viewed online in the new Triple Gun section of the CompuSports Media Exchange, which also includes a Triple Gun Q and A section and additional complimentary videos like Indoor Quarterback Drills.

DVD versions of the Virtual Playbook series and Quarterback drill videos are available at tonydemeo.com .