Play Fast! Secret Success Strategies For Hurry-Up, No-Huddle, Spread Offense

Coach Clint Hartman does a great job in this video breaking down the philosophy of why he chose to run a hurry up offense and what you must do in practice and during games to keep the offense moving fast.  Using a “chalk talk” approach he shows you how he gets his coaches and players to beat defenses by making defenses play more base defense and minimize stunts and disguised coverages.

The Hurry-Up Philosophy

Coaches are always trying to find advantages to get the most out of the players and put them in positions to win.  Imagine having to go against some of the biggest and best Texas high school football programs week in and week out.  How could your team compete and match their size, strength or depth?  Hartman’s tactic is by employing a hurry up/play fast offense where he has a shot to level the playing field and put his teams in competitive positions to take on any teams.

Practice Fast to Play Fast

From placement on the field to lifting fast in the weight room, learn what you and your program can do to get ready to play at speeds most defenses can’t match.  Are your play calls taking too long, with too much time wasted between plays? Learn how to effectively signal in plays and formations so you can get your playmakers to make more plays.  The faster you go, the harder it is for defenses to get set.  Most defensive coordinators signal in plays after they see the offensive formation.  The faster the ball can be set and the play can be called, the more likely you are to catch the defense off guard!

Staying Fast Between Plays

Teach your players how to help the refs keep the game moving.  Coach Hartman’s players know how to not be fancy after having a big play.  Find the ref quickly and get them the ball where it needs to be spotted.  Did your receiver just run a deep route?  Have your next guy ready to step onto the field with a fresh set of legs to wear down the defenders.  Playing in a loud and hostile environment?  Have signals ready so all the players can know what to do before the ball is snapped.  What has to be done to have your offense run 85-90 plays per game?

Examples of How They Do It

At the end of the video Coach Hartman shares examples of his Midland Lee offense doing what he has described; Getting the plays called quickly, being ready for the snap, helping the refs get the ball, and even having your big guys up front in shape so they can run to the play and be ready for the next snap.

Coach Hartman takes the time in this video to dissect and reinforce ‘WHY to run the hurry-up’.  Getting your coaches and players to understand the philosophy in the off season can help prepare your team to play faster in season, score more points, and win more games.

“I’ve run the hurry-up air raid offense … with great success but have had some issues with getting other coaches to understand the philosophy of why we do it.  Coach Hartman answers all the questions I’ve ever been asked about playing fast and then points out some advantages and in game ideas I have never even thought of.  He really does a great job (in this video) of showing you how you can use this to your advantage, even against better teams.”

 Coach Collins, Basha High School

51 minutes. 2022.