How/Where to Learn the X's and O's of Football

Hey all, I've been a Pats fan since I started watching football in 1994 and fell in love with it. I've seen a lot of games, but when it comes to the X's and O's I'd like to learn more. I have a basic understanding 11 players on each side, 4-3, 3-4, Zone vs. Man, etc. But I'd like to learn more and enjoy the game on a deeper level.

I'm just wondering if any of you can help me out. If you know any websites or youtube video series or books I can get that would teach me more about different defenses, offenses, special teams etc. Not just the actual formations and stuff which I can easily get from Wikipedia but what the strengths and weaknesses of certain defenses and offenses are, what situations would be the best to use each of them, etc.

Thanks for your time.

A good start is with Pat Kirwan.

His website has a tab called X's and O's. Good stuff.

Real Football Network – Understanding the “How and Why” of football (<< Link)

My best learning came from playing. If I come across anything, I'll send it your way. It's the internet though, so you can find anything.

This is a good basic building block:

index - footballstrategy

If you do a few searches here you can find some solid technical football X's and O's from some of our more knowledgable members.

Outside of Patsfans I would recommend checking out ALLWORLDTE’s posts on the other Pats site. He has a stickied thread on the Pats passing offense that was very helpful to me in better understanding how the Patriots attack different defenses.

Avoid NE Tailgate w Ordway, Smerlas and DeOssie.

You'll get smarter doing Whip-Its.

insidethepylon.com has a lot of good stuff. I especially like the Special Teams guy, Chuck Zodda.

footballoutsiders.com Word of Muth column. Great look at offensive line play.

footballbyfootball.com has good stuff by Matt Chatham, but it seems erratically updated.

Thought you might enjoy this article about Atlanta's schemes defending the Patriots:

Falcons Defense Game Plan Against Tom Brady | The MMQB with Peter King

I second the nomination of 'Take your eye off the ball'. It is a great book. It is worth reading twice.

The Weekly Belichick Breakdowns on Patriots.com, of course.

teamplay said:

Thought you might enjoy this article about Atlanta's schemes defending the Patriots:

Falcons Defense Game Plan Against Tom Brady | The MMQB with Peter King

Click to expand...

Ok, read this. But does anyone here agree? Seems to me that the times that the Patriots have had trouble is when there is pressure (e.g. Giants, Von Miller and Boncos). If you don't pressure Brady, he will wait, and wait, and wait. Also, he will take off and run if needed.

If you can get by the title assuming your gender i found
A Woman's Guide to Football good if dated. Although it might be a tad basic for you.

fan345 said:

Ok, read this. But does anyone here agree? Seems to me that the times that the Patriots have had trouble is when there is pressure (e.g. Giants, Von Miller and Boncos). If you don't pressure Brady, he will wait, and wait, and wait. Also, he will take off and run if needed.

Click to expand...

Pressure up the middle has been the Kryptonite (Giants, Broncos, Texans) but that's not Atlanta's strength. And they're not going to sit back in zone after what happened last week with the Steelers. Therefore, the article offers some of the other possibilities. Take with a grain of salt.

@jays52 - care the enlighten us in the masses?

Text NEM.

Matt Chatham, Matt Bowen, I.T.P. , Matt Waldman, FO, PFF, Fanrag, @JuMosq, @johnowning, @jamesalight, DLineVids, @Olinescout, @CalhounLambeau

Heres a few on Twitter, net etc

Im on Twitter as well (BaconGrundleCandy @j_fid) and its 99% football, College, draft. More than welcome to ask me anything, follow me or look through who I follow for suggestions.

So many places you can start. Football is a simple but complex game. Any knowledge is useful imho.

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