The explosive Edge - win the +20 battle
I love analytics.
I don't believe numbers replace coaching. But I absolutely believe we should know what the numbers tell us about winning football games.
According to Modern Football's data, here are three of the biggest:
1. Win the +20-yard play battle — 81% win rate
2. Win the turnover battle — 78% win rate
3. Win the sack battle — 77% win rate
Read #1 again.
Win the +20-yard play battle and you win 81% of the time.
We all preach turnovers. Protect the football. Create takeaways. Win the turnover battle.
But how much time are we spending talking about winning the explosive-play battle?
And more importantly...
Are we actually game-planning to win it?
DON'T HOPE FOR EXPLOSIVES. GAME PLAN THEM.
If winning the +20 battle gives us that kind of advantage, we can't go into Friday night simply hoping our best player breaks a tackle or our quarterback happens to hit a deep ball.
Explosives need to be part of the game plan.
I’d challenge every offensive staff to have at least four opportunities on the call sheet specifically designed to create a +20.
And listen, I love a good gadget or trick play—that can always be #5!
But your first four should be explosive opportunities you've intentionally built into the game plan because of something you've seen on film and something you believe you can exploit Friday night.
#1 — Play-action shot off your best run
What happens when that linebacker or safety starts flying downhill?
#2 — Attack their most aggressive secondary player with a double move
Who in their secondary is giving you an opportunity because he's always trying to make a play? Use his aggressiveness against him.
Every offense should have a favorite double move ready to go—hitch-and-go, slant-and-go, out-and-up, or whatever fits your offense best.
Find the guy who wants to jump the first move, show him exactly what he's looking for—and then go over his head.
#3 — Create the matchup you want
Their worst DB isn't getting better during the game. Find ways to put your best WR against him and work this matchup!
#4 — Have your best answer against man coverage
If they give you man coverage, where is your +20 coming from?
Personally, I'd get into 12 personnel, max protect, and take a shot. If they're going to line up and play man, make them pay for it. (also go back to #2 and use double moves here)
Have an answer built into your game plan. Don't allow a defense to play man coverage without making them defend the entire field.
Your answers to the above may be completely different from mine.
That's coaching.
The important part is this:
Your explosives don't have to be complicated.
They have to be intentional.
If we're going to say winning the +20 battle is one of the biggest statistical indicators of winning, then...
"Hopefully we hit a couple" isn't a game plan.
YOUR SUNDAY ASSIGNMENT
As you start putting together next Friday's plan, identify four calls specifically designed to create a +20.
Put them on the call sheet.
Practice them during the week.
Know when you want to call them.
And don't forget the other side of the equation.
Winning the explosive-play battle isn't just about creating yours. It's about eliminating theirs.
After Friday night, I want to know:
How many +20s did we create?
How many did we give up?
What was our +20 margin?
That's a number worth knowing.
Don't hope for explosives Friday. Game plan them Sunday.
WANT TO CREATE MORE EXPLOSIVES?
That's a huge part of what we teach with Fast N Wide — Brutal Simplicity. We're not interested in adding more offense just to have more offense. We want to help you build a system your players can execute fast while creating more opportunities for explosive plays.
And here's something pretty cool: Louisiana Christian University is a Fast N Wide and OVR client. This week, LCU became the first NAIA program ever to defeat an NCAA Division I scholarship program.
That's the kind of program I love having in our family — coaches looking for every possible edge to help their players win.
“I’ve been with Fast N Wide for five seasons, and I can honestly say FNW and Coach Jackson have made me a better football coach. I can’t recommend it enough. Get in the family, learn, and get better.”
Ben McLaughlin, head coach, Louisiana Christian University 2025 SAC Conference Champions
If you want to learn more about creating explosives, simplifying your offense and playing faster, come join the Fast N Wide family.
Let's win more games this fall.
Fast N Wide — Brutal Simplicity.
