Practicing in the Red Zone

[proline]

I've always heard that it is tougher for the offense to execute in the red zone because there is less room. If that's the case, wouldn't it make sense to practice in the red zone 80-90% of the time? If you're good there, wouldn't it be easier to execute between the 20's where there is more space to work?

 

[Rampage]

so many reasons why they don't and here is one.

#1 the defense will forget about protecting against the deep ball. that could be a problem once the games start being played.

 

[proline]

OK, that's a good reason. What are some others? Also, doesn't the 2nd team D go against the 1st team O? So couldn't you have the first team O run 80% of its plays in the red zone, and the 2nd team O run 50%?

 

[Rampage]

OK, that's a good reason. What are some others? Also, doesn't the 2nd team D go against the 1st team O? So couldn't you have the first team O run 80% of its plays in the red zone, and the 2nd team O run 50%?

#2 similar to #1 our pass offense is aggresive and likes to stretch the field. hard to do that in the redzone.

 

[proline]

#2 similar to #1 our pass offense is aggresive and likes to stretch the field. hard to do that in the redzone.

Sure, but they don't try to stretch the field 20% of the time. Seems like spending 20% of the time on plays designed to go 25+ yards would be adequate.

 

[Cowboys22]

You would not be able to run much of the playbook because many plays call for routes that go further downfield. It just makes no sense. You need to practice every down and distance situation from all different areas of the field. That being said, I think they should increase the % that they practice red zone. It also shouldn't cut into other areas but it should extend practice 10 -20 minutes until they prove in games to be more efficient. I would also add a 12th and/or 13th defender in the redzone sometimes to force the offense to be much more precise.