Here is a list of rules you should write over time, based on priority, or where they will sit in your stack of rules. I have grouped these into top, middle, and bottom groups. Please note that this was written when long passes were much more viable. I rarely use long passes anymore, except in specific desperate situations. Also remember to enter all these on a spreadsheet so you can prevent potential conflicts (or figure out where the conflict occurred in case things go haywire).
With the defenses vs. formations, be sure to save the rules you use because, down the road, you are likely to need them again. Say, an opponent passes 100 percent of the time out of 103, so you write a “All Pass vs. 103” rule. Keep that rule so you will have it the next time you see a coach doing this.
OffenseTopInside Own 10, Losing Late, Passing
Inside Own 10, Inside Runs
Losing Late, First Half, Medium/Long Passes
Losing Late, Second Half, Medium/Long Passes
Losing Late, Final Minute, Hail Mary
Winning Late, All Runs
MiddleLosing Late, Down 3, Far Away (outside opponent’s 40)
Losing Late, Down 3, FG Range (inside opponent’s 40)
Tied Late, Inside Own 20
Very Long To Go (11 to 30 yds), Long Pass
Inside Opponent’s 10
Inside Opponent’s 5
Losing Big, 4th Quarter (more aggressive passing)
Winning Big, 4th Quarter (more conservative)
Go For It, 4th and Short, Late, Winning (Quarters 2 and 4)
Go For It, 4th Short, Late, Losing (Quarters 2 and 4)
BottomFirst/7-10 to go
First/4-6 to go
First/0-3 to go
Second ... etc.
Third ... etc.
Fourth/7-10 to go, losing late
Fourth/4-6 to go, losing late
Fourth/0-3 to go, losing late
Defense
TopWinning Late, Inside Own 40 (dime vs. all formations)
Winning Late, Outside Own 40 (prevent vs. all formations)
Quarter vs. 005
Dime vs. 014, 104
Third and Long
MiddleVs. 113 (based on opponent’s tendencies)
Vs. 203 (based on opponent’s tendencies)
Etc. (Note you can build these over time as you run into different opponents with different tendencies)
BottomFirst/Long vs. Passing Formations (113, 203)
First/Long vs. Running Formations (122, 212, 221, 230, 311,
First/Medium vs. Passing Formations
First/Medium vs. Running Formations
First/Short vs. Passing Formations
First/Short vs. Running Formations
Etc.
In the next post, we will help you write your first rules.