It’s that time of year — 7-on-7 tournaments are in full swing, and the lucky programs are strapping on pads for spring ball. 💪 This is when coaches start making real evaluations. Who’s varsity? Who’s JV? Who’s got hands and who’s about to become a DB? 👀

And one of the biggest decisions?
Who’s going both ways?

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🔥 What Does “Going Both Ways” Mean?
It’s simple: playing offense and defense. WR and DB. RB and LB. LT and DE. Real Iron Man stuff.

You see it all the time in youth ball. In Little League and middle school, almost everybody plays both ways because rosters are small. But as you level up, it starts to fade. By the time you get to the NFL? It’s almost extinct.

In fact, one of the only players trying to break the mold is Travis Hunter. He made noise at Colorado as a legit two-way threat, and he’s expected to do some of the same in the league. Respect. ✊

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🏫 High School: The Wild West of Iron Men
At the high school level, it’s all over the place:

• Some teams two-platoon — offense-only and defense-only squads.
• Some roll with the best 11 and ride them for 4 quarters.
• Most live somewhere in between.

Personally? I’m team two-platoon if possible. Why? Because:

• 🧠 You can actually coach guys on the sideline.
• 🥵 They stay fresher for the 4th quarter.
• 🎥 With sideline video now, adjustments happen in real time — but only if your players are off the field to see it.

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🤔 Coaching Two-Way Players Takes Strategy
If you’re gonna play a guy both ways, you better plan for it:

• How do you split practice reps?
• Do they play special teams too?
• Do you rest them or condition them harder?
• Which plays do you call to manage fatigue?
• Can they sit until crunch time on one side?
• Is the backup better than a tired starter?

No easy answers. That’s why it’s a coaching art.

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🧪 Spring Ball Is the Lab
Spring ball is when players start to separate:

• Who shows up early and communicates?
• Who is a t-shirt warrior but disappears in the weight room?
• Who can go both ways and still execute?

This is the proving ground. Offense vs. Defense. First string vs. second string. Iron Man vs. Specialist. It all starts now. 🕒

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Want to raise your football IQ and help your squad decide who’s really ready to go both ways? Stick with us every week at GetToTheFootball.com
And check out our notebooks for film study, motivation, and play sketching to keep your players sharp year-round. 📒✍️