FAB 4. Buccaneers’ Formula For Success

Since taking over as head coach of the Buccaneers last year, head coach Dirk Koetter has six specific keys in Tampa Bay’s formula for success in each game. He made it known to the team in their initial meeting in January of 2016 and these keys to victory are posted throughout the facility at One Buccaneer Place.

If the Bucs achieve most or all of these keys on Sundays the outcome is usually a victory for the boys in red and pewter.

The first one is no more than one turnover per game. The first rule in football is to not beat yourself. Turnovers are the quickest way to do that.

The second key is takeaways, and Koetter wants two or more per game. Winning the turnover battle is key, and taking the ball away twice achieves that goal.

Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The third goal is to score more than 21 points per game with those points coming by way of three touchdowns or more. Koetter wants eight-plus explosive plays per game, one sack or less allowed per game, converting 45 percent or more on third downs and having at least 60 percent touchdown efficiency in the red zone.

The fourth goal is to allow less than 19 points per game. Explosive plays must be limited to less than six per game. The quarterback should be sacked at least once for every 14 dropbacks. The Bucs red zone defense must limit the opponent to less than 50 percent touchdown efficiency, and the third down defense must hold opponents to less than 36 percent per game.

The fifth key is to rush for 125 yards or more on offense. Koetter’s play-action passing game is predicated on being able to effectively run the ball. Getting 125 yards or more on the ground usually means that Tampa Bay will control the clock, too, which helps.

The final key ties back to the first premise of not beating yourself on the football field. Penalties, aside from turnovers, are a surefire way to increase a team’s chances of losing. Koetter believes in having no more than six penalties per game. Additionally, he wants the Bucs to have no penalties on special teams and only one or less procedural penalty per game, such as offsides or a false start.

Keep these in mind this fall as the Bucs win and lose games and you’ll have a greater understanding of why Tampa Bay was victorious or suffered a defeat.