In football, the offense doesn’t wait—and neither can your defense. To stay ahead, defensive coordinators must run an in-game workflow that’s fast, adaptable, and precise. At Folsom High School, Defensive Coordinator Jordan Irsik has built that system, changing the way his team gathers information, communicates, and adjusts on the fly.
He moved past the days of clipboards and clunky spreadsheets. Now, Folsom operates with live tagging and instant replay tools that deliver the data coaches need—when they need it.
“Typing is just not a sustainable way to tag in a game and get information charted,” Irsik said. “We switched to modern football technology a couple of years ago.” (04:58)
Build It Before the Game Starts
Irsik doesn’t wait for kickoff to build communication. He installs it during practice. Using tablets and AirPods, Folsom’s coaches simulate live tagging during team periods. One coach calls out formation and personnel. Another taps the play into a preloaded system. They run this every day.
This approach speeds up decision-making and wipes out the guesswork. There’s no need for mental math or scribbled-down notes.
“The guy that’s tagging doesn’t have to mark D and D gain loss… This is now doing the math for you.” (07:21)
Each coach owns a role. The staff charts plays in real time, so Irsik can see trends and issues right after a series ends—not at halftime or after the game.
Adjust During the Game—Not After
Once the defense gets off the field, the staff pulls up reports instantly. They don’t guess what worked—they see it. Irsik checks which calls held up and which ones broke down.
“We always look at four or less than four yards on first and 10… That’s what we deem as efficient in our system.” (08:36)
If a call loses its edge, Irsik doesn’t wait. He changes the pitch. The fastball gets shelved. The curve or strikeout call comes in. That flexibility helps the defense take momentum back before the offense finds its rhythm.
These quick shifts often lead to big stops—and set the tone for the rest of the game.
Build a System That Works Under Pressure
What makes Folsom’s workflow effective isn’t just the tech—it’s the structure. Every part of their process, from practice scripts to in-game charts, exists to give coaches clean data and clear choices. The staff doesn’t chase more information—they use the right information faster.
Irsik designed the system to eliminate delay, confusion, and inefficiency. The result? A defense that adjusts with purpose and wins with consistency.
“Chart. Adjust. Win.”
That’s the formula—and it works.
A Modern Approach to Play Calling – Jordan Irsik, Defensive Coordinator, Folsom High School (CA)