An NFL Playbook for Black Friday Shopping

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This is the day, team. We're going out there for Black Friday shopping and we're hitting the gridiron mercilessly. It's going to be a test of endurance, a mental and physical beat-down, a challenge of your honed and hardened bargain-hunting skills.

Black Friday, like life, is a game of inches. (Cue inspirational music.) The margin for error is too small and the slightest misstep will make or break your scoring drive, leading either to sweet retail victory or empty-handed defeat. Trust in your coach, trust in yourself, and this team will push relentlessly to the goal line -- er, cash register -- one inch at a time. Don't have faith, and you'll fall by the wayside as an individual, frostbitten and hopped-up on too much coffee.

Truth is, the odds are stacked against your coveted wish list. They may very well be stacked against you, your sanity and the loved ones you drag along before dawn. You'll soon find yourself in the thick of it, but the following 21 plays are carefully crafted for this veritable Super Bowl of holiday shopping. They are made for triumph. (Music swells to a crescendo!)

Now, what are you gonna do?

1. The Tailgate
Most pro football players never have the chance to participate in parking lot festivities, but that's half of today's appeal. Grab a warm coat, blanket, comfortable shoes and a lawn chair or two if you plan on squatting for a while. If you're a coffee junky, bring a thermos of your favorite brew. Honestly, if you think Best Buy is a nightmare, Starbucks is the seventh circle of hell.

As for arrival time, it all depends on your most sought-after store. Toys R Us is set to open at midnight and continue throughout the day, while Old Navy invites insanity at 3 a.m. A safe bet for most other retailers is around 4 a.m., which should give you plenty of time to find a decent spot without freezing for an inordinate amount of time. Check this preliminary list for a longer inventory, but be sure to double check the newspaper ads. Stores love to keep Black Friday plans under wraps, so hours and deals could easily change.

2. Utilize Your Second String
For the perma-connected, bring your laptop and use a mobile hotspot or sneak on the local Wi-Fi (if available). Last year, several online stores began Black Friday sales at midnight. What better way to snag a few deals and kill time than shopping online while in line? You're in the deal-digging big leagues now, baby.

3. Know the Defense
Many stores have adopted a ticket system for the most in-demand items, primarily electronics. This controls the mad dash at opening time and ensures the people who suffered longest are rewarded for their efforts. If you see an employee walking the line passing out paper tickets, be sure to ask if any of your desired items require one. Stores like Office Max, Best Buy and Target use this tactic, though it changes by location.

4. The Kickoff Return 
This is it: The ball is set and butterflies are fluttering. A few minutes before opening, have someone in your group take any extra items -- chairs, thermos, jackets, computer -- back to your car. Tension and excitement are already building; the last thing you need is to lose the stuff you already own.

5. Follow your Blockers
Hold your ground when people begin pandering for a better position. I'm not implying everyone turns into a mindless, one-track madman on Black Friday, but, well...a few do. If someone tries to jockey in front of you, don't be rude and kindly ask them to return to their spot. You aren't the one behaving inappropriately.

6. Move Between the 20's
The frenzy of the opening drive is over, but inside the store things can be just as hectic. Stick religiously to your carefully planned list. (If you don't know how to start one, read our post "Black Friday Boot Camp.") The clock is against you, as are the other 200 people looking for the same five products. Let's pile up the inches quickly, team.

7. Watch for the Blitz
Doorbusters -- those ridiculously-reduced items available at nearly every store -- are arguably the reason why most people wake before dawn on Black Friday. However, be aware of what you're really buying, especially with electronics. Many stores advertise dated or soon-to-be-outdated products as doorbusters to clear inventory without taking much of a  financial hit. Keep your guard up if a TV, DVD player or computer is on your wish list. Careful research can save you from being blindsided by a 300-pound non-deal.

8. Split Your Backs
In case you missed the locker room rant, Black Friday is a team effort. Storied veterans suggest recruiting at least one other person to help, though more are welcome. Once inside, your group can split up to tackle multiple items at once while one brave soul quickly hops in line to hold a spot. This will drastically cut down on wait-time at the register, easily the most frustrating part of Black Friday morning.

9. Punt on Fourth and Long
As with any major sale, merchants entice you with a few "loss leader" deals to lure you inside, whereupon they expect your impulse control to promptly disappear. Don't take risks and purchase something not included on your list. Remember, you arrived with a set budget and end goal. Avoid caving simply because something is on sale, especially small, dumb and easily-forgotten items, particularly gifts for yourself. A National Retail Federation study revealed the average shopper will drop $108 solely on purchases for themselves. Let the NRF know you've got more self control than they think!

10. Run an Option
No matter how early you arrive or how carefully you plan a route, chances are at least one item on your list will be gone by the time you get around to it. Scope multiple sales and find comparable items beforehand, particularly with knick-knacky buys. The brand may be different, but an alternate gets the job done when a name doesn't matter. However, don't buy a substitute item on the spot. This defeats the whole purpose of planning ahead and ultimately makes the morning a disappointing hassle.

11. Drop Your Shoulder and Find a Hole
Show some hustle when you eye that prized gift. It helps to know the layout of a particular store beforehand to avoid any helpless wandering or unnecessary delays of game. If you and another person grab the same thing simultaneously, don't cause a scene. Quickly find a way to resolve the issue, whether it be taking another (if you can) or bargaining. Fighting only leads to an unflattering appearance on the nightly news.

12. Think Several Plays Ahead
You have time to kill while standing in line. Use the momentary lull to check on your next stop with the free Milo Local Shopping application for Android. It provides real-time info and prices for in-stock items at a slew of major retailers, including Target, Sears, RadioShack and more. This is the first Black Friday the app will be available and it's impossible to predict how well it will do, but Milo.com has been in the price-tracking business for quite some time. Expect accurate info over a relatively short timeframe.

13. The Red Zone
This is where it all matters: You snagged the goods, you stood in line and now it's time to head for the end zone. Merchants depend on costly extras to turn a healthy profit, so expect plenty of aggressive point-of-sale plays from the cashier.

14. Goal Line Protection
Hopefully, the concept of buying only what you came for is drilled into your mind. However, to prevent any last minute pocketbook collapses, carry only cash (in a secure place). Nothing turns holiday cheer into New Years debt faster than loading multiple credit cards with charges you can't actually afford. Stories abound of people wrestling with payments several months after a few frenzied purchases put them in a hole. Budget only the cash you need and you'll avoid this all together.

15. Recognize Double Coverage and Run
The juiciest Black Friday deals are on electronics, appliances and other mechanical items. Granted, many of these items come with an optional warranty, and in your effort to "protect" such an incredible find, you may be convinced to buy coverage. But ask yourself: Would you consider the same warranty in the middle of June? In addition, several stores raise the normal warranty rate to pull in extra dough. Suddenly, your $300 discount is cut by a third or more.

16. Capitalize on Offensive Opportunities
Gift cards are being used more consistently as a Black Friday incentive. Say you buy $100 worth of goods and get a $10 gift card: Remind your cashier of any such rewards, as they could simply forget in all the hustle and bustle. Stay on top of your game and bring along any ads that list a reward or incentive, just in case there aren't any on hand. Arguing at the register will empty everyone's holiday cheer reserves very, very quickly.

17. Touchdown
Congrats champ, you crossed the goal line fully intact. The choice of victory dance is yours, whether it be the classic chest bump or one of wide receiver Kelly Washington's elaborate jigs. Don't celebrate too much, however; there are a few more plays before the game is over.

18. The 2-Point Conversion
Similar to warranties, many places will try and convince you to tack on all sorts of extras, from cables and accessories to additional clothing. If the extra item was already on sale or included in your budget, splurging is up to you. However, if the deal is ho-hum or cut-rate, don't bother. Most of those extras can either be bought for less at another time or simply aren't necessary.

19. Call an Audible
On any other day, remembering your receipt would be a no-brainer. But in the swirl of activity and anticipated shopping victory, the smallest yet most vital things can go unnoticed. Ask for a receipt (and gift receipt, if necessary) at every store and save them until after Christmas. Not to toot my own horn, but like this playbook, that proof of purchase can be a lifesaver.

20. Play Until the Final Whistle
Early morning is the most exciting time to be out, but stores continue promotions throughout the day. Most small-ticket items -- think stocking stuffers or gifts for faraway friends -- can still be found on sale into the afternoon. Walgreens, Walmart and Staples are some of the best bets for minor items. Expect crowds to still be thick, as many who forwent doorbusters will arrive en masse for regular sale items.

21. Even in Defeat, Consider the Whole Season
If the past few years are any indication, merchants will offer Black Friday-like discounts during the entire holiday shopping season. The trend is expected to reach Santa-sized proportions this year, with an especially heavy emphasis on single-day online sales. Keep your eyes peeled right up until Christmas Eve. If you missed out on a few wanted items, they may very well pop up somewhere unexpected.

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Photo by: sara..wood