What I learned today about coaching Football

The Passing Game: Quick and throwing uncovered

2010-05-05T07:45:00.000-07:00

Was doing some research on the passing game and came across these. Good Stuff:

http://highspeedspreadfootball.blogspot.com/2010/01/quick-game.html

http://highspeedspreadfootball.blogspot.com/2009/12/spread-101-throwing-uncovered.html

“Understanding coverages and attacking them with passing game” Manditory Reading for all OC and QB

2010-03-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

Originally posted at http://smartfootball.com/passing/attacking-coverages-in-the-passing-game

I just wanted to make sure that I remember everything.

There are many qualities that a quarterback must possess. However, the most obvious is the QB’s ability to throw the football. Throwing the football requires a tremendous amount of coordination and teamwork for proper execution. The QB can make up for some deficiencies with proper reads. Whether it is the Pre-Snap Read, Reading on the Move, or Adjustments in routes, the QB’s recognition, anticipation and reaction are based upon his knowledge of the offense as it relates to what he sees.

Pre-snap read
The QB must make a “Pre-Snap Read” confirming the defensive secondary’s alignment. The PSR provides the QB with help in making the proper throwing decision; i.e., allows the QB to establish his thought process prior to the snap. There will be many times when the QB can determine what the coverage is before the snap. About eighty percent (80%) of the time the coverage will be given away by someone’s alignment in the secondary, typically the second defender inside. Even when the total coverage is not given away, through observation of particular alignments, you will be able to eliminate some coverages or narrow to a “Hard Focus” area. The QB must approach the LOS the same way every play and get his hands under the center. The PSR process includes a “Soft Gaze” left, middle and right. The purpose is to identify (1) the depth of the corners, (2) number of safeties, (3) weakside flat defender, and (4) the number of run defenders (“front”):

Find the Free Safety (“FS”) and Strong Safety (“SS”) to determine the type of front – seven-man or eight-man. If the safeties adjust to motion, be aware of a possible blitz.
Find the weakside linebacker (Whip (“W”)). This is a crucial read to recognize an outside blitz. It is the QB’s responsibility to adjust the protection to handle the outside blitz or allow the receivers to read “HOT.”

The PSR is only the first step in the throwing decision. The QB must identify the primary defender (the “Key”) to read (“Hard Focus”) and determine where to throw the ball. The Key is determined by the pattern and the related PSR. The ball is thrown based upon what the Key does within the QB’s line of sight. For example, on a strong side route the PSR must identify the SS. Upon the snap the strong safety can either man-up, cover the flat, cover deep third (1/3) or cover deep quarter (¼), and it is the SS’s action that allows the QB to decide where to throw the ball. Depending upon the route, the SS’s action might change the key (Reading on the Move [“ROM”]) to the Corner (“C”) or FS. The QB will make their throwing decision based upon what happens in his Hard Focus area and the related routes within the “line of sight”; i.e., does the Key rotate, invert or play man. When the QB keys defenders, not receivers, there are fewer throws into coverage.

- Basic Coverages
A brief summary of coverages, including strengths, weakness, and how to attack them follows. The summaries include a place (“Patterns”) for the coach and QB to write in their specific routes to attack the coverages. These are the basic coverages: Invert (“sky”); Rotate (“cloud”); Two Deep, Man Under Two; Man with a Free; Man – Zero; Quarter, Quarter, Half; Zone Blitz; Robber; and Prevent.

Three Deep – Invert (“Sky”)

The PSR is based on the alignment of SS and C on the strong side. Teams will typically define the TE as the strong side, however a scouting report will provide this information. If the SS is aligned with less depth than the C, the read is an invert by the SS; i.e., the SS is covering the flat, if a receiver is in the flat. Confirm 3D coverage by the alignment of the FS. If the FS is off the hash and favoring the middle, assume that it will be a 3D. Also the QB must be aware of the weak side, if the Weakside Linebacker (“W”) is in a stack (lined-up behind a defensive lineman or end) or walk (off the LOS outside the end) position, it denotes a soft corner, with W responsible for the weak flat. If the end (“E”) is up on the LOS or in a three (3) point stance, assume he will rush. If you are throwing to the strong side upon the snap you can determine whether E is coming or has curl or flat.

- Strengths

Safe – always three deep
strong side force against the run
SS can get under an out and may be able to get under a stop or flat depending upon the wide receiver splits
can cover eight zones with a three man rush
can still bring four with strong side contain and have seven in coverage

- Weaknesses

Versus eight in coverage the defense can only rush three with five or more to block them
four defenders underneath to cover the six zones – large curl and horizontal seams
no leverage on wide receivers; i.e., cannot bump or push inside
possibly late to cover stop and flat, both weak and strong
cannot cover a strong side flood route (three or four receivers in the pattern) without E, then it is a three man rush
weak flat
weakside force

- How to attack it:

Stretch vertically and horizontally
plenty of pass protection
throw in the alley created by sending three on two in the perimeter (“flood type” routes)
weakside curl & flat
sprint away from SS

Three Deep – Rotate (“Cloud”)
The goal of this coverage is to take away the short passing game or protect against the wide side of the field when the offensive formation is strong into the boundary (short side). The PSR is based on the alignment of the SS and the C. The SS must be deeper than normal in order to cover the deep middle or deep outside (is aligned deeper than the adjacent C), the read is a rotate by SS; i.e., SS is covering the deep middle or outside. Also, in this coverage the C to the side of the rotation will be tight (up close) on the wide receiver as they have the flat. The secondary can disguise this by having both Cs up and on the snap the away (from the rotation) C back peddles to deep third [1/3] quickly (“bails”). However, we can determine the side of the rotation by the position of the Outside Linebacker (“OLB”). The OLB, whether W or S away from the rotation must be stacked or walked off as they have flat away from the rotation. You can confirm the 3D by the alignment of the FS. If the FS is off the hash and favoring the middle, assume 3D.

- Strengths

Safe – always three deep
force (to the rotation) against the run
leverage by the C (shut down weak flat or out)
can cover eight zones with a three man rush
can still bring four with force and contain to the rotation, and have seven (7) in coverage
easy to disguise

- Weaknesses

Versus eight in coverage the defense can only rush three with five or more to block them
only four defenders underneath to cover the six zones – large curl seams
cushion on the wide receiver away from the rotation
OLB is alone in the flat away from the rotation
cannot cover a flood route (three or four [3 or 4] receivers in the pattern) • force and contain away from rotation

- How to attack it

Flood routes – throw in the alley created by sending three on two in the perimeter (“flood type” routes)
plenty of pass protection
quick passes away from the rotation
run away from rotation
get TE involved

Two Deep – Five Under (Cover 2)

The PSR is based on the depth of the Cs and safeties. The Cs will usually be outside of the wide receivers and the safeties will be near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the corners. If the ball is on the hash, look to the strong side defensive back for their alignment because the safety will naturally be on the hash. If the end (“E”) drops to the curl, then all six (6) underneath zones are covered. When W has outside leverage on the second receiver, assume W has flat and rule out two (2) deep, five (5) under coverage and is possibly 3D rotation or Quarter-Quarter, Half.

- Strengths

Strong versus run
leverage on both wide receivers
cover five (5) of the six (6) underneath zones
four (4) man rush
takes away the outs
can hold up the TE
weakside force and contain

- Weaknesses

Safeties must cover half (½) the field; i.e., the three (3) deep zones are covered by two
inside receiver down the middle
LBs must cover curl
strong side contain
weak inside linebacker to curl
wide splits can create lanes

- How to attack it

Use “Spread Formations” to horizontally stretch the safeties
vertically stretch the flats to create lanes
a natural hole twenty to twenty-five (20-25) yards along the sidelines
weakside curl
corner routes
flood type routes

Cover 2 Man / Man under two-deep
This coverage is man-to-man with help over the top in the two (2) deep zones. This coverage allows the defense to bracket or double two (2) receivers. The PSR is based on the alignment of the Cs on the wide receivers. If the safeties give a 2D look (safeties near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the C’s) and both C’s are up tighter or looking primarily at the receiver instead of the QB, then Man Under Coverage (“MUC”) is confirmed. The Cs are the primary key, as they will usually be head up or shaded to the outside of the wide receivers. Also, the undercover (LB’s) will be head-up or at least in position to cover their man. Motion will force the undercover to adjust or run with the receiver.

Strengths

Double or bracket two receivers
four man rush
every potential receiver is accounted for (covered)
can bump because each defender has help over the top
excellent versus zone type routes or screens

Weaknesses

Poor run support
mismatch with the backs versus linebackers
hard to disguise versus motion
three (3) deep zones are not covered
one on one underneath
crossing routes
“bunch” and “snug” type sets

- How to attack it

Back routes on the linebackers
create mismatches with the TE running option (“read”) routes
stay shallow with routes, catch the ball short and run long
crossing routes (“mesh”) with the wide receivers
TE in the alley or fades to the wide receivers
running plays
use motion

Cover 1 man / Man-to-man with a free safety.

This coverage is man-to-man with a FS to help over the top. The PSR is based on the alignment of the Cs and linebackers on the receivers. The C’s will be head up or in an outside alignment because they have help from the FS. This allows the C’s to take away the outs. Also, if the SS aligns head up on his eligible receiver at a tight to normal depth (four to six [4-6] yards) and the FS is deeper than normal (twelve to fifteen [12-15] yards), this will confirm the Man with a Free (“MwF”) coverage. The linebackers will have the backs man-to-man. The QB should anticipate pressure from a five (5) man rush, with the possibility of the defense bringing seven (7). The QB must identify whether a blitz is coming and throw the ball to the defenders vacated spot (i.e., “hot read”) or add protection with an audible.

Strengths

Pressure from a five (5) man rush
every potential receiver is accounted for (covered)
defenders have help to the post • excellent versus screens and delays
C’s can play a tight man as they have help from the FS – crowd the receivers on third and five or longer
excellent versus zone routes
can take away the outs with an outside technique by the C’s
speed on speed – good blitz coverage

- Weaknesses

Poor run support
mismatch with the backs versus linebackers
hard to disguise versus motion
three deep zones are not covered
no under cover • crossing routes
“bunch” and “snug” type sets

- How to attack it

Back routes on the linebackers
create mismatches with the TE running option (“read”) routes
stay shallow with routes, catch the ball short and run long
crossing routes (“mesh”) with the wide receivers
TE in the alley or fades to the wide receivers
running plays
coverage away from FS by “looking off”

Cover 0 / Man-to-man blitz with no deep safety

This coverage is a straight man-to-man with no safety help. The PSR is based on the alignment of the safeties. Usually in Man coverage, the SS will play head up on the TE and the FS will play shallow on the weak side. Typically, there is no safety in the middle of the field. We can confirm this coverage by the inside leverage alignment by the Cs on the wide receivers. The C’s need this alignment as they have no inside help. The QB should anticipate pressure from a blitz. The QB must identify whether a blitz is coming and throw the ball to the defenders vacated spot or a crossing receiver; i.e., “hot read”. The QB could audible to add pass protection.

- Strengths

Pressure (blitz capability) and penetration from a six to seven man rush
big play potential
clog up the running lanes inside
force the offense to throw short

- Weaknesses

Poor run support
mismatch with the backs versus linebackers
hard to disguise versus motion
three deep zones are not covered
no under cover
crossing routes
no deep help
gamble defense
“bunch” and “snug” type sets

- How to attack it

Empty Formations — all receivers are one-on-one (but free rusher)
tough to cover slants – nobody in the middle
running plays – force and secondary force weakened
should have somebody open if QB has time

Quarter, Quarter, Half

The Quarter, Quarter, Half (“QQH”) coverage provides three (3) defenders deep, however it uses one (1) defender to cover half (½) of the three (3) deep zones and two (2) defenders each covering a quarter (¼). The underneath coverage can utilize four or five (4 or 5) defenders. This coverage employs a traditional weak side 2D with a squat corner and half coverage safety. The strong side can employ a multitude of variations (invert and rolls). The most common is a bail technique by the strong side C covering the deep quarter (¼) with the strong side OLB covering curl to flat. The PSR is based on the depth and alignment of the C’s and safeties. The weakside or side away from the quarters alignment will look like a 2D with the C head-up or to the outside of the wide receiver and the safety near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the C. The strong C can be aligned head-up and tight, but will bail (retreat) so that they are off six to eight (6-8) yards at the snap. The SS will be even with the C at the snap, and can also employ a bail technique.

- Strengths

Leverage on weak wide receiver, can use bump technique
deep routes to strong side
cover five (5) of the six (6) underneath zones
four (4) man rush
weakside force and contain
easy to disguise
can double (inside/outside) against a single receiver to the weak side

- Weaknesses

Weak safety must cover half the field
flood routes to the strong side
S must cover curl and flat
strong side contain
weak inside linebacker to curl
wide splits can create lanes

- How to attack it

Horizontal stretch on the safety covering half
vertically stretch the flats to create lanes
strong side outs
weakside curl
cannot cover a flood route (three or four [3 or 4] receivers in the pattern)
trips type formations & motion

Zone Blitz

The Zone Blitz is a defensive scheme used to confuse the offensive line’s pass protection schemes, and the QB’s reads. A frontal rusher — i.e. a linebacker or defensive lineman – briefly engages the offensive lineman, then retreats to his pass zone, if he reads pass. The blitzers go through their assigned gaps. The droppers replace the blitzers in the pass zone. The coverage could be anything, but the most common zone blitz is the “fire zone,” which involves three deep and three intermediate pattern reading defenders.

- Strengths

Run lanes are covered
pressure on the QB – confuse protection schemes
QB reads are changed
easy to disguise
can double (inside/outside) against outside receivers and cover underneath zone with defensive linemen

- Weaknesses

Defensive linemen and other defenders in coverage who are not skilled/used to it – limited range
crossing routes through the underneath coverage
play action, if offense can protect

- How to attack it

Horizontal and vertical stretch on the pass zones
TE versus defensive linemen
screen passes
play action, with patterns to the backs
Maximum protection with deep combinations through the open areas

Cover 1 “Robber”

The Robber coverage is a defensive scheme used to confuse the QB’s reads. It is designed to take away the middle pass zones, both the underneath and deep middle. It can be employed out of a four across or two deep look. A QB reading through the middle of the field (goal post) will read man or rotation and attempt to hit crossing routes or attack the deep middle which is where the “robber” is. The coverage can also be used with man coverage allowing the “robber” helping out in the middle.

- Strengths

Middle zones
confuse QB’s reads
easy to disguise
can double (inside/outside) against inside receivers
can lock-on QB’s eyes

- Weaknesses

Deep outside versus man
outside breaking routes by inside receivers
play action

- How to attack it

Outside on timing routes
play action with deep routes
crossing routes to the outside versus man
QB must look robber off
clear lane throws

Prevent
The Prevent is a defensive scheme designed to force the offense to use time to score. It protects against the quick scores, while allowing the offense to pick up chuncks of yardages. The QB must be descipline when facing the Prevent by taking the easy yardage. At the high school and collegiate level, attack the middle of the prevent because the clock stops to move the chains for first downs. The defense linemen will use outside rush techniques to keep the QB in the pocket. The QB must be patient throwing in the underneath zones to recievers on the run.

- Strengths

Deep zones, four defenders deep
can get under deep outs and curls
can keep the QB in the pocket with an outside rush
defensive backs can fly to the ball when it is thrown deep
protect the boundary

- Weaknesses

Inside run – draws
backs on delays to middle
middle hook zones
quick routes on time
in the undercover seams

- How to attack it

Horizontally stretch the pass zones
deep crossing routes
underneath at twelve yards or less with stops, flats and outs on time
empty sets
draws
backs on delays
get the ball to speed underneath

Review
A critical component to a successful pass is that the quarterback recognize the coverage. Materials given to a quarterback (DVD, flash cards)

Quick recognition of the secondary.
The strengths and weaknesses of the coverage.
Where to attack the coverage based upon the play called.

COACHES CHECKLIST FOR OFFENSIVE GAME PLANNING

2009-11-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

COACHES CHECKLIST FOR OFFENSIVE GAME PLANNING
by Hank Schrader, Bellevue (WA) High School - The Coaches Checklist for Offensive Game Planning

• Offensive Strategy
• Running Attack
• Passing Attack
• Developing a game plan

OFFENSIVE STRATEGY
Balance- what kind of balance of run to pass plays ratio do you want
Diversity- multiple points of attack
Flexibility- an ability to adjust plays to attack defensive schemes and weaknesses
Deceptiveness- using run and pass plays that look alike to confuse defenses
- Switching assignments on same play

OFFENSIVE EMPHASIS:
Attack- Strike the first blow
Dictate- force the defense to match your formation and game tempo
Execution- you win by how well you performed the designed play
Be unpredictable- confused defenses play slow

STYLES OF PLAY:
Field Position Theory- play calls designed by field position
Ball Control Theory- 3 yards and a cloud of dust, keep away from opponent
Big Play Theory- chop away then go for the big play
Running Game Theory- run the ball more
Passing Game Theory- throw the ball more unless forced to

RUNNING ATTACK
ESTABLISHING THE RUN
YOUR RUN GAME NEEDS 3 KIND OF PLAYS:
Power Game- getting more players to the point of attack than the defense
Speed Game- Plays in which the ball carrier quickly attacks the L.O.S. before the defense can react
Finesse Game- plays based on misdirection to fool the defenders

12 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN FORMING YOUR RUNNING ATTACK:
1. What plays should we run ?
2. Where should we run the play ?
3. We should we avoid running ?
4. How can we dictate defensive alignments by our formations, shifts, and motions ?
5. How many yards rushing are needed to win the game ?
6. How many times do we want to run ?
7. How many practice reps do we need to accomplish our goal?
8. How many different sets do we need to win this game?
9. How many tight end and split end formations do we need to use to win ?
10. How will field position change our running game (both hash marks and by vertical field positions)
11. Do we need an audible run plan for this game?
12. What is our plan for the following situations :
- Short yardage
- Goal line
- Danger zone
- Red zone
- 2 minute offense
- Slow down offense
- 2 point conversions
- Must have first downs
- Killing the clock

RUNNING STRATEGY BY DOWN AND DISTANCE:
FIRST AND 10:
- Use your best ball carrier
- Quick hitting dives and traps
- Try for positive runs of 3-5 yards or sweeps to the outside for a sure gain
- Defenses vary looks on first down- sweeps, zone, toss

SECOND AND LONG:
- Use high % runs to get into 3rd and medium/short situation
- Counters, reverses, bootlegs
- Run/Pass option plays are excellent
- Draws can be successful since defenders will make their drops sooner and deeper
- Play action passes

THIRD AND LONG (10 or MORE)
- Use your fastest ball carrier with big play potential
- Need to designate plays with big play potential
- Avoid screens and draws (Defenses expect this)
- Run pass option plays
- Must prepare players mentally for this situation

2nd 3RD AND 7-10
- Spread the field if possible and use traps or counters
- Use the back with the best chance of getting the first down
- Quick toss plays
- 3 step pass game

3RD AND 4-6
- DEFENSES often use their best formation/call in this situation so go with your best call
- Force the defense out of their comfort zone by forcing a switch in alignment, or tempo
- Your runner must get up field on one cut, no dancing
- Often the defense will blitz so consider a run-pass option play

3rd and SHORT (3 or less)
- Power type plays with lead blocker (iso, belly, power)
- Run away from opponents strength
- Use most consistent back and best blockers
- Change up cadences (go on first sound or 2 or 3)

- RUNNING STRATEGY BY DOWN AND DISTANCE:
RED ZONE (opp. 25 AND IN)
- Anticipate man coverage, use quick hitters and more consistent plays
- Give the ball to the 2nd back using lead blocker type plays
- Anticipate blitzes: use draws, traps, screens, and tricks possibly

RED ZONE (15 and IN)
- Consider roll out, sprint passing game, with possiblility of QB run
- Make the defense defend the entire field with counters, reverses, sweeps
- Attack weakest links of defenses
- Use the run to set up the pass (sweep then fake sweep bootleg pass)

DOWN AND GOAL RED ZONE
- Eliminate mistakes
- Best back should run behind best blockers
- Protect the football and eliminate extra ball handling
- Run your best plays
- Must score

DANGER ZONE - BACKED UP (your own 30 to your own goalline)
- Use quick hitters with most reliable back
- Avoid slow to develop plays
- If on the goaline, you must gain at least 5 yards for the punter to not be crowded

COMPOENENTS FOR BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL PASSING GAME:
• You must develop a wide (horizontal) and deep (vertical) game
• A TOTAL PASS PACKAGE includes: drop back passes (3, 5, 7, 9, step drops), quick passes, sprint out passes, play action passes, screens, and some sort of blitz control
• Time to throw is critical meaning you can’t throw it if you can’t block it

12 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN FORMING PASS GAME PLAN:
1. What pass plays should we run
2. Where should we pass
3. Where should we avoid passing
4. How can we make the defense change alignment by motions, shifts, and formations
5. How many yards passing do we need to win the game
6. How many times do we want to pass
7. How many practice reps do we need to accomplish these goals
8. How many different sets to we need for this game
9. How many tight end or split end sets do we need
10. How will field position change our passing game
11. Do we need an audible pass plan for this game
12. What is our plan / call for certain situations

PASSING ATTACK BY DOWN AND DISTANCE:
1st and 10:
- Use play action passes that look like run plays
- Utilize high % quick throws (3 step game)
- Qb must not take a sack
- Defenses vary their looks the most in this situation so disguise high % plays

2nd and long:
- Use high % calls to get to 2nd and medium or less
- Have your qb use rhythm throws of 3 or 5 step drops with an option to 2nd level if short receivers are covered
- This is a blitz down, use a hot receiver
- Delay routes are effective, DBs use drops sooner and deeper

3rd and 12 or more:
- deep flag routes are usually high % throws, switch routes, dig routes, are also very good
- consider hook routes and running plays vs. soft zone
- Consider keeping one blocker in to give QB time and play call to develop

3rd and 7-10
- Possible blitz situation- Think Max Protection
- Use hooking routes vs. zone coverage and comeback routes on boundaries vs. man
- Short crosses and delays are also good in this situation
- QB has more time to wait for WRs to get open, WHY? A sack on 3rd down is not as bad as a sack on other downs

3rd and 4-6
- Defenses are going to use their best call, QB and WR pre snap reads are critical
- WR must be aware of first down marker and run route accordingly
- WR must get up field after catch
- Common blitzing down, have a hot receiver

3rd and 3 or less
- Expect tight coverage, so WR must push hard to get up field, Teach WRS to get up field and break contact at LOS
- Hot receiver must always be ready for the ball
- Out routes in the flats should be ran at least 1 yard pass first down marker

PASSING ATTACK BY ZONE (FIELD POSITION)
Red Zone (25 and in)
- Anticipate man coverage
- Use at least 1 play with possible TD ability
- Anticipate blitzes , think hot routes, and protection adjustments

Red Zone (15 and in)
- Use crossing routes and attack corners of endzone – teach QB to lead receivers when throwing into this area
- Have a blitz plan
- Recievers must know to find the back of the endzone if original route breaks down
- Use distinct receiver breaks and push hard – reduced room = tighter coverage

Red Zone (down and goal)
- Receivers must run all routes over the goaline
- Use crossing and play action routes
- QB must not take a sack, get rid of the ball
- Misses must be outside and deep, do not throw off the back foot or late
- Recievers must work to get to the back of the endzone if route breaks down
- Expect tight coverage, teach receivers how to break free

Danger Zone - Backed up (your 30 and in)
- Have a hot receiver ready in case of blitz
- Use isolation routes on the edges away from traffic
- Use max protection to give your QB time

DEVELOPING AN OFFENSIVE GAME PLAN
9 Steps for Developing your Game Plan:
1. Break down game film of your opposition
2. Self scouting is crucial
3. Gather printed scouting material
4. Create scouting reports
5. Diagram / staff chalk talk
6. Develop the game plan
7. Educate your players
8. Design the practice
9. Execute the game plan

• GAME FILM OF YOUR OPPOENENT:
What is their basic defensive scheme ?
Do they play passively or attack ?
What are their situational defenses ?
What are their tendencies by field position, formation, and down & distance ?

• SELF SCOUTING
Are you faking well ?
Do you run the same exact play in the same exact situation ?
Do you substitute one player than give him the ball ?
Is your team predictable ?

• GATHER PRINTED SCOUTING MATERIAL
With your film breakdown determine:
Their best players by position
Who is their best tackler, best pass rusher, best coverage player
Relative strength of DLs, LBs, DBs
Key backups and situational subs
Tip offs such as blitz alignments
Position techniques of opponents such as favorite moves

• CREATE SCOUTING REPORT
Profile the opposition by: height, weight, starters, numbers, class, best and worst players
Diagram defensive fronts and coverages with notes for players
List play % on fronts, coverages, blitzes, by down and distance, and field position
Tell your team what they must do to win

• DIAGRAM / STAFF CHALK TALK
Staff needs to focus on play selection and blocking schemes
Select your play list from master play list and adjust blocking scheme if necessary
Consider developing a list of best plays versus certain defenses/fronts

• DEVELOPING THE GAME PLAN
Two Types of Game Plans:
Situational - plays organized by down and distance
Script- pre determined plays from a script with a plan for situations that call to go off script

• EDUCATE YOUR PLAYERS
Its not what you know, its what they know
If you have a film session reviewing previous game, afterwards have a quick overview of upcoming game
Monday- give out scouting report, only include information that players will need to succeed
Practice new plays or seldom used plays , handouts with blocking adjustments helpful
Keep education process going Tuesday and Wednesday with final review on Thursday

• DESIGNING PRACTICES
Monday: individual and group skills, some team front and coverage recognition
Tuesday: features group and team units with the 1st team look at scout defense (scripted), adjust game plan if needed
Wednesday: Team live vs. scout in scripted special situations
Thursday: Run through script vs bags, make sure each play is executed perfectly, if I do not run a play 10 times in practice, I will not use it in a game
How you accomplish this task is not as important as establishing a practice routine that your players know and understand

• EXECUTING THE GAME PLAN
Get a moment alone to practice your play calling while watching film. Before a team meeting, check in with the booth coaches to review game plan and forms and to insure they know what to look for. Review the game plan with the team and any last minute reminders. Game time communication- develop sound techniques and procedures. Look for early adjustments and fix them quickly. At the end of each series coaches must provide feedback, make sure players know what is expected

Halftime adjustments: What were our most successful plays (CHART PLAYS !) Why ? What must we do to win this game?
Never forget the players. Its not the X and Os, it’s the Jimmies and Joes. If you got a stud, make sure you use him all you can despite criticism.

10 things about coaching ball

2009-11-02T18:36:00.001-08:00

1. The job you have right now is the best one in the world. you will look back when you move on and say to yourself, I wish I would have enjoyed that experience more

2. Never stop learning and asking questions...remember those guys your asking were not born with that knowledge out of the womb

3. Enjoy the process. The product will come and it will be that much more rewarding. If you really work at it you'll succeed.

4. Be loyal to the guys you are working with and for. I read on one of the threads that the OL coach was underminding the OC. For what purpose? Did it help them win? In my opinion there is no place for this on a staff and must be dealt with by the HC immediately.

5. Believe in a philosophy and run with it. Know it so well you will have the answers to make adjustments.

6. While evaluating players dont pigeon hole a kid. How can he best help your team win. Thats whats important.

7. The only way a true team can survive is from the inside out. That goes for families, businesses etc. If you are strong inside your group who can tear it apart....no one

8. I would tell my coaches to coach the performance and never demean a player. I have found that players want to be coached and by coaching them hard they will respond if they know you are there to help them and care about them. This is especially true on the upper levels also. I would tell my coaches what if a player comes back on you? You are in a no Win situation. Take the player aside and keep both yours and his dignity intact.

9. There are no badges of honor for the guy that can stay there the latest. I would tell my staff when you get yourself done go home. The biggest pet peeve I have in coaching is when a coach tells everyone how late he stayed. Those guys are not on my staff. We have always gone into games prepared. Take a look at your watch right now and draw a three technique on your board. Go home and come back at three in the morning and he will still be a three. Go find out a way to block him. You can both be a great coach and a great family man. We had just recently moved and we were unpacking...there were some old pictures of my kids. It saddened me to not have remembered those times with them because I wont have the opportunity to get those times in their lives back. Your kids only turn a certain age once be there.

10. Have fun, its a game. When you look back on your career you will remember the players and coaches. The people you surrounded yourself with. I promise on your death bed you wont be thinking about cover three.

a good play to put in

2009-11-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

"Putting Out the Fire (Zone)" - Gunter Brewer (Part II)

Another way OSU looks to attack the fire zone is with their quick passing game.
(for a detailed view of the staple of OSU’s passing attack, the four verticals package, check out Chris Brown’s blog)

SCAT out of 3 x 1
The scat concept out of 3 x 1 is a great way of exposing the horizontal stretch of a 3 underneath zone coverage. It is an evolution of Y Stick, and further evolved itself to the current spacing concept.

Just like the spacing concept detailed before, the inside receivers are looking to put the middle hole defender in conflict. They work to get in between the MLB and the PSL B at 6 yards and sit down.

The Z (playside outside receiver) runs the clearing fade (FOR / Force Outside Release) to draw greater a void underneath. The shoot by the F converts to a wheel if seeing press man coverage.

The added benefit of 3 x 1 is the bubble route run by the H. This not only provides a release outlet, but also stretches the SCIF player to defend the sideline to the hash.

Regardless of the coverage, this concept is adaptable and can stress the defense regardless of the assignment. The X & Y run a “sneak” (stick) route at a depth of 6 yards to 2-on-1 attack the MLB.

Vs zone – split the difference between defenders
Vs man – push in hard and bounce back out

If the linebacker crosses the receiver's face, he should look for the ball. If the receiver gets walled (from an inside stem), he will sit and bounce back out (working off of MLB)

This provides a failsafe plan of attack for the quarterback. All he has to determine is if it is MOFC or MOFO coverage and then immediately attack the appropriate defender.

Vs 1 high – look weak (key the flat defender)
Vs 2 high – look strong (key the flat defender)
Vs man – Sneak/Wheel

It is important to see the seams / voids created with so much defensive movement of players replacing one another.

“You have to get them, before they get you”

Attacking the Linebackers

Against the zone blitz, the inside receiver should look for the dropper (weight not on the hands), and anticipate his drop. The rationale on spotting the dropper, is because in 3x1 the MLB is the target. He will have to expand to #3 away from the hole to match #3’s route dispersion.

When the playside linebacker is in man coverage, he will not be sitting or dropping to the seam, he will be expanding to chase the back on flare (leaving a large void in the area he is leaving). The WR to the chasing linebacker must look for the ball in his first 3 steps. To take advantage of this big-play potential, it is important to identify the coverage presnap via shifts, motions, and altering the tempo.

If the linebacker drops, the receiver will go underneath, work the hole inside, and off the drop of the MLB.

If the linebacker “sits”, the WR must decide the over/under position to best work (find the hole).

If the linebacker walls or prevents an inside release (typically if the defense is aggressively trying to stop follows, meshes, etc) the WR should use a bounce technique and work back outside.

The following is an example of the evolution of the (double stick) scat concept (and how it helped evolve spacing)

SCAT @ Yahoo! Video

Shown here by BYU and NC State, featuring a young Philip Rivers

Does this Y Stick concept from Norm Chow's 1995 playbook look familiar?

It should

Y Stick vs the Fire Zone
This is a great concept to work against the leverage of hole and seam players. This also works against both 1-high (MOFC) and 2-high (MOFO) coverages equally well. Where spacing featured 3 sticks, Scats featured 2 sticks, now Y Stick features just the TE sticking based on the MLB.

1 high defense

With the backside 2 receiver combo, the inside receiver route essentially becomes the shoot route being run on the TE side. Rather than elongate the throw by immediately pressing the sideline, the receiver vertically presses 6 yards and then keys the corner on whether he should sit (if corner sits / flat) or continue expanding to the flat (if corner retreats).

2 high defense

An illustration of the stick concept vs 2-high defense against Texas Tech (actually the very play that the opening picture was taken from)

This play / pictorial best illustrates identifying the 'hot' key of a man-linebacker. Watch the 8 technique SLB racing to chase the shooting F out of the backfield. The SLB isn't dropping, he is quickly widening flat. Recognizing this, the Y quickly turns his shoulder in anticipation of receiving this quick throw.

Once the QB identified man-coverage, he locks onto his Y and is going to deliver the ball away to the shoulder away from the MLB on his hitch step.

(Very little thining required here - just react to the immediate key)

The TE makes a great catch outside his body, which affords him more room and momentum to turn upfield away from the MLB. Now it is the Y versus the Safety.

The receiver runs over the safety, the chase ensues, and makes a bad-angled corner miss.....and its SHOWTIME in the endzone!

How to turn this situation around

2009-10-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

1. Have an attendance policy and stick to it.
All absences must be notified to the coach before hand or they are considered unexcused. If you are sick from school, the absence is excused and no added conditioning. For all other excused absences:
1 absence= 100 updowns and no start
2nd abscence= 100 updowns and no first half
3rd absence= 100 updowns and no dress
This is on a weekly basis.
3 unexcused absences a year and you are removed from the team. Once you quit or are removed there is no coming back.
2. Build a weight program and require kids to attend.
3. Run a systematic offense. I would recommend running something that is not run in your league ala double wing or Navy Flexbone.
4. Build relationships with everyone.
5. Teach fundamentals over scheme.
6. Do it your way, you may get fired, but if you do the job wasn't worth it.
7. Teach character over winning.
8. Create high expectations for the classroom.
9. Don't accept background as an excuse.
10. Drug test, if it is legal and there are funds.

The Colts

2009-10-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

Plays are simple & basic. Runs are Inside Zone, Counter, Stretch, Draw, etc. Passes roughly same as everybody elses'. They KEEP IT SIMPLE & OUT-EXECUTE PEOPLE.

Personnel = basically 1 TE - 3 WR - 1 RB, AND, 2 TE - 2 WR - 1 RB. They can go from one to the other by flexing Dallas Clark out as a WR, or bringing him in tight as a second TE (he is good enough to do both).

The PLAY CALLING at the LOS is the big thing. Essentially, they give Manning a 3 play package of choices (run left, run right, pass). He makes the decision based upon the number of safeties deep, or, the front alignment (techniques of DT is an important factor).

His big answer to blitz = WR screens.

This is some stuff on their philosophy I have pieced together:

TOM MOORE OFFENSIVE THINKING

1. “LESS IS BETTER”!

2. “IF THINGS ARE GOING BAD – REDUCE. GET BETTER AT WHAT YOU DO BEST”!

3. “DON’T ADD OR CHANGE THINGS (IF IT WAS THAT GOOD – WE WOULD HAVE PUT IT IN DURING AUGUST”)!

FROM AN ARTICLE: Offensive coordinator Tom Moore is a brilliant minimalist who keeps it simple. He stretches the canvas and lets his quarterback paint masterpieces. Sometimes it seems like the Colts only have four formations and seven plays, but defenses never know what's coming next.

TONY DUNGY PHILOSOPHY:

1. BE SIMPLE

2. TEACH FUNDAMENTALS

3. PLAY HARD

PEYTON MANNING: “KEEP IT SIMPLE”:

MANNING’S STRAIGHT FORWARD BUT EFFECTIVE PHILOSOPHY: “EVERY TIME YOU DROP BACK TO THROW, YOUR GOAL IS TO POSSESS THE BALL ON THE NEXT PLAY”!!!!!

Limited runs, but TONS of passes, & TONS of protections. MOVEMENTS (shifts/motions/finished fortmation packages) can be difficult to assimilate also. I spent 1 year working with a NFL Taxi Squad - what they have to learn is unreal!

One of the ways the good ones make a complex scheme somewhat simplified (at least we did) was by "conceptualizing" just about everything. For EXAMPLE:

1. We may have 25-30 formations, but all of them fell into two CONCEPTS:

a. Pro Family (Flanker & TE on SAME side);
b. Slot Family (Flanker & SE on same side).

Most all of these are accomplished ONLY by alignments of TWO people (Flanker & Slotback or H-Back).

2. We may have 80-100 passes, but all of them fall into 7-8 CONCEPTS. Each of the 8 concepts may have 10-12 passes. Each pass within that concept has the same READS (& generally the same PROTECTION).

3. We may have 23-24 protections, but each protection is a VARIATION (usually a "call") WITHIN a few basic protection categories. EXAMPLE: This is a CHART of the 7 basic protections we taught (& all 7 of these were "offshoots" of only 3 basic CONCEPTS). Each of these 7 had about 3-4 variations, that if multiplied by 7 - made it appear there were 21-28 protections:

7 BASIC PROTECTIONS CHART

“BASE”
TYPE = man
# = 7 (can be made 8 with H/Y both checking)
DB Action = split flow
Hot = none
B.O. = #4 str/wk
REDIRECT CENTER = 4 man side Call side
WEAKNESS = Ins. A gap dogs; mismatch RB on outs.
VARIATION = “OH” (RB takes H’s man; Y takes RB’s man; H takes Y’s route)

“HI/LO”
TYPE = man
# = 7
DB Action = wk flow
Hot = none
B.O. = #4 str/wk
REDIRECT CENTER = 4 man side Call side
WEAKNESS = same as BASE

“SCAT”
TYPE = man
# = 6
DB Action = split flow
Hot = #3/4 str
B.O. = #4 str/wk
REDIRECT CENTER = call side R/L 4 man side
WEAKNESS = strong side dogs

“SCRAM”
TYPE = man
# = 7
DB Action = wk flow
Hot = #3/4 wk
B.O. = #4 wk
REDIRECT CENTER = Center always weak
WEAKNESS = weak side dog

“OPTION TRIPLE”
TYPE = turn back
# = 6
DB Action = Str flow
Hot = #3/4 str
B.O. = #4 weak
REDIRECT CENTER = opposite into reduction
WEAKNESS = Str side dogs; wk 4 man rush

“OPTION SINGLE”
TYPE = turn back
# = 7
DB Action = str flow
Hot = none
B.O. = #4 weak
REDIRECT CENTER = none
WEAKNESS = wk 4 man rush; # of receivers out

“FLASH/LIGHTNING”
TYPE = man
# = 8
DB Action = split flow
Hot = none
B.O. = none
REDIRECT CENTER = weak
WEAKNESS = receivers check way out

Could go "on & on", but I simply do not have the time!

Cover 4 Rules

2009-10-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

Match Players

Take anyone who comes through your zone.

If #2 goes in, push to MHC and yell "In"
If #2 goes out, settle and get eyes on #1
If #1 goes outside, settle and eyes on #2; alert for smash
If #1 goes inside, settle first then push to MHC. Be alert to #2

Corners

Read #1

If #1 goes vertical, he is your responsibility
If #1 goes inside, let him go and eyes on #2
If #1 settles in flat, settle with him. Make "Smash" call.

Safeties

Read #2

If #2 to your side goes vertical, he is your responsibility. Match player should pass him off after 10 yards.
If #2 to your side goes in, shade #1
If #2 to your side goes out, follow with over-the-top leverage. If there is no #3 when #2 goes out, Match player should take #2. However, #2 is still the Safeties' responsibility. If there is a #3, or he is slow to show, Match player takes #3 and Safety should get to #2 as fast as possible.

SP teams

2009-10-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

PUNT RUSH PRINCIPLES (VIRGINIA TECH)

1. USE ATHLETES: WANT PEOPLE THAT CAN BLOCK KICKS, NOT WALL OFF.

2. STANCE – MAKE BLOCK & RETURN LOOK THE SAME.

3. LINE UP AS CLOSE TO NEUTRAL ZONE AS POSSIBLE.

4. KEEP HAND OUT IN FRONT OF HEAD.

5. KEY THE BALL – GREAT GET OFF ON SNAP.

6. STAY LOW IN YOUR CHARGE, MAKE YOURSELF SMALL.

7. BLOCK POINT LANDMARK CRITICAL, BETTER SHORT THAN LONG. NEVER BE PAST BLOCK POINT - - IF SO, PULL OFF.

8. ACCELERATE – SPRINT – HANDS UP AT LAST SECOND.

9. NEVER WORK ON A DIRECT ANGLE WITH KICKER – ALWAYS BE TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

10. LOOK AT BALL – EYES OPEN.

11. ALWAYS STAY ON FEET.

12. ONLY ONE PERSON FREE AT BLOCKING POINT.

13. KNOCKED OFF COURSE MORE THAN ONE STEP – STOP – WORK TO OUTSIDE.

14. DON’T AVOID OR KNOCK PERSONAL PROTECTOR INTO BLOCK POINT.

15. RUN A DIRECT LINE TO BLOCK POINT – DO NOT GET KNOCKED OUT OF YOUR LANE AND BLOCK OTHER PEOPLE.

16. BLOCKED KICK:

IF BEHIND LOS (WORK ON GETTING BALL TO END ZONE)
IF ACROSS LOS (GET AWAY FROM IT)
IF IN DOUBT (RIGHT AT LOS) – GET BEHIND BALL & LET THEM MAKE MOVE.

17. WHEN KICK IS BLOCKED – NEAREST PERSON TO BALL PICK UP – OTHERS BLOCK – SCORE!

_________________________________________________________

VIRGINIA TECH PUNT BLOCK PRINCIPLES

TO PREVENT ROUGHING THE KICKER:
1. Landmark is 2 yds. in front of where punter usually kicks the ball (if he lines up at 13 & kicks at 10 – the landmark is 8 yds deep). Adjust to the kicker from there. If you get past the landmark, pull off.
2. Angle to kicker – never put your body on a collision course with the kicker – run thru block area full speed. Come ACROSS kicker’s foot.
3. Stay on your feet (so you can adjust).
4. If you’re blocked – stop and work outside (in case kicker runs, or ball is blocked). We WANT 7 blocked and the 8th man coming free (if two come free they may collide).

TECHNIQUE:
1. Sprinter’s stance.
2. Hand close to ball.
3. Head turned looking at ball.
4. Get off (move on ball).
5. First 5 yds. most critical (stay low, turn shoulders making yourself small, & expect to go free).
6. Never get hands up till last second (hands come from hips quick and fast to ball level). If you put your hands up too soon, it slows you down.
7. Where are your eyes? Don’t turn your head or close your eyes – look at his foot, keep your eyes open – put your hands on his foot at the last second.

DRILL: (ONLY ONE)
Snapper snaps a ball (about half deflated) to punter , & blocker takes his zone approach – go upfield (making body small) then redirect to landmark.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN PERSONNEL TO BLOCK PUNT:
1. Explosive get off.
2. Speed.
3. Long arms.

ZONE APPROACH TO BLOCKING A PUNT (STRETCHING ZONES)

------------------O
O--------------------O-O-C
-1--------------2-3--4--5

#5 = work your way behind Center – get as far upfield as you can & work to your landmark.
#4 = line up outside & jump back inside, OR line up inside and work straight up the field and redirect to your landmark.
#3 = work upfield until Tackle can no longer block you then bend inside to your landmark (run away from slot).
#2 = take a step and try to go 1 step outside where slot can get his hand on you and bend hard to your landmark.

Winning Attitude

2009-09-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

It's that winning attitude that makes the difference.
Sometimes, players get stuck in the "we can't win games" mentality. It's hard to achieve success when you don't know what it feels like.
As coaches, this is the most difficult to achieve in a program.
I mean, your staff and your players can absolutely work their arses off, but come gametime, there is failure.
It's hard to fix something that doesn't involve scheme, personnel, work ethic, behavior, etc.
How do you build and foster a winning attitude?

I know I don't have the widest frame of reference here, but unfortunately the only times I've ever witnessed programs get turned around it involved a coaching change that brought a new attitude AND fixed a lot of the organization, structure, and management that was missing before.

There are a lot of things that successful programs take for granted that many "losers" don't have, and you can't always fix them all at once. Just off the top of my head, stuff like:

1. A decent fundraising structure (solicit donations, raffle things off, etc.)
2. Parental Support (ties in with fundraising)
3. Winning Tradition (proves to players it's been done before and can be done again)
4. Community Support (goes hand in hand with tradition/fundraising--if you build it, they will come).
5. Senior Leadership/Ownership of the team
6. Build around new, enthusiastic kids in MS and 9th grade--work closely w/feeders in youth and MS
7. Revamped offseason weight/speed/agility programs to make athletes better in offseason
8. Taking advantage of spring ball, 7 on 7, summer camps, 2 a days, etc. to hone skills and see who wants to get better.
9. Team building activities to get players bonded after class.
10. Adding an athletic period.
11. Getting players to believe they can win if they just do the right things.
12. Getting the coaching staff all on the same page--you might be amazed.
13. A coherent offensive/defensive schemes that fit the talent/coaches' strengths better
14. Finding creative ways to work around/build that which you don't have.
15. Get kids involved in other sports (basketball, track, wrestling, etc.) so they actually get in better shape in the offseason.
16. Points systems to reward hard work/good behavior.
17. Better organization of practice time--make it more efficient and fun.
18. Overall raising of standards: conduct, weightroom participation, expectations in weightroom and on field, etc.
19. Let it be known that the mistakes that have cost games in the past will not be tolerated or repeated.
20. Demonstrate through actions that no player, parent, or booster is bigger than the team. The coaches coach. Players play. Parents parent. Boosters support the team. That's it. Even if it means losing an All State stud or a fat donation check, everyone has to know his role and not overstep his bounds.
21. Give everybody involved a role to play where they feel valued, including the scrubs, underclassmen, newbs, etc. It's politics, but people care more and work harder for you when they feel their contributions are valued and important.
22. Soften the schedule as much as possible so the kids get to experience a taste of winning. Especially helpful to get some wins late in a season to build momentum into the offseason.
23. How much are you focusing on technique and mental preparation in Indies? A lot of good programs spend most of their practice time on indies and fundamentals, with classroom sessions devoted to the mental aspects. A lot of bad programs don't.

I don't mean to get on a high horse here, because Lord knows you and the kids've been banging your heads against a brick wall for years and you obviously are trying everything to right the ship. Even then there are a ton of things beyond your control. All you can worry about is the stuff you can fix.

I'm just trying to throw things out you might not have thought of to give you some ideas. If you're going to build something, you need an overall plan of how all the pieces fit together, maybe even how to build the pieces themselves. Maybe you could sit down as a staff and take a long look at yourselves and the program itself to see what you can work on together. Decide on the concrete stuff you can change and the attitude you want to project to the kids. Get together on it and execute it just like you want your team to execute. Enthusiasm and Optimism is contagious, but only if you prove you believe it yourself. Make the game fun and competitive and the kids will buy in!

Now, an old trick that my own HS coaches used to good effect (we were perennial doormats who were told we couldn't beat anyone, even by our previous HC!) was to paint and revamp the weightroom, field house, and locker room as much as you can. A few cans of paint are cheap, but with an increased focus on quality and becoming better, the spiffed up environment helps reinforce a powerful message that a new day is here and higher standards are a part of it.

The things the new HC did to build the program taught me a lot, both good and bad. Painting the locker room, starting a TD Club when we had no fundraising before, revamping our terribly ineffective workouts, recruiting the halls, and adding spring ball and a spring game really helped my school go from doormat to respectability. We always had talent in the school, but we never got much out of it because the previous HCs didn't have the organizational side down pat.

However, as much good as this guy did, he also made the mistake of selling out his program to selfish players and parents in the name of placating "better athletes." They became known for taking talented kids who'd been kicked off at other schools and this bit them a few times. Overall discipline and work ethic took a nosedive when the other kids saw what these "favorites" got away with, which kept those teams from becoming all they could've been.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling now, but I hope these ramblings are some use to you. You've got a lot more experience than me, and you obviously know your situation a lot better than I do, but I'm just trying to help you brainstorm here. Good luck, coach.

Most of us work very hard for what we got but most of us don't work hard enough for what we want.

Improving mental focus

2009-09-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

First things first - if you are in the habit of pulling a kid out if he commits a penalty, stop doing that. Penalties happen, they are part of the game. The kid obviously didn't mean to jump off sides, or facemask. Obviously there are times if a kid is hot tempered that you need to pull him out to calm him down, but to catagorically pull him out because he committed a penalty - No.

(that was common practice here when I first got here. One of our coaches pulled a kid because of PI...that PI saved a TD and the kid who committed it busted his @$$ to get there as he was not the one who blew coverage in the first place.)

2nd thing - you have to preach to them to "play the next play". Forget what happened the previous play, good or bad it has no influence on what you need to do as a player on the next play.

3rd thing - as a coach I think you need to create adversity in practice or weight room. Put them to the fire and see who cracks. Fortunately for me, that's just the kind of coach I am, its my natural personality (one of the few benefits). A kid has to have a certain level of mental toughness to even play for me and our defensive staff as we do not have any "hug em up" type of guys on our side of the ball.

4th thing - and I don't know if this is your case or not, but at this place, we have to work so hard at getting the kids to learn the game. It's like they've played forever but don't understand anything about it. Like a 1 tech doesn't understand why he can't just go run to the ball however he can get there instead of maintaining gap leverage...what happens, the guard allows him to go behind and it opens a cut back lane...they just don't get that part.

I think a lot of it comes from confidence - that's real confidence not the "rah-rah" BS before games and an understanding that mistakes happen and their ability to forget it, move on and play the next play.

Whatever your doing, be it warmups, conditioning, 7v7, whatever it is demand that they do the little things right. I'm talking about not going through the motions while warming up but actually trying to get better on every rep of the warmup (e.g., when doing high knees, actually get your knees up waist level or higher), proper stances before the ball is snapped in 7v7, proper footwork in run game drills, appropriate stance, not jumping offsides, and running all the way through the line if they are running sprints, literally demanding they do every dad-gum little thing right.

It's failure in the little things that will allow a team to beat themselves. If the other guys are just better than yours, it is what it is, but do not allow the other team to beat you because your guys don't do the little things right.

Demand excellence in the little things, every day. I like to tell them if we can't get everybody doing such a simple thing as getting in a proper stance right (as an example) how can we run a play consistently? If we can't do something as simple as high knees while warming up right what's going to happen when the ball is snapped? It always happens once a year that I have to say "Okay fellas, there is no sense in practicing the wrong stuff, since we are not mentally here we might as well spend our time getting into better condition" and then run the heck out of 'em. Give 'em a break once in awhile to tell them something like "I will not allow you as an individual and you as a team to come up short of your full potential for this season because you want to just go through the motions today. You have got the be mentally tough and focused and it starts right here and right now!", and off we go for another round.

If the offense turns it over in practice, the whole offense does pushups, not as punishment, but to reinforce the discipline that all 11 players must do their job. Hold each individual accountable to the unit's success. 1 fails, we all failed when it comes to execution. Now if one guy just keeps screwing it up I'd get somebody else in there, it doesn't make sense to discipline the whole group for one individual being a numbnut, but the key idea is to demand excellence in every little thing they do.

Execution errors will happen; guys will get beat by a physically superior opponent. But if they will do the little things right the other stuff will be minimized. If a guy gets beat 5 times in a row he's got to have a short memory and get his guy on the next play. That's mental toughness too, to hang in there even if you're getting pounded and keep fighting on every play. Focus is all about being present in the moment and is a skill that can be developed. The best way to develop that skill is to demand that they do the little things right that will enable them to do the big things it takes to be a winner on the field and in life.

Ball security

2009-09-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

Accountability must be stressed. If they fumble alot they can't play. Everyone will put it on the turf once in a while, but make the defense earn it. If you fumble you better have been knocked out by the defender.

When I coached RB's we did ball security everyday, and I tried to rip the ball from them in every drill. Try to incorporate ball security into every drill you can.

Some specific ball security drills I did were:

Position:

Eagle Claw, Elbow tucked, High and tight, nose of the football pointing upward, not out(similar to the top position of a chinup)...I shouldn't be able to see the any part of the ball if I stand behind the back. Elbow out/untucked=more fumbles.

Drills:

Ball Security w/ transition

- YOU MUST TEACH THEM HOW TO SWITCH HANDS CORRECTLY AND DRILL IT! We do it running in place, sprinting, jogging, through ropes, bags etc...Always have an arm (shelf) between the ball and the turf. "Never show the ball to the turf"
ex: If the ball's in the right arm and we transition to the left arm it goes like this- Slide the ball across the chest with the right arm cradling w/eagle claw hand (palm up/thumb facing out/forearm under the ball) KEEP IT TIGHT. Cover the ball with the left arm/forearm, eagle claw hand. At this point the ball should be covered by both forearms and both hands clawing the points. Now you slide the ball against your left side (cover your ribs) as you rotate the palm toward your face. Ball should now be high and tight and in the lt arm. Elbow tucked.

Awkward Ball drill

- secure ball position- running in place- coach gives command to seat roll left/right/or perform an updown; ball should NEVER come away from body nor get shown to the turf. Makes the kids consicentious of ball security even when you are in an awkward position like getting up off the ground.

Hand down drill

- start at the 15 w/ secure ball position; run 5yds and "1 arm bear crawl" into the endzone as fast as possible. As their off hand goes down for balance, their feet continue to work and coach them up on securing the ball in this awkward position- nose of the ball should never point to the turf and keep elbow tucked.

Hope these help- it's hard to describe them verbally without showing you the techniques in person. Bottom line is drill good technique, never let one get by without good secure ball position, and make'm pay if they screw up. Good luck brother.

Stalk Blocking Drills

2009-09-20T09:29:00.001-07:00

1. Competition Drill
Start with a WR line and a DB line (I just use my guys as DB) about 10 yds from the WR. Set two cones at the halfway point about 4 yds to the left and right of the WR. (This forms a diamond shape). On go, WR runs out of stance toward defender. I then point to one of the cones for the defender to run to. Defender's job is to hit the cone with his foot (don't let him dive for it, unrealistic). WR needs to get into position and block the defender. They get about 2 seconds of contact then we have a winner. Loser does push ups or something. Focus on the receiver moving into position then making contact with hands and using their hips for balance and force. Good drill to get those guys used to contact too.

2. Punch and drive drill (finish drill)
Have the defender shuffle and force the WR to stay in front of the defender and work punch and release technique. Then, have the DB widen and the WR needs to "finish" the block by driving the defender to one side. Really focus on teaching the WR if the DB starts to get around him, don't give up on the block but drive him out of the play (without holding)

COMMON COACHING ERRORS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

2009-05-23T09:39:00.001-07:00

By: Bud Wilkinson (winner of 3 National Championships & 47 straight games at U of Oklahoma).

GENERAL COMMENTS: The best coach is the one who makes the fewest mistakes; the one who does the best teaching job; the one who is the best organizer. Writing the X’s & O’s is not the most important thing. There are 22 variables in a football game. Coach must be a salesman to the extent that when his team loses, they don’t blame him or the offensive and/or defensive system, but rather themselves.

ERRORS IN TEACHING METHODS:
FIRST = FAILURE TO USE TIME EFFICIENTLY. Failure to recognize the time factor available to get the job done. Planning makes for valuable use of time. Too long on any one thing produces boredom. When boredom comes in, learning goes out. Football players have a short attention span. Hold to time schedule.
SECOND = FAILURE TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE DRILL. Tell the boy WHY he is doing what he is trying to accomplish and he will do a better job. Explain WHY, then show HOW.
THIRD = IMPROPER TEACHING PROGRESSION. You can’t teach a boy how to block until he has learned stance. If he hasn’t learned stance, he doesn’t know how to step out of the stance into the block.
FOURTH = TOO MUCH VERBAL INSTRUCTION ON THE FIELD. How much can boy learn from your verbal instruction with his helmet on, he’s breathing hard, he aches, he’s stunned, etc. Do WHO and WHY in chalk talk. Teach assignments before hitting the field. Correct on the field. Teach – no! (HOW is taught on the field – not WHO & WHY).
FIFTH = TOO MUCH DEMONSTRATION BY COACH. How much you know is not important. How much player knows is.
SIXTH = BEING ON THE FIELD TOO LONG. Better to have a team eager to play rather than physically tired. How long to practice is a judgment factor. Cut down as season goes along – not going to change mechanical ability late in season. Only one rule never violated at Oklahoma. If one coach on staff feels practice too long, we must cut it down. More boys play poorly because they practiced too long than boys playing poorly because they didn’t practice long enough.

ERRORS IN TACTICS AND STRATEGY:
FIRST = TACTICS AND VICTORY. You get very few victories on tactics. Victories come if you can out block, out tackle, out fundamental your opponent. Red Sanders quote: “Intimidate them physically”! Outmaneuver – no. Defeat – yes.
SECOND = CLEAR CUT PHILOSOPHY A MUST. Decide on an offense and defense that will suit your personnel then stick to it. Depth of morale can be determined by a kid’s reaction to a loss. If morale deep, they’ll blame themselves. If morale shallow, they’ll blame you.
THIRD = TOO MANY PLAYS AND DEFENSES. Subtract the number of different plays used in the game from the total number of plays you practiced. If this number is too large you better get rid of some plays. It is difficult enough to know when to run off- tackle, but if you have four ways to run off-tackle, you will never get the right play. Beauty of Split-T was it’s very limited number of plays
ERRORS IN JUDGMENT:
FIRST = BE REALISTIC ABOUT PLAYER’S ABILITY. Don’t just put an X or an O on the board. Put up the boy’s name. Immediately his limitations affect the offense or defense you put up. Whale of a lot of difference between thingy Butkus and Humpty Dumpty.
SECOND = WHEN CHIPS ARE DOWN, BEST PLAYERS ARE IN THE GAME. It is a mistake to be able to play blue chippers only one way. Say best kid you have can only go on offense. Say opponent has ball for 45 minutes. These are 45 minutes he cannot help you.

ERRORS IN OFF FIELD RELATIONSHIP:
FIRST = RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER FACULTY MEMBERS. The environment that exists has a lot to do with winning or losing. If they are with you, your job is easier. If they are against you, you’re in trouble. Work on a program of how to win friends and influence faculty members.
SECOND = ORGANIZE A MOTHER’S CLUB. Get mother on your side by pointing out to her what he can get out of football besides winning games.
THIRD = PRESS, TV, AND RADIO. Straight up fact of life that the great majority of people get their impression of you from what they read in the paper, see on TV, or hear on radio. Their jobs depend on info. Get it to them to make their jobs easier. Get these people on your side. Let them know what you’re doing. They will interpret what you’re doing in the way you want it interpreted if they are with you.

ERRORS IN DEVELOPING MORALE (MORALE IS TO THE PHYSICAL AS 4 IS TO 1).
FIRST = FOOTBALL BEGINS WITH MORALE! Once you get morale, it is easy to maintain. How to get it is a problem.
SECOND = HOW TO LOSE MORALE. Do what you said you’re going to do. Don’t say we’re going to practice 1 ½ hours and go 2 ½ hours. Training rules – if you’re not going to enforce them, don’t have them.
THIRD = MORALE STEMS FROM DISCIPLINE (ALL Discipline begins by being on time).
FOURTH = TREAT PLAYERS AS A PERSON. If he feels you are interested in him only as a football player, he won’t go all out for you. If you are interested in his academics, his personal problems, etc. and he knows this, he’ll go all out for you. Convince him that football is good for his future.
FIFTH = One year, Notre Dame had 2 competing QB’s. Under great athlete, team failed; under mediocre QB, team succeeded. Why? Captain’s reply – “the great athlete is trying to show how good HE is. The TEAM is trying to make the average guy look good”.

COACH IN YOUR OWN WAY:
FIRST = DON’T COPY! Note clinicians and their personalities. ALL different ways of being successful. Plan carefully in the off season. Can’t take golf lessons between the 8th green and 9th tee.

CONCLUDING REMARKS: The man who is best organized and does the best teaching job, is the best coach.

OL Skills

2009-05-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

Run Game Progression

1. Progression
a. Surface and Fit
b. Strike a Blow on hands and knees
c. Step and Hit
d. Hit and Drive
e. Run and Hit
2. Footwork
a. stance
i. feet parallel (slight stagger o.k. but not taught)
ii. feet shoulder width apart (maybe more)
iii. Achilles tendon stretch (heels on ground)
iv. slight duck position (toes slightly pointed out)
v. eyes up / flat back
vi. weight distribution is even (mental weight on inside of the feet)
vii. down hand should be under the chin, bear claw the ground.
viii. off hand should be relaxed, (not tense) but ready to strike a blow
b. 1st step
i. On Step
ii. Fire Step
iii. Reach Step
iv. Pull Step
c. 2nd step drill (2nd foot down on ground before contact is made)
i. On
ii. Fire
iii. Reach
d. get offs (5 yds)
i. On
ii. Fire
iii. Reach
iv. Pull
-full speed off ball
-duck sprint
-short strides

3. Individual Blocks
a. on
b. reach
c. fire
d. cover
e. gap
f. down

4. Pass Protection Progression
a. Footwork - mirror
b. Hands/Punch
c. Pass Set
i. Inside Foot Heavy
ii. Wide Base
iii. Soft Outside Shoulder

Coaching Styles vs Learning Styles

2009-05-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

Still have been reading alot of this educational psychology stuff (yeah I know I need to find a life but hey at least Brophy likes them ). Anyway here is some blurps from another article I found interesting.
http://sportsperformancecoaching.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html

If the end goal is to effectively coach ALL athletes you work with, then the first step is to identify what coaching style you are most comfortable with. Coaching athletes that have different preferences and characteristics doesn’t mean you have to change your style, only ADJUST. So recognizing your natural style is important. In the book Successful Coaching, Martens describes three distinct coaching styles; Command, Submissive, and Cooperative.

Command: authoritative, coach makes decisions while athletes listen and respond to commands.

Submissive: passive, minimal decision-making and instruction, only steps in when absolutely necessary.

Cooperative: coach shares decision-making with athletes, establishes structure then guides the process.

If you realy want a good laugh because most of it is true, here is 8 other coaching styles
http://www.humankinetics.com/SuccessfulCoaching/IG/270286.pdf

Then meshing your coaching style with types of player personalities:

Low Motivation- Low Skill: Use a Direct coaching style; avoid singling this athlete out by “directing” coaching points to them in a subtle and personal manner.

Low Motivation- High Skill: Use an Inspire coaching style; spend most of your energy motivating and challenging this athlete. They have natural ability already, but need someone to captivate their interest and inspire effort.

High Motivation- Low Skill: Use a Guide coaching style; this athlete has the inherent desire to improve, match their eagerness with coaching that is focused on teaching them the fundamental technical aspects of athletic movement.

High Motivation High Skill: Use a Delegate coaching style; make sure these athletes understand the goals and structure of training then include them in the training process, gather their feedback on programming, put them in situations where they can teach other athletes. As a coach, your goal should be to develop all athletes to this category

The Workers and the Lottery Winners

2009-04-26T11:12:00.001-07:00

I stood looking the young men in the face, sweat pouring down in the August heat. The one's who did not make it staring back at us through the chain link fence and making nasty comments. I could see that because so many had left it was wearing on the faces of those who were there. I asked them "How many of you would like to work and make a lot of money someday?".

To which all of them raised their tired hands slowly in the burning heat. I said" Ok, that's good, but how many of you would like to win the lottery instead?". The hands of the young men flew to the air with a quickness almost startling. I smiled, as I felt the beads of sweat running down my back, me too suffering some in the relentless South Florida sun. I then proceeded to ask the young men before me "How many of you know somebody who works and has made a lot of money?"

Quite a few of them raised their hands with wrinkle foreheads as I could tell I was getting the better of their anticipation. I then asked, with a cocked smile "Now, how many of you know someone who's won the lottery?". Not a single soul raised their hand. "Nobody?" I quipped. "Nobody knows somebody who's won the lottery?". To which I added "That there men, is what I"m trying to tell you, nothing in this old world is handed to you. Nothing you want to achieve will EVER be handed to you."

"On a football field, what you want must be worked for, just as the money the people you know have worked for." They all had this look of resolve amongst them, as if "yeah, coach is right". I reiterated the point by stating "A worker's job is to get paid for working, and his pay is money, a football player's job is to win football games for practicing harder than his opponent, and our pay is wins gentlemen...our pay is wins."

A slight breeze out of the south began to blow as an old Ford rambled along the roadway beside us, the young men looking at their coach began to realize, nothing in this world is for free, and if they wanted something bad enough, they were going to have to earn it.

The silence among them was golden, the coach was proud, and looked long and hard into the eager faces before him. For it is so true, that people more and more want something handed to them, want something for nothing, or feel they are entitled to something. To which I ask..."How many of you know somebody who's won the lottery?"

Buying video equip

2009-04-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

1. What are you going to do with the material once you have shot it? Do you want to review it and then archive it?

If you want to archive it then you have to figure out on what medium. For example, you can get a camera that uses tape, SD Memory, some use optical disc (like mini-dvd) and others have built-in hard drives. Tape is cheapest these days. But SD Memory is probably the future. A large internal hard drive means you won't have to swap media after every game but it does mean you will have to dump all that data to your computer at some point (necessitating the need for a large hard disk in the computer as well).

My personal thought is to avoid tape at this point. I think non-linear media is the way to go now so an SD card is must in my book.

2. How important is quality?

Most manufacturers are making High Definition cameras these days but you can still buy nice Standard definition cameras as well. For your budget I would opt for a nice High Definition camera. Not only will the image be much clearer but the aspect ratios on these cameras are usually wide (and anamorphic) so you get to see much more of the field. As mentioned in another post, even if you later convert these high definition images to standard definition so that you can put them on dvds, that image can still be superior.

3. Do some research first. It might hurt for a minute but if you are gonna spend some dough on a camera get a well qualified and reviewed piece of equipment. Here are the essential links:

a. www.camcorderinfo.com

This is THE definitive site for camcorder reviews. You won't need another.

b. www.projectorcentral.com/home.cfm

If you are considering a projector to review your games on this is the site to use.

c. Find recommended sites to buy your camera from. There are a lot of rip off online camera sites that advertise low prices but are trying to upsell you something else. Be wary!

www.amazon.com is a pretty safe bet and usually has competitive/best pricing.

d. A few more links

For cables - www.monoprice.com
For flash memory - www.newegg.com
For general computer/parts/memory - www.pricewatch.com

Finally, I am in the process of researching a camcorder myself. I want a camcorder with a hard disk and SD memory as well and top notch quality. Based on extensive reviews the Canon VIXIA HG20 looks like a good one for me. It can be bought at Costco for ~$599.

How dangerous is football

2009-04-22T08:25:00.001-07:00

COPY OF EMAIL TO PARENTS REFENCED IN THE POST ABOVE

Hello parents and players,

Since we have had to change some of our off season scheduling by the new state rules and since I have had several parent questions on safety, I have done a little research into the reasoning behind some of the rules that have changed.

Some things that I have found out relating to football (and some other sports and activities)

1. How dangerous is football?

a. (from the Seattle Times) It's probably safer than kids getting in a car and driving on the highway," said Dr. Frederick Mueller, who heads the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research at the University of North Carolina.
Statistically, anyway, there's no comparison.

According to numbers compiled by Mueller's center, the death rate for football players at the high-school level last year was 0.13 per 100,000 (there were no deaths last year in college football).
The death rate for male drivers between the ages of 15 and 24 years old, meanwhile, is 48.2 per 100,000, according to numbers published in 2001 by the University of Maryland Medical Center.
"What I don't want people to do is all of a sudden stop playing football," said Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, the chief of neurosurgery at Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington. "It's dangerous, but so is riding a bike, driving a car and simply living."

Ellenbogen's 11-year-old son plays football and the doctor says he "worries much more about kids riding bikes without helmets" than his son's safety during a football game.
Mueller's numbers indicate, in fact, that per 100,000 participants, football has a lower death rate than hockey, gymnastics, lacrosse and baseball, and much lower than competitive skiing.

b. (from NFHS) Injuries for high school and college cheerleaders have more than doubled since the early 1990s, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, with the estimated number of emergency-room visits spiking from fewer than 12,000 in 1991 to about 28,000 in 2004. And no other sport comes within shouting distance of cheerleading in terms of major injuries, such as spinal and head trauma, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, which is based at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Of the 101 catastrophic injuries sustained by female high school and college athletes between 1982 and 2004, 55 percent resulted from cheerleading—more than every other sport combined. Dr. Frederick Mueller, director of the center, puts it plainly: "There's no doubt that [cheerleading] is the most dangerous women's sport."
SOME WOULD SAY CHEERLEADING IS THE most dangerous sport, period. Recent statistics from the National Collegiate Athletic Association suggest that it may be even riskier than football, the sport it was created to support. Last year, the NCAA's Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program found that 25 percent of its claims for college student-athletes since 1998 have resulted from cheerleading. "[That is] second only to football, and football was not that far ahead of it," says Juanita Sheely, NCAA travel and insurance manager. When you consider the ratio of college cheerleaders to football players—about 12 to 100, estimates Sheely—that 25 percent figure is shocking.

c. (from NFHS) Over the past three years of study according to the National Federation of High School reports on sports medicine the highest incidences of major injury per 100,000 participants have been in cheerleading for women and soccer for men.

d. (from NCCSI) HEAT RELATED CONCERNS
A major concern in football fatalities has been the number of indirect deaths due to heat stroke, both at the college and high school levels. This number is unacceptable since heat stroke deaths are preventable with the proper precautions. Every effort should be made to continuously educate coaches concerning the proper procedures and precautions when practicing or playing in the heat. In the Annual Survey of Football Injury Research – 1931-2006 there are recommendations for safety during football activity in hot weather. New regulations by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for volunteer summer conditioning programs and pre-season football practice went into effect during the 2003 season and it will be very interesting to see how they effect heat related injuries at the college level.
TABLE 4:
HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS
INDIRECT INJURIES PER 100,000 PARTICIPANTS
1982-1983 - 2005-2006
MALE / FEMALE

SPORT FATALITIES NON-FATAL SERIOUS
CROSS COUNTRY 0.37/0.22 0.00 0.00
FOOTBALL 0.49/0.0 0.00 0.01
SOCCER 0.39/0.13 0.00 0.00
WATER POLO (1992-94) 1.63 0.00 0.00

2. MOST OBVIOUS CONCLUSIONS

a. HEAT AND CONDITIONING - It is of primary concern based on all these numbers to be sure that the players (in any sport) are in condition and have time to acclimate to the heat. This is real information that indicates that the off season and summer conditioning are essential for the players safety. Heat injuries account for a greater and greater percentage of total injuries in high school sport. Conditioning, and to some degree weight training, are the
primary methods to reduce the rate of occurrence.

b. Football is NOT the most dangerous sport. According to many studies, soccer and cheerleading (on a national basis) have moved past football in per capita serious injury at the high school level. (Just look at the heat related catastrophic injury table above) There are more injuries in football, and there are more people playing it at the high school and jr. high levels nationally, but on a per player percentage football is not the most dangerous high school sport.

c. Many more serious injuries occur when teens ride in cars than do when they play any sport. In real life, it is more dangerous for a teenager to be in a car, then it is for them to be on a football field, or a soccer field, or a basketball court, etc.

d. Continued education of coaches, parents and players is the key to playing as safely as possible.

e. IT IS MY OPINION that our coaches at our school do an awesome job across the board in these areas. We can all improve the conditioning of our athletes as a whole, and you parents can help too. But I don't believe for a moment that a big part of the reason we have avoided catastrophic issues in our sports programs is that God has blessed us all with coaches who are working hard to teach our students how to play the games the right way.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know.

PLEASE - have your kids participate !!

God Bless

ReBuilding Programs

2009-04-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

Coach, here is a copy of posts made by other users on this site and other sites on rebuilding a program, hope it helps! and sorry for the super long post!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
don't think there is a magic bullet here. But of the 3 programs I've been in, we've had to turn around. The #1 thing we had to install was discipline. Even today, 3 years later at this gig, discipline is still the #1 thing we have to work on.

I agree with making yourself available. Odds are the kids are in need of some consistency. So be there, always be there. You're the HC, so anytime anything football related is going on you should be there and find a couple of assistants who are the same way. I think it commitment bleeds through from the coaches to the kids.

Also, something I've found helpful especially with weights...if they are absent call them, speak to them and find out why. If you can't reach them by phone stop by their house. If they need a ride, go get them...if you can remove all their excuses, then it boils down to "want to" and that makes your decisions much easier later.
1. Assess the situation.
2 Determine what needs should be met and when.
3. Make a plan to accomplish your goals.
4. Start immediately to build relationships with the players, starting with the oldest first.
5. Sell your vision- get them looking forward instead of backward. Sell your expectations.
6. Instill pride through discipline and hard work.
7. Recruit the hallways.
8. Don't compromise your principles, even if it means going 0-10.
9. Change attitudes and make a difference in your players' lives.
10. Work hard and have faith in yourself - It may take years.
Turning a program around is all about psychology and changing the attitudes people have. The raw demographics of schools in a given geographic area are usually more or less the same. It's how you handle them that determines who comes out, who works hard, and who becomes good.

As dcohio said, what's frequently at the heart of this is a lack of discipline, and that's from both the coaching staff and the players. Usually, programs with no tradition are very poorly organized, as you're discovering, and their execution sucks on the field because their fundamentals suck because their discipline sucks. Losing breeds a losing attitude from the players. They see football as mostly just a club and a hobby. They're used to settling for less--they think that's all they can ever have "just because"--so they simply don't care as much as you need them to.

That's the mindset you've got to change. You've got to get them optimistic, confident, and enthusiastic. Make it clear now that a new era is dawning. That will help spark the work ethic. When they see themselves getting bigger, stronger, and faster they'll be sold. But discipline has to be instilled--ideally from self-policing senior leadership--before you'll ever have a team instead of a group of self-interested athletes.

There are some things you can do that are fairly easy and can be done right now: meet with your rising seniors to encourage senior leadership and responsibility. Make sure you have a booster club set up to raise money to improve the facilities. Then paint the locker room, weightroom, etc, and make a team building exercise of it. A few cans of paint are cheap, while a spiffed up locker room and weightroom will really help send the message that the program is now in a state of renewal.

You've also got to establish the right relationship with your players early on. Be optimistic and show that you care about them as people outside of football--go to basketball and baseball games, recruit the halls, etc., but also make sure that you conduct yourself as an authority figure. Obviously your own personality comes into play here, but that's the basics of it.

Do you get spring ball there in FL? If you do, make sure to have spring practice. If admin will allow it, cap it off with an intra-squad exhibition game during school hours so the kids get to play in front of their classmates. Have the students pay $3 or so to get ouf class and watch the game in the afternoon. In addition to being a good fundraiser, this really does help to get people excited about football and talking about it during the summer.

It also gives you a golden opportunity to evaluate talent. A tip I got from an article by Bo Schembechler is to meet with each of your kids privately after spring ball and tell each one of them where they stand now and what you expect from them over the summer. That's when you really sell the summer strength and speed stuff.
1. Cut the cancers - players and coaches.

2. Set the bar as high as you are willing to go.

3. Lift, lift, lift - it is the only thing that really matters in your first two years.

4. Recruit a staff that will be loyal - you may even ask the admin. to open every position and have them all re-apply. It won't do any damage because they are already unsure about you, your philosophy, and don't trust you - believe me, and these other head coaches will tell you the same thing.

5. Work real hard getting to know the current 7th and 8th grade kids because that is really your first team - hold a youth camp in the summer and an intro. to lifting camp in the winter.

6. Don't be afraid to walk away from it if the administration won't let you hire your staff, lift year-round, and place demands on kids and coaches.

7. Recruiting the halls? I personally don't think it works and, in fact, in fifteen years of coaching, I have never had a kid stay with it who didn't do it on their own. They know were you are if they want to be a part of it.

8. Have total control over the fund raising so that all money goes directly into your account - not a parent group that you have to ask for it.

9. Look for retired successful former head coaches to join your staff - go seek them out and they will love the opportunity.

10. Remember, you don't win with great athletes, only the right kind of kids and coaches, so don't be afraid to make hard decisions regarding the people and stick to it.

Also, in our second year, we instituted varsity team dinners on Thursday after 'walk thru' practice. We have a local restaurant donate a nice pasta dinner and a local bakery donates a large sheet cake for dessert. We have the use of the school cafeteria, my wife organizes the dinners and she 'recruits' selected mothers of players to volunteer and help every year. This has been a great bonding scenario and it makes our varsity players feel special.
We are old school and we get after it pretty good in practice -- sell your players on the fact that nobody is working harder than they are. Our motto is "we want to be the most physical team on our schedule." If we can get to that level, we believe we can compete with the more talented teams we play. We believe team chants, etc. do no good once somebody busts you in the mouth, so we believe the best bonding occurs on the practice field, in the weight room, etc. where mutual sweat and blood brings us together.
By the way, our program has gone from the laughingstock of our area to the most wins in a 4 year period in school history (built in 1923), back-to-back conference championships and playoff berths. It can be done -- be passionate and be willing to work your tail off. There is a quote I have on my mirror that I took from a coaching article where a coach (can't remember who) asks himself, "Did I do everything I could today to make my football program better?" I try to live by this.

By: Bill Collar, Head Football Coach, Seymour High School WI

Post Plays - Use large pieces of tagboard to post plays on the wall in the locker room. This way the players can look over assignments before they go out to practice.

Word of the Day - Have players pick a word of the day at the end of practice. This will be one of the areas of major emphasis for the next day's practice.

Senior Captain - Give all seniors the opportunity to lead flexibility exercises for the week. Those players will also be captains for the game that week.

Never Practice Pre-Game Drills - Don't waste time with a complicated pre-game warm-up. Stretch out and loosen up but don't wear the team down with a great deal of running and chanting. Never worry about winning the pre-game.

Charts and Goals - Much has been said at past clinics about team goals and motivational charts. These, along with inspirational sayings, can be very motivational. Many players also like helmet decals that go along with the team goals.

P.M.A. - Always promote a positive mental attitude. There is no place for negative thinking or lack of confidence in football. Encourage an "I Believe" attitude. Remember, the other team consists of eleven players. Attempt to separate any tradition or past experience from an opponent who normally is really tough. Do not accept "I'll try" as an answer -- "Do It!"

Make Good Use of Video - Use the video session as a positive learning experience. Don't allow it to deteriorate into a "bitch" session. Have players pick out "big hits" and outstanding blocks. This is the time to give the offensive line the credit it deserves.

Assistant Coaches - Make good use of the assistant coaches. Take advantage of their strengths and be able to delegate responsibility. Avoid unnecessary meetings and long video sessions. Keep in mind their family life and lack of substantial pay. Be sure to give them credit and a pat on the back occasionally.

Work Vs. Time - Be sure to realize the difference between work (activity directed to some purpose or end) and putting in time but not accomplishing anything constructive. Grading video can sometimes fall in this category.

Team Togetherness - Consider getting the team together on Thursday evenings at a player's parent's house for a meal and possible film session. The coach can kick this off by hosting the first outing. Evaluate getting together at a church prior to the season and explain to the players how you feel about them, the team, training rules and the coming season.

Optional Video Night - Pick a night during the week (we used Sunday) when the game film will be shown and snacks will be served at the head coach's house. Players are welcome to stop by for individual video review and learning session.

Unique Event - Each season plan at least one unique event to help fire up the school and community. This may range from having motivational buttons printed to having fireworks during the football game.

Shirts and Hats, etc - Many of us help promote school caps, bumper stickers, shirts, trunks and other methods to put football on display. At times it gets to be a big hassle but it sure is good to see more football shirts around school. Give players the opportunity to purchase their game jersey.

"Bitch" Session - Periodically at practice schedule a "bitch" session where anyone can speak up and bring an issue before the group. The team will decide whether it is a legitimate complaint.

Support School Activities - The football coach should back all school activities. Make it a point to attend plays, band concerts, sporting events and as many extracurricular activities as possible.

Team Improvement - The key to improving the quality of the team is to take the below average and average players and move them up to average and above average. The exceptional players will always be good and don't have the improvement potential of the poorer players.

Identify Quarterbacks Early - Meet with junior high physical education teachers to identify top quarterback prospects early. Work to get the most skilled student leaders at this key position.

Locker Room Quality - Provide music, school colors, slogans, name plates, goal charts and pictures to brighten up the locker room area.

Exchange Ideas With Other Coaches - Meet with area coaches in mini-clinics to exchange ideas. Have X and O sessions to determine strengths and weaknesses of offense and defense.

The Perfect Play - Emphasize to the team that four perfect plays will win the game. When you have a perfect play run it over and over again on film and stress that everyone accomplished his assignment.

Rule Session - Make transparencies from the illustrated rule book and go over these with the players. Be sure they understand all the rules that apply to their position.

Agility Stations - Scheduling four five-minute agility stations early in the practice is an excellent way to work on movement and conditioning. Include one with little movement to provide a breather.

Cadence Drill - Use the quarterback to start drills as much as possible. Work on getting off the ball together daily. This can be done by clapping in unison on the correct count.

"NEVER" practice on Sunday, have a mouthgard penalty, wait for anyone, having many players standing around, leave the field with hard feelings, chew the team out after a tough game, or criticize other coaches.

Give Credit to the Opponent - We can help one another after a tough game by giving credit to the opposing team and the coach. Too often a quick comment after the game comes out sounding wrong in the paper the next day.

Bench Conduct - Be sure to go over proper bench behavior before the first game. Explain what a player should do when you call his name and how he should go about entering the game.

Night Off - Later in the season consider giving the team a night off practice. Use the time to go over video or lift weights. This break in routine will often help pep up future practices. This can be a good move after a really tough loss.

Stay Loose On Game Day - If the coach is all up tight the players are more likely to be too tight. Attempt to keep every game of equal importance to avoid up and down play.

Recognize the Individual At Practice - When a player makes an outstanding block or tackle or some other great play in practice, give him immediate recognition through a big clap or some other method.

Signal Drill - Instead of running team sprints, run signal drill sprints. This makes conditioning a reinforcing experience. The team can work on proper alignments, spacing, stance, starts, cadence, sprints and ball handling.

Keep Drills Short - Most learning takes place early in the drill. Encourage players to do it right rather than just doing it. Select drills that have actual carryover value to the game situation.

Practice Schedule - Have an organized practice schedule, get it to the assistant coaches early in the day and follow it.

Wing T Blocking

2009-04-02T07:11:00.000-07:00

g From the early 1950's period when the Delaware wing-T came into pminece with the University oif Iowa winning the National Championship, these were the blocking rules. THey will apply to 90% of the defenses you run against.
Terminology:
Holeman- the man whose inside gap(the hole) through which the runner will run
First man inside- first lineman inside the hole man
First man outside- first man outside the holeman
Second man outside- second man outside the hole man

These labels will chanage as the running lane changes with the play calls.

Hole man rule: I lok to my pos(inside man) If there is a man on him I lead block on him.
If there is no man on him, I influence the man on me(feinting a reach block) and block out on the first man.

First man inside says: If there is a man on me I will post block that man. If there is no man on me , I will block down on the first man inside.

First man outside the hole man says: I always crack back on the first linebacker in or across the hole

Second man outside the holeman says: I always block on the first linebacker outside the hole.

You have an offside pulling lineman to trap the player that remains.

These will cover tackle to takle plays trap plays and the sweep.

When you run the sweeps, the near HB j blocks on the defensive perimeter man. The TE moves upfield and blocks inside out on the CB, the backside End tries to get to the Safety for a cutback, The onside guard will pull deep around the end outside in on linebaker flow, Backside guard will shallow pull to pick up blitzing LB in the ABC gaps then move upfield sealing to inside. And the tackle reaches the man on or near.

It sounds like a lot, but with oral repetition it can be mastered and you can confront any defense with a sense of organization that does not change
In a balanced line
The center will only be first inside
The guards will only be holemen,
the tackles can be holemen and first outside,
the ends can be holemen, first outside and second outside.

When you start with the optionss its open season. Are you going to leave amn unblocked, two men unblocked, triple option, speed option. That is really the HC's call. Just watch listen and learn. We have all been there.

OL Drills

2009-03-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

1. Birddog - Run Steps
This is a great warm-up period drill. The offensive linemen all work their initial steps in the run game. These are general steps, not so much play specific. They work first step, then first two, then first three steps. Steps to rep are cut-off left/right, run inside vs. inside technique right/left, run outside vs. outside technique right/left, pull left/right, trap left/right. You can rep anything in the offense at this point.

2. Zone Combo Drill
This is two offensive linemen vs. two players acting as the defensive players. The OL will combo on the defensive lineman while they read the linebacker. If the LB stays backside and fills, the backside offensive lineman comes off for the LB. If the LB slow plays the read, then both OL just continue pushing the DL back into the lap of the LB. If the LB works quickly over the top, then the playside offensive lineman comes off for the LB. You also need to work the slant part of the drill. If the DL slants backside, then the playside OL must come off immediately, get up field for the LB, and not get involved with the DL. If the DL slants playside, then the backside OL must come off immediately, get up field for the LB, and not try to chase the DL.

3. Zone Cylinder Drill
This is two OL vs. two players acting as the defensive players. Both OL must take their proper zone cylinder steps. You can have the LB slow play, fill backside, or quickly get over the top. At the same time you can have the DL slant either way or just try to read the play. The OL must take their steps, get on path, and block the first thing that crosses their faces. They can not chase or get off path at any time.

4. Restart Drill
Two offensive linemen lock their hands into the perfect blocking position but only one hand can be "inside" on the arm pit while the other hand is outside. The offensive linemen can stand as tall as they want or can lower themselves as much as they want. Most players will work on getting into a low position to help their leverage. On the HUT both offensive linemen begin blocking and working to get their outside hand to inside leverage while not losing the inside hand they already have.

On every play there is going to be a split second, right after contact, that a stalemate happens or a moment where both the offensive lineman and the defensive lineman are stopped. The winner will always be the man who is able to get restarted the quickest. The drill also teaches the OL how to keep what leverage (depth or hand position) he earn right away as well as how to reestablish leverage as he is blocking. Run blocking is not just a one or two step thing, OL must continue to work on getting better position as the play continues.

5. Perfect Start Drill
This drill is to teach offensive linemen what position they want to get into right after contact. We want the face mask right in the chest, forward body lean, and both hands have inside leverage while being placed right in the arm pits. The acting defensive player places both hands on the back of the shoulders of the offensive lineman. On the HUT, the offensive lineman must run his feet, bring his hips, and lock out his arm to control the defensive lineman. The defensive lineman will try to pull the shoulders forward so the offensive lineman can't extend and has to really work to bring his hips.

6. Chutes
This is a great drill to teach leverage and staying low. You can run any drill you want while in the chutes. The best ones are initial steps, blocking the hand shield, blocking the big bag, or two on one.

7. Boards
This is a great drill to teach keeping proper distance between your feet so you don't lose your base. You can run any drills you want while on the boards. The best ones are initial steps, blocking the hand shield, blocking the big bag, pulling to trap, or two on one.

8. Bag Warm-Ups: One Foot In Each
Use hand shields or half bags for this. Each OL simply runs through the bags with one foot in between each bag. Do not allow them to turn their hips. You want them going forward with their shoulders, hips, and feet all pointed in the same direction.

9. Bag Warm-ups: Two Feet In Each
Use hand shields or half bags for this. Each OL simply runs through the bags with both feet in between each bag. Do not allow them to turn their hips. You want them going forward with their shoulders, hips, and feet all pointed in the same direction.

10. Bag Warm-ups: Shuffle
Use hand shields or half bags for this. The OL will turn and go through the bags perpendicular to the bags. As they shuffle through you want to see them pick their knees up, not just kick their feet up behind themselves. The OL should be in a good pass set with their hands kept high the entire time during this warm-up.

11. Bag Warm-ups: 2-Over-1
Use hand shields or half bags for this. The OL will turn and go through the bags perpendicular to the bags. As they shuffle through you want to see them pick their knees up and stick the balls of their feet into the ground, not just kicking their feet up behind themselves or just sticking the toe of their shoes into the ground. They shuffle over two bags, then back one, and repeat till done.

12. Bag Warm-ups: Lead Cross
Use hand shields or half bags for this. The OL will turn and go through the bags perpendicular to the bags. The offensive linemen will need to build up a little speed before entering the bags for this drill. If moving to their right, they reach with their right foot into the first hole between the bags, cross over with their left foot into the next hole between the bags, and repeat until done. You have to emphasize them keeping their hips and shoulders facing forward and not turning their hips so they can simply run through the bags. As they cross over they have to really work on picking up the knee so they don't hit any bags.

13. Double Team Drill
This is done with two offensive linemen and one acting as a defensive lineman. On HUT the two offensive linemen must come together, hip to hip, and not allow any space between them. The OL will continue to drive the DL off of the ball until the drill is done. They should not allow the DL to split them. Don't allow the OL to just fall over the top of the DL.

14. One-Knee
The offensive linemen each put one knee down on the ground (you will do this drill to both sides but you want everybody to start the same way). The defender will hover over them with a hand shield, or you can use a leverage sled. On HUT, the OL will explode into the defender/sled. Driving off of their up foot and then stepping with their foot which had the knee on the ground. They then need to continue to drive, bring their hips, and lock out their arms. This is a great drill to teach proper hip explosion. In almost every play the OL will take at least one step without making contact. This drill teaches how to make proper comeback while bringing the hips and locking out. If the OL doesn't bring his hips then he will never lift the sled or bag because it will simply collapse straight back.

15. Explosion Drill: Six Points
The offensive lineman is in a six-point stance (feet, knees, and hands on the ground). You want the OL to be rocked back in his six-point stance to the point where his butt is almost on his heels. On the HUT the OL explodes into the bag/sled. The hands must extend and you should see the hips thrust out (eventually down into the ground) and the chest should be up. The OL will finish this drill face down on the ground fully extended.

16. Explosion Drill: Four Point
The offensive lineman is in a four-point stance (feet and hands on the ground). You want the OL to be rocked back in the stance as must as possible. On the HUT the OL explodes into the bag/sled. You want to see the hands extended, chest out, and the hips being thrust out (eventually down into the ground). The OL will finish this drill face down on the ground fully extended. This is not a "bring your feet drill", but instead is simply an explosion drill.

17. Explosion Drill: Two Point
The offensive lineman is in a two-point stance (feet on the ground only). On the HUT the OL will explode into the bag/sled. Now the OL must bring his feet and continue to block after the initial explosion.

18. Explosion Drill: Both Knees-Hands Only
To teach proper hand placement/explosion, you can have the OL put both knees down on the ground. You want the OL to be rocked back with their butts on their heels. The hands should be placed on the thighs. On the HUT, the OL must explode with their hands while bringing their hips and keeping their chest out and up. As soon as they explode they should immediately reload. This is a rapid fire drill where you can get several reps in a very short span of time.

19. Wax On/Wax Off
The offensive lineman will get into a perfect pass pro position with both hands being placed in the arm pits with inside positioning. On the HUT, the defender will knock the hands off (either one hand at a time or both hands). The defender should work on knocking the hands up, down, or across. Every time the hand(s) are knocked away the offensive lineman must replace his hands. The way to replace is coming from underneath up into the arm pit. The OL makes a semicircle motion each time to replace his hands.

20. Push-Push-Pull
The offensive linemen will get into a perfect pass protection position. They will have both hands inside leverage, arms almost locked out, chest out, head back, and a good bend in their knees. The defender will place both hands on the top of the shoulder pads. The defender will then push on the offensive lineman with a bull rush and will suddenly pull the OL back towards to LOS. The OL will have to sink his hips to stopped from being pulled forward.

21. Pull Cut Off With Big Bag
To teach the proper way to do the backside cut-off, you can use the big blocking bag as a landmark to create the proper steps. The bag needs to be set up at least back on the hip or maybe even deeper to over exaggerate the proper steps. The offensive lineman must open, pull for depth, drop the inside shoulder, rip through the thigh, and pull the backside shoulder through.

22. Pull Cut Off With Hand Shield
The other way to teach the proper way to do the backside cut-off, you have somebody hold the hand shield. Now, the defender should be inside and crowding the LOS. On the snap the man holding the hand shield will try to get the shield on the shoulder pads of the OL, pushing him down, as well as moving up field and inside. The OL must really work hard to continue to give ground and depth to gain leverage. Once leverage is obtained, drop the inside shoulder, rip through the thigh, and pull the backside shoulder through.

23. Pass Pro: Two-On-Two
This is an unscripted two-on-two pass protection drill. The 2 OL will start in a perfect pass pro stance while the 2 defenders start standing up as well. The defenders can twist, bull, swim, spin, or whatever they want to during the rush. The most important thing is that defenders just continue to move and continue to try and get up the field towards the QB. One of the great aspects of this drill is the chaos which it creates for the 2 OL. They will probably have multiple switches if they stay on the same level and then will also have to track a few times to stay with the looper once they are no longer on the same level. This drill can become so hectic that once the OL actually go into a normal 11-on-11 setting the pass protection seems slow and easy.

24. Pass Pro: Famous Drill
This is one of the best pass protection drills you can possibly have. It will be one OL against one defender. This should be done in a very small space. The coach needs to keep in mind what position the OL plays and give the proper spot for the QB to stand. There are no helmets allowed in this drill and the only rush which can not be used by the defender is the bull rush. The OL starts in a good stance and then will pop up into a perfect pass pro position to start the drill. Once the OL has popped up, the defender starts rushing. This drill really helps to reinforce the fact that you should not use your head and shoulders during pass protections. The OL must work to get his hands on the defender, keep his head back, keep his shoulders back, and counter whatever moves the defender makes. The entire time the OL must keep the proper relationship with his feet and either play flat to the inside or give ground at a 45 to the outside.

25. Pass Pro: Twist Drill
This is a two-on-two drill done in a relatively small space. The coach will stand behind the offensive linemen and direct which way he wants the twist to happen. Every so often the coach simply needs to have the DL both slant in the same direction or simply rush. The most important part of the drill is for the two OL to learn how to properly handle the twist. First, both OL need to stay on the same imaginary plane so they are even with each other. When the drive man (defender who is slanting towards another DL) begins to drive, the lineman blocking him must assume this is simply a normal directional pass rush. When the looper (the defender who is going to twist behind the other DL) is identified, then the OL know it is a twist. The lineman who is blocking the looper will call "twist" and must turn to drive block the drive man. The combination of the twist call and the drive block on the drive man will push the other lineman off so he can play the looper. The man now playing the looper needs to push off slightly to get in a better position to play the looper. The reason you drive block the drive man is so you can constrict the possible opening for the looper to run through.

26. Cut Drill With Big Bag
Every offensive lineman must know how to cut on the LOS, cut on a pull, or cut in the open field, but you do not want to work cutting drills on your own players because of the risk of injury. You set the bag up in one of three positions. To work the cut drill on the line, place the big bag right up in front of the OL. To work the cut drill on a pull, place the big bag where the DL would be on a trap or counter play. To work the open field cut, you have to place the bag down the field so the OL has to run to the bag. The OL wants to throw the arm through the knee, drive the shoulder through the thigh, and then roll forward so they keep coming at the defender. You don't just lay down in front of a defender, you must physically attack him to put him on the ground. The cut should be used as a change up block and can only be used against defenders who are running. If you try to cut a defender who is standing still, then they have a better chance avoid the cut.

27. Quick Set
This is a drill which can be used as a warm-up prior to practice or during an individual period. On the command, the offensive linemen will all pop up out of their regular stance into a perfect pass pro position. The coach can either work on a ton of reps or can force the OL to sit in the good stance. If the coach makes the OL sit in the stance, then you have to watch to see if the OL begins to raise up or if they can properly sit down deep in the their stance and stay in that position. The reason this is important is because if they can't stay in the proper pass pro position, then they will start to stand-up during a play because they get tired. This also creates a mentality in the minds of the OL that they can sit in that stance forever.

28. Quick Set And Move
This is a drill which can be used as a warm-up prior to practice or during an individual period. On the command, the linemen will all pop up out of their regular stance into a perfect pass pro position. At any point the coach can direct the OL to move by simply pointing in that direction. As long as the coach continues to point in a direction the OL continues to move that way. So, you can keep them moving one direction for a long time or you can change directions quickly to force the OL to continue to move. The other aspect of this drill is to make sure the OL are using their arms. Whichever direction the OL moves to, that arm should be locked out while the opposite hand should be held tight to the body and ready to deliver the blow when the defender changes direction.

29. Pass Pro Counter Drill
Every OL needs to know how to counter the most popular pass rush techniques and this is a drill which helps to not only teach those counters but to get a ton of reps at them. First, lets go through the drill then we will go through the counters.

Drill Part I: All of the OL pair up with one side being the offensive player and the other side being the defender. The coach will stand behind the OL and will direct the defenders on what move to make and which direction to make it. The coach should do the move on air and then point in the direction he wants the defenders to go.

Here are the counters:
Bull Rush: As the offensive linemen get bull rushed, they must eventually drop their outside foot and exaggerated distance, sink their hips, lock out the arms, push the chest forward, and get the head back. This will help to change the leverage and should also rock the shoulder pads of the defender back into his throat.

Swim: As the defender begins to swim, the offensive lineman first tries to lock out the swim side arm and then has to use their opposite hand (if the defender swims to the right, the OL uses his left hand) to deliver a blow. There are two places to deliver the blow. The first is up into the arm pit of the swim man to knock him sideways and possibly turn his shoulders to the sideline. The second place to deliver a blow is just below the ribs. A shot to the ribs will hurt but a shot just below the ribs can double over a defender.

Rip: As the defender begins to rip, the offensive lineman first tries to lock out the rip side arm and then has to use the opposite hand (if the defender rips right, then use the left hand) to deliver the blow. The blow should be down on the hip of the defender. You can turn the defender's hips towards the sideline without much of a shot. The hand stays on the hip and continues to move the defender. At some point the defender will then use a second move.

Spin: As the defender begins to swim, the offensive lineman must sit back, not get over extended, and fall forward. The OL must deliver a blow to the shoulders with the spin side hand and then continue to force the defender to spin in place. As the defender finishes the spin, the OL must deliver a BIG blow to the defender. Many times the best defense against the spin is to step off and away from the spin man so he can't use the OL’s body to spin off of.

Drill Part II: The next part of this drill is to use double moves. The coach tells the defenders the first move and direction and then the second move and direction. The important part of this drill is the fact that the OL must not only be able to stop the first move, but be ready for the counter move while not getting over extended stopping the first move.

30. Two-On-One
This is done with one offensive lineman, a defender holding a big bag or hand shield, and a second defender bracing the man holding the bag. The OL can either start in a perfect running blocking position or come out of his 3-point stance. On the first HUT the OL begins blocking while both defenders are providing resistance. On the second HUT, the second defender will step out of the way and no long provide resistance while the first defender (who is holding the bag or hand shield) will also provide a little less resistance. When this happens the OL will immediately begin having much more success and this is where the drill really becomes useful. The OL must run his feet, lock out his arm, get his hips underneath him, and finish the block. The drill teaches OL how to react once they start having success on blocks. Too many times an OL comes off of the line, makes good contact, but as the defender gives ground the OL is unable to finish the block because he doesn’t know how to bring his feet and get his hips underneath him.

31. Machine Gun
All the offensive linemen are lined up in a single line (everybody in the line will be called a defender from this point on). The first OL steps out, turns towards the group, goes into a 3-point stance and then pops up into a perfect pass pro stance. Once in the pass pro stance he begins to shuffle down the line. As he gets directly in front of a defender, the defender will simply step at the OL or fall forward. The OL must deliver enough of a shot to knock the defender back. Then, the OL will shuffle down to the next defender while staying in his perfect pass pro stance and repeat the drill until he reaches the end of the line. Once he gets to the end of the line he then turns around and joins the line. This drill should initially be done very slowly to really work on staying in a good stance and delivering a great shot. Eventually, the speed must pick up until it becomes almost a frenzy so that the OL can move, stay in a good stance, and deliver a blow at simulate game speed.

32. Mini-Machine Gun
The offensive linemen must pair up so you can get more reps for this drill. The defender will be perpendicular to the OL. The OL will be in a perfect pass pro stance and must shuffle to stay next to the defender as the defender moves. Every so often the defender will turn and step at the OL. At that point, the OL must deliver a blow to the chest of the defender. You can do this as long as you want. When done, the defender and OL simply switch responsibilities. The coach can control the speed of the drill by telling everybody what he wants at the start. The other variation is to allow the defender to simply change the speed he moves during the drill.

33. Mini-Machine Gun From The Side
The offensive linemen must pair up so they can get more reps for this drill. The defender will be perpendicular to the OL. The OL will be in a perfect pass pro stance and must shuffle to stay next to the defender as the defender moves. Every so often the defender will lean in at the OL. At that point, the OL must deliver a blow to the edge of the shoulder pads of the defender. You can do this as long as you want. When done, the defender and OL simply switch responsibilities. The coach can control the speed of the drill by telling everybody what he wants at the start. The other variation is to allow the defender to simply change the speed he moves during the drill. This is a great drill to teach/reinforce OL to keep their hands very, very tight. If a lineman keeps his hands tight, he will deliver a more concentrated blow, won’t have the chance of missing a defender, and can keep inside leverage as the defender continues to come at him.

Defining success

2009-03-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

John Wooden- "Success is the peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming"

What do you do to achieve it?
Do the little things right (finishing drills, showing up on time, turning in homework on time and complete etc).

Teach them how to be good people (please and thank you, yes sir no sir, caring for others and theirselves, DOING THE RIGHT THING)

and lastly teach them how to work together to accomplish a common goal.

Success is a by-product of doing things right, and doing things right is a choice.

What is your definition of a man?

2009-03-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

Went to a clinic this weekend and a very successful coach, who I know and like, was talking about philosophy. He said that his goal as a football coach was to build a man, everything else would take care of itself. His definition of a man was... doing something for others/ to be of service to others. Some of the other things that he mentioned was that in his weightroom, they are building enthusiasm not "freakish" people. They lift for 1 hour a day but five days a week. He said he wanted them there 5 days a week because a man works 5 days a week and is a parent everyday of the week. Thoughts?

• A man does what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, as well as it can be done, and he does it that way all the time.
• Honest, hard-working. And able to give yourself an honest look and change negative thoughts/actions that can keep you from being the best (person, coach, dad, husband, employee, employer, etc.) you can be.
• Someone who can take responsibility for their actions
o Someone who will do what is necessary and possible to get better
o Someone who has respect for their life and the lives of others
o Someone who understands that life is more about "you" than it is about "me."
• I really appreciate what that coach offers as a definition of a man. There are a lot of boys in our culture of coaching, but when it comes to manhood, in my opinion, it has little to do with age.
o Manhood starts when you realize that life, and how it should be lived, is not about you, or for you. It doesn't mean you don't care for yourself and the needs you have, it means that you understand that your God-given talents and gifts exist for those you have the privilege of knowing and serving.
o I may aspire to be the best at something, but the only reason it would really matter is for the one benefitting from what I do. If I want to the be best QB coach, I don't get a certificate, or a trophy, if there was such a thing, I just get another opportunity to ask myself the hard question that a real man must answer every day of his life.
o Is it worth it to get up one more time and go do what I must for someone else?(ie. a kid, a business, a school, a wife, a child, etc.) And by the way, the chances are, you won't be thanked; you might get paid, but it won't be enough; you will likely experience some level of physical, or mental, suffering as you do it, and you will probably go unnoticed in the effort. But, you still must decide...is it still worth it? Oh, and one other thing, you will likely have to give up something you really want to be doing instead of that thing you are deciding to do, and you will most assuredly have to keep making that decision in that context, every day, for the rest of your life...still worth it?
o This is by no means an easy, or readily accepted, thought process by males in our society, as they often don't get past the first question, much less down to the "rest of your life" thing - the hard ones, but those we respect the most as men in our lives, have made it to the bottom of that decision tree, and do so on a regular basis in their lives.
o They have cracked the code on the truth that there is no greater fulfillment in life for a man, than to give themselves away for something bigger, and more important, than themselves.
o This is the core truth that remains unchanged in the greatness of this game, and in the greatness of a man. There is no sport, in my opinion, where this fact of, its not about you, is more readily tested, than between the lines in every facet of practice, preparation, and on game day.
o Forget what the sportswriters attempt to do in drawing attention to one man over another, it still comes down to whether or not you, as a player or coach, are willing to do what is necessary to make sure that the guy next to you succeeds.
o The scores, stats, and records have slowly placed an ever thickening plaque of self promotion in the arteries of the heart of the game, and like the body part, it can lead to diseases of every kind in the adult stages of life(pros), but at the levels where youth is still learning to crack the code of what matters most, there are still those epiphanal experiences we get to enjoy as coaches, when you see the corners of a kid's mouth rise in a knowing smile, and he understands what must be done - he has to give more, and he decides he is okay with that.
o The most depressing part of this process is seeing how many kids are missing the value of this kind of selflessness, playing the game their entire career thinking that talent is actually what makes a man great, never realizing that all that talent really does is make a man famous, and those are two entirely different concepts. Greatness is imputed to someone by others, because they know the man, fame is when people know of the man.
o Fame is easy, greatness requires suffering. The sacrifice through self-denial of a kind that doesn't even know it is denying itself. That kind of pure determination and love in a man's heart that would not consider himself to matter in the decision being made. It only matters who is being helped, and where we are helping them go. This is the kind of manhood that when it is demonstrated on behalf of another, that man who is the recipient of that service will often break down and not be able to finish his testimonial. Why? Because he knows that the man that served him, is the better man, and it is an honor to have had the privilege of his service.
o This is what makes the military what it is, and it is what makes football the greatest game. Men of varying background and color, decide to come together, on behalf of one another, to do something great for each other. The game, when that happens, ceases to be a game, but rather a conduit to the future of what the potential of life can be, when men decide to put away what matters most to them, and devote themselves to improvement of those around them.
o The game will end, but that is just the beginning for the men we are building. If they don't crack the code on this now, they will end up missing what they are here for in their lives. We know where that leads...bad marriages, parents who are nightmares for coaches of the next generation, selfish kids who cannot understand why you won't give them what they haven't earned...and the list goes on.
o Manhood is advanced citizenship in life, and it is not for the faint of heart. There is no 3-a-day practice season I ever endured that can come close to the daily decisions I have to make about my willingness to serve my wife, children, coaches, staff, kids, and basically everyone I meet, and I am afraid that true manhood eludes me on a regular basis, no matter how much I desire to be a better man.
o Maybe I need to don a helmet, and get into a little blitz pickup session as a QB to remind myself that despite the hits I am going to take, I can, and must, get that ball out of my hand. I will never forget how helpful those sessions were in reminding me of my need to put aside my self preservation. Nothing like a little smack in the mouth to remind you what life can be like, and the need to get up and go again.
o I love football...but as a man, I have learned that if I am to truly benefit from what this game wants to teach me, I must learn to move on from my love for this game, to a willingness to love the guys I play with more than I love myself.
• There are a lot of adult guys that still are not a man. i will say that i was one of those until i had my children and then your priorities change and you realize what you have been doing was not important to life. You become selfless and you look to help others and become more responsible. doing right for others
Link to Post - Back to Top - Down to Quick Reply IP: Logged
• R = Respectful to others.
o E = Not afraid to show his Emotions.
o A = Equally Affectionate & Appreciative to his family.
o L = Listen with intent to his wife and kids.
o M = Well Mannered in all life's settings.
o E = Earning his own way through life is paramount.
o N = Neatness, for him everything has a place.
• IF
o If you can keep your head when all about you
o Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
o If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
o But make allowance for their doubting too,
o If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
o Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
o Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
o And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
o If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
o If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
o If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
o And treat those two impostors just the same;
o If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
o Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
o Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
o And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
o If you can make one heap of all your winnings
o And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
o And lose, and start again at your beginnings
o And never breath a word about your loss;
o If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
o To serve your turn long after they are gone,
o And so hold on when there is nothing in you
o Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
o If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
o Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
o If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
o If all men count with you, but none too much,
o If you can fill the unforgiving minute
o With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
o Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
o And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
o --Rudyard Kipling
• So, Robert Lewis decided to lay out his Four Marks of a Real Man: His masculinity is based on faith, not flesh. In short they are:
o A Real Man rejects passivity.
o A Real Man accepts responsibility
o A Real Man leads courageously
o A Real Man expects the greater reward.
• Don’t Quit!
o When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
o when the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
o When the funds are low and the debts are high,
o And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
o When care is pressing you down a bit,
o Rest, if you must, but do not quit.
o Life is queer with its twists and turns,
o As every one of us sometimes learns,
o And many a failure turns about,
o When he might have won had he stuck it out;
o Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
o You may succeed with another blow.
o Often the goal is nearer than,
o It seems to a faint and faltering man,
o Often the struggler has given up,
o When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
o And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
o How close he was to the golden crown.
o Success is failure turned inside out—
o The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
o And you never can tell how close you are,
o It may be near when it seems so far,
o So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
o It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
• I think many of you have listed many traits a "real man" might well have and/or need. Good question and good answers. But I think you could reasonably say: "I can't define a "real man", but I know it when I see it." Certainly you can list traits, but are they all always neccessary other than having the proper plumbing? Do real men come in many forms?
• A male with peace of mind and confidence to go about his business and in a gentlemanly fashion. Mostly I think being a man is about peace of mind, though. I don't believe age has anything to do with being a man (my favorite book is Ender's Game and in that book Ender and the other characters were definitely not normal children) but there's a reason why I can't consider most teenagers to be men: most have a lot of maturing to do and are a little fragile emotionally (no peace of mind).

Notes from "Coaching Football's Double Eagle Flex Defense" by Ted Amorosi

2009-02-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

Purpose of football drills, whether they are for DL, LB'S or DB'S should be to:
1. Enhance athleticism
2. Develop a teaching progression that will create habits that will enable the athlete to perform the basic fundamentals of his position with maximum efficiency.
3. Develop the intense level of effort necessary to attain the highest level of success.

DL Practices should include the following
1. Movement drills that develop agility, quickness, balance, coordination, and intense effort
2. Tackling drills from different angles
3. Drills that teach fundamentals of defeating a one on one run block (hook, drive, kick-out, trap,)
4. Drills that teach the fundamentals of defeating 2 on 1 blocks (kiss, fold, zone, double team, etc.)
5. Drills that teach the fundamentals of full and or half-line blocking schemes (may or may not include RB)
6. Drills that teach the fundamental skills of defeating a 1 on 1 pass block (emphasizing specific techniques such as rip under, swim etc.)
7. Drills that teach the skills of slanting, stunting, twisting etc.
8. Game line scrimmages (team, half-line, run hull, etc.)

Four Cardinal rules of Defensive Line
1. Do not get reached
2. Collapse the backside
3. Wrong shoulder all kick out blocks
4. Force double-teams and do not get driven back when they occur.

Each day in practice every defensive lineman should be drilled in game-like situations that make these 4 cardinal rules second nature.

Truthes

2009-02-17T10:11:00.000-08:00

Plenty of our young men play high.
Plenty of our young men steal.
Plenty of our young men date rape.
Plenty of our young men murder.
Plenty of our young men are pedophiles (far more prevalent than anyone thinks.....or is willing to admit......about 25% of your team are victims of sexual abuse, about 5% are abusers themselves).

As a coach, I would let the parents who want to pull their kids pull them......you'd be amazed how much a {censored} off 16 year old can convince his parents to let him play.

I would then coach the players on my team.......my job is not to delegate morality, it is to coach football.

And football, in it's purest form is not about your last name, color of your skin, country of origin, sexual orientation, religion, sex, height, weight, or socio-economic class........

It's about FIGHTING! It's about quitters and perservering. It's about struggle. It's about glory and honor, in victory and defeat. It's about breaking down BS walls of society's safeguards and boiling it down to the original question of human existence: Me and mine will survive, or we will die, BUT BY GOD, we will never quit.

Football coaches don't delegate morality, but they do teach it, and it is the most important kind:

Heroes are simply those who did the right thing, the right way, the first time, EVERY time.

And EVERYONE needs these truths......the true evil here is denying young men access to one of the last places where these lessons can be learned at a young age.

Running Routes

2009-02-17T08:22:00.000-08:00

The steps work out really well... odd steps for in breaking routes (5 steps = slant, 7 steps = post, etc.), and even steps for out breaking routes (4 steps = quick out, 8 steps = intermediate out, etc.)... this is with the outside foot back... all of this ties in with the original "digit system" pioneered by Gillman.

Leadership

2009-01-28T11:09:00.001-08:00

In order to make leadership development work in a kid, you need three things as a man (manhood is what matters here in the final analysis - coaching is what a man does)

Humility
Clarity of message
Passion

Simply put, leadership cannot be "coached." It must be modeled, demonstrated, walked out, and then it must be appealing. You have to create an environment that young men want to follow.

The fact of the matter is, leadership has no starting point, and no ending point. It is an inescapable fact of life - right now. We are leading. We may be doing it poorly, we may be doing it well, but make no mistake, leadership happens. To suggest to an athlete that he "start" leading, or "stop" being quiet and reserved is brain damage to them. It is who they are.

Leadership is inspired through example more than education. The example is informed by education, but education without example is pointless drivel.

I have found out the hard way that the best method to affect leadership in younger men isn't to work harder on the message, but on the man leading. I need to seek to understand where my leadership is failing and to, with God's help, work through it so I don't hinder others from their pursuit of excellence. It isn't so much about what I tell them they need to do, but how I come alongside and serve them as men themselves. By showing respect to them, drawing them out, seeking their input, treating them as growing equals, I accelerate the process toward long term change, but the problem isn't them, it's my pride.

I know this seems a little backwards, but follow the logic. Think about the people who have led you in the past. Did it appear that they were "trying" to lead you? No, they just did. They fought through their own selfishness and pride, and lived their lives in front of you in a manner that in some fashion inspired you. When you were with them, you didn't feel like you were being led. They served you, and in that process, they made you feel important, signficant, and valuable to them. Now, there was certainly instruction, but it was input that never left you feeling less, but rather it seemed simple and easy to do. I know for me, it almost felt elementary what they would have me do. At times, I found myself thinking that they were actually beneath me, that I had the superior intellect, and that I was better in some strange way. The truth was, they were beneath me, holding me up, serving me, and making me believe what I never thought I could. They were believing in me, until I believed what I couldn't see myself, and when I finally saw it. They just smiled and moved on saying, now, you go do it for someone else. And I am left reeling from the respect and gratefulness I feel for those incredibly kind men who led me - by serving me, even when I didn't deserve it.

Actually, I would probably bet that you were more inspired by how they themselves handled adversity and still led, than from all the speeches they gave combined.

Leadership isn't a heart throbbing, adrenaline filled, series of rants, speeches, and coaching up football players on a field, it is your life lived in front of a very astute and observant bunch of young men who can see through every false front to the genuineness of the core. They would never say what they really think about you to your face out of respect, or just plain fear, but their actions, and responses towards you and your staff are a reflection of how effective the leadership you are bringing is.

I have 3 teenage sons, and honestly, I am getting my backside kicked right now, as I observe the mirror like reflection of my failures and weaknesses in them. It is painful, and quite frankly, embarrassing to me. I know it is just the pride talking, but I really believed in some fashion, that strength of speech, could make up for weakness of character - I was wrong.

I have learned that projecting leadership where there is none, is probably the worst kind. In other words, "do as I say, not as I do" leadership. This is where I will present my self as the "model" for what I am correcting others about self righteously. This is why my rants on the board are so dangerous to real leadership. There is nothing wrong with speaking the truth, but in the absence of some measure of humility in the speech, and a desire to communicate the hope of change, it becomes bitterness to the hearer - a condemnation. This is what I see a lot of coaching becoming today.

Coaches feel, in some sense, that they are the masters of their domain, and possess a "do no wrong" mentality in their effort. They have genuinely convinced themselves that parents are always the problem, and that kids are basically stupid. They get this way through isolation from input to their character on a regular basis, and by adding a little bit of success to the mix, you get the first stages of a monster.

The worst part about this situation, is that apart from an act of God, the coach cannot see what he has become - he only sees himself as a "victim" of some vast conspiracy of parents and administration to oust him from his lofty perch. When really all they are looking for is for the coach to "love" their kid, be fair and honest, and make them a better man.

Contrary to popular belief, and I experienced some this as a parent this past season, not all parents think their kid is a future all star. Truth be told, most parents really don't have the "high" estimation of their sons as you see the few that seem to rule the booster clubs in this country. I understand there are those who just swing the pendulum of stupidity to all new levels, but that often leads immature coaches to sweeping generalization and compartmentalization of all parents. For the failure of a few, they write off the whole as uninformed and useless. This is incredibly irresponsible and immature, but it happens all the time in schools everywhere. Why, because the coach lacks the things I started with as a man - Humility, Clarity of message, and passion.

When you see a kid, who has the "IT" as Mike calls it, that is fun because that athlete has been led by someone before you got them.

Like finding things that are wrong is easy, picking out the "IT" guys is easy too, but that wasn't the question jblair is asking - How do you build them? That was the question.

I think changing the QBs mechanics of the Pros is easier than what I am discussing now, and I think it is irresponsible to assume otherwise.

Leadership development is not an exact formula, because each person we seek to make a leader is different, and needs different things. However, there are things that are common to leadership development, that must be employed, but what I am finding is that the common leadership development attributes are not deliverable through a speech, or the written word. They are not accessible on the internet, nor are they available on ebay. They are not software programs to be installed like Windows and the kid can operate in complicated situations.

Actually, in order for leadership to impact the led, the greater work must be done in the heart of him who is leading. You cannot export something you don't have. If you have not been led effectively by others, you cannot lead effectively. I am talking about living as one under authority, not as one in authority. That starting point in a developing leader is mission critical. If I am in charge, I must make myself accountable to other leaders in my life as a man who excel in ways I do not, so that I am "in effect" under authority - submitted. This is the step that allows the three things I mentioned to grow in me, whereas, the absence of that accountability leaves me rudderless and frustrated by my own ignorance as to why people won't do what I ask. I am frustrated because I am not seeing what is failing in my character to encourage this unresponsiveness in others.

So, as one "under authority", I can begin to work through how I can serve more effectively as a leader in these 3 ways...

Humility is leadership's fuel. The endless supply of God given awareness of your own propensity to failure, weakness, and selfishness. This awareness measures a man, making him approachable, reasonable, and touchable.

Clarity of message is the integrity of leadership. The truth is not optional in seeking to lead others. In the wrong heart it is wielded with words like a sword that cuts others, but in the right heart it is a scalpel of compassion that serves to cut away the damaged tissue of another's heart, without cutting the person. And it takes the rock solid skill of a surgeon to stay on message, without cutting too much. In other words, you speak the truth in love, but only when absolutely necessary, and in a context that serves to encourage a man, not berate him in front of others -EVEN IF HE DESERVES TO BE TAKEN DOWN IN FRONT OF OTHERS.

Passion is the will to finish leadership. Passion is leadership's clearest attribute in the leader. It can be observed most easily, and is the non-negotiable to genuine leadership. The problem is that we really don't understand what it means. Passion's latin root - is Passio - meaning - "to suffer". It carries a religious tone, in that in the first century is was associated with the suffering of Christ for his followers, hence the beginning of passion's association with love.(ie. The Passion of the Christ) Christ loved, therefore he suffered for men. Without preaching here, I am merely seeking to point out that we would be hard pressed to find a better example of passion's true essence forming a question that everyone who desires to be a leader must answer -

What are you willing to suffer for those you claim to love?

Are you willing to do what others are not, to make another person successful. This is why coaching still carries a measure of purity for us. It is true suffering at times. We are trying to love others who try our will to its absolute core - and the fact that they aren't our kids makes it even harder because you observe parents who lack any real passion for their kids themselves. So we are continually asked, Are you okay with the fact that you may be the only person willing to suffer for this kid's immediate future? Do you love them enough to go deep with them, one more time? Even if they never thank you?

That is Passion. Not yelling at players, lording over them with some strange power trip, but rather fighting through the fear of being rejected in your efforts to reach out to them. Disregarding the absolute disrespect and venom that rears its head against every attempt to genuinely help them. Being willing to be thought less of through speaking the truth with compassion about their need to change and become a man on the field and in their lives. Standing firm to defend them against the hopeless criticisms of those who neither care about the kids, or what you are trying to do with them. The constant emotional drain of a daily expression of willingness on your face, when your heart can barely breathe beneath the weight of administrative pressure, parental pressure, and expectations. The strength sapping responsibility to keep your fellow coaches encouraged in their war, despite the fact that you can barely lift your arms yourself for all that is on your "plate." There is no treaty in sight, no end to this war, and there is no relief for those who fight it. There is no immediate reward, but for periodic bright spots of the "IT" boys who alleviate the pressue on you for a little while, only to graduate, leaving you to wonder why you can't have a whole team like them. This is passion's legacy, far greater than the ebb and flow of adversity, and the fleeting joys of momentary victory, it is the faint and often times missed, smile on the face of beaten down young man as he discovers, through your willingness to believe it mattered to show up today, that he can go do what he must, and he knows because of you, that he isn't alone.

That is the privilege of leadership, and the pain, because while that young man may leave that moment smiling that he isn't alone, you are often realizing that the effort you made, and the sacrifice it required, had to be done, alone.

Leadership is simply serving, and honestly, it is not for the faint of heart.

Welcome to leadership, you've been here all along. Maybe, with a little encouragment, we can commit to doing it better. For those of us who desire to lead as men, the question is ever before us, "What are you willing to suffer for those you claim to love today?"

Not sure that is what you were looking for, but just my two cents as always.

Turnover Drills

2009-01-27T07:05:00.001-08:00

1) Punch the Ball - Hold the ball behind the bag that they are tackling as they come. Each player has to put his head on the outside of the bag, hit, wrap, and take the bag to the ground. As they hit and wrap. they use their inside arm and make a fist and "punch" at the ball with their fist before completing the wrap. If they punch it correctly, the ball will go about 5-7 yards backwards and to the side... They must push up off the top of the bag, and scoop&score with the football. Then they bring the ball back and place it behind me in the pile.

While they are scooping & scoring, I pick up the dummy and get it set up for the next kid coming about 3 seconds later. After the first 2-3 days of doing it, the kids get the idea and you can fly through it really quickly.

2) Stick & Follow - If you do not have the time during individual to do the "Punch the Ball" drill, then you can have the kids pair up and have each pair go very close together during the bag drill. One after another. Have the first one "Stick" the bag with a good hard driving tackle while the ball just sits on top of the bag. The second player has to adjust to where the ball goes after the first hit, and scoop&score with it. (I've had kids that have been with me for a couple of years actually be able to catch the ball in mid-air before it hits the ground because they are getting that quick at reacting to the ball coming out. Only happens once in a while because the ball has to basically bounce straight up in the air to do it. Everyone gets fired up when it happens though...)

The first player just gets a good hit and tackle on the bag, then lifts it and places it back in its spot while the 2nd player chases the fumble. Coach sets the second ball on top of the bag for the next 2 kids coming. Only need 2 footballs and 1 weighted bag to do this one. Have the kids switch positions the second time through.

3) Grip & Rip - Get 2 LB's & 1 RB... Have the RB and one LB do the "Angle-Tackling" drill, but instead of having the LB try to drive through the RB at an angle (I've noticed that the LB rarely gets his head across correctly anyway) have the LB hit the RB straight ahead and wrap. DO NOT TAKE THE RB DOWN TO THE GROUND!!! Have the RB & LB drive their legs and try to drive the other player backwards with his legs. The RB's job is to drive the LB backwards and fall forward for YAC, while the LB's job is to not allow any more movement by the RB and hold him up. The 2nd LB now comes in and is to Grab the ball and rip it out while the 1st LB holds up the RB.

This one is much more of a challenge. Many of the kids will try to just lift the RB before stopping the momentum, and will get ran over as a result. Really helps develop the ability to stop the run in short yardage situations, where they are supposed to hold up the RB and not allow any more forward movement.

The traits bad programs share (so you can avoid them)

2008-12-19T14:54:00.000-08:00

1. Losing attitude: "We just don't have the athletes..." Players pick up on that and lose confidence in themselves. Apathy takes over. Everyone, coaches and players alike, stops putting forth their best effort. Losses follow and just reinforce this mindset. The idea of "winning with less" consistently feeds into that. I don't like it. The thing is that most schools raw talent pool will look more or less identical to the other teams in their district or region. It's how they develop their talent that determines who's bigger, faster, and stronger on Fridays, not genetics.

2. Star Player Syndrome: "I know Johnny All America is a total PITA, but we need him if we're going to win!" These teams finally get a big time athlete and are so afraid of losing him that they kiss his @$$ no matter what crap he gives them. Everyone else sees it. No one respects the coaches. Discipline falls apart. Instead of a football team, you have the Johnny All America show. Respect has to be earned, not given. When you tell your players that, remember it works both ways.

3. Poor Offseason Routine: It all starts in the weightroom. Inconsistency or lack of intensity in the weightroom yields the same on the field. The bad programs either have very low weightroom participation or the players spend more time loafing than they do lifting. It really has little to do with"facilities" and everything to do with a lack of creativity and attitude.

4. Inconsistent Coaching: This is a true program killer. It could be re-drawing the weight routine every few months based on some new idea, inconsistent discipline, or frequently going to different systems on the field to take advantage of your talent. It's not about having the perfect system, it's about having a system that works. You've got to stick to your guns. Of course you'll have to constantly tweak things to get better, but if you're frequently making wholesale changes to your system, you never had a system to begin with.

5. Lack of Organization: A football coach at a struggling program has to be a salesman. Everyone in the community is telling these kids they can't win. Often there are some great athletes who should be coming up through the feeder system (if there even is a feeder system) but get sent by their parents to better programs nearby. There is no fundraising apparatus in place, no community involvement, no marketing, etc.
Winning makes these things easy, but all this stuff is easier to put together and control than a winning season.

6. Focusing on Wins and Numbers: Ever notice it's always the losers who talk about how their goal is to win X number of games next year, or focus on how "one of the few bright spots" of the season was some statistic or individual record? You can't guarantee anything specific on the field, so instead focus on doing things the right way to prepare for it. When teams do that, the winning takes care of itself.

"Good to Great" by Jim Collins

2008-12-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

“Good is the enemy of great.”

Level 5 Leadership (p.39)
• personal humility and professional will – ambitious for company/not themselves
• set successors up for even greater success
• display modesty, are self-effacing, and understated
• fanatically driven – resolved to overcome any obstacles
• workman-like diligence – more plow horse than show horse
• attribute success to factors outside themselves; blame themselves for any failure
• are rarely dazzling, larger-than-life people
First Who … Then What
• get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off, then figure out where to go
• WHO questions always come before WHAT questions
• be rigorous in people decisions
o when in doubt, don’t hire – limit growth to ability to attract right people
o when people changes need to be made, act – make sure not just in wrong seat
o put best people on biggest opportunity, not biggest problem
• teams need to consist of people who debate vigorously in search of best answer
• compensation does not motivate
• people are not your most important asset, the RIGHT people are
• being the right person has more to do with character traits than knowledge or skill
Confront the Brutal Facts (Yet Never Lose Faith)
• process to greatness begins with confronting facts of currently reality
o one of the primary ways to de-motivate is to ignore the brutal facts of reality
• create a culture where people have the opportunity to be heard by:
o leading with questions, not answers
o engaging in dialogue and debate
o conducting autopsies without blame
o building red flag mechanisms for info that can’t be ignored
• spending time trying to motivate is a waste
• Stockdale Paradox: Retain absolute faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and at the same time, confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever that may be.
Hedgehog Concept (Simplicity with the 3 Circles)
• Intersection of:
o what you are deeply passionate about
o what you can be the best in the world at
o what drives your economic engine
• not a goal, strategy, or intention; it’s an understanding
• what can you be the best in the world at – also, what can you NOT be the best at
• know one big thing, and stick to it
• The Council: Ask questions –
o Dialogue and Debate -> Executive Decisions -> Autopsies and Analysis
o all guided by the 3 circles … process to get hedgehog concept
Culture of Discipline
• disciplined people, disciplined thought, disciplined action
• disciplined in respect to the 3 circles and Hedgehog Concept
• allows for freedom and responsibility with in system
• “Rinse Your Cottage Cheese” – details details details
• stop doing lists are more important than to do lists
Technology Accelerators
• carefully select technologies – thoughtful and creative
• use technology as an accelerator
• crawl, walk, run
Flywheel and Doom Loop
• looks dramatic from the outside, but is just a cumulative process from the inside
• no single defining moment
• pattern of buidup and breakthrough … turn by turn
• alignment (motivation) follows from results and momentum – not the other way around
• Doom Loop -> companies don’t maintain consistent direction
From Good to Great to Built to Last
• Need guiding principle and core values for enduring greatness

This is good stuff and falls along with my philosophies. I never really understand why so many coaches always seem to be begging or "getting" players to play. If you've read any of my posts you know that I am of the "no one is necessary" philosophy. This ideal conflicts with what many people feel is how to build a program.

You win with people not players not athletes. I would rather lose the game with good people who I know have worked as hard as they can and achieved whatever W/L record we end up with. In my mind, you go out on that field and you play as hard as you can, as long as they will let you play and at the end you look up at the scoreboard and if you have enough points you win, and if not you don't. But if you've played the way I described you haven't lost you have gained.

"Get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off, then figure out where to go."

Look & Arrow Flare

2008-12-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

I would use the "look" or "now" pass here. No one else besides the X and the QB need to know this; in fact, you package it with run plays. The QB either makes an eye-gesture or a hand-signal behind his back to the X. The X takes one hard step up field (or almost in place, but sell taking off for a step) and the QB just steps back and throws the ball.

This way if the corner is off and the OLB is no threat, you get the ball out and tell your receiver to get upfield and get at least 5 yards. If he's a real good one he might even break the tackle. The beauty is it's not even an audible, all your other guys stay in the run play. You see this a lot in the Pros; it's a good concept. All you need to tell your QB is that the corner should be off to where we can get at least five yards. Tell him he's a thief and we're just looking to steal yardage.

As for thought process on the hitch/audibles/etc generally, I use the FEWAX approach for coaches but for the players it is much simpler. To start with, I don't go crazy with audibles. Generally, it is to get us out of a bad play: if we have a lengthy play-action pass on and they are in a blitz, we need to get out of it. If they are overloaded we need to flip the play or get into something else. (For a veteran QB we can package plays, but that's another matter entirely.)

But as far as getting in and out of quicks whenever you have 8 in the box I wouldn't really mess around with that too much unless you specifically package plays together.

As a final footnote, I like to use the spacing concept to the multiple receiver side and have the X run a hitch. The QB reads hitch to the frontside spacing (can also do this with stick). This puts the X one-on-one, and if they take it away you have a frontside flood. (This site has other info on spacing.) This is more of a called play though.

One thing that I've noticed Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma doing this year in the quick game on the split side is to have the WR angle in for 5 yards and sit while the back swings.

They especially like this combo on the backside of "stick."

Oklahoma ran that combo several times the other night vs. OK State.

"Plan for Success" that I give to all of our players and parents:

2008-12-01T08:01:00.000-08:00

Copper Basin Football

Vision

A vision is made up of long-term goals, and our vision for the future of Copper Basin Football is to build a successful program. We define a successful program in the following areas:

1. A successful program has a winning season every year, regularly competes for the region title, and goes to the playoffs.

2. A successful program has a top-notch, dedicated coaching staff.

3. A successful program has an academic advisor and tutoring program, has a 100% graduation rate, and sends kids to college every year.

4. A successful program produces leaders who are men of character, integrity, and courage.

5. A successful program has great facilities and equipment and is always upgrading.

6. A successful program attracts parents and kids and has enough participation for a ninth grade and J.V. team.

7. A successful program is closely affiliated with all of its feeder programs.

8. A successful program has strong community support and financial backing.

9. A successful program has the support of the student body, administration, faculty, and staff.

10. A successful program generates enough income to fund itself and allow for growth.

What too look for when scouting

2008-11-20T09:29:00.001-08:00

defense by formation ... fronts

blitz by formation ... who is blitzing

coverage by formation ... zone/man; mofo/mofc; who from front is in coverage

coverage by down/distance ... zone/man; mofo/mofc

blitz by down/distance ... overall %; % inside pressure vs % outside vs no pressure

defense when offense is coming out (minus 20) ... overall scheme; does it change based on how they normally defend the formation

defense inside the 20 ... overall scheme; does it change how they normally defend the formation or % they normally blitz

goalline defense (inside 5) ... front; coverage; blitz %; inside vs outside pressure; who has the back out

motion adjustments ... coverage adjustments; front adjustments

shift adjustments ... coverage adjustments; coverage adjustments; do people flip sides on the shift or slide

blitz based on field/boundary ... where is it coming from

adjustment to trips and/or twins into the boundary ... is coverage or front affected or played differently than normal

who has contain on play away ... backside end or lb on such plays as toss, zone, fly, etc.

how to DE's play things such as GT, counter, etc.

how fast to LB's play ... do they fill hard, get one read and hit it on run plays, fly out to zone on pass key, etc.

who is their best DL vs run; best pass rusher; weakest

who is their best cover guy; who is their weakest

who is their best LB on runs away, runs to; who is worst

who can we get isolated on our best receiver; how (formation, motions,shift, down-distance, etc.)

who must we set the protection to ... who must we assure we get an potential extra body fo

Off-season evaluation

2008-11-19T08:18:00.000-08:00

2008 reflection
-what did we do well
-what do we need to do better/change - scheme, practice, game management - anything
-responsibilities - game/practice set, positions coached, special teams coordinated, etc.

2009 Depth Chart
-who are we losing
-who do we have
-what do we need
-who can we develop - weight room, agilities, etc.

Pre-Clinic Plan
-what do we want to do better
-what offenses do we want to learn
-who do we want to hear speak about it

Game Film Break Down (Our own game films)
- Gap Chart
- Field Chart
- Formation Break down

Gave each assistant 2 game films, I let them choose 2 of the 10 games. While they are doing that, I go back through the film and chart out who cost us and why...was it a scheme issue, was it a technique issue, was it a key issue, was it a kid issue. I also draw up any adjustments anyone made during the game and what that meant in terms for us defensively.

We will have monthly defensive staff meetings.

A Good way to call motion

2008-11-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

Z = Z receiver
W = X receiver
B = Fullback
T = Tailback (A back)
Y = Y receiver (Tight End)

op = arc motion
ap = crack motion
ip = across the formation
oom - motion to lead
ail = away from strength (for players in the backfield)
een = to strength (for players in the backfield)
urn = motion half way and back

Top, Tap, Tip, Tomb, Tail, Teen, Turn
Bop, Bap, Bip, Boom, Bean, Burn
Zop, Zap, Zip, Zoom, Zeen, Zurn
Wop, Wap, Whip, Womb, Ween, Wurn
Yop, Yap, Yip Yoom, Yeen, Yurn

How discipline works

2008-11-14T10:17:00.000-08:00

The many pay for the sins of one.

Here's the question, what do you want the team to look like under the lights?

Then that is how you have to make them look all the time, it's not a light switch, it can't be a little tardy to practice is OK, it can't be loafing in form running is overlooked. Whatever you want to see has to be reinforced everyday you're with the kids and you have to stay on top of it.

Here's a couple of examples:
1. When we form run we start behind the line. A coach stands at the line and if anyone starts on the line we either start over, OR we do up/downs as a team.

2. We run...not a sprint, definitely not a jog...but a run to and from every drill or station. If anyone...and I do mean ANYONE is not running...we do up/downs as a team. (we had so slow learners this year).

3. Team meal starts at 3:30 - if you're late, you don't start and we do team up/downs in pre-game. Guess what..we only had to do this once, humility is a bich.

You just have to make "this is how we do things" a point of emphasis in every phase of the program. Here's a great example, where I was at before the kids didn't have lockers, they had stahls, a shelf, 3 hooks and a chair.
Their helmet was to sit on the shelf facing to the right, shoulder pads on the first hook, pants on the 2nd, girdle on the 3rd, shoes side by side under their chair. We did several penalties for this from throwing all that kid's stuff on the floor by his chair to up/downs, to running but we did it all (except stuff on the floor) as a team.

Was it a little extreme? Sure, matter of fact I think it was down right being an a-hole BUT what it did was eventually a kid or 2 would check the room before they left to make sure it looked right, eventually they got tired of running or up/downs and tired of doing it for the other kids and finally they opened their mouth and said "this is how it's going to be, YOU need to...." and a leader was born. I was as proud as I could have possibly have been of the 2 kids who spoke up.

I promise you he wasn't the only kid in that locker room tired of up/downs because Jimmy couldn't remember what went on which hook and because he said something, the other players who were tired of it too filled in right behind him.

In the weight room - you'll do what you're suppose to do our we do this thing we call "Plate Paradise". It sucks, the kids hate it, but that's why we do it. If we do it, we make sure we emphasize why we are doing it...most specifically WHO. For the kids who are doing it right, it's not worth it to let you screw around they will police themselves eventually.

We've had players quit, parents complain but they are only complaining or quitting because they want things to be the way they were before.

INSANITY - doing things the same way and expecting different results.

What is Y-Stick?

2008-11-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

A horizontal stretch on the flat defender

Pass Pro

2008-11-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Pass Protection

We try to keep our pass protection very simple, but we do have a few forms because we like to vary the launch point for our QBs. However, our two main protections are our 1 back protections and our 2 back(which actually also is used with no back).

On all pass plays the line will take normal splits, smaller on 3-step, and the guards and tackles are to be as far off the ball as possible, but cannot bow the line. (Tackles must be even with guards.)

All of our pass plays are called in the huddle with a callside. This refers both to the frontside for receivers and also for protection. 2 indicated playside right, 1 indicates playside left. Immediately after any playcall is the protection call. We used to call our protection strengths at the line but this greatly simplified things.

E.g. 262 Green is playside right, 62 which is our 60(quick) game and 2 is our slant/shoot package.

1-Back:

This is a very simple protection scheme that we use with all of our 3-step routes as well as any one back formations. There are two protection calls, Red and Green. The base rules for this protection are as follows:

Linemen to callside block man on until the first bubble, or essentially uncovered linemen. (We don't say uncovered because of stunting DL but it is generally uncovered). From the bubble to backside the other will linemen will all slide away from the callside to that gap, and, as we like to say, pick up trash. For example versus a standard 4 man front, with the center uncovered, the center, backside guard and tackle will slide that way. Playside guard and tackle will block man on.

The RB essentially blocks LBs inside to out, from the bubble to outside rusher, or if you like Mike to Sam. If they don't come he releases.

Often, against 2 safety Ds and most spread formations he doesn't usually have to dual read.

The difference between Red and Green is simply that in Red, the Tight end (Y) will stay in, and his rules will be exactly like the other linemen. He often will block the DE. In Green he will release. This has been easy for us and is easy to remember(Green-Go, Red-Stay).

This has needed a minimal amount of adjusting. We use this as our 3-step pass protection, and we tell the QB that the 4th rusher to either side is his man, he must have the ball gone. Also we use it as our 5-step protection when we have only 1 back. If we have a tight end on the field, we will use Red in 5-step, we do not use Red in 3-step except against cover 0 type blitzing teams.

Two-Back/No-Back(Man Scheme):

This has been very easy for us also. The rules are:

OTs block man(DEs almost always, unless stunt, in which case pick up man coming to you)

Playside Guard, if uncovered, dual read ILB to OLB, Mike to Sam.

If playside guard is uncovered, C and Backside Guard form a 2 man area/zone and will pick up trash.

If playside guard is covered, both guards and center form a 3 man area/zone and pick up trash(DTs, ILBs)

Both backs check release. Backside back checks OLB to outside rusher to release.

Playside back checks OLB(Sam) to outside rusher to release.

This is what we do and it has been very effective. With this we form a cup protection, the tackles want to keep a "half-man advantage" to quote Jerry Cambell, and the interior linemen must stay square and set up, not allowing much penetration up the middle.

We try to focus on the how rather than who.

Play-Action:

For our play action, we essentially just do the same thing as Red/Green protections, even from two back, but we more often keep the tight end in. We simply make a call on top of the normal play call, which for us is Gator. E.g. Doubles Rt 252 Red Gator. Doubles RT, the formation, flanker and tight end right, split end and slot left, single back. 252 Callside right, 52 5-step series, 2 is the playcall, which is our corner/smash routes. Red, protection, with Gator adjustment.

All Gator does for the line and tight end is tell them to be slightly more aggressive at the snap, to help sell run. The bottom line however is to get their men blocked. Gator is really for the QB and the RB, as it tells them to carry out their run fake to the callside. The back has the difficult job of using correct steps, faking the handoff, selling it and then carrying out a block or if no one comes releasing into the route. So we spend a lot of time with them practicing this.

This is how we carry out or pocket-style play action passing. We always use green or red with a gator call, with our 5-step route series. There are some of our 5-step plays that we run almost exclusively from play action.

Here are a few notes from an article Bill Walsh wrote about play action passing, they are so helpful, I will quote them at length:

"The offensive line can be an easy place for defenses to find indicators[that it is a play-action pass and not a run]. One of the easy reads for the defense, is if a lineman's helmet pops up. The helmets and pads of offensive linemen have to stay at the same level as on a run play. The secondary defenders, corners or safeties. will see those helmets pop up or the tackle drop back and they know immediately that it is a pass. (For example, if the corner to the open side of the field is looking through an offensive tackle right to the quarterback and he sees that tackle's helmet pop up and step back-he will not care what the fake is, unless it is a fake draw-he will automatically know that the play is a play-pass.)

The quarterback must understand that play pass blocking is not as sound and can break down. He must be prepared for a pass rusher to get off of his blocker and be penetrating early. The quarterback must understand this, concentrate down field, and possibly take a hit just after he throws.

[The Running back's] faking technique requires shoulders at waist-high level, arms and hands held exactly as in taking a hand off-except the far hand is placed flat against the stomach so the ball can be inserted in the pocket then pulled out smoothly.

Basic [play-action pass protection] requires the onside linemen (center-guard-tackle) to employ controlled, quick protection. This is taught as a technique. Contact is made at the line of scrimmage. The defenders cannot be given space. Any space between the defensive and offensive linemen indicates to the defense its a pass. Contact should be sustained but in balance and in control, lunging forward can be disastrous. The ability to move laterally with the defender is critical."

Half-Roll:

Our half-roll protection is one that we for some reason in our great coaching wisdom, had wanted to get rid of several seasons ago. However, the kids liked it so much and it was always successful and easy for us, that we had to continue using it. It is very similar in concept to the half-roll protection used by the run and shoot, except our QBs have more freedom to keep rolling out and we try to design it as such.

Also, it has continually proven to be positive to vary our launch points for all, and this has also been effective for QBs without very strong arms, and shorter ones to see better. I think many QBs can be more comfortable with this than certain dropbacks.

We use this with our 50 series, but it is independant of callside, because we may not always want to roll to the strongside. We do it by making a Rocket or Laser call, Rocket being half-roll right, Laser being Half-roll left. So for example: Doubles Rt Open 154 Rocket. So players must listen and not confuse the normal callside with the half-roll callside. Anyway, here are the rules:

Backside Tackle: Backside Tackle: Turn and Hinge

Backside Guard: Turn and Hinge

Center: If covered or shade to callside, reach. If uncovered with no shade to callside, turn and hinge.
(Note, on turn and hinges, unless you make immediate contact begin to get depth to stay between the QB and your man. You do not want to be still on the LOS as the DE comes upfield)

Playside Guard: Reach, plug hole/backside

Playside Tackle: Reach (Note: On any reach block, if you are unable to reach, ride your man out to the sideline. Don't get beat outside trying to hopeless reach. A man pushed out of bounds and kept on the LOS is just as effective.)

RB: Take two steps to callside, looking at outside rusher. Look for OLB or outside rusher to come shooting, block first color that shows. If none show, check middle and then backside. You are QBs bodyguard. Step to rush, do not wait for him to get to the QB.

Pre-snap look is key. QB will go at a 45 degree angle to a depth of 5-6 yards and then will level off. He will need to get his eyes up, and look downfield. He can continue moving parrallel to the LOS, but he must know when he must stop and step up in the pocket and deliver the ball. If he breaks contain he can continue out, he does not have a set place he has to be, but he must be smart.

This is a protection reliant on the QB. He must help his blockers by not getting into trouble, thinking he can outrun everyone, and he must have a good sense of timing and be well practiced, as this type of dropback is not as carefully calibrated as our 5 and 3 step drops are. However, its simplicity and ability to move the QB around has been a real asset to us, as shown by the fact that for a time we were too blind to see it.

QB development

2008-11-10T12:08:00.000-08:00

QBs should do four main things multiple times a week:

(1) have a 5-10 minute progression of throwing drills with a partner QB; throwing from a knee, feet together, etc. you can find good ones all around. once they learn this they should be doing this on their own before and/or after practice.

(2) route lines: QBs and receivers line up and cycle through all your routes from both sides. Make the drill competitive. If dropped balls then one side has to do up downs. If the ball never hits the ground, then coaches do pushups. (you should also integrate this with man to man drills with DBs)

(3) Routes on Air: Airraid drill. Line up QBs and receivers and put out dummies/trash cans where zone defenders are. Biggest part of the drill is that there's lots of throwing and catching, and the QBs must go through all their reads.

(4) 7 on 7 - You must do this with some regularity. The more you throw the more you must do it. Run all your route packages, let the defensive coordinators surprise you a bit. Guys have to get used to having people fly around. If you want to distract your QB throw dummies at him while he drops back, make him move around in the pocket.

Settle & Noose is a good one but I find it's not as relevant if you're not an Airraid/chuck it type team (though others may disagree).

DEVELOPING YOUR COACHING PHILOSOPHY By Heidi Thibert, US Figure Skating

2008-11-09T14:17:00.000-08:00

- NASPE National Standards for Sport Coaches, 2nd Edition
The National Standards BENCHMARKS for developing a coaching philosophy are:

Identify and communicate reasons for entering the coaching profession.
Develop an athlete-centered coaching philosophy that aligns with the organizational mission and goals.
Communicate the athlete-centered coaching philosophy in verbal and written form to athletes, parents/guardians, and program staff.
Welcome all eligible athletes and implement strategies that encourage the participation of disadvantaged and disabled athletes.
Manage athlete behavior consistent with an athlete-centered coaching philosophy.

A coaching philosophy that is well-thought out clarifies many aspects of the coach's delivery and presents a consistent and positive message to the athletes being coached. Coaches carry out our roles based on our experience, knowledge, values, opinions and beliefs. With that in mind, each one of us that coach need to take the time to think through and formalize our personal coaching philosophy. So how do we develop a coaching philosophy?

START AT THE VERY BEGINNING, A VERY GOOD PLACE TO START

According the experts in the field of coaching, to develop a formal coaching philosophy, start by creating a coaching philosophy document that states the goals of: improving coaching skills, improving coach/athlete satisfaction, and improving athletic results.

The late great Canadian coach, Frank Reynolds teaches us that, to be successful in the coaching field, use three components to guide you, and adapting them to skating, they would look like this:

Know yourself as a coach: your strengths, weakness and areas requiring improvement.
Know what you are up against and the obstacles you may encounter in coaching.
Understand your athletes, their personalities, abilities, goals, and why they are in the sport.

WHAT KIND OF COACH AM I?

It takes an honest self-assessment to admit to having weaknesses, but of course, we all have them. It is just best that they do not interfere with good coaching judgment. If you emphasize your strengths, you will be able to identify consistent ways to coach that best utilizes those strengths. To find out what your coaching strengths are, you can ask yourself a few questions: Are you?

A former athlete, a natural teacher, or dynamic motivator, or efficient communicator?
Easy going, energetic and dynamic, serious and strict, or outgoing and friendly?
Perceived by others the same way you perceive yourself?

The opportunity to make a full assessment of your strengths and weaknesses and recognizing your morals, values and beliefs, you are better able to adjust your style of coaching to the athletes you are coaching. At the same time, you will answer the important questions on why you chose to be a coach, how you communicate and produce as a coach and what goals objectives you have as a coach. The saying is that “Self-knowledge leads to self-confidence”, and you want to radiate what your values are.

WHO AM I COACHING?

With regard to your background and experience and the athletes you work with, it is equally important to understand the perimeters of your coaching context. You need to have a good understanding of the age, gender and training level of the athletes you work with. You can ask yourself several questions to answer those questions:

How much time do you have to devote to coaching?
What is your coaching commitment level?
How much time do your athletes have to devote to train and compete?
What is the level of commitment that your athletes have?
What are the stages that your developmental clientele currently in?
What resources do you have available to help your athletes by enhancing and incorporating other aspects such as sport psychology, nutrition education or sophisticated technique analysis (i.e. Dartfish, etc.)?
What are your short-term, intermediate and long-term goals for your athletes?

Undoubtedly, there may be other restrictions that will affect your coaching effectiveness, such as competition with other sports, school pressures and outside activities, even parental interference. Knowing what else is out there enables you to create your annual training program to the specific needs of the athletes you work with. By understanding the outside influences that will affect your coaching, you can incorporate into your coaching some policies on safety, training habits, and behavior, and adapt to the fact that others make decisions that affect you and your athletes.

Relationships with parents can be stressful, and a clear plan on how to deal with an irate or manipulative parent will minimize or avoid a reaction that might make matters more difficult for you. By developing your coaching philosophy to encompass the coaching environment you are in, you can become more effective, productive, and minimize obstacles and other difficulties.

Communication is a vital aspect in your relationships with your athletes. It is very important to talk to your athletes individually to determine what their values and beliefs are, what their goals are and why they are participating. As a coach, you are a powerful role model and can have a tremendous influence on your skaters if you and your athletes are on the same page. Just as you examined your own values, beliefs and habits, take the time to get to know each of your athletes.

Once you know and understand each of your athletes, their strengths, weaknesses abilities and skills, then develop an approach to coaching them. Will you focus on the stars? Will you treat everyone equal in terms of your attention and help? Are you into the team coaching approach, or do you prefer to be a solo act? Questions like these are important to identify your unique style of coaching.

THE JOURNEY IS THE PRIZE

How you as the coach view the results of both training and competition should be a major point of every coaching philosophy. Not many athletes are realistically “Olympic-bound,” and educating athletes that it is more important to focus on their process of development and how they performed in the competition, rather than the results that they achieved, cannot be emphasized enough.

In an athletic competition there can be only one first place. Does that mean everyone else is a loser? Of course not! Therefore, to build confidence and to see measurable progress, and to learn positively from mistakes made, coaches should focus on the process and not the outcomes with athletes. Encourage the athletes and parents to follow your lead. Because the outcomes are obvious, it takes extra effort from the coach, parent and athlete to see the benefit and results of the process of preparing for the competition.

CONCLUSION

Whether we take the time to design a coaching philosophy or not, all coaches operate under a coaching philosophy of some kind that is defined by our actions and beliefs. It can happen by default, or it can happen by a plan that will create a coaching roadmap for you that is realistic and rewarding for both you and your athletes in the form of improved performance. Coaching is all about helping athletes achieve their dreams. It should be done positively, intelligently and with dedication. The positive coach and role model, following a well defined coaching philosophy will be a key ingredient in the success of his or her athletes. For that reason alone, the development of a formal coaching philosophy statement is an essential first step for all coaches.

A Seriers Based Offense by Ted Seay

2008-11-07T06:06:00.000-08:00

Let me take you through the thought process behind a series-based offense. Then I'll quickly touch on the other alternative, non-series based offenses.

Let's start with the most basic example possible: the single wing. The original, unbalanced-line version looked like this:

Look carefully at the formation, and you will see that it was designed with one idea in mind -- to run off-tackle to the strong (TE/WB) side. That play forms the core of the most basic series in single wing football, the so-called "straight" or "power" series. When a single wing coach chooses a play from the straight series, he does so with the intention of threatening the strong C gap first and foremost.

His game plan will reduce to this: He will test the defense in the strong C gap and see if it can stop him consistently for less than 4 yards a play. If it can't, he will continue to run off-tackle through the strong C gap.

If the defense can only stop the power off-tackle play short of the minimum offensive payoff (3.3+ yards a crack, or 2.5+ in four-down territory) by unbalancing, that is by bringing other defenders over to the C gap to plug the leak, then the other plays in the series enter into consideration.

For example, if the defense starts crashing the Cornerback and/or outside Linebacker in towards the C gap to shut off the off-tackle play, the offense will now look at running a sweep or optional running pass to get outside of containment and take the ball to the sideline and/or downfield. If the defense weakens its interior strength to try and shore up the C gap, you can expect the offense to run a trap, wedge or seam buck to take advantage of that new weakness.

There are also counter, reverse, and play action plays that will try to exploit other defensive over-adjustments to the basic threat of the power off-tackle play to the strong C gap.

(FYI, Chris Brown's excellent Smart Football blog talks about using complementary plays like the sweep, wedge, counter and play action passes to constrain the defense from its ability to over-adjust and shut down the core play in this series, the power off-tackle. Here is the link:

http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/01/constraint-theory-of-offense.html)

Now: What if the defense can stop him for less than 3.3 yards a play while still staying balanced against his other threats (running to other gaps and/or passing)? It means the defense probably has a personnel advantage.

As a result, the single wing OC will have to reach into his bag of tricks to try and misdirect the defense away from his intended points of attack if he is going to succeed. Now the "constraining" plays gain new importance, as do the other series in the offense, which are predicated more on deception and less on raw power: The fullback full-spin series, the fullback or tailback half-spin series, the buck lateral series, a Jet Sweep series, etc.

These additional play series may even be joined by some out-and-out trickeration in an attempt to move the ball and hang some points on the board -- it's all a function of just how overmatched the single wing team is based on personnel.

So -- coaches that don't base their playcalling on series have a different way of looking at things, right? So let's hear from them how their non-series scheme of playcalling is the most effective way to use their available talent on the football field.

[CRICKETS CHIRPING]

It's OK, guys, I have all day...

Seriously, unless you have your plays organized into:

core plays, the ones you want to go to against balanced defenses because you are confident you will gain yards with them;
counter plays, which you use to sting defenses which are overbalancing in an attempt to slow down your core plays; and
play-action, which you use to throw the ball when they expect a run (either core or counter), OR run the ball when the defense is expecting a pass

...how can you effectively attack a defense? Unless you make these distinctions among your various classes of plays, how will you know what tool to pull out of the box in a given situation? (This is what we are talking about when we accuse coaches of "grab-bagging" on offense by calling any play that pops into their head.)

And if you ARE dividing your plays into core/counter/play action, you are a series-based offense, whether you call yourself one or not.

Reflections from a First Year Football Coach

2008-11-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

First and foremost.. The game is simple.. if you cannot block and tackle better than the other team.. YOU LOSE!!

Being a HC actually has very little to do with X's and O's..

You give me the best X's and O's guy and put him in a situation where he is not capable of dealing with the nuances of the situation around him.. and he will not be successful..

You have to have assistants you can trust.. not only trust to be on your side.. but trust to do what is asked of them.. and to be capable of doing what is asked of them.. They don't have to be the best coaches in the world.. but they have to be willing to do what is expected of them.. If not.. you will fail..

There are 3 components of a GOOD football player..

1. Football IQ.. he doesn't have to be the smartest person in the world.. but he needs to KNOW his assignment and be able to think within the confines of what you expect him to do. YOU as a staff have to make sure he KNOWS what and how to do his job.

2. Will and Determination.. You have to have players who want to win day in and day out.. if they do not want to win.. if its not important to them.. then its just a hobby for them.. you don't need those kind of players.. they will be the first to lay down when the going gets tough.. Always choose a football player over an athlete.

3. Physical ability.. Strength and Speed can be developed.. but there is a process.. Potential will always remain potential if not developed.. You have to work to get faster and stronger.. it doesn't just happen.. and if you are playing teams who are working while you are not.. then you will LOSE.

Never underestimate the importance of the little things.. Always ASSUME your players have NO idea about what you are saying.. break it down.. accentuate the positives and fix the negatives..

Yelling doesn't make it better.. learning has to be facilitated.. yelling at a player only puts distance between him and yourself.. you will need to bring him back in to facilitate that learning.. Keep him close by TALKING to him.. and teach him..

Only keep people around who care as much or as little as you do.. If you are there every Saturday, then your assistants need to be willing to do the same.. If you don't want to work on weekends and after hours.. then don't hire guys who do want to be up there.. you are only holding them back from being successful..

You don't have to like the people you work for.. but you do need to respect them.. this is a two way street.. and as a HC you do not have to try to earn being liked by your assistants.. but you do need to do things that they will respect.

Never gripe about a problem that you yourself do not have a solution to. Griping for the benefit of griping is what fans do.. not coaches..

Kids are impressionable.. They will do as you do.. and say as you say.. that can be a good thing or a bad thing.. you choose..

and finally..

when you are up to your eyeballs in crap.. keep your mouth closed!!

COMMITMENT

2008-10-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

COMMITMENT
SACRIFICE
AVAILABILITY
WORK ETHIC
LOYALTY
DEDICATION
ENERGY
ENTHUSIASM
HONOR
HONESTY
DISCIPLINE
DESIRE

The very things we expect from our players.
http://www.prismltd.com/commit.htm

Pay close attention to the final paragraph:

"WHEN IT IS MOST IMPORTANT

Commitment is most difficult and most readily proven during tough times. How someone weathers the storms most clearly demonstrates their basic beliefs. In antiquity, Epicurus stated: "...a captain earns his reputation during the storms." When your competition scores big against you, when the money dries up, or when the glamour of success wears off, this is when it is easiest to compromise your commitments. The real test comes when you can hold the line against the easy route of compromise.

Fortunately, paying the price that commitment commands has payoffs worth the cost - a reputation for integrity and, even more important, the commitment of others in return. Commitment is a two-way street. You only get it if you are willing to give it. "

At what point does a Coach say " I can no longer commit to this job"- its a personal choice I suppose. For any job a coach is going to have to have a thick skin and take criticism from his superiors from time to time. He might also need to be disciplined (air has been disciplined for his actions and can a) tuck and run or b) grow and learn from it) If a coach is not himself "coachable" then he will be doomed to scoot off from one job to another for the rest of his coaching days. Its unrealistic to think that the head coach and his superiors will always be in 100 percent agreement on every action or reaction. "lack of support" has to be more than just a disagreement doesnt it? I would think that there at times must be some give and take philosophically as the admin has to take some heat if the header is a problem child. SIMILARLY any coach who constantly thinks the grass is always greener somewhere else will likely fail where he is - "BE WHERE YOU ARE AT" applies to head coaching as well as assistant coaching roles.

I think its stupid to consider a promotion "quitting" so I am not sure why any one would seek to argue that. Lateral moves for the wrong reasons certainly can be considered quitting.

WHAT IS COMMITMENT

A great business leader once said:

"...the basic philosophy, spirit, and drive of an organization have far more to do with its relative achievements than do technological or economic resources, organizational structure, innovation, and timing. All these things weigh heavily in success. But they are, I think, transcended by how strongly the people in the organization believe in its basic precepts and how faithfully they carry them out." (from Thomas J. Watson, Jr., A Business and its Beliefs - The ideas that helped build IBM).

As true as this is for the success of a corporation, it is even more so for the individual. The most important single factor in individual success is COMMITMENT. Commitment ignites action. To commit is to pledge yourself to a certain purpose or line of conduct. It also means practicing your beliefs consistently. There are, therefore, two fundamental conditions for commitment. The first is having a sound set of beliefs. There is an old saying that goes, "Stand for something or you'll fall for anything." The second is faithful adherence to those beliefs with your behavior. Possibly the best description of commitment is "persistence with a purpose".

Many successful business people are hailed as visionary leaders. On careful inspection they are found to be individuals who hold firmly to a simple set of commitments, usually grounded in beliefs such as "the best product money can buy", or the highest possible customer service". It is the strength of these commitments, religiously followed, that led to their business success.

WHERE TO PRACTICE

It appears that effective leaders hold dearly to a half dozen commitments. The first, and most basic, of these is a commitment to a set of values, principles or beliefs. These underlying principles define both the organization's uniqueness and the fundamental direction in which it wants to head. This first commitment leads to a common vision and purpose within the organization.

The second commitment is to oneself, to how one acts as a leader. An effective leader possesses a strong sense of personal integrity and self confidence. This leads to a willingness to share the credit for success. Another side to this commitment is a deliberate emphasis on continual self-improvement.

The combination of a strong, positive commitment to self and to a set of principles serve as a foundation to effectively maintain the remaining four commitments. These commitments are to: customers, results, employees, and the organization.

Everyone has a customer and is a customer to someone else. Customers are usually thought of as external to the organization who needs your product or service. A question worth asking is, "How much are others willing to pay for my work?" The price your customers are willing to pay measures its values in their eyes.

Besides serving customers, all organizations target specific results. Given the large number of demands placed on all of us, it is important to concentrate on achieving the most important goals and objectives. Commitment to results is largely determined by how clear priorities are, what actions get rewarded, and what risks are being taken to improve intended results.

The next commitment is to the people. The quality of the organization's commitment to customers and results is largely based upon the quality of its commitment to people. The simple reason for this is that it is these people who serve the customer and achieve results. How are people treated in the organization? Commitment to people is largely the product of treating people with respect, challenging them, and giving them effective feedback on how they are doing.

The final leadership commitment is to the larger organization. Other departments, higher management, the organization's overall strategy & mission are important. Communication is the key with this commitment. How people talk to, and about, each other greatly affects the quality of cooperation. How open are the channels of communication up, down, and across? Can management be challenged? Will people support management decisions and changes?

Balancing all six commitments is the key to well directed leadership. When management supports its employees, they will be able and willing to achieve intended results, When these results support customer needs and expectations, customers will support the organization with their business. A strong and healthy organization can then continue to show commitment to its people. The glue that holds this process together is the values and leaders in the organization.

HOW TO PRACTICE COMMITMENT

Effectively demonstrating commitment to others, to the organization's basic principles, and to oneself is never easy. The truth is, demonstrating commitment is hard work. Wavering commitment is usually seen as no commitment at all. The only way to achieve a reputation for commitment is through determination and persistence. Genuine commitment stands the test of time.

Day to day, commitment is demonstrated by a combination of two actions. The first action is called supporting. Genuine support develops a commitment in the minds and hearts of others. This is accomplished by focusing on what is important and leading by example. It is not uncommon for people to be either confused as to what is important, or lose sight of it over time. Supporting means concentrating on what adds value, spotlighting what's working, and rewarding others who are focusing on what is important and leading by example. A crucial aspect of true support is standing up to those who would undermine commitment, those whose words or actions show disrespect.

The second action underlying commitment is called improving. Improving stretches our commitment to an even higher level. Commitment means a willingness to look for a better way and learn from the process. It focuses on eliminating complacency, confronting what is not working, and providing incentives for improvement. The spirit of improving is rooted in challenging current expectation and ultimately taking the risk to make changes. These changes are based more on an optimism in the future than dissatisfaction in the past. It is embodied in the reply of car maker Professor Porsche, who, when asked which was his favorite model in the long line of Porsche automobiles replied: "I haven't built it yet!"

It is the combination of both supporting and improving behaviors that makes up the practice of commitment. Separately neither action is capable of sustaining commitment. Promoting alone can come across as a shallow and pollyannish. Continuous improvement can be seen as "good is never good enough". Together they provide a needed balance. Both are essential to commitment.

WHEN IT IS MOST IMPORTANT

Commitment is most difficult and most readily proven during tough times. How someone weathers the storms most clearly demonstrates their basic beliefs. In antiquity, Epicurus stated: "...a captain earns his reputation during the storms." When your competition scores big against you, when the money dries up, or when the glamour of success wears off, this is when it is easiest to compromise your commitments. The real test comes when you can hold the line against the easy route of compromise.

Fortunately, paying the price that commitment commands has payoffs worth the cost - a reputation for integrity and, even more important, the commitment of others in return. Commitment is a two-way street. You only get it if you are willing to give it.

DCOHIO on Taking a New Job

2008-10-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

The first thing I would say is before accepting any position you really need to do your homework. You need the AD, principal and superintendent...you need at least 2 of these 3 in your corner, to be athletic minded people...all 3 would be perfect but if it's only 1 then you're going to have problems and if it's none, then you need to stay away from that job.

2nd thing - what you are fighting is a change from what they are use to. People are afraid of change and everyone has a different opinion on what should be and how to make it be. The definition of insanity is 'doing things the way you've always done them and expecting different results'.
This is where your booster club and principal are coming together. Your program is different, and they aren't use to it and they are fighting it and looking for anything to knit pick you about.

3rd thing - how's your staff and your kids? Are they still working hard and believing in the system? You're always going to lose kids, they aren't getting the "tick" or the ball or whatever...those kids aren't program kids and you're better off without them. What you have found are the kids with character. Character people don't abandon ship when the sea gets rough. What you're going through with these kids is a necessary evil to turn a program. You had a 2 way starter...a freshman...quit because he wasn't getting the ball? You know what I say "good phuk him" and I'll tell you this, if he comes back out next year, I wouldn't let him get Varsity tick, I'd make him play JV.

4th - no one said it would be easy, there is a reason the program is where it is and the people near the program have no idea what it takes to win or be winners. That isn't limited to players and parents. That may also include the AD, the principal, the teachers, and possibly every person in that district.

But you've got to stand up for yourself, at some point and this has to be over and time to move on. He11 I can't even believe you're on the carpet for it. I've been nose to nose with an opposing HC during a timeout on the field in the middle of the 4th quarter before. We were up and I called a TO to get the JV kids straightened out and he came on the field and said "what the he11 are you doing calling a phuking time out up 28?" and words were exchanged, the official separated us. The AD asked me what was said and I told him he wanted to meet for beer and wings at BW3's after game.

You're a first year HC, you said something following a game. OK...that was obviously a mistake. One I'm sure you won't make again. First year HCs are always going to make mistakes, heck 30 year HC's make mistakes. I can't believe the BS you have been through over this...you have went way further towards trying to make it right, appease everyone than I ever would have.

Say your sorry and that's it. That is all of it. and if it keeps coming up I would take the principal into his office and ask him - how many times am I going to have to apologize for this? When is there an end to this? What's the deal? If push comes to shove, I'd get the he11 out, phuk em, sounds like they are a bunch of gossip hounds just looking to for something to talk about and someone to pick apart.

Maybe I'm not ready to be a HC, this would have already been over if I were you, it would be over one way or another and I would be fine with it either way. They aren't the only school in Louisiana that plays football.

as per the kids? I feel sorry for the kids, but there will always be kids that you'll hate to leave, that's just the way of the world, that's how it is.

Being a HC is not about X's and O's. You have a plan, stay the course, you have to do what you think is best and be done with it. Some will like it, some won't, that's just how it is. Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.

That's my take on it. I know this, whether you be my employer or wife or mother, there is only a certain amount of time that you are going to hang something over my head and I'm going to be apologetic about it. After a certain period of time my reaction is going to adverse to an extreme.

Routes from 2x2

2008-10-22T09:19:00.001-07:00

1. fade/speed out
2. smash
3. switch
4. spot screen
5. shallow cross
6. slant/wheel
7. post/wheel combo
8 post/post corner

STALK BLOCK

2008-10-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

We start off by doing a mirror drill with our hands behind our backs. Helps keep the chest up and forces the kids to use their feet to get into position instead of reaching or grabbing. We set two cones 5 yds apart and on the whistle the defender just works side to side as quickly as he can. On the 2nd whistle the defender goes vertical somewhere between the cones and cannot juke. The WR moves his feet w/ a base to stay square on the defender. Very important that he understands he can keep working his feet after contact to either keep or obtain leverage on the defender. Also very important that he keeps his eyes on the defenders belt buckle. This seemed to help us more than anything.
After a day or so of this, we go sprint to mirror. The WR sprints about 5-7 yds and executes the mirror drill above. The next day go to a mirror w/ a punch after the defender goes vertical on the 2nd whistle. We teach lock onto the steering wheel...if you don't have the steering wheel, then you better be fighting for the steering wheel. Almost all blocks are won/lost because of bad hand placement or whoever gets there hands fit first. I failed to mention we will pair up and punch and grab defenders steering wheel, getting about 10-20 grabs apiece. Thumbs up and locked on. We go around and hit on the arms and have the defender hit on the arms trying to knock them off.
We now do a one step slant and sprint to leverage (based on play) and mirror from there. Can't break down until you have leverage.
One of the most important teaching tools I have found is just video your drills and make time to show them the video. Explain to them, this is what I am seeing...now do you understand what I am saying? Great for showing them their hips on the sled. Most of them have their butts out and don't know or understand sinking their hips. When they see it on the video, they understand what you are seeing and plus when the tape is rolling they tend to give more effort if they know the whole group is going to see it the next day or next video opportunity. Also a great way of showing them their effort level in practice.

The Cross by gunslinger

2008-10-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

A previous article outlined Norm Chows "62- Mesh" pattern and his progression for the QB.

1- Peek to the post
2- Watch the mesh occur...

The "Cross" route that I've been toying with gives you a play that is as effective as the Mesh described above, is extremely multiple, and adds a dig route that can pop open under the post and above the mesh (much like the NCAA route).

Rules for the "cross" are as follows:

The called receiver runs the crossing pattern (10 yard dig).

The widest receiver opposite of him runs a post.

The other two receivers "mesh" (right over left).

By using these simple rules you can create a multitude of meshing type patterns with the same read for the QB.

1- Peek at the Post
2- Check the Dig
3- Watch the mesh occur

I apologize for not knowing how to insert diagrams but hopefully you can follow my discussion below.

From a Balanced 2 X 2 Set with receivers identified as (X) wide left, (H) slot left, (Y) slot right, and (Z) wide right...

X Cross

X would run the 10 yard dig
Z is the widest receiver opposite so he would run the post
Y and H would "mesh" (always right over left to minimize confusion).

H Cross

H would run the 10 yard dig
Z is the widest receiver opposite so he would run the post
Y and X would "mesh" (right over left)

Y Cross

Y- Dig
X- Post
H and Z mesh

Z Cross

Z- Dig
X- Post
Y and H mesh

As you can see, these simple rules allow you to have what looks to the defense as at least four different patterns.

The read for the QB remains constant.

Receivers simply need to know the rules, how to run a post, a dig, or shallow crossing route.

By tagging the receiver on a post with other routes you can increase the strain on the defense.

Example:

X Cross/Z Corner

X- 10 Yard Dig
H and Y- Mesh
Z- Corner

The QB can use a pre-snap read to determine whether of not the corner is a viable option. If it is he progresses from corner to dig to mesh.

If not, Dig to Mesh.

Add the "pivot" tag to the underneath receivers and you've got more than the defense can prepare for!

Example:

X Cross/Double Pivot

X- 10 Yard dig
Z- Post
H and Y- Pivot (sell the mesh, stop and pivot back to the outside)

QB still peeks to the post, checks the dig, then has two pivot routes underneath for outlet passes instead of the mesh.

The 'Multiple' Smash Route by Coach Huey

2008-10-17T10:15:00.001-07:00

THE MULTIPLE SMASH ROUTE
Coach Huey

The Smash route has been one of our 'bread & butter' plays for the better part of 8 years now. It is the very first dropback concept we install each spring and fall. It gets the most reps of any of our passing concepts. We will typically run this route anywhere from 7 to 10 times a game. We feel that the subtle variations & adjustments within the route give us the ability to run this play versus any type of defensive coverage scheme. The basics of the route are no different than any other smash route. However, the techniques involved may be slightly different than the traditional routes.

The Basic Route Descriptions

The playside-outside receiver (runs what we refer to as a 'smash' route) has the #1 responsibility to "keep the corner low." The basic techniqe of the route is to run to a depth of 7 yards, stop and turn in to the QB. His eyes should find the flat defender. What the smash guy does next will be determined by what the flat defender does. If the flat defender "sits", the receiver will also "sit." If the flat defender "drifts" out, the receiver will "drift" out. If the defender is "flying" out to the flat, the receiver will "fly" past the defender inside to the vacated area.

The playside-inside receiver runs a flag route (we refer to a "flag" as being run by an inside receiver and a "corner" as a route run by an outside receiver). The length of his stem is determined by a few factors:
* 1-high safety with soft coverage (zone) he will push the stem to 12 yards then break to the corner
* 2-high safeties he will run through 10 yards, post stem, then break to the corner
* he is pressed and #1 is pressed, run through 8 & break to corner.

The backside-inside receiver runs what we refer to as a "tube-read". Meaning, he will press vertical to the outside part of the hash to 10 yards. If the middle of the field is closed (a defender is stationed between the hashes) he will continue down the seam. If the middle of the field is open (no defender between the hashes) he will "tube" inside - break to the post.

The backside-outside receiver runs a dig route. He will run through 10 yards, post to 12 yards, then break inside and work to "empty grass" at a depth of 12-15 yards. Versus MOFC he may settle nearer the hash but versus MOFO he may continue more into the middle of the field.

Breaking Down the Smash Route

Like I stated earlier, the outside receiver's main priority is to keep the corner low. After that, he will adjust his route to get open. This is really a very simple concept we all learned from our days playing backyard football. It is as simple as "He's there, I go here. he's here, I'll go there."

The inside receiver's job is to push vertical, break vertical, then run to the ball as the QB "throws him open." He must recognize whether there are 2 safeties high or 1 safety high. He must also determine the depth of the corner pre-snap to aid him in determing if he should break the route shorter (i.e. it's man so he must break away sooner as QB will be unloading sooner).

The outside receiver must recognize the depth of the corner over him at both pre-snap and within his first 3 steps of the route. The depth at which he makes the stem will be determined by the depth of the corner. Typical 'zone' depths are 4 to 8 yards before squaring to the QB. Upon his "square" he must identify the defender that is responsible for the flat. While this may sound difficult, it is really only a matter of determing "Did the corner stay with me?" If yes, then he's flat defender work away. If no, then find the first defender inside and adjust your route based on his movement.

Diagram 1 shows a typical Cover 3 alignment. In this example, the corner has aligned at a depth of about 9-10 yards. The flat defender (the SS here) has "drifted" with #2 and stay more in the curl lane rather than run out to the flat. The outside receiver should simply stay at 7 yards and gradually drift out. The inside receiver should start his stem at the outside shoulder of the #2 defender. He must be careful not to get "flattened" out on his stem - i.e. let the defender jam him and keep him from getting back on top of his stem path. Since there is a 1-high safety there is no need for him to make a significant post fake. He must try to "stack" the defender over him. Meaning, he must attack the outside hip, then try to run past the defender and climb back on the imaginary line that his his vertical stem. This is important if the coverage becomes man so that the defender will turn both hips to our end zone as he must be aware of #2 going vertical or post -- which aids in gaining separation when #2 breaks to the corner.

_{Diagram 1}
The pace at which he drifts should mirror that of the defender drifting to him. More often than not, the ball will be gone before he actually starts to drift. This is why it is imperative that the receiver stop and square to the QB then identify the flat defender before adjusting his route. The QB may be "throwing him open" as he hits the end of the stem. Patience is a very important virtue of this route. The inside receiver should break vertical. We want him to break deeper rather than flatter. He should have recognized that it was Cover 3 so we want to really stretch the corner. The majority of the time, the ball will be thrown underneath so his route must help in keeping the corner out of the play.

Diagram 2 shows the adjustment if the flat defender (in Cover 3) were to work fast to the flat. The receiver will still push to 7 yards, stop, and square to the QB. This "reels" in the defender. After that quick 'pause', the receiver will break inside past the defender and expect the ball. Nothing will really change about #2's route. He will start at the outside hip, but since the defender was flying out he will get on his vertical stem quickly.

_{Diagram 2}

Diagram 3 shows how the routes will be adjusted versus press coverage. The outside receiver will adjust to an "under" route. He will begin his route by attacking the defender as if he were running a fade. He'll "battle" for 2 to 3 yards then break under and inside looking for the ball. His angle is similar to a slant but slighlty flatter. If the inside receiver is pressed, he'll shorten his route to 9 or 10 yards. Again, he must attack the outside hip of the defender and 'stack' him as he runs by. He must snap his head around immediately after breaking to the corner to find the ball as it may already be in the air.

_{Diagram 3}

Diagram 4 gives an example of the route versus a Cover 2 look. The outside receiver will not need to take his route much deeper than 4 or 5 yards since the corner is already "low." Once he stops and squares, he should break inside if he feels the corner on his back as the receiver is "covered" in the flat. He should look for a window between the cornerback and the dropping linebacker. The inside receiver will run through 10 yards, give a post or inside move, then break to the corner. His first 3 steps should still be vertical then be prepared to bend flat and snap his head around as the QB will throw him open.

_{Diagram 4}

Diagram 5 shows how it may look versus a blitz by the defender aligned over our inside reciever. If, as he starts his route, #2 sees the defender inside him (or over him) disappear inside on a blitz he must snap his head to the QB and expect the ball. If he doesn't receive the ball he will push to 8-9 yards and break to the corner. Again, he must snap his head around as soon as he makes his flag cut. The specifics of the outside receiver's route will still be determined by the depth of the corner and whether or not he's "covered" in the flat. In the example, the corner is pressed so #1 should run an under route.

_{Diagram 5}

The main thing about this route, for us, is that the receivers understand the subtle adjustments they must make. We try to teach it in such a manner that is easy to comprehend ("we're playing keep away from the defender"). I have not discussed the QB reads as they are not drastically different than how you may teach him. The premise of this article was to show how we adjust the playside routes versus various looks the defense may give us.

I apology for being "short" with this, but I am not as gifted with the written word. I will gladly go into more specific detail with anyone. Feel free to email me or send me a pm with a question you might have.

Turning a program around: 3 Different Coaches Views

2008-10-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

Do everything first class, if they need new equipment, uniforms, etc. Find a way to do it.
Establish a culture of mental and physical toughness from day 1. You are going to lose a few but those who do quit, you realy dont want anyway. Stress discipline and finishing in everything you do
Keep everything simple. Keep your offense and defense simple as possible so they can play fast
Focus hard on special teams
Make sure your assistants are great teachers of the game. Also make sure that while they spread the "vision" of the HC, that they are still building relationships with their players. Goes back to the saying "they dont care how much you know untill they know how much you care"
Build relationships with the faculty and community. Hold youth camps, touchdown club night once a week for the parents to come and watch the game film and socialize etc.
Recruit the hallways hard. Even those kids who don;t quite look like football players.

find a core group who will follow you
focus on the core group, let the others fall off the wagon
discipline - not just on the field, classroom, hallway, etc. - BE GOOD PEOPLE
be your player's biggest fan, but also their harshest critic
nothing is ever personal and make sure they know that upfront
when something occurs, whether you rip a kid or whatever, when you've said all you have to say it is over, move on and deal with the kid from the baseline again.
play the players who follow you regardless of grade and keep a focus on them.

A lot of people aren't with the "youth movement" concept, but I can tell you the benefits of it:

incoming freshmen know they have a chance to play on friday
upperclassmen know their jobs aren't safe and can be taken by a freshman
underclassmen will be back
freshmen don't want to screw up, so they will try to do what you are asking no matter what
you develop the type of players you want, you build a respect relationship with these kids

Discipline is the key.
Teach Fundamentals
Hire your People (Coaches)
Be committed to kids (help seniors get into school)
Be committed to the off-season

DL Block Recognition Drill

2008-10-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Use a 3v1 drill, I use large laminated cards that show the OL blocking on the card. I stand behind the DL, hold the card up, and then start the cadence. We check the DL for proper response.

We drill - Drive, Down, Reach, Trap, Pull, and Double team.

Works very well. The cards help get reps in quickly as nothing needs to be explained to the OL and they aren't trying to interpret any signals.

DCohio "no one is necessary"

2008-10-09T08:22:00.001-07:00

I am of the "no one is necessary" philosophy, so I categorically disagree with your HC and what he's doing. I think that is a common mistake for teachers/coaches in your type of environment (I'm in that environment too)...cutting kids breaks, not holding them accountable, "understanding" their situation...whatever. IMO, all those things really do is create excuses for them and allow them to not experience or learn a cause and affect relationship.

I also won't play kids on my defense who don't lift in the offseason and I don't care what kind of athlete they are...I don't care how big, how strong, how fast...I don't care. If he hasn't put in the time, then he can play JV or he doesn't have to play at all. I only play players I trust...the foxhole example is a good example...my players wouldn't want to go in with a coach who is half@$$ed prepared who they don't trust would they? No difference.

Blocking for the backs

2008-10-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

The principles we teach:

Sprint to your block
Get between the defender and the path of the ball carrier
Get close enough to the defender to step on his toes
Fire up into the defender with your hands together, hit him in the numbers, preferably the bottom of the numbers, roll your rump as you strike him.
As you hit raise him up and drive with short choppy steps.

Drills we do:

We practice the hand strike by having the players strike a shield on command and immeidately recoil. One repetition of this drill is about 4-5 quick strikes.
We then have then block the dummies starting from a distance of 5 yards away, emphasizing strike and driving to the whistle.
We have a "blocking races" drill we run where we step 2 backs in the standard TB and FB positions behind where the guards would be. We then place cones where on each side where the end of the line would normally be and then have 2 parents or coaches hold shields directly over where the OT's would be about 3 yards off the LOS (Our standard LB position for our 6-2 defense). On our normal cadence the two players explode out of their stance go around the cone simulating the end of the LOS on their side and block the shield. We recognize the winner as the person who hits his shield first, as long as he executes a proper block, stiking low with his hands in and finishing by driving to the whistle. Some times we will do this tournament style until we have an ultimate winner. You can vary the locations of the shields to simulate kick out blocks on DE's or CB's. You will be amazed at how making this competitive will get the kids to sprint to their blocks.
We run a drill we call "Backfield Oklahoma", where we have one blocker, one runner, and one defender. The boundaries for this drill are typcially 2 yard lines 5 yards apart. The blocker is in his normal 2 point backfield stance and the defender is in a 2 point LB stance. We place them about 5-7 yards apart so the block happens in space.
When we rep plays with our backs, we always use a line strip or cones to simulate where the offensive line is and use parents and coaches holding shields to simulate the 6 defenders we are likely to block with our backs (DE's, LB's and CB's) We emphasize the same blocking principles mentioned above, especially speed to the block and driving to the whistle. We typcially try to rep all of our plays twice (12 total) with both first and second string backfield groups in a 15-20 minute time period (rotating groups quickly every play).

Should vs Hand Blocking

2008-10-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

I was a wing T Oline coach for seven plus years and I taught Shoulder Skills. Then I went to an "I" team for a couple of years. I taught hands and worked constantly on the drive block. Then the light went off, I began teaching hands and shoulder skills. For trap, Gap, Down I taught shoulder skills and used the hip of the defender as a landmark. For On (drive) Fire (angle) and reach, I taught hands. For me, I found this to be the very best combination of scheme, the best of both worlds and more importantly; I liked being able to run an I scheme with wing-t concepts up front.

For combo blocks like Trap and down (GAP GAP TRAP) Belly Crossblock (Down + trap) was all shoulders. For Double team combos whether a Gap Scheme or a Zone Scheme, all hands and using numbers and armpits as landmarks.

http://www.hawgtuff.net/

http://www.bucksweep.com/shoulderblocking.htm

Coverdale Passing

2008-09-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

Looking through the Coverdale books and videos and powerpoints this weekend and basically wrote down every concept he has and looked to see if they could ALL be put in an offense. If you'll notice, in his books he has 11 5 steps 51-59 as well as 50 triangle and 50 Over. For his 3 step 90 series he has another 12 plays: 91-99, 90 Wheel, 90 In/Out and 90 Spacing. When first looking at that I thought, dang, 23 concepts...that seems like a lot. But then I started breaking them down by the reads and a lot of them shared simple reads.

For example: The Hitch/Seam, the Out/Seam, the Curl/Flat, the Slant/Flat, the Stick, the Short, the Hinge, the Flood and the Mesh...all keyed the same thing: the #2/flat defender.

While the Smash, Quick Smash, Stop, Fade/Breakout and the Indy choice route all keyed the movement of the CB.

The 4 verts (both 90 series and 50 series) and the Vertical switch concept key the Safeties and the Dig and the Over key the LB drops.

Triangle is really the only one that doesn't fit into one of the above 4.

Covderdale himself, in Bunch Attack, said there was no way that he would use all of the plays he presented in his book in a season and he basically just wanted to give a solid group to choose from. What I see though is 4 different types of reads that can attack a defense in a multiple amount of ways.

In one of the quick passing game books Coverdale explains how you can cut down on the plays using tags.

So for example you teach Slant and Hitch and then you can tag them to create Out/seam, and short. Coverdale and Robinson are big or keeping the concept and adding formations. What Formations are cheap to learn and teach. Just by moving guys around some you can get what you want without having to carry a different concept into the season.

Coverdale is at Trinity and it appears at least that they do not run a ton of concepts. If you watch his offseason planning DVD it goes into part of what you are talking about. You can get determine which concepts will not fit and which ones you need. That way you are prepared before you even start spring. Also keep in mind that the 90 series can be taught to your feeder program and run by your freshman so it is less teaching for those concepts. They are big on reading 2 and putting him in conflict through formation, motion and run actions.

Coaching Basics

2008-09-24T08:19:00.001-07:00

There are only 3 reasons a person doesn't do what you're telling them to do.
A - You didn't tell them
B - They can't
C - They won't

So if you tell them, it only leaves the other 2.
B - is your fault for asking someone to do something they aren't capable of.
C - is also your fault for playing someone who won't do what you're asking them to do.

Change the what you're asking them to do, change the way you're asking them to do it and get rid of those who won't.

"I don't care what kind of athlete you are, I don't care what grade you are in, if you want to play defense for me you will come to weights and I will only play people who are football players."

How to keep it together when you have a bad team

2008-09-24T08:17:00.001-07:00

Have a plan and work your plan - use the experts and experience from this board and friends / mentors to do what works.
Stay the course - be consistent and constant in every thing. Teach and force fundamentals in all things - never compromise basic sound football so that you can "out scheme" a better opponent.
Be swift and harsh in discipline; loving, kind and caring in praise. My lovable losers will test me everyday but they need to be held accountable but also need my approval.
Don't second guess yourself - we all make mistakes, we all wish we did something differently. Move on - we tell the kids to strap up and play the next play - I also tell myself this every game.
Everyone has the answers but very few are willing to pay the price. Winning comes because you consistently do the right thing over the course of the season. NOT because of the scheme, plays called, etc.
You can't climb a mountain without first setting the rigging and climbing the wall. Set short term reachable goals and focus on them. Give the kids rewards for reaching goals.

The Big 5 DB Footwork Drills

2008-09-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

Inch Step- This is a shorten version of a shuffle step. It is used to not allow huge cushion at the bottom/or start of a route. Make sure your kids are using their arms on the drill. Alot of them like to just leave their arms by their side.
WetField Stop- We use the wetfield stop for one simple reason. It allows us to redirect/comeback or break toward the LOS without stoping our momentum. I tell my guys to pretend that they are playing on a wetfield, hence the name of the drill. We never plant our foot. We simple drive our knees up and tap our feet slightly of the ground. Once the feet are back on the ground we drive back toward the line of scrimmage.
45 Degree break- we inch step about 5 yards and I point in the direction that I want them to break, they break in a 45 degree angle after they have executed their wetfield stop.
Quick turn- I have them inch step for 5 yards, I point them to the post for about 3 steps and then I point them to the corner(post corner). To go from the post to the post corner, we execute the quick turn. We quickly get the chin around by sticking the low field foot and throwing the up field shoulder. I tell my guys not to make the turn to wide and to keep it tight and compact. If they turn to wide then they will just make one big circle. Ater we come out of our quick turn, we have to attack the WR upfield shoulder. We do not want to come on the low field shoulder and allow the ball to be thrown over our heads. Note: do not do this drill on any routes under a 45 degree angle such as a dig route or an in &out route. You are better served turning the hips in that situation.
Highest Point Drill- We have the kids line about about 15 yards in front of us and jog towards us. The ball is then then in an attempt to get it over the DB's head. The DB goes up and tries to grab the ball at it's highest point. If can not catch it, he knocks it to the ground. If he cathces the ball, he then yells oskie, oskie ,oskie which alerts his teammates of an interception.

DB Footwork Drills

2008-09-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

FOOTWORK DRILLS
Line Drills. Have your DBs run the following line drills. Make the drills competitive by rewarding the first player to finish. Make sure the coaches are closely watching the players as they run, monitoring technique for a variety of factors including footwork, body positioning, pivoting and head/eye positioning.
Line Drill A: Backpedal 5 yards, turn and run 5 yards.
Line Drill B: Backpedal 5 yards, plant and run 5 yards in a straight line. Run one rep to the left and one to the right side.
Line Drill C: Backpedal 5 yards, turn and run 5 yards. Backpedal another 10 yards, turn and run 10 yards.

CONE DRILLS
We utilize cone drills to practice breaking on out and hitch patterns.
DIAGRAM 1: Cone Drill No. 1 "W-Drill."
DIAGRAM 2: Cone Drill No. 2 "Sideline Retreat."

COMMUNICATION, MAKING-THE-INTERCEPTION DRILLS
The following 1-line and 2-line drills help DBs better learn to communicate with their teammates during fast-paced live-action situations, while reinforcing proper techniques to create turnovers. During the line drills all DBs must yell out things such as "Pass!" "Ball!" or "Bingo!" to get them into the habit of communicating while on the fly.
DIAGRAM 3: 1-Line Ball Drills. From this 1-line alignment you can run three types of drills, the "High-Ball, Low-Ball Drill," the "Duck Drill" and the "Tip Drill."
DIAGRAM 4: 1-Line Drill "Step-In-Front Drill."
DIAGRAM 5: 2-Line Ball Drills "45-Degree Break Drill."
DIAGRAM 6: 2-Line Ball Drills "Turn-And-Run Drill."
DIAGRAM 7: 2-Line Ball Drills "Turn-And-Run, 45-Degree Drill."
DIAGRAM 8: 2-Line Ball Drills " Centerfield-Turn Drill."

PARTNER DRILLS
The following partner drill reinforce various DB techniques and fundamentals.
DIAGRAM 9: "Dog-Fight Drill." In this drill, 2 players align 1 yard apart and get into their backpedal. The coach signals the direction and the player closest to the pointed direction becomes the WR, while the other player becomes the DB and makes a proper break on the ball.
DIAGRAM 10: "Fade Drill." In this drill, the DB lines up slightly behind the WR. The WR sprints into a fade and the DB tries to catch up him and break up the pass.
DIAGRAM 11: "Strip Drill With No Ball." The DB works on numerous techniques from this alignment, including collision, interceptions, strips, knockdowns and point of delivery.
DIAGRAM 12: "Range Drill." This an effective zone drill in which the DB works on QB delivery keys.

Great Quote

2008-09-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

" how this amazing game of football, introduces a man to himself. And through that introduction, impacts his life, like nothing else does."

If you were hired to start a program . . .

2008-09-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

Establishing your coaches in your program first. Within those coaches I would hire a great strength and speed coach who is very creative. You would probably not have the facilities an established football program has so you would need to think outside of the box and let the facilities come in time after you have proven yourself (i.e.-Michigan-j/k).
I would also establish a character program before we even touched the football, something like-"Coaching to Change Lives" (Rutledge and Parker). IMO-You need to establish character before you establish schemes

First, I would make sure the administration is willing to hire good football coaches, and that there was some budget to do so.
Then, I would search out coaches who understand that for the first 2-3 years they won't be coaching football per se, they will be building football players.
I would make sure that they were relatively vertical ambition free in their career, because the drag of this required patience in building a football player, which includes a significant investment in building their parents into "football parents", would discourage most who just have their focus on scheming their way to victory with a, "Hey, I am just here to coach football" mentality.
They must have the maturity to realize, that the emotional drain on them in the beginning will be 5 times greater than any other football job they have done. Not saying there won't be fulfilling moments initially, its just that until you get THEM all to buy in emotionally, and ultimately passionately, the staff will have to be the emotional investment for the entire program. Like capital in a new business, it is a huge investment of emotional capital up front with little, to no, guarantees.
The risk is great, but so is the reward, if you have a staff willing to hang in there. That requires more than knowledge and a scheme, much more. Those kind of quality coaches are usually already working somewhere else significantly better because they are that way. That is why, if you find one, fight for him hard, because they are few and far between come August.
Starting a program from scratch, and creating a football culture, requires a patience and resolve that many, NOT ALL, young coaches may balk at.
Not because they don't love football, they would give their right arm for the game, its that some just haven't matured past their own coaching ambition to love the kids that are playing for them more than their career potential. So when a new player they are coaching doesn't execute, because he's never done it, they take it personal, and things can get high maintenance in a hurry.
This endeavor isn't so much about pure football knowledge, as it is about knowing, and caring about the kids and community, and wanting them to experience the incredible story that this game can give them. To want THEM to experience the life long lessons that this game teaches.
To have the resolve to START a brand new program, in my opinion, must include a staff, beginning with the head coach, who understands that the privilege will not be that he gets to build a stepping stone for a career, rather he will have the unspeakable honor of sharing with each one who dons a helmet, how this amazing game of football, introduces a man to himself. And through that introduction, impacts his life, like nothing else does.
You want to create a culture, take the greatest game ever created, that we have the privilege of talking about here every day, and hold it up like the greatest tool ever created for the development of a man's character - a mirror to his soul.
If we can get that young man, and by extension, his parents, to glance at that mirror for a little while, and to contemplate what they are seeing about themselves - even the slightest bit - they will be imprinted for a lifetime. Now, in those defining moments, when a kid, or parent, catches an honest look at themselves, what we as coaches standing behind them, whisper in those kids/parents ears as they gaze into that mirror, will define the culture we create, both in the heart of the kid, and in the community.
Here's the real challenge I have found in starting a football program, and creating a culture, it is just real hard to get those kids and parents to stop looking down at themselves long enough to look in that mirror.
Sorry to wax all psycho on you, but having done this "start a program" process twice in my career, I guess it has caused me to have some time to look into that mirror myself, and it changed me forever - that is why I love this game, and love coaching it.

Coaching Styles and Motivation

2008-09-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Coaching Styles & Motivation
Barry Hoover

Coaching Styles & Motivation
• What is motivation? – Coaching definition
o Players knowing you care
o Players getting better
• What is motivation? – Psychological definition
• Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and self-actualization
• Motivating players to prepare
• Bringing out the best in others
o Believe in ‘em
o Hold ‘em accountable
o Give ‘em supportive feedback
• Cultural awareness
• Coaching styles
o Authoritarian – Coaching Matters study of 10 Top NFL Coaches
o Authoritative - Bill Walsh, Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith, John Wooden, Chuck Heater

Coaching Styles & Motivation

Motivation is essential for success in coaching football and teaching. Success is a process that is driven and fueled by motivation, which can come from within the individual and from outside the individual. There is a wide range of coaching styles that have proven to be effective at motivating athletes at the high school, college, and professional levels, and I will investigate to determine the best method(s).

The strength coach at Washington State once said, “In order to motivate kids, you have to do two things. The first thing is that the players have to know you care. The second thing is that they have to be getting better at what they are doing. If you do not care for them, they will not play for you. If you care about them but they cannot see any improvement in what they are doing, they will not play hard” (Browning, 2005, p. 71).

It is true that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. A good coach will ask questions if they notice that the player might have a problem at home, and players appreciate the concern, even if the coach can’t solve their problem.

Players must also be getting better at what they are doing. A coach must have both a sound strategy and a sound method of teaching fundamental skills so that players can see improvement. People want a good return on their investment—players don’t want to put a huge effort into something unless they see results. University of Florida football coach Urban Meyer says, “It is hard to motivate players when they give a great effort and the play is not successful. We tell our players, ‘If you do your job, we will score.’ That is motivation” (Browning, 2005, p. 153).

The late Hall of Fame NFL coach Bill Walsh believed that in the future that only the most informed (knowledgeable) and most talented (having a demonstrated ability to teach) coaches will gain the respect of their players (Walsh & Billick, 1998, p. 204). Players want to have personal success and team success, and the coaches that can do that can help them do that will best be able to motivate their players.

Motivation is usually defined as an internal state that arouses, directs, and maintains behavior (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 373). Psychologists explain motivation in terms of both internal factors, known as intrinsic motivation and external factors, known as extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is the driving force within a person that causes them to do something. A person with intrinsic motivation will do something because they want to do it, not because they have to do it.

Extrinsic motivation is based on external factors, which can include rewards, punishment, and any other outside force that causes pressure to make someone do something. A person with extrinsic motivation will do something because they feel that they have to do it, not because they want to do it.

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can exist at the same time. A person can want to do something and at the same time feel outside pressure to do that same thing. Both internal and external forces are driving the individual. Both coaches and teachers have recognized the need to use both types of motivation to drive individuals, because intrinsic motivation is usually not at the high level that it needs to be at in order to effectively drive behavior. Research shows that teachers must encourage and nurture intrinsic motivation, while making sure that extrinsic motivation supports learning (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 373.

Abraham Maslow proposed that people have a hierarchy of needs, in which lower-level needs (survival, safety, belonging, and self-esteem) must be met before higher-level needs (intellectual achievement, aesthetic appreciation, and self-actualization) can be met. The highest need is self-actualization, in which one is able to fully reach their potential.

Helping others to fully reach their potential is what coaching and teaching is all about, but lower-level needs must be first addressed. If a student-athlete is having problems at home, they will not be motivated to succeed in the classroom or on the practice field.

The quality of a team’s preparation is what causes a team to win or lose in the sport of football, assuming both teams are somewhat similar in talent. The legendary basketball coach John Wooden, who won ten national championships in twelve years at UCLA said, “in my coaching I informed every player who came under my supervision that the outcome of a game was simply a by-product of the effort we made to prepare,” (Jamison & Wooden, 1997, p.54). Coach Wooden also says, “Preparation is where success is truly found” (Jamison & Wooden, 1997, p. 53). One of my favorite quotes is by former Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson, who said, “Winning ain’t no fluke. We got down and got dirtier than they did.”

Winning doesn’t happen by luck or accident, it is a result of quality preparation. Preparation is not easy—it is hard work. It takes motivation to get individuals to work hard to prepare correctly. The essence of coaching is to find a way to motivate individuals to get them to prepare well enough to win.

How preparation is structured is important in motivation. Two of the best coaches in college football, Urban Meyer and Pete Carroll, use this to their advantage. Much of what the Urban Meyer does at practice at Florida is to keep kids’ interest. He will start practice with an intense and competitive drill to create high levels of arousal, and this arousal will create the motivation needed to fuel athletes to have a successful practice.

University of Southern California football coach Pete Carroll uses the same approach. Everything in his football program is about competition, and he wants practice to be as competitive as possible. Competition is the best way to motivate and drive student-athletes to work hard, because competition is fun.
A big problem with practice is getting players to go full-speed. I have heard both Coach Meyer and Coach Carroll speak at coaching clinics and I have tried incorporating competitive situations into practice. I have found it to be an amazingly effective way to get players to go full speed.

Motivation is somewhat easy during the season when games are being played each week, but more difficult during the off-season. Many colleges do this, but Pete Carroll was the first one I heard talk about it. He splits his players up into teams and has them compete in an Off-season Olympics. I have not had the opportunity to try this, but it seems like a great way to motivate players in what can be a boring time of the year for many football programs.

The book Bringing Out the Best in Others by Thomas K. Connellan, Ph.D. does a terrific of explaining motivation. This is how he says to bring out the best in others:

1. Believe in 'em
2. Hold 'em accountable
3. Give 'em supportive feedback

1. Believe in 'em
High expectations are not the key to success, positive expectations are. You can have high expectations—that is, expect a lot from people—but at the same time you may not believe they can actually succeed. Positive expectations means believing they can succeed. And you have to believe that in order to make it happen.

Of course, positive expectations by themselves are not enough. They're only one of three ingredients for bringing out the best in others. Even then, positive expectations are not effective by themselves. They have to be communicated to others, and understood, and accepted. They must be communicated in a way that others will perceive as being positive.

The punch card was first developed to enter census data in 1890. The inventor told the first group that a skilled operator might be able to process 550 cards a day. Sure enough, after two weeks, people were able to get 550 cards a day. Some were able to get to 700 cards a day, but they complained it was a real strain to work that fast.

Another group was trained without the inventor's expectations and without being told how the first group did. Before long, the second group was punching out 2,100 cards a day without breaking a sweat. Low expectations can have the opposite effect of reducing results.

Positive expectations help explain the placebo effect. Doctors give patients pills that have no medicine in them, but the pills still help these patients to get better. How? Positive expectations. These patients get better because they expect to get better.
The pills are an example of a positive placebo. The punch cards are an example of a negative placebo. If the patient believes it will work, it will. And just as important, if the doctor believes it will help the patient, it probably will.

We can orally communicate our expectations to others, but we also unconsciously communicate our expectations to others. According to research, large pupil size can indicate more favorable attitudes and expectations. We let others know what we think of them simply by the way we make eye contact, even if we don't realize it.

To bring out the best in others, every fiber in our body, every cell in our being must communicate positive expectations. All of our messages, spoken and unspoken, must be congruent. If there's a conflict between what we say and our body language, our body language has a much greater impact than our words.

Our expectations have a significant impact on the performance of others. If we expect the best from people, and if we communicate it clearly and consistently, people will respond.

Positive thinking is not the same as positive expectations. Positive thinking often has nothing to do with reality. Positive expectations, on the other hand, must begin with an assessment of reality—looking at exactly where you are, and then using positive expectations to better your situation and change your reality.

2. Hold 'em accountable
What is the number one requirement for getting things done? The answer is, someone's got to do it. The answer is obvious, but it is something we tend to overlook. Without accountability, nothing ever really gets done. Too often what you hear is, “That's everybody's responsibility.”

Someone, some identifiable person, has to 'own' the goal. Although many may contribute in achieving the goal, someone has to be ultimately accountable. Anything that is 'everyone's responsibility' quickly becomes no one's responsibility. Lack of accountability simply paves the way to mediocrity.

How to make accountability work:
1. Establish Accountability – The first step is to assign accountability without assigning blame. Accountability is positive. Blame is negative.
2. Set Clear-Cut Goals – Be sure everyone understands the goal.
3. Develop an Action Plan – This is how you will reach the goal. Goals aren't reached by accident; they are achieved by design.
4. Engage – The more that people are engaged in the goals process (identifying goals, developing plans, and measuring progress), the more accountable they become.

How do you make people accountable without playing the blame game? The key to accountability is to focus on the action, not the person.

Now that you have the tools for establishing accountability, what are people accountable for? Goals. Goals create a proactive rather than a reactive mindset. They also create a focus. Too often people become so busy that they lose sight of what they are doing. Goals are what you expect to see accomplished by carrying out your action plans.

Jack Welch, the former CEO at General Electric, set his goals high, as he believed people have a much greater capacity of accomplishing things than they normally use. But, if goals are set too high, people become demoralized. There is a concept called 'gradient stress,' in which the key is to bring people along gradually. Too many leaders try to accomplish lofty goals without any support in the form of positive expectations and positive feedback.

The danger in setting goals too high is that people will give up. Others believe in setting goals low, since success is motivating. The danger in setting goals too low is that there's no challenge and people lose interest. The maximum motivation seems to occur in the middle, where success is likely, but there’s still some challenge and risk involved.

[i]I couldn't copy the graph. It is an upside down 'v'.[/i]

Motivation

0% Probability of Success 100%

The best way to set goals is to cover several goals at once. This provides both kinds of motivation: the satisfaction of meeting the easier goals and the challenge of trying to achieve the tougher ones. Get your people to agree to some reasonable goals and then get them to choose two areas where they can really stretch themselves. Now they have some results that they are accountable for and they can experience some success with room for improvement.

Goals are important. Too often individuals fail to perform because they don’t know what’s expected of them. The leader thinks they have communicated the goals, but the reality is that many team members don’t really know what they are accountable for.
The third step in establishing accountability is to develop action plans. The action plan is the steps you will take to reach your goal.

The final step in establishing accountability is to engage. The more that people are engaged in the development of goals, plans, and feedback, the more accountable they become. Highly motivated team members will often set even higher goals for themselves than you would imagine. However, if they set them too high, they will not really be engaged. This is where the Inverted Motivation Curve comes into use.

If you have to be more involved in setting the goals, let them take the lead in developing the action plan. Ask, “What needs to be done in order for you to reach this goal?” Then work out the necessary steps together. Creativity and brainstorming come into play in the process of developing the action plan. There’s nothing much creative about setting goals. Make sure to put your action plan in writing so there’s no way anybody can misunderstand.

The message from most people regarding accountability is ‘Let me know what you want me to do, hold me accountable for getting results, and then get out of my way’ (Connellan, 2003, p. 30-77).

A great way to hold players accountable for performance is to videotape games and practice and grade players’ performance. The saying about videotape is, “The eye in the sky does not lie.” Players will be more motivated when their actions are held accountable for all of their teammates and coaches to see.

3. Give 'em supportive feedback
Feedback is information we receive that tells us how well we’re doing. We take a test in school, and it lets us know how we are doing in that subject. Feedback helps us stay on track and make progress toward the goal.

Three types of feedback:
A. Motivational feedback – cheering for your football team.
B. Informational feedback – telling the score, down, and yard-line.
C. Developmental feedback – corrective action taken when someone isn’t performing up to standard. This is where you use supportive confrontation of nonperformance. You have to confront nonperformance, but you need to do it in a way that creates commitment rather than grudging compliance or outright resistance.

A. Motivational Feedback
We think we give plenty of feedback, but it’s mostly informational feedback. When team members say they aren’t getting enough feedback, we can’t believe it. But, they’re referring to motivational feedback. We need to use information as the basis for our motivational feedback.

All three forms of feedback are important. Using one without the others doesn’t do much good.

There are three types of motivational feedback:
1. Positive Feedback - Cheer Loudly
2. Negative Feedback - Boo
3. No Feedback - Say Nothing

If someone improves, we can acknowledge it; we can criticize and say that they could have done better; or we might do and say nothing.

1. Positive Feedback = Reinforcement
Positive Feedback is energizing. It validates your efforts and it makes you want to achieve even greater things.
2. Negative Feedback = Punishment
Negative feedback is also energizing, but in a different way. The result is often a renewed effort to perform better, but not always.
3. No Feedback = Extinction

Extinction is even more punishing than negative feedback. Ignoring poor performance will cause that poor performance to happen again. Making no response whatsoever to someone’s good performance, even if it’s just a marginal improvement, will extinguish their motivation to do better. They’ve put in the extra effort to improve, but it hasn’t been recognized.

There is an important principle: Bringing out the best in others requires that we reinforce improvements, even if they’re not ‘there’ yet. Why? Because once you get a behavior pattern started, it takes only a small amount of reinforcement to keep it going.

Five Principles of Positive Reinforcement
1. Reinforce immediately – the more immediate, the more powerful. Performance reviews aren’t very effective, because they are too far removed in time. Let your players know as soon as possible what they did right.
2. Reinforce any improvement, not just excellence – by praising improvement, you reinforce the formation of good habits. If you want more improvement, you have to reinforce improvement.
3. Reinforce specifically – be specific about what the person did well, not just what needs to be improved.
4. Reinforce new behaviors continuously – this is the best way to develop good habits.
5. Reinforce good habits intermittently – once good habits are developed, positive reinforcement isn’t needed as frequently. People will begin to reinforce themselves once they reach a certain level of performance.

There is a problem with following positive reinforcement with negative reinforcement. You condition the person to wait for the other shoe to drop. After hearing, “It’s good, but…” people will stop hearing the positives and just brace themselves for whatever comes after the ‘but.’ Then your interactions become basically negative. People will begin to assume that every interaction with you will be unpleasant. They will avoid you. And you can’t help someone develop their full potential if you can’t interact with him.

If someone is performing below what you consider an acceptable level, get face-to-face with him and reinforce him continually. Stick with it. Reinforce every improvement he makes, however small. Once he’s performing well, back off and let momentum do the work—but surprise him with a good word or a pat on the back now and then.

B. Informational Feedback
Informational feedback is simply what it says—providing information on performance. As a rule, it’s best to have the individual measure and monitor their own performance. He will be able to spot a problem before you can, which encourages self-management.

Feedback should be:
1. Goal-Related – A goal is a powerful motivator. Informational feedback lets people know what kind of progress they’re making towards that goal.
2. Immediate – The problem with report cards is that they provide feedback too late to be effective. It is important to give feedback as immediately as possible after the event has occurred.
3. Graphic – A picture is worth a thousand words.

C. Developmental Feedback
There are five keys in discussing performance issues in a way that elicits commitment, rather than just excuses or grudging compliance.

1. Define the Issue without pointing fingers.
2. Ask for solutions and focus on solving the problem in the future.
3. Explore options – brainstorming.
4. Reinforce positive responses from the individual.
5. Close the deal and get the person’s commitment to accomplish a task or achieve certain results (Connellan, 2003, p. 78-121).

Most of the players I have coached are African American, and I am not. It is important that I be aware of the best coaching methods for my players and be culturally competent. Culturally competent teachers believe in children, connect with their lives and cultures, and learn who they really are (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 190). Exemplary African American teachers are described repeatedly by their students as having high expectations and a demanding teaching style. They insisted that students learn and refused to lower their standards, even if it meant working extra hours with students after school (Woolfolk, p. 191).

There are a wide range of coaching styles that have proven to be effective at motivating athletes at the high school, college, and professional levels. Coaching styles range from authoritarian (low warmth, high control) to authoritative (high warmth, high control). Both groups are firm in establishing rules and procedures, but authoritarian styles are more harsh and controlling, while authoritative styles allow more input from their players.

The book Coaching Matters did a study on ten of the top NFL head coaches of the past forty years to determine their reasons for success. It found that NFL head coaches must possess many different abilities, the most important ones being the ability to motivate and discipline players.

NFL head coaches have traditionally been very authoritarian in their coaching style. In a sport as violent and forceful as football, the most beneficial methods of motivating and disciplining athletes are commonly based on intimidation. There are two types of intimidation—physical and psychological, each requiring that the head coach have the authority and power to enforce a strict rule of conduct (Adler, 2003, p. 320).

The book concluded that, “an overly threatening, intimidating demeanor, as well as a hostile disposition and gruff nature, are critical—perhaps mandatory—qualities for any coach who hopes to achieve greatness at the NFL level” (Adler, p. 326).
There were exceptions to book’s conclusion, most notably Bill Walsh, who used more psychological methods to get his players to do what he wanted them to. He believed that a coach’s managerial style is a direct reflection of an individual’s personality (Walsh & Billick, 1998, p. 190).

I have heard this advice repeatedly from coaches and I can verify it myself with my past experience: “Be yourself.” Don’t try to copy the coaching style of someone else, because your players will see right through it.

The athletes of today are different than those of the past, and traditional methods of motivating these athletes must be modified. Athletes today will no longer blindly accept and follow the commands of their coaches. Athletes today want to know why. If a coach can effectively communicate why, he will be able to get the player to do he wants them to do. If the coach cannot give a good reason why, he will not be able to get his players to do what he wants.

I coached a great athlete who ended up being a two-time All-State RB. He always asked why when I told him to do anything. It was frustrating at first, and I thought he was being disrespectful, but he really wasn’t. He needed to know the why in order for him to be motivated to do what I told him. Once I began to build a rapport with the player and he started to experience success with doing things the way I told him, he would do whatever I asked of him and more.

The 2007 Super Bowl showed how coaching styles and motivation are changing in the NFL. Both Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts and Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears used authoritative styles in motivating their players. Tony Dungy said this after the Colts victory, “I’m proud to be the first African American coach to win this. But again, more than anything, Lovie Smith and I are not only African-American but also Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord’s way. We’re more proud of that” (K, 2007, 1).

Dungy and Smith’s faith impact everything about their coaching. Bill Walsh, who was a mentor to Dungy, noted, “Tony and Lovie are professionals, and I think that’s what players want. There are some coaches who are screamers in the NFL, but not as many as there used to be. The players just can’t see the real value of the coach if he’s continually harping at them and harping at the media and harping at everybody else. The coaches who continue to be so animated that they distract everybody are usually coaches without a lot of confidence. The confident coach can plot out what he needs, how his staff should function and people respect that.”

Walsh continued, “Tony and Lovie take a more civilized approach to it and they can reach more players that way. But I think in both of their cases they’re pretty darn firm when necessary, but they don’t go public with those things. Both are very knowledgeable about the game of football and how to deal with people. I hope this style is what survives rather than the coaches who run amok whenever they’re tested on the sideline, and the players see that they may have a madman on their hands and they may have to overcome it.”

Leonard Moore runs the African-American studies program at Louisiana State University, and he considers sport part of the curriculum. He has spent time studying coaches, including Dungy and Smith. “By them being African American men, I think Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith understand the culture of the hip hop generation,” Moore said. “They know that Bobby Knight stuff isn’t going to work in 2007, that yelling and trying to be that strict dictator. I think you’re dealing with a different generation of ballplayers that aren’t going to tolerate that stuff. “I don’t think they are trying to be players’ coaches at all. I think it’s, ‘I’m going to treat you like a man and in return I expect you to treat me like a man.’

I think Dungy and Smith see their role not only as coach but as mentor, father figure, and friend. Kids of this generation don’t want to be yelled at. I think you lead by example. In the black community, we’re big on this thing: ‘I don’t care what you say. I’m going to model what you do.’ So I think by Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith being very calm, cool and collected, players realize, ‘Maybe I don’t have to be loud and go off the handle. Maybe I can have some control over my anger and my emotions.’ That's what I see from Dungy and Smith” (K, 2007, p. 1).

The Bible explains the servant leadership model used by both Dungy and Smith in Matthew 20:25-28. It says, “25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (1996, Matthew 25:25-28).

Instead of using fear as a motivator, the Bible teaches that love is a better motivator. John Wooden says, “Pride is a better motivator than fear. I never wanted to teach through fear, punishment, or intimidation. Fear may work in the short run to get people to do something, but over the long run I believe personal pride is a much greater motivator. It produces far better results that last for a much longer time. Remember, pride comes when you give respect.”

“The most essential thing for a leader to have is the respect of those under his or her supervision. It starts with giving them respect. You must have respect, which is part of love, for those under your supervision. Then they will do what you ask and more.”

How do we give respect?

“You must make it clear that you are working together. Those under your supervision are not working for you but with you, and you all have a common goal.” (Jamison & Wooden, 1997, p. 114-117).

I played for a coach in high school who yelled a lot, and he motivated us through fear. We did what we had to do for him, but we weren’t motivated to go out of our way to do more. I believe that if a player knows that you genuinely care for him and his success, he will not only do what you ask him to do, but he will exceed that by finding a way to do even more.

The best up-close look I have ever had at authoritative motivation was when I was able to sit in a Defensive Backs position meeting with Coach Chuck Heater at the University of Florida during their 2007 Coaching Clinic in the middle of spring practice. I expected to learn some technical aspects of football, but what I got instead was the opportunity to see a master motivator at work. I was so blown away with what he was saying that I wrote much of it down word-for-word.

Coach Heater showed the previous day’s practice film to his position players, and he saw a player make a good play on Special Teams. He said, “Hey, good play there on Special Teams. Coach Meyer notices that stuff.” The young player perked up at the thought that the Head Coach would notice his performance, which certainly motivated him to continue that behavior.

He then saw a player who wasn’t giving it his best effort. He very calmly addressed the problem in a non-threatening way, and said, “My biggest issue with you on that play was your hustle. What do you think? Could you have found a way to make that play? That really surprises me. That’s not who you are.” He then went on about how the player usually gives it his best and how surprised he was, and finally he said, “I bet next time that doesn’t happen.”

Later he saw a player on film that was using improper, lazy technique on his stance and backpedal. “Your pads are too high. Get down like the athlete I know you are.” He then listed the key fundamentals of having a good stance and backpedal: bent knees, bent waist, chin over toes, and staying low. Then he asked the player about the critique of his technique, “Am I being too harsh? You can see it, right?”

I wasn’t sure how the player would react, but he nodded up and down and I could tell he was really listening, and that he had a desire to improve.

Young athletes do not respond positively to feedback unless it is worded correctly. Coach Heater was able to use the last two instances to critique the players’ effort and technique without critiquing the person. People don’t respond well when they feel like a finger is being pointed at them. Not only was Coach Heater able to critique performance without critiquing the person to make a point, I could sense that the players knew that he was on their side and it was almost like he was their biggest fan. He was able to get his players to want to improve and be the best they could be.

Players were motivated because they knew he cared for them and that he was a skilled teacher able to help them achieve their personal and team goals. He believed in his players, he held them accountable, and he offered supportive feedback. That’s what great coaching is.

References
(1996). Holy Bible, new living translation. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.
Adler, B. (2003). Coaching matters (1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books.
Browning, E. (2005). 2005 Coach of the year clinics football manual. Monterey, CA: Coaches Choice.
Connellan, T. K. (2003). Bringing out the best in others!. Austin, TX: Bard Press.
Jamison, S., & Wooden, J. (1997). Wooden. Lincolnwood (Chicago), IL: Contemporary Books.
K, D. (2007, February). Super bowl, super faith. Retrieved February 10, 2007, from http://www.rpmbooks.org/blog.html
Osborne, T. (1999). Faith in the game. New York: Broadway Books.
Walsh, B., & Billick, B. (1998). Finding the winning edge. Champaign, IL: Sports Publishing.
Woolfolk, A. (2007). Educational psychology (10th e

http://gunrun73.googlepages.com/

Why Coach

2008-07-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

BEFORE
I coach to win. Period.
I coach to show my knowledge of the game. Ego.
I coach to defeat the other coach. Competitor.
I coach because it gives me an identity. Insecurity.

Somethere there's a transformation. Maybe a negative event. Maybe maturation. Maybe something a kid or parent told you.
Somewhere there is an epiphany.

NOW
I coach to improve the lives of young people. Period.

Winning

2008-07-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

what is wrong with coaching to win? It is like winning is a bad thing now days. winning is a great thing. The more you win, the more people feel good, the more people who are going to be on your team.

I am not a winner at all costs. I believe when to teach people to win with honor you are doing the greatest service to them and this country.

Winning is not demeaning your opponents
Winning is not about beating the to the other team.
Winning is not about making excuses

[b]Winning is about beating yourself. Taking your own personal game up a notch. [b]True winners strive for every day excellence[/b] True winners have goals for practice every day. True winners are not afraid to fail. it is only through failure that success is uptained. [/b]

I have a sign in my office When you lose say little. When you win say even less.

I think people have confused winning with this in your face, taunting, gangster crap which is really a sign of lack of discipline.

One Coach's view on parents and schools

2008-07-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

Parents are 'enablers'
Parents do not teach personal accountability
School systems are more interested in avoiding getting sued by parents then they are of producing a generation of well educated, disciplined kids
"Instant gratification" in our culture
Parents convince little Johnny that he's the next Reggie Bush, if only coach weren't stupid enough to have him playing Tackle
Not as much respect for "team concepts" or "authority" because of this
This job would be awesome it it wasn't for parents and crappy spineless school administrations.

Stalk Block

2008-06-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

The MAJOR point of emphasis for the WR's was Stalk Blocking, so here goes:

After bursting off the L.O.S. the WR needs to breakdown about 4-yds. from the DB
The WR must NEVER lose ground or he will get his knees rolled up by onrushing players and be gone for the season/career
The WR keeps his shoulders square, do NOT turn sideways and "open the gate" for the DB to make the play easily on the ball carrier. The WR must be a wall
Once the WR locks his hands onto the DB he must Drive the DB in/out or back, etc.
Lastly, it is Good to reward players for solid stalk blocking and POINT it out on film study with group.

Keys to running a summer football camp

2008-06-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

The camp at Evangel is ran pretty much the same way as some have described. We get businesses to help sponsor the costs of the camp. To the coach having his first camp, these are some of the details that you will need to get done before even all the kids arrive.

1. Get camp insurance before all the kids arrive.
2. Paint your fields.
3. Make sure you have enough footballs that will fit younger hands and footballs that will fit middle school hands. Try to number your footballs and assign a coach of that position those footballs so you can get them back after camp to use the following year.
4. Make sure all of your lines are painted or if you are using your practice fields, do like we have done in the past, diesel the lines two or three days before.
5. Since our practice fields are away from our bathrooms we rent portable bathrooms that are close by.
6. We make sure we have a concession stand nearby for parents that are there to watch their kids learn.
7. Make sure you have enough water stations with the jugs filled so noone will dehydrate.
8. Have a fulltime person that does nothing but fill the water jugs up.
9. Get your high school players to help out so as you are teaching , they are your demonstators. Give those high school kids a camp t-shirt for helping.
10. Order t-shirts for the kids. Every kid gets a t-shirt that comes to our camp. Since we have businesses that help sponsor, those that give $500 or more, we give a t-shirt to that business. We also have plenty of advertising with our camp brochures and varsity programs for folks that help pay for the camp. Their name is also announced at all home games.
11. Have a precamp meeting a couple days before the camp to clear the air about assignments of each coach doing his postion.
12. Almost forgot this, order enough cups for the kids to drink out of, we had a local fast food chain buy enough cups in exchange for the advertising that they get on friday nights during the season.
13. Have a backup plan in case of nasty weather. Are you going to have a makeup day or do you let it be known that you will take them to the gym or let it be known that day is lost because of the weather.
14. At the beginning, have everyone sit togther and introduce your staff that will be dong the coaching for the camp.
15. Have your coaches meet after each day to make sure that there were no problems during the camp, if their was a problem, find a way to fix it if possible that day so you can be prepared the next day.
16. Sometimes during the camp we have parents that drop their kids off while they go do whatever they have planned while their child is at camp, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CELL PHONE NUMBER in case of emergency. You never want a injury but sometimes things happen.
17. Personally this is my feeling on a camp for K-5 even though our camp is K-8. Young kids have trouble with their attention span for long periods of time, they get hot and thiristy so you have to keep it fun for them. We never go over 2 hours with them as we hold our camp from 5:30 til 8. The first day it starts at 5 for preregistration. Make sure you are equipped in case you have a lot of walkups which we did last year which was nearly a 100 kids. Be prepared to order extra t-shirts and more concession items.

WARP SPEED LIGHTNING FAST FOOTBALL

2008-06-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Set up teams with 5-8 kids per team. Set up as many 25x75 yard fields as you need to have each team involved in a game.

The equipment needs are cones for each corner of the field and a football for each game, wrist bands, pinnies or skull caps to identify teams.

The game is played with one team starting with the football at its own goal line. The ball must be passed or pitched to start the "play"- any player who catches the ball MAY RUN UNTIL TAGGED.

When a player is tagged he is "frozen" and cannot run, he must get rid of the ball in 5 seconds or less. Failure to pass or pitch the ball in that time results in a turnover at that spot.

The player passes or pitches to a teammate, if the ball is caught then the new carrier can run until tagged.

If the ball is intercepted the defender may run toward the endzone until tagged. If the pass were dropped or poorly thrown for an incompletion, it is a TURNOVER and the other team starts with a pass or pitch from the new spot.

A PLAYER MAY NEVER PICK THE BALL UP OFF OF THE GROUND AND RUN WITH IT.

YOU CAN ONLY RUN AFTER A CATCH!

Tagging rather than shoving is a key part to the game to prevent injuries, players are coached to be HONEST and respect the "I got you" call from the tagger.

When playing the game with both boys and girls mixed we give the girls two points for a score while the boys earn just one, this prevents "ball hogging" by the boys.

AFTER A SCORE THE SCORING PLAYER PLACES THE BALL DOWN ON THE GOAL LINE AND THE OTHER TEAM STARTS THEIR POSESSION FROM THAT SPOT WITH A PITCH OR PASS.

THERE ARE NO KICKOFFS.

Trust me when I tell you that this game is lightning fast and involves throwing, catching, covering, running in the open field as well as in traffic.

Team work and effort/hustle is the key because the transition from offense to defense is lightning fast.

People I Hate! by Jim Wendler

2008-06-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

You know who I hate? People that say things like "I would have played football but my coach hated me", or "I would have been great but my coach sucked."

Let me give you some insight into coaching. I have been around a million coaches in my lifetime - some were better than others, but if I didn't play it was my fault. It was because I simply wasn't good enough, end of story.

Now let me respond to what many of these idiots often say to others when they just aren't good enough.

"The coaches' son was the quarterback, so they never gave me a shot."

Response: You sucked.

"My coach hated me so I quit."

Response: You really sucked. You sucked so bad that you quit and didn't bother to go to another school to play. Holy crap, did you suck.

"Coach wanted me to play defensive end, but I am a middle linebacker."

Response: Oh, no…I'm vomiting due to your suckiness. Please help me! You sucked so bad that you couldn't play either position. End the misery and start eating salmonella.

"I'm a running quarterback and they wanted me to throw the ball."

Response: You suck at everything you do. You play QB and you can't throw the ball? And you are so bad at running ball that they weren't even going to attempt to change the offense. You suck twice.

"I'm a defensive player, you know…REAL AGGRESSIVE, but they wanted me to play offense, so I quit."

Response: Kick me in the crouch and give me a sand enema! Only then will the pain of those words stop hurting me! You are the dumbest person alive and we can only hope that you never reproduce.

"My son was an awesome football player. His coaches screwed him up."

Response: Not only do you suck as a parent, but your kid sucks too! This is not that surprising though. The best part is that you are making excuses for your poor excuse of an athlete. Please end the circle of stupidity!

Let me let all of you in on a little secret: IF YOU DON'T PLAY IT'S YOUR FAULT! And also, you suck.

What I know about Life

2008-06-04T20:16:00.001-07:00

I know I'm a work in progress and there will always be a gap between who I am and who I want to be.
I know I don't have to be sick to get better, and every day brings opportunities to improve my life and my character.
I know it's easier to talk about integrity than to live it, and the true test is my willingness to do the right thing even when it costs more than I want to pay.
I know character is more important than competence.
I know it takes years to build up trust and only seconds to destroy it.
I know I often judge myself by my best intentions and most noble acts, but I'll be judged by my last worst act.
I know I can't control what will happen to me, but I have a lot to say about what happens in me.
I know pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
I know attitudes, both good and bad, are contagious.
I know winning is more than coming in first, and there's no real victory without honor.
I know it takes a conscientious effort to be kind, but kindness changes lives.
I know neither gratitude nor forgiveness comes naturally; both often require acts of will.
I know real success is being significant.
I know happiness is deeper and more enduring than either pleasure or fun, and I'm generally as happy as I'm willing to be.
I know the surest road to happiness is good relationships, and the best way to have good relationships is to be a good person.

EDDs for O Line

2008-06-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

Stance and start - working on stance, shifting weight, not false stepping ect.
Angle boards - working on base of OL waddling down angle boards
zig zag pass pro - series of 6 cones working on redirecting from power and angle kicks (OL must also keep their shoulders square while doing this progression while moving @ proper angles)
Use pipes (foam skinny pads or a stick) to work on 1 st step 2nd step in run and pass (give them steps to work on each day) - want to work on width w/ all steps in the run and pass game
Drill the first part of pass protection w/ OL by having them stop at the punch (working on keep the relationship w/ DL by not overkicking)

Books for you and your athlete's summer reading

2008-06-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

7 Sensational Summer Reads

Looking for some great reads this summer that will help you and your team go to the next level?

Sure there are some coaches books out there including recent ones by Avery Johnson, Terry Francona, and one about Bo Schembechler. You can certainly learn a lot from successful coaches at the elite levels of the game.

However, as you compile your summer reading list, I wanted to share some particularly interesting and mind-stretching books that are a bit off the well-worn path of coaches books. These books are sure to help you tackle some of the challenges you have as a coach/leader - but do so in an non-traditional way that takes advantage of some different, yet related fields of psychology, philosophy, human resources, management, and history.

1. A NATION OF WIMPS by Hara Marano

Trying to figure out how to effectively coach your batch of fragile, coddled, and "over-parented" student-athletes?

In book with a title that any coach can't help but love - A Nation of Wimps - Psychology Today editor-in-chief Hara Marano offers some great insights on why today's teenagers and young adults are struggling to adapt to the normal bumps of sports, school, and society in general.

She attributes the problem to the rise of harmful parenting styles including the helicopter parent and snowplow parent - that in actuality make it tougher on today's kids to overcome adversity.

In essence, today's hyper-involved, overprotective parents are doing so much for their children that they are unwittingly depriving them of developing the critical skills of mental toughness, overcoming adversity, problem-solving, conflict management, and leadership - the very skills that we as coaches, teachers, administrators, and parents know are so critical to success in athletics, and more importantly, life in general. If you too are concerned about where this is all going, sprint to get a copy of this book!

2. TOPGRADING by Bradford Smart

Looking to take your recruiting to a whole new level?

If so then Topgrading is definitely worth your investment in terms of time and money. The book takes an in depth look at the process of how to attract, recruit, screen, sign, and retain the absolute best talent for your team.

The book is based on the Topgrading system that General Electric and other top companies use to hire A players, develop B players, and eliminate C players.

College coaches especially will find some highly practical and effective suggestions that can easily be applied to getting the right talent and people in the recruiting process. This is definitely one that you better hope your competition doesn't read before you do.

For more info on Topgrading in recuiting, see our previous article called 7 Steps to Avoid the Selection/Recruiting Mistakes that Drive You Crazy and Devastate Your Program at:

http://www.championshipcoachesnetwork.com/public/359.cfm

3. LEADERSHIP GOLD by John C. Maxwell

Prolific leadership author John Maxwell has churned out yet another great book in Leadership Gold. Maxwell inventories and expounds on the critical leadership lessons he has learned over the past 60 years of his life as a pastor and leadership guru.

His 26 chapters include; Defining Moments Define Your Leadership, Don't Send Your Ducks to Eagle School, and Few Leaders are Successful Unless a Lot of People Want Them to Be. As usual, the principles he shares are highly applicable to the sports world and life in general.

If you enjoyed Maxwell's previous works, you'll love this one too!

4. MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE by Bill Strickland

The title alone captures what many coaches try to do with their teams. Recommended and given to me by the great people at Pitt Athletics, this book traces the inspiring story of one man's vision to make a huge difference despite growing up in poverty in inner-city Pittsburgh.

Author Bill Strickland has defied the odds and shares his amazing story of how he developed one of the most impressive high schools and job training centers in the world. Strickland's mission has contributed to uplifting the lives of many -- and his programs are used as models for developing similar educational programs around the world. If you are looking for some great inspiration on how to make a difference against all odds, this is the book for you.

5. THE 8th HABIT by Stephen Covey

In the 8th Habit, author Stephen Covey writes, "Deep within each one of us there is an inner longing to live a life of greatness and contribution - to really matter, to really make a difference... All of us can consciously decide to leave behind a life of mediocrity and to live a life of greatness - at home, at work and in the community."

This book encourages us to find, connect with, and pursue our passion and purpose in life -- whether we are a recent college graduate or an adult taking inventory of our life at middle age. The book is a fabulous teacher and reminder of the skills, tools, and insights we need to develop ourselves personally and professionally.

6. THE FOUNDING FATHERS ON LEADERSHIP by Donald T. Philips

In honor of our history buffs and the upcoming 4th of July holiday, another book I recommend is the Founding Fathers on Leadership. Not only will the book give you a great in-depth look at the against all odds, improbable birth of the United States. It examines the critical leadership skills of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Paul Revere, and others that were imperative to pull the whole thing off.

Through historical, engaging, real-life stories, the author brings these leadership lessons to life so that we can see how important they were to the success of the nation. He also does a great job of summarizing the leadership principles as bullet points at the end of each chapter so that people centuries later can still apply their lessons.

7. THE LAST LECTURE by Randy Pausch

If you haven't already seen it online, this book captures the last lecture given by Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch. It is really Pausch's final lecture because he has pancreatic cancer and has been given less than a year to live.

One of the many lessons he touches on was what he learned from his football coach. Your coaches are the people who care about you enough to provide you with feedback when you are not doing well -- because they have confidence that you can do it right. Even though he didn't make the NFL, he says he got many things from playing sports that are much more valuable.

Carve out an hour and 16 minutes of your time this summer and watch the lecture online if you haven't already seen it. You can find it at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

As John F. Kennedy once said, "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." Like you emphasize with your athletes, take advantage of your summer and invest the time to get better by reading. Talk with the fellow coaches at your school and select one of the seven books to discuss as an informal Book Club. Set a date in mid-August before school starts and get together to share your insights and lessons. You are not only investing in yourself, but more importantly, you are investing in your team.

8 Great Books to Share and Discuss with Your Athletes

Here are 8 great books to use with your team:

1. MIND GYM by Gary Mack

Mind Gym offers a lot of great peak performance wisdom in a short and highly manageable format. It includes several stories of professional athletes that players of all ages can relate to. It is a great resource to read as a team and the one I recommend most often when you are looking to help your athletes master the mental game.

2. IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE by Terry Orlick

If you are looking for excellence from your athletes, Canadian mental training consultant Terry Orlick's book will show your athletes how to achieve it. The book provides a very practical plan for developing areas like mental toughness, controlling distractions, and developing consistency through pre-performance routines.

3. THE SUCCESS PRINCIPLES by Jack Canfield

Chicken Soup for the Soul author Jack Canfield provides a comprehensive view of a variety of success principles that are sure to impact athletics and life. While significantly thicker than most of the other recommended books, the book is broken into numerous short chapters that you could assign specific ones to your players to read.

4. MASTERY by George Leonard

Have an athlete who is struggling with a performance plateau? Leonard provides a great resource that helps athletes and coaches understand that plateaus are a natural part of the whole process of mastering any kind of performance. It provides a great and much-needed perspective for today's instant gratification society. And it is especially good for those of you who do one on one coaching.

5. THE LEADERSHIP MOMENT by Michael Useem

Carolina women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance uses this book with his team leaders. The book includes several historical events (pivotal battle at Gettysburg, Merck deciding to provide a highly discounted drug to help cure river blindness) that the author looks at from a leadership standpoint. Dorrance assigns various chapters and discusses them with his core leaders.

6. SUCCESS IS A CHOICE by Rick Pitino

Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino says that people must deserve to be successful by making the choice to be on a daily basis. Pitino reminds athletes that indeed success must be earned. Alabama softball coach Pat Murphy has used this with his program.

7. TALENT IS NEVER ENOUGH by John Maxwell

John Maxwell expands on a philosophy that he got from Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel that having talent is simply not enough to be successful. The book stresses that the intangible factors in life like attitude, commitment, work ethic, determination and others are the key to achieving and sometimes transcending one's talent level.

8. THE TEAM CAPTAIN'S LEADERSHIP MANUAL by Jeff Janssen

Sprint out passing game

2008-06-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

Concept 1:
Out of a trips look...
Vert by #1 to clear the corner
12 yard out by #2 (or when the corner turns and runs with the vert)
Flat/arrow by #3 (this would be the FB in a pro formation)
Backside reciever runs a post
*If flat defender gets enough depth to defend the out, take your flat
Concept 2:
12-14 yard curl by #1
corner by #2
Flat/arrow by #3
Post by backside receiver

Link to some Run and Shoot Playbooks

2008-06-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.savefile.com/projects/163268

3x1 Quick Game

2008-05-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Team 1)

When we go 3x1 our quick game is intended to go to the single receiver who we either throw hitch or slant to based on the coverage. If we see a flat player in the throwing window to take away the quick game to the single receiver we usually have a numbers advantage to the 3 receiver side.

We then will look to throw the bubble or we have the following combo routes, with the thinking that in the quick game we want the ball out quickly.

1. Bow Route - #1 runs fade, #2 runs a 4 step speed out, and #3 runs a seam route hoping to wall off the falt player to open up the speed out.

2. Skinny - #1 runs a 5 step slant, #2 runs the bubble, and #3 runs the seam again.

Our whole process in the quick game when in 3x1 sets is simple...

1. Is our X receiver (single side receiver) 1 on 1
2. If our X is not 1 on 1, throw to the uncovered on the 3 man side.

Team 2)

Spacing and Y stick by far are the best.

I would add Snag to that which is a variation of Y Corner.

I also like our quick 6 man protection scheme running Fade out of 3x1

#1 Fade
#2 4 step Speed out
#3 Stick Route

That or a concept called Short a friend of mine gave me when I worked with him that is excellent

#1 Shallow
#2 3 step slant
#3 1 step slant

Happy Memorial Day

2008-05-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

• "I'm well and strong and young -- young enough to go to the front. If I can't be a soldier, I'll help a soldier." -- Clara Barton, founder of the American National Red Cross
• "It is not a sacrifice for the industrialist or the wage earner, the farmer or the shopkeeper, the trainman ... to pay more taxes, to buy more bonds, to forgo extra profits to work longer or harder at the task for which he is best fitted. Rather it is a privilege." -- President Franklin D. Roosevelt's call for shared sacrifice during World War II
• "We've paid no price and have accepted (political) leadership that's demanded nothing of us, and we've demanded nothing of them. We've been moral defectors and have repealed one of the greatest American values. In wartime, war demands equality of sacrifice." -- Mark Shields, former Marine and political commentator, describing the average American's lack of sacrifice during the Iraq War
• "People yearn for the memory of shared sacrifice that the Second World War represents. Now we're all free agents. We don't give up nothing. We were asked after 9/11 to go shopping. It was sort of, "don't worry your pretty little head about it." -- Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker
• "Memorial Day is about remembering. It's about remembering those who died for our country; but it's also about remembering why they believed it was worth dying for. Too many Americans, though, have never been taught our own history and heritage. How can you remember something that you've never learned?" -- Fred Thompson, former U.S. senator from Tennessee
• "The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life." --- President Theodore Roosevelt
"No soldier starts a war -- they only give their lives to it. Wars are started by you and me, by bankers and politicians, excitable women, newspaper editors, clergymen who are ex-pacifists and Congressmen with vertebrae of putty. The youngsters yelling in the streets, poor kids, are the ones who pay the price." -- Father Francis P. Duffy, New York City priest and famous battlefield chaplain of World War I, in a sermon at the 1931 funeral of French Army commander Marshal Joffre

Great Quote

2008-05-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

"Many people erroneously think they have only one chance to succeed in their life's work, and that if they miss that chance, they are doomed to failure. In fact, most people have several opportunities to succeed. If they learn from past mistakes, they will be better able to take full advantage of the next opportunity when it presents itself.''

The Divide Route in the Multiple Smash Concept

2008-05-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

The Divide Route in the Multiple Smash Concept

from: http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/01/divide-route-in-multiple-smash-concept.html

The "smash concept" is extremely popular for a reason: It's a great route. And it is simple to teach. The concept is designed to defeat Cover Two in its many forms. As Cover Two has evolved (Tampa 2, "Tough Two" with the corners retreating to ten yards and jumping routes, and Cover Two-Man), the Smash has become more and more popular.

A word here about verbiage. I refer here to the "Smash concept" or the "Smash route." Both refer to a two-man combination with the outside receiver on a 6 yard hitch and the inside receiver on a 12 yard corner route. Some coaches and teams go further and actually refer to either the corner route or the hitch route as a "smash" route. Again, "smash" to me is the combination - i.e. the concept - rather than any individual route.

In any event, the quarterback has a progression read: (1) corner, (2) hitch underneath. In his progression read he will "key" the cornerback: If the cornerback sinks back to stop the corner route, throw the hitch; if he comes up for the hitch, throw the corner. The best way to describe this to a QB is that you have a progression read and you "read" your receivers. You simply "progress" from one to two. In doing this though you have to understand what guys you are "keying," as their reactions should determine your progression. A Quarterback must understand defenses and defender reactions, but at the same time there is no telling where those 11 guys on defense will go, and as long as he knows where his receivers are and if the QB and the receivers are all on the same page we can run a successful play. We tell him his general rule is to throw the corner route until they take it away (though by gameplan or defense you can tell him to always throw the hitch until they come up for it).

I won't belabor the details of coaching up the "smash" portion of the route itself. If you want to understand all the details in depth, I suggest this. See here too for more on the "multiple smash route." (Registration required) Broadly, the inside receiver will run a 12 yard corner route. He has no "reading" on the play, but he must know his techniques. First, he should identify whether it is man or zone. Against man he will need to close his defender's cushion, push or lean him slightly inside, and plant and break hard away from the defender. Against zone he wants to see who he is running the route off of. If there is a deep defender over him he must set this man up inside and jab at the post at 10-12 yards and break for the corner. If there is no one head up on him he will roll cut his route so he loses no speed. It's worth mentioning though that even if he jabs or plants and breaks we want this closer to a "speed cut," as we don't want him to lose too much speed. A receiver can do this best by "jabbing" while having his toes actually pointed where he wants to go and having his "plant" foot not outside the framework of his body. Young receivers too often step way outside their body frames with their toes pointed in the wrong direction.

The corner route will be caught between 22-25 yards downfield. The QB's job is to "throw him open": throw the ball into the open grass. The receiver must react to the ball and go and get it. Against man to man defense to the short side of the field the depth of the route will be 18-22 yards.

See the above linked article for more specifics, but we tell the outside guy he has two portions to his route. First, run a six-yard hitch route (five-steps - three big and two small), and (2) the "option" or "get open" part of his route. We simply want him to find the open spot. If the corner comes up in Cover 2 zone he will push to 6, turn inside, and work inside to the next zone hole.

If the corner is off and he turns and there is a flat defender inside, he just wants to get space from that guy. If that defender hangs the hitch receiver will drift away from him at his 5-6 yard depth as an outlet for the QB.

If the flat defender flies out to cover him he will break inside this player. We'd like him to actually climb over this flat defender because he will better be able to find the zone hole created but if the flat defender hangs back too far he will come inside slightly and settle underneath.

The Divide Route

This is all fairly straightforward stuff that most people do. The point of this article is to talk about adding a bit more of a big-play dimension to theSmash by using the "divide route," which in other coaches terminology may be a "seam read" or a "tube-read." Both the route and the "read" are simple.

The divide route involves a MOFO or MOFC read by the inside receiver. MOFO simply means "middle of the field open," or no deep middle safety. MOFC means "middle of the field closed," or is there a deep middle guy. The nice thing about this read for the "divide route" as opposed to some other contexts is that the route, hence the name, is simply about "dividing" the deep coverage and the receiver has a lot of freedom to find the downfield open grass. It's a deep stretch and it is designed to strike safeties who overplay the smash or simply get out of position.

Obviously the immediate strength of the divide route as shown is that if a two-deep safety to the smash side overplays the route, one can hit the post route for a big play. If you keep the go route on the backside (as diagrammed) and both safeties overplay the Smash side then the "Go" might be open for a big play. The simple reality is that a Cover 2 team really cannot cover this concept effectively.

Against a Cover 3 zone the QB's "peek" is the seam backside. Before the smash part of his progression, he wants to get the F/S moving and hit the seam.

Running the divide to the trips side is even more dangerous. Any team that tries to play Cover 2 to the trips side will struggle mightily. Many defensive coaches instruct their kids to simply check out of Cover 2 against a trips look. Observe that the "divide" principles governing that inside receiver tells him that he will run more of a "skinny" post here inside the Cover 2 safety to break the deep coverage but avoid the safety on the opposite hash. If there is no deep safety the receiver has lots of freedom.

This is because, again, the governing principle of the "divide route" (one reason I like to call it this instead of a "seam-read") is that you can largely just tell the receiver that he has the area between the hashmarks to work to find the deep open vertical grass. A more advanced technique applies if the defense drops super deep so that he cannot effectively "divide" defenders. This will be done by gameplan, but if that is the case we will essentially let him "throttle" down a bit in the voids and the QB will still look to throw it in the open grass, but simply in the open grass in front of those deep dropping safeties.

In any event, see below for how the divide route will work against MOFO and MOFC defenses.

Cover 2:

Cover 3:

Now, what if it is a MOFC defense but that free safety is flying over too much? Well now it's time to be a good Ball Coach and tag the inside receiver on a "middle-read" route. I have previously explained that route here. The similarity with the divide is a post route against MOFO. The difference is a square-in or cross against MOFC. So if that free safety flies over, he will cut inside that guy. Observe that this is the exact same principle we used for that outside hitch receiver.

Backside hitch

Here is a last aspect to the play that I am a big fan of. I think the play is very effective if you keep the backside player on a hitch, particularly in trips. This gives you a great look against any soft coverage. When you do this you ask your QB to be a ball player and get the ball to the backside receiver if the defense gives it. (In other words, it's probably soft Cover 3.) If it's not there he looks over to the smash side and works his normal progression: Peek at the divide route, then work the smash combination.

Conclusion

This is a simple, well designed play that is both a ball-control, high percentage play, but with the divide route and the corner route it has great big-play potential. If the defense plays soft you will take what they give you, but if they play any kind of two-deep or if their safety gets out of position you will make them pay.

What is 2nd effort?

2008-05-21T12:20:00.001-07:00

1st year college coach about to go out on his first recruiting trip goes to the old veteran coach for advise, "What kind of kid am I looking for?", the youngster asks
The old coach looks at him as says, "You know the kid that gets knocked down and doesn't get up? We definitely don't want him. You know the kid that gets knocked down and slowly gets up? We don't want him. You know the kid that get knocked down and pops back up and keeps playing? We don't want him either."
The young coach looking confused says, "Then who do we want?"
The old coach smiles and says "We want the kid who knocked the hell out of all those guys!"

Dean Pees on Drills

2008-05-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Dean Pees, the DC from the Patriots. He gets asked all the time about drills. He said, I don't have set drills, I look at what we need to teach, or game plan, and make drills up. He also said drills like the tip drill is worthless.
The one thing I will tell you is find out what coverages and concepts you are going to put in. Then devise your drills around them. Sometimes we get caught up in the idea of drills and not necessarily how this is helping my kids get better at what we do(tip drill).

I break up my drills into 2 different parts:

1.Basic DB technique
-backpedal / basketball shuffle
-transitions and breaking on the ball
-defending a receiver
-getting off blocks

These drills can be used daily in your indy period, I have set drills that I use, and we do them every week. If we need to get better at something we emphasize that drill by using it more often.

2. Coverage concepts and progression
- these drills are a progression of how you are going to teach Corners and Safeties the specific coverage concepts you are going to use. I break the positions up and teach them while using the other as WRs to help. These are your made up drills or drills that teach specific coverage skills.