BOOK - Football 101

Football 101
It’s what you learn after you
know it all.
Casey Samson
Published by FastPencil, Inc.
Copyright © 2011 Casey Samson
Published by FastPencil, Inc.
3131 Bascom Ave.
Suite 150
Campbell CA 95008 USA
(408) 540-7571
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for any loss of profit or any commercial damages.
First Edition
This book is dedicated to the past, present and future players, parents and coaches of
Vienna Youth Incorporated (VYI) Football.
To my son Kevin, who has brought me more joy than I deserve.
To Nelson “Pops” Berry, for sharing my passion for football over the years and teaching
me there is more to football than what goes on inside the lines.
To Cliff “Superman” Doumas, for sticking with me even though I am hard to work with.
Thanks for your patience and skill. You actually turned into one hell of a coach.
To George Casey, for being a great mentor. I respect you more than any other coach for
your knowledge. Who else could come up with the perfect 6-3-3 right before the big game.
Dad and mom, I wish you were here to see Kevin, Morgan and Kelly. You would love
these kids. I love you and miss you.
❧
Acknowledgements
Great seasons come and go, until someone pulls a camera out and then
those magic moments are frozen forever. There is that moment you realize
you are going to win a championship, score a TD, catch a ball, make the perfect block, have a moment with your son and someone is there to capture it.
Years ago I was sharing one with my son after beating our rivals in a championship game and Diane Devens caught it (cover). When I go that picture
is going with me (along with my wedges).
This year was special like many others, but we had a professional photographer, a mother with a nice camera and a great trigger finger and two
people shooting game film to memorialize it all. The pictures, films, games
and stories were so good we had to write this book.
Professional photographers are powerful, but under appreciated. The
pictures by Pat Stewart of William Patrick Stewart Photography (wstewartphotopgraphy.com) were so detailed you could look into the eyes of the
other team’s running back and see the moment he realized his time was up.
Every team, regardless of sport, should have a professional photographer
shoot at least two special games per season.
Picture mom, Brenda Maclin, spent the season watching our games thru
a camera viewer, but man did she get the shots. A sequence of shots, in the
hands of a coach, are magic. It tells every story. They are very powerful and
Football 101
very helpful. I recommend coaches make every effort to get someone to
shoot a series of shots in big games.
The film crew is out on rainy nights filming the competition while the
team is practicing or sitting at home eating dinner. It is the film and pictures
on which the week and the game plan are built. Nothing starts until you
have good film. Cotton Via, a professional grandfather is the voice you hear
on youtube giving you down and distance. It is nice to have a camera man
not saying “What is that idiot thinking?” He might have thought it, but he
never said it and for that we thank him.
Last but not least was Supermom, Lorna Fitzgerald, our team mom that
did everything but the laundry. She is the one yacking on some of the game
film, yelling “Is that him, is that my buddy?” She was there with a camera,
but also with pasta dinners every Thursday, rosters, emails and a supportive
attitude all year. It takes a real army to move a team in and out of championships and she was the General.
We cannot acknowledge the 2010 Steelers without acknowledging all of
the great players, parents and coaches that have come through the VYI and
Steeler system. We are truly blessed with some great young men and supportive parents in Vienna VA, voted America’s #4 Top Town.
Massive thanks to the Red Pen editing crew: Nelson “Pops” Berry, Ms
Billie Berry, Kimmie “Tait” Micklus (whose red pen made the book look
like it had been shot), Cliff Doumas, Todd Casey, and Morgan Samson.
Content was a tough battle so I had nothing in the tank for spelling and
punctuation. This group keeps me from looking like an illiterate yack.
Thanks to Katie Herron for a great cover.
Acknowledgements
We say in the book that long term success starts with a solid organization
and organizations do not get any stronger than VYI. Started by a coach,
Tom Cooke, a finance guy, Bruce Spiro, a CEO, Joe Hall, and a sporting
goods guy, Bill Samson, 10 football moms and a town with parents that
wanted football. VYI has built a national reputation and hopefully lives up
to the high standards established by the founders and parents that started
VYI back in the 60’s. Our only goal is to live up to those standards. There is
no one we would rather run our program than David Hall (even though he
now calls me “Tom Clancy”) with Todd Casey as the ‘second in command’.
Bill Cervenak, The Grand Poo Bah, runs the VYI Hall of Fame which hands
out $25,000-$30,000 in scholarships to former VYI athletes.
We play in a league that is second to none. Fairfax County Youth Football League and it’s president, Mark Meana, provide the rules, refs, schedules and structure needed to pull off a world class season. We play on 20
new turf fields. When snipers shut down the Washington area, we played
240 games on an army base. When it snows we plow, when it rains we play,
when we whine we get our heads handed to us. The season is run with surgical precision and finishes with the big Fairfax Football Hall of Fame Banquet that usually has 700 people recognizing top players, coaches and Hall
of Fame inductees. Yep we live in a special place at a special time.
There are mentors named in the book; The Marines, Buddy Allison,
George Casey, Ricky Lipscomb and Pops whose contributions are well
documented, but there really are so many more. Bill McGregor is one of the
finest men I have had the privilege to meet. He was the head coach of
DeMatha, the NFL Coach of the Year and a role model to coaches and
players in the Washington Area. I heard a story that he traveled to the farthest reaches of MD to see a single A team who ran a special defense. I
thought great coaches knew it all. I asked him about it and he said the coach
was very gracious and helpful. I was floored. I realized I didn’t know any-
Football 101
thing and “It’s what you learn after you know it all.” Thanks for the wake up
call.
As for the book, without Pops we are lost.
As for our team, without Cliff, Mike, Sean, Rob, Tiger and the parents we
are powerless.
As for the players, without their dedication, work ethic and execution, we
lose.
As for football, without it, life would be boring.
As for coaching, well, life is coaching.
Thanks to my wife Carol for allowing me to follow my passion.
I hope you enjoy the book.
Regards,
Casey
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Introduction ................................................................ xi
How Did You Get Here? .................................................. 1
The Myths ................................................................. 13
The Rules .................................................................. 19
Building a Staff ............................................................ 33
Building The Team ...................................................... 47
The Wall ................................................................... 99
Protecting Warriors ....................................................
The Offense .............................................................
The Defense .............................................................
Special Teams ...........................................................
Prepractice Preparation ...............................................
WE LOVE Practice ....................................................
Pregame Preparation ..................................................
Game Management ....................................................
107
113
175
205
213
229
235
243
Playoff Run ..............................................................
The Championship ....................................................
Washington Metropolitan Super Bowl .............................
National Championship Tournament ..............................
The Mirror Test ........................................................
Videos In The Book ....................................................
How to Use This Book ................................................
They Said It! .............................................................
Mom’s Cheat Sheet ....................................................
Vienna Youth Incorporated ..........................................
Index ......................................................................
267
279
291
297
315
319
325
333
343
347
353
Introduction
Football is America’s passion,
it is our diversion from reality, it is
the scratch that itches our urge for
primal combat.
“American football makes
rugby look like a Tupperware
party.”
Sue Lawley
In order to have credibility in
the national conversation, you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLJQHyH-TNc
have to know the rules and where
they apply. For that, you need to
go back to the basics; back to where it all started - where fundamentals are
taught, where the rules are enforced, where character traits are developed,
where the team comes first, where the fun is, where the excitement is, where
everyone has a place - you need to go back to youth football where the
“How” is more important than the “What”.
Football is more than a sport. Football is a model of long term planning
and team building, of building character traits and physical fitness,
of setting expectations, of communication, execution, self examination
and evolution. It is a model that can be applied to any team, in any sport, at
any level or just as easily to any organization, business or family.
Football 101
Here are the tools that make football great:
FOOTBALL RULES
Football Rules govern our game regardless of competition level. Some
rules are so important; they are elevated to Commandment status. This
book contains the Coach’s Twelve Commandments and The Player’s
Ten Commandments.
Coach’s First Commandant
Thou Shalt Build the Offensive Line First
The offensive line is the most important element of a football team
Player’s Fourth Commandment
Thou Shalt Listen To and Follow Instructions
Teams have rules for running, catching, blocking and tackling among
other things. Players must listen to the way the coach wants it done and
follow his instructions.
Introduction
The rules of football are written in stone and are not negotiable. They
are unwavering and determine the outcome of games, teams and
careers. Most of the games lost Saturdays and Sundays are
because rules were broken.
FOOTBALL PLAYERS
The difference between a Football Player and
an Athlete: “A Football Player is an athlete who
puts the team first, an Athlete puts himself first.
You can use athletes, you just can’t depend on
them.”-Pops
The hijacker
Football Players are a source of pride for
families and their community. They need three things to have long term
success:
1. Solid fundamentals:
2. Warrior Mentality.
3. ”Good” character traits.
Here is what happens when you have the total package: We had a
player hurt on the second half kickoff, so we told the QB to call a few plays.
He brought the team to the line and called an audible. Our system was
simple but we had not used it all season. He looked for an open hole and
called a 247. The last number was dead so he is calling for a 24 Ice. The 2
back through the 4 hole. Everyone gets the call and we got 10 yards. He
went to the line and called another play, 8 yards.We had finished with the
injured player- The QB now had no need for coaches, he is hijacking the
team. He and the team were moving down the field. The defense could not
stop the drive so they decide to blitz (linebackers come to the line and plug
all of the holes). The QB sees everyone on the line and instead of panicking
he audibles to a dump pass to the tight end (Red Jimmy). Incredible call
Football 101
under pressure. There was no one within 10 yards of him as he caught the
pass and walked in for a TD.
What makes this so remarkable? The QB, most of the offensive line and
the tight end were all 7.
How tough are 7 years olds?
The same season we were having our last practice before the championship game. The offensive line came to the line. Our guard squatted like a
toad with a cramp. All of a sudden a puddle started to form under him. We
really did not know what to say so we let him finish. After practice we asked
why he didn’t ask to go to the bathroom. He said “I didn’t want to miss
practice.”
Technically sound, dedicated warriors, with great character traits, can do
anything, at any age.
How smart are 7 year olds?
In that championship game we were down 14-0 in the first half. Our
offensive coordinator, Bill Kidwell, showed great discipline as he stuck with
the game plan and the team marched down the field and scored. We got the
extra point 14-7. We get the ball back and march the ball down again as the
clock is running down. We scored. 14-13. For the extra point I step in and
decide to use the #1 running back as the decoy and give it to the full back
who is stopped on the 1 foot line. We lose.
It was all my fault but what do anklebiters know. As we are driving home,
the jeep was quiet. My 7 year old looks at me and says “Why didn’t you run
Lamar on the last play?” I asked “Are you saying I blew the game!?!”. His
comeback was pretty quick, “yeah you did.”
Introduction
FOOTBALL COACHES
VYI founder Tom Cooke (left) and Ruthie with their grandson
RT. Pops Berry is on the right
Kids may not remember who
their math teacher was when they
were 13, but they will definitely
remember their football coach.
Football coaches have an impact
on kids that far exceeds the football field so combining character
traits with football skills is job 1.
Football coaches need to have
four elements to be a success:
❋ Technically sound, which only comes from studying under great
coaches with solid systems.
❋ Ability to communicate with parents, players and coaches.
❋ Ability to inspire and lead.
❋ Great work ethic.
If coaches are missing one element, the season will be a struggle regardless of the record.
How important are communications? I coached a high school team
one year. I yelled at the outside linebacker to “Watch the flat”. The QB
threw a pass to the flat. The linebacker was nowhere to be seen. I yelled
again and the QB threw to the flat again, no linebacker. I pulled him out of
the game and yelled at him for not listening and following instructions. He
said: “Coach, I don’t know what the flat is”. Note to self: Before you get
mad at someone for not performing a task, ask yourself: Did we tell him
where the flat is?
BTW: The flat is the area of the field from the hash marks to the sideline
and from the line of scrimmage (LOS) to about 10-12 yards deep. See “Pass
terminology” in the Offense chapter.
Football 101
When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach
for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run
through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team.
- George Raveling (Basketball GURU)
Are football coaches nuts? We were having our last practice before the
County Championship game. The weather was very bad. We consider all
bad weather Steeler weather. A mother came up and said a tornado set
down in Falls Church, the next town over. We really needed the work so I
asked, “East Falls Church or West Falls Church?” East Falls Church gives us
at least 10-15 more minutes. She looked stunned, called me an idiot, put her
kid in the car and drove off. I would call that “special focus”, so it really
depends who you ask.
FOOTBALL DADS
All a father wants is for his son is to play for a good coach so he can learn
to have passion for any sport, or activity, in a safe and successful environment. Some teams have complete staffs and some don’t. At the youth level,
most, if not all, of the teams can use another set of hands.
This book allows a father to understand the process better and come
down off the hill and contribute in a meaningful manner. The drills and
strategies in this book have been developed over the years and are used by
national championship teams. They are applicable at all levels of high
school and youth football and focus on teaching the fundamentals of football. Consider this book your own personal reference guide.
Introduction
FOOTBALL MOMS
“Football moms” are our treasure, and
a part of this great tradition. Team moms
run the silent army of parents who do all of
the behind the scenes work, which turn
winning seasons into special seasons.
You know you’re a football mom
when:
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You keep score at T ball games.
You scold your child for fighting, but still want to know who won.
You wear Under Armour.
Bring a lawn chair to practice.
You think the coaches are too soft.
You don’t have to “Wait till your father gets home” to take care of business.
You have a red cup waiting for the coach after practice.
You tell your son “you’ll live” when he comes over with an injury.
You organize tailgate parties.
You put the team’s best interest ahead of your kids.
Football 101
FOOTBALL TEAMS
Football teams are the toughest fraternities to join. You have to earn your
way onto a football team and once there, you will know the thrill of bare
knuckle combat. You will know what true unfiltered camaraderie means.
You will know fear, and gain strength from your team mates. You will learn
to depend on others and have them depend on you. You will be able to
share the ultimate satisfaction of a job well done with true buddies. When a
team comes together with talent, and strong character traits, nothing can
stop them.
A team is more than players. It includes the coaches and the parents all
pulling together for the same cause: a “Special Season”. They are so rare
that when you have one, it will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Here is the recipe for a Special Season:
❋
❋
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Talent comes first- You can’t win without it.
Solid Character traits- “Team first” mentality, hard work, discipline
Head coach with a solid plan.
Skilled coaches who know the plan, can teach it in practice and monitor
it in games.
❋ The patience to stick to the plan
❋ Teams who can turn weaknesses into strengths
Introduction
❋ Great support staff who takes care of: films, pictures, water, chains, parties, fundraising.
❋ Luck- I know, the harder you work the luckier you get, but luck plays a
part in all great seasons.
I have won without all of these elements and lost with them, but when
you can have both, that is the “Special Season”.
OFFENSE
A Football Offense is like golf. It has tools and rules. The tools in golf
are the clubs, and the rules for when you use which clubs. You use a sand
wedge (tool) when you are in the sand (rule). Football is similar: The
“plays” are the tools, and the “rules” dictate when you use them. You sweep
(tool), when you play slower teams (rule).
The only difference is that football is like playing golf on the
highway.
In order to not get run over, coaches need to remain calm, use well
engineered plays that are executed by trained, fundamentally sound warriors utilizing rules that have been developed over years of trial and error.
Football 101
Pretty simple until the X’s and O’s start moving and then a thoughtful game
plan turns into a controlled riot. The coaches and teams that have the discipline to stick with the plan will have success.
Offenses need to be simple enough to allow the players to perfect the
plays, and flexible enough to attack a defense up the middle, off the tackle,
around the end or in the air.
In this book we will lay out our offense with all of the plays and rules. We
are not saying it is the best, but it has consistently worked for us at all levels
and allowed us to win multiple championships on the local, regional and
national level. You will be there to see it win all three.
Football Plays
The play comes in from the bench designed to attack the defense based
on their weaknesses, the down, distance and game situation. The ref blows
the whistle and the plan is put in place. The Offense charges to the line. The
defense is unimpressed. The linebackers call out formations and strength
calls. The quarterback reads the defensive formation for any last second
changes. The O line reviews its blocking rules in their head. The defense
digs in.
Introduction
On command a well engineered plan turns to chaos. The time for
thinking is over. Instinct and training take over. The O line takes the critical first step to gain leverage on the defense. The defense resists. The linebackers (the pack leaders), prowl linebacker alley taking away any lanes of
escape. The back tries to retreat to the outside. The backers stalk their prey.
There are other members of the pack who will not let them out. The back
sees the point is not an option and freezes: judgment time- bail out of
bounds, or take your whipping like a man. Too late, the defense has made
his decision for him. The next second and a half will not be pretty.
The whistle blows, and the 7 seconds of violence and chaos are over, the
battle is done for now, but in 30 seconds it will all happen again.
DEFENSE
“My advice to defensive
players: Take the shortest route to
the ball and arrive in a bad humor.”
-Bowden Wyatt/Tennessee
The job of the defense is
simple: Stop the offense. There are
many different ways to skin that
cat but we will choose one that has
worked for us.
It doesn’t matter is you are in a 5-3, 4-4, 3-5. It doesn’t matter if you run a
“Jam and contain”, “Trap and kill”, or “Attack and destroy”, the most important thing about defense is tackling. You must be in the right place at the
right time and tackle well. The rest is all opinion.
In the ”Defense” chapter of this book we will lay out the defense we
run. We are not saying it’s better than the others, but it has won in over 90%
of the games we have played over the past 17 years.
Football 101
FOOTBALL GAMES
Football games are events; they are destinations, mini vacations, they
are Christmas and 4th of July wrapped into one. They are a community
event and the topic of conversation for the entire week. During the game,
fans, players and coaches experience the bucket list of emotions: excitement, fear, anger, determination, frustration, pleasure, thrills and in the end,
ultimate satisfaction for one and devastating defeat for the other.
How important is a football game?
In 2002 the Washington area was terrorized by a sniper randomly
shooting people at gas stations, schools, and parking lots. Every sport in the
area was shut down and schools were paralyzed. Not football. Practice continued in people’s back yards under the watchful eyes of the parents. Our
commissioner, Mark Meana, called the local Army base commander for
help. The US Army allowed the parents and coaches to paint 16 fields on
their parade ground and around the base. Under the watchful eye of armed
soldiers and Army K9 units, the league played 240 games over the weekend.
That’s how important football games are.
Introduction
If a sniper can’t stop us, a little snow removal is no problem
Football 101
SHOW TIME
stories will bring the season to life.
To demonstrate the application of the a long term plan, rules
and startegies, we will follow the
2010 Vienna Steelers as they
attempt to defend their National
Championship utilizing the rules,
drills, plays and strategies in this
book. The pictures, videos and
1
How Did You Get Here?
The question my son asked in the car was
simple enough, but the answer was a monster and would keep me awake for months.
Here are the four things that have helped give us
long-term success:
This was the night of the big
championship win. Some nights
are better than others.
1. Passion. If you are doing something you love, you can work unlimited
hours.
2. A solid organization that has support systems and a record of success.
3. Successful coaches/mentors who taught us. You don’t have to invent
the wheel, just learn how to make it work.
4. We developed our own plan that lays out the “What” and the “How”
based on the our experience and information.
NOTE: Do not confuse long term success with short term success. Short
term success is LUCK. Luck is being born on third and GOD throws a
curve ball in the dirt allowing you to walk home on the pass ball. Luck is
seductive, luck is temporary, luck makes people take shortcuts and risks.
1
2
Football 101
You can’t make a living on luck. You need luck- luck is nice to have- but you
cannot depend on it.
THE PATH TO LONG-TERM SUCCESS
There is satisfaction in knowing you were prepared, you fought the fight
against a worthy opponent, you gave it your all and achieved your goal.
Long-term success means knowing you can do it again!
Passion
Finding your passion is job one. If you are trying to figure out what your
passion is, here is the test:
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What are you thinking when you go to sleep?
What are you thinking about at 4 in the morning?
What do you live to do?
What can you do for hours and still want more?
What makes you run through walls?
What is your favorite topic of conversation?
How Did You Get Here?
3
That’s your passion. Find it, follow it.
The Organization
It is always best to start at the begining. No team, at any level, in any
sport, can achieve long-term success unless it has a solid foundation
from an organization with clear rules and support systems that allow its
teams to evolve and flourish.
I was LUCKY enough to have been born into one of this country’s premier youth football organizations: Vienna Youth Inc. At its inception, V.Y.I.
consisted of a football coach, a corporate CEO, a financial guy, a sporting
goods guy, 10 “football moms” and a ton of Vienna parents who wanted
football in our town. It has evolved into an organization today with a
National reputation.
They established By-laws, a corporate structure base, and support systems that work to run the organization effectively to this day:
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Ways and Means/Fundraising
Ongoing training for coaches and team moms
Top-of-the-line equipment and training on how to use it
Solid communications of who is doing what
A Coaches Selection Committee of one individual
A Coaches Conduct Committee of one individual
Experienced coaches mentoring younger coaches
Inflow of former players becoming coaches
Solid non-Dad coaches who lend long term stability to the organization
❋ End of season awards banquets for current players
❋ Hall of Fame banquet and scholarships recognizing former players
and people who make the organization a success.
4
Football 101
More operational information about VYI is covered at the Appendix
of the book.
Working with Mentors
There was a man on top of his home as flood waters rose. A rescue boat
came up and told him to get in. The man said he was very religious and
GOD would not harm him. The water rose to the roof and another boat
approached the man. “Get in the boat, we are here to save you”. Again the
man refused and said God would not harm him. The water rose to his feet
and a third boat came to him. They begged him to get in the boat but he
again refused. The water rose and the man drowned. When he got to heaven
he asked GOD: “I believed in you, how could you do that to me?” GOD
said: “I sent three boats”.
The mentors are in the boat- you just have to be smart enough to get in.
FOUR GREAT MENTORS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR PLAN
#1 The United States Marine Corp
Marines take great pride in being the best in the world at what they do.
They keep things simple and train beyond the point of getting it right.
Marines train until they can’t get it wrong.
How Did You Get Here?
5
Marines believe in perfection and precision. It is not a catch phrase, but
a way of life. One wrong move, one failed assignment could cost
someone their life. Marines play for keeps.
Marines believe in discipline and courage. There is no obstacle that can
stop them and nothing that scares them. Once you have survived Parris
Island, everything else is a picnic.
Marines are passionate about being the best.
Every year I claim: “This is the best team we have ever had.” The other
coaches laugh at me. Every Sunday I claim “these are the best pancakes I
have ever made” (they are Aunt Jemima out of the box), or this it is the best
movie I have ever seen, the best home I have ever listed the best player I
have ever coached and the list goes on. In my mind, all of those things are
true. My family is convinced I am a lunatic. The fact is: Passion for being the
best never fades, it only gets stronger.
These traits have produced millions of young men and women that protect our country. If used correctly, they also build great teams, especially
football teams.
Turning points come in people’s lives when they are least expected and
will change them forever. Mine happened at Parris Island:
I was struggling as an 18 year old. My senior drill instructor came to me
and told me I had the ability to do great things but I was wasting it, which I
was. He gave me the confidence and inspiration I needed. I became an
honor Marine at Parris Island, a member of the Presidential Honor Guard
and did a three year stint on the ultimate team: The Unites States Marine
Corp Silent Drill Team at Marine Barracks 8th and I.
Inspired people do great things. Coaching allows you to inspire others
and be the turning point in their lives.
#2 BUDDY ALLISON
Buddy was a former Marine and a great coach. Buddy taught me:
6
Football 101
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Football is fun
Draft for speed, speed and speed, then good looking moms (GLMs)
Discipline works in football just like the Marines
You can drive your team with fierce determination and still have them
love you
❋ He felt that if parents heard him cussing at their kids, they were too close
to the field
❋ Buddy would never talk to a parent about playing time or positions
Buddy died too young as well, but all of these traits are in use today,
except for one:
Years later we drafted a kid who was very fast but was new to football. We
had the policy of not talking to parents about playing time or position,
and we communicated that to them. His father sent me an email saying
“Nick is an AAU track and basketball star.” That was it. We gave Nick the
ball and I am not sure whether it was his athletic ability or fear, but nobody
could catch him. Vienna had won a hundred championships at the A level
and over a hundred at the C level but never at the B level, which was dominated by smaller, faster clubs. We went 20-0 with Nick as our 2 back and
won Vienna’s first two Championships at the B level in it’s 40 year existence.
We now encourage parents at the beginning of the season to tell us in
one sentence what we need to know about their kids. After that, the Buddy
Allison rule is in full force and effect.
How Did You Get Here?
7
#3 GEORGE AND RICKY
George Casey is a local dentist
and one of the smartest coaches I
know. We worked together off and
on in the early 80’s, but we really
got together for a great run in
1994. He and Ricky Lipscomb
were the first coaches under the
150 lb program to consistently
beat Maryland teams in the Washington Area Metropolitan Super
Bowl (Metro Bowl).
George and Ricky believed in
three things:
Nice wheels
Get great players
❋
❋ Run well designed plays
❋ Work hard against the best talent available
George and Ricky were great “X’s and O’s” guys and would teach me
the base offense, defense and rules we would use throughout our career:
❋ Ran north and south with an I formation, more commonly referred to
as jamming the ball down people’s throats. You know, “real” football.
❋ Used strong tough full backs as battering rams.
❋ Ran 60-70% of the time and had a great passing game,which kept
teams off balance. They would throw short and long and the combo
routes were easy read routes.
❋ Their teams could hit every part of the field, quickly.
❋ They prepared for other teams like no one else. George could tell you
where the coaches had dinner the night before. Ricky and George had
film on everyone and studied it thoroughly.
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Football 101
❋ George had a staff that NFL teams would envy and everyone knew his
job.
❋ George, his staff and players were totally focused and immune to
things like weather,field conditions or opponents.
The
team and coaches’ work ethic was unstoppable. They just plain out
❋
worked everyone else.
❋ George would leave the defense to me but I learned most of it FROM
him, and by trial and error over the years.
At the Vienna Inn, Ricky and George would lay out plays using Sweet
and Low packets (pink) and I would lay out my defense with sugar packets.
They would throw out their new play and I would have to defend the play
using our defensive rules and reads. Sugar always won.
Changes before the big game
One day George showed up at my office before a big game with a new
defense written on one of those pads ” From the desk of George Casey”
with a little tooth on it. He was pumped. It was a perfect 6 - 3 with 2 corners
and a safety. It was the best defense I have ever seen- for TWELVE guys. When
he realized what he had done, he tried to snatch the letter back. Too late, it sat
on my “wall of shame” next to the $3 check from Billy Kidwell for a golfing debt.
Stopping Speed
We heard there was a team in DC that nobody would play. Theywere thrown
out of the Capital Beltway League and the Jabbo Kenner League in
DC. George would play anybody that had speed so down New Hampshire
Ave.we went.The field looked like a war zone—the buildings were boarded up,
the pool had come out of the ground at the small community center, and there
was a dice game going on by the school. From around the building, comes the
team. They had nice uniformsand marched in two straight rows. They looked
disciplined. Their coaches wore long black leather trench coats. At first glance,
they didn’t look that big, but they sure did look fast.
The first play from scrimmage taught me everything I needed to know about
speed.They ran a wing T which is known for misdirection. At the snap of the ball,
How Did You Get Here?
9
it looked like bees going everywhere. I have never seen kids go in so many directions so quick. The back was around their corner and he was gone. We really had
never seen that kind of speed and we had a 40 game winning streak. Time for an
epiphany and instructions on the fly: “Split the field in half, everybody stay
home. Right side: worry about whoever comes to your side. Left side, do the same.
If flow goes away, look for misdirection. Later Ray Gordon would come in with a
term “BCR: Boot, Counter, Reverse” that we all use. Middle guard and Middle
linebacker have the QB. “If he keeps it, break down and kill him.” As GOD as
my witness they never got out of the backfield again and I learned the key element of beating speed: Speed is only speed, if the ball carrier gets out of
the backfield.
We worked on breaking down, trapping and killing. We beat the team 7
TDs to 1 that night and never worried about playing speed again.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: POPS
“It’s what you learn after you know everything.”
John Wooten
By 2001 we had experienced a lot of success so I
was pretty full of myself. Nelson “Pops” Berry was
sitting on some dummies at the first day of tryouts that
year. Pops coached with the dream team of coaches
back in the 60’s and 70’s. Tom Cook, Joe Hall, Bruce Spiro, John
Wooden and Pops were legends in Vienna.
I hadn’t seen him in years. I asked: “Coach, do you want to yell at these
kids”. He gets up off the dummies and started yelling and waving his cane
around. He scared the hell out of me and the players. The 60’s were back.
He took those kids over the hill and all we heard was yelling and crying.
That group was never the same. That was the year we won Vienna’s first
central championship.
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Football 101
Pops stayed with me for a few years and then moved to North Carolina,
but every Sunday we talked. Here’s a powerful Sunday conversation:
Pops: ” There is a big difference between Athletic Arrogance and Arrogance.”
Casey: “Stop”
Silence for 2 minutes. I knew he just said something powerful and I
needed to get my arms around it. He waited,
Casey: “Define that”
Pops: ”Athletic Arrogance is a cocktail of PASSION, FEARLESSNESS,
AGGRESSION, CONFIDENCE, WORK ETHIC, and HEART, but must
be accompanied by “TEAM FIRST” MENTALITY, HUMILITY and
the DISCIPLINE and INTELLIGENCE to know when to use which trait.”
Arrogance- ”are A*&^%$#.” Let’s just say you will know it when you see
it and you won’t like it.
That explains why people:
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Love Michael Jordan and don’t LeBron James.
Love Jerry Rice and not TO.
Love the old Brett Favre and not the new Brett Favre.
Respect the new Kobe more than the old Kobe.
Love Alex Ovechkin and not Albert Hainesworth.
Like Derek Jeter and not Alex Rodrigez.
Like the Pittsburgh Steelers and not the Dallas Cowboys.
If someone in youth leagues, high school or college had just taught the
right column about “Humility” and “Team First” mentality, they would be
on the left column.
How Did You Get Here?
11
It was Pops who brought: Humility, caring, passion and a huge
knowledge base to our Plan.
Pops forces thoughtfulness and self examination. He makes me write
out everything that went wrong in a “Pops list” after every game and
season. This allows you to open your eyes, evolve and get better every week.
As the season goes on the Pops list gets smaller and smaller as the team
nears perfection and the championship run. One of the most powerful
quotes in the book is:
Turn your weakness into your strengths
Darryl Royal
The Pop’s list helps you do just that. Every team needs a Pops.
Developing Your Plan
The “Plan” is a team’s operating manual. It is built from
the experiences and information the coach has deveolped
and includes: How you build your staff and your team,
your offense and defense, your drills, communication system, how you
set expectations, practice schedules, pre game routines, game management systems, and off the grid games. It also lays out what you want the
players and families to take with them when the season is over.
Here is the recipe for “Our Plan”.
From VYI:
Get great players who have been trained in fundamentals by experienced coaches for the past 4-5 years. They bring with them supportive
parents who run everything behind the scenes.
From The United States Marine Corp:
Add precision, perfection, work ethic, warrior mentality and discipline as well as the ability to improvise and inspire,
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Football 101
From Buddy Allison:
Take the ability to have fun, learn the key to the draft (GLMs)
and bring Marine traits onto the football field.
From George and Ricky:
Take their organizational, team building and work ethic skills, as well
as the well-engineered offense.
From Pops:
Add the ability to force thoughtfulness and examine your plan after
every game and season. Evolve by realizing you could write a book on what
you don’t know. Focus on the kids and building character traits.
Add my years of experience running a defense whose specialty is shutting down the edges and my core competency of communication skills
and ability to inspire and motivate (you have to bring something to the
table) and there you have it, the Plan!
For all of these reasons it is very difficult for a head coach to take credit
for a team, when so much of the credit is due to other influences in the boat.
If you see the word “I” anywhere in this book, it is a typo.
This book is about the rules and tools that this group has developed and
how the current staff uses them to implement the Plan. The Plan is
dynamic and changes throughout the season based on resources and competition and evolves over the years.
NOTE:Throughout the book you will notice lists like “10 Commandments” and count 12, when you see “the 4 most important words are…”
and we list 6, it is a reminder that teams and plans are not set in stone, they
evolve.
2
The Myths
This Chapter will blow up some of the myths in football and set reality.
Myth: The goal is to win.
Reality: The goal is perfection. Winning just happens to teams that
strive for perfection.
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Football 101
“Show class, have pride, and display character.
If you do, winning takes care of itself.”
— Paul “Bear” Bryant
Myth: Football is a game of inches.
Reality: Football is a game of details.
Myth: Running through a wall is an expression.
Reality: Running through a wall is real and required.
Myth: Players can only give 100%.
Reality: Players over the wall can give more then 100%.
Myth: You need to keep it simple for younger players.
Reality: You need to keep it simple for all players.
Myth: To become the best you can be, players need to play their primary sport 12 months a year when they are young.
Reality: Each sport brings different skill sets that can be used in all
sports. Players who only play one sport, tend to burn out by high school.
Myth: There is too much injury risk in football
Reality: The only risk is kids missing the character traits they need.
Reality: Equipment and training make football safer than riding a bike,
skateboard, baseball, softball and soccer.
Reality: Growing up with fear is the worst thing a kid can learn.
The Myths
15
Myth:Fearless players are reckless.
Realtiy: Fearless intelligent, disciplined players are Warriors.
Myth: It’s what you do.
Reality: It’s what you do next.
Myth: If you are talented enough, you can break the rules.
Reality: Rules apply to everybody.
Myth: Long term success is about coaching.
Reality: Long term success is about organization. Organizations will be
here long after coaches and players are gone.
Myth: More complicated teams confuse opponents.
Reality: More complicated teams confuse themselves.
Myth: Ex college and pro players make the best coaches.
Reality: Long term coaches following the team’s rules make the best
coaches.
Myth: Bigger, faster, stronger wins.
Reality: Discipline, focus, and intelligence wins.
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Football 101
Myth: Good players make coaches look good, bad players make coaches
look bad.
Reality: OK, this one is true.
Myth: QBs and running backs determine offensive success.
Reality: The O line determines success.
Myth: Offenses need to be complicated.
Reality: The fewer plays run perfectly, the better.
Myth: Better equipment prevents injuries.
Reality: Better tackling techniques prevent injury.
Myth: You tackle with arms and shoulders.
Reality: You tackle with hips and thighs.
Myth: The person who makes the tackle deserves the credit.
Reality: It is often someone else, taking away the offense’s first option
that causes the tackle.
Myth: Football is a contact sport.
Realty: “Football is a collision sport., Dancing is a contact sport.”
-Duffy Daugherty-Michigan State
Myth: A defensive back got burned.
The Myths
17
Reality: A perfect route, perfect throw and perfect catch are almost
impossible to stop.
Myth: You need to blitz to be aggressive.
Reality: We rarely blitz and running backs and QBs do not want any
thing to do with our defense.
Myth: Kill shots make the game more exciting.
Reality: Kill shots are damaging the sport.
Myth: Special teams are not that important.
Reality: 3 loses in 4 years by 6 points says extra points win Championships.
Myth: Game Plans are hard to do.
Reality: Game Plans write themselves.
Myth: Practice is hard work.
Reality: Practice is fun. If it’s not, you’re doing it wrong.
Myth: Pregame starts 1 hour before game time.
Reality: Pregame starts 24 hours before game time.
Myth: Teams play it by ear.
Reality: Teams need routines to prepare consistently.
Myths: Head coaches coach during the game.
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Football 101
Reality: Assistant coaches coach games, head coaches manage
games.
Myth: Players win games.
Myth: Coaches win games.
Reality: Teams win games.
Myth: Teams that make the most big plays, win.
Reality: Teams that make the fewest mistakes, win.
Myth: Championships are the time to bring out the new stuff.
Reality: Championships are the time to dance with what brung ya.
Myth: The season ends after the last play of the final game.
Reality: The next season starts at the last play of the final game.
Myth: “What” you do is more important than ”how” you do it.
Reality: The “how” is far more important.
3
The Rules
Rules of football
In the words of Big Baby “All rules apply”
Football, like life, has rules. Break the rules lose the
game. Before you can play by the rules, you need to
know the rules. They include The Twelve Commandments for Coaches and and the Ten Commandments Players. There is also a set of rules each team is
run by. Each position on a football team has a job. Each coach will establish
their own set of rules. This book applies to our rules. If the team follows the
rules, and everyone does their job. Winning just happens. Here are the rules
we go by:
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Football 101
COACH’S TWELVE COMMANDMENTS
First Commandment
Build the Offensive Line First.
With a great line you can control the ball on the ground and have plenty
of time to pass. All the speed in the world will do you no good if it can’t get
out of the backfield and the best QB can not operate if he is running for his
life. The Redskins have won 3 Super Bowls with 3 different QBs and running backs, but one great O line.
Second Commandment
Good players make coaches look smart. Bad players make coaches
look dumb.
Great players have strong character traits and get stronger as the season
progresses. Players with weak character traits are a cancer to a team.
Third Commandment
K eep It Simple.
The player responsibilities need to be simple enough to perfect. The
number of plays can only expand to the level that you have the capacity to
perfect.
Fourth Commandment
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21
Dance With What Brung Ya.
Teams should focus on doing what they do well and improving their
weakness. Success comes from perfect execution.
Fifth Commandment
You are Only as Good as Your Back Up Guards
Success is about redundancy. You need to have back ups at everything. If
the water boy pulls a hammy, the back up water boy takes over. This goes
for every position and every coach.
Sixth Commandment
Take Away What the Other Team Does Best.
Make them beat you with what they don’t do best.
Seventh Commandment
Turn your weaknesses into strengths.
In big games the first thing teams do is take away what teams do best.
Make sure your weaknesses (and weakest players) can win you championships.
Eighth Commandment
Focus on Fundamentals.
Football is about blocking and tackling. The team that blocks the best
and tackles the best usually wins.
Some people try to find things in the game that do not exist.
Football is about blocking and tackling.
Vince Lombardi
Ninth Commandment
Know Your Enemy.
Key players, plays and defenses help coaches build their game plans and
set the agenda for the week of practice. There should be no surprises on
game day.
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Football 101
Tenth Commandment
Inspire and Have Fun.
Joe Namath was going to quit his high school team until his coach said
“he saw something in him”. The rest is history. Inspired players will run
through walls for their teammates and coaches.
Eleventh Commandment
Manage the Game With a Calm Confidence.
Players get emotional, coaches need to stay focused on managing the
game and the clock. When I die, I want to have two time outs left!
Twelth Commandment
Discipline and Focus Beat Bigger, Stronger, Faster.
Disciplined teams eat bigger faster teams for breakfast. Know who to hit
and how to hit them.
Thirteenth Commandment
Show Class in Victory and Give NO Excuses in Defeat.
Coaches with class, attract players and parents with class. Giving excuses
for losses shows a lack of class.
Fourteenth Commandment
Extra Points Win Championships.
Ask any coach that has lost a championship by an extra point.
Fifteenth Commandment
Communication is Key!
It doesn’t matter what you know if you cannot communicate the plan to
the players and coaches. Parents will eat you alive if you can not communicate with them.
I didn’t run over, I evolved.
It’s like the old saying: When you wrestle with a gorilla, you don’t stop when
you get tired, you stop when the gorilla gets tired.
The Rules
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24
Football 101
Story Behind The Third Commandment
Thou Shalt Keep It Simple
In 2006 we were stacked with experienced, talented players. Jimmy
Boone at QB Darius Smith at WE and Ronnie Cooke pounding guys as our
FB/MLB We expanded our playbook and went places we had never been
able to go in the past. We were undefeated and about to take on the other
undefeated team at Waters Field on a Saturday night. They were very good
and had a QB who would later be the All Metropolitan Player of the Year for
the entire Washington DC area.
They came out and executed as we knew they would. For some reason
we were not clicking on all cylinders. In fact, we sucked. We were “throwing
up on the field”, which is a term for a team with information overload who
can not even run their most basic plays. We had broken the Second Commandment.
“Oh, we played like three tons of buzzard puke this
afternoon.”
- Spike Dykes/Texas Tech
Luckily there was a photographer there that night, and we got a good
look at the problem. The other team’s defense was where we thought they
would be but our linemen were blocking the wrong people, our backs were
going to the wrong hole or our QB was turning the wrong way.
We went back to the beginning, back to the basics. We worked on basic
dive, ice and bam plays. We practiced simple dump passes and flag routes
that have been a staple of our program.
We met the team in the playoffs. They were the #1 seed with a 7-0
record. We started running our basic plays. An Ice up the middle that
required the center and guard to block away from the open A gap. The
Ronnie would lead the 2 back through the gap to crush the linebacker. They
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25
ran it to perfection, 8-0. When we got the ball back we ran a dive play. This
time the MLB stepped out of his way only he had the ball. 50 yard TD, 16-0.
4th and 2. The linebackers are crowding the line trying to stop us. Juimmy
throws a dump to Darius, 24-0. By halftime we were winning 32-0. We ran
probably 4 plays out of different formations. We dominated them by
“Keeping it Simple”.
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Football 101
Story Behind the Fourth Commandment
Dance With What Brung Ya
In 1984 our high school team was ranked #1 in it the Washington Metropolitan area by George Michael, America’s best sportscaster. They were
playing another powerhouse in the regional playoffs. In a pouring rain the
team was behind by 4 and driving down the field 6-8 yards per run. The two
running backs would both play at D 1 colleges. When they got to the 12
yard line with 1:30 to play the team began to pass. After 3 pass attempts, it
was 4th and very long. Needless to say the team lost the ball on downs, the
game on points and the confidence of the players and fans.
Even the greatest team in a school’s history can be brought down by
breaking rules.
The Rules
PLAYER’S TEN COMMANDMENTS
27
First Commandment
Take Personal Responsibility
for Yourself
Players need to take responsibility for being at practice on time,
with equipment ready and giving
100% to lock down their game
responsibility.
Second Commandment
Work Hard
Some kids were born on third and think they hit a triple. Players need to
develop a strong work ethic if they are to proceed to the next level.
Third Commandment
Put Team First
Every body wants to run, catch and play QB. Players need to assume the
position the coach assigns them and play it with pride. Our best kids are on
our offensive line.
Fourth Commandment
Listen To and Follow Directions
There is no one right way to do things. Many coaches will have different
philosophies of what works for their team. As Cliff would say: “If we are
going to tell a lie, we are all telling the same lie”. Listen to the way your
coach wants it done and do it!
Fifth Commandment
Show No Fear, No Mercy
Football players need to keep their emotions focused on accomplishing
the goal: Perfect execution.
Sixth Commandment
NO Excuses
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Football 101
There are no asterisks in football.
Seventh Commandment
Leave it on the Field
When the game is over, win or lose, you know you have done all you
could for your team.
Eighth Commandment
Be a Warrior
Warriors are fearless, intelligent and disciplined
Ninth Commandment
Never EVER leave your wingmen (team). If you go down, grab a clip
board and start yelling. See “CJ Keliher Story”
Tenth Commandment
Show Respect and Compassion Off the Field
God gave you certain talents to compete and lead. Those are a gift. Take
care of those who were not so fortunate.
Story behind The Second Commandment: GUMP
Sec ond Commandment
Work Hard
We had a kid from Texas who was very fast but
not ready to play at the American level. At the end
of the season I told him I would like him to be a Steeler next year.
Gump with mom and dad
His mother was in the service and moved to San Antonio. He stayed
behind with his dad and lived in someone’s basement and lost weight
throughout the summer. In our seco nd practice he tore his hamstring. The
recovery would be at least 6-8 weeks. Looking out, that put us in the middle of
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the season, but he would be there at full strength for the playoffs. He decided to
stay a nd live in the basement with his dad.
He came to every practice a nd walked the perimeter of the field as the team
practiced. He never missed a practice or game. His father called him Gump and
we followed suit . Here’s why: When he gets back in action he runs a 23 Bam ,
which is the 2 back running to the 3 hole. There are 10 people in the 3 hole a nd
nobody in the 5 hole. He plows into the 3 hole for no gain. I asked him why he
would do that, he answered, “Coach, that was a 23 BAM so I ran to the three
hole.” Yeah, Gump fits.
We are in the 2005 Championship game playing against Chantilly again
a nd we were up on them early. They are a great team with a very good coach. It
was late in the 2 nd quarter a nd we are pinned on our 9 yard line. They are
calling time outs after every play in hopes of getting us to punt and get the ball
back before halftime. We run a fake Jet Sweep a nd give it to Gump going up
the middle. He hits the seam a nd man he is gone. This led to the funniest 7
seconds in football. Gump is very fast but he runs straight up. He has 5 Chantilly players hot on his heals. The crowd is yelling, “Run Forest Run”. By the time
he crossed the e nd zone there was not a dry eye in the house from laughing a
nd /or feeling for what this kid had gone through. He worked his tail off for a
year and refused to give up his dream. He had his day then headed off to San
Antonio after the season. I’m not sure what happened to Gump , but he sure
made our world a better place.
Third Commandment - Team First
My son was always too big to play
with most kids his age. In 2005, he went
Ethiopian on me and lost 33 pounds to
play with his friends. I had been waiting
to coach theses kids for a long time and I
went out to watch some of them play
They’re Killin Me!!!
30
Football 101
lacrosse over the spring. I noticed one team had a goofy black sock with
yellow stripes. I wasn’t feeling it, but it wasn’t my team.
When practices started that year, 3 of the key guys, including ring leader
Charlie Pence, showed up with one black and gold sock on their left leg. I
told them either leave the sock home or they could stay home. The next day
5 kids had the sock on. Mutiny. I was pissed and told them I wasn’t kidding.
I reiterated do not show up with those socks on tomorrow. The next day 12
kids had the socks on.
That year we did not make cuts. When the team gave a kid a sock, that
meant he was on the team. When you see pictures of one of our teams with
nasty black and gold socks on one foot, that is the County Championship
team of 2005.
It is hard to get a team to bond. They had a common enemy (me) and
they bonded just fine. That worked for us.
The Rules
We actually made those dang socks look good.
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4
Building a Staff
If anything goes bad, I did it. If
anything goes semi-good, we
did it. If anything goes really
good, you did it. That’s all it
takes to get people to win football games for you.
Paul Bear Bryant
Head Coaches
A head coach’s main job is to have a “Plan”, communicate a clear mission for executing the Plan and inspire players, coaches and parents. This is
called leadership. During a practice or a game the head coach turns into the
manager, while the assistant coaches coach.
Coaching football like everything else, it’s a process. Head coaches set
rules and make decisions. Some are right and some are wrong. They are
made in a split second and are based on the information they have and their
years of experience. For that reason, coaches should not explain them
selves. They make a call and that is what everyone lives with.
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Football 101
Cardinal sins of a head coach:
Explaining yourself:
Your friends don’t need it, your enemies won’t believe it.
“Do what you have to do, and don’t look back.”-Pops
My father always said “play the percentages”. Coaches decisions are
based on years of knowledge and experience and 10% of the calls will blow
up in your face. There is no 100% solution so live with the call and don’t
look back!
Making Excuses fo a loss:
Everyone is going to lose. When you make excuses, you lose twice.
This one goes for assistant coaches, players and parents as well.
Using the word “I”
The most important thing for high school coaches:
Our team feeds high schools with the top 8th grade prospects After big
games the top private schools are there to talk to them. The first thing Bill
McGregor of DeMatha Catholic High School will say to parents is- My #1
coach is his SAT coach. The O’Connell coach will lead with ”98% of our
students go to 4 year colleges”. The Gonzaga coach will say they are a top
feeder school to Notre Dame. Top high school coaches sell grades not
teams.
If we were public high school football coaches, at the first “Pep” rally, we
would have all of the kids who have a 3.8 GPA or above stand up and identify them as the most important kids in the school. If the school’s scores are
high, we can keep our top football prospects. We would start every rally
with the same exercise and hopefully the amount of people standing up
would grow.
Football is very time consuming and we would utilize the 3.8s to tutor
the football team through the football season. This would improve grades
Building a Staff
35
and scores, build bonds and put an end to bullying. As grades improve, so
will the quality of the football team.
Back to youth: Here is our head coach’s check list:
Off season:
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Recruit and train great coaches
Go to coaches clinics
Develop new wrinkles for your system
Come up with next year’s plan
Winter coaches meetings for organizations
Have winter meeting with next year’s players
Set off season work out schedule
Order cloth for next year’s team
Try to convince your wife it’s not too much work
Take inventory of equipment
Talk to new players
Go to Lacrosse games and wrestling matches looking for players
Pre season
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Organize and work on pre season camp
Registration
Equipment handout
Set up tryout schedule
Letters to parents and players
Coordinate practice schedule with organization
Get briefed on rule changes for the year
LINE UP A GREAT TEAM MOM
Season:
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Run tryouts
Refit equipment
Jersey handout
Make yourself aware of any safety/medical issues
36
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Football 101
Grade players
Select team
Get new coaches up to speed
Set the players in the proper position
Set expectations for the team
Lock down pre season schedule
Put in base rushing offense and blocking rules
Put in passing offense with drills
Put in base defense with drills
Put in misdirection offense with drills
Put in special teams
Monday night organizational meeting
Convince wife you’re not crazy
Begin scrimmages and pre season games
Set coaches game assignments and communicate clearly with coaches
their responsibilities
Send pregame instructions to players on nutrition and game preparation
Set and run pregame routine
Arrange for video and picture support
Manage the game and make adjustments
Review game film and pictures and make Pops list
Practice mistakes and install game plans
Win Championships
Order Championship cloth
Close season with a great team party with a highlight of how each player
contributed to the team
And the beat goes on
Post season
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Nominate players for after season awards
Pops list
Rubber chicken circuit for award winners
Talk to coaches on behalf of last years players
Building a Staff
37
Did I mention you need to convince your wife it’s not too much work?
Assistant coaches:
Not all coaches talk the same. Some lingo sounds like German while
others are may sound like French. Everyone must be talking the same language and using the same terminology. The assistant coaches need to all
have the same mentality and philosophy as the head coach in order to come
together as a team. In the bad times, you will need it.
Most youth teams rely on getting fathers to help out. It is a special thing
for a father and son to share the experience of being on the same team, however, our #1 Rule is: Coaches can not coach their own son.There are
plenty of other tasks to do and players to coach. Fathers are either too tough
or too lenient on their own kid.
The key is getting a core coaching staff to stay together for many years. A
returning coach, like a returning client, requires 1/10 the effort.
You need an assistant head coach and assign some of these tasks to
him. The closer you get to the season, the more tasks this coach needs to
take off your hands.
An offensive coordinator (OC)is a must. Head coaches can be more
effective if they establish rules and have a solid coach that can follow the
team rules. It takes a great deal of patience and discipline to stick to the
plays you have been working on all week. The offensive coordinator should
be like a database of “if” statements. Get someone with steady nerves and
patience. They don’t need to be a encyclopedia of information, they just
need to understand the rules and when to apply them. It will take a year or
two for the OC and head coach to get in sync but once you are, the team is
10 times more effective.
Offensive line coach-This is your most important coach and a job I usually do myself for the first few weeks. If we can block, we can run and pass.
38
Football 101
There are many rules used in blocking so your offensive line coach needs to
be in lock step with the blocking rules your team has. In our offensive section we have all of our rules and drills. DO NOT TRUST THIS TO JUST
ANYONE. After a few weeks, your line coach should have the drills and
rules locked down.
Defensive coordinator (DC)-A Defensive coordinator is not a guy that
call blitzes and different defenses all game. He is someone that understands
the rules of the defense and enforces them. If there is confusion he reinforces the rules. The DC uses other coaches to watch certain players. Are
the ends coming too far up field, are tackles turning shoulders, are D backs
taking read steps back, are the linebackers in the alley where they belong. As
you will learn farther back in the book, a defense blitzes 10%-100% of the
time. Make sure his philosophy of who blitzes and when is in sync with the
head coach.
You need an older coach(OF) who has forgotten more football than
you will ever learn. We have Pops. He provides a library of rules that have
been handed down over the years. He also looks at things outside of football. Handling parents, issues, emotions, but basically serves as a great
sounding board for the head coach. Our first course of business is to address
the Pops list, which is a list of everything that went wrong in the last game or
scrimmage. As the season goes on, the list gets smaller and smaller as the
team nears excellence. A coach like Pops also is a wealth of historical information, should you run into offenses or defenses that have not been around
for a while. Between the two of us, we have about 70 seasons of experience.
This book would look like a bowl of spaghetti without Pop’s guidance.
You need a young coach who communicates well with players, and
brings enthusiasm to the team. They usually have limited experience in
youth football except for their playing days. They can pick up things quickly
from the experienced coaches. Football is about muscle memory, which
means drills are run over and over during the season. Take ownership of 2
or 3 of the top drills and make them yours. During the game, focus should
Building a Staff
39
be on one player at a time to make sure rules are being carried out. If you
watch the game, you are a fan not a coach.
A strength and condition coach is a championship builder. The better
shape the team is in, the fewer injuries and more control you have in the
second half. Most of the time the young coach is the strength and conditioning coach. In 2010, against great playoff teams, we scored 104 points in
the second-half of our games compared to our opponents 6.
If you are a stationary team (same level every year), you need a rising
coach who has knowledge of players coming into your level. They are your
recruiter and eyes for the talent pool. Some kids may be on the fence about
playing, some great players may have taken a year off and just need a nudge
back into football or they may know some kids from other areas who are
looking for a good team to join. These coaches bring a different knowledge
base of their system they have run. It is always good to debrief them on what
they did and what their rules are.
Special teams coach: I have won championships and lost championships on extra points and special teams. If you have the luxury of one coach
focusing on the kickers, snappers, holders and special teams you are in luck.
You need one coach who is an advocate for special teams or I promise they
will get overlooked.
Receiver/D back coach: Although we only have 8 routes for our
receivers, they must run them with precision. Backside receivers need to be
where they are supposed to be in case the QB is shut down on his primary.
On the other side of the ball, the near CB is his focus, making sure he is
doing his job even when the play is away from him. Players need to know
what to do if the play breaks down.
At the youth and high school level, you may be limited on coaches, but
all functions need to be covered.
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Football 101
WORKING WITH A LIMITED STAFF
Many youth teams only start out with 3 coaches. Our staff only starts
with 3-4 coaches every year. You need to build your staff early.
Challenge:You usually get fathers of your kids to help but you don’t
know who your kids are until the draft.
Solution: Grab the best kid/dad combo who will be playing at your
competition level. It pays if the dad has had some coaching experience
although it does not need to be in football. Train them prior to the season.
This will give you a leg up on getting the right players and getting coaches in
place early. Most good organizations will allow a coach to stay with
someone who is training them.
Your offense and defense (Your plan) should be clearly stated and
taught to the coaches as early as possible. If you do not have your plan in
writing or do not have a playbook with plays and drills, use these. Arm each
coach with a book and have a book club. Take one chapter at a time and
study it. Trust me, by the time you get to the season, you will be miles ahead
of other teams.
Recruit dads from the hill. Most of them have played football but they
do not know what to do or they feel like they are intruding. Arm them with
this book and tell them to specialize in certain drills and player responsibilities. The more you can get someone else to do the more chance you have of
managing the process.
If you only have 3 coaches, then each of you takes a position group on
offense and one on defense;
Offense:
❋ Backs- Should be your offensive coordinator
❋ Linemen- Should be most experienced coach
❋ Head coach swings between two groups.
Building a Staff
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Each coach should have drills they are proficient at so they can run them
correctly in practice. Do not have too many drills. Run a few drills perfectly.
Defense:
❋ D line- Run the box drill until you bleed. This is the core of D line work
❋ Linebackers and ends- We have drills that help contain sweeps and shut
down running lanes
❋ D backs-Many levels may not need too much work on pass protection so
fold the players into the linebacker/end containment drills. See:
“Defending the Sweep”
Get your more trusted coach to learn the rules and call the plays. Head
coaches should not be calling plays. It turns them into coaches not managers. As your OC is calling the plays, you have a long checklist you will
learn about in chapters about Game Preperation and Game Management.
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Mike is the calm assistant head coach
Football 101
Building a Staff
Robert is the Cool Uncle and Cliff is the no nonsense Offensive Coordinator
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Sean is the Crazy Uncle, Avi is the Big Brother
Football 101
Building a Staff
Tiger locked on to the special teams and as the rising coach, brought the rising stars
The look only a county championship can bring
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5
Building The Team
It is amazing what can be
accomplished when nobody
cares about who gets the credit.
Robert Yates
Great teams don’t just
happen! Great teams are built,
and the building process starts
when the clock strikes 0:00 of the previous season.
A “Team” is a combination of the organization, coaches, players and
parents. No one is more important than the other. All must exhibit the
“Team First” mentality in the execution of the plan in order to have a successful season.
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Football 101
FINDING PLAYERS
Coach’s Second Commandment
Good players make coaches look smart.
Bad players make coaches look dumb
Players come in four categories:
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Existing Players: From last year’s team.
Rising Players: Coming up from a lower level.
Other Players: Coming in from other places.
Christmas presents: Unsolicited players that just show up on your door
step or develop early as a more significant player.
Existing players: Good coaches always get their returners back. These
are the leaders of your team and carry the team traditions with them.
Rising players: Whether it is 110lb coming to 125lb, JV coming to Varsity, high school advancing to college or college players moving to the pros,
it is important that during the current season, the coach takes a look at, and
meets the rising players. They are the guts of next years team.
It is the responsibility of the Existing and Rising players to help find
the others. We can not emphasize how important it is for them to help
secure the best players possible for the team. Have an off season cook
out so the coaches and key players can meet and set a plan for next
year. Have some fun but make sure they know this is their team and it is up
to them to get other key players. This also helps secure some key players
that may walk away because of a previous uninspired year. Tell them to harvest players from their lacrosse, soccer or baseball teams. Lacrosse players
are money.
Building The Team
49
The others: These are players who may have wandered from the sport
for a year or two or are new to the sport. Because football is a team sport
and every position has rules, it is easy to take an athlete and get them up to
speed on a specific job. You meet them early and talk them into coming out.
They are the game changing players.
Christmas presents: These are players that are a surprise. They come
out of nowhere and are significant players. Many teams are always “one
player away”. Christmas presents help fill out the team.
In 2010, we had 2 Christmas presents
A son of a family friend wanted to play QB, but he was trying to jump from 95
lbs to 125 lbs and skip 110lb (big jump). Second, He was only 12, and would be
competing against 14 and 15 year olds. The third obstacle was he was an offensive tackle, yes tackle. Well I love the kid and the family, but not that much. He
came out and starting throwing darts at our receivers. He hit short passes, out
routes, dump passes, basically everything. It was so fun to watch him throw; it
was hard to stop him before he hurt his arm. He was a freak. He made reads,
fought off tacklers and had nerves of steel. He threw for 28 touchdown passes
and over 1500 yards with 3 interceptions. Merry Christmas.
In this picture, Billy is getting ready to run a goose for a touchdown. Before he does, he is pointing to the left and right to move
the linebacker where he wants him. As soon as the backer takes a step, he gooses Sarge and they are in for 6.
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Football 101
They pulled this all year. Wait, is the nose of that ball uncovered?
Building The Team
51
Present #2
Joel may have been the smallest guy on the field, but he sure could kick.
Another kid came out in 2010 after we had picked the team. His dad said the
two magic words: Soccer and kicker. We had lost 3 games in 4 years all by extra
points. The kid was small but a player. Our special teams became the driving
force of our 2010 run to the championship. It was a great Christmas.
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Football 101
My Son Plays Quarterback
There are kids and parents that spend a lot of time, and money, at certain
positions and that is where they want to play. There is no more heavily contested position than QB.
Here is my letter to QB dads and their kids:
Dad:
Thanks for writing. I have been looking forward to talking to you about
your son. I have dealt with this situation many times and here are some
things to consider:
A friend and my brother both had sons who were great QBs. They both
went to a high school with an All American QB. As a junior, one of the QBs
decided to play wide receiver and now plays at UVA. One QB played tight
end and they went on the win the state championship. Mulling over not
playing QB would have wrecked those kids, but instead they learned to
make the best of it, have productive careers and contribute to their team.
Harold Sweet played tackle and D end for the Steelers for two years. His
confidence and football intelligence level was so high, he walked onto Marshall’s football team (Yes the “Remember The Titans” Marshall) and said
he wanted to be a QB. He had no experience, but started as their QB for
three years. Harold, more than most Steelers, learned how to fight for what
he wanted.
One year a kid’s dad wanted him to play QB. I told him his best position
was tight end. The dad hated me. Throughout high school he played tight
end. He won all region honors and was recruited to play college as a tight
end. His dad still hates me.
We had a 4 back who was a lock Division 1 prospect at H back (wing).
His dad wanted him to play QB. He switched high schools to play QB. I
don’t think he ever did. I never heard from him again. He was a lock college
prospect at receiver. They hate me too.
Building The Team
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One last story: Morgan Marr was an “all state” pitcher for Madison High
School softball and had a full boat to the U of Kentucky. I walked by the
Shamrocks practice and Leslie Palmer, a great pitcher for O’Connell, was
pitching and Morgan was playing right field. The Shamrocks are a national
powerhouse coached by Tom Orndorf, who was also the O’Connell high
school coach. I asked Morgan why she would play on a team with Leslie.
She said she wanted to win a national championship so she played right field
and was their back up pitcher. They won the national championship. She
doesn’t hate me.
Okay, one more: Jack Sullivan was the starting 95 American QB for
Donnelly’s Cowboys. He stayed back at 95 lb the next year, which should
have ensured him of the starting QB job, but the American team had a QB
so they sent him to us at the Central level. We had a QB who had just won a
county championship, so Jack played receiver and safety. He had the best
attitude on the field and so did his parents. Imagine starting on the American team and at the same level the next year and you couldn’t even play QB
at the Central level. He had a huge career at Paul VI Catholic High School
as a starting pitcher, currently plays for an Ivy league school, but more
importantly he is a great person. He is the poster child for “team first”. If
you are reading this in 2035, he is probably the President.
Last one: My son was an all district tight end as a junior in high school.
The team wasn’t much of a throwing team and he got maybe 10 balls
thrown at him his senior year. He never let it get to him, played hard and
won the Conference “Defensive Player of the Year”.
The list goes on. Some years you play your favorite position, some years
you learn humility, patience and other positions. Almost all Steelers play
skill positions in high school regardless of what they play in youth football.
All of our O linemen from last year, will run the ball this year. They played
O line with passion even though they could have played running back. Getting the best players to play O line is the MAIN reason teams win.
Players must always be ready. The proposed starting QB could throw out
his arm in baseball, wreck on a skateboard or get hurt in a game. We always
want three QBs. Great teams have 2-3 of everything. If one man goes down,
someone else steps in and we don’t lose a step. We have great receivers and
we are always good for an aerial bombardment. The attack does not stop
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Football 101
because one man goes down. Actually most passing practices stop because
we do not want to overuse a QB’s arm.
There is more to football than playing the position you want. Learning
character traits, putting team first and gaining football intelligence is 10
times more important. Depending on the high school and talent pool you
may, or may not get your first choice.
We do take into account a parent’s investment in his or her player’s
development, but my best advice is: be aggressive and let the coaches
decide his highest and best use.
I hope this helps and I am available to discuss further.
Regards,
Casey
Building The Team
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Football is a level playing field
There is no prejudice on a football field. There are no colors or economic
lines to cross. There is only the cans and the can’ts, the do’s and the
don’ts. You either can learn to: run, block, tackle, catch, and throw or you
can’t. You either do learn work ethic, personal responsibility, discipline,
focus and put the team first, or you don’t. If you can, you play. If you can’t
you watch. If you do learn character traits, you move on to the next level, if
you don’t, you are cast into the trash bin of wasted talent. It is the job of
football coaches and their organizations to turn the can’ts into the cans,
and the don’ts into the dos.
As players advance in age, the chance to build strong character traits is
greatly reduced. You need to get to players early, which is why we coach
youth football.
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Football 101
SET EXPECTATIONS
When I started real estate, a purchase contract was one page front and
back. Today it is 26 pages. Each new paragraph was a response to someone
suing someone. Our welcome speech is a little longer than it used to be, but
covers 99% of the issues that can ruin a season.
As Barney Fife would say: ”You need to Nip it in the BUD. NIP IT!”
Setting expectations starts with our first meeting, which starts 1 hour
before we start our first practice.
Topics for the FIRST Team Meeting:
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Thank the parents
Introduce the staff
What we do to mitigate injury
Mission Statement
Tryout schedule
Team selection and playing down
Position and playing time:
Team First Mentality
Playing other sports
Responsibilities
Conduct
Communication
Questions
If something else blows up this year, the list will evolve!
Thank the Parents: In this over protective world we live in, parents who
support their sons playing football are now the exception not the rule and
for that we thank them. We have alot of respect for the players coming to
our program. They work hard, hit hard and fear nothing. They are every bit
as tough and as disciplined as the kids in the “old days”. We also have a lot
of respect for the parents who are dedicated to the team first mentality and
support they give the program.
Building The Team
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Introduce coaching staff: The parents need to know their sons are
working with coaches that have experience to train, protect and compete.
They need to know the coaches have paid their dues.
What we do to mitigate injury: Training in tackling drills, proper equipment and supervision eliminate most injuries in football.
Mission statement:
We prepare kids for the next level. We teach character traits, football, have fun and win. Winning is not our goal but the result of doing everything else successfully.
WINNING IS FUN!
Tryout Schedule: We lay out the 5 day schedule you see in the next few
pages:
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Monday: Helmets only-Speed and skill day
Tuesday: Helmets and shoulder pads- Blocking and tackling day
Wednesday: Full Equipment-Putting in the offense and defense
Thursday: Full equipment-Christmas (first day of contact)
Friday: Full equipment- Scrimmage and team selection
Playing down: There is usually an American team and a National Team,
or a JV and a Varsity. Some parents want their kids to “play down” so they
can get featured positions on the lower level team. NOT GOING TO
HAPPEN for two main reason:
1. Everyone should play at his correct playing skill level: to avoid injuring
a player with lesser ability
2. If he plays down, a player with lesser ability must play up. The lesser
player faces a higher risk of injury and reduced playing time at the higher
level.
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Football 101
Parents are advocates for his or her son and we can appreciate that.
Coaches are advocates for EVERYONE’S son and they need to appreciate
that. This one is not negotiable.
Playing a position:”Bobby don’t block, Bobby has been there and done
that.” The names were changed to protect the innocent, but that was an
actual email I received and reflects the thoughts of some parents coming
into a season. Each parent walks in with his or her son as his or her only
priority and walks out with the team as the priority. Also see: “My Son Plays
QB.”
The offensive line conversation:
We have 2 main rules:
Rule #1 Build a Solid Offensive Line.
Rule #2, Don’t Forget Rule #1.
In 2010, we had 8 running backs. We took the three biggest backs: Joe,
Troy and David and made them our guards and tackle. When they happily
agreed, we booked the tickets to Florida.
Playing other sports:
Many great athletes may play basketball, baseball, soccer or swim for a
Sunday league. I have no problem with that. More kids get hurt in the back
yard than on a ball field. One restriction is no missed practices and no other
activities on game day.
Player Responsibilities:
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Good grades- Bad grades are met with reduced playing time
Always put the team first
Take care of equipment
Be at practice on time
Know your position responsibilities
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❋ Work hard
❋ Listen to and follow directions
Discipline and focus beat bigger, faster, stronger every time.
Parent Responsibilities:
❋ Always put the team first
❋ Keep control of the sideline
❋ Support the coaches
Coaches’ Responsibilities:
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Be consistent-One set of rules for everybody
Have a clear plan
Always put the team first
Respect the players and the parents
Sideline conduct for players, coaches, and fans. Parents are responsible
for not only themselves but for their friends and family.
Cardinal sins:
❋ Yelling at refs, or players, coaches and fans from the other team is strictly
prohibited
❋ Yelling at your own kid: STRICTLY PROHIBITED!
In a big game for us a player made a bone headed, half hearted fumble.
We need to get to him quick and be firm but supportive. He needs to get his
head out of his rear end and get refocused. We have 2 quarters remaining in
a driving rain. His out of town father, a former Pittsburgh Steeler, jumps
him before we can get to him. We can not get the kid away from a yelling
dad. He fumbles two more times and we pull him from the game. We go on
to lose the next game as well. He never came back. Coaches have had this
happen 100 times. They need to be stern but get the player back on track. I
really emphasize this rule.
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Football 101
Communication:
If you have questions or problems bring them to the head coach. The
head coach will have a lot of things on his mind and is usually very busy, so
here are the best ways to communicate:
If your son has medical issues, learning problems, sight or hearing
impairment, the coach needs to know. Send him an email- If you tell him,
it may be out of his head before the car door closes.
We had a great athlete playing middle linebacker. The defense on the
field was not what we were calling. I figured he knew what he was doing.
After this went on and he missed some easy tackles, he told me he couldn’t
see me on the side lines and he could not see who had the ball. It turned out
he was blind as a bat. We got crushed.
In the first few weeks coaches are trying to figure out what they have. At
the youth level only, I am always receptive to quick emails regarding something I need to know about an athlete. A mother sent me an email that said
she thought her son should run the ball. I sent back: “Ma’am, GOD gave
you a tackle. He should learn to be the best tackle in the sport. Regards.”
After 3 weeks we will talk to parents but not about position and playing
time. Those are earned on the practice field.
During the season, we request that issue(s) be emailed to me unless
these issues take more than 3 sentences. If an issue needs more than 3 sentences to cover, I request that the parent handle the issue with me BEFORE
practice. (After practice, everyone is “beat”, and before or after games are
also bad times to discuss issues.)
Chain of command for problems:
Parents need to follow a chain of command to get the best results:
1. Head coach
2. Competition level commissioner: Ours would be the commissioner of
the 125 division.
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3. Organization commissioner
4. League commissioner
The higher you go the more issues you compete with to get results. It is
best to try to resolve issues with the head coach if possible.
Tasks for each team:
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Team Mom- Communicate with parents
Team videos of our team and other teams
Series Pictures if possible.
Thursday night parties
Sell 1 booster ticket per family
Questions?
Team Mom
As a youth coach, my most important assistant is the Team Mom.The difference between a good year and a great year, for the head coach, is
the Team Mom. Team moms allow coaches to coach instead of administrate. She handles:
Administrative issues:
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Rosters for parents
Registration,
Coordination of league rosters
Picking up the jerseys
She fills needed jobs:
❋ Water -Critical during pre game and games
❋ Chain crew - Last thing a coach needs before a game is tracking down a
chain crew
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Football 101
❋ Film crew - Coordinating parents to get game film on your team and
opponents
❋ Pictures -A professional photographer will come out to your game to
take pictures and post them on the net. If enough parents buy the pictures, photographers will come back. These pictures are invaluable to
coaches.
❋ Fundraising -Our organization has two fundraisers. There is also a need
for about $50-$100 per player to handle practice jerseys, tee shirts, shorts
and maybe game jerseys the kids can keep, etc. I just charge the parents
$50-$100 and if parents can’t afford it, we raise it from a business.
❋ Team parties -Thursday night socials are important for team building
and getting the parents together. We usually have a pasta party at the end
of practice.
❋ “Ordering the cloth” is a pain for the coaches. If the team mom takes
this out of his hands, she is a godsend.
Communication:
Head coaches should be on a “need to know”basis with the Team Mom
—she should be the first contact in the Team’s chain of command. The best
Team Mom consults the Head Coach only when absolutely necessary—
most issues can be resolved at this level.
Timing: The best “time” to deal with team issues, if there are any, is via
email, if possible. When a coach gets to the field, he has a plan for the day.
After practice he wants a pop. Before a game he is too focused on the game,
and after the game he wants a pop. The best way for a parent to arrange for
time to talk with a coach personally is to ask the coach to meet him or her
EARLY—before practice, so that the coach has time to deal with the issue
at hand and then get back to coaching.
One other bit of advice: Team moms are Type A personalities and like
to run the show. Clearly state the needs of the team, and let her be.
Building The Team
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TRYOUTS
If you want to know how a team is built, you need to be there at the
beginning. Tryouts are the beginning.
SPEED KILLS
is on the back of our t-shirts but has nothing to do with our burners.
Speed is about doing everything fast. Taking the field fast, charging the line,
getting off the ball like greased lightning, getting to open holes and on the
ball on defense. Even our water breaks are fast. Speed is a state of mind and
it kills bigger, faster, stronger teams.
We were at Cunninham Park (Disneyland) and after practice a fox
showed up. That team almost caught that sucker. That’s speed!
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Day One: Fundamentals and Timing
Day Two: Skills Training
Day Three: Installing the Steeler Offense
Day Four: Contact Day and Installing the Steeler Defense
Day Five: Scrimmage and Cut Day
The tryouts need to be very well organized and keep the kids
moving. With 50 in our weight group, we form 4 groups:
Group one: The experienced kids that are expected to be the core of the
team.
Group two: Players with some experience.
Group three: Older inexperienced kids.
Group four: Younger inexperienced players
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Tryouts Day One- Fundamentals and Speed Day
10 minutes: dynamic stretches and cals
We start with the proper way to stretch. Any sports performance trainer
can show you some great drills. If kids do not get in their dynamic stretches
done properly you will have pulled or torn hamstrings and groins.
30 minutes: stance and fire off
Everyone needs to be on the same page as to how your team will execute
each stance. This takes some time but it is important. We get to the ball and
off the ball fast. Very fast. It is never fast enough, and we are never satisfied.
The key to football is the line of scrimmage. On the line there are the quick
and the dead. We work on 2, 3 and 4 point stances. We put the players in
rows and assign coaches to each row.
3 point stance
❋ Players need to fly to the line of scrimmage and get the proper distance
from the other linemen. They assume the ready position.
Feet
shoulder length apart
❋
❋ Right foot slightly back if they are right handed, opposite for south paws
❋ Elbows on the knees; eyes forward like a bear taking a dump in the
woods.
❋ On the set command, they put their right hand in the dirt fingers out.
The pressure should be enough on the fingers that the knuckle turns
white. The three points of contact should all support similar weight.
❋ Butt down; back level; eyes forward.
❋ First step is a short step to the play side. The second step is a balance
step. Wide stance through out entire block
❋ Fire off is the first two steps.
2 point stance receivers
❋ Outside foot back
❋ Eyes on the ball
❋ Fists under the chin
Building The Team
65
❋ On the “go” The back foot fires forward than the opposite hand fires
backward. This requires work. Stay on them
2 point stance running back
❋ Hand on the hips
❋ Dig in the toes on opposite foot (if you’re going right, dig in left toes)
❋ First step is a big step towards hole. Most players will take a false step,
corrective step and then short step. This requires a lot of work.
2 point stance linebackers
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Inside foot up (even if middle)
Bend at ankle, knee and waist
Shoulder over the knees with good balance
First step is up into linebacker alley
Scrape up and down linebacker alley at the direction of the coach
4 point stance- D Linemen
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Feet a little wider than shoulders
Right foot slightly behind left
Legs under the body
Eyes up
Fire out low. Low man wins
5 minute break then b reak everyone into 4 groups
20 minutes in 4 stations each
Station one: County Fair (Box)
Station two: County Fair (Snake)
Station three: Timed 40 Yard Dash
Station four: T Test
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Football 101
STATION ONE: COUNTY FAIR (BOX)
Place 4 cones in a box 10 yards wide, 10 yards deep. Run 3 drills:
Drill One: Tight End Drill.
Player goes 10 yards, drops his hips, makes 90 degree turn and flashes
hands to coach. Coach stands in the middle of the box and tosses ball to
him. Proper catch, proper cut and proper balance are the keys
Building The Team
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COUNTY FAIR DRILL TWO: CORNER BACK DRILL
Player faces coach in a corner back position. On “go” the back turns his
hips and runs diagonal to back cone, throws on the brakes, comes forward,
throws on the brakes, runs diagonal to other cone, hits the brakes and come
forward again. You can get three people in the drill at the same time.
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Football 101
COUNTY FAIR DRILL THREE: LINEBACKER DRILL
Player faces coach, Back pedal to first cone, shuffle to other cone, drop
hits and cut forward, shuffle across front cones. Focus on keeping the eyes
from jiggling and shoulders from turning.
Building The Team
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STATION TWO: COUNTY FAIR SNAKE
Place 4 cones out: 5 yards up and 5 yards over
Drill One: Lineman
The linemen steps up to cone one. Coach yells Set Ready GO. The
player takes a direct step to second cone, get to the cone as quickly as possible and sets up in his stand by position or elbows on his knees eyes forward, feet in good position, good balance
Drill Two: Linebacker
First player comes to cone and gets in football breakdown position; 45
degree rule (45 degree angle on ankles, knees and hips). On Go the line
backer gets down hill to next cone in a break down well balance position. I
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Football 101
describe it as quick but not fast. Balance is the key. When he gets to the
cone, he breaks down and repeats drill until he is through all cones.
Drill Three: Defensive Backs
The player assumes corner back stance. Inside foot forward. On Go he
turns his hips and gets to the second cone. When he gets to the second
cone, he plants his outside foot and heads to the 3rd cone. His eyes never
leave the coach/QB
STATION THREE: THE T TEST
Place two cones 5 yards a part and then two other cones 5 yards from
one of the cones creating a T.
Have the player face you in a linebacker breakdown position. On Go he
back pedals to the first cone. When he gets there he plants his outside
(opposite foot) from the cone he is going to next. He travels as quickly as he
can while staying under control. If he is out of control, he will fall. On his
way back he needs to plant outside foot and cut home.
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The keys to this drill are:
❋
❋
❋
❋
Balance on the back pedal with shoulders over the knees.
Sharp cut with outside foot
Quick movements with balance, square shoulders and eyes on the QB
Good plant foot
Finish the drill as fast as they can. You will see some kids quit before they
cross the line. Quitting early is a character flaw. Everyone gets that speech. If
they continue, they do not listen to and follow instructions and that is a big
problem.
Time them on their second run.
Station Four: 40 Yard Dash
Run them 2 at a time with 2 coaches timing. When they have run once,
tell them to switch lines and run it again. When they have run twice, the drill
is over.
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Tryouts Day Two- Skills Day
15 Minutes Dynamic Stretch and Cals
20 Minutes Each Station
For more on drills, consult:
Drills section of Chapter VIII Offense
or
Drills section of Chapter VIII Defense
STATION ONE: RUNNING BACKS
Practice handoffs up the middle and off tackle
Coaching points:
Building The Team
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The first step is very important to us because our game is about getting
to the hole on time. Players tend to take a false step by taking their first step
backwards and a balance step 6 inches ahead of the first step. The third step
is about One foot ahead of that. In three steps and one second, they have
gone One foot. We train that three steps and one second you are in the hole.
At 1.5 seconds, the hole is gone.
Exaggerate creating a basket. This is done by getting the inside elbow
up and the out side elbow down. The basket is usually 12 inches so make
them open the basket to 24 inches.
Hands on the nose of the ball when the coach or QB places the ball in
the basket.
Look at the hole not the ball. It is the job of the QB to get the ball in the
right place.
One cut and go. We do not dance in the hole. We are looking at a read
and when we get it, we plant our foot and we are gone.
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STATION TWO: PASSING
These drills only require short passes
Football 101
Building The Team
Coach’s instructions:
Hold hands with palms out. This is why many people drop the ball.
Their hands are wrong!
Make sure no false steps.
Drop hips when making cuts.
Run first look second.
Finish the play.
Sharp Cuts
Catch and tuck with outside hand.
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STATION THREE: BLOCKING
Football 101
Building The Team
Coaching Points:
Alignment on the line of scrimmage
Stance and low fire off
Head on the right side
First step
Proper hand placement
Balance
Head position
Shoulder position
Hip drive
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STATION FOUR: TACKLING
Football 101
Building The Team
Just run this one drill on the first day of tackling. This is the core of good tackling.
Coaching Points:
Wide Base
Head across the body
Shoulders square
Ass facing your goal line
Grab high cloth
Stay on your feet
Tackle with hips and thighs
10 minutes break
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Football 101
You now have about 10-15 minutes to go.
Conditioning time: Hills and sprints,
Building The Team
Tryouts Day Three: Installing the Steeler Offense
We are now down to 30 players, so we will start to learn the
Vienna Steeler Offense and Defense.
15 Minutes Dynamic Stretch and Cals
3 Groups
Steeler Running Back Responsibilities
Steeler Line Blocking
Steeler Passing Game
GROUP ONE-STEELER RUNNING BACK RESPONSIBILITIES
Alignment:
Fullback is tight on the QB. TIGHT.
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Football 101
2 back is 5 yards off the ball in 2 point stance
Dive
QB opens to fullback
Fullback steps: His left foot replaces QBs left foot or vice versa
2 back follows through with fake to opposite side of the dive
Bam
QB does reverse pivot.
Fullback takes proper steps down the line and bams the first man
(dummy) outside of the hole.
2 back aiming point is outside foot of guard (use cone). The 2 back
needs to cut it tight.
Ice
QB does reverse pivot.
Fullback hits the line backer (Dummy) and back makes cut off his
block.
2 back follows fullback and cuts off his block, whichever way the fullbacks butt points.
Sweep
QB does reverse pitch. We teach it like he is throwing out a bucket of
water.
Fullback takes off for the corner back. We will work on the cut it up or
take it out later. We want them to get out of their stances and out of the
backfield.
2 back takes off like he is stealing second base.
Focus on 2 back getting out fast and not waiting for the QB.
Lock these down before we go to counter traps.
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GROUP TWO- STEELER LINE BLOCKING
Set up O line coming out of the huddle
Alignment-Center first, guard toe to heel 1 foot split, Tackle even with
guard 2 foot split, ends even with tackle 3 foot split
Quick to the line, Quick in their stance, check stance
Identify JACK!
Jack is the first man outside the hole on Bam and counter trap blocking.
Jack is the linebacker in the bubble in the Ice plays.
Review rules: We block gaps not people
Coach calls play-23 BAM
This is a 23 BAM. JACK is the first man outsie the 3 hole
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Football 101
GROUP THREE- STEELER PASSING GAME
Building The Team
Teach the swim move to escape jamming end
Teach:Flag, Slant, Dump and Drag routes
Focus on
Proper stance-2 point from wide outs, 3 point from tight ends
First step-Proper arm swing, opposite arm/leg swing
Eye focus-Not giving away the route
Swim move or release from line
Consistency in routes-Right place at the right time
Proper hands-Palms out catching the ball at highest point;
Tuck position after catch
Ball security
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Football 101
Tryouts Day Four: First Day of Contact and Installing the Steeler
Defense
Contact day (Christmas)15 Minutes Dynamic Stretch and Cals
The first part of practice we find out if guys can hit. Coaches need to go
over proper blocking and tackling fundamental before every drill to prevent
injury.
1st hour, 3 stations 15 minutes each
Station 1 Steeler Maker
Station 2 Box drill
Stations 3 Tackling station
After the players have had 3 days of non contact drills, we get to hit.
STATION ONE: STEELER MAKER
The players put hands on the dummies, get as low as they can and blow
the other player off the ball. Coaches command is “set, ready, GO” and let
the show begin. Their legs need to stay on either side of the bag. After each
play the players rotate to their left until they have completed the circuit. By
the time they get to the 4th quarter, they are either a Steeler or their not.
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STATION TWO: BOX DRILL
The coach paints 4 boxes 3 yards by 3 yards
We play a jam and contain defense. The D line tries to jam the offensive
line in the back corner of the box. The offensive linemen is in one hole, the
Defensive linemen is in the other with:
❋ Fully extended arms
❋ Eyes in the backfield
❋ One yard behind the line of scrimmage
The coach allows the box drill to go on for 10 to 15 seconds
The offense is in white. If the defender holds the box without crossing
the line and has fully extension they win. If they get knocked out of the box,
over penetrate, do not have extension or their eyes in the backfield they
lose.
Eventually this drill is expanded (see defensive drills) to include the
coach signaling sweep, at which time the line goes laterally down the line or
shows pass, at which time the line swims and gets to the coach.
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Football 101
We will run box drills up to and including pre game warm up for the
national championship games.
STATION THREE: TACKLING DRILL
Same drill as before only now it’s LIVE.
Coaching Points:
Wide Base
Head across the body
Shoulders square
Ass facing your goal line
Grab high cloth
Stay on your feet
Tackle with hips and thighs
The drill starts with a walk thru and instruction
1/2 speed and instruction
Full speed
DO NOT ALLOW:
Building The Team
89
❋ The swinging tackle or what some people call the cowboy tackle.
❋ The knee shot
❋ Them to leave their feet
The emphasis is NOT on getting the man to the ground, but to stop his
forward progress with proper form tackling
SECOND HALF STATION ONE: LIVE LINE BLOCKING STEELER PLAYS
Live bodies
23 Bam
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Football 101
Walk thru at first, then full speed
Set out one half of the offensive line and half of a 4-4 defense
Work on BAM, ICE and DIVE Blocking
Alignment- guard toe to heel of center, 1 foot split, good balance good
stance, tackle 2 foot, even with guard, end 3 foot even with tackle
Identify JACK -first linemen outside hole on BAM, linebacker on ICE
Review rules-Block gap away from Jack, angle blocking rules
Check head position between hole and defender, shoulder angle 45
degrees, balance and hand position
Building The Team
SECOND HALF STATION TWO: LIVE TACKLING DRILLS
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Football 101
SECOND HALF STATION THREE- OKLAHOMA DRILL
We are going to put together the Box Drill, Linebacker tackling Drill,
Blocking Drills, and running drills into one final party: Oklahoma
Offense The coach points to one of the three holes. The linemen reach
block on the outside holes, angle (kick out) block on the middle. The fullback leads the way, RB reads the block.
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Defense: Linemen play box drill and squeeze gaps with perfect technique. Linebacker steps up, if FB comes I come, If he scrapes I scrape.
Shoulders square.
The Goal: 4 plays get 10 yards
Put one coach on the O line, one on the D line, linebacker and running
backs. After every play, quick corrections the first few times thru. Get the
groups cheering for each other It is a great way to end Contact Day.
This drill will let you know who your team is.
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Football 101
Tryouts Day Five: Scrimmage and Cut Day
Cals and stretches
Hills, sleds, tackling sled and shoots
You now have 3 sets of players
The skill players,
the linemen,
the Tweeners (They play both)
Split the tweeners down the middle and send half of them with the line
and then switch when the time comes.
You now have 2 groups of 12-15. You have two jobs today:
Get the offense and the start of the defense in and
Focus on the Bubble Boys:
Station one: Steeler Maker
Station two: Box Drill
Switch and then break
Running Backs: Formations and Steeler offense with cones
Line: Dive, Bam, Ice and Sweep blocking
Bring the backs over and run a half offense vs. half defense
Break:
Put in full defense and run full offense and find the last 2-3 players to
complete the team.
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95
HEART MAKES THE FINAL CUT
There are some kids who are
definitely going to make a team
and some who are not ready. Then
there are the 5-6 bubble boys.
They could play at the higher level
or be the stars at the lower level.
There are 5 criteria we look for:
size, speed, football intelligence,
athletic ability and the 5th element-character traits. There is no
way to measure heart. For 5 days
our coaches have been smoking
out the bubble boys. They usually
pick the last kids based on heart.
In 2003 Jason Fullbrook played
left guard for the 95 lb Steelers. In
2004 we moved up to 110 lb but Jason looked like he had not grown. He
was so small he was in jeopardy of not making the team much less starting.
On day 5 we assigned another kid to left guard in the scrimmage and Jason
attacked him like a dog on a bone. It took two coaches to get him off and
when we did, we saw it: “The Rabid Dog”. A term for a kid who wants
something so bad he has sweat, tears, snot and slobber all going at the same
time. Jason took his spot back and that year we won the 2nd Central Championship.
He wasn’t assigned his spot, he took his spot.
Two years after that Jason was diagnosed with Leukemia and had to have
a bone marrow transplant. Jason wasn’t scared of cancer, Jason was pissed
off. He fought it with the same determination he had that day. Cancer never
stood a chance. He went on to a full recovery and made the O’Connell
wrestling team two years later. In 2010 he was off to college.
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Football 101
Real football player aren’t assigned positions, they take their positions in
practice. They dominate positions. We don’t assign captains on our teams,
captains know they’re captains. We don’t assign starting positions, kids earn
their positions. The best lesson our kids learn is to fight for what they want.
Someday, that fight could be for their life.
Jason is the left guard
THE BIG MISTAKE
In selecting the final players, we try not to make the BIG mistake we
made in 2005
One place to find players is from our 125 national team, so we keep an
eye on their kids. In 2004, when we would scrimmage them, one kid would
wander off and look at the trees. He would not make eye contact with any of
the coaches for fear he would be called on to play. He was in the bridge club
(players that are just there for the uniform). In the off season his mother
came up to me and said he was lifting weights and would love to be a
Steeler. I am not a rocket scientist, but I thought there is no way this kid will
ever play for the Steelers. Tryouts came and went. I do not remember
noticing him so I immediately put him on the C team.
As the season went on, we started scrimmaging the C team, there was a
kid on that team we could not block. We couldn’t run at him, we couldn’t
run away from him. This is the 2005 Championship team and he was
Building The Team
97
destroying us. It was Sammie Ojey. The kid had gone from the bridge club
to beast. When we make every cut, we tell the story of Sammie Ojey. Some
great kids are just overlooked and all kids bloom at different times. Sammie
didn’t bloom, he exploded. Sammie was a star at his high school and by this
time he is out there somewhere playing on Saturdays.
TECHNIQUE SCMECHWIQUE
We are coaching the freshmen at Bishop O’Connell High School. A
player comes up the Monday before the first game and wants to play. We
were aggravated that the other players were out there for four weeks, but
school policy said he plays. I would never let a kid come out this late.
We were running the linebacker drill so I went over the techniques the
linebackers use in this drill. I count 1,2,3 ready go: As the G left my mouth
he runs across the cones, grabs the runner and body slams him to the
ground. The runner was crying before he hit the deck. We stood there in
stunned silence- I looked at him and said “game is on Wednesday at 5, don’t
be late”. Sometimes you just thank the Lord and move on.
We played Washington area powerhouse DeMatha that year. We were
up 16-12, but Dematha was driving with only a few minutes left. With one
minute to play Felipe breaks through the line and viciously attacks the QB
who fumbles the ball. We recover and the whole school emptied onto the
field. Now you know the rest of the story.
6
The Wall
I WAS TALKING WITH
Rich Hodge, James Madison
High School’s varsity lacrosse
coach, when, out of nowhere,
Rich told me that Pops
(Berry) was his favorite
coach, and that he would
“run through a wall” for
Pops. Though I have heard
the expression many times, I
recognized this as one of the
phenomena of the sport of
football, and knew it had to
be included it in this book.
Oh there is a wall.
There most definitely is “a
wall”, and it is a coach’s
responsibility to get his players/team through it or over it.
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Football 101
The Wall is the limit your mind sets for your body, and it is as formidable
as a ten foot high brick wall. Your mind tells you that you cannot go any
further—you can’t do another push up, or run another mile, or go without
food any longer, or take any more. Then, out of nowhere you realize you
CAN; your body can do much more than your mind tells you that you
can. You CAN run forever, you CAN do 100 push ups, survive on very little,
put up with almost anything. When faced with adversity, one goes over,
around or through it, and, on that day “fear” is conquered.
I’ve experienced that wall myself: at Parris Island, I met “The Wall” and
was required to kick it down. The Drill Instructors “scare” you through the
wall, whereas a coach has to inspire and motivate his players/team over or
through a wall. A good coach can inspire a horse to drive a car if he has
to. Once a player has gone through his wall, he finds he can do almost anything.
Some examples of players/teams(and even an organization) reaching the
other side of The Wall are:
❋ A team driving 95 yards in 24 plays, against a faster, stronger opponent,
in a championship game.
A
❋ team posting 33 points in the first half when it is outweighed by 40 lbs
a man.
❋ A player sweating, slobbering, and perhaps even bleeding, refusing to
give up his spot (see Chapter 8: Heart Makes the Team).
❋ A player losing 33 pounds in order to play on a team.
❋ “Gump” went over the wall (see Chapter 3, The Rules).
❋ A league playing 240 games in one weekend at a nearby Army base rather
than foregoing all activities due to a sniper threat was way over the wall.
Giving more than 100% means going over The Wall and doing things
one’s mind says cannot be done.
** In business, going over The Wall means “thinking outside of the box”.
** At school, going over The Wall can mean working to earn extra credit.
The Wall
101
** On the athletic field, going over The Wall is part of the Warrior mentality.
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Football 101
CONQUERING FEAR
There is no way they get by me
Fear is the enemy! Fear is man’s
worst character flaw. Fear needs to be
eradicated at a young age.
This country wasn’t built on fear,
businesses aren’t created by fear, problems aren’t solved with fear, grades
aren’t improved by fear and peer
groups aren’t led by fear.
Courage is the resistance to fear, the mastery of fear, not the absence of fear
Mark Twain.
Football teaches kids to:
❋ Eat fear for breakfast
❋ Attack fear
❋ Turn Fear on itself
Before players learn the Steeler Mentality they think one way. After they
go over the wall, their thought pattern changes.
On the field:
Offense
Before: This guy looks big.
After: There is no way this guy is making the tackle. I am going to put
him in the parking lot. I’m going to hit him so hard it will make his grandmother cry.
Defense
Before: He’s really fast.
After: There is no way he is getting out of that box and when we catch
him he is going to wish he played defense.
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103
Running backs
Before: I hope the hole is there.
After: If there is no hole, I will make one.
Before: He hits pretty hard.
After: I am going to wreck him.
Practice
Before: This work is hard
After: If we keep doing this, we are going to be supermen.-Luke Miller
2008 Steelers
Other sports
Baseball fielder
Before: I hope I don’t make an error.
After: There is no way this ball is getting by me.
Baseball hitter
Before: I hope he doesn’t throw me a curve ball.
After: Throw it, I dare ya.
When the equipment is turned in and the cheering has stopped the tough
mentality will continue to guide you:
Fighting
Before:I have to show people how tough I am
After: I show people how tough I am between the lines so I don’t
have to show it outside of the lines.
School
Before: I hope I don’t get a C.
After: There is no way I am getting a B.
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Football 101
Before: I did my work and got a C. The teacher is stupid.
After: “Teacher, what do I need to do to get an A. I want the A and I’m
willing work for it.”
The only difference between a A and a C is will. Football instills will.
Don’t take our word for it, take his…..
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of
strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.”
—Vince Lombardi
Peer group
Before: They are drinking so I have to drink. They are smoking so I have
to smoke. They are picking on the weak kids so I have to pick on the kids.
After:Champions have the courage to say no. Champions have the will
and training to be compassionate. Champions don’t follow the peer group,
they are the peer group.
Before: Kids don’t like me.
After: FEEL GOOD ABOUT A PEER GROUP OF ONE. Anything
else is gravy.
Before: Kids are picking on me.
After: Don’t waste one second on people like that. There are tons of
great people to be with.
Dealing with tragedy
Before: Granpa died.
After: Celebrate his life and then get on with yours.
Dealing with Bullies when you see them picking on kids.
Before: I am going to wreck him.
After: You don’t have to prove how tough you are. Put your arm around
the kid in trouble and walk away.
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105
Note:Throw a punch and say goodbye to your football career. I did.
You’re in Trouble
Before: I am in trouble, what am I going to do.
After:”It is not what you do, it’s what you do next.” Man up and make
it right! Take your medicine for the first mistake, because the medicine for
the second is going to be a monster.
NOTE:DO NOT LIE! Man up!
Always remember Pops advice (I do): “Do what you have to do and DO
NOT LOOK BACK.”
7
Protecting Warriors
Warriors are fearless, intelligent and disciplined
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Football 101
Warriors will run through walls for the team and need to be protected by
experienced coaches and referees who know how to mitigate risk and
reduce injuries.
Absence of fear without supervision, intelligence or discipline is an accident waiting to happen.
A major car manufacturer installed black boxes in cars to hear the last works
uttered before fatal accidents. In 49 states the last words were: “Oh S&^*! In the
50th state, the words were: ” Hold my beer, I want to try something. Roll Tide!”
Warriors are not concerned with their safety, that is why coaches need to
protect them by knowing what the most frequent injuries are, and how to
midigate the risk to their players.
Seasons are often decided by who shows up the healthiest.
THE INJURY REPORT
In 30 years of coaching football, I have seen 6 broken bones and all of
those players lived. All but one came back to finish the season. Injuries are
an inconvenience not a tragedy.
CJ Keliher was our full back one year. He broke his right thumb in a
game. He said he would carry the ball with his left hand, but I said no. He
snuck back in the game and got a few carries in before I caught him and had
a coach watch him the rest of the game. He came to practice on Monday
with a cast and by Wednesday it was gone. I knew he had cut it off and I
would have told his mother, but she was probably holding it steady while he
cut it off. We got a new cast. Two weeks later he broke his other hand. He
looked at me and said ”OK, I’ll play guard”, and that is just what he did. CJ
lives over the wall with the rest of the long string of great fullbacks that
have played for us like: Mike Puckett, Joel Hutchins, Aaron
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109
Phares, Ronnie Cooke, Nick Hoy, Alec Shultz and Sean Fitzgerald (Big
Baby).
In 2008 we tried to pull Nick out for one play in practice and he pulled
the “Rabid dog” on us and almost killed the kid we put in. One play? In
practice? Really? That is living over the wall.
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Football 101
Reducing Injuries
There are 3 main injury types I have seen in 30 years:
· Pulled or torn Hamstrings
· Broken fingers and collar bones
· Sprained ankles
Note: We have never had a concussion. Concussions are prevented by
proper tackling. Period! See “Tackling Drills” in the “Defense” chapter.
Proper equipment, training and supervision greatly reduce the risk of
injury.
Equipment:Players need to start with certified equipment that is properly fitted. Every year we have all of our helmets sent for reconditioning and
10%-15% come back as uncertified. If clubs can’t afford it, corporations
(banks) will be more than willing to join the “Safe equipment for our
players” club and stroke a check. Coaches also need to be trained in how to
fit equipment. The commissioner of the organization or league should have
a 10 minute seminar on how to properly fit shoulder pads and helmets.
Here is a 2 minute seminar:
Helmets:when you stick your fingers into a helmet’s ear holes, your fingers should go right into the player’s ears. When you raise the helmet up,
the skin should pull slightly. The cheek pads are important. There are three
sizes that make sure the helmet fits snug to the cheeks. If everything else fits,
but the helmet is riding high or low on the head, air can be added or
released to compensate.
Helmets need to be reconditioned every year. If your organization can
not afford it, find a bank or beneficiary that will help defer the cost.
❋ Our contact is Mike Miller ([email protected]) of Riddell.
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❋ USA Football has a grant program at: http://www2.usafootball.com/
grants
For other information and programs, email Mike.
Shoulder pads: should be snug to the chest and the shoulders should be
slightly covered by the inside pads- too small or too large could cause injury
to the collar bone, our #1 injury.
Coaches should spot check equipment throughout the year to make sure
helmets and shoulder pads are still properly fitting.
Training:
The #1 source of injury is caused by poor tackling techniques. Players
who lead with their heads at full speed are a risk to themselves and other
players. The proper tackling technique of breaking down, staying on his feet
and getting his head across the body will wipe out most concussions at the
high school and youth level.
The #2 source of injury at our level is a result of running backs not
knowing how to fall. Many backs break fingers and thumbs when they reach
for the ground. There are drop and roll drills in the offense section to teach
backs on how to fall.
The #3 source of injuries is improper stretching. I was at a coaches clinic
and a college coach was asked “Do you do a lot of stretching before practice” He said “Hell no!” “Have you ever seen a dog stretch before he
chased a car?”. Everyone laughed. I brought that philosophy back with me
and lost my top running back in 2005 to a torn hamstring in the 2nd day of
practice. The correct answer is YES! We work with professional trainers and
do dynamic stretches before everything we do. It turns out we are not dogs.
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Supervision: Coaches and referees need to make sure players are not
playing with an “intent to injure”. I only get upset in football games when I
see it. Spearing players to finish a play and crack back blocks on unsuspecting ends and linebackers are two of the biggest offenders.
Spearing:When a player finishes off a running back in the hands of tacklers by leading with his head, he does so with an “intent to injure”. It is the
responsibility of the refs to remove those players from the game immediately and to issue warnings to players and coaches. For a second offense
both the player and coach get tossed out of that game and the next.
Crack back blocks:A flanker goes in motion, the QB pitches the ball to
the running back on a sweep, the flanker comes down the line at full speed
and ear holes the unsuspecting outside linebacker or end. This is a designed
play with a clear ”intent to injure”. IT SHOULD BE BANNED FROM
ANY LEAGUE and if the coach runs the play, he should be thrown out. If
it continues he should be out of the league. There is no place for it. We ran
that play years ago and the outcome was so dangerous we never ran it again.
This play should be banned at the youth and high school level.
If you want to see an example of a crack back block that should be outlawed, go youtube.com key word: “Vienna Steeler Crack Back” and watch
the outside linebacker get drilled.
This is not a game for the ”faint at heart”, but it is no place for players or
coaches who play “with the intent to injure”.
“Intent to injure” is like a beautiful woman: hard to describe, but you
know it when you see it.
8
The Offense
There is one thing you need
to know about offense; in big
games smart defenses will
take away what you do best.
You will only be as good as
your weakness.
In 2005we could throw for 50
points a game. We could sweep for 50
points per game. We could not run
between the tackles worth beans. Our
Never under estimate the will of an offensive lineman
last team of the season was big strong
and slow. We could have won by 60.
As painful as it was, we ran the ball between the tackles all day and won
16-0. We played the team that beat us in the regular season in the Championship game. They tried to take away the passing game and the edges so
we ran right at them. We were up 30-0 by halftime.
Offense is about Tools, Rules and Blocking.
If you can’t block, the best tools and rules are worthless
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Football 101
The Football Tool Chest:
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Team Rules: To set the agenda
Formations: To put defenses where you want them
Plays:and not too many as you will see
Blocking Rules: Who to Hit and How to Hit them
Players:Putting the most important tools in the right place, make the
team
❋ Drills: Fundamentals need to be worked on at every practice
❋ Rules governing the strategy: This outlines when you use which tool,
based on the other team’s defense and tendencies
RUSH TERMINOLOGY
Run Terminology
Before you can understand the offense and the tools, you need to know
the terminology:
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Each Hole is numbered. The holes on the right are 2,4,6,8, and the holes
on the left are 1,3,5,7. Our backs are numbers 2-Tail back, 3 Full back, 4
Wing or Flanker. The play call sounds like this: Pro right 24 Bam. Pro right
is the formation you see above the 2 back going through the 4 hole. Bam
tells the blockers who they hit. The blocking rules are outlined on the next
few pages.
PASS TERMINOLOGY
Passing Zones
In the passing game, the offense is trying to exploit these zones:
Here are the routes we run:
Out routes (our 2 series): Our normal outs are 5 steps, drop your hips,
make a 90 degree turn and flash the Qb. A speed out is 3 steps at a 45 degree
angle and the quick out.
Slant route (our 3 series): Wide out takes 1-5 steps to the outside and
take a sharp cut to the safety. The type of play i.e. quick slant, bench/slant
or slant/fade determine how many steps they take.
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Football 101
Drag Route (our 4 series): WE steps at a 45 degree angle for 3 steps
and drags across the field under the linebackers. He pops out on the opposite flat. The Qb takes 5 steps and waits for him to clear.
Hitch Route (our 6series): All receivers go 6-8 yards, drop their hips
and come directly back to the QB. The ball should be in the air when the
reciever turns.
Flag route (our 7 series): WE or wing goes 7 yards and cuts to the flag
in the back of the endzone. He does not look until 3-4 steps after the cut.
The ball is thrown to his outside shoulder. Inside shoulder is an interception. The Qb takes a 5 step drop, and throws to the outside shoulder.
Dump route (our 8 series): The tight ends get an outside release on
their end and hit the seam 1/2 way between the corner back and safety. He
is told the safety will make the play so bow out. This is a blitz killer.
Fade route (our 9 series): The wide out positions himself inside the
numbers, His first steps are straight down the field but he then fades to the
side lines as he runs down field. If he misses the ball it should be out of
bounds.
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117
VIENNA STEELER OFFENSIVE RULES
Rule #1
Run the Ball North and South
Our championships are played against faster teams. The way to beat
faster teams is to run right at them. North and south means you run down
hill to the goal posts, not sideline to side line looking for lanes. We make our
own lanes.
Rule #2
Running backs never yell at the lineman. The only words out of their
mouth better be THANKS
Rule #3
Pass Out of Running Formation, Run Out of Passing Formations
We “structure” formations to get the other team’s players in the box and
then we throw. We “structure” formations to get the other team’s players
out of the box and then we run.
Rule #4
Never Run a Play in a Game
That You Have Not Run 100 Times in Practice
Plays need to be perfected and the only way to do that is through repetition.
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Football 101
Rule #5
Receivers Need to Catch the Ball Correctly
I do go insane when receivers hold their hands wrong. A ball needs to be
caught at its highest point with palms out. If you miss the ball at least you
have stopped it and can make another attempt at the catch. Palms up are at
the lowest point and balls skip off hands with no second chance.
In a recent Buffalo loss, the receiver dropped the ball in the end zone
because he held his hands wrong. Case and point!
Rule # 6
Penalties will kill you
Penalties are drive killers. As a team is moving down the field, they not
only lose the yardage gained when the play is called back, they lose additional yardage when the penalty is assessed. It forces teams to do things they
do not want to do and costs teams championships.
Rule # 7
Wear teams down
Take teams into the second half and wear them down. Constant
pounding of the offensive line is demoralizing for the other team. When
they throw all their resources to stop it, take well timed opportunity plays
like counter, pass or counter sweep
We defer on the coin toss and kick off. We receive the second half kickoff
and drive it down the defense’s throat. When we are done, our team has the
momentum and we take it from there.
Rule # 8
If backs can’t block, then they can’t run
33% of our plays are passes. If a running back can not block, we cannot
pass. The defense will catch on if you only run when he is in and you pass
when he is out.
Rule # 9
We block gaps not people
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119
We have an angle on all linemen and linebackers. This leaves one man
free. He is Jack and will get jacked up by our fullback, pulling guard or 4
back
Rule # 10
Hit holes fast
Holes on the line of scrimmage open and close quickly so backs need to
hit the hole fast. The hole may open to the left or right of target so the
back’s eyes must be on the hole, not the ball. Most backs take false steps that
deliver them to the hole 1/2 to 1 second late and the hole is closed. Work
on no false steps and have one coach assigned to watch them in the game.
Rule # 11
66% run, 33% pass, 1% Punt
We run the football as a rule, pass the football when we have the opportunity and punt the ball when we have to.
Rule # 12
Go for home runs on first down or second and short
First downs and second and short are perfect times to pass or counter
trap. If they fail, you have 2-3 plays to recover
Rule #13
If they blitz: sweep, dump, and dive
Linebacker takes away cut back lanes on sweeps. If they are blitzing, they
get caught up in the line and the lanes are open.
Outside linebackers who blitz leave their passing lanes vulnerable. So as
they come we throw over their heads
Dives are perfect for blitzing teams. Our fullbacks usually run right by the
defenders
Rule #14
Hoard time outs
Time management is important. Lose one big game because you did not
have a time out and you will install this rule too.
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Football 101
In 2009 we lost a 3 overtime game because we lacked a time out when we
really needed it.
Rule # 15
7 Defenders in the box run, 8 in the box pass
Main rule, if they only have 7 lineman and linebackers in the box, that
means they are anticipating pass, so run. An Ice up the middle can be just as
effective as a pass. We like to get everyone into the box and then throw. As
my father would say “Hit ‘em where they ain’t”
Rule #16
Seal back side A and B gaps
Most great teams pour through the backside A and B gaps and get running backs from behind. Two things stop that: 1. the center and the backside guard block backside A gap. The Tackle protects backside B gap. This
builds a backside wall. 2. Backs need to get to the hole quickly!
Rule #17
Have simple pre snap reads for QB
Our pass plays are designed to pick on someone. The QB will look at the
defender we are going to throw at. If he is too far to the left, we throw right,
too far up we throw over, too far back, we throw in front of him. More in the
“Passing Game”.
Rule # 18
Have one step quick routes for blitzing teams
Teams will bring pressure so you need quick read and release passes. If
they are coming from the right, someone should be backfilling the
defender’s area.
Rule #19
When you get to the end zone, act like you have been there before.
Show class and go thank your linemen
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THE FORMATIONS
We use formations to put defenses where we want them. You will see
how we do this at the end of the play description.
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Football 101
The Offense
123
RUSHING PLAYS-RULES
Philosophy
In order to win football games you need to run the ball. Running the ball
is REAL football. Throwing 75% of the time and scrambling QBs are like
watching flag football. There are three ways to run the football:
Run right at them with dives, bams and ices
Run around them with sweeps
Run misdirection with dice, counter trap and counter sweep
Coach’s Rules
If you are playing a faster team: You run right at them with your Ices,
Bams and Dives
If they are a slower team: You run around them with sweeps and
counter sweeps.
If they are over aggressive: Run Counter Traps, Counter Sweeps, and
Dives
If the line backers play back too far or are soft: Ice them
If the line backers come up too far:Bam them and sweep them. Linebackers who come into the line of scrimmage get caught up in the traffic and
are not effective against a sweep.
In 2010 we ran 6 basic running plays, using 6 formations, to both sides of
the field, which gave us 72 potential combinations. That is more than
enough to beat great teams if you execute those 6 plays perfectly.
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Football 101
The Dive
Coach’s Rule for DIVE
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
If teams are faster, run right at them
If they are in Tunnels run DIVES
If linebackers blitz, dive
If linebackers are too far back, dive
Run 4-6 dives per game
Blocking rules
❋ Bump lineman on either side of the hole and get to backers
❋ Leave other linemen alone
❋ 2 back and QB carry out a great fake
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125
CLEARING THE FIRST TIER-THE LINEMEN
When the QB sees a tunnel, it’s time for the dive
The offensive lineman’s first step is into the defensive linemen. The
hands go to the defensive lineman’s shoulders to turn them. This is just a
split second. In some cases the defensive linemen run right by the full back.
Once the defensive lineman’s shoulders are turned, he does not have the
ability to stop a charging full back. It’s on to the second level, the linebackers. This is called the bump and run.
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Football 101
GETTING TO THE SECOND TIER-THE BACKERS
The key is to bump the lineman and get to the linebackers
One linebacker will step towards the hole, but if the guards can get to
him quick and get his head to the inside of the backer, the fullback will come
popping right through level two.
TIER THREE-THE DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
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127
The key is getting the heads on the inside of the linebackers
Many times the safety is the first person the full back sees. The end is
coming from the backside to hit the end. If the fullback runs right at the
safety, he can cut behind the ends down field block. If you see green grass
RUN!
The full back is going to get a quick handoff up the middle
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Football 101
All 4 defensive linemen ran right by him.
Look at all four D linemen in our backfield. The key is Sean’s head is up and he is looking for a seam
The Offense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DskBcgNpxUk
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Football 101
The Bam
We love to Bam the weak side
Power Slot right tight 23 BAM
Coach’s Rule
❋ Defeat blitzing teams
❋ Runs right at them
Blocking Rules
❋
❋
❋
❋
Everyone blocks gap away from Jack
Jack is first man outside the hole
We call him Jack because he will get Jacked up
Guard has A gap, Tackle has B gap, End has OLB
We don’t care what defense they are in, or whether they are blitzing or
not. This works at every level.
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131
The key to the BAM is linemen must get their heads on the side of the play
in a good breakdown position and wall off their defenders. The Fullback must
take his first step towards the line of scrimmage and come down the line hard
towards JACK at a 90 degree angle. He must be in a good break down position
and get his head on Jack’s inside hip. DO NOT GO FOR THE KILL SHOT, or
you will miss him.
When the end or tackle gets beat up, they will start to crash down. That is
when you hook em and sweep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh95rfCL7Wo
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Football 101
The Ice
We Ice open bubbles.
Coach’s Rules:
❋ If teams are faster you run right at them
❋ If they are in bubbles run Ices ( Bubbles are open gaps with linebacker over
the top)
❋ If the linebackers are playing back too far ICE
❋ If you have a soft linebacker, ICE him.
Blocking Rule
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Jack is the LINEBACKER
Everyone blocks gap away from Jack
Center has backside A
Guard has B gap
Tackle has C
FB charges through A gap
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The Ice is the perfect play to RUN AT THEM. Your lineman kick out their D
lineman and the Full back Rams the linebacker. After of few of these the backers
will get out of his way. You can Ice the A, B or C gaps.
Summary:
Ices, Dives and Bams allow you to run right at teams.
Formations let you put them in Bubbles for Ices and Tunnels for Dives
If line backers are back, or you have a soft linebacker, Ices are also the call
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPlExk6Mqak
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Football 101
The Sweep
Coach’s rule: Sweep if
❋
❋
❋
❋
If the ends or tackles are crashing
If the linebackers are blitzing or playing up
If the corners are playing soft
Sweeps kill teams that crowd the box
Blocking Rule:
❋ Everyone reach blocks
❋ If you do not have someone on your outside shoulder, Help your buddy and
get down on a linebacker
❋ 2 back needs to fly out of there like he is stealing second base. DO NOT
WAIT ON QB
❋ The key to the sweep is answering the question: Are we going to cut it up or
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
hit the edge.
The fullback’s eyes go to the end (contain man) and the tailback’s eyes go to
the fullback after he secures the ball.
If the end is hooked the FB heads around the end for the corner.
If the end is flexing and not going to get hooked, the end kicks him out and the
full back cuts it up.
Either way the tailback follows the full back.
When teams are coming (blitzing), our motto is: “let’s get the heck out of
here.” That means sweep
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135
To perfect the sweep, you need to practice reach (hook) blocks, help
your buddy blocks, and run him off blocks. The full back and tail back
need to also practice open field running where the back sets up the block by
fading in and cutting out, or fading out and cutting in.
These take 10 minutes per practice but score a lot of touchdowns.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLJQHyH-TNc
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Football 101
The Counter Trap
Coach’s Rule
❋ Low risk high reward play
❋ Perfect for teams that do not stay home or have undisciplined tackles
❋ Perfect if the backers are off the line too far
Blocking Rule
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Everyone blocks gap away from Jack
Guard and center double team A gap
Tackle has B (LB)
End takes D gap (LB)
Off side guard traps first man outside 3 hole (end)
The linebackers and line follow the full back and the tail back to the right.
The QB fakes the pitch and wheels around for an inside hand off to the 4
back who has the pulling guard as an escort.
The key is the double team on the guard in the A gap. If they get him, it’s
a big play.
The 4 back needs to cut it tight because the other tough block is the outside line backer.
The Offense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ4Ch7tdkMc
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Football 101
The Counter Sweep
Power slot right 47 counter sweep
Coach’s Rule
❋ Suck a team (corners) into the box by running up the middle and off tackle
❋ When the time is right,
Power slot right tight 47 Counter sweep
This is your 3 and 23 or your 4th and 1 home run
Blocking Rule
❋
❋
❋
❋
Two guards pull
QB fakes 31, 22 gives 47
Back breaks on the snap
Everyone else reach block
The Offense
47 Counter Sweep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_K7a2gBRAI
4th and 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6bHSJGSTVA
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Football 101
PASSING GAME
A passing game is designed to do one of three
things:
1. Overload one side of the field with more
receivers than defenders.
2. Trick the defense by pulling the defender
away from his zone.
3. Create a man on man where your receiver has an advantage.
A good passing team has the capacity to do all three.
Vienna Steeler 2010 Passing Terminology
1st number is QB steps
2nd number is series:
0-screen
1-Ins-5 yard in route
2-Speed Out- 3 step at a 45 degree angle to the sideline
3-Slants- 1 or 3 step fade and they cut to 45 degree angle for the post
4- Cross/Drag- Player come off line at 45 degree angle and runs under
linebackers
5-Deep Cross - Inside receiver cuts to flag at 5 steps, wide out cuts to
post at 7
6- Stop- End goes 6-10 yards, breaks down and turns inside to QB
7-Flag- 5 Yards and cuts to flag in back of end zone
8- Dump pass-Swim move to seam between safety and corner back
9-Fade- starts inside the numbers and ends up on the side line.
3rd number is 1-left, 2-right, 0 both sides
Each route has two receivers running combination routes and a backside
receiver keeping the safety honest. On a 322-speed out, the inside receiver runs
the speed out and the wide receiver will run off the cornerback on a fade route.
Thebackside receiver runs SKINNY POST thus freezing the safety. Basically one
receiver clears, the other fills.
Here are the calls
190 means a one step drop, 90 series (Fade), 0 means both sides
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141
331 means a 3 step drop. 30 series (slant), 1 means left side
542 means a 5 step drop, 40 series is Drag, 2 to the right side
572 means 5 step drop, 7 series (flag), 2 to the right side
After a while, a QB can yell 190 and everyone is on the same page, even
the back side receivers
We only select 4-6 plays per year that best fit our personnel.
Here are some of our favorite plays for 2010
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Football 101
The Flag
The flag route is a cornerback killer
Here is our
Power slot right 4 motion fake 32 571
5 step drop
7 is flag route
1 is left side
The corner goes with the 4 back (secondary receiver) in motion who sits
down and looks for a pass. The weak end, the fastest kid on the team, runs
the flag route (primary). If the corner sits, hit the WE. If the corner goes
deep, we hit the 4 back. If the safety moves over with the motion, the tight
end is wide open running down the seam. Pretty Nasty!
The Offense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL5Dy7_TmM0
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Football 101
The Dump
The 4 back is running the safety route in case the Dump is Jumped
The “Dump” route is a Blitz Killer. If the outside linebackers get caught
creeping up, it’s 6!
Safety is the read. Look for him to move one way or the other. If the
safety jumps the tight end, the weak end is wide open. If the corner runs
with the end, the 4 back is wide open.
In order to run thedump the ends need to get a clean release from the
defensive ends. Sometimes that is easier said than done. The end release is a
swim move on the D-end. The target for the end should be half way
between the safety and the corner back. He can shade a little more towards
the corner because the safety will most likely break up the pass.
The best time to use the dump is when safeties play back to soft, the
safety is weak, the linebackers come to hard or the corner is too close to the
line of scrimmage. Those are the triggers for us.
The Offense
Here is our
Fake 32 180
1 step drop
8 is dump routes
0 is both sides
These pictures show all three options:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHnAl6VFYPo
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Football 101
The Fade
This is the man on man killer
Money
Pops right 190
1 step drop
9 is fade route
0 is both sides
If you have a great wide out, this is the play. Get in a spread formation,
ours is called Pops and it is a fake 32 one step and let it fly. It is a great
timing pattern so you need to run this in practice alot. They should run it so
many times they can’t get it wrong. If the corners play soft, sweep them
or throw slants. If they come up, fake 32 190! This is our Money play.
The key to this route is starting the receiver inside the numbers on the
field and have him fade to the boundary. If he misses it, the ball should be
out of bounds.
If the QB reads the corner is playing too far back, he can throw it to the
back shoulder of the receiver who can come back and get it.
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147
In our Metro Bowl we were up 21-0 and the other team was backed up
on their ten. They decided to punt. The ball goes up in the wind and is
knocked back. The ball rolls into the end zone, we recover. The ref rules no
TD, we get the ball on the 20. I wanted to argue but it is a perfect situation
for Billy and Chad to hit the fade. The safety moves over top, which should
have signaled Billy to through to the backside receiver. He and Chad are not
going to be denied. Perfect throw, perfect catch and Chad gets his block
knocked off but holds on for the score. Our confidence level on that pass
was 100%.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OzMTR_QHVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1TLG0PFcq0
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Football 101
THE PLAYERS
Putting players in the place they can best help the
team is an art form and critical to executing the
offense. Parents want their kids to play quarterback
or running back, but GOD decides who is going to
play where by handing out your skill set. Each position has distinct traits that make them perfect candidates for a position.
Coaches need to look to other coaches who have coached these kids in
the past to get as much information as they can. I encourage parents to send
small emails about thing I need to know about kids. I will remember the
Nick Flowers email: “Nick is an AAU basketball and track star”. Once we
have input from the parents and former coaches, we apply our normal criteria:
Guard/Fullbacks: Same animal. G/FBs are the nastiest kids on the
team. They are the team pit bulls. They are stocky, have big thighs, hit like
grease lighting and are basically the work horse of the team. Another critical
characteristic is intelligence. He needs to know where everyone is going,
who to hit and how to hit them. He needs to make up for blocking mistakes
and defensive deception. He has the package right behind him so if he
makes the right block he cuts the ball lose and good things happen. Hopefully the team has at least 4-5 guys that fit this description. 2 guards, 1 full
back and 2 back ups. Determining who plays where is easy. The fastest
runner and best ball handler take FB, the next two best players are the
guards and back up full backs. #4 and #5 just learn the guard spots. You are
only as good as you back up guards.
Tackle/Tight ends are the same animals too. They are the biggest
strongest guys on the team. They need to be able to take on the other
team’s strong man. They also need to come down hard on inside linebackers and be quick enough to hook ends on the sweep. Speed and good
hands will put the tackles/tight ends in best pecking order. Once again you
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149
need #4 and #5 because somebody is going down and you are only as good
as your back up tackle.
Centers are weird cats. They have the brains of the QB, ball handling
skills of the backs, the attitude of the guards and the size of the tackles. You
will know him when you see him. He usually walks up and introduces himself.
Weak ends/WR: These are your burners. The team gazelles. They are
built for speed and not the punishment between the tackles. They need to
be big enough to come down and block the linebackers, fast enough to run
away from cornerbacks, the intelligence of the QB and the best hands on
the team. They keep other teams honest. If they are tight in the formation
they can get to the corner in a snap. If they are wide they force the outside
linebacker to back off and protect the slant. They need to have a team first
mentality, because they will only see the ball 3-4 times, but when they do,
great things happen.
4Back/WR/flankers- If you combined the speed of a 2 back with the
size of a tight end, you would have your 4 back. He need to be able to
pound, pound, pound and then run a counter trap or counter sweep. On
passing routes he has sure hands with slightly less than weak end speed.
Running backs: Tail backs are not the fastest kids on the team. They
need to have the power to run between the tackles and the speed to take the
corner on a sweep. They are built for punishment. They can take it and give
it. The better 2 backs see the game in slow motion. They see holes open and
can redirect momentum in a millisecond. They are usually not our best
receivers but maintain ball security. 2 backs need to be great blockers or
they don’t play. Passing is 33% of the game and if they can not protect the
QB, they are worthless 33% of the time.
The best 2 back we ever had took us into a game and it seemed like the other
team knew where we were going. The fact was they did. When we broke the
huddle, if he was looking and smiling, he was getting the ball. If he wasn’t, his
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shoulders were slumped, there was no smile and he looked straight forward.
When he did that they loaded up on the full back and chopped our ends down.
Let’s just say running backs are not just judged on their running ability
Quarterbacks: Calm and composed are way ahead of throwing the ball
in my book. I have seen QBs who can throw 50 yards but when pressure
builds they fall apart. He needs to be smart and must also see the game in
slow motion. Panic is not in his vocabulary. A QB has the best seat in the
house and needs to be able to communicate to coaches what he sees. He
needs to throw at minimum a Dump, Flag, Drag and Fade.
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THE DRILLS TIER 1
Drills are like offensive plays, you don’t need that many, but you need to
have drills that mimic game situations that you can perfect. These drills will
let you have the tools you need to run your plays.
Tier One Drills-Needs to be done every week
Blocking Drills:
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Gap away from Jack
Dive Blocking
Trap Blocking
Sweep Blocking
Pass Blocking
Running Back Drills:
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Ball Security
Target Running
First step
Read your full back
Set up
Passing Drills:
❋
❋
❋
Hand position
Route running
Balance on the cut
If you plan your practices, you can get them in with ease. I would come
back to this book to plan what drills to work on every day.
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Blocking
Football is about Blocking and
Tackling.
Objective: An offensive
lineman’s job is to get into the
body of the defender. The job of
the defender is to keep separation
from the offensive linemen so they can move off the block when they identify the play.
Before we block anyone, we need to get to the line correctly and get
set up.
Players need to fly to the line of scrimmage and get the proper distance
from the other linemen.
Center sets himself first. The guards toes are on the heels of the center
and every one else lines up even with the guard.
1 foot between center and guards,
2 feet between guards and tackles,
3 feet between tackles and ends,
1 yard back and 1 yard over for the wings.
Our 5 blocking techniques
Dive Block: Our dive is our big play. You will see the fullback come
popping out of the line for 40 and 60 yard TDs.
Gap Away From Jack: In our offense, we block gaps instead of men. We
use this for our Ice, Bam and Counter Trap plays.
Counter Trap Block: This is the guard pulling to get Jack, and the Fullback filling his gap.
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Reach Block: This is for our Sweeps and Counter Sweeps. If we hook
you, we’re gone.
Pass Blocking: At our level, we use max protect pass blocking. That
leaves 7 in to block. This takes care of blitzing and guys shooting gaps. Like
I said, it isn’t the most sophisticated, but it’s easy and it works for us.
DIVE BLOCKING
This is a quick hitting play that keeps the linebackers honest and the
linemen on their toes.
Mentality:
We’re going North, while you’re going South. We are going right by you.
Linemen in the tunnel:
Feet: First step is with the outside (closest to defender) foot. Second
foot goes right to the linebacker.
Hands: One hand or both to the near shoulder of the defender, The
objective is to turn the shoulders slightly. The full back is now right behind
you.
Eyes: Keep your eyes on your target, the linebacker.
Head: If you can get your head to the inside of the linebacker, it could be
6! You need to get to the backers in a split second.
NOTE: If linemen are shooting gaps, don’t even touch them.
Linemen outside of the tunnel:
DO NOT TOUCH THE DEFENSIVE LINEMEN. GO STRAIGHT
TO THE FIRST MAN YOU SEE TO YOUR OUT SIDE
BACKSIDE END: GO GET THE SAFETY
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Football 101
Set up Dummies like you see below. The key is getting to the second
level fast with heads inside the linebackers. It happens in less than one
second.
The offense has formationed the defense to create a tunnel
This shows the first hit on the linemen. It happens in a flash and then it’s on to the linebackers
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If the linemen get their heads to the inside of the backers, it’s 6
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Football 101
GAP AWAY FROM JACK
Jack is the linebacker
The Key to Blocking is knowing who to block and how to block them
Who to block
Here is our best drill for that: First Step Drill
Set up the offense and call a play: Lets say “I right 23 bam”. Tell them
First Step ONLY.
Call your set, ready, GO (Don’t forget: “Not fast enough, do it again”).
Have them FREEZE after the first step. You should see:
The Offense
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
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First step in correct gap
Shoulders 45 degree angle
Ankles, knees and hips at 45 degree angles
inside hand going for the sternum
outside guide hand going for shoulder
Eyes on target
How to block them
Stance: Make sure feet are on the rail, eyes are forward, good balanced
position.
From our stance we will take 45 degree angle into the gap we are protecting. Forget about the man in front of you. If he crosses your face, he’s
yours.
VERY IMPORTANT
Head: We shoot for our head going through his neck. If you put the head
on play side, he could shoot though the hole.
If the player is a stud, you may need to shoot your head in front of his
body to cut off his penetration. We call that the Seal Block. Very important
the coaches know that if the defense is getting too much penetration, they
need to call seal blocking (First step 90 degrees into the hold and head
across the defender. THIS IS A GAME TIME CORRECTION.
Hands: Inside hand goes right to the sternum, which does two things:
Helps raise the upper body up and prevents them from getting into the back
field. Our other hand we call the control hand. It goes right to the side the
head is on. Preferably under the shoulder pads. This is called the control
hand.
Balance: Once you have your head and hands locked in, you need to
stay on your feet. That requires balance. You need a wide stance with 45
degree angles on the ankles, knees and hips.
Shoulders:The head and shoulders should form a tight seal on the
defender. Shoulders should be at a 45 degree angle with butt facing the hole.
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The closer you get to a 90 degree angle, the more chance the defender has
of getting into the backfield. The more flat your shoulders, the more chance
the defender has of sliding off and making the tackle.
Hip drive:Once you have locked in your head and shoulders with good
balance and perfect hand position, now it’s time to push. With a wide
stance, the offensive linemen gets push with his hips in a pelvic trust
motion. Try explaining that to a 12 year old.
Perfecting these moves with drills.
Run these drills with dummies first. Have them take the “first step” and
FREEZE. Check for head, hands, shoulders, angles on the ankles, knees,
hips. Once they have it locked down, do it half speed, then full speed. This is
a perfect drill to get them started.
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TRAP BLOCKING
This is a simple drill and can be done with dummies or in conjuction with the BOX Drill
The Trap Block is nothing more than the full back and guard trading
places. Instead of the full back hitting the left end on a 23 Bam, he fills for a
pulling guard who is going to go get him on the 43 counter trap. This prevents teams from locking onto your fullback.
The pulling guard:
First step:Playside foot goes straight down the line. Don’t worry about
the center, he will be gone.
Next steps:VERY IMPORTANT- The closer you get to the trap man,
the wider your base needs to be. This gives you good balance on contact. If
you go for the Kill Shot, you will end up on your face.
Head: Your head needs to be on the inside of the defender between the
hole and the defender.
Hands: Outside hand needs to be on his sternum, lifting him up and preventing penetration. The playside hand needs to be under his shoulder pads
locked with the head.
The running back is right behind you, just DON”T MISS HIM.
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Football 101
Full back: You have the man in the A or B gaps that the guard would
have had.
The rest of the line has the same rules as the BAM, GAP AWAY FROM
JACK.
This Video will show you what it looks like.
SWEEP BLOCKING
This is an example of running off linemen who want to flex
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The sweep is a very important play because it is a blitz killer. You need to
work on this because there are three main blocks to make it happen:
The “Reach” or “Hook” block is used when someone is on your outside shoulder
Feet: Take a big step to his outside shoulder, and swing your feet around
quickly. This is about fast feet.
Hands:Your outside hand goes for just underneath the outside shoulder
pad of the defender. The inside hand goes to his sternum so he doesn’t run
by you into the backfield.
Shoulders: Need to be 45 degree angle so he can not run around you or
run through you into the back field. BIG POINT 45 degree angles.
Head: Need to get the head to his outside and eyes on the next man
coming.
The “Help you buddy” Block when no one is on your outside
shoulder
Feet: Your first step is straight. You are targeting the first linebacker on
your nose or to the inside. Anyone backer outside your shoulder is gone. He
is your priority.
As you are running by your buddy’s man, get a hand on his shoulder and
help turn him. It will happen quick and you do not have time to stick
around. Get to that linebacker. If you can not hook the backer, at least get
him out of linebacker alley by driving away from the line of scrimmage.
The “Run Him Off” block when the end flexes and refuses to be
hooked.
The end will know very quickly if the end is going to run off to contain
the sweep. When he does your end needs to go from hook blocker to run
him off blocker.
Here is a video of what happens when the end flexes and the backs cut it
up. Watch the full back pancake the safety.
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Football 101
PASS BLOCKING
I can never use this picture too much. This shows a great base on eyes looking for defenders
We throw 33% of the time so we need to lock this down. We leave 7 and
some times 8 guys behind to block. Our rules are simple:
The Center is the base, The guards have A gap, tackles have B gap,
Backs have C gap. If they are bringing someone into every gap, that means
they have no linebackers. They may get a sack or two, but they will pay later.
Balance and wide base are the keys. The shoulders should be over the
top of the knees and weight slightly forward.
Hands: The A gap is covered by one hand from the center and one hand
by the guard. Each will have his hands under the shoulder pads of the
defender. The B gap is protected by one hand from the guard and one from
the tackle. The back comes to the hip of the tackle and picks up C gap first.
If no one is there, ride the D gap player.
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NEVER put two hands on a man. That means your shoulders have
turned and a seam is created.
Butt:The butt is facing the QB at all times. This keeps your shoulders
square. IT IS A CARDINAL SIN to turn your shoulders during pass
blocking.
The backs: If the backs can’t block, they can’t play.
Practice order: I call the backs and linemen over to work on pass protection as the QB and ends work on routes. We then switch and take the
ends back to work on run blocking, while the backs go over and work with
the QB on the running game.
THE SLED
We love the sled. It is part of our pre practice routine. We beat that sled
like it owes us money, but it has a purpose.
We have a 5 man sled, so we run Ice and Bam Drills:
Ice Blocking: Nose every one up on a man and call a hole, i.e 23 Ice.
In the beginning, do your “first step” drill. Make them take one step
only FREEZE. Check hands, head, eyes, hips, shoulders etc. When every
one has it, let er fly.
If you call a 23 Ice, everyone’s head should be between their defender
and the 3 hole.
Bam Blocking: We will line every one up in the gaps. If you call “24
BAM”, every one blocks away from Jack (the first man outside the 4 hole).
These are two great drills. Do them a lot!
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Football 101
Running
Your running backs may be fast
and powerful but bad technique
will kill running backs and your
team when you really need it. Here
are the areas they need to drill:
BALL SECURITY
Ball Security: The arms must
be exaggerated on the hand
off, with both hands cupping the ends of the ball.
The tunnel: Have the players going through the drill
form a tunnel on the defensive side of the ball. As the running back goes through the tunnel, players grab at the
ball.
The hand off drill: Have one half of the backs face the others from 10
yards away. Walk thru the backs handing off to each other. Exaggerate the
open arms and cupping the ball. WALK THRU IT. As the season goes on,
they can start running at half speed. Don’t let them creep up. By the end of
the season, they are going full speed.
The emphasis must be that both hands are on the ball until you clear the
linebackers or when a defender lays a glove on you.
TARGET RUNNING
Each play has a target point that must be the first thing a running back
aims at or targets. A running back’s eyes need to pick up his target not look
for the ball.
Our Tragets:
A Gap: The target point is the center’s play side foot
B Gap: Guard’s outside foot
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C Gap: Tackle’s outside foot
D Gap: 90 degree angle like he is stealing second base
Counter traps: Cut it tight to the wall that has been formed by the
offensive line
Counter sweep: Target the pulling guard right in front of you
FIRST STEP
Some teams run Zone blocking and this may vary. Our game is to get to
the line as quick as we can. Not saying it is the best, but it works for us.
This is a big problem with running backs coming out of a two point
stance.
The Goal:
His first step must be at the target.
Second step must be a big step.
The third step is into the line of scrimmage. This takes less than .08 seconds.
Reality:
The first step is backwards. This is called a false step.
The second step is a corrective step to regain balance.
The third step is start towards the line of scrimmage.
The fourth step is on his way.
The fifth step is into the line at 1.5 seconds. The hole closed at 1.2 seconds and everyone yells at the line to block.
Running back coach needs to work on this every day
SET UP BLOCKS
This is something to work on as the season goes on. When a back
sweeps, he will find himself two on one with his fullback and a corner back.
This is an easy drill:
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Football 101
Set up a 2 back, 3 back and corner back:
Pitch the ball to the 2 back and he and the full back run at the corner.
Now, teach the 2 back to fade inside to get the corner to commit. Once
he does, the full back has an easy block. He then cuts outside.
He can also fade outside setting up a kick out block, and cut inside. I like
the fade inside and cut out side because no one is out there once you juice
the corner.
READ THE BLOCK
Set up a dummy as a defensive middle linebacker. Take a QB, FB and 2
back and run an Ice play at the dummy. Have the player holding the
dummy, move to the left or the right. The fullback takes him where ever he
wants to go. The 2 back reads the block and makes his cut.
Our backs are allowed one cut and GO! The read is the fullback’s butt.
Run the same drill and have the dummy stay put. The full back gets his
head on one side or the other and the 2 back reads the butt again. He makes
one cut.
I cannot tell you how valuable it is to cut the right way. The 2 pictures
below are great holes, but a bad cut.
The Offense
Nice hole, bad read.
Same
CUT IT UP OR TAKE IT WIDE
This is an easy drill to do any time:
Take a tight end, defensive end, full back, 2 back and quarterback.
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Football 101
Pitch the ball to the 2 back. The end tries to hook the defensive end.
He either gets him or he doesn’t. If he is hooked, the full back takes it
around the corner. If he is not, he cuts it up.
Coaching point: The 2 back and full back need to get out of the back
field like a bat out of hell. They can not anticipate the cut back . If it happens
it happens. Their goal is to hit the edge. The cut back is Plan B.
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Catching
HAND POSITION
These are very simple drills but very important. Most
balls are dropped because receivers have their hands
held incorrectly.
The proper way to catch a football is palms facing
the QB with your index fingers and your thumbs
touching.
When I coached baseball I had a 3rd basemen that had a very small glove.
After about 10 dropped balls I told him he needed a bigger glove. His
mother was upset and had a senior coach send me an email listing the great
players using such a glove. I sent him a thankful email back saying this kid is
not Cal Ripkin or the rest of the high school or college players on the list.
The bottom line is, I don’t care what everyone else does, “Right is right and
wrong is wrong”.
Great example: In the 2011 Super Bowl a Green Bay receiver dropped
three passes because he was holding his hands wrong. On every play I would
spring out of my seat and yell at the TV. On the fourth try he held his hands
correctly, made the catch going over the middle and made it down to the 1.
Same route, same pass, different hand position. Moral of the story, hold
your hand right regardless of the level.
HAND POSITION DRILL
This is the first drill we run. It is very simple but critical to making sure
your receivers have proper hand position. I have seen championships lost
because of poor hand position.
Set up three players facing three coaches about 7 yards away. Have all the
rest of the players line up behind the three players.
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Football 101
Drill #1: Have the player flash the coach index finder to index finger and
thumb to thumb. Toss it to him above the waist. Have him maintain his
hands properly, catch the ball, tuck it with his hand on the cone, holding the
ball tight to his chest at a 45 degree angle.
If the ball is more to the right side, he tucks in his left hand (outside
hand) and turns up field to his right. If the ball shades his left side, he tucks
with his right and moves up field to the left. This gets them catching the
back, tucking and rolling.
Drill # 2: Have them turn their hips 45 degrees from the coach. The
back should be facing the coach. Have the players turn their shoulders so
they are facing the coach. Throw to their outside. This gives them the
feeling of catching the flag routes and out routes and gets them turning
their shoulders while maintaining proper hand position. Once again, once
they have caught the ball, tuck turn and run.
Once you have completed the right run now do the opposite turn
throwing over the left shoulder. This similates the Dump passes.
Drill #3: Have the player turn his back to the coach. Count to three and
all players turn to the coach. The ball should be in the air on the turn. This
mimics the hook or hitch routes. When the player turns he needs to
quickly pick up the ball, catch it with proper hand position, cup it and make
the proper turn.
These are simple drills but critical if you want your receivers to catch the
ball correctly. Watch games on Sunday and see how many balls are dropped
due to bad hand position.
ROUTE RUNNING
Make sure you tell them were the flat is. See Introduction.
We set cones and run the exact routes for weeks before we take away the
cones.
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Our Routes:
Slant (131): 1 step to the outside and cut a 45 angle to the middle of the
field. The ball should hit you just after you clear the outside linebacker.
Slant (331): 3 steps to the outside and a 45 degree angle at 45 degrees.
Drag (541): Take 3 steps at a 45 degree angle and run underneath the
linebackers. You should come popping out the other side of the field in the
flat.
Post (551): 5 yard and cut to the “Post” The post is the yellow thing
coming out of the ground.
Skinny post run 5 yards and cut to the yellow post going up in the air on
your side of the ball.
Flag (571): 7 yards and cut to the flag in the back of the end zone on
your side.
Dump(180): A release can be either inside or outside the end. What
ever they give you. Outside is preferred. The pass will hit you about 8-10
yards. Your position is 3-5 yards wider than when you left the line of scrimmage.
Fade (190): Our receivers start inside the numbers and start straight
down the field. At 3 yards start to fade away until you are almost out of
bounds. If the QB misses you, the ball should go out of bounds.
BALANCE ON THE CUT
Recievers need to run at there targets without tipping them off on where
they are going. Eyes, hips balance are the keys.
The County Fair 4 Corner Drill
Go straight at first cone.
Drop your hips and stay under control.
Do not lean or tip the line backer with your eyes.
Plant your out side foot and make a 90 degree angle.
Flash your hand immediately to the coach.
The coach is 5 yards away. Just give them a soft toss.
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Football 101
Player must wrap the ball, drop his hips and cut another 90 degrees.
Finish at the last cone with dropping the hips and cutting 90 degrees
again.
Cuts need to be shape and under control. If the receiver runs a 5 yard out
route and ends up 8 yards deep, it is an interception.
The Tight end drill
STALK BLOCKING
We like to sweep to the side of a wide out and slot receiver. We do this
because it has a short porch (only 2 men on the line of scrimmage).
❋ Run at the defenders until they stop giving ground.
❋ He will read sweep, it is time to attack.
❋ The key is the rule of 45’s. Break down (45 degree angle in the ankles,
knees and hips).
❋ Maintain good balance.
❋ Make the defender commit one way or the other.
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❋ When he commits, get your shoulders turned 45 degrees and pass
block.
❋ The 2 back will cut the opposite side of your block. DO NOT HOLD.
Once he has the corner, chances are the corner couldn’t get him if you
went and got a Coke.
DRILLS TIER 2
When we have lights, we start our practices 1 hour later than every one
else. This gives us the field all to our selves for the last hour of practice. This
is the perfect time to run tier 2 drills:
2 minute offense- Coaches should have 4 sets of 2 plays each. The first
play can be a running play, the second a passing play. If the pass is complete
the team flies to the line, sets up and waits for the ref (coach) to blow the
play in. Then, kill the clock. Huddle up and call the next two plays. Make
sure one goes to the left and one to the right to always work with the wide
side of the field. Run it as a perfect offense (no defense). We run this twice a
week so the kids are ready for it when we need it.
Overtime offense- Go over the over time rules with your team. Have a
set of plays that are locked down as your over time plays. The team should
feel very well prepared if you get into an overtime situation. This will give
them the confidence they need.
9
The Defense
Defenses are pack animals. They are cunning and smart. They
move as a team while they trap and kill their prey. Their job is to
resist and take away what the offense does best. Force them to
beat you with their weakness.
Defense is 11 blue collar warriors doing their job. Defensive players who
try to be spectacular, usually miss their target and create big plays.
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Football 101
The Super Bowl era Redskins gave us an example of the right way and
the wrong way to do things. We had two defensive ends: Charles Mann and
Dexter Manley. Charles was a Football Player (Athletes who put team first),
Dexter was an Athlete (Athletes who put themselves first). Dexter would
charge into the offensive backfield to get sacks, but in process, would leave
gaping rushing lanes for the running backs and escape routes for the QB.
Charles would shut down the running lanes first, contain the QB and then
go for the sack after the other options were taken away. We kill Dexter Manleys when we play them.
This chapter will focus on our philosophy, formations and techniques
and how we take things away from offenses. It has served us very well for
many years.
Regardless of what defense you run there are two key elements of
the defense:
Discipline:
Players need to be in the right place, at the right time, and in the right
position to make the play. There are rules that defenses have to follow and
if they don’t, it creates opportunities for offenses. A disciplined defense can
handle a team that is bigger, faster, stronger, but undisciplined.
Tackling
Before we get into formations, responsibilities and strategies, one thing is
constant: If you can’t tackle, it doesn’t matter what you run. Proper tackling also reduces injury. Follow the tackling drills in this book or other tried
and true drills. You only need 3-4, but do them right and do them often.
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TERMINOLOGY
The defense has names for their gaps too:
A-Gap: Gap between center and guard
B Gap- Gap between
C Gap- Gap between tackle and end
D Gap- outside the end
Numbering Techniques indicate the shade techniques the linemen
use.
Most high school teams use this system, we don’t. If you are in youth,
take a pass on this.
0 technique- nose on the center
1- technique-nose on outside shoulder of center
2- technique-nose on guard
3- technique-outside shoulder of the guard
4- technique-nose up on tackle
5- technique-nose on outside shoulder of tackle
7- technique-nose on inside shoulder of end
8- technique-nose on end
9- technique-nose on outside shoulder of end
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Football 101
THE FORMATIONS
The end needs to redirect the slot reciever to the safety or cornerback and cover the flat
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179
The end needs to get across the line inside of nearest receiver to prevent screen. The back side tight ends needs to be jammed on
the LOS. He is a target
The ends redirect the slot receivers and cover flats, 2 of the 3 inside linebackers blitz
180
Standard cover three protection
Football 101
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181
If the ball breaks containment, our defensive backfield rotates
DEFENDING THE RUN-RULES
Offenses are trying to create lanes for their running backs. Defenses need
to take away the lanes, trap the backs and kill them. The ends are there to
make sure nobody leaves that box.
Run/pass likelihood will be dictated by down and distance and opponent’s tendencies. DO NOT TRY TO ANTICIPATE PLAYS. I love it
when a coach yells ”watch the sweep!” and you are running a counter trap. If
everyone does their job on every play all options are taken away.
The players in the box (ends, tackles, guards, linebackers) have run first
responsibilities.
Here are the rules for defending the run:
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Football 101
❋ D line can’t come across the line more than 1 yard until they identify
where the ball is going.
❋ D line needs to squeeze inside gap while protecting out side gap. This is
called 2 gap control and it works.
Middle
Guards are inside-out tacklers
❋
Note:Inside out tacklers mean they pursue from the inside to the outside
and take away cut back lanes for the running backs. An outside-in tackler
means that nobody crosses their face and they tackle from the outside of the
running back to his inside.
❋ D tackles are outside in tacklers until the ball crosses their face (sweep).
They then become inside out tacklers.
❋ Ends- Are outside in tacklers all the time.
❋ Ends-need to squeeze C gaps with square shoulders and never let
anyone cross their face. The shoulders need to stay square because the
runner will bounce it outside when the inside is taken away. They need
to get outside quick when that happens. If the shoulders are turned to the
inside, he will never make it.
❋ On sweep, ends need to prevent backs from getting to the edge while
not allowing a big lane to cut it up. Hey, if it was easy everyone would do
it. See:“Defending the Sweep”.
❋ If flow (running backs) go away from them, they stay in their breakdown
positions with square shoulders and look for boot legs, counter traps and
reverses.
❋ Linebackers are inside out tacklers.
❋ Linebackers key full back if there is one. If he comes at you, you come
at him, if he goes wide (sweep) you go wide. If he goes away (other side
of the field) you look boot, counter, reverse (BCR).
Linebacker
key if there is no full back, key theback closest to you. The
❋
threat of Ice is greatly reduced when the offense has 2 running backs
instead of a full back/running back. The strength of this type offense is
sweeps and counter traps as apposed to Dives and Ices.
❋ MLB keys the fullback if there is one and keys guards to QB if there isn’t.
Qb, OLB keys near side back. Your first read step is always to the open A
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gap. Your second step is a react to your read: the fullback. If you play a
team that pulls guards, you read the fullback but run with the guards if
they pull. This takes alot of practice and a smart MLB.
❋ Linebackers must prowl linebacker alley checking off open gaps. They
need to be there when the back attacks the hole. If they are caught up in
the junk at the line of scrimmage, get pushed out of linebacker alley or
over run the play, they create running alleys and escape routes for the
backs.
NOTE: NOBODY TURNS THEIR SHOULDERS IN THE BOX
DURING A RUNNING PLAY!
❋ Everyone must stay home and trust their buddies to do the same.
❋ Corner backs are pass first, but support run only after they identify the
ball. If the ball is coming at the line, the corner comes to 2 yards back and
2 yards over from the end and waits for the ball to bounce around the
end. He has contain responsibilities. If the ball pierces the line on an off
tackle, he needs to make a play.
NOTE:The middle of the field is somebody else’s problem, you have the
edges. As soon as the corners get too close, a counter sweep is coming and
they get smoked.
❋ The corner back loses deep third responsibility and goes to flat, when
the ball leaves the box in the hands of the QB to his side. If the running
back leaves the box the corner comes to the flat until he sees no pass
threat and identifies sweep. He then sets the point ON THE LOS. More
in“Defending the Sweep”.
❋ Safety is pass first until the ball crosses the line. When it does, he is a
linebacker. Football is a game of inches. The safety must stop forward
progress and put a good seal tackle on the running back. On the sweep,
the safety still retains pass responsibility (Pitch pass) until the ball
crosses the line of scrimmage. He then becomes a linebacker. Safety can
give up 5-8 yards but not the TD. See Defending the Sweep
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Football 101
Defending the Sweep
Speed kills most teams. Once
you have finished this chapter we
will never worry about speed
again.
Containing speed requires discipline so we will take it one
second at a time:
First second:
The end and defensive
line take their read step into the
offensive linemen with the intent to jam inside gap with their outside hand
maintaining outside control (see box drill). He will be tipped by offensive
linemen trying to cross their face and backfield motion. They need to fight
the hook block and maintain outside control. NOBODY CROSSES YOUR
FACE!
Line backers take their read step up into linebacker alley and read full
back or near back. Read flow and start to move down the line.
Corner backs take read steps back with their eyes focused through the
#1 receiver into the backfield. As they see the pitch, they break for the line.
The safety takes read step back keying guards to backs. When he sees
the flow and the pitch he moves laterally. Safety’s mirror ball.
Hunt as a pack, but why are these guys on their knees? Stay on
your feet.
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NEXT SECOND- MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
This is where real team work kicks in. Everyone must move as a
team to “trap and kill” the running back. Hunt as a pack!
End does not let the tight end cross his face and stays to his outside. The
key is not running down the line. The end needs to maintain outside control
but not stretch too fast or he will create cut back lanes. He maintains a position 1 yard wider than the ball. He has outside-in responsibility with square
shoulders.
Common mistake 1: The end gets hooked and the back gets the edge.
Common mistake 2: He runs down the line of scrimmage too fast and
leaves a big cut back lane.
D Line with eyes in the backfield see the backs break and move down
the line 1 yard behind the line of scrimmage. Shoulders must stay square to
the line of scrimmage during the pursuit. They trail the back 1-2 yards with
inside out responsibility. Their job is to take away the cut back lanes and
they need to be there.
Common mistake: 1 They get hooked by the offensive linemen.
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Football 101
Common mistake 2: Linemen over penetrate 2-3 yards into the back
field and follow the play from behind. They will not catch him or be there
for the cut back.
Quote: Behind is fine, ahead is dead
Linebackers Read full back and scrape down the line in linebacker alley,
1 yard behind the line of scrimmage. The outside linebacker trails the play 1
yard behind the running back. The middle linebacker needs to stalk 2-3
yards behind the running back. Trust me, he is coming back. LBs have
inside out responsibility with square shoulders.
Common mistake 1: They over pursue and run past the back, who cuts
back.
Common mistake 2: They get caught up in the junk on the line of
scrimmage and never make it down the alley.
Common mistake 3 They get pushed 4-5 yards off the line of scrimmage creating lanes for the running back.
Quote: If he’s even, he’s leavin
Corner backs: Read sweep because their eyes never leave the back field.
After their initial read steps, they come up and sit on the line of scrimmage.
This is called setting the point. Everyone is going to come to you. Nobody
crosses his face. He must take on the kick out block with square shoulders
and in a break down position. The back can not get around the point.
Common mistake 1: The corner never makes it to the line of scrimmage and gives the backs a soft corner which is easy to turn.
Common mistake 2: They come across the line and allow the lead
blocker to kick them out. The back cuts up and he is gone.
Common mistake 3: turns his shoulders and gets his head knocked off
allowing the back to go inside or out side.
Safety:Read into the backfield shows sweep so he runs parallel to the
LOS 8 yards deep staying even with the ball and maintaining pass responsibility. He is not responsible for the run yet. His head is on a swivel looking
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for receivers. If the ball attacks the LOS or crosses it, he mirrors ball and
comes up to 5 yards behind the backers and corners.
Common mistake 1: Plays too far back when the back breaks loose. If
he gets to open field it’s over.
Common mistake 2: Commits to the run too early and lets the receivers
get behind him.
The back has what we call an “Oh S&^%” moment. He can’t get the
edge and has no cut back lanes and thinks “oh S&^%”. He either surrenders to nasty defenders or heads to the 12th defender, the sideline.
THIRD SECOND-TRAP AND KILL
It’s time to finish.
Ends- The back is now going to have
to commit to the inside or outside. If he
jukes in, DO NOT BITE. There is plenty
of help to the inside. Your job is to force
him inside while squeezing the gap as
much as you can. If he makes his move to the outside, he’s all yours.
Common mistake:The back jukes inside and the end bites for the fake
and the back cuts it outside.
D Line-Our D line makes most of the tackles on the sweep. Shoulders
need to be square and you need to be in a good break down position. FIRST
RESPONDERS ARE NOT THERE TO TAKE HIM DOWN, they are
there to lock the back up and wait for the cavalry. They are all around you.
Common mistake: A D linemen tries to deliver a kill shot to the
back, misses him and creates an escape route for the back.
Linebackers-If the back decides to cut it up, you are standing right
there. Maintain balance and breakdown position. NO kill shots, just get him
wrapped up and wait for the cavalry.
Common mistake: Missed open field tackles or over running the play.
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Football 101
Corner backs-Take on the block, squeeze the inside and if he tries to
take the outside you must make sure he never crosses your face. You job is
to turn him into the backers and linemen.
Common mistake: Corner goes for the tackle on the inside move and
back gets the corner.
This is where everyone needs to be
DRILLS- DEFENDING THE SWEEP
Set up one half of the offense and defense. Alternate off tackle, pass and
sweep. No need for a huddle, the coach can stand behind the defense and
give one of the three signals to the offense.
We do this drill a lot with just the outside linebacker, D end, corner back
and safety on the defense, and tight end, flanker, and running back on
offense. Use the same three options:
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· On the off tackle, the offense blocks down and end squeezes
· On Pass the end and OLB jam
· On sweep, follow “Defending the sweep” responsibilities.
While the ends, OLB, corners and safeties are doing this drill, the line is
doing the box drill.
Defending the Power
Powering the football requires a double team on the tackle to push the
defensive linemen into linebacker alley. This is called “The Push”.
Instead of their normal box drill defensive linemen take a lower stance
and then get lower. The tackle puts their inside shoulder pad on the outside
knee of the tackle. This takes the tackle down and creates a log jam. There is
no push so the running backs have no where to go. At that point we launch
the linebackers at the running backs. The backs will try to bounce it to the
outside but the ends and corner backs should be there to contain. The log
jam kills teams trying to get a push.
You identify a Power is coming by team tendencies or formations. For
example if a team runs a power I and then runs off tackle, you need to get
low, very low.
Defending the Ice
The Ice is when the two offensive linemen kick out the defensive linemen in
an open gap. The full back comes through the open hole and takes out the
linebacker. This is very effective on teams that have linemen who come
across the line too fast and linebackers that play too far off the line of scrimmage. If the middle linebacker is superman and runs everything down, then
run right at him with this play.
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Football 101
Here is how you stop it:
Our linemen practice the Box Drill every day which teaches them to
squeeze inside gaps and occupy the outside gaps. The linemen can not
come more than 1 yard deep or they will run right by the running backs. As
they are squeezing the hole down the linebacker keys the full back*. The
linebackers rule is: If he comes I come. The linebacker meets the full back in
the hole with square shoulders creating a wall. The full back is trying to
create a seam for the running back to slide through. The full back needs to
take away the middle and the linemen have to take away the side lanes.
It is important that all three defenders have full extension with their arms
so they can make the tackle. I can not emphasize enough that if one man
turns his shoulders, the running back will have a seam and away he goes.
*Defending the Ice without a fullback
If the team does not have a full back they are not a real Ice threat. 2
backs do not like to lead through a hole and meet an angry linebacker. They
are built for speed. You should know which one leads the Ice plays and treat
him like the full back.
Backfields with 2 running backs are not Ice and Dive teams, they are
sweep and counter trap teams.
Defending the Counter Trap
Rule: “Stay home and do your job”
The job of the offense is to get the defense off balanced or out manned at
the point of attack. The job of the defense is to stay balanced and be at the
right place at the right time.
One year, we played a team in the Metro Bowl that scored 48 points per
game and had not given up a point all season. George was concerned. One
quarter of film was all I had to see. I told him they would not get one first
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down and walked out. They didn’t. 80% of the team’s plays were counter
traps. Counter traps are surprises after you have set a team up. We worked
on taking on trap blocks all week with shoulder square sqeezing down the
inside gap. When they run the traps, our defense is waiting for them.
RULE: Take away what a team does best. We took away the counter
and they had nothing else.
All other plays set up counter traps and counter sweeps. Flow will go
away from the weak side of the defense in the form of a fake sweep or fake
off tackle. The off side guard pulls and kicks out the weak side tackle (in a
50) or end (if a 40). He is followed by the wing cutting right behind the
guard. If the defensive tackle/end comes across the line too far or doesn’t
squeeze the hole down, the guard will get his head on the inside hip of the
tackle/end and kick him out and the back is gone.
Traps will be used 20%-30% of the time, but result in massive gains so
they need to get shut down at the line of scrimmage. Here is how you do it:
❋ Tackles must come one yard across the line only.
❋ Shoulder need to be square to the line of scrimmage.
❋ You are jamming the tackle in front of you so it will already pull you
down the line slightly. STAY IN YOUR BOX!
When
flow moves away from you (Tackles, ends, outside linebackers and
❋
corner backs), you must look for a back coming in your direction.
❋ Middle linebacker reads full back and runs with guards: This means his
first step is into the open A gap and he reads the fullback, but if the
guards pull, the MLB runs with them. Coaches need to run a fake 27 43
counter trap so the MLB can get used to seeing it and reacting to it.
The
tackle should take on the pulling guard and squeeze the gap with
❋
SQUARE SHOULDERS in a break down position. The lower the
better. The smaller the hole, the better chance of success for the defense.
This will turn him back into traffic (MLB, MG, OLB). If he gets outside
the tackle/end, it will be a big play.
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Football 101
Coaches point: Draw a line down the middle of the field with instructions to the defense:
Players on the right, just worry about players coming to the right
Players on the left, just worry about players coming to the left.
This works!
Run this drill with live blocking:
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An over aggressive defense, over penetrates and creates seams. The picture above shows all 4 defensive linemen over penetrating.
You can see the running back ran right by them. It was a simple dive that went for 60 yards. In the E book, you can click on t
DEFENDING THE PASS-RULES
Nobody leaves the BOX
Defensive line and ends:
The end needs to make sure if he wants to drop back, he is going to stay
in the box.
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Football 101
Under no circumstances does that QB leave the BOX.
Under no circumstances does that QB leave the BOX.
Under no circumstances does that QB leave the BOX.
Did I mention if the QB leaves the box BAD THINGS HAPPEN!!!!!
The Defensive line should have full extension of their arms as a part of
their run defense. See Box Drill. When they read pass, they turn their
shoulders, swim past the O line (See Swim move in Defensive Drills).
What comes next is based on the scouting report.
Are you playing Mike Vick or Tom Brady - a Qb that makes his money
with his feet is Mike Vick. A drop back QB who makes a living with his arm
is Tom Brady. If it’s Mike Vick, we are going to trap him and not let him do
what he does best, run. We release the hounds on Tom Brady. We want to
force him to pull the ball down and run. We will leave the middle guard or
linebacker as his spy who will run him down if he runs. The key is taking
away what they do best.
Key to pass rushing:
❋ Do not go for the fake.
❋ Breakdown when you get within striking range.
❋ First man to the QB wraps him up and waits for the cavalry.
Linebackers and ends:
Jacking up the ends is a part of their run responsibilities and critical if
they pass. The harder you make it for the receivers to get into a route, the
more success you will have. Tight ends and slot receivers need to be jacked
up and redirected to either corner backs or safeties. Linebackers and ends
need to know where their help is over the top.
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Tight ends are the key because they are the responsibility of the linebackers. Linebackers have to check off run first so if the ends run clean, they
get to their hook to curl or flat zones before the linebackers.
Defensive backs
We keep receivers in front of us. If a QB can make a perfect throw, and
the receiver can make a nice catch, we will give them the 10 yards. At our
level, they can’t make a living at that. We wait for over thrown, under
thrown or tipped balls, which will happen eventually. We intercept about as
many passes as completions against us. The key is being patient and not getting burned for a TD. Part of our philosophy of bend don’t break.
Quote: If he’s even, he’s leaving
Coverages:
We run a simple cover three with the corners taking the deep thirds and
the safety playing center field. If the ball breaks containment, i.e. leaves the
box, the backfield rotates into a cover 2 (see formations).
There are times we will switch to a cover 2 and leave the strong side
corner up in the flats. Here is an example of how that works:
We were playing DeMatha Catholic and they had a flanker run off the
corner back and slide the end out into the flat. We let them have that a few
times until they knew they could depend on it. In the second half they
needed 10 yards so we knew they would go back to it. We switched to a
cover 2. The strong side corner jammed the flanker to the inside where the
safety could pick him up. He comes back up to the flat and jumped (intercepted) the pass for a pick 6 (touchdown). Know what teams will go to
when they have to. We call that their safety blanket.
DEFENSIVE DRILLS
Here are our thoughts on Drills
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Football 101
1. Poor tackling is the #1 cause of injuries in practice and games.
2. Defensive drills must be done every day.
3. Pick 3 tackling drills and perfect them. You don’t need 100 drills. Pick
3-4 and do them very well. The worst thing you can do is do a drill and do it
wrong, a lot.
4. Split the defense into three defensive groups: The down linemen, the
D backs and the backers and ends. These drills not only help your players
get better, it helps you decide who you can trust on the field.
Tackling Drills
If you can’t tackle it doesn’t matter what defense you run. Tackling on
defense, like blocking on offense, is the fundamental key to football
Wide Base: Players need balance. The wider the base the more stable
the tackler
Head across the body: The only way to stop a runner dead in his tracks
is to shoot your head across
Aiming point: If you are coming inside out, you aim at the inside arm pit
of the runner. This takes away the runner’s ability to cut back and still lets
you slide head across the body. From Ray Gordon seminar
Shoulders square: Head across and shoulder square stop the carrier. If
you turn the shoulders, it will quickly turn into an arm tackle.
NOTE: Your shoulders may be turned at an angle on contact, but
you must drive the backside (upfield) leg across the body to help
square the shoulders and the hips.
Hips square to the LOS : When the butt faces your goal, your body is in
the right position and it usually means your shoulders are square.
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Hips, Shoulders and Feet shouled be as square as possible at the
point of attack.
Grab high cloth: It is hard to lock with your other hand. You want to
shoot your arms behind the body and grab the first thing you can get your
hands on.
Common mistake: Tacklers use alligator arms. All of a sudden at contact their arms shorten to 6 inches. They need to learn to shoot the arms.
Stay on your feet: As soon as a tackler leaves his feet he is done. All of
his power is lost.
Tackle with hips and thighs: When you make contact, players need to
follow through with a pelvic thrust. Try to explain that to a 12 year old.
TACKLING SLED
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Football 101
The player on the right is going for the kill shot. There is no wide base so
they usually miss.
If the head is on the wrong side or the shoulders are turned, the dummy
will fall over. Your team should line up and attack one after the other. If they
do it right, they can take it down a straight line. The sled also is a good conditioning drill. We do it at the start of every practice to get heated up.
Blocking sleds are great because if they tackle it wrong, it will fall over.
The object is to drive the sled around the practice field with total control. Our guys could drive it between 2 Mercedes with no worries.
Hips are the key. If the hips are open the tackle will fail.
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3 MAN TACKLING DRILL
First teach “The seal”. Put the offense and defensive players on the line.
Have the offensive back assume a running (football) position. Place the
tackler where his head is across the body, shoulders and hips square, wide
stance, feeling the power of the hips and the thighs and grabbing for high
cloth. The head and shoulder pads create the seal you want in the PERFECT TACKLE.
Now, place two cones three yards off the line of scrimmage.
On the command “go” the ball carrier will walk thru going to his left or
right. The defender will come across with perfect form and make the tackle.
Running backs should not angle too far (See above).
The rest of the players line up behind the defense. When the play is over,
defense goes to offense, and offense goes to the back of the line.
Once they have gone thru it twice and done it correctly, take it to half
speed for one cycle and then full speed ahead. Always start with the walk
thru. You will be a great tackling team if you do this at least twice a week.
NOTE: Players should not leave their feet. If they do they are turning
their shoulders or losing balance. Our first player is not there for the tackle,
he is there to stop the runner dead in his tracks and stop any forward progress.
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Football 101
If they hit the ground, or the back crosses the line, they lose.
Oklahoma Drill
Offense The coach points to one of the three
holes. The linemen reach block on the outside
holes, angle (kick out) block on the middle. The
full back leads the way, RB reads the full back’s
block.
The Goal for the offense is get 10 yards on 4
plays. If they don’t they lose.
Defense: Linemen play box drill and squeeze gaps with perfect technique. Linebacker steps up into linebacker alley. Mirrors blocking back. The
goal of the defense is to build an impenetrable wall with no escape routes to
the outside, Trap and destroy the running back.
This drill will let you know who your players are.
You need one coach standing behind the defense pointing to the middle
or side holes. One coach needs to watch the D line, one watches the O line,
one takes the linebacker and one takes the running back. This is what football is all about. We run this 1-2 times per week at the end of practice when
players are tired. It is best to divide the team in two and have them cheer for
their side. Loser gets extra sprints. If you have a team, the winners join the
losers but have the satisfaction of the win.
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The Box Drill
The Box Drill is our #1 Drill
This is our most important Drill
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Paint boxes 3 yds by 3 yds. Each defender is responsible for holding his box.
First step- Inside knee towards crotch of the offensive lineman.
Second foot needs to maintain wide base in case of double team.
Inside hand goes to the lineman’s sternum. This prevents him from going after
a linebacker.
Second hand is control hand and goes to the outside shoulder of O lineman.
Both arms need to stay extended with eyes on the backfield.
No more than 1 yard penetration.
SHOULDERS MUST STAY SQUARE TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.
The object is for defender to jam O lineman in one hole while occupying the
other.
Let them fight it out for 15-20 seconds. Defenders can not leave the box.
Put a running back on the offensive side and a linebacker on the defensive side. Afetr 3 seconds let the running back go. He has
to find a hole. The linebacker has to mirror the back
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Football 101
The coach is behind the O line. He points in one direction and yells SWEEP. The line men scape down the line of scrimmage at
1 yard deep
The coach shows pass and the line must release with a swim move and get to the coach
Our games are one big box drill
The Defense
If you look in the dictionary under “trapped”, this picture comes up.
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10
Special Teams
We know special teams win
championships.
I
also
know dieting will stop me
from looking like the stay
puff marshmallow man but
here is the way things usually
end up: Offense gets 75% of
the practice time, defense
gets 25% of the practice time
and special teams are promised 10%, which is why special teams’ don’t get much work. You
need to get a coach who is an advocate for the special teams and
works kickers, holders and snappers whenever he can. We get
most of our special teams work before and after practice.
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Football 101
KICK OFF TEAM
Kick off team: We defer at the beginning of the game so we can put our
defense on the field first. We like to start the second half with the ball
because we have more intel at that point.
Kickers need to be proficient on hitting all 9 zones:
Zone one and three: We bounce the ball hard up in the air to the side
the kicker learns the best
Zone two: The kicker dribbles a ball ten yards with 3-4 studs running
along side it.
Zone four and six are pooch kick zones. The kicker needs to pop the
ball up in the air and let his team run under it.
Zone five: This is usually a squib kick designed to put the ball 15-20
yards down the field with no return.
Zone seven and nine:Deep left and right. We will kick away from
superman.
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207
Zone eight: Deep middle usually designed to get the ball deep between
the two receivers. Sometimes they fight for it, sometimes they look at each
other and it rolls right by them.
The zone we choose depends on the return team. We like to find
someone with a 6 or a 7 on his jersey. This is their big chance to run the ball
so we try to accommodate them. They are running backs for about 1.5 seconds and then they cough up the ball when they get hit from three sides. A
lineman running the ball is like waving the red cape in front of the kick off
team. You can call the zone from the side line once you see how they line
up. The kicker can call 147 and just have one number live.
Personnel:
This is no place to give people playing time. These are your most mobile
open field tacklers. They need to hunt as a pack and stay together trapping
and killing return men. Ends and corners are on the end and linebackers are
coming up the middle. The safety should stay back and mirror the ball 5-8
yards behind the pack. If the carrier escapes the defenders, he needs to be
there to take him down.
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Football 101
KICKOFF RETURN TEAM
Everyone takes a man. Once the ball clears the front line they retreat, keeping their man to their inside
Here is a great kickoff return. It looks harder than it is.
Each player has a number that corresponds to the player they have to
block. The front line assumes the position of a short stop and awaits an
onside kick. When the ball is kicked deep, the players:
❋ Take a drop back until the ball is in the control of our return man.
❋ Keep their man to their inside.
❋ When the ball carrier secures the ball all blockers turn on their designated men.
❋ The off side secures first men coming in on the back side.
❋ The inside blocker on the backside pulls and kicks out the #1 man. He is
usually the contain man.
❋ Everyone else has angle blocks.
❋ The back first steps are towards the middle of the field to suck the kick
off men into the middle of the field.
❋ The back follows the pulling guard and cuts off his block.
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209
❋ All blocks need to be made with shoulders at a 45 degree angle and held
until the ball clears.
Personnel:
The front line are all skill players with a green light should they have a
scoop and score opportunity, except the QB.
The middle line has your two best fullback type blockers in the middle.
The tight ends are outside of second line in case of pooch kick.
The smartest burners you have are in the back row and need to practice
setting up their blocks. If you have inexperienced or undependable players
back there, you’re sunk.
Players take their drop until the ball is in the hands of the returner. Keep your man to the inside
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Football 101
Once tha ball carrier has the ball, he draws the kickoff team into the middle and follows the pulling guard. Everyone else
attacks their man with shoulders at a 45 degree angle.
EXTRA POINT TEAM
Extra points really are the most important part of the game. We have won
championships and lost championships on extra points. Two years ago I let
a great kicker go because I didn’t think he would be a position player. Now I
take that kid 10 out of 10 times.
Our snappers, holders and kickers work hard before and after practice.
Every level is different but you need to know how fast the kick must be
made. At our level you need to get the ball off in 1.3 seconds or less. The
time represents the time it take the fastest kid on the team from coming off
the edge untouched.
Blocking scheme.
In order to understand our blocking, you need to listen to Bill Cosby’s
Buck Buck Championship of the World skit. At the snap everyone takes a
small step to the inside and places his head on the hip on the man to his
inside. The outside blockers have first man outside the end and try to get a
hand on the outside rusher. Inside man comes first. If we get the ball off in
1.3 seconds, we don’t care about the outside man.
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211
Blocking kicks
The best seam is between the center and the guards. The center usually
leaves his head down and creates the seam. We put our 4 strongest guys
stacked on the nose of the guards. The lineman shoots in, the backers shoot
out or vice versa.
We also stack the widest guys on the edges. If we have identified a
pumpkin on the offensive line, we may work on him but most of the O lines
we face are solid.
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Prepractice Preparation
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXPB5uDt1SQ Great picture, but can you see the 4 things he is doing wrong?
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Football 101
This is how we are trying to get them to run. Ball tucked at 45 degree angle, hand on nose, eyes and shoulders forward
Coaches need to develop two things to prepare for the practice week:
❋ The Pop’s list-A list of pluses and minuses from scrimmages, games and
seasons. Games move fast so observations can only take you so far. Most
of your information will come from pictures and videos of the game.
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❋ The Game Plan-Designed to attack their weaknesses and highlight your
strengths. It is the plan you will practice all week and execute during the
game.
POP’S LIST
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Football 101
The video moves too fast. This gives you a step by step view of mistakes.
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Football 101
Guest what we worked on all week. We probably said it a hundred times this year: Thank GOD for pictures
A Pop’s list is prepared after each scrimmage, game and season and lists
all of the things we did right, wrong and need to work on.
Tools for the Pop’s list:
❋ Coaches’ observations.
❋ Game video.
❋ Game pictures, if available.
Before we go into game planning we need to fix our weaknesses. The pictures above reveal a weakness against counter traps. We will work on drills
to improve that aspect of our game. See a”Defending the Counter Trap” in
the Defensive chapter.
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Actual Pop’s List from First Scrimmage 2010
Guys:
All and all I would say not bad
for a first outing. The field was horrible so it was hard to get a read on
speed. They were not a well coached
team (I am sure the other coach is
saying the same thing) because they
were out of position and neither their ends nor linebackers put a hand on our
ends. Bad move.
The best thing I saw was a team that made mistakes and fixed them on the
fly:
Examples:
❋ Jahelka gets burned on flare to back out of the backfield. Next time, he is in
his hip pocket for a 7 yard loss.
Big
Baby and Sarge over ran open holes allowing 3-4 yards (TD against a
❋
good team). The next open gap each saw, got plugged from inside out for no
gain.
❋ We get smoked in the flats early and then start shutting them down.
❋ The outside blocking from Jonah got better as the game went on.
❋ Chad came running across the field looking at the QB and the 541 route got
blown up. Next time he got across the field, hit his spot and we got a TD with
the help of a nice block by Jonah.
Here are the positives:
Defense
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Defense over all looked aggressive.
Linebackers did some nice clean up.
D line did not get knocked into linebacker alley on double teams.
Ends adjusted as the game went on.
They could not sweep on us. Great containment by the ends.
The corners were up on the sweeps and back on the passes.
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Football 101
❋ We had one interception, but should have had three.
Offense
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Our tackle to tackle running back had a big day on sweeps.
Our stalk blocks looked great for not having worked on them.
The push despite bad turf and a stacked line looked good.
Our routes looked good. With more time to set up we get 3 more TDS.
Our 12 yr olds are calling plays. 4th and a foot they don’t even wait for the
coaches. The two of them called a goose play and away they went.
Billy called the 572 touchdown play.
We have a QB with poise and a full back mentality. You just can’t teach that.
Two passing TDs, not bad.
Our O got better, their D got worse. That shows that we started to wear them
down.
Negatives
Defense
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Backers over ran the open hole 2-3 times. Need to come inside out.
CB needs to stay behind receivers.
Backers need to read pass and get to their zones.
DLs need to come out every 3-4 plays. They are getting winded.
Ends need to contain on waggles and boot legs.
Offense to do items:
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Need more reps by:
Zack at 2
Tyler at 2
Chad at 3
Kushuta at 3
Zack at QB
Jahelka at TE
The entire O line
Charlie needs to lock down tackle
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221
❋
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line needs a lot of work
Billy needs to work on foot work and balance
Our pass protection was very bad
Our backs need work on knowing which side they have and locking down
their guys
❋ We need work on setting up blocks
❋ We have no depth on the O line
❋ Players can not depend on D line for their playing time. They need to get
locked down on an offensive position.
I really do go insane on the first scrimmage, because we look so bad. Maybe I
am just getting old and soft, but I was pretty happy with what I saw.
Coach Samson
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Football 101
PUTTING TOGETHER THE GAME PLAN
You need to know your enemy
Set the game plan so you know what you want to focus on for the week.
The best coaches we have coached with, or against, were masters at
knowing the other team. We have checklists for coaches to use when they
are dissecting game films or pictures of the other team. This will help you
collect and organize your thoughts and apply tried and true rules to help.
Checklist: Their Defense
General:
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What is their defining characteristic?
What do they do best?
What formations do they use?
Do they have 7 in the box or 8? The tip off here is the number of safeties
and where they play. If they have 1 safety, they have 8 in the box?
D line:
❋ Do they run an even (4 man) line or an odd (5 man)?
❋ Does the line jam or shoot gaps?
❋ Do they turn their shoulders or are they square?
Prepractice Preparation
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Is any player on the line breaking rules?
Are they stacked on the line or in the gaps?
How far do they come across the line (1 yard or 2)?
Who is their weakest lineman? Look for subs.
Defensive ends:
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Do they turn their shoulders when attacked by the ends?
Do they come across the line more than 1 yard?
On a sweep, do they shoot to the outside?
Do they get hooked?
What do they do when flow goes away?
Do they crash?
Do they Box? (3 yards across the line)?
Linebackers:
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Do they play up (1 yard off the line) or back (3 yards)?
Do they like to blitz?
Which backer blitzes the most?
What downs do they blitz on?
Which outside line backer is slowest?
Do they get caught in the junk on sweeps?
Which one is Superman?
Which one is Jack? Jack sticks his head up in the air when the ball is
snapped. We call him Jack because he looks like Jack in the box and we
are going to Jack him up.
Do
they get back on pass plays?
❋
❋ Can they get to the flats?
Corner backs:
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Are the corners up or back?
Do they like to be in on the tackle or are they spectators?
Do they play up or back?
Which one is better?
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Football 101
❋ Are they “Keep guys in front of you” or “run with them” kind of corners?
Safeties :
❋ How far back do they play? 8 Yards is correct is youth, 10 in High School
and 12 in College
❋ Are they too far back or too close?
❋ Do they come up to make tackles?
❋ Are they taking read steps back?
❋ Do they come up too quick?
Checklist: Their Offense
General
❋ Are they primarily a misdirection team, power team or speed team?
❋ What percentage do they pass vs run?
❋ What percentages of the passes turn into QB Scrambling?
Running backs:
❋ Are they power guys or speed guys.
❋ So they like to cut back on sweeps, or do they try to burn it around the
corner?
Who
is their key running back?
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❋ Do they follow the full back?
❋ Who is their biggest threat?
QB
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Is he Mick Vick or Tom Brady? i.e is he a runner or pocket passer?
Does he have an accurate arm?
How far can he throw?
Does he like to roll out?
Does he like to get hit?
Prepractice Preparation
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Does he take his hand off the ball as he is getting ready to throw?
Does he have a quick release or a wind up release?
What route does the QB throw the best?
Is he better deep or short?
Line:
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Do they zone block?
Do they double team the line?
Do they run to one side more than the other?
Do the guards pull?
Do they stay low?
Do they reach block on sweep?
Does the center go play side or back side?
Ends and receivers:
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Who is the primary target for passes?
Is the end good at hook blocking
Which tight end is their favorite target?
Which receiver is tallest? Fastest? Best hands?
Once you have the checklist where you want it, you apply the rules to
come up with a game plan and plays you want to run.
Attacking Their Defense
Operating an offense is a series of “if” statements. A smart OC knows the
rules and runs the offense accordingly. The head coach should read the
defense and look for weaknesses. Here are the rules (“if statements):
❋ If they have 7 in the box- run, 8 in the box- throw.
❋ If they are faster-you run at them. We use dives, inside Ice and bams.
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❋ If they are bigger or slower- run around them, use misdirection, quick
dives or throw.
❋ If the linebackers blitz- run dives bams, sweep and quick passes in linebacker alley.
If
❋ the linebackers play back- The bubbles are open so ICE all day.
❋ If the linebackers are up- It is easier for the linemen to get to them so sweep
and bam.
If
❋ the D line is on the players noses- emphasize gap blocking instead of
man blocking.
❋ If the D line is in the gap- practice seal blocking.
❋ If the D line is very athletic- practice cut and seal blocking.
❋ If the D line shoots weak A and B gaps- practice backside seal blocking.
❋ If the ends shoot to the outside to prevent the sweep- practice cutting
the pitches up quicker.
❋ If the end turns his shoulders when attacked by end- run off tackle all
day.
❋ If the ends crash- sweep them.
❋ If the corners play up- play action to freeze them and run the flag routes, or
the one step fade routes. Our 7 and 9 routes.
If
❋ the corners like to play too close to the box- set them up with some off
tackles and run the counter sweep. They will be nowhere to be seen. Also run
some 7 routes to get them out of the box. Once they are back, run it, when they
come up, throw it.
❋ If the corners play back- run all day. Everyone in the box is accounted for.
If the corner is back, you have a better chance of beating him one on one.
If
❋ one of the corners takes read steps up instead of back- go over the
top with play action 7 routes.
❋ If they play man (to man)- run crossing routes.
❋ If they play zone- freeze the line backer with play action and send 2
receivers on one corner. Run one in the flat, one to the flag. I right fake 26 B
cross and out.
❋ If they have one safety- center field is closed, hit the seams (8 route) and
Flags (7 routes).
❋ If they have two safeties- center field (5 routes) and the Flag (7) are open,
the seams (8 routes)are closed.
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❋ If they have 4 linebackers- the middle of linebacker alley is open and the
flats are closed.
❋ If they have 3 linebackers- the flats are open.
❋ If they have 2 linebackers- the weak flat is open. Great time for: I right
tight 541 Drag route to the weak side. Trust me.
❋ If the safety is too far back (over 8 yards )- one step dump: Power slot
right 180.
If
❋ the safety is too far up- power slot right fake 32 380. The 3 step drop
gives the receiver time to get over top of the safety.
Time is valuable. If you know what you are looking for you can do this
process more efficiently.
Defending Their Offense
We have a saying: “All rules apply.”
Generally we will not change anything. We run a 5-3 and rarely blitz. We
have had some of the best coaches in our area know where we would be,
and what we would do, and we beat them all. Our only enemy is confusion.
Against our biggest competitor and best coach, they averaged 6 points in
their two games.
Here are things we will work on:
❋ If the ends are favorite targets- we emphasize jamming the ends.
❋ If they like 7 routes- we will make sure we run our D back drills emphasizing the corners get deep.
❋ If they follow the full back- the middle linebacker will key him.
❋ If they run misdirection- we will emphasize staying home and the
middle linebacker will read fullback and run with guards.
If
❋ they sweep- we will run more box drills for sweeps. If they double
team, we will work on defeating double teams.
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Football 101
❋ If they have any new formations- we go over alignment and assignments.
❋ If they run to one side- we may switch tackles if one is far superior.
12
WE LOVE Practice
We live for practice. Players get to practice 1/2 hour early they
love it so much. We call our practice field Disneyland. Parents
come to practice with lawn chairs. When practice is fun,
exciting, hard, emotional and informational, then it’s fun. If
coaches can get sweat, snot and slobber all coming out of a kid
at the same time, you are getting somewhere. Here is our dirty
little secret: we claim football teaches work ethic- As long as
you’re doing something you love, it’s not work. That is the “passion conversation” and a great life lesson.
Head coaches need to manage practice and keep it moving. Assistant
coaches should coach drills. The head coach goes from drill to drill to make
sure they are all running correctly and make sure he is setting up for the next
session.
PRACTICE STRUCTURE
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Football 101
We had a successful coach give our coaches a clinic on organizing
practice. He laid out the minute to minute practice structure and said
he did not think scrimmages were good for the team. Everyone in the
room felt inferior because most coaches do not have a practice plan
and pretty much everybody scrimmages at practice. Our commissioner, Dave Hall, the top coach in our organization, immediately steps
up and says he loves to scrimmage and has no plan at practice. He tells
the group “anyone who wants to scrimmage, call me.” The moral is:
every coach has his own way of doing things. Do what works for you.
This is what works for us:
Warm up:
The dress for warm ups is pants and practice jersey. Troy would
always post with a lime green undershirt or bright orange just to get my
goat. We want players to look like a team even when they warm up.
The QB’s warm up is the same every day so he gets into a routine. The
receivers practice catching the ball correctly, with their palms out and
tucking the ball. “Catch and tuck” needs to be locked into muscle memory.
When they are ready for patterns, the receivers will run patterns they run in
the game. The receiver needs to see the pass and the QB needs to get his
timing down. That means tight ends run Dump, outs, drags and flag routes,
Wide receivers run slants, fades and flag routes from the slot. The backs can
run the 4 back routes. A QB only has so many throws per practice, don’t
waste any.
10 minutes-Dynamic stretches and calisthenics-Blow out one hamstring on a key player and you will know how important stretching is. I was
at a clinic once and a college coach was asked about stretching. He said
“Stretching? Did you ever see a dog stretch before he chased a car? Hell
no.”“If you want to stretch, do it in the parking lot.” Every one laughed.
That was the year Gump blew his hamstring out in the second practice.
Take stretching seriously. We get in four perfect lines- one line under each
goal post and the others equal distance on either side. The players do 4-5
ten yard stretching exercises. They are called “ten yard stretching exercises”
because we start at the end of the goal line and the player goes ten yards to
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231
the goal line. When these are done, they take the field for cals. The captains
stop at the 40 and everyone stops at each 5 yard increment. This gives you a
very symmetrical look to your cals. Every drill must be perfect. Everyone
needs to be perfectly in sync on jumping jacks. One man out of sync and
everyone starts over. Everything needs to be sharp; we freak teams out just
doing cals.
After cals it is a short pep talk and then the fun begins.
15 minutes- 4th quarter fatigue:At 100 miles an hour, the players
attack the hill, fly to the blocking sled, fly to the tackling sled and then hit
the chutes. Our chutes are made by the local plumbers. They are 4 feet tall
and keep the players low when they fire out. Every time a helmet hits the
bar, we do twenty push-ups as a team. The pace is very fast and very productive. We are trying to create the fatigue the players will feel in the 4th
quarter. The more they do, the better they feel. Our 2010 team scored 104
points to our opponents’ 6 in the second half against playoff teams.
When we are not at Disney, we are at Waters (turf field) where they run 6
minute miles and spend time sitting on a brick wall until the tears show up. I
know, it does sound that tough but go sit on a wall with your back press up
against it for 5-7 minutes see if you don’t draw tears after a while.
Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
Vince Lombardi
The drills we run depend on our Pops list from the game before and the
game plan we will be running for this week’s game. Here are some staple
drills:
Note: The actual drills are in the Offense or Defense Chapters.
15 minutes- Defense-The box drill for the line is what the linemen do
in every game
The ends and outside linebacker drill focuses on run, sweep, pass protection. Great drills for shutting down the sweep.
D backs focus on the get back and footwork involved in keeping players
in front of them.
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Football 101
10 minute tackling drill- There are some great tackling drills in the
defensive section and in the back of the book.
10 minute pass protection blocking-The line and backs protect, while
the rest of the team brings the house. The receivers and QBs work on
routes.
15 minutes we split the offensive line and ends working on this week’s
blocking assignments. The backs go through ball protection drills and run
this week’s plays.
15 minutes of tackling and defensive drills
What’s next depends on the day but here are some things we do:
The perfect offense- is running the offense with no defense. Coaches
need to make sure the first steps are correct and players are going where
they should go.
Oklahoma drill on Wednesday nights. This always leads to yelling,
cheering and a few fights. Good Wednesday night drill.
2 minute drill- Running up and down the field with a combination of
running and passing plays under pressure.
Special teams- Kick off, kick off return, extra point and extra point block
teams.
Scrimmage if we can find a team. If not, we close one side of the offense
and have at it.
7-7- Passing drills with no line and a full defensive backfield
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We have competition for playing time, even in drills.We teach
our players to fight for playing time. They jump in on drills and from time to
time players will fight for a spot. It beats people standing around watching.
When we coached high school we had players that would not participate.
We called them “the bridge club”. I don’t like the bridge club.
Team work - If one man goes down for push-ups, they all go down. One
practice Noodles our star weak end was called out by Sean (coach) to do 75
push-ups because he held his hands wrong 3 times in the previous game. All
three catches were for touchdowns. Most of the team was over taking off
their pads. When they saw what was happening the entire team went over
and joined in. We kind of knew we had a special team at this point.
With a hard week’s practice behind the team it is time to start game preparation. Our game prep starts at our last practice. The moms and dads will
organize some kind of pizza party for the players and parents. The game
plan is in, the team is prepped and ready to go. It is time to take rest after a
long week’s work and start to get juiced over the upcoming game.
After everyone gets his food, it’s up into the stands for a little bonding
time. This is truly one of the great nights of the season. We have our last
practice on Thursday night so everyone can go to the high school games
and get a feel for their future.
13
Pregame Preparation
Games days are very tense so
you need get in a rhythm so
confusion is at a minimum. I
prepare checklists for the
players and coaches so we all
know what to expect.
When the game time hits, we
are in a routine so by the time we
are in the Championship, the
players are on automatic pilot.
PREGAME PLAYER CHECKLISTACTUAL EMAIL
Guys:
Personal gear: Don’t bring any.
Game attire; Black Jerseys.
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Football 101
We will warm up with game jersey and game pants on, Wear black tee shirts
under uniform. We will do Penn St tonight for socks. SHIRTS TUCKED IN
Pre game warm up.
At the end of the first quarter of the game in progress on the field, the QBs,
receivers, kickers, holders and snappers go start warming up.
At half time the team will join.
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Equipment on
Dynamic stretches and cals.
10 minutes: Defensive drills: Box, ends and OLBs and D backs.
10 minutes backs and line men.
10 form the team, perfect offense.
10 walk thru all teams for a personnel check: Offense defense, kickoff, kick off
return, punt, extra point.
Captains:
We will defer and kick off. Check on wind if there is any. We want the wind in
our opponents face to start.
Personal: NO PLAYER IS BIGGER THAN THE TEAM. Subs will be
made to give the team the best chance for success. If you are not the top guy, be
ready. Your chance to prove yourself will come.
Each position group will have starters, first in and second in. The starter is
responsible for his position and keeping fresh legs in the game. If we have 4
tackles, the 2 starters will play until tired or hurt. First and second stand ready at
any time. When the starter is fresh, he has the green light to reenter.
Play list:
1. Power slot right 23 Bam
2. Power slot right 28 pitch
3. I right 4 motion 32 Dive
4. Slot left 22 ICE
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237
5. Slot left 27 pitch
6. Pops right 22 ICE
7. Power I left 23 power
8. Power I left 24 Bam
9. Power I right 28 pitch
10. Power slot right tight 43 counter trap
11. Power slot left 48 counter sweep
Passes
1. I right 4 motion 571 CV
2. I right fake 26 572 B cross and out
3. Pro right 542 Drag
4. Power I left fake 23 18 waggle
5. Pops right 190 Fade
6. Power slot right tight 180 Dump
7. Power I right 131 quick slant
Thoughts:
You’ve worked hard, have fun.
Not everything will work. The key is composure when things break down.
EVERY PLAY IS A NEW PLAY. Everyone will make mistakes, trust me.
Don’t leave your teammate on an island when he does. Captains and key players
need to get to the players who have failed and get their heads out of their ass in
an encouraging way. If they don’t, chance of a repeat of the failure is inevitable.
Saturday night will be a very exciting night so we need to stay focused. It will
be interesting to see what this team can accomplish.
Coach Samson
PREGAME COACH’S CHECKLIST-ACTUAL EMAIL
Coaches:
When we are on offense:
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Football 101
·
Cliff will call the plays with Mike and Rob by his side. Cliff should
run 4-5 plays using different formations so we can see how they will defend.
We will make adjustments based on defense after that.
·
Sean should have one half of the line, Mike should have the other.
We should always know the play so the coaches know who Jack is. Did your
guys get him or not?
·
Mike has subs on the O line. If Mike is not there, Sean has the con
on the O line.
·
Start with Noodles, Charlie, David, Sarge, Joe, Troy and Chad. Karp
and Roberts are the first in at tackles, Zhao Mihn is the only one I trust at
guard right now. Karp should get work at TE or WE.
·
Robert should be watching the two backs. False steps. Are they
getting to the holes? If they have a 1/2 second hesitation that is a problem.
Feel free to sub in. The order will be Marcus, Tyler, Troy, Joe and Chad
·
If your guys are screwing up, sub for them and take them aside and
work with them. If there are too many coaches yelling that is bad.
·
Tiger and I will focus on the other team’s defense. We are looking
for weaknesses. I will take the other team’s D line and Tiger will focus on
the backers. Watch a minimum of 5 plays to identify studs and duds. Every
defense has a weakness either player or formation. We will talk about what
we see and I will formulate that into plays I will communicate to the
strategy to Cliff and plays that will work.
·
We will feel the flow. When we think they are suckered, we will pull
the trigger on a set up play like 43, 47, dumps, waggles.
We are only allowed 3 coaches and no players in the box. We will stick
with that tonight. During offense Cliff, Mike and I will be in the box. When
Cliff is gone, Mike has the con and the offensive coaches in the box will be
Myself, Mike and Rob.
When we are on defense:
·
Myself, Rob and Sean will be in the box
·
Sean and Mike work with our O line on what they see. Get as many
linemen as you can together. Sean and Mike work as a team.
Pregame Preparation
239
·
Cliff will process the first series and the other team’s defense to
come up with his next series with Mike.
·
Sean will have half D line, Mike will have the other.
·
Mike, focus on the near side ends first. Look for trouble before it
happens. Player going 2 yards deep instead of 1 is trouble. Ends getting their
asses kicked need to come out before trouble happens
·
Tiger has backers. Are they taking read steps? Are they staying in LB
alley or getting knocked out. If they are getting knocked out, get Zach in for
them and talk to them. Are they detaching to formations, are they moving
with motion, are they calling the right strong calls.
·
Rob has DBs. Are they taking the right read steps, reacting to run
correctly forcing sweeps. Is the safety getting back, mirroring ball, rotating
on the sweeps and QBs getting out of the pocket?
Our ability to do this is based on the fact that we have some great
coaches this year and everyone knows what they are doing. If you have
questions ask. Once we are clear on our rules the coaches can focus on their
group to make sure they are doing their job. Please don’t yell too many
instructions. Too many coaches yelling will confuse.
Everything is positive. If a kid is confused, get him out. We will work with
him in practice.
Casey
PREGAME AT THE FIELD
The players show up 1 1/2 hours before game time.
Pre game uniform: Game pants, game jerseys, matching socks, t shirts
and cleats, carrying only their helmets and shoulder pads. No water bottles,
back packs, tennis shoes, sandals or anything other than their uniform.
Gathering: Our team will stay together and go sit in the stands and watch
the game in progress. We will warm up as a team.
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Football 101
Timing for warm ups is important. The last thing you want to do is miss
something because you ran out of time or peaking the players too early and
standing around.
Warm up:
At the beginning of the 2nd quarter of the game in progress, the QB,
receivers, snappers and kickers will head to the practice field. The QBs need
to get their arms warm and the extra point snapper, holder and kicker need
to get some kicks in before the team joins them.
Have your two QBs face each other from 20 yards away and have a tight
end on their right. A coach should be jamming the receivers on the line so
they can practice their swim move. Run fake 32 dump pass. The receivers
will end up at the other QB. Toss him the ball and get in his line. It is a nice
crisp drill that loosens the QB up and gets the receivers coming off the line.
The rest of the team will join them at the middle of the second
quarter. You usually have about 50-55 minutes before game time.
With equipment on:
5 minutes: Quick lap, dynamic stretches and cals. The same stuff we do
everyday
10 minutes: We split up after cals to our three man defensive groups:
❋ D ends and linebackers have their sweep, off tackle pass drill.
❋ D line goes to the box drill.
❋ D backs do their footwork drills.
5 minutes: Run through defensive responsibilities.
5 minutes: Offensive passing drills:
❋ O line and backs work on pass blocking
❋ QB and receivers run routes
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5 minutes: Offense running drills:
❋ O line and receivers work on blocking assignments
❋ QB and running backs work on hand offs and pitches
10 minutes: Full offense
10 minutes: Special teams
The warm up ends with having every starting team (offense, defense,
kickoff, kick off return, extra point, punt) quickly set up. If you don’t do this,
you will have 10 guys on the kickoff team.
Pregame checklist:
Water: You need someone to take this over. 6 bottles of full water and a
large cooler to refill them.
Water boys: You need two water boys minimum. They need to know
where to stand. Not too close to the field to avoid contact with the players
but not on the bench. They need to be ready for time outs, injury time outs
and quarter changes. They need to have full bottles ready at all times.
Cover Scabs: Yes, scabs. We were in a playoff game late in the fourth
quarter down 8-6. It was 4th and 6 but we were marching. We had the perfect play called. The ref calls a time out and brings over our QB. A scab had
broken open and there was a small amount of blood. He had to sit out one
play. The one play that would knock us out for the season. The medical
coach needs to put a bandage on any scab or small cut and wrap in white
medical tape. Make sure they are covered to prevent what I just described.
Equipment coach needs to check his bag to make sure he has extra
everything. Carry a screw driver and check helmet screws.
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Go over game assignments with your coaches ( see a sample of our
“Coach’s game assignments” in the back of the book). Everyone should be
watching one man not the game. If a head coach tries to do everything the
rest of the coaches are scratching their ass and spitting on their shoes. You
need to work as a team.
TENSIONS ARE HIGH so everyone needs to take a deep breath.
A quick pep talk and it’s off to the field:
When the players cross the line, they should cross it alone. The field is for
the players and the sidelines is for the coaches.
At 2 minutes, our team gets in four equal lines 5 yards behind the end
zone. One under each goal post and the other two lines equal distance to
their outside. They take a knee.
At the whistle, the team runs 2 drills. High knees and karaoke. After the
second drill the captain’s take them out on the field and stop at the 40 yard
line. Every player stops 5 yards back. This will give you a great symmetrical
look. As a member of the Marine Corp Silent Drill Team I am anal about
that. The captains call the same drills we run every day. Four quick exercises. I like Jumping jacks. Twenty guys doing perfect jumping jacks is tight.
Sometimes the refs need the captains so the next row turns around and
assumes the captains role. Once they are done, it’s game time.
A favorite drill of ours on the side line is the “Kiss drill”. Three coaches
line up 1 yard apart and face 2 lines of players facing each other. The first 2
players set up. Coach yells 1,2,3 Ready, Go and they make chest to chest
hard contact, get full arm extension and bounce to the next coach. The next
2 jump up. When you get rolling, you have 8 guys pounding each other at
the same time. It is a great drill to get the blood flowing and it freaks out the
other team. All they hear is yelling and shoulder pads.
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Game Management
Head coaches manage, assistant
coaches coach and fans watch
football games. Many coaches
turn into fans and watch the
game. Big mistake. HUGE!
Coaches watch for certain things
and make adjustments on the fly.
Games move fast but if you know what
to look for, you can pull valuable nuggets out of what you see. Football is not a game of inches, football is a game
of details. The difference between someone coaching football and a football
coach is focus.
Coaches need to be calm and confident. In this picture
Cliff and I are discussing our options with the defensive
ends
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Football 101
FIRST HALF
Coin Toss:We always defer at the coin
toss. This means if we win the toss, we
will defer whether we want the ball or not
until the second half.
Here is why we do that:
The defense starts quicker than the
offense. They set the tone for the game.
❋
❋ The kicking team can start the game deep in the other team’s territory
with a good kick.
❋ Good field position and early jitters from the offense could give you the
early game momentum.
❋ We like to get the ball in the second half because we have had time to
read the defense and set the plan. We put teams away by long sustained
drives to start the second half..
The first half is for the offensive coordinator to stay with the plan
and the other coaches to gather information.
Determine:Are they doing what we thought they would do? Are they
running the same defense, formation, offensive tendencies, etc. Do not start
making assessments after 2 plays. That is like Butch and Sundance preparing for the ambush before they get the payroll. Be patient. 10 plays will
determine tendencies.
Communications:
Coaches: Each coach should have been watching someone on the opponent’s defense. Are the ends coming across or crashing? Are the D tackles
shutting down running lanes? Are the corners up or back? Are the linebackers blitzing? If so, is it the inside or outside backers?
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Sometimes when a coach speaks in a game it sounds like German. Here
is the way to deliver news:
❋ The inside linebackers are coming, so Bams and Sweeps are there.
❋ The D end is coming across the line of scrimmage too far, the off tackle
will work.
❋ The ends are crashing, sweep.
❋ The left corner is up too far: Pro right 572 will work.
❋ The right corner is too soft: Slot right 28 pitch will work.
❋ The safety moves with the slot: Slot right 180 hit the backside end.
❋ The left linebacker is slow: I left fake 25 B cross and out.
Give them the rule that is being broken and the play that would work
best.
Players need to learn how to talk to coaches as well. They will say things
like: He is going inside of me. What does that mean?
Give players easy questions to answer and practice them during the
week. Player recognition is your best weapon. Here are some questions that
need to be answered:
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Is he on your nose or in the gap?
Is he jamming you?
Does his breath smell bad? (loosen them up a little)
Is your guy strong or weak?
Does he go to the strong side or weak?
In our recent playoff run, the guards and center called for the dives that
broke the games open on all three occasions.
Maintain control of the sidelines, especially in regards to refs. Tell
parents: Refs are going to make mistakes. Pro refs make mistakes. If we yell
at them, things will get worse. We plan on bad calls and just work through it.
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If our game is determined by a referee call, we are too close anyway.
IDENTIFY KEY PLAYERS
Offense:
You should know 86 is the tight end, 23 is their key running back, 81 is
the good weak end, 43 runs the counter traps. Knowing the players helps in
the following ways:
❋ The more you know the better they feel
❋ The tight end dictates the strength of the offense and allows the linebackers to call strong right or strong left as soon as they break the huddle
❋ The side the best back lines up, can also dictate strength. If he is on the
left, he is more likely to run to the right. The call would be “Strong right”!
❋ If you know who the best receiver is, you can get your best corner back
to that side of the field early.
On defense:
❋ Many team’s run a monster. That means the defense is balanced with
one player running free. He is called a monster and could line up anywhere. Once we know where he is, we run and sweep backside.
❋ One corner is usually better than the other or has different tendencies. If
one likes to stay back, throw slants and sweep. If one presses, throw fade
routes. Are they doing what you thought they would do? If one is close to
the box, run your counter sweep to his side or throw our 571 flag routes
TIME MANAGEMENT
We conserve time outs and only use them for the following reasons:
❋ If the other team is driving and getting close to our end zone. We will call
time out to give our players a chance to regroup.
If
❋ we are close to scoring and have a big 4th and short. We need some
time to be thoughtful and gather our wits. It does give the defense a
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chance to regroup too but if you are at 4th down, they have the
momentum anyway.
We save any other time outs for the final 2 minute drive. Like I said, I
want to die with 2 time outs left.
Closing in on halftime:
❋ Coaches should have the 2 minute drill ready with most or all of the time
outs.
❋ Teams need to work on 2 minute drills 1-2 times per week.
❋ If you are inside your 30 yard line, the goal is to run out the clock unless
you have a superior passing game and you have a great punter. In youth
league, most teams have neither. The last thing you want to do is get 4th
and 7 on your 30, with 1:30 in the half. GOAL: Run out the clock. Run
the ball and shoot for a first down.
HALFTIME
Halftime:
Coaches should have been communicating with linemen through out the
first half. The head coach needs to get them in the dugout or on a knee and
clearly communicate the plan for the second half. If there were mistakes, go
over them, but what are we going to do going forward. Review blocking
schemes, pass plays you will run, talk about changes they see, opportunities
they see.
Head coach should be 50%: OC 15% and DC 15% (I always overshoot
my 50%).
DO NOT spend 90% of your time talking about heart; just communicate
the second half plan.
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SECOND HALF
Second half is for calm heads on the sideline. Execute the second half
plan and coaches begin seeing if there have been any changes made by the
other team at half time. The second half is about wearing teams down. It is
about conditioning. The first half is fun, the second half is business. Here is
where teams break. One long drive and they are done.
The OC calls the normal plays and the head coach or assistant head
coach has a list of home runs. Example: If we are running ices up the middle,
they are getting set up for the fake Ice, 47 counter sweep. If we are having
success running off tackle we have a fake 26 571 (Flag routes). If we are
having success sweeping, we run a dive that includes a fake pitch (See Metro
Bowl video). The defense follows the pitch and the full back is 20 yards
down range with the ball.
As you are coming down to the end, the OC is calling the plays and the
head coach or assistant head coach begins working the clock and communicating with the OC. When a time out is called, the coach needs to calm the
players and clearly articulate the 2 plays and key blocks or passes. Your team
should be used to the 2 minute drill by now.
As you are running down the field and killing the clock, make sure your
QB knows to wait until the ref has blown the ball in play before taking the
snap.
OVERTIME
Mark Meana asked me if we practice our overtime drill. I looked at him
like he just spoke Greek.
I never thought about that and definitely did not practice it, so we did.
Three game later we got caucght in an over time game and the players and
coaches were very calm because we have gone over whether we would defer
and why as well as which plays we would run. The players and coaches were
ready becaus ewe had practiced it.
Here is our plan:
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We defer again. What the other team does, dictates what you will do.
Example: If they do not score and you have the ball 3rd and goal from the 5,
you may kick a field goal to win. You kick on 3rd in case of a bobbled snap
or hold. You will have another chance.
We have 4 plays in our overtime drill. The fact that you practice it gives
the kids confidence. Football is 50% confidence, 75% execution.
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Football 101
LIVE AMMO
Big Baby
The only way to describe big games is take you there, and it won’t get any
bigger than the games we will play in 2010. The 125 American Division in
Fairfax County Virginia is always tough, but 2010 takes the cake. We had
three extraordinary teams and coaching staffs to compete with without
leaving Fairfax County:
❋ Chantilly: Brian Newell has won 6 Metro Championships and coached
some of FCYFL’s most dominate teams.
❋ South County: A big fast team that beat Brian in last year’s county championship and reigning Metro Bowl champs.
❋ SYA: Who have high school coaches and loaded with talent. This program feeds two high schools that have both won state championships.
If we get by them, we have:
❋ Prince George’s County Championship in the Washington Area Metropolitan Bowl. This year they have changed from our weight limit to
unlimited. Our 145lb kids will play kids in the 220-300 pound range.
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❋ Four time National Champion Dolton Bears in the Daytona Beach
National Championship tournament.
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Football 101
Defending Metro Bowl Champion-South County
The captians are the players from last years A team.
We could not get a good read
on how our team would fair under
stressful conditions during the preseason or the first few games of the
regular season. The first stress test
would come against the defending
Metro Champions, South County.
They were big and they were fast.
Scouting report:
Offense: Run a basic wing t. The backs are good but they do not have
the speed to get outside. They like to run Ices and even an option or two.
They have 2 two backs and no big strong full back. Their main weapon is
the QB. He is a player and likes to get outside. He is a Mike Vick type QB.
Defense: They run a 4-4. The inside right backer is up and likes to come
and the left one plays back. The left end comes up field and the right end
likes to crash. He is a hook victim. The corners are fast and take chances by
coming up too close. The safety is back too far.
The Plan:
On our right side:
❋ Set up the end on the right side with a few off tackles and then smoke
them with some sweeps when he starts to crash.
❋ Ice the inside linebacker who like to stay back.
❋ Smoke the corner with the fake 26 572. He will bite.
❋ Run dives at the line. They are big and come straight up field.
❋ Throw dumps at the safety. He is back too far.
On our left:
❋ The ends flex so run inside him. When you sweep, cut it up.
❋ Their backer on that side plays up so work Bams on the left side. Do not
dive the weak side, stay with strong side dives.
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❋ Their corner plays up so run the 4 motion 571.
Our Defensive Plan
❋ KEEP THE QB IN THE BOX. He makes his living with his legs so force
him to throw.
❋ Lock down the tight ends and take away the pass. They are not built for
pounding the ball.
Take
away the roll out and the passes and they are done. THEY CAN
❋
NOT RUN ON US. They will need to run misdirection. STAY HOME.
If we get burned it will be by misdirection.
GAME TIME
The game was over at the pre game warm ups
I believe the turning point of the game happened before the game even
started. We are very good in warm ups. Very precise. As I was watching how
big these guys were, they were watching us warm up. We looked good. The
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Football 101
other team was watching instead of warming up. I really think looking very
good in warm ups has an intimidation factor.
This was a big strong bullying type team. There is only one way to deal
with a bully: Punch them right in the mouth. For the first quarter and a half
is was just a fierce back and forth battle. They did not have a true full back,
so their staple was rolling out of the backfield with their QB. Our ends
David and Troy would have none of that as we took that option away. One
of the biggest rules is take away what the other team does best and make
them beat you with what they don’t do best. Their second biggest weapon
was misdirection. Their backs were fast so if they get loose, their gone.
I think we could have played 5 games and I don’t think they could have
scored. Our line was too strong and the ends were too good. If they got by
the line they had to deal with Big Baby, Chad and Marcus.
Then it happened, the 4 back came in motion, you can hear the “watch
the crack”, but it came too late. The 4 back took out Marcus, our outside
linebacker (OLB) with a vicious crack back block. A “crack back” is when a
flanker goes in motion, and with the outside linebacker or end not looking
the flanker ear holes them. This play should be banned from all football. I
only get angry when I see someone intentionally try to hurt a ball player.
Marcus is wiped out. He is inconsolable when we get to him. It is all I can do
to keep from…….. Like I said, it is a weakness.
Game on. We get the ball back and drive it down the field. Chad makes a
big catch and they get a unsportsmanlike penalty putting us on the 10 yard
line. We punch it through for a TD and go up 8-0. Our plan is to make the
Qb stay in the pocket and throw. Right before halftime it pays off. He panics
and throws out to the flat and Chad, our OLB playing for Marcus, steps in
front of the pass and gets a pick 6. Extra point good, 16-0. Football justice.
Marcus is still down and we are not done. We get the ball in the second
half and start jamming the ball down their throats. The players are starting
to yell at each other. That is always a good sign. Chad pops a power slot
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right 23 Bam and he is gone for about a 35 yard TD. Extra point good, 24-0.
This turned into good guy vs bad guys after that big hit. We had our first
stress test and they passed with flying colors.
The game plan worked like a charm. We could run the ball and suck
them up into the box, then throw and counter sweep them. Keeping the QB
in the box resulted in about 40-50 yards in the backfield for them and
forcing him to throw resulted in a TD for us.
Brian, from Chantilly, is up in the stands taping. It is now clear, Oct 23 is
going to be a big night.
It was the defense’s day
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Defending the sweep
Football 101
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6 Time Metro Champion Chantilly Vikings
Let’s get this party started! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKQT9aNZw_w
October 23rd was the big
game against our rivals Chantilly.
Brian Newell was the coach and a
long time rival. The last time Brian
was at 125 we had massive crowds
for our games so we knew these
would be big.
The town and the league were
a buzz. The crowd at Waters was
bigger than 2004. To add a little
spice, the defensive coordinator
was a long time VYI coach who
was now coaching in Chantilly.
The scouting report:
Their offense: They had a QB
who had been with them for the
past 4-5 years. He was a Tom Brady type QB and he could let it fly. He had
some good receivers but their tight end, #3, was a real problem. I found
Chantilly coach, Brian Newell
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every touchdown they had thrown for the past few years on the Internet. I
categorized their plays and any tip offs. One play stood out. They ran a
double wing with # 3 at left end. The back on his side would go in motion,
the QB would fake to the full back, pop out and hit #3 on the flag route.
They were very good at it. Problem #1.
They also had a fullback that would rival Big Baby. He was a real player
and a threat. The 2 wings were old and good but we felt we could shut them
down. Problem #2. They followed the full back on most plays so that would
be our key for the game.
Their defense: Ray was the defensive coach and he and I have been
waiting to get at each other’s team for years. Ray is very good but his philosophy and mine are just different. Neither is better, just different. Ray makes
Rex Ryan look like Mr Rogers. He ran an attack 4-4 and I ran a trap and kill
5-3. He would have different formations and blitz packages that would
come from every where. He was going to bring the house.
Their full back was the defensive end on our right side. We have to run at
him. He would not let you sweep him. There were some players we thought
we could pound on with some success. He isn’t one of them. We like to play
teams that come up field and attack so we felt pretty comfortable.
The Plan-Offense
❋ Run right at them with Dives and Bams. No Ices because the backers
were up too far. The Bams are built for this team.
Throw
the ball at will
❋
❋ Get out of the back field with sweeps and quick throws
❋ When we sweep to Briar’s side (their full back/D end), we would have to
cut it up.
❋ They would not leave the box when we formationed so we would throw
it.
❋ We may not be able to run the 43 counter trap if there is too much pressure. The 47 should work better
❋ We had the size so we would pound them if we get the lead.
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The Plan- Defense
❋ When a back goes in motion, shut down the back side ends
❋ When the team goes into slot, watch the bubble pass
❋ He likes to throw to the hook zone, backers need to get there on pass
protection.
❋ They are a misdirection team. They bank on someone coming across too
far and trapping them. Not going to happen with us. The defense needs
to STAY HOME.
❋ There would be no new formations, stunts or blitzes. We were going to
take away the counter traps, key the full back and lock down the ends.
Play Ball!
For the big games, we start our team function 3 hours before game time
with a spaghetti dinner at the Vienna Inn. The atmosphere is electric. A lot
of the younger players are there, they know what night it is. It’s Oct 23rd
and everyone has been waiting for this show down. The kids have their
dinner and show no sign of nerves.
For a group that has not won championships, they sure have a calm confidence about them. After dinner it was off to the parking lot for a final walk
thru. Then it was time for “The Walk”. They put their equipment on
including helmets. They plug in their music and away we go. Not another
word will be said. The time for talking is over. It’s game time. We walk down
Maple Ave (Vienna’s main St) to the bike path. We stand there waiting for
the light so we can cross. What a weird sight; a fully dressed football team in
a column of 2s waiting for the light. It was a surreal moment for the players
and coaches as we walked down the bike path through the woods in the
dark, with full gear. All you hear is some of the kid’s music and the clacking
of the cleats. As we get close to the field we can see the lights coming over
the top of the trees. The woods open up to a lit Waters Field. Very cool.
We can see the crowd starting to build. We go through our normal pregame rituals and warm ups. When we are done, we head to the gazebo. With
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Football 101
helmets still on, everyone assumes the position on the gazebo floor, flat on
their back. Meditation time. Sean pulls up in his truck and blasts “Lose
Yourself” by Eminem. The kids are getting jacked up. Tonight was their one
chance, their one opportunity, in front of the whole town, to capture the
opportunity to take Chantilly down. I tell them that if Chantilly wins,
THEY will be down at our Vienna Inn celebrating tonight. Enough said.
“Game time”. The players jump to their feet, no pep talk necessary. We
form two columns and off we go. The walk takes us up the walk way and
right through the Café. The parents and fans have already begun their Saturday night ritual and they are ready too. As they cheer the kids on, the
goose bumps begin. The field is a bright green million dollar sport turf field.
Vienna is a big small town but a small town none the less. It is a special place
and this is a special night.
The kids take their place under the goal post in perfect lines. The cals are
perfect. Most of the people say that is their favorite part of the game. Last
year Brian beat our 110 team pretty bad here at Waters. The captains would
be the 4 kids that played on that team, but tonight they brought some buddies. We win the toss and defer. We want to kick because we have the nasty
onside kick. We have a special group of players and coaches, one of which is
our father/son team of special teams coach, Tiger Teramora and kicker, his
son Zack. One of our best onside kicks is the 10 yard dribbler. Big baby and
Chad are on either side of Zack.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKQT9aNZw_w]
He kicks the ball 10 yards and as it is crossing the line, Big Baby and
Chad fly down and kill the guy right in front of the ball. Their front line guy
stands waiting. Everyone knows whats coming, but if Big Baby and Chad
get to this guy before the ball does, he’s done and there is nothing he can do
about it. They do, he is and it’s Steeler ball. Joe, our ”Man Child”, is on the
ball. We don’t send Joe after the return guy, because we would be arrested
for ADW.
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The game goes back and forth with no team making very much progress.
They get to 3rd and 12, we know the flag to #3 is coming. The wing goes in
motion, our end jacks #3 up, then the linebacker hits him too. The CB is in
perfect position so Colton throws it away. I can’t tell you how many nights
we lost sleep on that pass. Our guys handled it perfectly.
We run right at them and Marcus has a nice run. We are at 2nd and 2,
perfect time for a play action home run. Billy goes back, we have a break
down in our pass protection and here comes, who else, #3. He sacks Billy,
causes a fumble and runs it back 50 yards for a TD. You can not make this
stuff up. Now comes the biggest part of the game, the extra point. Brian is
known for special teams but for some reason they are struggling with extra
points this year. Advantage us. Joel, our kicker, Jonah (Noodles), our holder
and Jimmy, Sarge, our snapper are automatic. Brian’s kid misses the extra
point and we walk at half time down 6-0. Now it will be a true stress test to
see how they will handle getting knocked down.
It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up”.
Vince Lombardi
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2ND HALF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLJQHyH-TNc
We receive the second half
kickoff and start to move the balldown the field. We just run our
basic stuff, no flash, just perfection.We hit the 28 pitch for a big
gain down to the 2 yard line. It is
a great run and an incredible
block. The video tells it all (Youtube.com key word “Vienna
Steelers Ultimate Hit and Run”).
Watch the full back lay out the
safety! Billy and Sarge goose it in
for 6. Extra point good! 8-6
Steelers.
We try another onside kick and recover. After a little pounding, Billy hits
Chad for a nice fade route for a big play. We pound a little more and Zack
hits a nice 43 counter trap. We pound it down the field to inside the 10. We
have 4th and 1. We know it’s a QB sneak, they know it’s a QB sneak, the
crowd knows it’s a QB sneak, but Cliff calls a fake Ice up the middle and it’s
a 48 counter sweep. Last year we lost the county championship because we
could not run this play (Turn your weakness into your strength). It runs to
perfection 16-6. The extra points mean they have to score 3 times to our 2.
They load up the front line on the kickoff and Zack kicks a 30 yard pooch
kick that we recover. We march down again and score again. 24-6.
The Vienna fans are going nuts. We have scored 24 unanswered points
and Chantilly has not had a chance to touch the ball in the second half. By
the time they do, the game is over.
The game was over and we had put all the rules to use:
❋Dance with what brung ya.
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❋Extra points win football games.
❋Run North and South.
❋Keep pounding it.
❋Counter traps and counter sweeps beat over aggressive teams.
❋Special teams wins games.
❋Don’t let the tight ends off the ball.
❋Don’t get more plays, perfect the ones you have.
❋Good players make coaches look smart.
❋Great assistant coaches make head coaches look good.
❋Fewer plays, run to perfection, beat great teams.
It was one badass night. The town is going crazy, and the kids look like
they are 10 feet tall. Stress test completed, demons exorcised, so we headed
down to the Inn to celebrate.
POUND POUND POUND COUNTER TRAP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXpppcc0A5g
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Money makes another great catch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1TLG0PFcq0
4th and 1 on the 10 yards line: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6bHSJGSTVA
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Extra points seal the deal
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15
Playoff Run
Fun time is over. With playoffs three weeks away
it’s time to make our playoff run. This is the time to
identify what you do best and work on what you
don’t. If we take this team into the playoff games
http://
www.youtube.com/
and we are missing an inside game, outside game,
watch?
v=oWa4MqV0_Lg
misdirection, a long or short passing game, teams
will jump on that in a heartbeat. We need to do everything well.
“Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points.”
—Knute Rockne
The last game of the season is against SYA (Centreville). Their organization supports two of the biggest high schools in the area: 2 time State
Champion Westfields and 1 time State Champion Centreville. Some organizations seem to have the same teams every year. SYA is known for big
strong teams that take away the middle of the field. We have never lost to
SYA but they give us fits. We get a chance to see Chantilly play them and
Chantilly has success attacking SYA’s edges. Chantilly always has speed. It is
easy to see the mistake SYA has their end playing inside nose of the end
instead of outside. They will catch that for sure by the time we play them.
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They have a tall QB, 2 fast backs and the standard monsters in the middle.
The coaches are good and they have speed this year so it will be a great test.
We are struggling on our side. Cliff is down to the toughest time of his treatment. It is getting tough to stay focused. We decide to go with our standard
game plan against SYA and throw, dive and sweep. On offense they have
two good running backs but neither is what we would consider a full back.
That means sweeps and counter traps. Although they had success against
Chantilly off tackle, we usually shut that down.
We travel out to Centreville to play on a Saturday night. We are 6-0, they
are 4-2. They have lost to both South County and Chantilly. We have
beaten both teams and will be the #1 seed regardless of what happens
tonight. Cliff shows up but he is in no condition to be on the field. He is an
athletic guy but he has lost 30 lbs and he is walking with a limp. This stuff is
starting to whip him.
As we warm up, an SYA coach is watching. One of the coaches is concerned but I don’t care. I would give him our playbook if he wants it. If we
do it all well, it will not help them. We are either going to do this right or we
aren’t. Even though our plan is dive, sweep and throw, you would rather not
resort to that tonight. We will play them next week so we are going to try to
run between the tackles and not tip our hand.
The game starts with the usual body punches with SYA. They hold us
and we hold them. Out of no where SYA throws a bomb to a kid heading
down the sidelines. He catches it on about the 15. Holy &^%$. The play is
called back because of a push off but we are now on notice. That was the
wake up call. We struggle through the game, but have a few big hits. A big
pass to Chad the tight end, a sweep to Tyler for a TD. Tyler is blooming
into a real running back. Billy throws a fade down the sidelines right in front
of us and Noodles makes an incredible catch of his offside shoulder (Video:
Youtube.com keyword “Vienna Steelers The catch”). We really can’t believe
what we just saw. Cliff leaves the field at halftime.
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Big Baby, is having a great year as a blocking full back and middle linebacker, but he has yet to break a big dive like we are used to. In 2009 our
Alec, our full back, ran for 25-30 TDs, most of them on dives. In the second
half, Big Baby finally busts one for a long TD. We can see from the film and
pictures, he is tucked up behind Sarge and Joe as they are pushing their guys
15 yards down field. Sean has his head down, does a complete 360 and
comes squirting out for the TD. It is easy to see now: he is running with his
head down. Full backs need to get through the hole quickly and look for the
seam. Sean is looking at the ground. Hopefully this is a problem we can fix.
Sean is not considered a running threat, but if his light goes off*, we are in
luck. The game ends with a 28-0 win but it is very unsettling. Other than a
few big plays, we struggled. Of the three playoff teams, this one has me
stumped. We feel we are being set up for an upset.
*Light goes off- We use the term for players who finally have an
Epiphany. It means they finally get it.
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This kid had 7 inches on our
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Football 101
Our team is 7-0, we have beaten all of the good
teams, but each one of them can easily beat us. I
smell an upset brewing. It’s time for the “Anyone
can beat anyone in the playoffs” conversation. In
order to have this speech ready a coach needs plenty
of examples of big upsets. Luckily, and unluckily, I
have a bag full:
In 1984 we beat the other Vienna 125 American team (we had 2 back
then) at Waters, 45-0 in the regular season. They came back and beat us in
the final seconds of the County Championship 8-6. I still can’t sleep if I
think about it.
In 2005 Chantilly beat us in the regular season and we slaughter ruled
them in the Championship. The Slaughter rule, or “Modified Competition
rule” as it is officially called, is when one team is up by 24 in the second half.
They give the losing team the ball on the defense’s 40 yard line. It is an
unbearable insult in the playoffs, especially if you are the #1 seed and you
have already beaten the opponent once. This was the year of Gump’s big
run.
In 2006, Springfield beat us in the regular season 18-0, came into the
playoffs 7-0. We had them 33-0 at half as the #4 seed. In the same year we
went into the Championship game after beating Braddock Road 24-0 in the
regular season and lost to them 24-22 in the Championship. That wound is
fresh.
In 2008, we beat Chantilly in the regular season and lost in the first
round as the top seed 8-6. Upsets happen in this league all the time. We can
not let up.
In 2009, we beat a Florida team that was so much bigger, stronger and
faster than we were, they had laughed at us as they ran the opening kickoff
in for a touchdown. We beat them 8-6 with a 95 yard punishing drive.
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Here is where you find out if your team has the character traits they need
to be champions. The other off the field issue we have is Cliff. He is now
struggling and out of the picture. For 6 years we have been a good one two
punch. He is a nuts and bolts play caller and I can step in with a knock out
punch. It takes years to get that rhythm with a coach. Mike is going to step
up, but like me, he has not called a game all year. We are going into the playoffs and a critical piece of the staff is out.
Loser goes home
As you can see from the first few hundred pages, a lot goes into a season.
It all comes down to this. All the work, planning, practicing and playing goes
down the tube if you can’t finish teams in the playoffs. There is no bigger
high for the coaches, players and families than a win the Fairfax County
Championship, and no more bitter taste then when the clock ticks down on
the last seconds of your season and you realize you are going to lose. We
lost to the Chantilly in 2009 with 30 seconds on the clock by a extra point.
The Chantilly/South County game comes first. Last year South
County beat Chantilly in the county Championship by scoring twice with 3
minutes to play. There is plenty of bad blood between the 2 coaches. South
County is a big strong team with an exceptional Mike Vick type QB. I
would rather play South County. Our 50 keeps the QB in the box all day.
South County must have the ball inside the Chantilly 5 times and can’t
score. The QB keeps rolling out and taking loses. That and penalties are
killing them. Don’t get me started on penalties. I miss the rest of the game,
because we need to get ready for our game. Chantilly wins.
The kids seem ready, but you never know. It is hard to beat a team 2
weeks in a row. One team is confident and the other is pissed.
The big surprise: As SYA lines up on offense, their big, and I mean 6’
something QB lines up as a receiver. They have switched QB’s in one week.
I have never seen this QB, we don’t have anything on him. It turns out the
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old QB, now a receiver, is an all world basketball player. This is information
I could have used yesterday. Note for next year’s Pops list: Interrogate
the players for all information of opposing teams. The QB starts
throwing to “stretch” and he is very good. He is too tall for our guy to cover
on a jump ball. The plan is: We will give them the perfect throw/perfect
catch, take him down and contain the damage. Do not let him get the big
play.
We get into half time 0-0. It is time for our patented “drive it down their
throat series” after the second half kick off. This takes the wind out of teams
and kills their will. To our surprise and shock, they hold us. They get the ball
and drive it right down our throats. I mean right down the field 4-5 yards a
pop. They get to the 20 yard line and appear to stall. The big receiver runs a
nice post corner route, gets separation from the corner back and catches a
TD. A post corner means the receiver goes about 5 yards, cuts to the post,
takes another 2-3 steps and cuts to the corner. It is very hard to defend.
They miss the extra point. Extra points mean a lot. We are now heading into
the fourth quarter down 6-0.
The players have 10 minutes to either answer the call and save the
season, or head home. The guards and center are calling for dive plays. So
we run I right 4 motion 32 dive. Big Baby busts loose and it is a foot race.
We hit a few more body punches and get it in the end zone and punch it in.
We miss the extra point. We run a pooch kick, popping the ball up about 20
yards to the side and we recover. We hit another dive or 2 and before you
know it we are at the goal line again. Billy punches it in. We really need an
extra point. The defensive end appeared to be 2 steps in the backfield when
the ball is snapped. No whistle, no flag. He almost stood in front of our
kicker. Our guys kicks in 1.3 seconds. Tyler can get to the ball without interference in 1.6 seconds. There is no flag so it didn’t happen and we move on.
The last 4 minutes are hectic but we hold and survive. The good news is, the
team has now been down twice and they have come back with flurries of
points so that shows they have heart.
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Coaching point: Many coaches yell and scream when a ref blows a call.
Prepare for it. They are going to blow a lot of calls for both sides. They do it in
the pros, they are going to do it here. Get over it. Yelling and screaming is only
going to make it worse. The coach also needs to prep his fans so when a bad call
happens they DO NOT YELL AT THE REFS.
I am very concerned with 2 things after the game:
1. They flexed their ends to take away the sweep so our off tackles should
have been working, but they weren’t. They can’t flex the ends to take away
the sweep and take away the off tackle. Where were the holes? There should
have been HOLES.
2. How could they move the ball down the field on us? How in the heck
did that happen?
I write it off as a W and move on. Then the pictures showed up.
Oh there were holes!
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Plenty of holes!
Our D line was turning their shoulders and letting their backs through
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TRYOUTS ON BLACK MONDAY
When teams are rolling along, especially undefeated teams, they need a
crises to shock the system and wake them up. Sometimes these crises are
real, sometimes manufactured, but they are very valuable tools.
The pictures came back from the SYA game and they did not look good.
We had holes. Big holes and made plenty of mistakes. Too many for this late
in the season with Chantilly and the County Championship on the door
step.
It would take the mother of all practices to fix this: Tryouts in the dark.
Here is the actual email that went out to the kids and parents:
” Guys:
I only had a few hours to review these incredible pictures Brenda posted.
Sequence pictures give us a real look on a frame by frame basis of WHAT HAPPENED.
To put it mildly, we suck! To be more specific, please consult the link to the
PDF
We will have open tryouts for:
❋
❋
❋
❋
Running backs that can hit holes fast.
Running backs that can block for pass protection.
Linemen that know who to hit and hold blocks.
Defensive linemen that don’t turn shoulders, over penetrate and get kicked
out. BOX DRILL!!!!!!!!!!!
❋ Linebackers who can step up and tackle.
I am dead serious. I told everyone from day one, every practice is a tryout and
that is in effect right now!!!!!!!
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I hope we have 11 guys still healthy enough to play on Saturday, but those 11
will be some BAD ASS football players.
Do not even think about missing practice this week. Last week we averaged
2-3 kids out every night. If you are in a wheel chair, then wheel your sorry ass to
that field. WE HAVE WORK TO DO!
We have told you until we are blue in the face how to play your position. We
are getting tired of talking. You either earn your job this week or sit this one out.
By the way, I still have 350 pictures to go but lucky for you I have to go to
work.
Thank God for these pictures.
Coach Samson
Now I loved these kids, but this was a wake up call. We were 8-0, playing
for the Championship and only gave up 2 TDs all year but:
❋
❋
❋
❋
Running backs FIRED!
Best D tackles FIRED!
D ends FIRED!
Linebackers FIRED!
Monday night was tryout night and we would find out if we have the 5th
element.
One Dark Night
One Dark Night
We show up at the field on Monday night, there are no lights; they did not
come on ( I wish I had thought of that). The other teams leave. Perfect.
What we are going to do, doesn’t need lights and having no witnesses was a
plus. Down to the dark field we go. The yelling begins. It was as if I had just
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gotten off the bus at Parris Island. Hill climbing, cals, running, by the time
we got to the tryout everyone was a wake and ready to go. We take the backs
and run one against the other.
Our starting 2 back runs down hill but like he is in a pinball machine
bouncing back and forth. He is not getting to the hole quick enough or
reading his blocks well enough. He’s FIRED. His job is up for grabbs. Our
second running back is not seeing the holes and running between the
tackles either. Chad, our tight end, is probably the best candidate for the
job. He is big, strong and fast. He is Jason Witten (a former VYI player)
times two and we would miss him on the big pass plays, but if we needed
him to run, he was there. The drills are over and he is clearly getting to the
holes quicker.
After the night on New Hampshire Ave (See George Casey in Mentor
Section), I swore you could scrimmage at night because we didn’t care who
had the ball. You just take down anyone on your side of the field. So we
scrimmaged, Chad, steps into the 2 back slot. Marcus viciously attacks him
and the fight is on. It was a Jason Fulbrook moment (see: Heart makes the
team”). That is his spot and religion or no, no one was going to take his
spot. Just like in hockey, we gave them some room and let them settle it.
Chad didn’t take it personally, he knew the deal. Players need to fight for
their spots sometimes. Marcus took the 2 back spot and no one would ever
challenge him again. Tryout is over for the 2 backs. It was pretty hard to see
anything in the dark but it was the nastiest, hardest hitting scrimmage I ever
heard.
“It isn’t necessary to see a good tackle. You can hear it.” Knute Rockne/Notre Dame
It sounded like a great practice.
16
The Championship
Most Championships are won or lost before that coin hits the deck
First stop
Fairfax County Championship
We don’t care who steps in front of us after this week. That would be
their problem. There would be no spaghetti dinner, no pep talks, just a very
determined team. Forget the pomp and circumstance, as Gary Gilmore said
“Let’s get this over with”.
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The Fairfax County Championship game would be a brawl between two
great teams. Brian and Ray are some of the best coaches in Fairfax
County and their teams are always stacked with talent. They know us better
than we know ourselves. They would be ready for us this time.
Championship games are the most important time to forget about the
emotion and drama and go back and review the rules. Most games are not
won, they are lost because the team did not follow one of these four main
rules: Dance with what brung ya, keep it simple, rely on our great offensive
line and take away what they do best.
“Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points.”
—Knute Rockne
Who ever followed this rule the best, wins.
What they do Best:
Offense: Dive, sweep and misdirection. Their QB is hurt, so we would
shut down the run, which is the specialty of our defense. For the Dive, the
middle linebacker would lock onto the full back. If he goes to the snack bar
to buy a hot dog, the MLB better be there to pay for it. The D line will
squeeze the running lanes in the A and B gaps. For the sweep, we work on
containment drills all week making sure no one crosses the face of the ends,
the corner backs set the point and the D line gets down the line when they
read sweep. That leaves misdirection. It is hard to counter trap a disciplined
team that stays home and does not over penetrate. That is another point of
emphasis at practice this week.
Defense: No surprises: They are coming and I mean coming from every
orifice. They will come through holes we didn’t even know we had. They
have plenty of speed and good athletes, but injuries to their defensive backfield may leave them vulnerable. Their ends are well coached and will not let
the backs have the edges so it will be a cut back day for the sweeps. The hole
in a team that comes after you is some of the linemen tend to over penetrate
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and take themselves out of the sweep. That creates cut back lanes, and
hopefully, that will create opportunities.
We will run our Dives and Bams right at them. The backers will be up, so
we will put the Ice on the shelf for this game. The backs know they will have
to cut the sweeps up and misdirection might find someone over penetrating. We will throw dump passes at them if the outside backers come up
too far. That utilizes our two great ends.
Despite injuries, Chantilly’s main asset is their speed, so getting on top of
the defensive backs with our flag or fade routes will be a challenge. The line
backers play the run so well that if we can run off the corners, we may be
able to slip a 4 back out into the flats. If we do need to go deep, the waggle
will probably be our best chance. We want to roll right but their best end is
on that side. Our QB is going to have to set up and throw instead of getting
around him.
There is no big emotional speech, this one is business. Calm and confident, we need to stick to the plan.
Right out of the gate Chantilly has something new. They play a double
wing, but they detach the tight end #3 and the wing on a shift call. I have
never seen this one before. Out of this formation they run a Jet sweep to the
side of the wide outs and it works pretty well. This forces the tackles to play
contain on a back running at full speed. A jet is where the wing goes in
motion, and at the snap, the QB gives it to the back going at almost full
speed. It allows them to quickly get to the edge. They move down and
score. Game on.
It dawns on us they have a back up QB and the detach players are only
decoys so we bring the end back to halfway between the box and the split
outs. On the next Jet he is standing there to turn the runner back and the Jet
is grounded. Now we need to score.
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I know we are time out whores, but we really should have called a time
out earlier to fix the problem.
They detached their most dangerous weapon. Our ends detach
Calm and confident. Cliff and I discussing possible adjustments
with our defensive ends
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GAME ON!
Here they come. Once their speed gets in open field they are
hard to bring down.
Rule: When playing aggressive
teams: run dives, bams, sweeps
and dump passes. Right out of the
gate Marcus takes it right at Chantilly, breaking a nice 15 yard gain
on a 24 BAM. Over the next few
plays the linebackers are crowding
the line. Cliff calls for dump pass
pretty early. It surprised the
staff and the Chantilly defense.
Billy fakes a dive, pops his head up
in the air and throws a bullet to
Chad running down the seam
(Youtube.com Keywork: “Vienna
Steelers Perfect Dump”). The picture below is linked to the actual
play. We get the extra point, 8-6
and the game is on.
We get the ball in the second
half
and stall. They get the ball and
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh95rfCL7Wo
watch the O line wall off the defense for this great run by
stall. We finally start grinding the
Marcus
ball but penalties keep giving us
3rd and long. Marcus comes up with a nice 24 bam and gets the first down.
Incomplete passes and a penalty put us at 3rd and 23 on our 45 yard line.
Great time for a waggle.
Chantilly always has great skill players and this team’s defensive backfield
is old and fast. We fake the 23 bam and Billy rolls to his right. He has Chad
doing a deep flag, and Noodles would be running a back side post
route. Billy needs to look for Chad first, Jonah second. Briar is Chantilly’s
end, and he is not going to get hooked so Joe pushes him out and Billy sets
up. Marcus needs to get a good block on the backside end if Billy is going to
have the time for his guys to get down range. He sees Chad deep and lets it
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fly. Chad catches the ball on the 10 yard line and gets it to the 5 with a great
pass and catch. The job is not done but we have a great kicker in Joel. He is
money inside of 30 yards.
We call a “fake 25 B cross and out” (572). We have Chad going to the
flag and Zack running the out route. Everyone knows Chad is getting the
ball and everyone is covering him. Mothers come out of the stands to cover
him. Incomplete pass. 3rd and goal from the 5. It was on our side of the field
so we can see Zach was wide open. The Chantilly coaches can’t see that
nobody picked up Zach. We call the same play and make Zach the target.
He is wide open on the catch but 3 defenders are closing fast. He turns his
shoulders north, lowers his head and plows in for 6. Perfect snap hold and
kick and we are up 16-6. Again, extra points are forcing them to score three
times to our 2.
They get the ball we hold. We get the ball; and now we are getting deep
into the 4th quarter. Our horses are starting to wear them down. Time for
the icing on the cake.
What used to be our weakness is now our strength. Sean has had some
big runs in the past few weeks. We run a simple 32 Dive and out pops Sean.
The safety has bit on the fake pitch and takes himself out of the play and
now it is a foot race. Big Baby has a 10 yard head start but it is not enough as
their speedster catches him with a touchdown saving, diving shoe string
tackle. It’s time for the 12 year olds to step up. Billy has been goosing Sarge
all season to get the 1 yard play. He tries it on 3rd and 1 and does not get it.
We call time. We wanted to give them time to rest and let Ray think we were
doing something else. This is why I want to die with 2 time outs left. When
you really need them you have them. On 4th and a foot, Sarge pulls a Jerry
Kramer and submarines their guard. Billy is right on his back, TD. Joel,
Jonah and Sarge finish it off with the extra point and this game is in the
book, 24-6.
We can win 100 more games and none would be as important as this
one. The kids had their revenge and now it’s on to the Metro Bowl.
The Championship
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHnAl6VFYPo What a gutsy call, throw and catch
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAzVcA6PnMk Our weakness, the dive, is now our strength.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ4Ch7tdkMc 43 counter traps works well against aggressive defenses
The Championship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TSKSrUmN1I 3rd and 23 game breaker
Zach, squares his shoulders and seals the deal.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO9HX7m2Zs4 Extra points put the game out of reach.
The Championship
Job well done.
Vienna Steelers win Fairfax County Championship 24-6. Some nights are better than others.
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17
Washington Metropolitan
Super Bowl
There Can Be Only One
First
Every year, there is a Washington Metropolitan Super Bowl
known as the Metro Bowl. The
American Champions from Fairfax
County play the Champions of
Prince Georges County. Over it’s 30 year history, the two programs are
about even. Vienna has won a lot of Championships and that includes multiple Metro Bowls at most levels. Vienna has never won a Metro Bowl at the
125lb level. Last year, PG stopped sending 125 lb teams to the Metro Bowl
because they converted that level to unlimited weight. They were going to
bring it back this year and we would be the Guinea pigs. Works for us!
GAME TIME
Before the game we have to weigh in. Usually this means starving the
kids and getting them back down to weight, but the other team is unlimited
so the weigh in was for informational purposes only. As I saw the team come
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in to get weighed in, you couldn’t help but gasp. They looked old and huge.
The center weighs in at 303, the tackle is 260, a few more guys are over 220.
They all look like they drove. I know we have a plan and a good team but
this could get ugly.
Fairfax County and Prince Georges County do a great job of policing
illegal players so I know every one is of age.
The Super Bowl is a great event. Big crowds from Fairfax and loud
crowds from PG. As the team sits in the stands getting ready for warm ups,
the QB and Fullback from Chantilly came over to wish the guys luck. First
class.
The routine begins and gets us to the opening bell. I don’t see any signs
of concern when our guys see theirs. I think they are confident enough to
just stay focused.
We defer on the coin toss because we want to kick. Everyone from the
Fairfax side knows whats coming. Zach rolls one 10 yards and the middle
man on the return team is wiped out. Vienna ball. Our offense takes
advantage of mistakes a defense makes. Their defense was a TNT but the
linebackers were back too far and the Ices killed them. The ends came
across the line too far so we went off tackle. Their linemen came up field so
we ran dives. Their linebackers chased our receivers and we could slide guys
into the flats. When the safety moved out of center field we threw backside
seam routes. The game was going pretty much by the book.
We had been up 21-8 in a previous Metro Bowl and lost, so we were not
going to fall into a false sense of security. We had the team pinned back to
their 10 and forced them to punt. The ball went straight up in the air and hit
the ground with a backward spin. The ball rolled into the end zone and
we fell on it. The refs decide based on USA football rules; we get the ball on
the 20 instead of the TD. If we really pushed it and conference, we would
get the touch down but Billy, our Qb and Chad, the tight end, work on this
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fade route from the 20 yard line all year. When I say confidence is high, I
mean there is a 100% chance they complete this pass.
The safety is playing way over on Chad’s side of the field so the pre snap
read is to throw to the back side seam route to Noodles. They obviously
didn’t care. Billy takes a one step drop and throws one to the corner of the
end zone. These two big white paws go up in the air. It is something to see
(Youtube.com keyword: “Vienna Steelers Vs Metro”).
The game goes to half time 30-0 and that’s where it ends. Vienna finally
had it’s 125 Metro Bowl and it was on to Daytona for the National Championship.
This a dive to the full back
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As he runs upfield the defensive line runs right by him
and he is gone!
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KNOW THY ENEMY
We did not get good scouting reports before the previous two Metro
Bowls and we had lost them both. This year we would make sure we were
more prepared.
I went to The Sports Plex next to FedEx Field (home of the Redskins)
the morning of the Fairfax County Championships. The teams playing are
huge. The team in blue has 250-300 lb linemen-our middle guard weighs
130. The blue team moves down the field running the same play: Jumbo
right 26 blast. They were just running off tackle to the right side for 8 yards a
clip. Eight to nine plays later they score. Pretty easy. Now I know who to
scout although I have no idea how a 145lb team can stop them. To my surprise, and the other coaches sitting with me, that team never ran those plays
again. The black team picks off a pitch and gets an easy TD. The blue team’s
QB starts playing Mike Vick. Very talented but no discipline. It went from
an organized beat down to a back yard pick up game. Blue’s QB throws a
few intercetions and black beats them by 2 TDS. Unbelievable. Had the
blue team just “danced with what brung them”, they would have killed the
black team, and us.
This was going to be New Hampshire Ave all over again. The team we
would play is fast, but we can handle fast. Their defense was aggressive but
undisciplined. We were about to find out whether discipline and focus beats
size and speed.
Our opponent is a big team and run what’s called a MD TNT. We see
this type defense when we go over the river to MD and DC. This type of
defense puts a man on the center and on the nose of each guard. They shoot
to the strong side gaps, protecting “Superman”, who plays middle linebacker. The ends will crash taking away the off tackle and dare you to run
outside where their speed is. That is where Superman comes in. He is their
best athlete and most dependable tackler. He runs backs down all day. The
linemen usually shoot the gaps to the strong side. This defense gives teams
two problems:
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Football 101
1. Fast linemen pouring through backside A gaps bring running backs
down from behind.
2. Superman is protected because the tackle on the strong side has to
deal with the guard shooting his B gap.
We know how to attack a MD TNT so we felt comfortable we could run
the ball. Teams with 8 in the box are susceptible to the pass unless they had
well trained ends. I did not see the ends getting jammed so I felt good
about our receivers getting free releases off the line. Our passing game is
based on combination routes that try to drag undisciplined linebackers and
corner backs out of their area and slide a receiver into the open zone. This
should work if we can get the time.
The key to this game was going to be:
Know your enemy
Stick to the plan
Keep it simple
18
National Championship
Tournament
Football does not have one governing body so there are a few
places you can go for a National Tournament. We choose Daytona Beach for the following reasons:
❋ The competition is incredible.
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Football 101
❋ The organization does a great job on matching teams based on size and
experience.
❋ It is very well organized.
❋ Some families can drive.
❋ We practice on the beach, which is cool.
❋ 4 out of 5 years you get nice weather.
❋ The Turkey Run is there that weekend, which is thousands of American
muscle cars cruising the strip. This is American Graffiti on steroids.
❋ The girls are having the National Cheerleading Championships at the
same time so it keeps the guys interested.
The
Daytona Speedway is a great attraction for the kids.
❋
We had been there before and the first two times had our heads handed
to us by Florida. In 2009 we took our revenge.
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2009 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
For the third time, we pull the Florida team
right out of the gate for our first game. We kicked
deep to them and the returner ran through our
team like we were butter. Warm butter. They
laughed and taunted us as they ran into the end
zone. We deserved it. They did however miss their
extra point and that was a big deal to us.
We had a secret weapon this year. We had a
new strength and condition coach, Sean Staats,
and he worked the kids harder than anyone ever
has. He would show up 45 minutes before practice and the kids were
already hitting the sled and working out. Not throwing passes, working out.
The year before we had been beaten by a power I so we put one in our
2009 Plan. It was very successful for us all year. Playing a fast team, the plan
was to run right at them anyway, so this would be as good a time as any to
run it.
They kicked off and we got the ball on our 5 yard line. What happened
next makes “The Drive” by the Broncos vs the Browns in the 80’s look like
kid stuff. This team marched the ball 95 yards at 4-5 yards a clip, on a 25
play drive. They converted on 3rd and 4th downs as they went down the
field. At 4th and 3 from the 3, they finally punched it in. The drive was so
long most of the kids on the other team were gettng their 5 o’clock shadows.
We did get our extra point, which we had worked so hard on. Vienna
Steelers 8- Florida 6.
Florida was yelling at each other the whole way. They were confused,
beaten up and frustrated. A disciplined team looks for signs a team is
starting to fold. They smell blood in the water and it builds their confidence.
Frustrated teams also make mistakes and theirs came on the first handoff.
Fumble recovered by the Steelers and you could just feel the life leave their
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Football 101
team. We did not have time to score, but Florida had 1 play from scrimmage
in the first half, not bad.
They kicked to us and we drove down to the 15 on another long drive
but failed to score. There were only 4 minutes left in the third quarter when
they ran their second play from scrimmage. They were desperate and out of
sync. They tried everything they could to get to the corners but that is what
we do, keep you in the box.
We finish the game by holding them on some desperate attempts and it
finally happened, we beat Florida. We beat a team that was bigger, faster,
and more athletic. We had done it with hard work, discipline and focus.
Shutting Down Florida’s Speed
This starts out as a spread offense and calls for us to defend with a 3-3
Here is what they did:
❋ Put the slot receiver in motion
❋ The QB would hand off to him when he was at full speed. They call this
the Jet
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301
❋ Their slot and wide receivers on the play side would stalk block the
detached end and cornerback.
This would put the Jet in open field with two blockers. It would be
impossible to stop him once he got there. We had no tape on them so this
was done on the fly. Because the players were disciplined and focused they
were able to make these adjustments and shut Florida down.
What we did:
❋ As soon as the one slot went in motion, we considered that trips (3
receivers on one side of the field).
❋ By rule, we crash the detached end on the trip’s side.
❋ Also by rule; when a man goes in motion we rotated with him to play
side, while locking down the back side running lanes.
❋ The end stopped the backs from leaving the backfield with or without
the ball, and we found out they do not like to get hit, which they got.
They never made it out of the backfield which negated their speed.
Game, set, match.
Here is a weird coincidence: We learned that from scrimmaging a MD
team called Westlake. They were our first scrimmage, they ran jets out of
that formation and killed us 45-0. We came up with that scheme to stop
them. When we went to play our Championship game at BethuneCookman stadium (home of Monte Coleman), the team that played after
we did looked familiar. It was the same Westlake team playing in the weight
class one level above ours. Small world. They crushed their team running
the same stuff.
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Football 101
2009 National Championship Game
In the elimination round we played the same time as the team we would
eventually play in the Championship. They were an Illinois team and we
had no intel. Mike Magnotti’s wife, Chris, started working the phones and
the moms. She found the team that Illinoishad beaten, three hotels away so
we scheduled a meeting. There is nothing like a coach who has lost as a
source of information. The coaches were very generous and tipped us off to
key players, formations, strengths and defenses.
Illinois was a very solid team with top of the line coaching. We were
beaten up physically. Ricky Bobby (Ian), our running back, was out. He had
taken so much abuse in the Florida game he should have called a cop. The
Fullback steps into the 2 back spot and the guard takes over for the FB.
Remember this:
Fifth Commandment
You are Only as Good as Your Back Up Guards
We powered up the bus and ran the power I all day. When our starting
FB, now playing 2 back goes down, another man comes off the bench. We
were playing with 5 players out of position.
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We are up 8-0, but Illinois is driving. They are on our 2 yard line and
have 4 whacks at a TD. Despite missing two starting linebackers, we hold
and take the ball on downs at the 1. The second half made Sean Staats, our
conditioning coach a legend because those kids just pounded the other
team mercilessly until the score was 24-0.
Conditioning, and back up guards, had helped win our first National
Championship.
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Football 101
2010 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
2010 Vienna Steelers
Practice is on the same beach they ran the original Daytona 500
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305
The Dolton Bears brought a team that had won 4 national championships in a row. They were bigger, stronger and faster than we were and they
had great coaches. They were not just a pitch it and let speed take over
team. They played great defense and ran off tackle, which is the toughest
kind of team to beat.
To add to that, Cliff was out of action and this was my off year for
Florida. The tournament is during Thanksgiving so my deal with the wife
is that I would only go every other year. I tried the “But honey, this is the
best team ever” speech but I had gone to that well too many times. Mike
and Tiger were on their own.
I was receiving incredible text messages throughout the game from a dad.
It sounded like he was at the battle of Gettysburg. They moved the ball
down and we held. We get the ball and throw an out route which they pick
off for a easy TD. This was the 4th time this team was down and they never
flinched. A sign of a team with heart. Apparently they were going to need it.
We drive the ball down the field and after watching the game the big play
came when our right guard, Joe (Man child) got down field on a pitch to the
left. Tyler cut it back and Joe leveled the safety trying to make the play.
Backside linemen are the key to cutting sweeps loose for TDs. We punch it
in and get the extra point. 8-6. The rest of the game sounded like it would
make an MMA fighter cringe and then came the key to the game, and the
season. Dolton is moving down the field late in the fourth quarter with Mike
Vick at the helm. They roll him out to the left side. Here is what usually happens to most teams:
❋ He gets out of the box and throws it to the receiver in the back corner of
the end zone. You lose.
❋ He gets loose on the run and gets the TD or close enough for them to
punch it in and you lose.
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Football 101
Note: Watch college and pro games and see what happens when QBs get
out of the box. It always amazes me how they can let them out.
Luckily the Steelers were not most teams, and Troy and David were not
your normal ends. The QB does not get out of the box- he has to set up and
throw early. He throws a pass across his body where Joel, our safety, makes
the interception and the Steelers win their second National Championship
game.
No stars, just 18 technically sound warriors who knew their job and did
it. As we said in the beginning-“It’s amazing what you can accomplish when
nobody cares who gets the credit.”
The 75lb Steelers won their County, Metro and National Championships as well. That means we have to write another book
in 2014.
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The 75 lb Steelers (future 2014 125lb team) was led by none other than Todd and George Casey. Todd won Fairfax County
Coach of the Year and George was inducted into the Fairfax County Football Hall of Fame shortly after.
Remember: Everyone is a role model to someone.
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Football 101
IT’S NOT THE “WHAT” BUT THE “HOW”
2010 Steeler End of Season Speech-Coach Doumas
Sometimes it is not the ‘what’ that you do, it is the ‘how’ that
makes something extraordinary.
We talked all year about what we needed to do. Day to day,
week to week and on special game days. Early on, we talked about accountability, responsibility and being there for your teammates whenever and
wherever. You embraced those ideals and you are better for it.
We have received a lot of accolades about the ‘what’ we have accomplished.
And, to be sure, those accomplishments are significant and, in fact, just by
an undefeated record alone, may never be exceeded by any team. A future
125# Vienna Team can never bring home the FIRST 125# Vienna Metro
Bowl Trophy - ever! There is only one FIRST. Only one team can brag
about that. That is you! But, for me, it is the ‘how’ you accomplished what
you did that really blows me away. For example: When practice starts at 6
PM and everyone is there at 5 and 5:15 PM practicing the little things - that
is the ‘how’
When I see a player on one of Sean’s walls suffering a migraine, in tears,
refusing to come off the wall - that is the ‘how’
When you see a first class placekicker that would kick extra points on any
team, replaced by a last minute addition, all with a smile on his face -that is
the ‘how’
When 3-4 of your massive offensive line could start at 2 or 3 back, but
you wouldn’t know it from them - that is the ‘how’
When you see young men taking charge and developing leadership skills
in front of your eyes during the half-time of tough games - that is the ‘how’
When, as a coach, you do not witness any dissension among any of the
players over a 4 month period - that is the ‘how’
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309
When the entire team conducts itself with class through approximately
160 hours of game and practice (and those are just the official hours) - that
is the ‘how’
When you see respect between players and between players and coaches that is the ‘how’
When the competition respects you, not because of the score but, because
how you conducted yourself on the field - that is the ‘how’
When the opposing coach (who doesn’t lose much) in the National Championship congratulates you on your sportsmanship - that is the ‘how’
When 7 coaches can’t wipe the smile off their faces - that is the ‘how’
What was very special this year were you young men, that I, for one, had the
honor of hanging around with for a couple of months. It is how you conducted yourself on and off the field. It is how you approached hard work,
victory and some near losses. It is how you respected your parents, coaches
and teammates.
It is this ‘how’ that you should value & remember. You lived it. Use it in
other parts of your life. Share it and teach it as you go forward.
I have never met a bunch of young adults that I respect more than the 2010
125# Vienna Steelers!
Thanks for the great year!
Cliff Doumas
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Football 101
CHAMPION’S CREED
After living the creed for 4 months as a Steeler, some players hang this
on their wall to remind them that who you are is more Champions
Vienna Steeler
Champion’s creed:
ACT LIKE A
CHAMPION
TODAY
CHAMPIONS:
Work Hard and Inspire Others
Are Smart, Couragous, Disciplined Warriors
Show Compassion,Respect and Appreciation
Are Humble and Credit others
Put Team First and don’t need Trophies
Eat Adversity for Breakfast
Being a Champion is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing.
-Pops
It doesn’t matter what you do, it only matters what you do next.
-Coach Samson
It’s not the “What” that makes you great, It’s the “How”
-Coach Doumas
National Championship Tournament
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 426
2009 Vienna Steelers
2010 Vienna Steelers
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Football 101
Offered February 2, 2011
Commending the Vienna Steelers football team.
—Patrons— Petersen; Delegate: Keam —
WHEREAS, the 125-pound American division Vienna Steelers football
team captured their second consecutive Eastern Division National Youth
Football Championship in Daytona, Florida over Thanksgiving weekend in
2010; and
WHEREAS, the Vienna Steelers won the 2009 Eastern Division National
Youth Football Championship after a 20 - 0 shutout against a team from
Farmville, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, at the end of an undefeated regular 2010 season, the Vienna
Steelers had seven wins, zero losses, and six shut-out games on their record;
scored 214 points against their opponents; and had only 14 points scored
against them the entire season; and
WHEREAS, after eliminating the Southwestern Wildcats 12 - 6, the
Vienna Steelers claimed a 24 - 6 victory over the Chantilly Vikings in the
Fairfax County Youth Football League championship game; and
WHEREAS, the Vienna Steelers went on to conquer the KetteringLargo-Mitchellville Steelers 38 - 0 to take the title at the Metro Bowl; and
WHEREAS, under the guidance of assistant coaches Tiger Teramura
and Mike Magnotti, the Vienna Steelers won the semifinal game of the
National Youth Football Championship 38 - 0; and
WHEREAS, when the Vienna Steelers took the field against the Dolton
Bears of Illinois in the final game of the National Youth Football Championship in Daytona, they were outweighed but not outmatched in
strength, speed, and determination; and
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313
WHEREAS, recovering from an early touchdown by the Dolton Bears,
the Vienna Steelers rallied to defend their title and won a hard-fought championship game 8 - 6; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Casey Samson praised the Vienna Steelers for
their commitment to the strength training program developed by strength
and conditioning coach Sean Staats; and
WHEREAS, the Vienna Steelers dedicated their perfect 12 - 0 championship season to their offensive coordinator, Cliff Doumas, who scheduled his
chemotherapy appointments around the team?s schedule and never missed
a game; and
WHEREAS, the Vienna Steelers were forged into champions not only
through their own hard work, drive, and character, but also through the support of their families, coaches, volunteers, community sponsors, and loyal
fans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the
General Assembly commend the Vienna Steelers football team, two-time
Eastern Division National Youth Football Championship winners; and, be
it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of
this resolution for presentation to Casey Samson, head coach of the Vienna
Steelers football team as an expression of the General Assembly?s admiration for their accomplishments and praise for their hard work and dedication.
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Football 101
19
The Mirror Test
My father, Bill, would always say you have to
“Look in the mirror and respect the person
looking back”. He also said: “Look in the
mirror, a baseball player might not be looking
back at you”. I would look around and say yeah,
but the more I think about that one, I think he
Dad is the guy in the back
left
directed that at me. I was a good baseball player
but my arm was either put on backwards or missing some bolts.
When I pitched, batters would refuse to come to the plate; when
I played second base and a ball was hit to me the dugout went
on high alert and people started moving their cars. Yeah, I think
he was talking to me.
One day a crow jumped on my golf cart on the 10th tee and tries to steal
my hotdog. I fired a golf ball at him and missed by 10 feet. He saw that so he
came back and started taunting me by opening his wings so I had a bigger
target. I was too embarrassed to throw again. He knew that and took my
dog. Yeah, he was talking to me.
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Football 101
Regardless, now that you have read the book, it’s time for you, your team,
your co workers, your family, to take a look in the Mirror and do your Pop’s
list:
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
❋
Are you a “me” person or a “we” person? (Introduction)
Do you have Athletic Arrogance or Arrogance? (Introduction)
Is your plan a short term or long term plan? (Chapter 1)
Are you doing something you are passionate about? (Chapter 1)
Are you working with mentors? (Chapter 1)
Do you believe the myths or know the reality? (Chapter 2)
Do you play by the rules? (Chapter 3)
Do you even know the rules? (Chapter 3)
Do you keep things simple? (Chapter 3)
Are you playing with the best players? (Chapter 5)
Do you put character traits first? (Chapter 5)
Do you set the right expectations? (Chapter 6)
Is your goal perfection or winning? (Chapter 6)
Do you communicate where the flat is? (Chapter 6)
Do you have the tools you need? (Chapter 6)
Are you running from fear or charging at fear?(Chapter 7)
Do you train until you can’t get it wrong? (Chapter 11)
Do you panic when the bullets start flying? (Chapter 14)
Are you a manager, a coach, a player or a fan? (Chapter 14)
Do you finish? (Chapter 15)
Do you know what your weaknesses are? (Chapter 15)
Do you turn your weaknesses into your strengths? (Chapter 12)
Do you think you know everything? (Coach Wooten page 8)
Do you dance with what brung you or change things? (Everywhere)
This is your Pops List. It is going to be a long one, everyone’s first one is.
Now, take the list and work on your weaknesses. Do a Pops list periodically
and watch the list get smaller, as the quality of life, and your team, gets
better. Within a year or at the end of your season, you will be shocked at
how it has helped. Don’t thank me, thank my Dad and Pops!
The Mirror Test
317
There is the right way to do things and the way we do things: The way
we do things is based on instinct. Once you get in the game, thinking stops
and reaction takes over. Like we say, sports is about the quick and the dead.
If you think, your dead.
Mental and muscle memory dictate the ways things unfold. Improving
mental and muscle memory is about repetition. Like the Marines, do it
until you can’t do it wrong. We do not run a play in a game until we have
run it 100 times in practice.
When the battle is over, you need to take a breath, make your Pops List,
and turn your weaknesses into your strengths. Self examination and
improvement is what football is about. It’s what life is about.
The rest of the book is background material on VYI and our team, a
great story, a Cheat Sheet for Moms, and great quotes.
See you around the ball fields.
20
Videos In The Book
We start our games with our welcoming committee
Technology is almost here for the iPads, Kindles and Nooks to
look at a picture, read the story and click on the video. Until that
happens we will have to throw this step into the process. Go to
www.football101thebook.com [http://www.football101thebook.com] to see these videos:
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Football 101
The picture above is our onside kick.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDiyaBHDycY
Youtube key words: “Football 101-Nasty onside kick”
Introduction:
Tyler (#1) makes a big run that will break open the game on the big
October 23rd game. Here is what to look for: The offensive end (OE) trys
to hook the defensive end (DE) on the sweep. If the DE resists and shoots
out, the OE will kick him outside. The fullback’s eyes go immediately to the
end. If he is kicking him out, he turns it up and trucks the first guy he sees.
Unfortunately that is #23.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLJQHyH-TNc
Youtube key words: “Football 101 Ultimate hit and run”
Chapter 3 The Rules:
The intial picture is how receivers need to hold their hands and catch the
ball at their highest point. This is a fade route where the wide out will line
up inside the numbers and fade to the side lines. As he fades, he gets separation from the defender. This is a great example.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1TLG0PFcq0
Youtube key words: “Football 101 Great Catch by Chad”
Chapter 8 The Offense:
In the initial picture Billy s rolling right. to throw a waggle pass. You can
see the safety moves over to the left side of the field which is a pre snap read
for the QB. It tells him to throw to the back side. The 2 back goes the wrong
way and 3 defenders come from the back side. Joe our “Man child” takes
out three rushers so Billy can make this throw.
URL:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXPB5uDt1SQ
Youtube key words: “Football 101 Vienna Steelers 2010 Waggle 4th
option”
Videos In The Book
321
The Dive:
This is a great example of burning over aggressive teams. The defensive
line is so anxious to get into the back field they run right by the man with
the ball. The line goes straight to the line backers and the foot race is
on. The fake sweep is the key.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DskBcgNpxUk
Youtube key words: “Vs-Metro Bowl”
The Dive in the County Championship Game:
This was a weakness and became our strength in the playoffs. Watch the
safety leave with the fake pitch and once again, Big Baby is in a foot race.
The line had this play locked down by the end of the season and it shows
how dangerous a dive can be.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAzVcA6PnMk
Youtube key words: “Football 101-Perfect Dive”
The Bam:
Watch the wall on the right side seal the defenders down while the end
comes across the line. The fullback comes down the line, kicking him out
and releasing the running back into the defensive backfield. This was our
first play from scrimmage in the County Championship Game.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh95rfCL7Wo
Youtube key words: “Football 101 Perfect Bam”
The Ice:
Prior to the snap you can see the open hole or what we call a bubble. This
is what the 7 year old QB was looking for as he marched the team down the
field in the “Introduction”. On this play the center and guards kick out their
men as the fullback leads the running back through the hole. The running
back is watching the hips of the fullback. When they turn, so does he.
URL:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPlExk6Mqak
Youtube key words: ”Football 101 Vienna Steelers Great O Line ICE
block”
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Football 101
The Counter Trap:
Pound, pound, pound, counter trap. This is a great example in the
County Championship game.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ4Ch7tdkMc
Youtube key words: “Football 101- Counter Trap”
The Counter Sweep:
Pound, pound, pound, counter sweep. The guards pull to lead the play.
The first guard picks up the battle of the ends. If he is hooked, he takes it
around the end. If not, he cuts it up. The second guard watches the first
guard and the running back watches the second pulling guard. Follow the
leader. This is the big Oct 23rd game.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_K7a2gBRAI
Youtube key words: “47 counter sweep”
The second picture shows us at 4th and 1 on about the 10 yard line. Cliff
calls the 48 counter sweep, something that killed us the year before, but
caught everyone off guard on this night. This is an example of “building
your weaknesses into your strengths”.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6bHSJGSTVA
Youtibe key word: “4th and 1 48 counter sweep Oct 23”
The catch:
There were 2 catches that can each claim “The catch” Here is one of
them. We are slot left, the 4 back goes in motion leaving the corner one on
one with Noodles. Billy takes one step and lets it fly. The rest speaks for
itself.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWa4MqV0_Lg
Youube key words: “Football 101 Vienna Steelers 2010: The Catch”
Videos In The Book
323
The flag:
This is our flag route. You can see the 4 back go in motion to the weak
end side. The corner goes with him leaving no one to cover the flag route.
Noodles runs a nice route and Billy hits him.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL5Dy7_TmM0
Youtube key words: ”Football 101 Vienna Steelers 2010: My favorite
Play”
The Dump:
When linebackers come up too close, you burn them by throwing dump
passes. We were down 6-0 in the county championship game when this happened. This is also the play Greg (the 7 year old QB) called in the “Introduction” when the defense showed blitz. Some tihings never change.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHnAl6VFYPo
Youtube key words: “Football 101- Vienna Steelers Perfect Dump”
When teams start chasing the big tight end down the field, they leave the
most dangerous back uncovered. Big mistake, HUGE.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v407xXwqFo
Youtube key words: “Football 101 Vs-Metro”
The Fade:
This is the squel to ”The Catch”. In the Metro Bowl we had the team
down on their 10 yard line and they had to punt. The ball went up in the air
and bounced back into the end zone. The refs said we get the ball on the 20,
no touchdown. People were wondering why we didn’t protest more. We
knew we had this play and really wanted to use it.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OzMTR_QHVM
Youtube key words: Vs-Metro
The Championship:
324
Football 101
You have seen some of the Bams and Dump passes, here are some other
big plays:
We were 3rd and 23 late in the game. We run the fake 23 18 waggle. The
end is flexing so they need to kick him out. Billy needs to set and throw and
he does.
Youtube key words: “Football 101-The waggle pass ”
The kick:
You can put a stop watch on this kick and it will come out at 1.2-1.3 seconds. Our extra points were our dagger.
URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO9HX7m2Zs4
Our defensive ends, David and Troy, were our strength from day 1.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVRzaP3ww6M
Another good video on D end play:
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhj0vXZDIjM
These videos brought to you by the 2010 Steeler O line: Troy, Joe, Sarge, David, Smilin Charlie, Kyle, Brandon and Jimmy.
21
How to Use This Book
HOW PLAYERS CAN USE THIS BOOK
Players are the custodians of
the sport and they need to respect
that. Every player at every level is a
role model to someone.
Players need to know the difference between ”Athletic Arrogance”, which you will need in
order to compete, and ”Arrogance”, which one must avoid at all cost.
Athletic Arrogance is a cocktail of PASSION, FEARLESSNESS,
AGGRESSION, CONFIDENCE, WORK ETHIC, and HEART, but must
be accompanied by “TEAM FIRST” MENTALITY, HUMILITY and
the DISCIPLINE and INTELLIGENCE to know when to use which
trait. This is more commonly referred to as the “it factor” or “the intangibles”.
Arrogance; Let’s just say you will know it when you see it and you won’t
like it.
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Football 101
With that said, this book lays out the rules of football and the techniques that make players great. There are 10 Player Commandments. Know
them well.
There are blocking and tackling techniques that may be contrary to
those taught by your current coach. There is more than one way to do
things right. Always listen to the coach and do exactly as he says. A player
should NEVER QUESTION HIS COACH!
One last thing:“GOD puts the athlete on third base without his having
to hit a triple” by giving the athlete certain attributes. Those attributes
make the athlete popular with his or her peers. Other youngsters may not
have been given these attributes and that may leave them open to teasing
and bullying. Athletes, players, as leaders, can’t let that happen—the athlete needs to show compassion and respect for those less physically and/or
socially gifted. It is the only way the athlete can have respect for himself.”
Good luck and have some fun.
HOW COACHES CAN USE THIS BOOK
The “One Thing”: When we
go to a clinic, we are looking for
one thing that will make our team
better. This book has 1000 “one
things”.
Improve
communications:
This book gives you ways to communicate better with staff, players
and parents, up to and including having all parties read the book and put
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327
them on the same page. Productivity increases if everyone is rowing in the
same direction. It makes sure everyone knows where the flat is.
A coach can use this book as a road map if you don’t currently have
one. This book lays out your entire season including building the team,
organizing tryouts, practices, offenses, plays, drills, defenses, game plans,
and check lists. The road map will even lay out how to manage games in the
“heat of battle”.
A reference guide-Coaches can refer to this book throughout the year
for all of the tasks they will need to perform. Check lists will keep you on
task and put your time to more effective use.
HOW PARENTS CAN USE THIS BOOK
Before our games, our team knows what the other team will do. We prepare for it and drill for it. When the game happens there are usually no surprises so we are prepared. A prepared team is a happy team. Football and
this book, prepare your kid for life.
“Football is an honest game. It’s true to life. It’s a game about sharing. Football is a team game. So is life.”
—Joe Namath
Football is a role model.
Kids won’t read books on work ethic, discipline, personal responsibility, “team first” mentality, courage and focus. They will read a book about
football. Football teaches that success only comes when these character
traits are present. When they watch the videos on the eBook version, they
will see discipline and focus destroy bigger, faster, stronger players.
Don’t criticize, help the organization and the team. This book allows a
parent to come off the side lines and make significant contributions. The
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Football 101
book gives parents an insight of what is going on behind the scenes. Perfecting 2-3 drills, or understanding the coaches checklists and tasks
allow parents to immediately help the team.
Injuries are prevented by knowing the causes. This book will direct
the parent to the main causes of, and the solutions for, common football
injuries.
Down the road when the equipment has been put away and the cheering
has stopped, your kids will face demons and challenges such as alcohol
abuse, drugs, bullying, death, school, police, girls etc. Parents have the rules
to guide them but sometimes kids do not listen directly to parents. They
hear us but don’t listen. They need strong rules that will lead them through
tough times.
Our football rules apply:
Discipline, focus, and work ethic help us defeat the demons on and off
the field.
The mirror test gives them moral compass.
Refer to Conquering Fear Chapter.
HOW ORGANIZATIONS CAN USE THIS BOOK
Great players play for great coaches. Great coaches work with great
organizations. Success can only happen when there is a continuity of
talent, coaching and support over a sustained period of time.
The best thing an organizations can do is find the best candidates based
on Experience, Success, Inspiration and Communication skills, give them
clear boundaries and let them do their job. The best teams and organizations are run autocratically, but need to listen to the people in the trenches.
This book has the systems and processes that support teams and the
management mechanisms to handle problems. If you want to improve what
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329
happens on the field, you need to first look at the organization. The information about how VYI does it is in the back of the book.
This book is a training tool for your coaches, and families. Refer them to
the book.
HOW YOU CAN USE THIS BOOK IN BUSINESS
Business is a team sport
Unless you are a profession coach, football doesn’t put food on your
table. Football does however, offer a great model you can take to work with
you to improve your business. Football 101 is a business plan in a football
uniform.
Ask yourself: If the salespeople are the players playing offense, who are
the buyers? The defense? The job of the defense is to resist. To stop the
offense.
The Myth:
❋ The company is the organization
❋ The manager is the coach
❋ The salesperson is the player
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Football 101
Reality
❋ The company is the organization
❋ The manager is the commissioner
❋ The SALESPEOPLE ARE THE COACHES
If sales people are more concerned with the “we” instead of the “me” the
client feels more comfortable moving forward. I sell real estate in Vienna
VA. We don’t sell our clients, we coach our clients. We (the clients and
I) sell their home, we buy homes, we do inspections, we get financing and
we deal with the real opponent: the market. If you want to satisfy clients,
coach ‘em up!
Coaches need to have 4 things (Chapter 1) to have long term success:
1.Find your Passion. If you are doing something you love, you can work
unlimited hours.
2.Seek out a solid organization that has support systems and a record of
success.
3.Work with successful coaches/mentors who can teach you. You don’t
have to invent the wheel, just learn how to make it work.
4.Develop your own plan that lays out the “What” and the “How” based
on your experience and information.
Coach’s checklist:
❋ Display strong character traits
❋ Inspire and display calm confidence
❋ Build a solid staff with specific tasks. Remind them they are the assistant
coaches
❋ Build a solid team of clients. Chapter 5 Building the team
❋ Communicate the plan to the team. Do they know where the flat is?
“Introduction”
❋ Develop flexible tools
❋ Have a Game plan
❋ Stick to the plan
How to Use This Book
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331
Know your enemy
Turn your weakness into your strengths
Create a Pop’s List to get better every month
Finish strong
As coach Doumas put it: the “How” is far more important than the
“What”!
22
They Said It!
“Show class, have pride, and display character. If you
do, winning takes care of itself.”
—Paul “Bear” Bryant
“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts”
- John Wooden
“When you win, nothing hurts.” - Joe Namath/Alabama
“Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.”
- Lou Holtz/Arkansas
“It isn’t necessary to see a good tackle. You can hear it.” - Knute Rockne/Notre Dame
“Football is not a contact sport - it is a collision sport.
Dancing is a contact sport.”
- Duffy Daugherty/Michigan State
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Football 101
“If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the
password, “Roll, tide, roll!”
- Bear Bryant/Alabama
“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s
determination”
- Tommy LaSorta- Dodgers
Football is like wrestling a gorilla, you don’t quit when you get tired, you
quit when the gorilla is tired.
- Robert Strause.
“Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.”
- Samual Jackson
“A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a
medieval study hall.”
- Frank Leahy/Notre Dame
It is amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares about who
gets the credit. -Yates
“There’s nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell
kicked out of you.”
- Woody Hayes/Ohio State
“I don’t expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I
just want to win enough to warrant an investigation.”
- Bob Devaney/Nebraska
“In Alabama, an atheist is someone who doesn’t believe in Bear
Bryant.”
- Wally Butts/Georgia
“You can learn more character on the two-yard line than anywhere
They Said It!
else in life.”
- Paul Dietzel/LSU
“It’s kind of hard to rally around a math class.”
- Bear Bryant/Alabama
When asked if Fayetteville was the end of the world: “No, but you
can see it from here.”
- Lou Holtz/Arkansas
“I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I
want him to quit in practice, not in a game.’
- Bear Bryant/Alabama
“There’s one sure way to stop us from scoring - give us the ball
near the goal line.”
- Matty Bell/SMU
“Lads, you’re not to miss practice unless your parents died or you
died.”
- Frank Leahy/Notre Dame
“My advice to defensive players: Take the shortest route to the
ball and arrive in a bad humor.”
Bowden Wyatt/Tennessee
“Always remember… Goliath was a 40-point favorite over David.”
Shug Jordan/Auburn
”They cut us up like boarding house pie. And that’s real small
pieces.” - Darrell Royal/Texas
“Show me a good and gracious loser, and I’ll show you a failure.”
- Knute Rockne/Notre Dame
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Football 101
“They whipped us like a tied up goat.”
- Spike Dykes/Texas Tech
“I asked Darrell Royal, coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he
didn’t recruit me and he said: “Well, Walt, we took a look at you and
you weren’t any good.”
- Walt Garrison/Oklahoma State
“Son, you’ve got a good engine, but your hands aren’t on the
steering wheel.” - Bobby Bowden/Florida State
After USC lost 51-0 to Notre Dame, his postgame message to his
team: “All those who need showers, take them.”
- John McKay/USC
“If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great
education.”
- Murray Warmath/Minnesota
“The only qualifications for a lineman are to be big and dumb. To
be a back, you only have to be dumb.”
- Knute Rockne/Notre Dame
“Oh, we played about like three tons of buzzard puke this
afternoon.”
- Spike Dykes/Texas Tech
“We live one day at a time and scratch where it itches…” - Darrell Royal/Texas
“We didn’t tackle well today but we made up for it by not
blocking.”
- Wilson Matthews/Little Rock Central High School
They Said It!
337
“Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are
bad.” - Darrell Royal/University of Texas
“I’ve found that prayers work best when you have big players.” - Knute Rockne/Notre Dame
“Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble
this football.”
- John Heisman
“I feel like I’m the best, but you’re not going to get me to say that.”
—Jerry Rice
10. “Football is a game played with arms, legs and shoulders but mostly from
the neck up.”
—Knute Rockne
“Most football teams are temperamental. That’s 90% temper and 10%
mental.”
—Doug Plank
2. “Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.”
—Lou Holtz
4. “Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points.”
—Knute Rockne
5. “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of
strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.”
—Vince Lombardi
7. “The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer.”
—John Madden
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Football 101
8. “If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his personal goals to the good of the team.”
—Bud Wilkinson
9. “Football is an honest game. It’s true to life. It’s a game about sharing.
Football is a team game. So is life.”
—Joe Namath
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog!
Archie Griffin
Rugby is a beastly game played by gentlemen, soccer is a gentlemen’s
game played by beasts and US football is a beastly game played by beasts.
Henry Blaha
Football doesn’t build character, it reveals character!
Marv Levy
Football is like life — it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work,
sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.
- Vince Lombardi
Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The
ones who win get inside their player and motivate.
- Vince Lombardi
Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
- Vince Lombardi
God, as some cynic has said, is always on the side which has the best football coach.
- Heywood Broun
If any thing goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If
anything goes really good, then you did it. That’s all it takes to get people to
win football games for you.
They Said It!
339
- Paul Bear Bryant
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a
two-by-four.
-Dan Birdwell
I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all
that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a
good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.
- Vince Lombardi
Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.
- Erma Bombeck
If you’re mad at your kid, you can either raise him to be a nose tackle or
send him out to play on the freeway. It’s about the same.
- Bob Golic
All that I know most surely about morality and obligations I owe to football.
- Albert Camus
Sometime, Rock, when the team’s up against it, when things are going
wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go in there with all
they’ve got and win just one for the Gipper. I don’t know where I’ll be then,
Rock, but I’ll know about it, and I’ll be happy.
- George Gipp
The reason women don’t play football is because eleven of them would
never wear the same outfit in public.
- Phyllis Diller
Baseball is what we were, and football is what we have become.
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Football 101
- Mary McGrory
American football makes rugby look like a Tupperware party.
- Sue Lawley
When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one
coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had
us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team.
- George Raveling
Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence,
seeing how you react. If you’re in control, they’re in control.
- Tom Landry
The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of
strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.
- Vince Lombardi
Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything
else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve
that goal, or any goal.
- Vincent Lombardi
Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team
work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
- Vince Lombardi
We rarely pick captains; captains just know they are captains
- Casey Samson
It’s not what you do, It’s what you do next.
-Casey Samson
They Said It!
341
People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.
- Vince Lombardi
Success demands singleness of purpose.
- Vince Lombardi
The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the
determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
- Vince Lombardi
The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to
excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.
- Vince Lombardi
23
Mom’s Cheat Sheet
Football phrases and what they mean
“He got trucked”
Got run over
“Nice wheels”
Players: Runs fast (or nice legs)
Blown up
Think of the bird that flew in front of a Randy Johnson’s fast ball
Hits like a chick
Hits like a chick
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Football 101
Ear holed
Guy gets blown up from the blind side
”Gotta Keep him In the box”
When QB gets outside the tackles
“Full Boat”
Full Scholarship to college
“He’s got gas”
VERY FAST
“Bad time management”
Coaches not managing their time outs
Carol’s Favorite. I will be watching a game and yell at the coach for
wasting a time out. She won’t even look up from her paper and say:
“Poor time management hon”. Don’t tell me we don’t communicate
during football season.
“Jack him up”
Jamming receivers so they don’t get off the line
“Gotta Break Down”
Over running the ball carrier
Running North and South
Running right at a team
Mom’s Cheat Sheet
345
Running East and West
Running sideline to sideline
Kill shot
Guys slams someone at full speed
Throwing up
Teams falling apart during a game
Peeing down their leg
Choking. Unless it’s an anklebiter and then it means……well you know.
Man up
That’s what a mom says when her son whines
Throwing Darts
Quarterbacks throwing accurate passes
He is going to play somewhere on Sundays
NFL Prospect
He is going to play on Saturday afternoon
College prospect
Grill
Face
346
Football 101
Alligator arms
When a receiver knows he is going to get hit,
his arms get shorter and he misses the ball
Penn State
That refers to low socks when we go bare calves.
Pick 6
An interception for touchdown.
The Edges
Out side of the ends
Short porch
When there is only a guard and tackle on one side. People sweep that
way because it has a “short porch”
Top shows if you want to learn about football:
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Rome is Burning
NFL Match up
Anything with Ron Jaworski in it
Football 101 on ESPN, which came after publication of this book.
24
Vienna Youth Incorporated
This is a look at how the Vienna Youth Inc. went
from it’s inception with a football coach, a corporate
CEO, a finance guy, a sporting goods guy, 10 football
moms and a ton of Vienna parents who wanted football in their
town, to an organization with a national reputation.
They established By-laws, a corporate structure base, coach’s code of
conduct and a hundred committees. Here are the ones that exist today:
Ways and Means/Fundraising: Every organization raises money and in
this category Vienna has few equals.
We have 4 main fundraisers:
Booster Day:Vienna and the surrounding area is cut up into 30 territories such as: Territory 11-“Maple Ave From Glyndon ST to Park, including
the Starbucks, Vienna Inn and Walgreens.” On the Saturday of Memorial
Day weekend, every team is given a few thousand booster tickets and a territory. They begin at 8-9:00 and don’t end until about 4 PM. Each team aver-
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Football 101
ages about $100 per kid and VYI has 500 kids. Using the new math, that is a
lot of money.
Raffle tickets: VYI prints up 500 tickets and distributes them to each
team. The kids or parents sell them at work, to grand parents, fans or they
just buy one for them selves. The winner gets $10,000 and there are a bunch
of smaller prizes. The kid that sells the winning ticket gets $500. At Vienna’s
social event of the season, The Halloween Dance, all the parents and
coaches dress in costumes and loosen up a bit. The main event of the dance
is selecting the winners of the raffle. That event nets VYI a strong chunk as
well.
VYI Camp: The coaches put on a camp for all interested football players.
The camp has been so successful, it has grown to 200-250 kids per year. The
camp splits the kids by their competition level and the VYI coaches teach
them the basics of football. Stance and fire off, blocking, tackling, as well as
the proper way to carry and catch a football, footwork and agility drills are
also a big part of the camp. It builds camaraderie and excitement before
football season and the camp raises a lot of money.
Snack bar: We get a lot of people coming out to Waters field to watch
football and they buy a lot of food. Our snack bar provides food for the fans
and money for the organization. Each team takes turns providing parents to
run it.
Team Moms: Football is a sport with a lot of moving parts. An essential
part of every team is a well trained team mom. VYI has a team mom boot
camp that goes over ”what makes a great season great”:
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Registration: checking in the initial players.
Parents roster: So everyone knows people’s names.
Up to date email tree: There are always changes.
Communication with parents and coaches.
Organizing the parents: films, fundraising, Thursday night team pasta
parties, water parent, chain crew.
Vienna Youth Incorporated
349
❋ Keeping coach on a need to know basis, allowing the coach to focus
on the team, not the parents. The fewer issues the better.
❋ A great great team mom, has a red cup after a hot practice.
There is one season on the field and another off the field. A great
team mom helps you win both.
Equipment:The funds VYI raises go into buying new helmets, shoulder
pads, blocking dummies, blocking and tackling sleds etc. Safety is always a
concern so every helmet VYI has goes out every year for reconditioning.
The coaches go through training on how to fit helmets and shoulder pads so
the risk of injury is further reduced.
Coaches meetings: The commission holds a meeting every Monday
night from July-November and once a month in the other months. In the
meetings the commissioner or assistant commissioners will communicate
information and instructions from the league and assign tasks to the
coaches. This gives all of the coaches an opportunity to talk about what
works and what doesn’t. A first year coach can talk to a coach that has been
there for 20-30 years to find out how to handle problems, conduct practices,
run offenses or how to stop an opponent. It helps coaches take advantage of
the organization’s brain trust.
Here is what the coaches are expected to do:
❋ Serve as field manager or Officer of the day a few times per year. More on
that.
❋ Raise money during booster day and sell raffle tickets.
❋ Help out at the Camp.
❋ Attend meetings.
❋ Take care of the all equipment for their competition level.
❋ Clean up fields.
❋ Paint the practice fields at the beginning of every season.
❋ Paint Waters field.
❋ Take control of parents and their sidelines during games.
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Football 101
❋ Represent VYI in everything they do.
Coaches Conduct and Dispute Resolution:Sportsmanship is job one
for VYI. We have a no tolerance policy for coaches who do not know how to
conduct themselves or control their sidelines. The commissioner and board
act quickly to address any complaints. In the back of the book I have
included the Coaches conduct and dispute resolution guidelines. This is a
must for any organization. High quality coaches keep existing kids in the
program and attract more every year. This is one of the keys to a successful
organization. Parents have a complaint chain of command that brings them
right to the board of VYI if their issue can not be resolved at the competition or sport level.
Coach’s selection committee: If 2-3 coaches are all vying for the same
team a decision has to be made over who gets it. Commissioners vary on
this. Some get 2 coaches from inside the organization and 2 respected past
coaches who interview the coaches and make a selection based on success
both on the field and off. Other commissioners put the 2 coaches at a table
with a pitcher of beer and let them work it out. That seems to work out
better.
Coach’s Clinics: New coaches and old attend coach’s clinics given by
experienced successful coaches. This clinic teaches the nuts and bolts of
how to run a practice, how to fundraise, select players, X’s and O’s of some
of the offenses or defenses coaches run. In fact some of our clinics are on
line at VYI.org. Here is a look at what you will find at VYI.org and go to the
“Coach Pages” and then select “Resourses” (http://www.vyi.org/Page.asp?
n=22766&snid=kHFK%5F5I4%5E&org=vyifootball.org).
VYI banquet: At the end of the year VYI buys trophies for all teams that
made the playoffs. With hundreds of people in the room, the commissioner
gives a “thank you” to the volunteers who made the year a success, gives out
trophies and acknowledges the accomplishments of the teams, and hands
out special awards to High School Player of the Year. We also have a presentation for special awards for coaches and players that have passed away.
Vienna Youth Incorporated
351
VYI Hall of Fame Banquet:In June, VYI gathers the best and brightest
to the VYY Hall of Fame Banquet. VYI adds one or two people to the VYI
Hall of Fame. They include founders, coaches or administrators that have
gone above and beyond the call of duty to make VYI a success. VYI also
awards over 25 $1000 scholarships to deserving former VYI players on their
way to college. They present the Player of the Year for all sports represented
by VYI. The highlight of the night, other than Bill Cervenac the master of
ceremonies, is the video in which each award recipient goes from baby pictures to VYI pictures to graduation pictures and the colleges they will be
attending. Young kids growing up into great adults are all parents and
coaches want. It is always an inspiring night and one that makes Vienna very
unique.
25
Index
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1982 Warhawks: 26,
1999Steelers
Intro
2005 Steelers 4, 28,113,152,270,297
2006 Steelers 24,270
2008 Steelers 270
2009 National Champions 303,311,314
2009 National Championship Game 302
2009 Steelers 269,270
2010 75lb Steelers 306,307
2010 National Champions 304,311
2010 National Championship Game 304
2010 Steelers Intro 47,175,289
Aaron Phares 109
Alec Shultz 109
“Are Coaches Crazy?” Intro
Assistant Coaches 37
Assistant Coaches-Limited Staff 40
Athletic Arrogance vs Arrogance 10,325
Avi Sareen 44
Barney Fife quote 56
Big Bird Intro
Bill Cervenak Ack
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354
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Football 101
Bill Kidwell Intro
Bill McGregor Ack 34
Bill Samson (Dad) Ded, 315
Billy Pickett 50,113,262,283,284
Billy Samson 52
Blitzing 17
Bowden Wyatt (quote) Intro
Brandon Zhoa 255
Breaking the Rules 15
Brenda Maclin Ack
Brian Newby 326
Brian Newell 257,280
Bruce Spiro Ack,9
Buddy Allison Ack,5,12,
Building a Team 47
Cardinal Sins-Coaches, players and parents 60
Cardinal Sins- Head coach 34
Carol Samson Acknowledgment
Chad Smith 2, 45, 48, 145, 169, 257, 264, 283, 285, 289
Chain of command 61
Champions Creed 310
Chantilly Youth Association 29, 250, 267, 271, 279,
Charlie Pence (pictured) Intro-Defense, 29
Charlie Via Intro, 274, 307
Christmas Presents 49
CJ Kelliher Story 108
Clayton Roberts 238, 252
Cliff Doumas Ded, Ack, 2, 43, 45, 243, 283, 308
Coach’s Responsibilities 59
Coach’s Twelve Commandments 19
Coin Toss 244
Communication with coaches 60
Confusion 15
Conquering Fear 102
Cotton Via Ack
Index
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County Fair-Box 67
County Fair-Snake 70
Darius Smith 24
Darryl Royal quote 11
Dave Allely Intro, 49, 162, 252, 274, 286, 305
David Hall Ack
Dealing with a Bully 254
Defending Florida’s Spread 300
Defending the Counter Trap 190, 215
Defending the Ice 189
Defending the Pass-Rules 193
Defending the Power 189
Defending the Run-Rules 181
Defending the Sweep 184
Defending the Sweep Drills 188
Defense Intro,175
Defense-Discipline 176
Defense-Drills 195
Defense-Drills-3 Man Drill 199
Defense-Drills-Box Drill 88, 201
Defense-Drills-Tackling 79, 80, 89,196, 199
Defense-Drills-Tackling Sled 197
Defense-Formations 178
Defense-Pass Coverage 180
Defense-Pass Coverage Rotation 181
Defense-Tackling 176
Defense-Terminology 177
DeMatha Catholic 34, 98
Developing the Plan 11
Diane Devens Ack
Dolton (Chicago) Bears 251, 305
Donnelly’s Cowboys 53
Drill-Defensive back 68, 71
Drill-Linebacker 69, 70, 71, 92
Drills O line-Blocking 77, 78, 84
355
356
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Football 101
Drills Passing 75, 76
Drills-Blocking-23 Bam 90
Drills-Kiss Drill 242
Drills-Oklahoma 93, 200
Drills-Running backs 73
Drills-stay low-Steeler Maker 87
Drill-Stance and Fire off 65, 70
Drill-Tight end 67
Duffy Daugherty-Michigan State quote 16
Famous Quotes 333
Felipe 98
Finding Players 48
First Team Meeting 56
Football Games Intro
Football is a level playing field 55
Football Mom Quiz Intro
Football Players Intro
Football Plays Intro
Football Rules Intro, 19
Football Teams Intro
Ft Belvior Army Base Intro
Fundementals-Tryouts 65
Game Management 243
Game Management-First Half 244
Game Management Identify Key Players 246
Game Management-Halftime 247
Game Management-Overtime 248
Game Management-Second Half 249
Game Management-Time Management 246
Game Plans 17
Game Plan-Putting One Together 222
Game Plan-Checklist-Their Defense 222
Game Plan-Attacking Their Defense 224
Game Plan-Checklist-Their Offense 224
Game Plan-Defending Their Offense 227
Index
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357
Game TIME 250
George Casey Ded, Ack,7, 12, 278
George Raveling (quote) Intro
Gonzaga 34 Good Lookin Moms (GLMs) 6
Greg Gadell Intro Gump 28
Harold Sweet 52
Head coach checklist 35
“Heart” Makes the Team 96
How to Use This Book: Business 329
How to Use This Book: Organizations 328
How to Use This Book: Coaches 326
How to Use This Book: Parents 327
How to Use This Book: Players 325
How tough are 7 year olds Intro
How smart are 7 year olds Intro
Ian “Ricky Bobby” Barr 302
Injuries 14, 16,108
Injury Report-Reducing Injuries 110
Intent to Injure 112
It’s Not The “What” but the “How” 308
Jack Sullivan 53
Jason Fullbrock 96
Jason Witten (former VYI player) 278
Jimmy “Sarge” Goldsmith 47, 50, 162, 252, 262, 284, 286,289
Jimmy Maclin Intro-FB Plays, 202, 304
Jimmy Boone 24
Joe “Man Child” Koshuta Intro, 49, 252, 255, 257, 260, 283, 289, 294,
305
Joe Hall Ack, 9
Joe Namath 327
Joel Herr 45, 51, 265, 288, 305
Joel Hutchins 109
John Wooden 9
John Wooten quote 9
Johny Pickett 52
358
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Football 101
Jonah “Noodles” Smith 45, 143, 213, 252, 265, 267, 288
Kathy Evans Intro
Katie Herron Ack
Kelly Samson Ded
Kevin Samson Ded, Intro, 1, 53, 214
Kevin Sheehy 97
Kejuan Kimble (pictured) Intro Defense
Kimmie “Tait” Micklus Ack
Knute Rockne quote 267, 278
Kyle Karp 238, 304
Lamar Walker Intro
Leslie Palmer 53
Long Term Success 1, 2, 15
Lorna Fitzgerald Ack
LUCK 1
Marcus Pearson 47, 131, 256, 257, 274, 283, 287
Mark Meana Ack Ack, Intro, 248
Mark Twian quote 102
Marlene Samson Ded
Marshall High School 52
Melany Johnson-Ngo Intro
Mike Glennon 52
Mike Magnotti Ack, 2, 42, 45, 305
Mike McCool 31
Mike Puckett 109
Miss Billie Berry Ack
Mission Statement 57
Mom’s Cheat Sheet 342
Morgan Marr 53
Morgan Samson Ded, Ack
National Youth Football Championship 297
Nelson “Pops” Berry Ded, Ack, Intro, 9, 12, 38, 45, 99, 105, 310, 316
NFL Match up 345
Nick Burton 235
Nick Flowers Story 6
Index
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Nick Hoy 109
O Line 16
Oakton High school 13
O’Connell High School 34, 53, 98
Offense Intro 113
Offense-Blocking 152
Offense-Blocking-Bam 158
Offense-Blocking-Counter Sweep 160
Offense-Blocking-Counter Trap 159
Offense-Blocking-Dive 153
Offense-Blocking-Ice 156
Offense-Blocking-Pass 162
Offense-Blocking-Sled 163
Offense-Blocking-Stalk Blocking 172
Offense-Blocking-Sweep 160
Offense-Catching Drill-Balance 170, 172
Offense-Catching Drill-Hand Position 170
Offense-Catching-Hand Position 169
Offense-Pass Routes 116, 171
Offense-Pass Terminology 115, 140
Offense-Positions-4 backs/wings 149
Offense-Positions-Center 149
Offense-Positions-Fullback 148
Offense-Positions-Guards 148
Offense-Positions-Quarterbacks 150
Offense-Positions-Running backs 149
Offense-Positions-Tackle 148
Offense-Positions-Tight Ends 148
Offense-Positions-Weak Ends 149
Offense-Running 169
Offense-Running-Ball Security 164
Offense-Running-Decision on sweep 166
Offense-Running-First Step 165
Offense-Running-Read Blocks 167
Offense-Running-Set Up Blocks 165
359
360
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Football 101
Offense-Running-Target Running 164
Offense-Rush Terminology 114
Offense-Steeler Formations 121
Offense-Steeler Rules 117
Offense-Steeler Rushing Rules 123
Offense-Tool Chest 114
Parent Responsibilities 59
Passion 2
Pat Stewart Ack
Patrick Ray 97
Paul “Bear” Bryant 14, 33
Paul VI High School 53
Player positions 148
Player Responsibilities 59
Player’s Ten Commandments 27
Playing Down 58
Playing other sports 59
Pop’s list 11, 215, 219, 272
Positions and playing time 6, 58, 148
Practice 229 Practice 17
Practice Preperation 213
Practice-Structure 230
Practice-Warm Ups 230
Pre Game at the Field 239
Pre Game Checklist 241
Pre Game Coach’s Checklist 237
Pre Game Player Checklist 235
Pre Game-Preperation 235
Protecting Warriors 107
Ray Gordon (Pictured) Intro, 258, 280
Rich Hodge 99
Richie Finelli (pictured) Intro
Ricky Lipscomb Ack, 7, 12
Rob Pearson Ack, 43
Robert Yates quote 47
Index
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361
Rome is Burning 345
Ron Jaworski 345
Ronnie Cooke 24, 109
RT Cooke Intro 97
Ruth Cooke Intro
Ryan Serher 99
Sammie Ojay 97
Sean “Big Baby” Fitzgerald 47, 48, 102, 109, 250, 257, 269, 273, 283,
286, 289, 294
Sean Gillen (pictured) 325
Sean Staats Ack, 2, 44, 299
Senate Resolution No.426 311
Setting Expectations 56
South County Youth 250, 271
Southwester Youth Assoc. (SYA) 250, 252, 267, 274
Special teams 17
Special teams 205
Special teams-Extra Point Team 210
Special teams-Kick Off 206
Special teams-Kick Off Return 208
Speed Kills-Definition 64
Spike Dyke’s quote 24
Steeler Defense 87
Steeler Mentality 102
Steeler Offense 82
Steeler Passing Game 140
Steeler Passing Plays-Drag 85
Steeler Passing Plays-Dump 85, 144, 283
Steeler Passing Plays-Fade 85, 146, 262, 293,
Steeler Passing Plays-Flag 142
Steeler Passing Plays-Slant 85
Steeler Plays-Bam 83, 84, 130, 281, 283, 287
Steeler Plays-Counter Sweep 138, 262, 264
Steeler Plays-Counter Trap 136, 262, 263, 286
Steeler Plays-Dive 83, 124, 269, 272, 281, 286, 294
362
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Football 101
Steeler Plays-Ice 83, 85, 132
Steeler Plays-Sweep 83, 134, 262
Sue Lawley (quote) Intro
Tackling Drills 79, 80, 89,196, 199
T Test 71
Team Mom 62, 348
Technique Schmechnique 98
The “Greg Gadell (audible)” Story Intro
The “Bully” Conversation 326
The “Changes” story 8
The “Communication” Story Intro
The “Keep it Simple” story 24
The “Mentor” story (flood water) 4
The “Stopping Speed” story 8
The “Team First” story 29
The “Tornado” story Intro
The “ONE Thing”
326
The Catch #2 Billy to Chad 293
The Catch Billy to Jonah 268
The Championship
The Drive 299
The Goal 13
The Marines Ack, 4, 11
The Mirror Test 315
The O Line Conversation 58
The Organization 2
The QB Situation 52
The Walk 259
The Wall 14,99
Tiger Teramura Ack, 45, 305
Todd Casey Ack (2), 306, 307
Tom Cooke Ack, Intro, 9, 346, Appendix
Tom Orndorf 53
Troy Jahelka 255, 257, 282, 289, 294, 305
Tryouts 64
Index
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Tryouts on Black Monday 276
Tyler Moore Intro, 2, 252, 262, 270, 273
Videos in the Book 320
Vienna Inn 8, 259, 260, 436
Vince Lombardi quote 104, 231, 261
VYI 2, 11, 346
Warriors Intro, 11,15,28,99,107,108,175,306,310
Washington Area Metropolitian Bowl (Metro Bowl)
Westfield High School 13, 52
Westlake 302
Willy Pickett 304
Will Cybulski 148
Zach Teramura 45, 257, 264, 273, 284, 286, 287
363
250, 291