Linebacker Fundamentals – Day 2
Day one we taught the fundamentals of alignment, stance, read step, reacting to run/pass, proper angles, and zone drops. Day two we want to review the fundamentals you taught on Day 1. Asking your players questions not only allows you…
QB Medicine Ball Warm-up
A few years ago I heard Michigan State QB Coach Dave Warner speak at the Glazier Clinic in Chicago. As with all the MSU staffers, Coach Warner gave a tremendous talk about the many concepts the Spartans run and some insight…
The Process and the Plan
Although Cincinnati is obviously not on the Pacific coast, it’s where Bill Walsh was an assistant coach for the Bengals and coach Paul Brown when he built what has become known as the West Coast offense, long before he led…
The “Jake” LB Stunt – Simple and Effective
Here is information on an effective stunt we have used in multiple fronts over the years. Credit for the stunt goes to Lincoln North Star (NE) DC and long time friend, Doug Nielson. The “Jake” stunt involves an inside LB…
Optimal Ways to Run to Zone Schemes – Part 1: IZ to the 1 Technique; OZ to the 3.
Since I incorporated the zone scheme into my offense in 2004, one of the common questions I get is, “Which side is the best to run inside or outside zone to?” It’s also been the topic of many friendly debates….
Linebacker Fundamentals – Day 1
Last week we held our first annual senior high football camp. Our campers wore their helmets during the camp. It reminded me of my days recently in high school when we were required by the state of Florida to go…
Defensive Weapons
At the University of Sioux Falls, we use three simple words to describe what we call our defensive weapons – EYES, HANDS, and FEET. When you watch football on television or coach football at any level, and you see players…
The Economical Advantage of Flip-Flopping the Offensive Line
In 2000, we started flip-flopping our offensive line. In previous years we had spent a great amount of time attempting to be a balanced offense. Our definition of balanced was to be able to run our base plays equally…
Using “The Rule of Threes” in Coaching
Paralysis by analysis. It happens to our players when they are thinking too much on the field and not reacting. They are slow to react and you can see the wheels turning in their heads. I once heard former Boston…
Foundations of Success
It is a privilege to have the opportunity to share the experiences and learning I have been lucky to be a part of as a teacher and coach. I think teaching is coaching and coaching is teaching. They really are…