FNF Coaches 2017 "Coaches of the Year"

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The Magazine for High School Football Coaches

FEBRuary 2017 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) head coach Roger Harriott (right), with assistant coach George Smith

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COACHES OF THE YEAR Championship Coaches from Across the Nation Named FNF Coaches of the Year

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12. COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

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fundraising ON THE FRONT COVER ■■ St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) head coach Roger Harriott (top row, second from right), one of two FNF Coaches of the Year, is pictured with (top row, from left) Kivon Bennett, assistant coach George Smith and Zack Sweeney; (bottom row) Michael Harley and Mike Epstein.

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04. COACHES’ CONNECTION 05. GEAR 32. INJURY PREVENTION 33. USA FOOTBALL

36. FACILITIES 37. COMMUNICATION 38. EDUCATION 39. ASSISTANT’S CORNER

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NF Coaches magazine is 100-percent

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The FNF Coaches app is built with viewing available by mobile phone or tablet. The idea is to keep coaches engaged year-round. We want the FNF Coaches app to be a daily destination for high school coaches, so content will be fresh and unique. We want coaches trading tips and looking to us for breakdowns of the best new products and technologies in the industry.

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LET’S WORK TOGETHER We want to hear what you think of the first edition of FNF Coaches magazine. If you have a story idea, product suggestion, or just want to rant or rave about something, now is your chance. Visit fnfcoaches.com/contact to share your stories.

You can reach managing editor Dan Guttenplan at dguttenplan@ae-engine.com, or 727-209-0816.

FNF Coaches magazine also has formed many partnerships with equipment suppliers and distributors of new technology. We want those relationships to benefit you directly.

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COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

STRENGTH GAINS: RYAN RUSSELL

M

Q&A

WITH AUBURN COACH GUS MALZAHN DAN GUTTENPLAN

A

uburn coach Gus Malzahn started his career as

defensive coordinator of Hughes High (Ark.) in 1991. He later spent 12 years as a high school head coach, including five at Springdale High (Ark.), where he won a state championship in 2005.

ONCE THE COACHES BUY IN, HOW DO YOU SELL THE NEW SCHEME TO PLAYERS?

I’ve always felt like you’re teaching. The best coaches I’ve been around have been great teachers. Install a play in the classroom. Teach the guys. Have video to confirm or help with it. The next step is going out and doing it.

YOU LIKE TO PLAY FAST. DO YOU ALSO PRACTICE FAST WHEN YOU’RE INSTALLING A NEW SCHEME?

It’s always good to walk through a new play first. Take it to the practice field second.

FEBRUARY IS A TIME FOR COACHES TO INSTALL NEW

IS IT DIFFICULT TO GET THE PLAYERS TO BUY IN

SCHEMES AND MAKE PERSONNEL CHANGES. WHAT

WHEN YOU’RE ASKING THEM TO IGNORE THEIR

IS THE FIRST THING A COACH SHOULD DO WHEN

NATURAL INSTINCTS?

INSTALLING A NEW SCHEME?

Whatever you do, you have to believe in it.

Then you have to present it to the players and staff with great enthusiasm. Present it with passion – “This is who we are. Here’s what we believe in. Let’s put our goals up on the wall.”

The key is passion and enthusiasm when you’re selling your players.

The first thing you’ve got to do is coach up the coaches. That’s where it starts – teaching the coaches so they understand how to coach it. The next step is the players.

WHAT IF AN ASSISTANT COACH ISN’T IN FAVOR OF INSTALLING THE NEW SCHEME?

It always starts with the head coach. Whatever that head coach’s philosophy is – whether he wants to go up-tempo or ball-control – it’s up to the head coach to set the tone. If he wants to play fast, the defensive assistants need to have the same

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philosophy. The real key to success is having the head coach and coordinators on the same page.

football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

IN COLLEGE, YOU RECRUIT PLAYERS TO FIT YOUR SCHEME. AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, YOU GET THE KIDS IN YOUR SCHOOL’S LOCATION. SHOULD A HIGH SCHOOL COACH BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT HIS SCHEME BASED ON PERSONNEL?

alzahn has been selective about his strength coach at the college level. In 2013, he hired Ryan Russell to be the Auburn football team strength coach. Russell had previously held a similar position under Malzahn at Arkansas State.

Russell’s program is designed to train players for the speed of the nohuddle offense.

“I think there’s something to be said for hiring coaches that have had success in the past doing what they believe in,” Malzahn said. “It’s worked in the past. You always have to grow as a coach or as a conditioning coach and keep up with the technology. But there’s a fine line.”

One change Malzahn and Russell have made to the program is the amount of time allotted for athletes to recover between sets. Players still shuttle from workout to workout so as not to allow time for their muscles to fully recover, but the lifting sessions are not as up-tempo as they were in the past.

“I’ve learned more about the flexibility and recovery part,” Malzahn said. “That’s been the biggest area that has changed.”

As a coach, especially in high school, you have to have a philosophy you believe in – a core philosophy that never changes. You evaluate the personnel you have, and build around those strengths. But don’t lose the core philosophy of who you want to be.

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CALLING DUTIES TO YOUR OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR IN 2017. YOU MADE YOUR NAME WITH YOUR OFFENSIVE SCHEME. WHAT WENT INTO YOUR DECISION?

If I were still coaching in high school, I don’t know if I’d do the same thing.

Whatever the job description is for that particular level, a head coach has to make the decision about what’s best for his program.

IS IT TOO MUCH FOR A HIGH SCHOOL COACH TO MANAGE THE HEAD COACHING RESPONSIBILITIES IN ADDITION TO CALLING PLAYS?

I don’t think it’s too much. In our situation, there are so many moving parts. It’s a pretty big job. I think a lot of really successful coaches can do all of the above.

DEALING WITH PARENTS IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR MANY HIGH SCHOOL COACHES. HOW DO YOU HANDLE CRITICISM WHILE MAINTAINING YOUR

Software of Champions Since 1997

CORE PHILOSOPHY?

I would over-communicate with parents. I would be honest about my expectations and what I thought the program would be like. I always felt that was the best way – over-communicate.

IN TERMS OF SCHEME, YOU RUN A LOT OF PRE-SNAP MOTION. CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR PHILOSOPHY?

We’ll use motion to get a certain look or roll a certain coverage. It also gives you the option to use misdirection. You can see how the defense is going to adjust before the snap.

HOW HAS RECRUITING CHANGED FROM WHEN YOU WERE A HIGH SCHOOL COACH?

Back when I was a high school coach, the kids didn’t have social media. A high school coach had more influence in the recruiting process. He was a big part of it. Every year, that seems to be less and less. I enjoyed being a part of it; most high school coaches do. I feel it’s what’s best for the players.

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t FNF Coaches, we understand the commitment and sacrifice that go into leading a football team. In this

edition, we honor the coaches that have led their respective teams to the ultimate prize – a state championship. In each of the 50 states, we identified state-champion coaches who defied the odds in 2016. Some coaches lifted their teams to a state title for the first time in school history. Others bridged lengthy gaps between state-championship runs, bringing their respective programs back to prominence. Finally, other coaches inspired laser-focus in their athletes to continue proud winning traditions. Congratulations to these deserving coaches!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2016 FNF COACHES OF THE YEAR! STATE Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska

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HIGH SCHOOL Ramsay East Williams Field Mount Ida San Clemente Strasburg Hillhouse Woodbridge St. Thomas Aquinas Trinity Christian Valdosta Lahainaluna Mountain View Peoria High Roncalli Dowling Catholic Westrern Christian Pratt High Christian Academy Logansport Brunswick Walkersville Hanover King Phillip Pewamo Westphalia Minneapolis North Clinton Harrisonville Billings Senior Bellevue West

football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

COACH(ES)

STATE

Rueben Nelson Jr. Jeff Trotter Steve Campbell Mike White Jaime Ortiz Jeff Giger Reggie Lytle Ed Manlove Roger Harriott Verlon Dorminey Alan Rodemaker Garet Tihada and Bobby Watson Judd Benedick Tim Thornton Bruce Scifres Tom Wilson Travis Kooima Jamie Cruce Stefan LeFors Kevin Magee Dan Cooper Joe Polce Christopher Landolfi Brian Lee Jeremy Miller Charles Adams Judd Boswell Brent Maxwell Chris Murdock Mike Huffman

Nevada Bishop Gorman Nevada Spring Mountain New Hampshire Bedford High New Jersey Allentown New Mexico St. Pius X New York Somers New York Lancaster North Carolina Eastern Guilford North Dakota Ellendale-Edgeley-Kulm Ohio Marion Local Ohio John F. Kennedy Ohio LaSalle Oklahoma Millwood Oklahoma Homony Oregon Lebanon Pennsylvania Beaver Falls Rhode Island Portsmouth South Carolina Dutch Fork South Dakota Colman-Egan Tennessee Farragut Texas Dallas Highland Park Utah Bingham Vermont Rice Virginia Appomattox Washington Camas Washington Graham-Kapowsin West Virginia St. Marys Wisconsin Green Bay Notre Dame Wisconsin St. Croix Central Wyoming Pine Bluffs

HIGH SCHOOL

COACH Kenny Sanchez Aaron Masden Derek Stank Jay Graber San Juan Mendoza Tony DeMatteo Eric Rupp Doug Robertson Jon Schiele Tim Goodwin Jay Bayuk Jim Hilvert Darwin Franklin Scott Harmon Ty Tomlin Ryan Matsook Ryan Moniz Tom Knotts Chad Williamson Eddie Courtney Randy Allen John Lambourne Neil Brodeur Doug Smith Jon Eagle Eric Kurle Jodi Mote John Nowak Tony DiSalvo Will Gray

To drive and flip the Leverage Cube athletes must lower their center of gravity and maintain a strong back angle while their hands and feet coordinate. As the Cube flips they can re-strike and repeat.

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COACHES OF THE YEAR Roger Harriott St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) Since taking over as head coach of his alma mater in 2015, Roger Harriott has won back-to-back FHSAA Class 7 state championships and has continued the tradition of DAN GUTTENPLAN St. Thomas Aquinas’ status as a nationally ranked powerhouse.

T

he St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) football

team’s dreams of winning a national championship were dashed in Week 1 last season.

After entering the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the country, Aquinas lost a heart-breaker to Booker T. Washington – a game that appeared to go in the Raiders’ favor until the final seconds, when the officiating crew ruled that a would-be Aquinas touchdown pass was stopped inches short of the goal line.

“Managing team emotions after losing a game is obviously difficult to overcome, as it relates to remaining motivated,” Aquinas coach Roger Harriott said.

Harriott kept his team motivated to the tune of a second straight FHSAA Class 7A state championship. The team laden with Division 1 prospects finished the season ranked seventh in the nation after pounding rival Plant, 45-6, in the state championship game.

The story of the Aquinas season was one of resilience and persistence – a team that overcame an early setback, recalibrated its goals, and came away with the program’s 10th state championship in school history.

“We cultivate an environment that’s strategically conducive to interdependent brotherhood, familyoriented camaraderie – and ultimately, being a champion in life,” Harriott said.

“Football is a tool we utilize to ensure our players become productive citizens and champion fathers and family men when that time comes.”

Those lessons were imparted by the Aquinas coaching staff not only after the Week 1 loss, but also when the Raiders suffered a triple-overtime road defeat at the hands of eventual national-champion Bishop Gorman in late September.

Harriott kept his team focused down the homestretch, and Aquinas won

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football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

its final nine games against Florida opponents by an average of 37 points.

“The theme for this season is, ‘A Great Story,’ which correlates with the adversity we experienced and overcame,” Harriott said. “This team will be remembered for the leadership and love these players demonstrated toward our St. Thomas Aquinas Raider family. Our team motto is, ‘You go! We go!’ This 2016 senior group epitomized that slogan as the standard of faith, family, tradition, and excellence.”

Harriott, 40, was an all-county running back at Aquinas in 1994, before playing college football at Boston University and Villanova. His first head coaching job came at University School in Davie (Fla.), where he turned the program into a state powerhouse. Harriott’s

University School teams went 78-15, and won a state championship in 2012.

Harriott points to former STA head coach George Smith and former Villanova running backs coach Stan Drayton as his professional inspirations.

“I was privileged to witness Coach Smith dedicate his life to the game as a pioneer of the holistic developmental process of high school football,” Harriott said. “He was instrumental in providing statewide guidance and support to all high school football players, coaches and affiliates.

“As for Coach Drayton, he pushed my potential by teaching me the value of possessing an unyielding work ethic along with articulating the importance of being a professional role model.”

COACHES OF THE YEAR randy allen highland park (texas) Texas high school coaching legend Randy Allen led Highland Park to the second state championship – separated by 11 years – during his tenure thanks DAN GUTTENPLAN to a resilient effort in the Class 5A Division 1 state title game.

R

andy Allen’s first state championship as

Highland Park coach in 2005 did not offer a lot of anxiety and angst for Scots fans.

Allen’s quarterback, Matthew Stafford, the eventual No. 1 overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, did not even need to throw a touchdown pass in the state championship game – a 59-0 victory over Marshall.

By contrast, Allen’s second state championship as Highland Park coach last fall had Scots fans on the edges of their seats until the bitter end. Highland Park overcame a 7-0 mid-second quarter deficit – and a 162-6 disadvantage in

total yards at the time – to record a 16-7 come-from-behind victory over Temple.

“The character and competitiveness displayed by the Scots during the championship game was outstanding,” Allen said. “This was truly a team victory and adds to the great tradition of Highland Park football.”

Allen certainly has a lot to do with that great tradition.

The winner of the 2016 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year

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football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

ranks fourth all-time on the Texas coaching career wins list, and tied for first for most district championships in the state with 24. With an overall record of 208-27 and a playoff record of 58-31, Allen has helped make Highland Park the winningest program in Texas history.

“Coach Allen is a tremendous head coach who possesses all of the strong leadership qualities that a legendary coach has,” said team captain Bennett Brock. “He not only makes you a better football player, but a better man out of the many life lessons you learn through the offseason and our long football season.”

Allen’s coaching prowess was put to the test in the fall after his team got off to a slow start in early September. The Scots allowed an average of 29.5 points in the first two games, including a 40-37 loss in Week 2.

Allen and his staff made defensive adjustments, and the Scots evolved into the top defensive team in Class 5A

Division 1. Highland Park held 10 of its last 14 opponents to less than 10 points.

During that stretch, the Scots allowed 10.7 points per game. In three of their six playoff games, they shut out their opponent in the second half.

“Coach Allen was the defining factor in our team winning the state championship,” said team captain Matt Gahm.

“We couldn’t have done it without his leadership, wisdom, and most importantly, his integrity. Coach Allen believes in doing things exactly right and with 100-percent effort. That is why his teams have had so much success.”

Allen’s Highland Park teams are historically strong at home – with a 91-1 record during his tenure. But this year’s team also was at its best at the two homes of the Dallas Cowboys – AT&T Stadium and the Ford Center at The Star.

The Scots won their first three playoff games at the Ford Center by a combined score of 156-32. They won the last three playoff games at AT&T Stadium by a combined 61-38.

CONGRATULATIONS, COACH ALLEN AND THE HIGHLAND PARK SCOTS ON A SPECIAL 2016 SEASON!

COACH ALLEN’S CAREER RECORD 361-86-6 Overall 208-27 at Highland Park 91-1 Win-Loss Record at Home 2 State Championships at Highland Park (2016 & 2005) ■ 2016: Scots’ 4th State Championship (1945, 1957, 2005) ■ ■ ■ ■

I am so proud of the 2016 Highland Park football team for winning the state championship. The character and competitiveness displayed by the Scots during the championship game was outstanding.

This was truly a team victory and adds to the great tradition of HP football.

CAREER COACHING ACHIEVEMENTS

2016 COACHING AWARDS

■ 4th on All-Time Coaching Career Win List ■ Tied for 1st: Most District Championships

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

in State (24) ■ 4th Most Playoff Wins (58) ■ 3rd Best Playoff Record (58-31)

FNF Coaches Magazine: Texas Coach of the Year Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Dallas Morning News: Coach of the Year “A Football Journey” National Coach of the Year 15-5A District Coach of the Year

HIGHLAND PARK STATE RECORDS ■ ■ ■ ■

801 Program Wins (Most in Texas) 37 Ten-Win Seasons 49 District Championships 59 Playoff Appearances

COACHES OF THE YEAR

CONGRATULATIONS CO-HEAD COACHES

BOBBY WATSON & GARRET TIHADA

WATSON, TIHADA TOPS IN HAWAII

L

Lahainaluna High won its first state football title in school history!

ahainaluna (Hawaii) claimed the school’s first state Division II

football championship in small-school tournament history.

Lahainaluna, the oldest public school west of the Rocky Mountains, recorded a 21-14 victory over Kapaa in the state championship game at Aloha Stadium. Coaches Bobby Watson and Garret Tihada helped lift the Lunas to a 9-4 record.

Lahainaluna’s state-championship victory avenged a 21-0 loss to Kapaa earlier in the season. It was the fourth time in which the Lunas played in the Division II state championship.

IMUA LUNAS

#TXHSFBCHAT GOODWIN EARNS TOP COACH IN OHIO

G

oodwin, a graduate of Allen East in Lima (Ohio), played football at

the University of Findlay before starting his coaching career. His first coaching job came at Bluffton High, where he taught algebra, geometry and calculus. He accepted the job as head coach at Marion Local in 1999, and later became the Principal of the school in 2011. Goodwin has a career record of 211-43 at Marion Local with nine state titles (2000, 2001, 2006-07, 2011-14, 2016).

14

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WEDNESDAYS 8PM CT

CONGRATULATIONS POLCE BOASTS TOP ‘D’ IN MARYLAND

J

Coach Joe Polce and the Walkersville Lions football team on your 2016 2A Maryland State Football Championship!

oe Polce led his alma mater, Walkersville High, to the 2016 Maryland

2A state championship. The Lions posted a 14-0 record and gave up a total of 51 points on the season. The Lions made back-to-back appearances in the 2A state finals in 2015 and 2016. Polce’s career record at Walkersville is 58-25. Most members of the state championship team were coached by Polce starting in 2009 during their youth football days.

WAY TO GO, LIONS! From the Walkersville Athletic Booster and WHS Administration Team

Congratulations

THORNTON EARNS TOP HONOR IN ILLINOIS

P

eoria High (Ill.) coach Tim Thornton began his coaching career in 2001 as

tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Illinois State University. In 2004, he was hired as head coach at his alma mater, Woodruff High. He led Woodruff to three straight playoff appearances. Upon closure of WHS, Thornton accepted the position at Peoria. Over the next seven years, the Lions earned 5A state quarterfinal and semifinal appearances, before eventually winning state in 2016, with a state record of 805 points.

Coach Tim Thornton on a record-setting 2016 campaign!

PEORIA (ILLINOIS) HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2016 STATE CHAMPS ALL-TIME, SINGLE-SEASON STATE SCORING LEADERS

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15

PLAYBOOK

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In this section, high school coaches describe and diagram their philosophies on scheme installation, play design, practice drills, and play-calling. Coaches know the game better than anyone, and the pages of FNF Coaches are open for them to share their ideas.

Run an Offense Through the Offensive Line

DIAGRAM 1

CHRIS FISHER, OFFENSIVE LINE COACH RIDGE POINT HIGH (TEXAS)

A

t Ridge Point High School (Texas), we run a multiple-

formation, multiple-personnel offense at an up-tempo pace. Our base runs include inside zone, outside zone, lead (iso), and HOG (power).

In order to move at the pace we want on the field, we must quickly signal to our players the formation and play, and then make sure it is communicated to the offensive line. Upon receiving the signal, the QB relays a one-word code that signifies blocking scheme and direction. Our goal is simplicity leading to speed, and we believe we accomplish that with our play-calling system and our blocking schemes.

We start by installing our leadblocking scheme (Diagram 1), which has rules for blocking the near down lineman and leaving the playside inside linebacker unblocked for the fullback. Doubleteams that occur, due to two offensive linemen having the same near down lineman to block, will work together up to the near backside linebacker.

Lead is our first play because the blocking scheme is directly related to our pass protection. We employ a four-man slide protection, with the direction of the

16

slide called by the center. In Diagram 2, the center makes a “Rake” call, meaning the right tackle is manned up with the five-technique, in this case. Starting with the right guard, the rest of the offensive line is responsible for protecting the gap to their left. The center and right guard will both work the nose shade, looking for the weak inside linebacker to threaten the left side “A” gap.

The running back is responsible for insideout protection, looking first at the strong inside linebacker, then looking at the strong outside linebacker.

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DIAGRAM 2

We use this protection for our quick-game passing, and for our five-step concept passing.

Next, we install our inside and outside zone scheme.

We introduce both schemes by teaching the steps for blocking to the right and then blocking to the left.

For inside zone, we use the bucket step to get our feet under us to attack the defensive lineman and work for a leverage advantage.

When running inside zone to the right, the lineman is responsible for the gap immediately to the right, and if there is no immediate threat, work up

to the near backer.

If the defensive line stunts, as long as the offensive lineman takes and trusts his steps, they can pick up whatever stunt occurs in front of them. We encourage our offensive lineman to help play-side if their play-side gap is uncovered as they

DIAGRAM 3

DIAGRAM 4

work up to the backer.

This allows for double teams to occur and results in first-level vertical push.

Outside zone was our best run play for the 2016 season. We were successful because of the mobility of our offensive line, but also because they worked together to make the wall of blockers to run a good outside zone.

We teach the steps, with our play-side elbow throwing our body open, followed by our second step, which is going from

this open stance to a race to get to the next down lineman.

The covered lineman should try to reach the defensive lineman and stay on the block until the uncovered lineman can get there to take over the block and bump the first offensive lineman up to cut a linebacker.

We incorporate read-options and run-pass options with our inside and outside zone runs.

We use traditional reads when running our read-option with inside zone, with the

quarterback reading the backside defensive end or outside linebacker if they squeeze down the line to play the cutback of the give, or if they stay at home to contain the quarterback pull.

Against a 3-4 front, the read of the outside backer is used to run an easy run-pass option (RPO) on the backside of inside zone, in a two receiver formation to that side.

We will run a slant or a quick seam with the receiver, filling the void if the linebacker plays the run. If he

drops to cover the route, the quarterback can give.

Off of outside zone, we like to incorporate our bubble screen. We run the bubble away from the outside zone blocking direction to influence the flow of the defense and isolate our bubble receiver. This season we gave our quarterback a give read on the bubble screen, if the receiver running the bubble is covered up in man coverage.

This is a pre-snap RPO determined by where the defensive back covering the intended receiver is lined up.

Upon recognizing coverage, the quarterback will either throw the bubble or give to the back to run outside zone.

Our “Power� set (Diagram 3) is an interior fold run. Blocking is determined by the alignment of the defensive front, specifically where the nose shade is aligned.

When running versus a 3-4, if the nose shade is on the right of the center and the play is going right, the center will tell the guard to block down on the nose and the center

will fold up to the play-side linebacker.

The rest of the line has the same rule as our lead, block near down lineman. If the play is running to the right and the shade is to the left, the center will tell the left guard to fold, and the center will block down on the shade allowing the guard to fold up to the play-side linebacker.

The beauty of this play (Diagram 4) occurs when the outside linebacker on the side of the formation is walked off the line of scrimmage.

Whenever we are given this defensive alignment against this play, the tackle that would block out on the backer is now free to fold up to the inside linebacker. When the tackle fold occurs on the same side as the guard fold, the play essentially turns into a double lead with both backers taken care of by the offensive line. The fold also provides a nice RPO due to the conflict of the linebacker responding to the fold, or staying to cover the slant being run by the inside receiver.

These base plays provide a small package of blocking schemes which allow for a number of plays to run at a fast tempo. By simplifying the thought process of the offensive line, we speed up their communication and easily identify their blocking responsibility on each play, leading to a successful offense.

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Creating Pressure with the D-Line

WIDE BLAST M R

BRIAN EDMONDSON, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL (TEXAS)

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M

S

N

T

E

R

S

N

T

E

e love to bring pressure, but one of

our most effective weapons to attack today’s spread offenses has been showing the threat of pressure and running a defensive line game. The added flexibility to run the same game out of multiple fronts allows us to appear complex while keeping our concepts to a minimum. We love to run these on both pass- and run-downs.

But, as with everything we install, it is crucial to make sure we are always option-sound and that our players know when they have the dive (first threat), quarterback (second threat), or pitch player (third threat).

Everything we teach starts out of our base front (four-down, 5/1/3/6 technique).

After installing our simple two-, three-, and four-man games that every team in the country installs (Diagram 1), we have our defensive line execute the games out of our multiple fronts. After they understand their responsibility on each of the games, they simply execute that same responsibility while lined up in one of our other fronts (Diagram 2). We then have the ability to pair the game with a blitz or a bluff by any of our seven other players. We have detailed our favorite three games out the multiple fronts.

We call tight end twists “You” or “Me” depending on who is the penetrator and who is the looper. The defensive end is always the talker, so when he says, “Me,” it tells the defensive tackle that he is the looper.

When the defensive end says, “You,” it tells the defensive tackle that he is now the penetrator (Diagram 1). After they are proficient in running this game, we can call double You/Me or a combo of the two.

Our favorite way to run this stunt is out of our Heavy front. We can call You/ Me and set the game to any number of factors (i.e. Field, Offensive Strength, or Running Back). We have seen success with calling “Heavy Back You/Me” – this football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

DIAGRAM 1

TIGHT BLAST M R

YOU/ME M

S

N

T

E

R

M

R

M

$

T

E

N

M

R

S

N

T

E

R

S

T

E

TIGHT TWIN (4-2) M

R

T

N

M

S T

E

HEAVY (3-3)

WIDE TWIN (4-2)

N

E

S

R

DIAGRAM 2

TRES (3-3)

M

T

BIG (4-2) S

N

S

N

DIME (3-4)

FOUR-MAN GAME – YOU/ME

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TAIL

E

tells the nose guard (our “heavy” player) that he will call left or right when the running back or offset fullback lines up (we run it to the field vs. empty sets and pistol). Then the defensive ends will call “You” or “Me,” with the “You” call going to the side that the heavy player already designated (Diagram 3). In this situation, we are running the “You” to the left side and “Me” to the Right.

R

E

S N

T

This game can be paired with a linebacker “Back Blitz” – spying the running back or adding when he blocks – or outside pressure from a safety/corner/ linebacker. Many times, we will call a bluff blitz (showing, but not coming) with the linebacker and force the offensive line to account for the possibility of double-A gap pressure or an edge blitz when we are simply bringing four.

DIAGRAM 3 HEAVY BACK (YOU/ME) M

N

R

STACK

S

T

M E

R

N

TRES (3-3) R

S

N

T

E

M N

S

N

E

Blast is a three-man game (pictured in Diagram 1) where the defensive end to the strength call (Wide or Tight) is the looper and the two tackles slant two gaps across, essentially replacing the opposite tackle and defensive end that is looping and taking on those run/ pass responsibilities. After they are comfortable running Wide/Tight Blast, we then have the flexibility to call Blast out of multiple fronts (Diagram 4 - Wide Blast). As you can see, the defensive line simply runs the same “Blast” responsibilities from a different alignment. Our favorite pressure or bluff is from the outside on the side of the call (i.e. a field blitz from the strong safety paired with the Wide Blast game). This helps the field-side defensive tackle to not be overly concerned about contain on a pass and helps with force on field-side runs.

E

T

HEAVY (3-3) N

M

$

T

S

R

DIAGRAM 4

DIME (3-4) M

T

TIGHT TWIN (4-2)

M

R

THREE-MAN GAME – WIDE OR TIGHT BLAST

S

E

R

S

T

E

THREE-MAN GAME – TAIL WIDE TWIN (4-2) M

S

N

M

T

Tail is our three-man game (Diagram 1) where

STACK (BASE 4-2)

R

E

R

S

E

N

T

WIDE TWIN (4-2)

TRES (3-3) M

R

S

N

T

E

M N

S T

R

E

the defensive tackle to the Strong/Field side is the looper and the two weak-side (or tight side) players slant two gaps across, replacing the two defensive tackles’ run and pass responsibilities.

We only call tail towards the boundary, and usually only when the ball is on the hashes, because we don’t want a defensive tackle to have contain responsibility to the wider side of the field. It is a great call out of multiple fronts (Diagram 5) and we like to pair it with a strong safety or linebacker blitz/bluff coming from the wide side of the field.

APPEARING COMPLEX WHILE STAYING SIMPLE

DIAGRAM 5

DIME (3-4) M

R N

S T

N

M

$ E

In order to succeed against the up-tempo

HEAVY (3-3)

R

T

S E

offenses and multiple formations we all face on a week-to-week basis, we have to be able to get lined up quickly and let our guys play fast. We believe these games give us the appearance of running several different pressures when, in reality, we are simply standing in a different spot and running the same call.

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19

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defending the power read CODY ALEXANDER, CORNERBACK COACH LOVEJOY HIGH (TEXAS)

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DIAGRAM 1 CS

BC

DS W

he power read is one of the spread offense’s hardest

plays to defend for the modern defensive coordinator. It is Power with a twist and plays on the eyes of the linebackers. The Power Read puts stress on the techniques taught by most defensive coaches, and stretches the field horizontally. Unlike a Quarterback Power, where the running back either blocks out on the end or inserts for the playside linebacker, the Power Read plays on the flow read of the inside linebackers. The running back takes a stretch path and heads for the edge. Instead of reading the backside end like the Zone Read, the Power Read uses the front side end as the read man and attacks his fit (which is why some consider it Inverted Veer). Teams can even read the frontside linebacker instead of the defensive end to add another wrinkle. Defending the Power Read comes down to assignment football and understanding how and where the offense is trying to attack.

PLAY IT LIKE POWER DIAGRAM 1

One of the most popular formations to run the Power Read out of is a Trips set. If the defense is set in an Under Front the play-side end should crash down and take on the pulling guard, or tackle the quarterback if he chooses to pull the ball.

With the nose guard to the three-receiver side, the defensive end is allowed to close the “B” gap and take the “dive”.

In this case, the “dive” is the quarterback. The natural gap exchange that occurs post-snap, frees the Mike to attack the up-field shoulder of the running back. Against any Power play, the interior lineman getting the block back should try and

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QB DIVE

cross face (in this case the away-side three-technique), and the Will crosses the face of the climbing tackle. The aiming point for the Will is the inside shoulder of the pulling guard (just like versus traditional Power). Against a traditional two-back Power a defense would ideally like a man on the inside and outside shoulder of the pulling guard (plusone). In the diagram, the Will takes the inside shoulder, while the crashing end is technically the outside shoulder player. The crashing end gives the quarterback a “give” read. In this particular play, the Mike should tackle the RB and have plenty of support from the secondary.

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E

T

QB PULL

M N

S

E

FC

DIAGRAM 2 CS

BC

DS W E

T

QB DIVE

M N

S

E

FC

DIAGRAM 3 CS

BC

DS W E

MAKING THE QB CARRY DIAGRAM 2

Like any read play, the defense has to decide who they want to carry the ball. If a defensive coordinator decides the quarterback is the worst of the two evils, he can give a “hold” call to the play-side defensive end when aligned in an Under

T

M N

Front. The “hold” call creates the same fit for the play-side end as if there was a three-technique to his side (base rule vs.

3x1 is to align in an Under Front). Instead of the defensive end crashing down to box the pulling guard, the Mike will assume that role and fold into the box. The

E

S FC

play-side defensive end will take the back on the stretch path and climb vertically to meet him. This technique by the defensive end forces the quarterback to pull the ball. Like Power, the Will climbs over the tackle and aims for the inside shoulder of the pulling guard. The safety

POWER PASS

DIAGRAM 4 CS

BC

DS W E

T

QB KEEP

M N

S

E

FC

DIAGRAM 5 CS

BC

DS W E

T

QB KEEP

M N

S

E

FC

DEFENDING PLAY-ACTION DIAGRAM 4

DIAGRAM 6

The key to defending the

CS BC

DS W E

T

M N

coordinator’s scheme.

Much like the fits versus a spread 3x1 set, the front predicates the read for the quarterback and the same adjustments can be made. The biggest difference between spread and two-back is the Sam. His primary key is the H-back and must meet him to set the edge.

If the RB is given the ball on the stretch, the Sam’s primary mission is to force a cutback to the scraping Mike linebacker.

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S FC

play-action pass is in the safeties and their eyes. Against teams that run the Power Read Pass, the Cover

(field) Safety is the player that has to absorb the vertical of the No. 3 receiver versus a 3x1 set. The down safety is the key cog in eliminating the play. As he works across the formation he is looking for anything coming back his way. As the play progresses, the No. 3 wide receiver climbs to the middle of the formation looking for the ball, and the safeties work to clamp the route. In this particular instance, the down safety can be used as a back-side “robber” and must correct the fit of the Will. Allowing the linebackers to play the Power can alleviate hesitation and the chance of the Will getting pinned.

CONCLUSION

The beauty of the Power Read is in the fact that it is two

valve in all of this is the Down (boundary) Safety reading the cutback and making the Will’s run fit right.

The stretch path by the running back can make the linebackers over-pursue if their eyes are not on their keys. Even in the case of a quarterback pulling the ball, if the linebackers vacate too

fast there is a crease on the cutback. The down safety has to fill that crease before pursuing the stretch path of the back.

TWO-BACK POWER READ DIAGRAM 3

Adding another blocker to the Power Read can make the play even more dangerous. As

a base rule, when the offense is prone to run the Power Read, it is best to check to an Under Front to any Trips Slot set.

This allows the Mike to align closer to the edge of the box and makes it easier for him to pursue the stretch or box the Power depending on the defensive

different plays, a vertically attacking downhill Quarterback Power and a horizontal stretch by the running back. Soundly attacking the play defensively requires the defense to fit both plays properly. The first thing a defensive coordinator must decide against any Read/Option team is who should carry the ball. Once that is decided, the defense can now adjust how they will fit the play. A defensive coordinator can give a “hold” call to change the fit and force the quarterback to carry, or allow the defense to fit the play like Power and use gap exchange to allow the Mike to aggressively attack the stretch. The key player in every instance is the down safety and his role in defending against the cutback and the climb route of the No. 3 wide receiver versus playaction. It is important to note, that the Power fits do not change, the force players change.

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Install an Explosive Play-Action Passing Game

NAKED (PRO)

DIAGRAM 1

NAKED (TWINS)

DIAGRAM 2

POWER PASS

DIAGRAM 3

BRETT DUDLEY, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR, ANTIOCH HIGH (CALIF.)

A

ntioch (Calif.) is known for running the ball, rush-

ing for over 8,000 yards the last two years.

However, it has been our play-action game that has given us the most explosive plays on offense. This season we broke our single-season passing record, throwing for over 2,300 yards.

The majority of this came on play-action.

We try to put defenders in conflict by making our pass plays and run plays look similar. We aggressively run-block all of our play-action concepts, and on many of them we fully block power (pulling a guard) to further influence the defense.

NAKED

The route concept is a pretty traditional bootleg concept. We bring our fullback across the formation into the flat. We drag the backside tight end.

We run a Go route with the playside wide receiver, and a post on the backside.

We will run this off of both power and stretch action. What I think makes the play work well is there is no real difference in how we block “power left” and how we block “power left naked.” We fully run block it with the offensive line so we get the same aggressive defensive reaction we get on power.

The most important part of the play is the fullback. He must go through the defensive end’s outside shoulder.

He cannot take the easy way out underneath. We’ve found that if he goes under the defensive end, we

22

get sacked; if he goes through his outside shoulder, we are able to avoid the sack. Most of the time, we hit the fullback or the tight end on this play. Often a 5-yard pass turns into a big play.

Diagram 1: Our Naked concept from a standard pro formation.

Our best variation this year was to do this to twins to get a 3-level flood with the tight end dragging from the backside.

Diagram 2: Our Naked concept to a 2-wide receiver surface (twins).

POWER PASS

We have two primary route concepts we use with power pass. We usually use a 3-level flood concept. The wide receiver runs a go, tight end runs a deep out, and fullback chips the defensive end and runs a flat. We also have a variation where we will throw our double posts concept (more

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on this later). Again we full run-block the play the same as our power scheme, only now we have the backside tackle block the backside defensive end to protect the quarterback’s backside.

Diagram 3: Our power pass concept from the basic pro formation.

SLANT/SEAM

this scheme, as well as our

double posts scheme, we run with a “token RB fake.” Our running back will give a quick fake, then pick up in protection. We will full or half slide the offensive line.

We primarily work this concept from our double-tight set to stress the defense. We present the defense with eight gaps on the line of scrimmage.

This typically makes defenses adjust to put eight in the box which gives us one high safety to cover the entire middle of the field. We work a token play-action fake to the running back and release both tight ends down the seams (hash mark is their landmark). We often have one tight end uncovered. It stresses

SEAM/SLANT

POWER PASS (DOUBLE POSTS)

DIAGRAM 4

DIAGRAM 5

the coverage the same way four verticals does, but the heavier formation improves the run fake. Wide receivers run slants to attack the open space vacated if two high safeties cover our tight ends or outside linebackers carry them vertically.

This has been our best play in terms of yards-per-attempt.

Diagram 4: Our Slant/ Seam package.

DOUBLE POSTS

We work this concept off

DOUBLE POSTS

DIAGRAM 6

DOUBLE POSTS

DIAGRAM 7

of power-pass and our token play-fake. We run this from a twowide receiver surface.

Our slot is taught to push to 10 and cross the safety’s face no matter what. This gives him the entire field to work into grass and speeds up the read on the safety. The outside wide receiver will run a 14-yard skinny post. It is a safety read for the quarterback.

We usually maximum protect this concept to take a shot.

Diagram 5: Our double-posts concept off of a power-pass

look. We fake power with the running back and offensive line, keeping the tight end and fullback in for max protection.

Diagram 6: Our double-posts concept after a token RB fake.

FAKE CRACK

One thing that makes us unique is the blocking ability and general toughness of our wide receivers. Our coaches do an amazing job of getting effort and physicality from them. We ask our wide receivers to block safeties and linebackers more than any team I have seen in our area. This sets them up for opportunities to fake crack blocks and run by guys vertically. My favorite tactic is to have a wide receiver fake a crack on an aggressive safety, then burst past him vertically. If the safety and corner are fooled on the run-fake, it is a home run. This play won our rivalry game and league championship in the 2015 season.

Diagram 7: Our maxprotected fake-crack concept.

CONCLUSION

These concepts helped us protect against certain defenders being too aggressive in our run game and proved to be incredibly explosive. The most important part of our play action pass game is how we aggressively block them as runs. By showing full power-action on naked and power-pass, as well as firing out with low pads and attacking on our token fake full-slide schemes, we give the same look as our run plays. This allows our guys, especially our tight ends and fullbacks to run right past linebackers and safeties and turn easy, highpercentage passes, into huge explosive gains.

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23

NEW STRATEGY Install a New Scheme This Offseason Miami Carol City (Fla.) coach Aubrey Hill wanted to change his team’s defensive scheme last offseason, so he hired longtime friend Damon Cogdell to overhaul the unit. A Class 6A state championship followed.

■■ Miami Carol City (Fla.) defensive coordinator Damon Cogdell

THE INSTALL

Hill and Cogdell installed the 3-3 Stack in five parts.

Classroom: The coaches started by diagramming the X’s and

1 2 3

O’s of the new defense on a grease board while the players had playbooks in front of them.

Film: The coaches showed cut-ups of colleges that use the 3-3 Stack as well as high schools that run it in passing situations.

Walk-through: Hill and Cogell put the players in the proper alignment and had them react to the way in which the offense moved. Walk-throughs provide opportunities for coaches to further explain the scheme and why each player will react a certain way.

Play against air: For the fourth step, the Carol City coaches had the players react to a certain play call at full speed against air. “By the time they go against the offense, they have had four muscle-memory opportunities to pick up the scheme,” Hill said.

Full-contact practice: “Whenever you’re installing a new offense or defense, remember there’s a learning curve,” Hill said. “Don’t start practicing it full-speed with pads on until you know some of the players can help explain to the players who don’t know it.”

4 5

THE IDENTITY THE SCHEME

H

ill spent 16 years recruiting high school football when

he served as a staff assistant at various colleges, including Florida, Duke, Elon, Pitt and Miami.

One defense left a lifelong impression on him: the 2009 Miramar (Fla.) state-champion defense.

“It was like driving with the steering wheel on the right side,” Hill said. “When you’re used to it being on the left side, it’s unique trying to adjust in a week.”

Cogdell led the Miramar defense back to the state championship game in 2011, only to fall short against Plant. He left Miramar in 2014 to serve as a defensive assistant at the University of West Virginia, where he learned a new scheme – the 3-3 Stack.

“One thing I said when I left West Virginia was that if I ever became a defensive coordinator again, I wanted to run that defense,” Cogdell said. “It allows me to put the best athletes on the field.”

The defense includes three down linemen, three linebackers and five players in the secondary. Hill believes it makes the most of the talent in his program.

“We don’t have big defensive linemen,” Hill said. “We have athletic linebackers and good defensive backs. It lets us put our more athletic players on the field.”

24

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Cogdell’s imposing defense at Miramar earned the nickname, “The Darkside Defense.” During games, the Miramar crowd chanted “Dark Side, Dark Side” when the defense took the field.

Upon his arrival at Carol City last spring, Cogdell wanted to create a similar identity for his new defense.

“We tried Darkside 2.0, but the kids didn’t want to bring that over here from Miramar,” Cogdell said. “I wanted to create an identity.”

The Carol City defense created its own identity through its play and its nickname. The “Dawgs” entered the state championship game against Lake Gibson allowing the fewest yards allowed per game

(105.1) of any team in South Florida. They also limited opponents to 7.9 points per game against their defense.

They won the statechampionship game 14-6, allowing 150 total yards of offense.

“The kids fed off the nickname,” Cogdell said. “They’re great

■■ Damon Cogdell (left) and Aubrey Hill

kids. When the kids buy in, it makes my job that much easier. They were willing to accept when we were telling them to do from the beginning of the offseason. They believed in me, and that’s the most important part of putting in a new scheme.”

making Changes to the Coaching Staff Mark Cooley wanted to change the culture at Pleasant Valley (Calif.) after his hire in December of 2011. He fired a few veteran assistants and hired his own people.

DAN GUTTENPLAN Last fall, Pleasant Valley won a Division 4-A State Championship.

Cooley previously served as a defensive backs coach at Butte College and as the head coach at Hamilton High before accepting the job at Pleasant Valley.

The most important quality he looked for when he interviewed assistants to round out his staff was loyalty. He asked each of the former coaches on the Pleasant Valley staff a number of questions to gauge their loyalty.

One example: What do you think of the previous coach?

“We preach positivity and not to bad-mouth anybody,” Cooley said. “If one of the assistants bad-mouthed the previous guy to make himself look better, I fired him. I had to fire a few of them, but I brought two back the next season.”

Cooley took no pleasure in leaving a few lifetime assistants without coaching gigs for the 2012 season, but wanted to send the message that everyone in his program needed to be pulling in the same direction.

“Firing an assistant … it’s horrible,” Cooley said.

“It’s the worst. We were looking for a culture shift.

The easiest way to do that is to bring in guys you’ve worked with that know your program, instead of

HIRING FOR SCHEME

O ■■ Pleasant Valley (Calif.) coach Mark Cooley

teaching guys you don’t know. My questions were based on my philosophies, and some of the coaches answered correctly to what I was looking for.”

After his hire, Cooley preached that a team is a circle, and everyone around the circle is equal.

CIRCLE, Cooley’s acronym for Commitment, Integrity, Respect, Champions, Learning, and Excellence, is what has helped bring the team together.

FOSTER AMBITION COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

C

ooley has no place on his staff for disloyal assistants, and he also steers clear of yes-men. He welcomes debate in his staff meetings, seeking out coaches who are willing to challenge his game plans and depth charts.

“If you’re a dictator, it’s not going to work,” Cooley said. “I don’t think a staff can work like that. People will get ticked off and take off for other programs. Everybody’s suggestions are heard.

It’s my job to find the best ones and make them fit for that week’s game.”

Cooley welcomes opinions in the privacy of team meetings, but once the coaches are in front of the players, he wants a united front from his staff.

“If we make the wrong decision, I allow the coaches to fix it and move on,” Cooley said.

“Sometimes, you have to say no after listening to a coach’s idea. Plenty of times they don’t like it. But you validate it, and make your own suggestion.”

Cooley has no problem with an assistant who has aspirations of becoming a head coach. In fact, he looks for coaches who want to learn the craft and advance in the profession.

“That’s definitely not wrong,” Cooley said. “If a coach says he wants to be a head coach in an interview, I think that’s a great answer. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Cooley will even keep an eye on the job market in his area, occasionally encouraging an assistant to apply if it’s the right fit.

“I’ll tell them to go ahead and talk to those people,” Cooley said. “If they want to take off and leave, they should. Obviously, I do everything in my power to keep them, but it’s their call.”

Cooley ended up at Pleasant Valley after acting on aspirations to advance his career. He left his previous high school gig at Hamilton High (Calif.) after eight seasons to try his hand at Butte College. After two years at the college level, Cooley was back coaching high school.

nce Cooley established that an assistant coach was a character fit for his program, he asked about the interviewee’s knowledge of X’s and O’s.

Cooley’s philosophy on both sides of the ball is to be multiple. On offense, he runs a pro-style, wideopen attack. Depending on the opponent, he might game plan to run pro-style formations, spread sets, double-tight end looks or even the Wing-T. “I believe in developing kids for the next level,” Cooley said. “They’re going to see all kinds of offenses and defenses.

The more they’re able to adapt to that, the better of they’ll be.”

With that in mind, Cooley doesn’t have a specific scheme in mind when he hires assistants – as long as they are willing to be adaptable.

“The whole goal is to make an opponent prepare for everything they have to look at on film,” Cooley said. “We won’t run the same formation twice for two or three weeks. It all depends on who we’re playing next and what we want them to see.”

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25

NEW STRATEGY rebrand your team in the offseason For 28 years, the Baxter CSD (Iowa) football team was part of a co-op with Collins-Maxwell.

After a messy divorce between the programs last fall, Baxter decided to rebrand.

DAN GUTTENPLAN

5 Ways to Rebrand CHANGE THE MASCOT

In order to generate enthusiasm among the student body, Luther allowed the students to vote on the new mascot to replace the old one, a Raider. Students narrowed the list down to four finalists – the Railriders, Bulls, Knights and Bolts – before deciding on the Bolts.

CHANGE THE COLORS

The new school colors were unveiled at a pep rally with AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” playing in the background.

Purple, silver and black balloons – representing the new school colors – were dropped from the ceiling. “Not often do you get a new school song and colors,” Luther said.

CREATE A HYPE VIDEO ■■ Baxter CSD football coach Rob Luther

Baxter CSD Principal and football coach Rob Luther knew he needed to rally his school after a long fall of tough negotiations with neighboring CollinsMaxwell CSD failed to resolve differences in a proposed co-op agreement.

The school’s football team disbanded once the co-op ended, and the 30-year coach needed to sell the student body on a new 8-man team with half as many the players in the program compared to the previous season.

“Some might call it rebranding, we called it a time of reimagining,” Luther said. “It was negative with the other high school. Let’s put it behind us, and make it into a positive. We needed to get the student body invested in the program.”

Luther organized the rebranding effort, putting a new team mascot and colors up to a vote by the students.

Just before Christmas, he unveiled the new mascot and school colors at a pep rally with a video produced by Baxter Technology Director Eric Padget.

“The kids bought in hook, line and

26

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sinker,” Luther said. “Our middle school and younger kids love that we have a new identity. It has created enthusiasm, and our gear is flying off the shelves.”

Baxter K-5 Principal Josh Russell designed the new logo, which was displayed at the end of the pep rally on sample football helmets and uniforms modeled by Baxter students.

The hype video was set to the theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and also included congratulatory messages from Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell, central Iowa sportscasters Keith Murphy and Andy Fales of WHO TV-13, radio personalities Ross Peterson and Andrew Downs from 1460 KXNO, as well as former students.

HOST A PEP RALLY

The fever pitch for the rebranding peaked during a pep rally, when Luther unveiled the new mascot and school colors. Luther invited Baxter residents to attend the pep rally. One attendee was 1951 graduate Alice Robinson, who was a member of the first class to have 8-man football in Baxter.

SELL NEW GEAR

Because the students picked the new mascot and colors, they were more inclined to buy gear and apparel. “The t-shirts and gear have been flying off the shelves,” Luther said. “I don’t know anybody that went this far in terms of trying to generate enthusiasm. It worked.”

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TRAINING & CONDITIONING Since installing a new strength and conditioning program in 2015, second-year Colleyville Heritage (Texas) coach Joe Willis has seen the offseason participation numbers increase by 70 percent and concussions drop by 50 percent.

BALANCE IN STRENGTH

One major focus in the Colleyville Heritage strength program is balance. By that, Willis does not mean equilibrium or the ability for a player to stay on his feet. He means balanced muscle composition so that the back of a player’s body has equal muscle development as the front.

“It’s balance in terms of the front and the back of the body,” Willis said. “If there’s any imbalance, an athlete is more likely to get injured. For every push, we have a pull exercise to balance it out.”

Willis and his staff also focus on strengthening the posterior chain, a group of muscles and tendons in the

CORE/FLEXIBILITY AN EQUALLY IMPORTANT PART

■■ Colleyville Heritage (Texas) coach Joe Willis

THE PROGRAM

T

he Colleyville Heritage strength program emphasizes

improving a player’s power off of one leg. The idea is that most football plays require a player to move in one direction, plant his foot, and cut off of one foot.

“That’s what football is all about,” Willis said.

While offseason strength programs can not be mandatory in Texas, Willis offers four opportunities for players to lift before school each week. The early-morning sessions include upper-body lifts that do not require close supervision by coaches.

Every player also has an athletic period during the school day. During that period, Willis and his staff focus on Olympic lifts.

“That’s a big part of what we do,” Willis said. “We also work a lot of strength training on one side of the body.”

Willis is careful to monitor each player’s lifting schedule to ensure that no player overtrains. Rest and recovery can be even more beneficial than heavy lifting days.

“If you have somebody who is lifting too frequently, you can steer them in other directions,” Willis said. “It’s not like you have to send them home. You can’t work enough core, flexibility or footwork. But you can work too much strength.”

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of the Colleyville Heritage strength program is the commitment to core and flexibility. Every day they lift, Heritage players must also spend 20 to 30 minutes either doing mat drills for core and flexibility.

The flexibility work includes stationary yoga poses.

“In the suburbs, we find that they don’t do much hard labor growing up,” Willis said. “The middle of the body isn’t very strong.”

Willis also steers his players toward track in the spring, encouraging all skill position players to train for the hurdles.

More than anything, he wants his

posterior of the body.

“We find that most high school athletes have stronger muscles in the front of their bodies,” Willis said. “I’m not nearly as concerned about looking at an athlete from the front as I am the side. That’s where you can see if he has underdeveloped muscles in the posterior chain.”

Willis also stresses that players should develop the muscles around their respective necks. By building up that muscle, he has found they are less susceptible for concussions. The number of concussions in his program decreased from eight in 2015 to four last season.

players to compete.

“Not everybody understands why track is important from a mental aspect,” Willis said. “We love to see our guys get out and run fast, but we also want to see them increase strength and flexibility in the lower body. Between football and track, we can build a football player to avoid injuries.”

The last thing on Willis’ mind when he recommends track to his players is improving an individual’s time in the 40-yard dash.

“I’m not worried about conditioning in the spring as much as making bodies capable,” Willis said.

“I want them to build flexibility, strength and mental toughness.

That’s a well-rounded approach.”

RECOMMENDED CONCUSSION PROTOCOL

D

Six Stretches to Avoid Back Pain

D

r. Douglas Chang, M.D., Ph. D., is the Chief Physical

Medicine and Rehabilitation Professor at the University of California San Diego Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He specializes in the non-surgical treatment of back pain, concussions and other football-related injuries.

Chang offers football players six post-practice stretches to help them avoid back pain.

Band-resisted clam shell exercise. Place the resistance band around your knees. Lay down with your knees pointed forward and bent at a 90-degree angle. Lift your top knee upwards 8-12 inches, foot stays in place against the bottom foot.

Rectus femoris stretches. Starting on both knees, step forward onto your left foot, aligning your left knee over your left ankle. Bend your right leg and reach back with your right arm. Take hold of the top of your right foot and gently pull the foot toward your buttocks.

Calf stretches. Stand away from a wall and put your fight foot behind you and be sure your toes are facing forward. Lean forward at the ankle while bending the right knee and keeping your heel on the ground. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.

Isometric bird dog holds. This exercise involves resting hands and knees on the ground, positioned so that your back is flat. Raise one arm and the opposite leg, and hold the position for 30 seconds.

Isometric plank positions. The plank is done by resting your forearms and toes on the ground in a

DAN GUTTENPLAN

prone position and holding the rest of your body off the ground. Hold for one minute.

Downward dog pose. From a push-up position, tuck the toes under, press into the hands and begin to lift the hips up towards the ceiling. Press the hips up, and lift up through the tailbone to keep the spine straight and long.

r. Chang recommends that every program implement the following concussionrelated safety practices.

■■ Teach proper conditioning exercises to strengthen the neck.

■■ Have an athletic trainer or physician present at all games.

■■ Ensure safe equipment, particularly a proper-fitting helmet.

■■ Use proper tackling technique (heads-up tackling, keep the feet moving, drive with the hips, correct body posture), and keep the head out of football skills.

■■ Practice strict enforcement of rules during practice and games (i.e. no spearing).

■■ Discourage players from using their heads as battering rams and their helmets as weapons.

■■ Provide education to coaches and players on concussions so they understand the risks and are more prepared to identify the symptoms.

■■ Set a coaching attitude in which you encourage coaches and teammates to report concussions.

■■ Immediately remove players with signs of concussions (headache, disorientations, memory loss, etc.).

■■ Exercise a cautious return to play for all players.

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29

TRAINING & CONDITIONING 10 Tips for Speed Training in February Matt Capolongo, PES, USAW, CSCS, is a performance coach for football players at the Professional Athletic Performance Center (Garden City, N.Y.). He shared 10 tips for helping a player improve his speed during the offseason.

DAN GUTTENPLAN

Give players time off. Players need time to let their bodies recover at the end of the season. Capolongo recommends giving a player at least a month off before he starts his offseason strength and speed training. Active rest – like playing a recreational sport – is fine for a player.

Don’t lift too heavy. February is a time to ease back into the strength phrase of the offseason program. A player should start with low weight and high reps (12 per set). “It’s tough to mix in offseason speed training if a player has heavy legs from lifting,” Capolongo said.

Focus on fundamentals. Capolongo incorporates resistance band training to encourage players to over-exaggerate the fundamentals of running. Working against resistance will force a player to stay low in his acceleration, deceleration and cuts.

Incorporate change-of-direction exercises.

Some of those drills include the FlatTime 5 L-Drill and the three-cone shuttle. In each of these drills, a player is forced to moved side to side, start and stop, and finish in a timed repetition.

Wall sprint drives. A player will put two hands on the wall in front of him. A coach will shout, “One,” when he wants a player to lift one leg, “Two,” when he wants a player to lift one then the other, and “Three” when he wants the player to

30

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■■ Sports Performance Coach Matt Capolongo leads a football player through speed drills.

lift one, the other, and the first one again.

Reaction drills. A common football drill that you’ll see almost any defensive coach practice is one in which the coach stands in front of a backpedaling player and points in the direction he wants the player to break. The player is reacting to the point, and sprinting to the cone in that direction.

Work the hips. For skill position players, flexibility in the hips is important.

Capolongo attempts to increase flexibility

by using resistance bands. He’ll ask a player to shuffle for five yards in a lateral movement and make a quick turn with the resistance band around his hips.

Pay attention to the arms. A player should swing the opposite arms and legs in sync while running. He should pump the arms forward and backward in line with the direction of movement. Swing the arms from the shoulders, hold the elbows at a 90-degree angle, and have the hands pass the body around hip height.

Test for performance gains. Capolongo recommends testing for performance gains at the end of a 14-week cycle. He tests in the following drills: broad jump, vertical jump, 40-yard dash, Flat Time 5 L-Drill, max bench, max squad and 300-yard shuttle.

Push to maintain the momentum. A February speed program doesn’t do a player any good if he allows himself to get out of shape over the next five months. That’s why tracking results is important. Show them the gains they’ve made, and let them know you’ll be testing in the same exercises when they return in August.

Eight Tips for Adding Weight in the Offseason

coaching

insights

delivered

daily Eat nutrient-rich foods rather than taking supplements. The offseason is the perfect time for a player to add strength and size.

To achieve that goal, a player should boost his calorie intake by adding a daily snack of milk along with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread.

Stay within the safe range of 1- to 2-pound weight gain per week. Morgan recommends that any athlete preparing to add significant weight see his physician to determine what is safe and realistic. As a rule of thumb, she recommends no more than a 1- to 2-pound increase per week.

Eat the right foods. Morgan recommends the following foods for players looking to add weight: simple shakes, smoothies, peanut butter and banana, chocolate milk, nut and dried fruit bars (i.e. KIND snacks), Greek yogurt, granola, trail mix. Stick to foods that have a mix of carbs, protein and fat.

Cool down after workouts. Stretching and foam-rolling should be a part of any player’s routine. Those post-workout routines will help an athlete avoid the type of soreness that makes it harder to lift and gain weight. Rehydrating a tired body and layering in tart cherry juice can also help reduce soreness.

Avoid bonking. Bonking can happen when an athlete is running out of fuel and glycogen (storage form of carbs) is depleted. For workouts an hour in length

or longer, a sports drink might help. The dizzy feeling associated with bonking is often related to hydration.

Weigh players before and after practice.

A coach should require each player to weight in before and after practice instead of guessing if each player is hydrating properly by looking at the amount a player sweats. If a player drops more than 1 percent of his body weight, he should be consuming more water.

Refuel during long workouts. Some offseason training programs include multiple elements to each practice session (i.e. weights, speed and agility).

If a player is working out for over an hour, he should add carbs to keep energy levels up. Morgan recommends easily digested foods like a handful of pretzels or orange slices between sessions.

Take snack breaks during film sessions. The spring is also a great time to get players in the classroom and teach new plays/ schemes. Having a snack that has carbs and protein may balance blood sugar levels and help concentration and focus.

■■ Molly Morgan, an Apalachin, N.Y. resident, is a nutrition consultant for professional sports teams as well as a published author. She offers her thoughts on the best nutrition strategy for a high school football team.

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INJURY PREVENTION Keys to Weight Room Safety Head coach Robert Weiner of powerhouse Tampa Plant (Fla.) also oversees and implements his team’s strength and conditioning program.

He shares tips on how to avoid injuries in the weight room.

ALEX EWALT

SAFE SPOTTING

I

t may seem secondary at times, but there is a right and a wrong way

to spot every lift. A coach or trainer should know his lifting group’s capabilities, Weiner said. In the weight room, players of different strength levels will inevitably mix, and it’s important for the spotters to be able to handle their duties given the amount of weight being used.

It’s also important to train spotters to know when the lifter has reached his limit.

“It’s a fine line,” Weiner said. “We teach them the balance of having their hands around the bar as the spotter and being ready to re-rack it when necessary – but not to pull it too early, because strength gains are in the struggle.”

Spacing is important as well.

“Sometimes we’ll have our kids get really close to [the lifter] if they’re doing a lot of weight and they’re just repping it out, at which point we can help them through that.”

The key is coordinating all spotting duties for each lift, and making sure spotters know what is expected of them.

“I’ll often be spotting and have our players watch and model that behavior,” he said.

■■ Tampa Plant (Fla.) coach Robert Weiner

ALWAYS AWARE WARM-UP AND PACING

P

lant players have a “pregame” routine before getting into

their main workouts. Weiner chooses movements that will prepare specific muscle groups for the more strenuous lifts and exercises later in the day.

“They’ll do something to get them warmed up, whether that includes speed and agility, rope work, or step-ups to get their blood flowing, and it usually involves just a weight movement to get their muscles engaged,” he said.

For instance, to warm up for power cleans, Weiner’s warm-up might include split squats or similar movements.

“You’re not really working those muscles hard yet, but you want to ignite the muscles that we’re going to use on that day,” Weiner said.

It’s dangerous to jump into a major lift without first waking up those muscles, Weiner said, and the negative results could include anything from a simple sprain to a torn ACL in a major lift like the power clean.

Basic static stretches also have their place alongside more complex warm-up movements. The goal is to have a safe build-up in any workout, and that includes avoiding overloading any one muscle group with multiple lifts in a short time.

“You don’t want to tap out the body,” Weiner said.

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IF YOUR SCHOOL IS LIKE

Plant, with a weight facility on the small side, you don’t have unlimited space.

That’s why, Weiner said, constant awareness during workouts is crucial.

“It’s a time for us to be focused,” he said. “We want to have high energy in there, but we’ve got to be aware.”

As on the football field, communication is paramount. Coaches, trainers and athletes all have to be on the same page.

“At the beginning, you try to have a system and leaders as well that have been with you for a while,” he said. “So after you teach it, then it’s being reinforced.”

“We talk to them about spatial awareness and knowing what’s going on around them, and not walking across paths in the lifting areas, making sure we’re not bumping bars. You have to look at the little things when you’re dealing

with [players as young as 14].”

Keeping the floor clean and free of dirt will reduce the risk of slips while lifting, and always replacing weights to their proper places helps routines run smoothly.

“We want our kids to work as hard as they possibly can, but we want them to work in a safe environment.”

USA FOOTBALL

FNF COACHES AT THE USA FOOTBALL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

F

NF Coaches had a big presence at the 2017

USA Football National Conference on Jan. 27 to 29 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. FNF Coaches editors, writers, videographers and sales staff had a chance to meet face-to-face with some of the 300-plus high school football coaches and administrators in attendance for the fourth annual USA Football Conference.

USA Football brought in many of the country’s top coaches including Hall of Fame inductees, state-champion coaches and finalists for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.

FNF staff also had a chance to visit with vendors that supply high school football teams with apparel, technology, equipment and insurance.

FNF staff took advantage of its access to sessions on topics including X’s and O’s, sports nutrition, strength and conditioning, program building, and position-specific development.

Keynote speakers included former NFL Super Bowl-winning coaches Jon Gruden and Mike Martz, as well as former NFL players Jerome Bettis and Ray Lewis.

Throughout the weekend, FNF editorial staff members also conducted interviews with some of the most accomplished high school coaches in the country, including St. Xavier (Ohio) coach Steve Specht, who won the 2013 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.

Visit FNFCoaches.com for video, photography and stories from the 2017 USA Football National Conference.

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FUNDRAISING Two Fundraising Solutions That Will Bring in Revenue SQUADLOCKER, FLIPGIVE OFFER COACHES OPTIONS

Generating revenue streams for football at the game’s most accessible, local level presents a challenge. We present two companies that offer fundraising solutions for coaches.

THOMAS ROTHMAN

W

hile traditional fundraisers

such as bake sales have their merits, it takes an awful lot of cupcakes sold to put dozens of players in uniform, transport them from town to town, pay for staff to instruct and watch over them, and maintain a stadium in which the athletes can play and well-wishers can watch in comfort.

With that in mind, two companies — both partnered with USA Football, the national governing body for amateur football in the United States — provide services for programs looking to diversify revenue streams and break from, or at least reduce reliance on, the monotony of everyday fundraising.

squadlocker.com SquadLocker, an online shop-builder, allows teams to design, market, sell, and ship gear. While many schools use SquadLocker’s service simply to facilitate the process of getting gear for their teams, the fundraising options allow the schools to create markups between 5 and 20 percent that the program can pocket as profit.

The ability to create and maintain a marketplace available to parents, friends and fans alike allows for a fundraising system that does not rely on the players and coaches themselves (which would, of course, defeat the purpose of creative fundraising and more closely resemble a membership fee for the athletes).

For example, parents can customize school gear with their child’s name on the back, which is a much easier and more exciting sell than asking for a straightforward donation to the program.

High school football won’t have fans buying authentic jerseys, life-size posters or autographed helmets honoring their favorite superstar players, but team gear and merchandise can still be a source of revenue.

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FOUR CREATIVE HIGH SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS

1

DODGE, DUCK, DIP, DIVE AND...

FUNDRAISE: Inspired by the Vince Vaughn film, a freshman quarterback at Thurston High School in Springfield, Ore., came up with a dodgeball tournament in which teams pay a $30 entry fee and spectators pay $2 for admission. The annual event began in 2007 and raised $1,150 in 2010.

PILLOW CONTRACT: Everybody needs to sleep. Many football programs, including Cherokee High School in Marlton, NJ, have raised money through one-day mattress sales.

POINTS PER DRIVE: An athletic booster club for Farmington High School in Farmington, Mo., partnered with a local Ford Lincoln dealer to raise $20 for each test drive taken in the school’s parking lot.

Ford offers this fundraising promotion nationwide as part of its “Drive 4 UR School” initiative.

GO PACAS GO: This one took place off the gridiron. To help fund the school’s music programs, students, parents and teachers at Central Community Unit School District 301 in St. Charles, Ill., raised $600 selling bags of alpaca manure in 2009.

2 flipgive.com Another service, FlipGive, allows players, coachers, faculty, friends, fans or even everyday shoppers with a philanthropic side to help keep a football team on the field. Schools can use FlipGive to create a fundraising campaign funded by “give commerce.”

Rather than receiving a discount, purchasers can buy products from ubiquitous brands such as Nike, Fanatics and even Starbucks from the team’s fundraising page and have a portion of their purchase go towards the fundraiser while the rest goes to the seller. This allows teams to raise funds from everyday purchases rather than asking parents and students to spend money on things they wouldn’t otherwise want to buy.

SquadLocker and FlipGive are just two examples of companies that are helping schools combat the growing cost of meeting growing expectations for football programs in America’s high schools.

Many coaches and athletic directors have tired of the bake sale (and perhaps of ironically promoting unhealthy eating in order to fund athletic pursuits) but more and more options are opening up for those willing to look a bit farther down the field.

3

4

Turf Tank’s Fundraising Service

T

urf Tank works with schools who need revenue for artificial turf

installation, maintenance or other sports facility needs.

Turf Tank manages the process of securing business sponsors for on-field advertisements, and then oversees the process of making those revenue streams become a reality.

Turf Tank’s creative consulting service offers advertisers real estate on the field, called “legacy logos” – typically on the sideline outside of the designated area for coaches and players (inside the 30-yard-lines).

Turf Tank project managers will be hired to spend up to six weeks securing revenue on behalf of the school in the local community, with the goal of raising needed funds and offsetting the long-term maintenance or replacement costs. Turf Tank charges an engagement fee, expenses and an agreed-upon percentage of total dollars raised through their services. Additionally, Turf Tank offers schools with natural grass an integrated, self-guided program to sell on-field advertising. In those instances, a project manager may or may not need to be on-site. Turf Tank will coordinate the design and installation of legacy logos for either synthetic turf or natural grass fields with each school.

“We work with schools to identify the best community relationships and top prospects for advertisers,” said Turf Tank founder Jason Aldridge.

Aldridge and his staff can offer their services anywhere nationwide. A project manager is assigned to each school looking to generate $350,000 or more for their project. Turf Tank does not represent a specific turf company; each school is free to make the best decision as to which supplier to use. Turf Tank does offer additional consulting services, such as overall project ownership, if input is requested.

Turf Tank negotiates long-term agreements with sponsors, showing them a tremendous ROI so that schools have renewable income over the life of the playing surface.

TURFTANK.COM | 877-396-4094 | INFO@TURFTANK.COM

FACILITIES Energize Your Fanbase with Signage The offseason is prime time to promote your football program. Stadium signage and graphics ALEX EWALT for your campus can energize the fan base.

IN THE STADIUM

For most schools, the stadium will be in use nearly year-round. Soccer, track and field, lacrosse and other sports — not to mention any special events — will draw crowds of their own, offering a great opportunity to promote your team. Having traditional banners, fence banners, bleacher and step graphics throughout the stadium is key.

OUTSIDE THE STADIUM

“Your stadium is pretty visible for the community,” Hodder says. “A lot of times, the bleachers back up to or face a road.”

Take advantage of that visibility with a product like BigSigns’ bleacher backs, which fasten at the tops of bleachers and hang down with a fence screen. Now you’re grabbing people’s attention from blocks away.

OTHER FACILITIES

Weight rooms, locker rooms and other facilities

E

ven though the offseason months mean your team won’t be suiting up

on Friday nights, promoting your program to the community and student body is a continual process. One of the best ways to engage potential ticket-buyers is to use graphics and signage in your stadium, in your school buildings and throughout your campus.

Russ Hodder, marketing director for BigSigns.com, points to a number of graphic choices that can attract future fans and pump up already-loyal ones.

“Graphics or signage is one of the top ways to create interest,” Hodder says. “From a community point of view, it’s huge.”

Whether you’re promoting season tickets, commemorating your latest region championship or displaying a favorite team slogan, there are many options to jazz up your school grounds with graphics. With today’s printing technology, companies like BigSigns.com have the ability to create signage to be displayed almost anywhere and on almost any surface.

Many graphics are capable of featuring high-quality reproductions of photos. Action shots of current or former players can be blown up and displayed prominently to engender team pride; just provide the photos and logos. Signage can be used to direct fans to the team website, promote ticket and merchandise sales, attract new boosters or even give premium advertising space to major sponsors.

“Branding-wise, it’s a great way to get the message out,” Hodder says.

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are also used by other school teams and community groups and are great places for high-res wall graphics. Here you can list program accomplishments or have something more eye-catching, like a collage of action shots. No need to pick out paint colors; your official colors will be matched exactly.

OUT IN FRONT

Consider a sign or banner next to a school’s car or bus entrance or next to the main school marquee. Decorate foot entrances with wall or door graphics as well. Hodder’s company offers premium one-way window graphics that display from the outside but allow clear viewing through the window from the inside.

AROUND CAMPUS

Think about the other well-trafficked areas on campus. You can surround parking lots, school roads and driveways with signage and fence graphics or even use walkways as promotional areas with a product like BigSigns’ GatorAds, which are decals for concrete or asphalt surfaces. Think outside the box!

COMMUNICATION Six Tips to Better Communicate with Parents WELCOME INTERACTION, SET BOUNDARIES

DAN GUTTENPLAN

Many high school football coaches say that the most difficult part of the job is maintaining positive communication between coaches and parents. A proactive approach can help coaches get out in front of problems, and a firm resolution policy can help foster solutions. meeting, Murray provides parents with his cell phone and insists that they call any time they have a problem.

Set boundaries.

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iverton High (RI) veteran coach Bob Murray admits

that winning can cure a lot of problems with parents. With more than 200 career wins to his record, he has a longer leash than most.

Still, he takes special care each season to ensure that parents feel as if they have a direct line to the coaching staff. He is also deliberate about setting boundaries for parents and policies regarding the proper way to communicate with coaches.

Here are Murray’s six tips to foster better communication with parents.

Communicate via social media. Murray started a Tiverton football Facebook page, where he shares film with players and parents. He accepts any friend requests from parents so that they can stay abreast of team news like cancellations or delays.

“Any communication on that page is directed to both players and parents,” Murray said. “That keeps them informed. Parents like to know the things we’re doing, the different styles we’re using, game changes, game times, etc.”

Hold an orientation meeting. Murray also serves as the Tiverton athletic director, so he starts each fall season with an orientation for parents of all student-athletes. After general instructions for athletes of the various teams, he breaks the groups down by sport. During the football

During that preseason meeting, Murray asks parents to avoid from interfering with practice. Parents are welcome to come and watch, but they cannot comment to a player or approach a coach.

“Parents are stakeholders in the program,” Murray said. “They’ve invested a lot of time giving rides. If a parent wants to meet with me, I just ask that we do it on my time.”

Meet with parents in private. When a parent does wish to meet, Murray is clear that no player should be present during the parent-coach meeting.

“We’ll pick and date and time for the parent or parents to come in,” Murray said. “I’m accessible to all, but not in front of the kids. If we can’t agree to disagree, the conversation is not worth having.”

Don’t compare players. A parent will often want to discuss his or her son’s playing time, and why other players are starting over him. Murray has a simple rule when addressing the depth chart.

“If we’re talking kids, let’s talk about your child,” Murray said. “Let’s not compare to another child that isn’t here. Let’s talk about a specific issue.”

Address conflicts. Angry parents don’t often become less angry on their own, so Murray advises coaches to address issues before they spiral out of control.

“Be yourself and be honest,” Murray said.

“Make it clear that you’re approachable, but if they don’t like it, that’s the way it is. I have a little bit of a rough edge, so parents know that if they’re coming to meet with me, they better have a good reason.”

THE 24-HOUR RULE

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helley Holden, Ed. D., recommends that all coaches employ a 24-hour rule when it comes to communication with parents after a game. This allows everyone to decompress before addressing any issues that arise.

“Lay it out to the parents right at the beginning of the season,” Holden said.

“This way, they understand that coaches will not be talking about playing time as they’re walking to the bus after a game. Parents can call or email the coach after 24 hours, but after a game, both individuals can be heated.”

If after 24 hours, the coach and parent can’t come to a resolution over the issue, Holden recommends that a coach bring in an athletic administrator or school principal to serve as a mediator.

“Lay out the chain of command in the preseason meeting with the protocol for escalating issues,” Holden said.

■■ Shelley Holden, Ed. D., is an associate professor of Coaching Education at the University of South Alabama. She has been published on the topic of how to effectively manage coach, parent and player relationships.

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EDUCATION Academic Performance A Michigan football coach turned a team plagued by eligibility issues and academic underperformance into a three-time Academic AllState selection with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. DAN GUTTENPLAN

THE TURNAROUND

W

hen Scott Barnhart accepted the head coaching position at

Algonac High (Mich.) in 2012, he assumed responsibility for a team that was not performing well on the field or in the classroom.

Algonac hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2005 and had never won a conference title. Worse than that – in his view – was the fact that the players weren’t performing well enough in the classroom to even warrant consideration for Academic All-State honors.

Barnhart’s five-year impact on the program is evident both in the team’s performance on the field and its academic success.

On the field, Barnhart’s rebuilding effort took time.

Algonac was 6-21 in his first three seasons, before turning the corner in 2015 and going 10-2 with the first district championship in school history. Last season, they did one better – winning 11 games before earning a trip to the state semifinal.

In the classroom, Algonac has become one of the highest-performing teams in Michigan’s Division 5. Last fall, the team earned Academic All-State honors for the third consecutive season, ranking third among Division 5 schools with a 3.878 GPA. “To me, it’s about raising awareness and making a commitment as a coach to putting smart kids on the field,” Barnhart said.

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5 TIPS TO IMPROVING TEAM GPA

Reward academic performance with playing time. If two players are competing for a starting position and their performance on the field is close, Barnhart uses academic performance to decide the starter. “It adds importance to academics,” Barnhart said.

Coach the players to communicate with teachers. “Young men are not great communicators,” Barnhart said. “Counsel them on sitting down with teachers and talking about their goals. Once the teachers understand their commitment, they’re willing to help.”

Ask teachers to keep coaches in the loop. “I allow teachers to communicate with me directly when kids aren’t fulfilling their goals. If a kid says he wants to earn an ‘A’, and he doesn’t follow up with it, a teacher will pull me aside.”

Pull grades once a week. “We pull grades on game day,” Barnhart said. “We pull kids and talk with them. That sounds like a negative meeting, but it really isn’t. It’s more, ‘Let’s talk about why and see if we can fix it.’”

Coaches serve as tutors. High school coaches often teach during the school day. Barnhart delegates subjects of expertise (i.e. math, science, etc.) for each coach on staff, and has the coaches tutor athletes.

THE COMBINE THE ALGONAC FOOTBALL TEAM

has an NFL-style combine after each marking period in school. In addition to including the fitness tests – such as the 40-yard dash, vertical leap, broad jump and agility tests – in a player’s score, Barnhart and his staff include academic disciplines, such as school attendance, tardiness and GPA. The combine has 14 categories that are graded on a 4.0 scale.

“That counts toward a player’s football grade,” Barnhart said.

“They get a three-page document that serves as their football report card. It displays all of the results of the combine and what we feel is tangible in terms of character, discipline, and involvement in the community.”

The Algonac players honored in the Academic All-State selection included Jacob Sweat, Kyle Allen, Trent Treppa, Luke Stephenson, Brandon Spencer, Jordan Epperson, Stephen Rose, Robert Jewell, Jack Jewell, Stephen

■■ Algonac (Mich.) football coach Scott Barnhart

Goodall, Jagger Geck, Mitchel Thomas and Andrew Robinson.

Sweat also was recognized for an individual Academic All-State award after recording a 4.33 GPA. “The kids know I communicate directly with teachers,” Barnhart said. “The teachers know I share a common goal. Kids that use their heads on the field will become players for us.”

ASSISTANT’S CORNER 10 Ways an Assistant Coach Can Add Value Richie Busby was promoted to the head coaching position at Fultondale High (Ala.) four seasons ago after 16 years as an assistant. He now has eight assistants on his staff. Seven are teachers at Fultondale and one is a volunteer. Busby explained 10 ways an assistant coach can add value to his program.

DREW CHAMPLIN

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LOYALTY: “No matter what you’re doing,

doing, you’re not going to survive.” whether it’s scheme or discipline, things RELATING TO KIDS: Busby has a good need to stay within the program. You need variety of ages throughout his staff. guys that are going to be loyal to the Some assistants are just out of college, head coach and the program,” he said. while others have been in the game for a KNOWING YOUR ROLE: “It’s that old saying, while. “You need guys who can pull you stay in your lane and do what you’re aside, who can relate to the kids so they supposed to do and don’t worry about can teach us older guys how to get on what everybody else is supposed to Twitter,” Busby said. do,” Busby said. “That’s a big deal for MOTIVATIONAL: Busby wants coaches the kids, but also coaches. Know your who can get kids fired up to play a responsibility, do it well, and take care of tough sport and show them why all the your group of guys.” hard work will benefit them. “It’s tough, PROFESSIONALISM: “I want them to it’s hot, it’s nasty, all those type things,” carry themselves well and speak well of the program,” Busby said. “Carry yourself like you’re a head coach as well. I want my guys to want to move up, but I want them to learn to be a professional the way they dress and adapt.”

ADAPTABILITY: Busby said his defensive coordinator is a longtime veteran, but the Wildcats changed defenses before last season to adapt to personnel. “It’s not plug-andplay at a small school like this,” Busby said. “You’ve got to take what you’ve got and try to make a winner out of it.

■■ Fultondale (Ala.) coach Richie Busby If you’re not willing to learn and adapt to what you’re

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Busby said. “I think you’ve got to be able to motivate the kids to want to go through that.” pOSITION KNOWLEDGE: Busby wants his linebackers coach to be an expert on the linebacker position. “When we go to the Alabama clinic, I want you to spend as much time as you can with Jeremy Pruitt or Kirby Smart – or whoever it is at the time – learning how they are doing things, and then be able to bring it back to our campus and relate it to a high school player,” Busby said.

INTEGRITY: “Any coach who has made a list of 10 things they would want a coach to have, character and integrity would be on there,” Busby said. “Quality guys who are going to help these kids be great young men on and off the field.”

GREAT TEACHER: Administrators look to hire coaches who also teach core subjects, and a great history teacher is usually a great coach, and vice versa. “It doesn’t matter what you know, if you can’t teach it to the kids who have to go out there and do it, it’s wasted knowledge,” Busby said. “You have to be able to teach the kids, and give it to them a way the kids understand it.”

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A DESIRE TO BE A HEAD COACH:

The assistants with the ultimate goal of becoming a head coach are going to work the hardest and learn what it takes to run a program. “If you’ve got guys who want to be a head coach, they’re going to do everything they can to get to that point,” Busby said.

“I think it’s a reflection of your program when you’ve got guys that become a head coach.”

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SCHOOL SPIRIT fire up the fans!

MAKE A BIG ENTRANCE EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT High school football teams have one chance to make a great first impression for the fans. Some teams are trying new and innovative ways CODY DALTON to fire up the fans.

“THE TIGER CAGE”

Oscar Smith High School (Va.): The Tigers strike fear into their opponents by climbing into a three-sided cage only to be “released” on to the playing field by their coaches. Once the players exit the cage, they’ve been known to crawl towards the field like their signature mascot.

“POLICE CHASE”

Yuma High School (Ariz.): Only appropriate that the Criminals make the most of their mascot through their iconic football team entrance. With its siren blasting and Yuma players and cheerleaders following closely behind, a police car drives on to the field to guide the Criminals to their playing field.

MOTORCYCLES

■■ The Maiden (N.C.) football team’s entrance

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hen the smoke rolls from fire extinguishers and the

theme song from “2001: A Space Odyssey” plays, you know it’s time for action on the football field at Maiden High School (NC).

The traditional entrance for the Blue Devils started at the old Maiden High School (now its middle school), and continued when the new school was built and opened in 2007. Maiden head football coach Will Byrne has participated in the team’s signature entrance as both a player and a coach.

“I can remember being a young kid and piling up to get as close as you could to the tunnel so you could feel how cold that smoke was,” Byrne said. “You could hear the players inside the tunnel getting excited and going crazy while the song played, waiting for that smoke to go off so that they could run out. You couldn’t wait for that day when you could run out of the smoke and run out of the tunnel.”

While it has remained a traditional staple in the Blue Devils’ football culture, the Maiden football team’s entrance has changed a little bit over the years.

When it took place at the old high school, players would enter the field through a long tunnel placed in an opening in the middle of the home stands.

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Del Rio High School (Texas): One Rams player hitches a ride to the back of a motorcycle carrying the American flag. The Rams start their entrance to the field with the sounds of choppers blaring and AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” playing. A police escort follows the rest of the team through a giant inflatable Ram head.

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BAGPIPES

Willoughby South High School (Ohio): The Rebels rush on to their football field through a tunnel, but before that, they are serenaded by the sounds of bagpipes playing.

The somber, yet eye-opening entrance is something that catches the attention of many of their opponents, including those in the Western Reserve Conference.

DANCE ROUTINES

Moanalua High School (Hawaii): Starting out in their signature inflatable tunnel, the Menehunes display their dance moves and creativity. Leaving the tunnel in groups, the choreographed movements of about a dozen Moanalua football players take place before one of its players emerges from the team’s tunnel crouching low to the ground while carrying the school’s flag.

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