FNF Coaches 2018 "The Safety Edition" by A.E. Engine

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The Magazine for High School Football Coaches

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Download the FNF Coaches App Columbus East High (Ind.) state champion coach Bob Gaddis (top, second from left) poses with his players (top, from left) Jamon Hogan, Josh Major, Zack Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, Ethan Summa and Mark Sciutto. Photo courtesy of Todd Voelz/Parker Portraits

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04. NEWS & NOTES 05. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 09. START A CHARACTER CURRICULUM 12. USA FOOTBALL PROGRAMS, COURSES AND INITIATIVES 38. NUTRITION 39. TECH CORNER 48. INSPIRATION

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facing tragedy at marjory stoneman douglas high

continuing education

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

e are proud to present our fourth monthly of 2018,

which has a player safety theme. May is the perfect time for a coach to take stock of his program and make sure he is providing a safe environment for his student-athletes. Ensuring player safety is all about having a plan, and we do our best to help coaches formulate one. Coaches are now expected to educate themselves on safety issues such as concussions, equipment safety and reconditioning, tackling and blocking technique, offseason strength and conditioning, nutrition, and recovery. It can be overwhelming to tackle all of this at once. We will attempt to break it all down in a simple, easy-to-understand format. We’ll provide research, analysis and product recommendations – and if you’re looking for more information, we’ll try to steer you in the right direction. Parents place their faith in coaches to keep their children safe and healthy – and return them back in one piece at the end of each practice or game. No responsibility is more important. It’s worth taking the time in the offseason to make sure you are aware of all of the latest trends and educational opportunities. If you would like to learn more about any of the topics we cover in this edition, we’d like to hear from you. Please email fnf@ae-engine.com and let us know what we missed. We want to continue to provide you with information you want in the coming months, so we’d like to hear your suggestions for content. Engage with us on our website, FNFCoaches.com, and social media, @FNFCoaches, and tell us your suggestions for feature stories. We recognize there is no better source for high school football trends than the coaches that make the game great.

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NEWS & NOTES

Win a $500 donation and two Frogs

F The FNF Coaches | 50 Coaches in 50 States Contest will continue in May and June. The first coach in each state to submit a photo posing with FNF Coaches is eligible to win a CarbonTek Gen 3 Shoulder Pad System. All entries must be submitted by Twitter. Simply take a selfie with FNF Coaches, and tag @FNFCoaches along with your high school and state. To subscribe to FNF Coaches, visit fnfcoaches.com/subscribe.

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with FNF Coaches to recognize the best booster club in the country! One team’s booster club will be selected, via online voting at fnfcoaches.com/best-booster. Prove your community outreach by sharing the link and asking your community to nominate and vote for your booster club. The winning school will win two customized Frogs with school colors and a $500 donation to the program – along with recognition in FNF Coaches magazine and on the website. FNF Coaches is accepting nominations for the 2018 Frog Fitness Booster Club Contest until May 22, and a group of finalists will be selected for the final online vote on May 23. Voting will be open until June 7. The winning team will be notified by phone. Once the prize is accepted, pictures of the winning booster club and team will be posted on our website and shared via social media @TrainFrogFit and @FNFCoaches.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Florida, which sees heatstroke harm more high school athletes than any other state, soon will have stronger heat safety education requirements for coaches and students. In the same way that concussion safety and awareness videos are already mandated for coaches and athletes, the FHSAA board of directors voted to make heat safety training videos mandatory for those groups starting in July. The items were deemed progress by heat safety advocates.

HIGH SCHOOL COACHES ASSOCIATIONS SPANNING 37 STATES AND USA FOOTBALL

announced the formation of the National High School Football Coaches Alliance. This newly created Alliance will foster frequent and meaningful collaboration between its members, advance best practices across high school football and to unite and serve the high school football coaching community. The High School Football Coaches Alliance, led by state high school coach association directors, seeks to provide access to unique and progressive professional development and continuing education platforms, digital and physical coaching tools and communication vehicles extending beyond state and regional borders.

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ball and Focus 3. Focus 3 and USA Football have partnered to provide a system focused on building a better culture within programs of all sizes and levels. Learn how removing toxic cultural elements will make it easier for your team to achieve success on and off the field. Improve your leadership and build your team’s culture with Focus 3 and USA Football. Download your free eight-page guide to begin your journey! Visit usafootball.com/whitepaper today.

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HERE’S A COLLECTION

of the latest buzz we’re hearing on our Twitter feed (@FNFCoaches).

NFL Draft Day 91% of first round #NFLDraft picks were multiple sports athletes in high school! If there’s another sport you want to play, play it! You can learn and become a more well-rounded athlete

from it whether you fail or succeed!” –@fnfcoaches

Ryan Shazier’s Appearance at the NFL Draft I’m truly blessed and humbled from all the prayers, love, and support that I have received. This is what keeps me going. Just continue to #Shalieve” –@RyanShazier

Hard Work If you aren’t happy with your role on a team it’s up to

you to do something about it. If you want to play more, then make a plan, commit & work harder. No one is entitled to the opportunity to play or start. You have to earn it.” –@CoachJasonWitt What would the custodians and cafeteria workers in your school say about you if asked about your character and behavior? We’re going to ask. Everything you do in life is an interview! #Ap2w” –@dukecoachdj

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PORTA PHONE TD 900 SERIES WIRELESS HEADSETS With the introduction of the TD 900 Porta Phone has taken our time-honored “All in One” headset concept to the next level with rugged construction and the extra transmitting power that is allowable for wireless systems operating in the 900 MHz band. These revolutionary headsets operate without a base station or beltpacks and allow coaches to talk simultaneously in a hands-free, open line pattern. They utilize the 900 Mhz band, a frequency range free of “RF clutter”, where the allowable power output is more than double that of standard wireless systems. The TD 900 system delivers coaches both the superior punch-out power capable of penetrating thick pressbox glass and concrete while delivering high definition digital audio performance.

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ATHLETE INTELLIGENCE VECTOR™ MOUTHGUARD AND CUE™ SPORT SENSOR With Athlete Intelligence’s state-of-the-art Vector™ MouthGuard and Cue™ Sport Sensor, coaches and trainers can monitor the impact of hits to their players’ heads during practices and games. When a player’s health has been compromised, the system will alert a coach or athletic trainer to check that player for injuries. The data provided through the sensors can help improve performance in a number of ways. The first is by providing data on each of the hits every player on the team experienced. Through gaining this information, a coach can use coaching points to eliminate the use of a player’s head in tackles or better condition linemen so they are using the proper technique through four quarters.

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OX SPORTS OX Sports allows coaches to reach players away from the field and academic setting. With players spending more and more time on devices, it is the perfect avenue for coaches to share learning tools through photos, videos, scouting reports and customized tips. Just as important as the interaction between coach and player is a coach’s ability to communicate with parents, and coaches have that option with targeted messaging for specific audiences. A coach can send requested dress options for players, directions to away games, release forms for players, and updates on a player’s academic progress.

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REMEMBERING PARKLAND

Facing Tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High

■■ The Parkland (Fla.) community mourned the loss of Douglas High football coach Aaron Feis, who died in a school shooting on Feb. 14.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES MANAGING EDITOR

A school shooting on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High (Fla.) campus left 17 people dead, and changed everything for Eagles coach Willis May Jr.

arjory Stoneman Douglas High (Fla.) football

coach Willis May Jr. is keeping track of the times he cries his eyes out. Not just the times he sheds a tear while thinking of a former colleague. He’s counting the times he starts sobbing uncontrollably with a feeling that it’s never going to stop. “It helps to see each other cry,” May said. “We’re all on the same page. It’s OK for us to see each other have a hard day.” May’s count of sobbing episodes is up to four, and there’s no telling how many more are in

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store. He sobbed on Feb. 14 when he finally got home after a school shooting that left 17 people dead on his school’s campus. He sobbed again when he saw the 8-year-old daughter of his assistant coach, Aaron Feis, the man who died in the shooting while protecting students. The

emotions spilled out of May for a third time when he saw the 19-year-old son of his athletic director, Chris Hixon, who also died in the shooting. And finally, he lost it for the fourth time when he saw his offensive linemen serving as pallbearers and carrying the casket of Feis at the coach’s funeral. “What 16- or 17-year-old kid should have to carry their coach?” May said. “You just don’t do that. It was hard. It hurts every day.” The healing process for May and the Parkland, Fla. community does not come in the form of a straight line. Some days are better than others; there are setbacks and breakthroughs. Sometimes events and activities that are meant to serve as distractions instead offer painful reminders of the school shooting. One example came at a recent recruiting trip, organized by May, to Florida Atlantic University. May took 14 student-athletes to a football clinic at FAU to watch the team practice. As they were taking a tour of the athletic complex, a maintenance worker started hammering a nail into a wall. “My kids were hitting the damn ground,” May said. “That’s our new norm. We have to deal with that.” In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, May needed to focus on caring for himself. He soaked in the love of his wife, Melissa, and three sons, Jordan, Corey and Jared, before considering his place as the leader of a community that had just been rocked by tragedy. With so many people grieving and the sport of football seeming insignificant in the grand scheme, May could have been forgiven if he scrapped the spring training season and focused on what seemed to be more pressing needs for the players. Instead, he used football to bring the community closer. “That’s our family; that’s the only thing we’ve got,” May said. “My kids feel like that too, so I’m grateful. We try to make the kids feel wanted and cared for. Yes, I find us hugging more now. We tell the kids we love them more. We’ve got to have each other’s backs, but we can also coach them hard.” Coach May recently took his players for a training run around the Douglas campus, stopping in the 1200 building – the site of the school shooting. There, he gave players an opportunity to share their thoughts and emotions. The players found the session therapeutic and learned they were all on the same page when it came to managing their grief. “We need to heal physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually,” May said. “It’s

not a normal year where you’re just trying to improve physically. We have to worry about improving our minds and attitudes. Are we working to make those 17 angels proud? Lying down and quitting is not what they’d be doing.” Quitting doesn’t appear to have been a word in Feis’ vocabulary. He died trying to protect the students that he served in his role as a Douglas staff member and football coach. He often welcomed college recruiters into the building and led them to Coach May’s office for discussions on

players. The day of the shooting, he was supposed to welcome a coach from Nichols College, but instead found himself in the 1200 Building at the time of the “Code Red”. A Douglas alumnus, Feis played center for Douglas from 1995 to 1998, and returned to the school as a coach in 2002. He is mourned by his wife, Melissa, and daughter, Ariel. Feis’ desk was right next to the desk of May in the football office. “We have to get through this together,” May said. “We’re better off if we do it together. We want to go from tragedy to triumph. We want ESPN to come in here and do a story about how we worked harder than ever to get what we wanted to achieve out of life. We won’t let one kid ruin the rest of our lives. These guys are bonded together closer than ever.”

COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR PARKLAND STUDENTS

he Parkland community has been on the receiving end of many empathetic acts since the tragedy on Feb. 14. In early March, Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget, a Miami native and Hialeah Senior High alumnus, donated $10,000 to the Stoneman Douglas High football team to create a scholarship fund honoring Feis. The Miami Dolphins also hosted a youth football clinic with the school in March. At the NFL Draft in April, Stoneman Douglas had a prominent presence with the Dolphins. Along with 18 graduating seniors from the Stoneman Douglas football team, the family of Feis announced the Dolphins’ draft picks during Rounds 4-7 on April 28. Douglas High quarterback Tyler Goodman committed to play football a small Massachusetts Division III school, Nichols College, because of the bond he formed with a coach and an administrator from the college during the shooting. Nichols College recruiter Paul Brower and football assistant, St. Clair Ryan, were meeting with Douglas coach Willis May Jr. and four Douglas seniors on Feb. 14 when the call for a “Code Red” came through over the school’s audio system. They learned through social media that their beloved Coach Feis had been shot.

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CONTINUING EDUCATION

NEVER STOP LEARNING: THE BENEFIT OF ADVANCED EDUCATION BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

ursuing advanced coursework beyond an under-

graduate degree can give coaches more opportunities to advance their careers – all while earning respect from players who can see their commitment to improvement. St. Joseph Catholic High (Miss.) special teams coach Craig Mandolini shared plenty of his coursework with his players as he pursued a Master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Before he graduated last May, he authored a thesis paper arguing that field position in high school football is often overrated, and more teams should onside kick whenever possible. Mandolini studied the percentages and shared them with his team. The premise of the paper showed that onside kicks often resulted in the kicking team receiving an advantage – by measure of field position and score – compared to teams that did the standard kickoff. “It helped a lot,” Mandolini said. “To be able to physically show the kids that work, they could understand it. We looked at the numbers and saw that the percentages were in our favor.”

■■ Coaches can complete coursework that is directly applicable to their jobs in continuing education programs.

While the coursework helped Mandolini and St. Joseph High on Friday nights, the pursuit of additional learning opportunities will likely lead to increases in pay and promotions for Mandolini. His goal is to become an athletic director after he completes another advanced degree in administration. His Master’s studies included physical education and coaching.

Although St. Joseph did not reimburse him for his coursework, the Master’s degree did result in an increase of pay between $4,000 and $5,000 annually. “I think it does help set an example for the players,” Mandolini said. “Even though I graduated, I can further my education with a higher degree. It shows them that I’ll never stop learning.”

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Start a Character Curriculum The best way to build character in your players is to prioritize it. Sit down with your coaching staff at the start of the season, and make a list of the character traits you want your players to possess. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ Bartram Trail (Fla.) prioritize character-building.

About 10 years ago, Bartram Trail High (Fla). coach Darrell Sutherland decided to be intentional about the way in which he molded men. He started a Character Curriculum and prioritized 16 traits or work habits each season that he wanted to instill in his players. “We wanted to seize teachable moments and teach character through that,” Sutherland said. “We have a different theme for each week, and a different coach presents the theme.” Sutherland and his staff will send players the season-long calendar at the start of the season, and then stress each week’s particular theme at a Monday meeting. Throughout the week, alumni and guest speakers will touch on that specific attribute through their life experiences. Sutherland will make mention of the weekly theme almost every time he addresses the team. “It gives structure to the season,” Sutherland said. “We’ve got great young men. It’s hard to distinguish if this is having an impact or if they’re just great young men regardless. But I do think it’s significantly impacting the culture. Guys understand that our staff is about a lot more than football and X’s and O’s.” The Bartram Trail motto is “Semper Virtus”, which is a reminder to the players to strive for excellence in all that they do.

“The root is a virtuous martial arts combat warrior, but it’s about being a hero,” Sutherland said. “We talk about that on a daily basis. Go sit with the kid who’s eating lunch by himself. Pick up trash, and leave everywhere you go better than you found it. Show the custodial staff respect. Pull younger players out of drills and show them the right way.” While it might seem daunting for a coach to start a Character Curriculum – and organize guest speakers, alumni visits, presentations by assistant coaches – Sutherland can attest to the fact that the program can be any shape or size. It doesn’t need to be as involved as the Bartram Trail Character Curriculum in the first year. “It doesn’t need to be intimidating,” Sutherland said. “Sit down with your staff, and ask what you want to make sure each person that comes through the program leaves with. What character thing do we want to do make sure we instill in our program? Talk about those topics, and get it in a schedule.”

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USA FOOTBALL

USA Football Unites Coaching Community creates National High School Football Coaches Alliance BY BRENT GLASGOW

SA Football and high school coaches associations in 37

states recently announced the formation of the National High School Football Coaches Alliance. The organization looks to foster frequent and meaningful collaboration between its members, advance best practices across high school football, and unite and serve its coaching community. “Helping form and assist the Alliance is consistent with how we have served the high school coaching community for years,” USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck said. “This is a community formed by coaches for coaches. They are teachers and mentors – their work is selfgiving and inspires student-athletes to be their best both on the field and off it. The formation of this Alliance presents a powerful opportunity for us all to share and learn from each other to keep football growing and moving forward.” The Alliance, led by state high school association directors, will provide access to unique and progressive professional development and continuing education platforms, digital and physical coaching tools, and communication vehicles that extend beyond state borders. Coaches association leaders met in January in Orlando, Fla., at USA Football’s National Conference, which featured dozens of strategic workshops and presentations. The event also included memorable talks by Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker and now-Texas high school football coach Mike Singletary, Super Bowl

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■■ [Above] Bob Gaddis (center) won the Indiana state football championship with Columbus East in November 2017 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. ■■ [Below] Hundreds of coaches attended the USA Football National Conference in January in Orlando, Fla.

champion quarterback and on-air personality Trent Dilfer, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. The coaches convened with USA Football to discuss forming the Alliance, to benefit their members and football-playing student-athletes across the country. “This is a significant ‘first’ for high school football,” said Oregon Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Rob Younger, who will serve as the inaugural Alliance president. “The Alliance will bring coaches together in ways we’ve not seen before and will strengthen our community through USA Football’s exceptional and vast coaching resources.” Over dinner at USA Football’s 2016 National Conference, Younger, Indiana Football Coaches Association Director Bob Gaddis and Nebraska Coaches Association Executive Director Darin Boysen discussed how other national coaching groups had fallen shy of stated goals. Although useful conversations, they would often dissipate at the end of a convention and pick up again the following year. The trio eventually approached Hallenbeck about forming a meaningful and national organization for high school coaches. After a lengthy meeting with association leaders at this year’s National Conference, a framework and leadership team took shape. “Everybody had nothing but positive remarks about it, and it just kind of took off,” Younger said.

“There’s a lot of excitement about what we can do moving forward.” Gaddis, whose state-champion Columbus East High School program was part of the sport’s Power of Football campaign last fall, said, “I think we’ve come to some good collaborative decisions for what’ll be good for our sport, and in particular, a unified voice for high school football. When we gathered in Orlando, it was great to see so many guys from throughout the country. A lot of the time, we’re all dealing with the same things. What’ll be most exciting is how we identify how we can help coaches at all levels.” The Alliance’s physical and digital platforms will be powered by USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and the only member of the U.S. Olympic Committee dedicated solely to football. “It’s for coaches, by coaches — but we couldn’t do it without USA Football, because they provide such an important part with their educational resources,” Younger said. “They’re just the perfect partner for us.” Gaddis said USA Football’s view of high school coaches as the sport’s leaders in their respective cities and towns is paying dividends. “I think what it says is we should be the faces of football in our communities, in how high school, middle school and youth football all come together,” he said. “That way we can consistently train our coaches and our kids, and communicate with the public.” Boysen said while each state is different, coaches’ goals and concerns remain the same, including their increasingly progressive view on contact and safety. “One of the positive things we can do is let people know how the game has progressed,” he said. “The game is safer than it’s ever been, but

you don’t hear that, so it’s our job to get out there and inform people.” Another plus, Gaddis said, is that the Alliance can present a unified front when necessary, like in situations such as last year’s decision by the Big Ten Conference to play games on Friday night, which drew scorn from coaches and football people across the country. “When that news came out, we wondered how we could get all the coaches together in one voice,” Gaddis said. “Now we have a way to accomplish that.”

■■ [Top] Fort Wayne Snider was one of the six schools featured in the Power of Football campaign in 2017. ■■ [Below] Knightstown (Indiana) was one of the six schools featured in the Power of Football campaign in 2017.

COACHES ASSOCIATIONS COMPRISING THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACHES ALLIANCE ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Alabama Football Coaches Assoc. Arkansas Football Coaches Assoc. California Coaches Assoc. Connecticut High School Coaches Assoc. Delaware Interscholastic Football Coaches Assoc. Florida Athletic Coaches Assoc. Georgia Athletic Coaches Assoc. Idaho State Coaches Assoc. Illinois Coaches Assoc. Illinois High School Football Coaches Assoc. Indiana Football Coaches Assoc. Iowa Football Coaches Assoc. Kansas Football Coaches Assoc. Kentucky Football Coaches Assoc. Kentucky High School Coaches Assoc.

Louisiana Football Coaches Assoc. Louisiana High School Coaches Assoc. Maryland Football High School Coaches Assoc. Michigan High School Football Coaches Assoc. Minnesota Football Coaches Assoc. Mississippi Assoc. of Coaches Missouri Football Coaches Assoc. Montana Coaches Assoc. Nebraska Coaches Assoc. New Jersey Football Coaches Assoc. New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Assoc. New Mexico High School Coaches Assoc. New York State High School Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ North Carolina Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

North Dakota High School Coaches Assoc. Ohio High School Football Coaches Assoc. Oklahoma Coaches Assoc. Oklahoma Football Coaches Assoc. Oregon Athletic Coaches Assoc. Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ South Carolina Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ Southern California Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ South Dakota Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ Tennessee Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ Utah Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ Vermont High School Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ Wisconsin Football Coaches Assoc. ■■ Wyoming Coaches’ Assoc. ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

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USA FOOTBALL

USA FOOTBALL PROGRAMS, COURSES and INITIATIVES USA Football offers various program, courses and initiatives for high school coaches who are looking for professional development opportunities. Here are the programs that USA Football wants coaches to be aware of in 2018. BY ADAM WIRE

TIP OF THE SPEAR CONTACT SYSTEM: Created by former NFL player Scott Peters, the system teaches blocking and defeating blocks by using specific techniques that help players overcome size and strength deficiencies and minimize helmet contact. USA Football is offering clinics that are specific for coaches, as well as clinics for coaches and players.

usafootball.com/clinic NATIONAL TEAM: As a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Football organizes teams for players age 13 to 18 to compete against Mexico, Canada, Japan and other country’s teams in the International Bowl, an annual event that takes place in January, along with other international competitions. The last few International Bowls have taken place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. usafootball.com/programs/national-team ROOKIE TACKLE: This hybrid level of football, which debuted in 2017 in nine communities, is meant to be a bridge between the flag and tackle levels. It features smaller fields, fewer players on the field, coaches on the field to provide instructions, two-point stances, players who get to try out several different positions, and no special teams. usafootball.com/rookietackle

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HEADS UP FOOTBALL: Launched in 2012, USA Football has worked with leaders in medicine and sports across the country to create a program that any league or school can use to address key player safety issues, and ensure every coach understands and knows how to teach proper technique. USA Football offers enrollment at the youth, middle school and high school levels and coach certifications. usafootball.com/headsup LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: USA Football has partnered with Focus 3, a leadership development group headed by Brian Kight, to offer leadership and culture-building guidance for football programs. The Kights and Focus 3 have worked with Ohio State, Washington, Boise State and other college football teams, along with the Chicago Bears. usafootball.com/focus3 COACHES’ NOTES: This subscription-based feature (with limited free content) is an online home for coaches to share their knowledge on philosophy, X’s and O’s, strategy, program building and a host of other on- and off-the-field topics. It’s coaches talking directly to other coaches, helping to raise the bar for everyone and share knowledge across the sport. usafootball.com/coaches-notes

CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL TEAMS ARE BUILT IN THE OFFSEASON Tip of the Spear Contact System Clinics

SAFETY THROUGH

SUPERIOR TECHNIQUE

USA Football’s Tip of the Spear Contact System Clinics are your way to take full advantage of implementing a new approach to contact.

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Coach & Player Clinic

Three hours – trains your entire staff

Five hours – trains your coaching staff AND players

Classroom instruction Interactive, on-field coaching

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Gets your coaches out on the field to install and drill the entire system with your players

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Fast-tracks skill mastery Teaches players how to dominate opponents with their hands and shoulders Previously available only to NFL coaches and players – now available for your entire program

Become a smarter, stronger and better team with a system focused on helping your program win. Get started today at usafootball.com/clinic

COACHING LEGEND

Indiana Legend Larry ‘Bud’ Wright Reflects on a Life of Football

Q&A

COACH WRIGHT ON SAFETY AND PREVENTION

BY DEREK SMITH

For over a half century, Larry “Bud” Wright has led Sheridan High (Ind.), coaching three generations of student-athletes in the small mid-western town of 3,000, a half-hour drive north of Indianapolis.

How important is safety to you as a coach?

“It is very, very important. We try to keep up on all the new ideas and new techniques as far as doing things correctly. I think we dedicate a lot of time to it. I tell our coaches before the season that we don’t want to get kids hurt, especially during practice. We do not allow low tackles in practice at all. We’ve actually cut down on tackling the last few years, period. A lot of our tackling drills are form tackling.”

What’s the best way to prevent injury?

Larry “Bud” Wright “Bud” Wright has won a lot of games in his 53 years of coaching. His record of 410-192-2 makes him the winningest coach in Indiana high school football history. His nine state titles (1980, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2007) at the Class A school are tied for the best ever in the Hoosier State. Wright says he has witnessed tremendous changes in high school football in Indiana going as far back as his playing days at Sheridan. “The biggest thing I’ve seen is the coaches are more dedicated now,” he said. “I thought when I first went out there in could outcoach people.” The talent and competition has also improved, Wright says, especially in the “hotbed” areas of metro Indy, South Bend, Fort Wayne and Gary. “That’s where a lot of the recruits are coming from,” he said. The top 2017 high school football player in Indiana was quarterback Hunter Johnson of Brownsburg. As the No. 1 prep quarterback in the country, according to ESPN, Johnson was a freshman backup on Clemson’s College Football Playoff team last fall and is vying for the starting position this spring. Wright says he knew he wanted to coach after college during his sophomore year at Ball State, and all these years later he still gets incredible satisfaction from his profession. “Football coaches and players are pretty good guys to be around,” he said. “The camaraderie is great.”

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PROFILE

Team: Sheridan High (Ind.) Years as Head Coach: 54 in 2018 State Championships: 9 Coaching Record: 410-192-2 Profession: Head coach; former

athletic director, history teacher

Family: Wife Ellen, sons Kevin,

Travis and Kent, and daughters Cheri and Lana Accomplishments: Member of Indiana High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, 2008 National Federation of Coaches Coach of the Year

“Weightlifting. Try to get stronger. We try to get an injured player in the weight room to build the area that is deficient. We try to get him in top-notch shape so he’s not as susceptible to injury.”

What do you do to make sure anyone with concussion symptoms doesn’t step on the field?

“Concussions are something, I think, at the forefront of concern and you have to be very careful how you handle it. We always have a trainer on site. In all the years we’ve had a trainer, I’ve never once questioned him. If the trainer says he’s out, he’s out.”

HOW MANY HEAD INJURIES ARE TOO MANY?

Athlete Intelligence uses wearable sensors to expose the invisible data that surrounds every athlete, giving Athletic Staff the ability to create coachable moments to improve technique, enhance performance, and manage safety.

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The New Jersey state champion Bergen Catholic coaching staff includes (front, from left) Joe DiFilippo, Al Nittoli, Ralph La Testa and Guy Bertola; (rear) Dan Nastasi, Tony DeBellis, Fred Stengel, Anthony Muir, Head Coach Nunzio Campanile, Zach Sparber, Ron Carti, Ed Van Curen and Phil Fusco. Photo courtesy Dave Rubel/NJ Sports Media

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COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

KIFFIN’S CAREER PATH

Q&A with florida

atlantic coach lane kiffin BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

n his first season as the Florida Atlantic University

head coach in 2017, Lane Kiffin was named Palm Beach County Coach of the Year after guiding the team to its 11-3 mark, ConferenceUSA crown and Boca Bowl victory. Kiffin joined the FAU Owls after three seasons at the University of Alabama, where he served as the Tide’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He has also been a head coach at Southern California, Tennessee, and in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders. Kiffin offered his thoughts on coaching high school football in a recent interview with FNF Coaches.

What is your annual process for assessing trends in the sport and reacting to them? “During the offseason, our guys go out recruiting for five weeks. I call my assistants my ‘infield,’ and the ‘outfield’ is the graduate assistants, interns, analysts, and personnel guys. My outfield starts on the 12 opponents for next year. We start researching them, and when guys

come back from recruiting, we go through it all. Before summer break, we go through exercises where guys have to give reports on different opponents. I give them projects to research the top offenses and see what they’re doing. Our guys are doing Oklahoma now. They cut it up and look at what they did that we haven’t done before. They present it to our offensive staff, and we get a few ideas.”

What trends are you noticing across the game? “It used to be that the college teams copied the NFL. The NFL trickled down. That’s when the NFL had the pro-style and college was too. We’d spend time visiting NFL teams. Now it’s gone backward. Now we have NFL teams come to meet with me. It’s kind of backward with Philadelphia’s success as more of a college style RPO. It’s gone backward. Now the NFL copies college rather than the other way around.”

When you accepted the job at FAU, what were some of the first things you did to generate excitement? “When you take a head job at any level, it’s never going to be the same plan from one place to the next. It’s specific to where you are. When I got here, FAU wasn’t really on the national map. We took a more aggressive approach – on Twitter, and doing every interview that we could. I wanted to get FAU out there with an aggressive marketing plan. If you go into a powerhouse, it’s a little different.”

As a former NFL head coach, do you ever get tired of the salesmanship of college football? Or do you enjoy it? “No, it’s part of the job. It’s no different than calling plays or recruiting or player development. It’s another aspect of the job. I actually like it – the change of seasons. In the NFL, it’s all football.

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iffin was the youngest head coach in NFL history when he was hired by the Oakland Raiders in 2007 at the age of 32. He was fired after 20 games before becoming the Tennessee coach in 2009. He left that job after one season to become the head coach at USC from 2010 to 2013. After getting fired from that position, he served as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator at Alabama for three seasons. He has worked under two of the most successful college football coaches of the modern era – Pete Carroll and Saban. “I think they took a while to get where they’re at in terms of building a philosophy and how they were going to be,” Kiffin said. “They went through experiences to get there. This is Saban’s fifth head coaching job and Carroll’s fourth. You think you have it figured out when you’re young. We really don’t.” Kiffin admits now he may not have been ready for some of the highprofile positions that he held in his 30s. “Every blessing has a curse,” Kiffin said. “I got so much so fast when I was young. Then I went backward. Nick Saban started at Toledo, I think Urban Meyer started at Bowling Green. If you make mistakes there, no one notices. You’re not on a national stage. Years later, I’m a much better coach because of experience.”

HIGH POWER for MAXIMUM RANGE

You’re evaluating all the time. You develop more people skills in college with the change of season. It’s football, then recruiting, then spring ball, then recruiting. There’s more outside of the office than just sitting watching football.”

No Beltpack or Base Station!

What new technology are you using that other coaches should know about? “We use Sports Source Analytics. Over the last couple of years, we’ve studied the analytics of football. There another one too – Championship Analytics. Both of those have been beneficial. What you find when you study it is all of the tendencies of the teams we play. It might say, ‘It’s this down and distance from the 33. This is what they do 90 percent of the time.’ Analytics will tell you to be way more aggressive than how you were raised coaching. We led the country in fourth down attempts and conversions. That’s unusual for a team playing ahead as much as we were. That’s not just being aggressive; it’s using analytics and percentages.”

You’ve recruited more Junior College players at FAU. What are the challenges that those players present? “The first thing is making sure they get here. High school kids have much higher percentages than JuCo kids when it comes to qualifying. Then there’s the transition. We’ve started to look at a lot more guys who have three years left rather than two. A lot of the time, that first year is just about learning and not playing much. So, you only get one year out of the guy. We look for guys that have three years left or at least two and a mid-year in January.”

What could high school coaches do more during the recruiting process? “I think it’s a help for a lot of recruiters when there’s one sheet for a player with all of the info – grades, maybe a link to cut-ups. If they can hand you a sheet, it saves so much time. Otherwise, a coach has to repeat himself all day talking about the same five kids.”

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MAKE SAFETY THE NO.1 PRIORITY A coach bears the ultimate responsibility of providing a safe environment for his players during training sessions and games. Nothing is more important. Player safety has come to the forefront of the discussion surrounding high school football in recent years, and coaches are expected to educate themselves on the rules and best practices for keeping their players out of harm’s way. This can be an overwhelming proposition for high school coaches who are also trying to serve as role models, build programs, and win games. Football is a collision sport, so injuries are inevitable. Every coach needs a strategy to prevent these issues, and also an action plan for when these setbacks occur. What is your safety plan? If you don’t have one, you need one. Parents place their trust in coaches to steer their way through the most challenging of medical issues, and making the wrong decision could leave a coach wishing he’d taken the time to formulate an emergency action plan. We’ll help you with that by sharing our findings of the most recent trends in player safety. The responsibility of a high school football coach has never been greater when it comes to seeking out resources and educational tools to deal with issues of player safety. We hope you’ll come away with a better understanding of how to prevent injuries and how to react when the inevitable occurs.

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safety A Concussion Protocol That Works: six Steps to Play Safe At a time concussions and their effects have been the focus of professional and college sports, the Miami Dolphins are helping expand the attention to local prep sports by helping fund parts of the University of Miami Countywide Care High School Program for Miami-Dade public schools. DAN GUTTENPLAN ■■ KiDZ Neuroscience Center director Gillian Hotz, Ph.D, with a student-athlete.

The Miami Dolphins will pay to have approximately 15,000 Miami-Dade public high school athletes undergo baseline concussion tests as well as GILLIAN HOLTZ, PH.D DIRECTOR, KIDZ get other benefits during NEUROSCIENCE CENTER the 2017 school year. The testing, affecting boys and girls in sports and activities including football, will establish baseline brain parameters for the athletes. That will give doctors a vital tool to use as a comparison should any of the athletes sustain a concussion during their season. The Dolphins’ sponsorship also helps pay for counseling, education and a workshop on concussions through a program run by the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute and KiDZ Neuroscience Center at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Gillian Hotz, Ph.D. is the director at KiDZ Neuroscience Center at the University of Miami. She designed this six-step concussion management model for Miami-Dade County Schools. Preseason Baseline. Prior to play, a coach or ATC administers each of the following tests to set a baseline for the athlete: ■■ ImPACT: The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test. This is a 45-minute computer-based test. The test measures verbal and visual memory and reaction times. The athlete’s initial test becomes the comparison by which that athlete’s future ImPACT tests are checked. ■■ King-Devick. This 5-minute sideline screening test is tablet-based and measures eye movement and neurological functions. Like ImPACT, the initial King-Devick test is used for comparison when the athlete is retested following a possible concussion. These tests are administered before the season for athletes that play contact sports who are 13 years of age or older.

Sideline Testing. When an athlete shows signs

or symptoms of a concussion, he must be removed from play immediately and evaluated by a certified athletic trainer (ATC) with SCAT3 and/or King-Devick tests. These sideline tests assist in determining if the player has actually received a concussion and thus should be removed from play. ImPACT Re-Test. Within 24 to 72 hours following the injury, ATCs are advised to re-test the concussed player with ImPACT once again. Miami-Dade County Public School ATCs then send the ImPACT test scores to our program for evaluation, and advise the player’s parents to make an appointment with our concussion clinic. Clinic Follow-Up. As soon as possible, parents of a concussed athlete should make an appointment for their child or teen athlete to visit a concussion clinic for the following tests, evaluations, and recommendations: ■■ Neurological evaluation and concussion education ■■ Vestibular evaluation ■■ Neuropsychological assessment ■■ Review of ImPACT scores by a Credentialed ImPACT Consultant (CIC) ■■ Recommendations for return to play (GRTP, RTP) and return to learn (school accommodations) Return To Play. Once the athlete is completely free of symptoms and has been evaluated and examined by a physician to be asymptomatic, said physician will clear the player to begin the Gradual Return to Play (GRTP) protocol. If the player remains symptom-free following GRTP, he may return to full contact play once medically cleared (in writing) by a physician. Injury Surveillance. Once the athlete has returned to full-contact activities, the athletic trainer will submit a concussion injury report.

THE DOLPHINS’ COACHES CLINIC

n April, the Miami Dolphins hosted more than 600 local youth and high school coaches and parents at the third annual Coaches Clinic at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins coaching staff, as well as coaches from the University of Miami, Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University, taught 30 different classroom and on-field sessions focusing on game and practice techniques, motivational tools and core football competencies. Hotz shared her findings at the clinic. Since the 2014-15 school year, reported concussions at Miami-Dade high schools have dropped, according to data provided by the school district. Concussions were down to 161 in the 2016-17 school year from 209 in the 2014-15 school year. “I feel coaches have enough to do,” Hotz said. “They need to coach to win, develop the right technique, and lead the team. How do we take the concussion issue out of their hands and not make it a conflict? We educate them on the best safety. The school boards need to have athletic trainers and directors working for the school board.”

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safety Explaining the Helmet Rating Systems Coaches may find it difficult to know what to believe when it comes to evaluating helmet safety performance standards. The Virginia Tech 5-Star Helmet Rating System and the NFL/NFLPA Evaluation are two of the most reputable models. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

VIRGINIA TECH 5-STAR HELMET RATING SYSTEM

NFL/NFLPA EVALUATION

THE NFL/NFLPA RANKINGS

Since 2011, Virginia Tech researchers have been

The NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA)

providing unbiased helmet ratings that allow consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing helmets. The helmet ratings are the culmination of over 10 years of research on head impacts in sports and identify which helmets best reduce concussion risk. The work is done as part of Virginia Tech’s service mission and is independent of any funding or influence from helmet manufacturers. “We have two goals with our rating system,” said Steve Rowson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech. “We want to educate consumers and players as to which helmets are the safest. And we want to provide a tool for manufacturers to help improve safety and design.” Through a series of impact tests, helmets are evaluated using 2 fundamental concepts: 1) each test is weighted based on how frequently players experience them and 2) helmets that lower head acceleration reduce concussion risk. The impact conditions and weightings are sport-specific, and inclusive of the broad range of head impacts that athletes are likely to experience. These methods have been published as peer-reviewed articles in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering. “We know which impacts cause concussions, which are most frequent, and which locations on the helmet are hit the most,” Rowson said.

conduct an annual laboratory study to assess the performance of football helmets worn by NFL players. Based on the results of the 2018 study and the opinions of the biomechanical experts involved, the NFL and NFLPA will prohibit 10 helmet models from being worn by NFL players. In previous seasons, NFL players could choose any helmet as long as the helmet passed current National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) certification standards. The prohibited helmets perform poorly in laboratory testing, have been discontinued by the manufacturer, or were produced by companies no longer manufacturing football helmets. Six of these helmets are prohibited immediately. The other four may be worn by players who were using them in 2017, but may not be adopted by new players. The goal of the study, as in prior years, was to determine which helmets best reduced head impact severity under laboratory conditions simulating concussion-causing impacts sustained by NFL players during games. The study continues to measure rotational velocity and acceleration as part of a combined metric to evaluate helmets. The NFL/NFLPA evaluation is the first of its kind to adopt rotational measures in its analysis.

TOP PERFORMING GROUP

VIRGINIA TECH’S RANKINGS

VIVIS Zero1 (Cost: $950) Schutt F7 VTD (Cost: $975) Xenith X2E+ (Cost: $289) Riddell Precision-FIT (Cost: $1,700) Xenith EPIC+ (Cost: $349) Riddell Speedflex (Cost: $409) SG DBS.001 (Cost: $329) Schutt Vengeance Z10 (Cost: $210)

Schutt Vengeance Pro (Cost: $225) Schutt F7 (Cost: $649) Riddell Speed (Cost: $279) Schutt Air XP Pro VTD II (Cost: $219) Schutt Vengeance VTD II (Cost: $249) Riddell Speed Icon (Cost: $280) Schutt Vengeance Pro (Cost: $199) Schutt Air XP Pro (Cost: $199) Schutt Air XP Pro Q10 (Cost: $210)

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■■ The Virginia Tech testing process

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safety Xenith Helmets: Designed for fit, comfort, style and protection Xenith continues to design for the needs of committed athletes and coaches, and has made investments in research and technology to produce top-performing helmets on the market – at accessible price points – according to the findings of the major helmet safety rating systems. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Xenith designers and engineers certainly had to score it as a win when the 2018 findings of the major helmet rating systems were released– the Virginia Tech Football Helmet Ratings and the NFL/NFLPA Helmet Performance Results. The Xenith X2E+ ranked third among all Virginia Techrated helmets, while the Xenith EPIC+ ranked fifth. In the NFL/NFLPA rankings, the EPIC+ ranked fourth and the X2E+ ranked sixth, respectively. With price points of $289 for the Xenith X2E+ and $349 for the Xenith EPIC+, the Xenith helmets ranked in line with helmets that were – in some cases – as much as five times more expensive. Of the other three helmets ranking in the top five in the Virginia Tech rankings, none had a price point lower than $950. “We’re always putting the athlete at the center of everything that we do,” said Xenith VP of Product Innovation, Dr. Grant C. Goulet. “By designing for the athletes on-field protective needs, we offer helmets that allow them to take the field with confidence and play at their best. The NFL/NFLPA and Virginia Tech tests are supported by rigorous science and can help athletes, coaches, and equipment managers have confidence in their helmet selection.” Xenith differentiate their helmets from those of other companies in three ways: ■■ Internal suspension system ■■ Shock absorbers ■■ Fit

The internal suspension system moves with the athlete’s head, not with the hit, thereby reducing the rotational acceleration of the head. The shell of the helmet is decoupled from the shock suspension system, reducing the force transmitted to the athlete’s head. The shock absorbers manage the linear force with an air system rather than solid foams. By utilizing the open shell architecture, the shock utilizes back-pressure and performs well at a wide range of hits experienced on the field. The right fit is critical to protection and comfort. When Xenith’s lower chinstrap is tightened, the athlete gets a custom fit by securing the head into the internal suspension system. Those who are concerned that Xenith’s lower price point is representative in a decrease in quality from the highest level of helmet models can rest assured that Xenith is producing only top performing helmets, across levels of play.

THE HELMETS THE XENITH EPIC+ Design Features

■■ Xenith Technology: Internal

suspension system, multi-stage shock absorbers, customizable fit ■■ Comfort pads with XRD protection are soft and flexible, yet tough on impact ■■ FitLock: Conforms helmet to the occipital bone for fit and retention ■■ Ventilated 3DX chin cup featuring a silicone liner and antimicrobial interior ■■ Twelve air vents that release heat and provide essential airflow

THE XENITH X2E+ Design Features

■■ Xenith Technology: Internal

suspension system, single-stage shock absorbers, customizable fit ■■ TPU pads provide another layer of protection and comfort ■■ FitBand: Silicone conforms to head shape and size for comfort ■■ Hybrid chin cup that combines the classic feel of a soft up and the protection of a hard cup

TEAM PRICING AVAILABLE! CALL 866.888.2322 OR HEAD TO XENITH.COM/TEAM Download the FNF Coaches app from the Apple App Store and Google Play

safety 7 Ways to Prevent Joint and Ligament Injuries

STRENGTHEN TO HEAL

BE PROACTIVE TO AVOID REHABILITATION Some people think of knee injuries as fluke occurrences that can’t be prevented. On the contrary, an athlete can take preventative measures to decrease the likelihood of knee injuries that require long recoveries. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ Team warm-up periods with eccentric training are recommended to avoid knee injuries.

Dr. Evan Peck, MD, has seen his share of knee injuries – such as ACL tears and jumper’s knee – as an orthopaedic surgery doctor at the Cleveland Clinic Florida. He recommends seven tips for preventing joint and ligament injuries. Strength Training. “In some sports, athletes used to do no strength and conditioning,” Peck said. “Every person needs to do strength training regardless of age or activity. It’s been known to prevent knee injuries like patellar problems and ACL tears.” Focus on Mechanics. Jumper’s knee is typically a result of an action that is biomechanically wrong. “A good remedy for that problem is physical therapy that emphasizes mechanics,” Peck said. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. This type of therapy uses sound waves to increase the response to the body’s tissues. Shock wave therapy may treat conditions such as degenerated tendons, heel pain and tennis elbow. Platelet Rich Plasma Injections. The use of PRP involves taking a portion of the athlete’s blood and processing to remove red and white cells before injecting platelets back into the tissue. It promotes healing. Hip Strengthening Exercises. “ACL tears often happen when the plant foot and knee go inward,” Peck said. “If the hip muscles can’t pull the knee out, it puts the knee in position for an ACL tear.”

Eccentric Training. When an athlete lowers

a weight slowly with tension, it’s called an eccentric contraction. “What they’ve found is that they are helpful for strengthening tendons,” Peck said. “Athletes are well served to do slow eccentric phase exercises in a program to help prevent tendon problems.” Dynamic Warmups. “It’s pretty clear that if you compete in a speed activity of use strength and power, a dynamic warmup is superior – not only in contributing to a better performance but making muscle less susceptible to tear.”

ost knee pain is the result of tendonosis – not tendonitis, which has been the most common diagnosis for years. Tendonisis is actually a deteriorating condition that requires strength building rather than rest. “Physical therapy comes first, and it needs to be strengthened to heal,” Peck said. “The tendon is worn out. If you thought it was just inflammation, you’d rest and it wouldn’t get better. Instead, the tendon needs to be rebuilt through strength training.” Peck said most athletes that encounter knee pain believe it’s the result of inflammation, and as a result, they choose to rest the injury. That only makes the ligament weaker and more susceptible to injury. “I explain it to all patients; it’s important for all to understand when they have pain, it’s usually broken down and worn out – not inflamed,” Peck said. “A tendon problem is primarily degenerative. Once they understand that, they’re more likely to do treatment.”

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■■ Shock wave therapy can help increase the response in an athlete’s body tissues.

safety The Frog: a ‘Problem-Solver’ for High School Teams That Want to Win Frog Fitness, Inc. delivered 12 Frogs to Abilene Cooper High (Texas) last July. Cooper head coach Todd Moebes says the training tools have “paid great dividends.”

Frog Fitness, Inc. Website: frogfitness.com Phone: 844-837-6443 Email: sales@frogfitness.com

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ The Abilene Cooper (Texas) football team has been using The Frog for almost a year.

Moebes led Cooper to a 9-4 record last season – with the four losses coming by a total of 14 points. With another offseason of training on the Frogs in his team’s future, the coach could see those losses becoming wins. “It’s something we incorporate into everything we do,” Moebes said. “We’re still developing strength in high school athletes. The core lifts are still part of our offseason and in-season program, but we also utilize The Frog. It expands our strength and development program.” The Frog is the result of years of relentless hard work, research and development, and scientific testing. The Frog is already being widely accepted throughout the NFL, the NBA, Pro Motocross, and MMA. Even America’s most respected warriors throughout the U.S. Military are training with The Frog, and most recently Olympic athletes began adding The Frog to their training regimens. The Frog can be used to create inter-team competition with athletes racing up and down the field or simply seeing how long they can stay on the device with their core engaged.

“The competitive component is something we utilize in our offseason program,” Moebes said. “It’s paid great dividends for a lot of guys who have been injured. They’re able to rehab on a machine that has the versatility with bands and resistance.” The Frog is also a problem-solver in that it brings attention to weaknesses and deficiencies in an athlete’s overall strength portfolio. Many Cooper athletes have turned weaknesses into strengths in the last year. “Sometimes core lifts don’t really work stabilizer muscles or protector joints,” Moebes said. “That’s why a lot of people have gone to resistance training. The Frog makes you fire your muscles every time you lift. That’s something we’ve seen. Players are more comfortable and stronger in their shoulders, knees and hips.”

FROG FITNESS BOOSTER CLUB CONTEST

rog Fitness has partnered with FNF Coaches to recognize the best Booster Club in the country. One team’s Booster Club will be selected, via online voting at fnfcoaches. com/best-booster. Prove your community outreach by sharing the link and asking your community to nominate and vote for your Booster Club. The winning school will win two customized Frogs with school colors and a $500 donation to the program – along with recognition in FNF Coaches magazine and on the website. FNF Coaches is accepting nominations for the 2018 Frog Fitness Booster Club Contest until May 22, and a group of finalists will be selected for the final online vote on May 23. Voting will be open until June 7. The winning team will be notified by phone and once the prize is accepted, pictures of the winning Booster Club and Team it will be posted on the website and shared via social media @TrainFrogFit and @FNFCoaches. fnfcoaches.com/best-booster

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safety 8 Tips to Avoid Muscle Injuries in the Weight Room Offseason strength programs are meant to provide players the opportunity to build muscle and improve athleticism. Achieving those goals is unlikely if a player suffers a muscle injury in the gym. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

BEAU SASSER, M.D. ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

ATC

EIGHT BENEFITS OF HAVING A CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER

ummit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery board-certified surgeon Beau Sasser, M.D., offers eight benefits of having an ATC on staff.

■■ Arizona State University Sports Performance Coach Joe Connolly

Arizona State University sports performance coach Joe Connolly understands that high school coaches want to push their players hard in the offseason so that they have stronger, faster teams in the fall. However, Connolly has seen the downsides of pushing athletes too hard too fast. He offers these eight tips for avoiding muscle injuries. Don’t overdo it. “You don’t have to train 17- and 18-year-old kids that hard to get a response. They’re still growing. Relative strength is the most important thing. It’s not how much you squat.” Work on core strength in space. “Can you do a chin-up, pull-up and hinge? Those are the things I look for. If you can show with core strength the ability to stabilize in space, you can build strength.” Improve deficiencies. “When we get freshmen at the college level, nine out of 10 have deficiencies. We’ll work on those things and keep it simple. Get really good at the basics.” Don’t coach unfamiliar lifts. “If I don’t know how to coach it, I don’t use that exercise. Each workout doesn’t have to have a squat or dead lift. If you’re not comfortable cuing up a squat, you’ll end up getting someone hurt and create bad movement patterns.” Use body weight for resistance. “You can do an entire workout with body weight exercises –

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chin-ups, pull-ups, anything with lunging or stepping, body weight squatting, hip hinging, dead lifts, or cardio. You don’t even need a barbell. Just get good at the movement patterns.” Work the entire body. “Any day you train, try to move every area of the body in a full range of motion. There’s a lot of talk about flexibility, but that’s relatively genetic. Mobility allows you to maintain joint integrity and stability.” Research the Latest Trends. “The culture of strength and conditioning is different everywhere. The schools in South Carolina, for instance, have had programs for a long time. In the Northeast, they don’t have full-time strength coaches. They tend to do what they did in college. It’s unfortunate because it’s not helping the kids. You can find new trends on the internet pretty easily.” Stick to core lifts. When in doubt, stick to the basics. Connolly believes the following lifts are more than enough to keep athletes strong and prepared for college: ■■ Chin-Ups ■■ Pull-Ups ■■ Lunges ■■ Body-Weight Squats ■■ Hip Hinging Deadlifts ■■ Cardio

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CONVENIENCE. ATCs are found in a variety of settings, including high schools, colleges, professional sports, youth sports, physical therapy clinics, and physician offices. CARE. ATCs are health care providers.

2 3 4

TRAINING. ATCs are trained in CPR and First Aid. EDUCATION. ATCs are required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and to have passed a national certification exam. Over 70 percent of ATCs possess a Master’s Degree or higher. COMMUNITY. ATCs are part of the sports medicine team, which is made up of a variety of health care professionals. SAFETY. ATCs are leaders in concussion recognition and management. VERSATILITY. ATCs are responsible for the prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries. EMERGENCY RESPONSE. ATCs are trained to save lives.

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safety Improve Performance by Monitoring Head Impacts with Athlete Intelligence Athlete Intelligence BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

ith Athlete Intelligence’s state-of-the-art Ana-

lytics Platform, the Vector™ MouthGuard and CUE™ Sport Sensor, coaches and trainers can monitor the impact of hits to their players’ heads during practices and games. The ability to capture data in real-time and simultaneously provide a full suite of reporting and analytics gives Athlete Intelligence the foundation of fulfilling their mission to the athletics community; building better, safer athletes. The data provided through the Athlete Intelligence Platform when paired with either the CUE™ Sport Sensor of Vector™ MouthGuard can help improve performance in a number of ways. The first is by providing data on each of the hits every player on the team experiences. By gaining this information, athletic staff can use the data to develop Coachable Moments™ and help eliminate the use of a player’s head in tackles or help identify those who may be deconditioned and therefore showing patterns of dropping their head late in the game. The Athlete Intelligence system also offers the ability for coaches to analyze data post-game through its Athlete Intelligence Web Platform. This gives athletic staff the ability to look at a number of automated reports of key metrics like those taking the most crown of head impacts, those taking the most and hardest head-impacts, and allows users to see trends across athletes and positions in various time-frames. Through its partnership with XOS Digital, Athlete Intelligence can also import video and timestamp it to the millisecond of each head-impact to take 2D data and turn it into a complete visual understanding of what happened on the field, and how to make necessary tackling improvements. In the fall, Athlete Intelligence brought its Vector™ MouthGuard technology to a one-year pilot program to look at ways to limit or better identify potential head-related injuries, especially among high school athletes. Athlete Intelligence, along with Munich Reinsurance America, Inc., one of the industry’s leading reinsurers, and Clear Risk Solutions, a risk management and

Website: AthleteIntelligence.com. Email: Info@athleteintelligence.com Phone: 425-372-7811

insurance supplier, partnered to outfit players at Bethel School District’s Spanaway Lake High School in Washington with 95 Vector™ MouthGuards for the program. The Vector™ MouthGuard measures, translates, and transfers data wirelessly to a mobile device or tablet on the sidelines. The mouthguard generates a 3D model of the player’s head and illustrates hitting behavior and impact exposure over time in a “heat map” view. The data can show the magnitude and location of the impact, providing real-time awareness of potential injuries as they occur, thus reducing guesswork of missed and unseen head-impacts. By the conclusion of the football season, the feedback on the experience and benefits of working with Athlete Intelligence was very positive, concluding the data added value to all parties involved and helped improve the safety of the student-athletes. After hearing back from the football programs that were sponsored with Vector™ MouthGuard, Munich Reinsurance agreed to also sponsor several hockey and lacrosse programs with the CUE™ Sports Sensor to gather impact data from other sports teams in the effort to mitigate risk of injury across additional sports for both male and female student-athletes. Jesse Harper, CEO of Athlete Intelligence, notes the insurance partners will provide partial subsidization for 17,000 student-athletes in 2018. “We’re pretty excited,” Harper said. “This will almost triple deployment at the high school level. We’ve been out there showing the athletes and parents the value. Now we have a major company to help offset the cost so more schools can endorse and afford it.”

A7FL EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH ATHLETE INTELLIGENCE

thlete Intelligence recently announced that it is renewing its partnership agreement with the A7FL, the pioneering full contact, helmet-less, tackle football league. The agreement, now in its third year, reaffirms both organizations commitment to reducing the risk of head injuries and improving player safety. As part of the new agreement, A7FL teams will wear the CUE™ Sport Sensor for its upcoming 2018 season. “Concussion management is an area that football is trying to improve in an effort to elevate player safety,” said Golden. “The CUE™ Sports Sensor and our Athlete Intelligence Platform are important tools for players, trainers, and coaches. We appreciate industry leaders like the A7FL adopting our technology.” Sports concussions are on a dramatic rise: 20 percent of high school athletes will sustain one this year, and more than 33 percent occur during practice. Football has one of the highest rate of concussion among teenage athletes, with about 11 concussions occurring per 10,000 athletic exposures.

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safety 10 Keys to a Sanitary and Safe Training Environment A coach is in charge of providing players with a safe and sanitary environment for their entire football experience. That means maintaining a clean locker room, training room, weight room and playing field. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Ryan Taylor spends the majority of his time maintaining healthy and safe training environments as Head Athletic Trainer at the University of Maine. He offers 10 tips to keeping players in good health and spirits so they can perform in practices and games. Encourage good hygiene. “Young athletes need to shower and clean off after practices and games,” Taylor said. “Every facility is different, but make sure they have access to showers and soap. Get that sweat off their skin after practice. They’re sweating and rubbing on each other with cuts and nicks. Get soap and water on that as quickly as possible.” Allow helmets and pads to air out. Do not store sweaty equipment in warm areas. Keep helmets and pads out of lockers that hold humidity. “Kids will grab those pads and put them on the next day,” Taylor said. Invest in sanitary wipes. Clean any surface that might be holding bacteria to protect against MRSA and other skin infections. “Take a disinfectant wipe and rub it on the helmets, shoulder pads, and any other sweaty equipment. Clean them out, and wipe them down.” Do not allow players to share equipment. “Never share shoulder pads, helmets, and of course, mouth pieces,” Taylor said. “Take a timeout if you have an equipment issue.” Prioritize sanitation by educating players. “It’s all about educating these young men on the importance of hygiene,” Taylor said. “It’s a matter or protecting themselves and the team. What can you do within your budget that’s reasonable? How important is it to you? How would you

■■ Use sanitary wipes to clean any surface that might be holding bacteria.

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feel if you had a Ringworm outbreak or MRSA infection? Why not look into it before?” Clean the tubs. If your team is using hot tubs or cold tubs for recovery, clean the tub after every use. Do not allow players to share the same water. “We use cold tubs after practice and warm tubs for player injuries,” Taylor said. “We have a preventative maintenance program.” Clean the rehab equipment. Most athletic trainers will give athletes access to foam rollers, stretch bands, or – in the case of UMaine – a Theragun for massage therapy. “If you don’t have that, you can use lacrosse balls, softballs, baseballs, any trigger point release,” Taylor said. “Learn what you can use, and then keep it clean.” Give players time. Taylor stresses the importance of giving players time to mentally and physically prepare before practice. That means giving players time to clean their locker space and get to the next meeting or practice. Give players space. The closer the quarters, the dirtier it tends to be. If you have 120 players on the team, make sure each player has ample space to change and store his equipment. Reinforce good hygiene at home. Monitor a player’s appearance and energy levels. If he’s not getting enough sleep at home, or he doesn’t have clean clothes, help in any way you can.

RYAN TAYLOR HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

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■■ Drain and disinfect tubs after each use.

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safety HOBART-MAYFIELD’S IMPACT-ABSORBING FACEMASK CLIP REDUCES G-FORCE OF HITS TO FACEMASK BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

obart-Mayfield, LLC has created and patented an impact-absorbing

facemask clip, the S.A.F.E.Clip to reduce the g-force of a blow to the facemask while maintaining the integrity of the unit. Hobart-Mayfield CEO Justin Summerville and COO Rich Williams decided a few years back to take on one of football’s biggest problems: concussions. They sought out to improve the safety features of the outdated plastic or silicone facemask clips by creating a product that reduces g-force at the point of impact to the facemask during a tackle or collision. Studies show that concussions occur in football at forces between 98-103 g’s. The Hobart-Mayfield staff created a facemask clip with a patented visco-elastic membrane housed in a thermoplastic body. The product has shown in independent testing to dampen blows to the facemask before the impact reaches the head/neck. The S.A.F.E.Clip is retrofittable to over 90 percent of current helmet/facemask configurations from all manufacturers with no alterations needed to the facemask or helmet. Other configurations are in development. “We’re making a couple of changes to make it even more durable,” said Summerville. “We’re planning to reduce the profile to make it less of a hitting point. We’re changing the materials to make it more durable for a longer period of time.”

The Stats THE AVERAGE HIGH

school football player is on the receiving end of 500 head impacts per season. The S.A.F.E.Clip results in: ■■ A 24 percent g-force reduction translational (lateral) motion in a facemask collision over a standard clip. ■■ A 28 percent g-force reduction rotational motion in a facemask collision over a standard clip. ■■ A 12 percent g-force reduction rotational in a facemask collision at a 45-degree angle over a standard clip. ■■ *All statistics generated through research by Wayne State University

BUBBA BURGER FNF MAGAZINE MOMS OF THE YEAR CONTEST RETURNS IN 2018

e all know how important the team

mom is to the success of a football team. They are every program’s biggest fans, and they support the players through challenge and victory. Last year, the BUBBA burger FNF Magazine Football Team Moms Contest gave us all the opportunity to honor the contributions of team moms, and thanks to you, it was a huge success. Fans responded by voting for their schools and sharing their team mom stories on social media. So of course, we had to bring it back for 2018. And this year, we’re extending it to the entire country – any school, any state! FNF Coaches and BUBBA burger will set out this summer to determine which schools from all across the country have the best collection of football team moms. And we need your help! One large school (1,000+ students) and one small school from any state in the U.S. will be voted the Team Moms of the

Year via an online vote on FNFCoaches. com. Fans from any school will then go online and vote – and then spread the word to your friends and family. And of course, the prizes return in 2018! The winning large school will get a $1,000 donation to their school’s team, and the winning small school will take home $500. Nominations for the 2018 BUBBA burger FNF Magazine Team Moms Contest start on July 15, and the voting will begin on August 23. Students will then have until September 22 to cast their votes, and live results will be available so you can track your progress. The winning schools will be notified by phone and once the prize is accepted, it will be posted on the website and shared via social media. Mark your calendars for July 15! Make sure your school is nominated this summer, so we can show our pride and support for our team moms!

Hobart-Mayfield, LLC Website: getsafeclip.com Facebook, instagram, twitter: @hobartmayfield Email: rwilliams@hobartmayfield.com

The Cost The S.A.F.E.Clip costs $29.95 for a set of two. For every five clips sold, H-M will put a virtual set into a ClipBank for a needy school. School in need can apply for free clips by completing a certificate of need.

OFFICIAL PRIZES: CASH PRIZE: A $1,000 donation will be made to the high school booster club of the large school on behalf of FNF Coaches and BUBBA burgers. A $500 donation will be made to the high school booster club of the small school. Get those much-needed upgrades for your team! FEATURE STORY: A photo of the winning Team Moms and an article will appear in FNF Coaches. Show off your awesome team moms and share their inspiration with schools across the country!

PLAYBOOK presented by Defeat reach and scoop blocks within one-gap control

REACH BLOCK BY OT VS. DG IN 1-TECHNIQUE

DIAGRAM 1

JOHN LEVRA

ne-gap control is an important concept in coaching

defensive line play. In both seven- and eightplayer-front schemes, an attack philosophy is conducive to one-gap control. A lineman in this scheme is afforded the freedom of vertical penetration, possessing and utilizing hair-trigger reactions and being assigned, as desired, the task of attacking the line of scrimmage. This freedom makes defensive linemen forceful threats to push a point and force a break in the continuity of the offensive line. “Pushing a point” is a phrase used to describe the action of a defensive lineman when he creates a bubble in the offensive line by charging straight ahead on the snap. If the defender regularly breaks through the resistance and breaks the continuity of the offensive line, the offense typically responds by downgrading its priorities from knocking people off the ball and achieving movement to assuming a more passive stance. This passive stance is a byproduct of the mental state of offensive linemen, who become acutely aware of defensive penetration. In a passive stance, an offensive lineman is focusing on damage control. Collectively, the offensive line simply hopes to maintain the offensive integrity at the line of scrimmage. Once a passive stance is established within the offensive line, the trenches belong to the defense. One-gap control is a popular style of play at high school, college and NFL levels. It can be taught to any player of any talent level and experience. Its advantages include: ■■ Allowing defensive linemen to use a dominant shoulder in techniques. ■■ Enabling defensive linemen to attack on the snap and read on the run. ■■ Permitting defensive lineman to threaten the offensive line with a vertical push. ■■ Providing an opportunity for defensive lineman to get a jump into pass rush move much more quickly upon pass recognition. Once the defenders have the advantage, it’s time to press on. Let’s look at how to defeat three common blocks used against one-gap control and keep pressure in the offensive backfield.

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REACH BLOCK BY OT VS. DG IN 2-TECHNIQUE

DIAGRAM 2

REACH BLOCK BY OT VS. DG IN 3-TECHNIQUE

DIAGRAM 3

Reach block On a reach block, the ball is moving toward the off side and away from the defender. On the snap, the defender drives off of the ball with a big step and gets his hat in the crack. He then reads the screws of the primary blocker and looks to see if the blocker turns his head so that the defender can see his earhole (diagram 1). In making such a read, a defender aligned in a 1 technique or 2 technique ricochets off the primary blocker on whom he is aligned and squeezes inside down the line of scrimmage (diagram 2). A 3 technique, on the other hand, ricochets off the blocker to his outside. The 3 technique can then squeeze down the line of scrimmage (diagram 3). By flattening out to defeat the reach block, the defender stays on his feet to effectively pursues the ball-carrier.

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Reach block from cheated splits From cheated splits, a reach block is employed against both a 1 technique and a 2 technique. When the defender notices a cheated split – typically undersplit or foot-to-foot split – the defender should tighten his alignment. A 1 technique defender tightens to a gap alignment while a 2 technique assumes a 1-technique gap alignment. The defender should explode upfield on the snap of the ball but not with his customary big first step (diagram 4). Since the cheated split eliminates the possibility of a crack for the defensive player to get his hat into, he should shorten his initial step. His primary objective should be to grab the inside offensive lineman as the blocker attempts to reach inside. The defender should ricochet off of the reach blocker to the outside and flatten out to pursue inside. He should stay on his feet as he fights down the line of scrimmage in an attempt to make the hit on the ball carrier. A reach block from cheated splits is not applicable against a 3 technique, because a 3 technique will widen his alignment versus cheated splits, moving outside to a 1 technique alignment on the next offensive lineman. Even if a 3 technique doesn’t widen his alignment, cheated side splits would not affect his reactions against a reach-block scheme.

REACH BLOCK FROM CHEATED SPLITS VS. DG IN 1-TECHNIQUE

DIAGRAM 4

REACH BLOCK FROM CHEATED SPLITS VS. DG IN 2-TECHNIQUE

DIAGRAM 5

SCOOP BLOCK VS. DT IN 1-TECHNIQUE

DIAGRAM 6

Scoop block On a scoop block, the ball is moving toward the on side (toward the defender). Similar to a reach block from cheated splits, a scoop block is not applicable against a 3 technique defender. A 1 technique and 2 technique should play a scoop block in the same manner. On the snap, the defender should attack the line of scrimmage with a big first step and get his head in the crack (diagram 6). He then should ricochet to the outside off the scoop blocker and wheel back door. Next, he should flatten out his path to pursue the ball-carrier outside. It is important to note that a scoop is rarely employed against either a defensive tackle or a defensive end unless it is used in combination with a rub technique by the primary blocker. In reality, a scoop block is most typically seen by a defensive guard. A 3 technique is not scoop blocked, because his outside shade alignment makes it impossible – and unsound – for an inside blocker to be assigned to block him. As such, only a 1 technique or a 2 technique will encounter a scoop block by an inside blocker.

SCOOP BLOCK VS. DT IN 2-TECHNIQUE

DIAGRAM 7

■■ John Levra coached football for 44 years, including as the defense line coach for the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, British Columbia Lions and Chicago Bears. He also was the offensive line coach for the Denver Broncos and the running backs coach for the New Orleans Saints. Before that, he was the head coach at Stephen F. Austin and the offensive coordinator at Kansas and Pittsburg State. He also coached seven years at Kansas high schools.

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PLAYBOOK presented by Defend against run packages from the 3-5-3

SLANT STRONG

DIAGRAM 1

BY THOMAS COUSINS

s coaches, we use our game-planning sessions to

determine what opponents do best and what their favorite plays are. Then, we set out to stop those plays. Times will arise when you may decide to play entire games while only running one front call, because that strategy is what you feel gives you the best chance of success. Other times, you may decide to always make the strength call to the field or even to a specific player. All of these tactics are fine as long as it fits what you see and you decide that they are what give you the advantage.

T WP

C FS

SLANT WEAK

DIAGRAM 2

Line calls The following sections are examples of common line calls we employ in our 3-5-3 to defend against three common offensive plays â&#x20AC;&#x201C; weakside counter, iso and I blast. On every play, the defensive linemen perform one of five line calls. They are moving on every play, and they are never asked to take on the offensive lineman they are lined up over, which is why the defensive linemen in our system can be smaller than they would be in other defensive fronts.

T WP

C FS

DIAGRAM 3

Slant strong The first line call this defense uses is slant strong, where defensive linemen slant toward the strength call (diagram 1). The strong tackle performs a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the tight end to his side. The weak tackle performs a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the weak guard. The nose does a crossover step, dip, rip and gets to the hip of the strong guard.

T WP

N M

C FS

OUT

DIAGRAM 4 QB

T WP

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ST C

Slant weak In the slant weak, the defensive linemen slant away from the strength call, just as it sounds (diagram 2). The strong tackle performs a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the strong guard. The weak tackle performs a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the tight end to his side. If no tight end is present, he gets to the hip of an imaginary tight end. The nose does a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the weak guard.

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PINCH

DIAGRAM 5 QB

In When the call is “In,” the defensive tackles slant to the hips of both guards, both performing a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the guard to his side (diagram 3). The nose slants to the strength call, performing a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the strong guard.

Out With Out, defensive tackles slant to the hips of either tight end or to an imaginary tight end on the weak side, performing a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip (diagram 4). The nose slants to the strength call, performing a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the strong guard.

T WP

ST C

DEFENDING THE WEAK SIDE COUNTER

DIAGRAM 6 QB

T WP

C FS

DEFENDING THE I FORMATION ISO

DIAGRAM 7

Now, let’s take a look at how we use these within the 3-5-3 to defend three common offensive plays.

I formation weakside counter (diagram 6) I formation isolation (diagram 7) I formation blast (diagram 8) ■■ Thomas Cousins is an assistant football coach at West Ashley (S.C.) High School, a position he assumed in 2006. Before joining the Wildcats’ staff, he coached at Avon Park (Fla.) High School for seven seasons (1999-2005), the last three as the Red Devils’ head coach. Involved with football for more than three decades as either a player or a coach, Cousins began his coaching career in 1991 as a defensive line coach at his alma mater, Newberry College.

Pinch The last line call used is pinch, where the defensive tackles slant to the hips of both guards, just as they would with an in call. Both tackles perform a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the guard to their sides (diagram 5). The nose slants away from the strength call, performing a crossover step, dip and rip to get to the hip of the weak guard.

T WP

C FS

DEFENDING THE I FORMATION BLAST

DIAGRAM 7 QB

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ST C

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PLAYBOOK presented by Packaged running plays with quick passes

ZONE BUBBLE SCREEN

DIAGRAM 1

BY RICH HARGITT

any teams utilize some form of quick screen or

pass to protect their run plays. These concepts truly began to take shape when coaches realized that running zone read causes their quarterback to take on added contact from linebackers and strong safeties. What developed was screen plays onto the back side of inside zone runs and similar plays to avoid having the quarterback involved in carrying the ball too much. In theory – and sometimes in practice – an entire offense could be constructed with a quick screen or a quick pass attached to every run play in an offense’s arsenal. Let’s talk about how to do that, focusing on inside zone and counter trey as the two examples for run plays while a fast screen and bubble screen form the backbone of quick screen concepts. There are several possibilities for tagging quick passes onto running plays, such as a quick screen to a oneback power play. The number of concepts is almost endless. But for the purposes of this one article, let’s set our base with the two mentioned above.

H QB

ZONE FAST SCREEN

DIAGRAM 2

H QB

ZONE FAST SCREEN WITH CROSS BLOCK

DIAGRAM 3

Basic run plays packaged with the bubble and fast screen The simplest way to execute a run play packaged with a quick screen is to call the inside zone and package it with a bubble screen on the backside. You can do this easily out of a 2-by-2 or a 3-by-1 structure. For us, it has been most effective from a 3-by-1 set because that structure creates a better situation that the defense cover the receiver running the bubble screen too closely.

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Z H

Zone/bubble screen (diagram 1) Often, the defense will cover the outside receiver and have a defender split the difference between the two inside receivers, creating a void where the ball can be safely thrown with a lead blocker in front. When this is observed, the play caller can simply signal this in that the screen play is to be featured. In time, quarterbacks become so proficient at this sort of read that some coaches allow their quarterbacks to make this decision themselves. This is not a traditional zone read play, and sometimes the defensive end will be blocked by the tackle or bumped to slow him down. The quarterback, if he is allowed to read the play, must make his decisions presnap based upon numbers. If the defense covers the trips set with only two defenders within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, he should throw the ball out the back door to the bubble screen receiver. If the defense has all three receivers covered down closely, then the quarterback can just hand the ball off on the

inside zone. If the quarterback’s judgment is cloudy, coach him to just hand the ball off and live to play another down. Some defenses play the trips structure differently and allow more space over the outside receiver than they do the two inside receivers. This type of defensive structure necessitates a change in screen choices. When teams give a cushion or play at depth over the outside receiver, then the fast screen is a great package complement to the interior run play.

Zone/fast screen (diagram 2) This screen requires the quarterback to make a longer throw to the perimeter, but it has the added advantage that the ball is staying away from the majority of defenders. The receivers can execute a cross block or can block the defender straight ahead of them.

Zone/fast screen with cross block (diagram 3) The fast and bubble screens can be married to any interior play, but they work especially well with any sort of zone run concept or the counter trey run play. The ability of the offense to throw the ball outside at the final moment reduces defensive pursuit possibilities and forces the defense to respect the entire field. ■■ Rich Hargitt is the assistant head football coach and offensive coordinator at Eastside High School in Taylors, S.C. He has served as a head football coach and offensive coordinator at the high school level in Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and South Carolina.

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PLAYBOOK presented by Quarterback Play in the Shotgun Triple Option

DIAGRAM 1 W

offensive attack produced by the shotgun triple option. As such, the quarterback is the offensive player who puts everything into motion. In order to be successful in this crucial role, the quarterback must possess certain characteristics, including: ■■ Size is not a factor, but mental and physical toughness is. ■■ Speed is important, but quick feet and a quick mind are more crucial. ■■ Be a student of the game and love to study videotape. ■■ Be a great decision maker. ■■ Be poised and be able to produce under pressure. ■■ Be a man of character, which is the foundation of trust. A team must trust its QB. ■■ Possess a great work ethic in order to capture the team. ■■ Always put the team first. ■■ Have great field awareness and always know the situation. ■■ Always looking to improve and build upon abilities. ■■ Be a competitor and rise to the challenge. ■■ Lead by deeds, which are much louder than words.

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DIAGRAM 2 F

W E

DIAGRAM 3 SS

M W

DIAGRAM 4

Quarterback mechanics for the mesh

he quarterback is the point guard of the fast-break

The quarterback mechanics for running the shotgun triple is easier than those required for a quarterback playing under center. When under center, the quarterback’s first step is the key to success. In the shotgun triple, the quarterback just has to open to the dive back. By being off of the line of scrimmage, the shotgun quarterback has more of a comfort zone separating him from the defensive line and any penetration by the defenders. Key factors for the quarterback include: ■■ Get in a comfortable two-point stance four yards from the center. ■■ Get the setback or setbacks properly aligned. ■■ Scan the offensive line to make sure they are set prior to initiating the snap count or any motion. ■■ Identify the hand-off key and the pitch key. ■■ Initiate the cadence and motion. ■■ Catch the snap. Catch the snap. Catch the snap. ■■ Step to the dive backward and extend the ball. ■■ Read the hand-off and accelerate to the pitch key, regardless of whether it’s a give or a keep.

TONY DEMEO

B E

B N

Triple reads The hand-off key should be identified presnap in the shotgun triple. This key is the first down lineman outside a 3 technique – outside shoulder of the playside guard. Under center, the hand-off key is the first down defender outside of the fullback’s path. In the gun, however, the dive back’s path is the A gap, and as a result, such a key would not be appropriate for the shotgun triple. The thought process of a quarterback in the shotgun triple includes: ■■ Give the ball every time, unless the hand-off key comes down hard on the dive back. ■■ If there is any doubt, give the ball to the dive back. ■■ If the hand-off key is in B gap, that defender will be blocked down by the tackle. As a result, it is an automatic pull and becomes a double option.

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Option mechanics Once the quarterback pulls the ball, he holds it at his heart and accelerates to the perimeter. Attack the inside shoulder of the pitch key but watch the pitch key’s far shoulder. Expect to pitch and react to run. In this instance, the mindset of the quarterback is characterized by the following thoughts: ■■ “I will run for a touchdown every time unless the far shoulder of the pitch key turns to me.” ■■ “If the far shoulder turns to me, I’ll see my pitchman, step to him and pitch heart to heart.” ■■ “If the pitch key feathers, I will accelerate at him and force him to freeze his feet. If he doesn’t, I will run for a touchdown.” ■■ “If the pitch key crashes, I will stop, set my heels and pitch the ball.” ■■ If the quarterback keeps the ball, he should tuck it away and run hash mark, numbers and sideline. Because the quarterback’s path is downhill, it is difficult to use a feather technique. Regardless, the quarterback must see the pitchman.

Tips for the quarterback ■■ Make the read on the first step. ■■ Never ride and decide. ■■ Better a wrong read than a long read. ■■ When in doubt, give the dive. ■■ If the hand-off key is in B gap, it becomes a double option: no mesh. ■■ Always make ball security the No. 1 consideration. ■■ If in doubt, don’t pitch the ball. ■■ Attack a soft-pitch key hard and a hard-pitch key soft. ■■ If it’s a keep, run the hash mark, numbers and sideline. ■■ If it’s a pitch, always pitch heart-to-heart. ■■ See the pitchman and protect ball security. ■■ Never pitch under stress or pitch in a mess. ■■ Never second-guess. Any decision is better than indecision.

Reading defenses

■■ Clearly explain the quarterback’s role in the offense. ■■ Inspire the quarterback to become a student of the game. Keep in mind that it’s not what the coach knows that counts, it’s what the quarterback knows. Use video, books, apps or anything that works to provide mental reps off the field. ■■ Develop a specific teaching progression that enables the quarterback to master the mechanics of sound quarterback play, one that emphasizes details. ■■ Provide the quarterback with a specific classroom teaching syllabus that helps teach the quarterback the reads he must make during a game so that he understands the reads before going to the practice field. ■■ Work at building the confidence level and the leadership abilities of his quarterback. ■■ Have the game plan for the upcoming game ready by Tuesday’s practice at the latest. Review all checks and audible packages with his quarterback daily. ■■ Teach the quarterbacks about defenses – their strengths, weaknesses, tips, etc. ■■ Use the preseason to familiarize the quarterbacks with the team’s standard checks and audibles. At all times, the quarterback must always be able to get out of a bad play. ■■ Challenge the quarterbacks to grow, maximize his potential, and be the best he can be. ■■ Tony DeMeo coached college football for a quarter century, compiling an overall record of 137-108-4 during four college stops. He retired as the head football coach at the University of Charleston (W.Va.) after successful stops at Richmond, Washburn, Murray State, Pace, Iona, Penn, Mercyhurst, Temple, Delaware, James Madison and Massachusetts.

DIAGRAM 5 B E

B N

The key to reading defenses is reps. The more reps a quarterback gets, the greater his intuitive feel will become. In turn, the more intuitive the quarterback is, the more comfortable, poised and productive he’ll be. There is no shortcut to developing a quarterback’s instincts. It takes reps, reps and more reps. No substitute exists.

DIAGRAM 6

Final thoughts A quarterback in the shotgun triple and in an option offense has a lot of responsibility and must be coached to be able to handle that responsibility. Among the steps that coaches can take in that regard include: ■■ Clearly explain his philosophy of offense to the quarterback, including what he wants to accomplish and how he wants to do it. ■■ Make sure that the quarterback understands down and distance, field zones and time management.

M W

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STRENGTH

10 safety risks Strength Coaches Should Monitor A high school coach needs to know what to look for when he’s trying to assess safety risks in the weight room and on the practice field. Monitoring each player’s demeanor is important. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ University of Maine Director of Sports Performance Jon Lynch

Maximum effort. Any time you’re tasking

players to give maximum effort in the form of hard running of max lifts, you should follow up with rest. “The longer the practice, the longer the rest,” Lynch said. “If you’re doing power one day, do conditioning the next.” Gradually increase the workload. “Find a way to progress within the program,” Lynch said. “If it starts at a high level and stays there, you’ll probably have injuries. If it starts low and progresses at a reasonable pace, it alleviates the risk of injury. Then you give the athlete’s body a chance to adapt to the stimulus.” Breathing. “There’s a lot of new research coming out on breathing techniques,” Lynch said. “Those can help with recovery. It’s a way of breathing with intent. Exhale all the way, fullbelly breathing for relaxation. You can pull up a video and teach the technique.” Sleep. High school athletes should get 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night. “It’s not just about feeling good when you wake up,” Lynch said. “Sleep also has a tremendous recovery factor from the physiological impact on the body from games.” Diet. Eating right can help a player recover faster, perform better, and feel better. Keep an eye on what the players are eating, and manage it at team dinners and on bus rides. Stress. “Stress resonates physically after high intensity bouts,” Lynch said. “Maybe a player broke up with a girlfriend, maybe he has problems with friends or family. Those could be high-level stressors.”

6 7 Jon Lynch is entering his third year at the University of Maine, where he serves as the Director of Sports Performance. Lynch is directly responsible for the performance training of football, and oversees all aspects of the university’s sports performance program. He offers 10 things high school coaches should be monitoring to ensure a safe working environment for the players. How a player feels. “One of the things we do with our athletes is ask how they’re doing every day,” Lynch said. “How are they feeling? How are their injuries progressing? Are they experiencing tightness?” Lynch recommends asking players to rate how they feel each day on a scale of 1 to 5. Heart rate. The University of Maine equips players with Polar Team Pro – a heart rate monitor that tracks metrics such as GPS, total distance traveled, calorie output, and running speeds. Fatigue. Lynch uses direct feedback from players to determine how to organize the next day’s practice. “It’s predicated on giving our athletes enough time to recover in the amount of time they’re allotted between practices,” Lynch said. Soreness. “After a hard training session, athletes will get sore and tight. That has repercussions. The next training session should be taken into account. They either need a day off, or a switch in muscle groups. If you worked the upper body, then go to the lower body the next day.”

8 9 JON LYNCH DIRECTOR OF SPORTS PERFORMANCE, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

4 36

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■■ A coach should monitor his player’s effort level and schedule recovery periods.

CONDITIONING

5 Plyometric Exercises to Increase Speed and Prevent Injuries Plyometrics are the secret to applying your strength and converting it to speed. Plyometric workouts for speed and acceleration increase your ability to rapidly contract your muscles after they have been partially stretched. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Plyometric workouts train your muscles to contract more rapidly and explosively, but you must also train the direction of these explosive forces. The forces of sprinting at maximum speed are relatively vertical. Pushing your legs down into the ground causes your muscles to stretch quickly, then rebound explosively upward, pushing you forward. Phillips Andover Academy (Mass.) coach Corbin Lang shared five verticaloriented plyometric workouts to increase maximum speed.

Standing Long Jumps. Ask your players to stand with their feet facing forward at shoulder-width with their hips, knees and ankles slightly bent. Use an exaggerated backward arm swing while flexing their hips, knees and ankles. Quickly swing their arms forward and simultaneously explode with their legs to jump and propel their body forward as far as possible.

right at a 45-degree angle. Land on the ball of his right foot with his hips and knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. Immediately jump off his right leg in the opposite direction. Continue bounding in this pattern for the specified distance. For the purposes of football, it might work best to have athletes race the length or width of the football field.

Sets/Distance: 3 x 20 meters

Box Jumps. Have your players select a

box height that allows for a landing position similar to the starting position. Ask them to stand with their feet facing forward at shoulder-width with their hips, knees and ankles slightly bent. Use an exaggerated backward arm swing while flexing their hips, knees and ankles. Quickly swing their arms forward and simultaneously explode with their legs to jump and propel their body onto the box. Step down (don’t jump). This will help develop fast-twitch muscle fibers in their hamstrings while decreasing the risk of hamstring pulls while sprinting in practice and in games.

Sets/Reps: 3x5

Hurdle Jumps and Hops. Acceleration, deceleration and changing direction all require acute shin angles and longer ground contact time. Players need to explosively push the ground away in a different direction. As a result, their feet spend more time on the ground applying the necessary forces. This will allow them to maximize the effectiveness of each step and move faster with the same level of exertion. ■■ Single-Leg Hops (stick landing) ■■ Jumps (stick landing) ■■ Jumps with Bounce ■■ Continuous Jumps Sets/Reps: 3x5 hops each leg or 5x5 jumps

■■ Standing long jumps can help build fast-twitch muscle fibers.

Stick the landing in a 3/4 Squat, flexing their hips, knees and ankles to absorb the impact.

Sets/Reps: 3x3 consecutive jumps

Skater Jumps. Have a player stand on his left leg with his hips and knees slightly bent. Extend his left hip, knee and ankle to jump forward and to the

Bounding. Have a player jump from one leg to the other in a running motion. Fully extend his back leg while raising his front leg into high knee position. Explode quickly and cover as much ground as possible with each bound. Repeat for specified distance. Reps/Distance: 3x20 meters

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NUTRITION

Don’t Overuse Supplements – A Balanced Diet Works Better BY NANCY CLARK, SPORTS NUTRITIONIST

he global sports nutrition supplement market (including sports

foods, drinks and supplements) accounted for $28 billion in 2016 and, with the help of rigorous advertising, is expected to almost double by 2022. How many of the products are moneymaking ploys marketed to uninformed athletes? Unfortunately, too many. Hands down, the most effective way to enhance sports performance is via your day-to-day sports diet, coordinated with a consistent training program. Eating the right foods at the right times creates the essential foundation to your success as an athlete. That said, specific sports supplements could make a minor contribution to small performance improvements for certain elite athletes. Here is some advice: Before making any decisions regarding sports supplements, you want to get a nutritional assessment to be sure your diet supports your performance goals. No amount of supplements will compensate for a lousy diet. To find a local sports dietitian who is a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), use the referral network at SCANdpg.org. Despite the ads you see for a zillion sports supplements, very few have strong proof of directly enhancing performance. These include caffeine, creatine, specific buffering agents, and nitrate. Period. Very little research with supplements offers definitive evidence, in part because the research is rarely done with elite athletes under real life conditions. We do not yet know how much a microbiome, the area in your gut that dictates your health and well-being, influences the effectiveness of a sports supplement and contributes to different responses. Supplements are used for many different reasons. Here’s a breakdown of supplements by categories. Supplements used to prevent/treat nutrient deficiency. Nutrients of concern for athletes include iron (to prevent anemia), calcium and vitamin D (for bone health), as well as iodine, folate and B-12 for specific sub-groups of athletes, including vegans. The basic supplement question is: If you are deficient, what led to that deficiency and what dietary changes will you make to resolve the issue so that it doesn’t happen again?

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Supplements used to provide energy. Sports drinks, energy drinks, gels, electrolyte replacements, protein supplements, energy bars, and liquid meals are commonly used to help meet energy needs before, during and after exercise. They are a convenient, albeit more expensive alternative to common foods. They aren’t magical or superior to natural food. They are just easy to carry, standardized and eliminate decisions about which foods would offer, let’s say, the recommended “ratio” of carbs, protein and fat. Supplements that directly improve performance. Caffeine, creatine monohydrate, nitrate, sodium bicarbonate, and possibly beta-alanine are the very few performance enhancing supplements that have adequate support to suggest they may offer a marginal performance gain. If you choose to use them, be sure to test them thoroughly during hard training that mimics the competitive event. Choose a brand that is NSF Certified for Sport to minimize the risk of inadvertent doping due to contamination. Supplements that indirectly improve performance. Some supplements claim to enhance performance indirectly by supporting the athlete’s health and limiting illness. “Immune support” supplements that have moderate research to support their health claims include probiotics, vitamin D, and vitamin C. Supplements that lack strong support for their immune-enhancing claims include zinc, glutamine, Echinacea, vitamin E, and fish oil. Tart cherry juice and curcumin show promise. A supplement with strong evidence to indirectly improve performance by helping build muscle is creatine monohydrate. Questionable supplements without strong evidence for athletes include gelatin and HMB.

Adverse effects If some supplements are good, would more be better? No, supplements can cause harm. Too much iron can lead to iron overload. Too much caffeine increases anxiety. Supplements are linked to liver toxicity, heart problems and seizures. In the USA in 2015, dietary supplements contributed to about 23,000 emergency department visits. Manufacturers are not required to show safety or assure quality of a supplement. Athletes, beware — and try eating better to perform better?

NANCY CLARK MS, RD, CSSD ■■ Sports nutritionist Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD, has a private practice in the Boston area. She helps fitness exercisers and competitive athletes create winning food plans. Her best-selling Sports Nutrition Guidebook, is available at nancyclarkrd.com.

TECH CORNER PRESENTED BY

TECH CORNER

Anchor Audio’s Eric Causey

INDUSTRY LEADER SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON THE NEWEST TRENDS Anchor Audio Warehouse specializes in outfitting teams with headsets and portable sound systems to improve the game experience for coaches, players and fans alike. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Anchor Audio account executive Eric Causey is this month’s guest in the Football Tech Corner presented by Sideline Power to share the latest trends in high school football.

What new trends are you seeing in the high school football market? “We’re more involved in the speaker market, although we do have some intercom systems. In terms of speaker trends, coaches want to go wireless with everything. With no extension cords, it makes it easier to use. We sell the Bigfoot and Beacon. They have wheels and they’re portable with about eight hours of battery life. It covers an entire football field. It’s great for the convenience factor, and it’s a versatile system with no outlet.”

Is this the first battery-powered speaker system on the market? “It’s not the first battery-powered speaker on the market, but it’s the first that covers that amount of ground. Two Bigfoot speakers would cover a field and entire bleacher section. A stadium might need more, but most schools are looking for something you can roll out. Then you don’t have to deal with the stadium audio.”

And you can use the systems in practice too? “Absolutely, that’s something coaches use it for.”

Do coaches ever use it to simulate crowd noise? “Sure, white noise to simulate the crowd. The main use is amplification for the coach at practice so he doesn’t have to scream. We have hands-free microphones, and coaches can just play music during different drills. They’ll combine that with the audio application.”

THE ANCHOR AUDIO GUARANTEE ANCHOR AUDIO

guarantees that it will beat any advertised price from another company and provides a six-year warranty on its products. “With the Bluetooth setup, it takes 30 seconds; that’s a selling point,” Causey said. “It’s covered for up to six years, and you don’t get that with any other companies.” Anchor Audio also recently rolled out a new product line with improved battery power in Lithium Ions. The Anchor Link technology has 1.9 digital frequency with a wireless sightline of 250 to 300 feet. “The batteries are more reliable with a longer life expectancy,” Causey said. “That’s a great thing to look forward to. In terms of what coaches are looking for, it’s integration of speakers and an intercom system. It’s making things more connected and integrating the headsets with the speakers. That’s where I see the industry going; maybe when a coach talks through headsets, it comes through the speaker as well.”

What can coaches expect in terms of pricing for a Bigfoot or Beacon? “They’ll get a couple of Bigfoot speaker systems to cover the entire field and replace the current system. They’ll use it as a way to not spend $30,000 or $40,000 for a new audio system, and instead they’ll spend $10,000 to cover the whole stadium.”

Anchor Audio Warehouse

Anchor Audio Warehouse provides a wide variety of coaching headsets and speaker systems for all athletic programs. Website: sidelinepower.com/bigfoot-portable-sound-system Phone: 1-800-772-1605

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INSPIRATION

Many of the best football coaches and players provide inspiration to the people around them on a daily basis. We often present quotes from players and coaches on Twitter @FNFCoaches. The following quotes received the most buzz from our followers.

Persevere

Once you LEARN to quit, it becomes a HABIT.” –Vince Lombardi

Intensity

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” –Tim Notke

Don’t walk through life just playing football. Don’t walk through life just being an athlete. Athletics will fade. Character and integrity and really making an impact on someone’s life, that’s the ultimate vision, that’s the ultimate goal.” –Ray Lewis

The best part of it for me is this group of young men, who came together … bought the team concept completely, took the names off the back of their jerseys [and] checked their egos at the door.” –Tom Coughlin

HABITS

Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all-the-time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.” –Vince Lombardi

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