FNF Coaches 2018 "Prep Now, Win Later"

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The Magazine for High School Football Coaches

aug/sept 2018

PREP NOW +WIN LATER FORM GOOD HABITS EARLY IN THE SEASON SO YOUR TEAM IS PEAKING LATE

college Q&A

WITH Boise State Coach Bryan Harsin

Build a Support System For When You Need It

PLAYBOOK

+ Teach proper man-blocking technique + Add RPOs to your practice schedule + Defend the spread offense in a 3-5-3 + Set up a middle return on special teams Whitehaven High (Tenn.) coach Rodney Saulsberry poses with (from front left) seniors Courtney Sharpe, Vincent Guy, Cormontae Hamilton and Tyler Hunter.

Legendary Coaches Offer Tips 40-Minute Workout + Tips for Overcoming Adversity + Coach Sprinting Technique + Inspirational Quotes

CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL TEAMS ARE BUILT IN THE PRESEASON Within the Tip of the Spear Contact System, both safety and performance work together to achieve maximum results.

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SAFETY THROUGH

SUPERIOR TECHNIQUE

Get 24/7 access to a superior and effective approach in teaching contact in football, now available online.  Understand and install the system with drills and instructional videos to help fully implement with your athletes from start to finish  Access key resources to help your team troubleshoot and evaluate the success of installing the system

 Assess your understanding with quizzes throughout each section  Get access to training at a time convenient for you available 24/7  Team an individual account options available

HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS 3

Level 3 Scheme Specific

2 1

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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.

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The two solid polyurethane throwing wheels grip the ball for a tight spiral and precise ball delivery. The Aerial Attack is easily moved around during practice or can be used with the Universal Cart Clamp to attach to any cart.

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10. COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

bryan harsin BOISE STATE COACH T

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CONTENT

AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER

PREPARE TO RESPOND TO ALL CHALLENGES

02

16

N

26.

playbook PRESENTED BY

THE MENTAL SIDE OF THE GAME

23 04. NEWS+NOTES 05. CARBONTEK CONTEST WINNERS 06. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 18. PREPARE YOUR PLAYERS FOR LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL 20. SUPPORT SYSTEMS 22. MENTAL PREPARATION 24. FROG FITNESS 25. ATHLETE INTELLIGENCE 34. CONTINUING EDUCATION 35. INJURY PREVENTION 36. SPEED+CONDITIONING 37. NUTRITION 38. TECHNOLOGY CORNER 32. INSPIRATION

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coaching legends bill castle+keith maloof

NATIONAL TEAM MIDDLE SCHOOL 08 U.S. BOWL GAME SERIES MAKES DEBUT

12

your connection to the

high school football

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

coaching

We are proud to present our sixth edition of 2018, which has a “Preparation” theme. The start of the school year offers coaches the last bit of time to prepare for the weekly grind of the high school season. Soon, coaches will settle into a weekly schedule of reviewing film, game-planning, installing the plan in practice, and executing the plan on Friday nights.

Preparing for a high school football season is an expansive process. A coach wants his players to be physically and mentally prepared for the long season. He also wants them emotionally and spiritually ready for the adversity his team is bound to face. As the saying goes, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” We’ll help you do the opposite in this publication.

We will share the stories and tips from experts in the field– whether it’s other coaches, authors, or coaches that specialize in strength, conditioning, speed, equipment, nutrition, motivation, safety or recovery – in hopes of sharing some information that high school football coaches may not know.

It’s worth taking the time in the offseason to make sure you are aware of all of the latest trends and educational opportunities so that if a parent asks for your advice, you will be armed with the information you need. If you would like to learn more about any of the topics we cover in this edition, we’d like to hear from you at fnf@ae-engine.com.

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.

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and Motivated

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College Coach Q&A | Apps for Coaches | Increase Participation Numbers | Eliminate Bad Habits Inter-Team Competition | Nutrition | Speed Training Community Service | Recruiting | Education

+ Install a Mid-Line Offense + Coaching QB Play in Triple Option + Defending Trips with Quarters + Install Cover 1 in a 3-3 or 3-4 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

Form Teams and Compete in a Strength Program

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FORM NEW STRATEGIES ASSESS YOUR PROGRAM, AND 1/19/2018 2:25:01 PM

2017

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MAKE THE RIGHT CHANGES

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COLLEGE COACH Q&A | ENGAGE YOUTH PLAYERS upgrade your BOOSTER PROGRAM | FUNDRAISING TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE | WEIGHT ROOM COMPETITION PROFILE OF A LEGEND | GET PLAYERS TO BUY IN

fnfcoache s.com/sub scribe North Gwinnett (Ga.) head coach Bill Stewart, the 2017 FNF Coaches Coach of the Year, flanked by seniors (from left) Payne Walker, Jayden McDonald, Jake Stewart and Jimmy Urzua

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NEWS+NOTES

NOMINATE YOUR TEAM MOMS FOR THE BUBBA BURGER CONTEST, WIN $1,000

W

e all know how important the team mom is to the

voted the Team Moms of the Year via an online vote. Fans from any school will then go online and vote – and then spread the word to your friends and family. The winning large school will get a $1,000 donation to their school’s team, and the winning small school will take home $500.

The voting will run from August 23 until September 22 for fans to cast their votes. Vote at FNFMagazine.com/moms.

success of a football team. They are every program’s biggest fans, and they support the players through challenge and victory. FNF Coaches and BUBBA burger has set out this summer to determine which schools from all across the country have the best collection of football team moms.

One large school (1,000+ students) and one small school from any state in the U.S. will be

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, TWO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS HAVE DIED

during August football practice from overhydrating – a medical condition known as exerciseassociated hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is caused by drinking too much water or sports drinks, which dilutes blood salt levels below the normal range. Any sudden drop in blood salt levels, from drinking more than the body can excrete, can cause all cells in the body to swell.

Brain swelling from hyponatremia can cause headaches and vomiting, while muscle cell swelling can trigger whole-body muscle cramping.

TRENDING TOPICS @FNFCOACHES

Xenith has partnered with FNF Coaches to give away 30 helmets to 30 different programs across the nation as part of the 30 For 30 Helmet Sweepstakes. For a chance to win a helmet designed for your program, fill out the entry form at XENITH.com/ pages/helmet-sweepstakes.

In an attempt to assuage monetary concerns, the Illinois High School Sports Association is in the process of making concussion insurance available to its member schools beginning in the 2018-19 school year. Schools will be offered the opportunity to purchase this insurance at the rate of $1.50 per athlete. The insurance will only be available on a school-byschool basis, and not to individual families. The HeadStrong policy requires a minimum of 3,500 student-athletes, covers medical bills up to $25,000 per injury for concussion-specific care for 12 months after the injury and requires no copays, deductibles or out-of-pocket costs for the parents.

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■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Get with people who: Are happy for your success Are confident, not arrogant Speak positively about others Are appreciative Are humble, not ego driven Push you to get better Motivate and inspire you Have a vision and purpose Are GRATEFUL” –@ALLISTAIRMCCAW

Coaching Tip: Talking bad about another coach or school to get a recruit is like talking bad about another guy to get a date. It’s lame! “If you’ve got game, you shouldn’t have to hate!” #Ap2w” –@DUKECOACHDJ Players: If you don’t like your role or your playing time, look at your daily choices & habits. Don’t whine, complain, blame others, or feel sorry for yourself.

If U want to change things, work for it!

Practice hard, smart, & consistently.

Work the right way, & trust in the work!”

–@COACHJONBECK “I have realized as a coach you must become more of a servant to ppl under you to help propel them in order to reach your goals as a leader! Because as a leader it’s not your job to just win, but it’s to have success with in others success!”

–@FPCOACH_PURVIS

GSC COACH-TO-PLAYER™ Get the most of every minute. At practice. On the field. We make on-field communication clear, secure and easy. Our coach-toplayer wireless communication systems have been used for years by the National Football League. Now we’re here to help your team get the winning edge.

GSC’s Coach-to-Player™ is a stand-alone system or it can be integrated into any coaches headset system. When integrated with a coaches headset system, the quality assurance of Coach-to-Player™ is dependent upon the performance of the coaches headset system.

gsc.us.com

Anthony Wayne High Wins $1,800 in CarbonTek Shoulder Pad Systems

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

A

ndy Brungard’s top priority when he was hired as the Anthony

Wayne High football coach three years ago was to upgrade the team’s helmets and shoulder pads.

Like many coaches, Brungard’s athletic budget for new equipment is minimal, not nearly enough to cover the costs of new shoulder pad systems for the entire team. So, he routinely enters contests in hopes of winning some free gear. He did just that this spring when he was selected as the winner of the 2018 CarbonTek Gen 3 Shoulder Pad System Contest Giveaway.

CarbonTek shipped Brungard three Gen 3 Shoulder Pad Systems – an $1,800 value – as part of the winning prize. Brungard received the pads in June and distributed them to three seniors who had previously worn ill-fitting shoulder pad systems.

“We have a couple of unique athletes with really tall builds and broad shoulders,” Brungard said. “I’ve had a hard time finding pads for those guys that fit properly. When we got these in the mail, I saw that they fit those guys perfectly.”

CarbonTek’s Gen 3 system comes in two parts – an OS Technology Compression Vest and a Carbon Fiber Exoskeleton.

The Compression Vest molds to the body, so it becomes a part of the player and reduces the force of impact. The Gen 3 was designed with an eye on making the Carbon Fiber Exoskeleton more flexible with increased range of motion.

“The nice thing about the shoulder pad system is the kids are able to be flexible and have a lot of movement, a wide range of motion,” Brungard said. “Around the ribs, there’s extended protection designed into the system. For athletes that have had trouble finding the right fit, they were perfect.”

Gahanna Lincoln High was selected as the second-place finisher in the 2018 CarbonTek Gen 3 Shoulder Pad System Contest Giveaway. Coach Bruce Ward’s team received one Gen 3 Should Pad System – a $600 value – as the runner-up prize.

Friday Night Football (FNF) Ohio magazine and Friday Night Football (FNF) Coaches formed a partnership with CarbonTek in 2018. The partnership includes CarbonTek’s designation as the

presenting sponsor for the 2018 edition of FNF Ohio. As part of the sponsorship, CarbonTek sponsored the CarbonTek Gen 3 Shoulder Pad System Contest Giveaway.

“CarbonTek is a proud partner of FNF Magazine and excited to provide CarbonTek’s elite shoulder pad technology to the Anthony Wayne and Gahanna football programs,” said CarbonTek Brand Manager Blake Reid. “Worn throughout the NCAA and NFL, we’ve engineered CarbonTek Shoulder Pads to be stronger, faster and lighter to benefit all athletes at every position.”

Brungard receives weekly emails from FNF Ohio Magazine and FNF Coaches, and he routinely enters contests that offer free helmets, shoulder pad systems or on-field technology.

“We hadn’t upgraded the equipment in a while before I got here three years ago,” Brungard said. “I’m signed up for the FNF email list, so I enter a contest monthly.”

CARBONTEK GEN 3 SHOULDER PAD SYSTEM BUILT FOR POWER. Created for the LB: CarbonTek reduces the maximum applied force by 81 percent!

DESIGNED FOR SPEED. Streamlined for the WR: CarbonTek offers increased range of motion, is low profile and (on average) 25 percent lighter than traditional pads.

ENGINEERED FOR PERFORMANCE. The compression vest attaches to the body, keeping protection where you need it, when you need it! Vest is machine washable (air dry) and is perfect for 7-on-7 camps or non-contact drills.

■■ CarbonTek provides 360 degrees of coverage to the athlete.

■■ Exoskeleton is composed of aeronautical-grade carbon fiber,

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to lower back and utilizes same proprietary technology as shoulder pad system.

■■ Used throughout NCAA FBS and the NFL.

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Product Spotlight

ANCHOR AUDIO BIGFOOT 2 Anchor Audio’s Bigfoot® is now even better! The all-in-

MAYFIELD ATHLETICS S.A.F.E. CLIP™ Mayfield Athletics 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 face mask while maintaining the integrity of the unit.

The Mayfield Athletics 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 face mask before the impact reaches the head/neck. The S.A.F.E.Clip™ is retrofittable to over 94 percent of current helmet/facemask configurations from all manufacturers with no alterations needed to the facemask or helmet.

Other configurations are in development.

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USA FOOTBALL ‘TIP OF THE SPEAR’ The USA Football Tip of the Spear Contact System is now online. No matter your opponent, no matter your environment – help your program dominate this season with USA Football’s Tip of the Spear Contact System.

What you get: ■■ Interactive instruction of contact system techniques ■■ An innovative approach to expediting skill development ■■ Tools and drills to amplify team performance Not able to attend a private clinic? You can now access Tip of the Spear Contact System content online! Improve your approach to contact – start today by visiting usafootball.com/clinic.

06

football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

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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one battery powered portable sound system sets up in seconds. Wirelessly stream your music using the built-in Bluetooth, or connect up to four wireless microphones that feature a wireless range or more than 300 feet operating on the 1.9 GHz frequency. The new Lithium Ion batteries give you get better battery life and reduced product weight.

Easily fill the football field with 130 decibels of robust, powerful sound to reach crowds of 5,000plus spectators.

See for yourself why the Bigfoot is a football coach’s favorite PA system.

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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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“We were looking for a system that was easy to use, easy to transport, and loud enough for our multiple practice areas. We found that with the Bigfoot portable sound system. We play music every day for practice and the simplicity of the Bigfoot has reduced the time and complexity of our set-up significantly. The sound quality is excellent, the simplicity is awesome, and best of all the coaches are happy! It’s the best new addition to our practice set-up.”

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USA FOOTBALL

U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl Game Series makes debut INAUGURAL EVENTS IN OHIO, TEXAS FOCUS ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT FOR ATHLETES The new U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl Game Series kicked off this summer with events at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys’ facility in Frisco, Texas.

BY BRENT GLASGOW

■■ The U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl Game Series kicked off this summer.

The initial event in Canton featured 261 selected athletes from 37 states, who filled six different teams – the U-15 Stars, U-15 Stripes, U-14 Stars, U-14 Stripes, U-14 Courage and U-14 Pride. The squads took the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium following four days of practice, position meetings and scrimmages at Walsh University, led by a staff of mostly college football assistant coaches. The games in Texas, which weren’t completed at press time, were expected to draw similar numbers.

“We pride ourselves on development of athletes both on and off the field,” said USA Football Regional Director Jason Tenner, prior to game day in Canton. “We educate parents as we go around the country with our regional program, and we educate them on how to navigate the process from youth to high school and beyond.

“Everybody makes a big deal of game day, as they should, but what makes this week so special is everything they’re doing in the days leading up to the game. It’s the meals the guys are eating together in the cafeteria, the team meetings, and most importantly, the friendships and bonds they’re making. These kids are playing the game they love, in the country we all love and making memories they’ll be able to tell their kids about.”

Players earned invites by attending a U.S. National Team Middle School Showcase or Regional this spring. Each event featured skill and character development instruction from college coaches, and evaluation for a spot at one of this year’s bowls.

“Each year we keep growing, which is nice in terms of not

08

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just growing in size, but growing in experience as far as what we’re delivering to the next generation of great football players in our country,” U.S. National Team Senior Manager Aaron Ingram said. “We keep growing our experience, growing the ‘wow’ factor and the sensationalness of what it is and what it means to wear the red, white and blue.”

The bowl game experience drew rave reviews from players and parents, including USA Football contributing writer Peter Schwartz, whose son played on the U-14 Courage squad.

“From the staff making sure the players had everything they needed, including equipment, lunch and drinks on the field, to the coaches having these kids ready for a football game in four days, was simply amazing,” Schwartz said. “The coaches deserve a huge pat on the back for giving up part of their summer to teach these kids and provide a week of football that many of them have never experienced.”

Recognized by the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the U.S. National Team has included more 60,000 athletes since its inception in 2007.

The Middle School Bowl Game Series is just one example of how the National Team program has grown. In addition to the 14 teams that played in January’s International Bowl IX at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a U-19 squad also competed in July’s IFAF World Championship in Mexico City.

“We’ve had some staying power as well as some growth,” Ingram said. “We travel all over. This year we did a little over 20 regionals that are basically regional tryouts, either a oneday middle school event or if they want something a little bit longer, they can join in on the two-day high school events that we do all over the country as well.”

Learn more about Tip of the Spear at: usafootball.com/development-training/clinics/contact-football-clinics

COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

BOISE’S BLUE TURF

B

Q&A with Boise State Coach Bryan Harsin

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

B

ryan Harsin, a former Boise State quarterback,

assistant coach and offensive coordinator, is entering his fifth season as the head coach at his alma mater. Harsin boasts a record of 42-12 at Boise State, an average of more than 10 wins per season. Overall, his teams have gone 49-17 – including his one season as Arkansas State head coach – and he has led his programs to bowl games in each season. Harsin offered his thoughts on coaching high school football in a recent interview with FNF Coaches.

Do you typically enter each season with a few new points of emphasis?

“We have different things that we evaluate depending on the time of year. If we’re looking to make big changes as a program, we make them right after the season is over. We try to utilize what we learn going into spring practices. When we come out of spring, we evaluate what we learned and try to apply that to what we do over the summer.”

How did you budget your time over the summer?

“The summer for us is about preparing for the season. We spent time looking at the opponents we’ll play in 2018. If there’s someone we haven’t played or had a change in coordinators or position coaches, we use that info to help us prepare.

Summer is a great time to look at what we did last season. What did we like? What didn’t we like?

We try to figure out the team we have now and how the dynamics have changed. What scheme will fit us best with our current personnel? I think the summer is about establishing your identity and culture to build going into fall camp and into the season. Because there is no opponent, you’re not doing the same thing every week.

10

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You’re out there lifting, running and building bonds. Hopefully that summer bond carries you through a season of ups and downs.”

What are some of the things you do to foster camaraderie?

“We’ll have meals at the coaches’ houses.

Players come over to my house quite a bit. We have barbecues with our guys. They’re going to go out and do different events and activities with each other. That’s something we believe in; we want to know each other when we go into battle during the season. So, we show them what Boise has to offer – a floating river or different hikes.

We find ways to be creative. What we enjoy is a neat outdoor thing we can do together. We purposefully set out to do things like that.”

What do you do if a player is not buying in to the team concept?

“I think the No. 1 thing is you need to communicate. You need to find out what is the issue. If everyone is feeding off the emotion of the assumptions they’re making about another person’s behavior, that’s when you have issues.

You need to sit down and have a conversation.

If you can’t see eye to eye, it’s best to part ways.

Even if everyone understands there’s a certain way of doing it, you still have to do a great job of explaining what that is. How do they fit in to that? What is not tolerated? Be clear and concise.

When everyone in the room nods their heads and then doesn’t follow through, you have to make decisions as to who stays and who goes. That’s got to be handled swiftly. The ones who are staying want to do something special.”

What new technology are you using in your program?

“I don’t know if it’s technology, but we have

oise State’s home field is recognizable to nearly everyone who follows college football due to its blue turf. Installed in 1986, Boise State’s blue turf was the first non-green playing surface in football history and remained that way among Division I colleges for almost 20 years.

Since the Bronco Stadium turf is likely more recognizable than that of any other Mountain West Conference school, it would figure to benefit Boise State from a marketing perspective.

“I think it’s important for your program to have some philosophy for your players – whatever it is,” Harsin said. “I don’t think it has to be a blue field. It can be a mentality; it’s an idea. Whatever you decide you want your football team to be about, that’s what it is. For us, being blue collar is something we believe in. That ties into the blue field. Those things go hand in hand.

There’s always something symbolic you can do. If you don’t have one, start one. Do something you can hang your hat on for people in the community that says, ‘We’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves.’ Here’s a slogan or saying that resonates with our program. If a coach isn’t trying to develop that in the program, it’s hard to have an identity.

With young people, find something fun that guys can utilize as a symbol that motivates them.”

HIGH POWER for MAXIMUM RANGE

some things we do in the weight room and with nutrition. There are apps we use; we talk quite a bit about sleep and how it affects performance as an athlete.

We want very simple ways to communicate. We’re still trying to have relationships and not always rely on technology as the answer.

We emphasize good, old-fashioned conversation as much as anything.”

No Beltpack or Base Station!

What advice would you give high school coaches to help with recruiting?

“As far as exposure, coaches should understand the technology they have available to them with HUDL. In terms of how to help a player, they can help put together the tape. What they put on tape is what they have to show. Give them a presentation. Put the name, phone number and Twitter handle in the contact info. There’s a way educators can help do that in a professional manner. It’s always impressive when you pop on the tape and not only can the kid play, but he has things in order and detailed. Hopefully the high school coach’s relationship with his players is solid. We’ll have a talk with the coach. The high school coach can also help demonstrate to a player how to talk to an adult or college coach. Make that person feel good about the time he spends talking to you on the phone and getting to know you. I can tell the guys who have that in their lives. I can tell those that don’t.”

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11

COACHING LEGENDS

florida Coach Reflects on 42-Year history with school Lakeland High School head football coach Bill Castle has mellowed. About to enter his 43rd season as head coach of the Dreadnaughts, the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Coach of the Century seemingly has nothing else to prove.

BY RICK BROWN

Bill Castle

And it goes beyond the field. There was the PROFILE time he and anTeam: Lakeland High, Fla. other coach were taking Years as Head Coach: 42 rental vans back to the (all at Lakeland) dealership when one of Coaching Record: 417-89 coaches seemingly sped Highlights: Two-time USA off. Instead of following, Today National Champion, Castle took back roads six state championships, and beat the coach there.

FHSAA Coach of the CenOr the times Castle told tury, Polk County Sports Hall of Fame, FHSAA Hall his assistant coaches, of Fame, 60-game win the last one in the lot streak (state record), 53after film session had to game regular season win lock up. Let’s just say the streak (state record). coach didn’t have to lock ■■ Bill Castle is the FHSAA up too many times.

Coach of the Century.

“I’ve always wanted to have success,” he said. “I always try to give a good effort in everything I do.

Sometimes I feel like I may get out the next day. But Castle still wants to win. It is that desire that fueled him I still have that passion and still enjoy what I’m doing.” when he started as a head coach in 1976 at the age Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ahmad Black, who played corner on the of 30 and still pushes him more than 400 wins, Dreadnaught team that won three straight state titles, fondly remembers six state championships and two USA National those practices battling against Castle, who still calls the offensive plays.

Championships today.

“It didn’t matter who you were, he would challenge you,” Black said. “I “He just enjoys what he does,” said Polk County finished with the interception record at Lakeland, but there were times I Athletic Director Dan Talbot, who was an remember going to practice and he would come up behind me and say, ‘We’re assistant under Castle for 10 years. “I don’t think going to try you today, so you better be ready.’ I mean, who does that? But he ever wants to retire. He enjoys putting a game that’s the mentality he always plan together and knowing someone else is trying brought. He was going to go at to beat him. He’s ultra-competitive and enjoys the best.” what he does every single day.”

Castle has never had a “I’m just intrigued by the X’s and O’s part; losing record. Not one. He the competition and stuff,” Castle said. “There’s led the Dreadnaughts to a nothing like winning. It’s the opposite when you state-record 60-game win lose. You get real high when you win and real streak, including 53-straight down when you lose.” regular-season wins, also a The competitive spirit and the constant desire state mark. It has also driven to get better has been a part of Castle’s life since opposing coaches crazy for growing up and playing sports in Tennessee. most of his tenure, especially ■■ Castle and former Football gives him his fix every day. in Polk County.

Lakeland and Florida State standout Jarred Haggins “When I think of Bill Castle, I think of legacy,” “I want to kick his ass this said Lakeland High School Principal Art year,” said city rival coach Martinez. “Ironically. I played for him, coached Irving Strickland of Kathleen, with him, now I work with him. He’s not like laughing. “You have to respect no other. His work ethic is unparallel. It’s what what he has done as a coach makes him successful.” and in the community.”

12

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■■ Norcross High (Ga.) coach Keith Maloof has 173 career wins.

■■ Maloof won state championships in 2012 and 2013.

A Brothers’ Bond

KEITH MALOOF WILL LIKELY PASS KEVIN IN WINS THIS SEASON For more than 60 years, the name Maloof has been synonymous with high school football in Georgia.

As Keith Maloof enters his 20th year at Norcross, he reflects on what the sport has meant to his family.

BY RYNE DENNIS

O

Do you typically run the same scheme every year, or do you adjust it to your personnel?

“It’s year to year. One year you might have great running backs and another year something else. You have to be able to change with the times and your talent.”

Does that make for more prep work in between seasons?

n the career wins tally board, Norcross

coach Keith Maloof’s 173 put him just two behind his brother, Kevin, a milestone he’ll likely surpass during the 2018 season. The topic isn’t discussed often by the pair, but Keith did manage to rib his retired brother recently.

“I told him that I might retire after I get one more than he does,” Keith said with a hearty laugh.

The Maloof name is as synonymous with high school football as Friday nights. Nearly every year since 1958, when the brothers’ late father George began coaching at St. Pius X, a Maloof has graced the sideline as head coach at a Georgia high school.

Kevin coached at Loganville before launching Meadowcreek’s football program in 1986. In 1991 he took over at Dacula and led the Falcons until his health forced him into retirement in 2010.

Keith began at Tucker in 1996 and coached three seasons before taking over Norcross, a place he’s about to begin his 20th season.

Q&A

WITH NORCROSS (GA.) COACH KEITH MALOOF

“It goes in cycles, especially at the high school level, because you can’t recruit, so you have to coach what you have. We have to adapt, like with our receivers, we’ve done a very good job of putting them in position to be successful. It shows by how many we have in the pros and by how many we’ve had go play college football.”

“It’s something that was ingrained in me when I was younger,” Keith said.”

It wasn’t forced on me or Kevin. We enjoyed it and saw the impact that Dad had on a lot of kids. We just enjoyed that atmosphere of Friday night football and going to games our whole life.”

Something special indeed.

Norcross had just one region title to its name in the 50 years before Keith came aboard, but the Blue Devils have five region titles and a pair of state championships (2012 and 2013) all while playing in Georgia High School Association’s top classifications.

The Keith Maloof Profile Team: Norcross High (Ga.) Years at Norcross: 20 Career Record: 173-76 Accomplishments: 5 Region titles, 2 state championships (2012, 2013)

Pro Prospects: Former players like Lorenzo Carter and Alvin Kamara, last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, are examples of players Maloof believes he’s used to the best of their abilities.

13

Prepare to Respond to All Challenges

■■ Thompson High (Ala.) football coach Mark Freeman

The difference between winning and losing is occasionally out of a coach’s control.

But preparing a team for all challenges is something a coach can do consistently.

Football can be a bottom-line business. The results of the games are displayed on scoreboards for all to see, and a team’s record is updated after each game. However, the bottom line doesn’t always tell the story of a team’s preparation. One thing a coach undoubtedly controls is his team’s ability to prepare for anything.

This time of year, a coach’s primary goal is to have his team prepared for the start of the season. What does that mean? It means a lot of different things.

For one, the teams that are physically prepared for the task at hand are strong for four quarters. Those teams are well-conditioned to maintain whatever pace an opponent dictates. And those players are mentally prepared to face adversity in the pursuit of success.

A prepared coach also has his support system in place in the form of assistant coaches, support staff, team moms, booster club leaders, and local businesses. When something unexpectedly comes up over the course of the season – as it always does – a coach can lean on these people to get him through tough times.

Once the opening kickoff goes in the air, it’s difficult to find time to do anything other than scheme for the next week’s opponent.

Prepare now, and reap the benefits later.

14

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MALHAM’S WEIGHT PROGRAM

M

■■ Mike Malham (seated) with (from left) wife Alexis, son and Cabot High assistant Matt, daughter-in-law Whitney, and daughter Lexi.

mike malham’s 40-minute workout RETIRING ARKANSAS LEGEND SHARES HIS CONDITIONING WORKOUT

C

abot High (Ark.) coach Mike Malham has spent the

last 38 years stressing the importance of physical preparation heading into the fall season. That philosophy has led to the secondmost wins in Arkansas state history.

Since becoming the Cabot High head coach in 1981, Malham has spent summers pushing his athletes to prepare themselves on the track.

He has pushed his teams to a record of 297133-4 throughout his career and won two state championships (1983, 2000) and 15 conference championships. Malham plans to retire after this – his 38th – season.

“My wife is ready for me to spend time with her,” Malham said. “I’m ready to do something else.

Football has been my entire life for 65 years. I feel like a senior fixing to graduate and see what comes.”

Malham began his college career at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro playing tight end in 1972, but was later moved to linebacker for the 1973, 1974 and 1975 seasons. Malham is the fourth leading tackler in ASU’s football history and a two-time All-Southland linebacker. Malham was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 17th round in 1976.

On the brink of retirement, Malham shared his secret track workout that keeps his players conditioned throughout the season.

40-Minute Track Workout ■■ Running Ropes: “We do these for quick feet,” Malham said. “They want to get used to their feet moving quickly before we get onto the track.”

■■ 6 x 200-Meter Sprints: Running backs and defensive backs must finish around 30 seconds.

Other slower positions (linebackers, quarterbacks) must finish in 35 seconds. Offensive and defensive linemen must finish in 40 seconds.

Each player is given 3 minutes of recovery time between repeats. “That’s a pretty good workout,” Malham said.

■■ 800-Meter Run: This is more of a jog to ensure players can still move at a decent pace when tired. Running backs get four minutes to complete the 400.

Linemen get 5 ½ minutes. “I’ll give them a couple of minutes and have them run this when they’re still tired.”

alham’s weight program has four core lifts and a series of auxiliary exercises. The bulk of the strengthening phase of the program takes place between January and May. In-season weight training is meant to help players maintain that strength while staying fresh for the games.

“I have the kids come in twice a week for weights,” Malham said. “I want them to stay in shape, try not to lose anything.

I don’t keep them for too long – maybe 40 minutes in the weight room.”

The four core lifts are the bench press, squat, power clean and incline. Auxiliary exercises might include bicep curls, triceps extensions, core strengthening and/or pull-ups.

“When I first got the job, I cut the grass and fertilized the field, and I’d leave the weight room open for the kids,” Malham said. “We’ve had turf since 2005, so now I don’t do anything there. We do strength and conditioning three days before putting the pads on. That makes a difference.”

15

MENTAL PREPARATION

OX SPORTS PRESENTS

The Mental Side of the Game

Q&A with Whitehaven (Tenn.) Coach Rodney Saulsberry not a lot of conditioning, but those practices are up tempo to get into game mode. On Thursdays, we’re reviewing things with a light recovery day.

We finalize the game plan. On Fridays, hopefully they’ve had a chance to recover.”

When do the players do the bulk of their film study?

“On Saturdays after games, we’ll do film review from the previous game. We’ll go over things and watch things we did well, and other things we can improve on. The mental preparation is huge. On Mondays, we have team meetings and position meetings, and we hammer film again. We review what we did last week and how it translates to what we’re preparing to do that week.”

OX SPORTS ALLOWS COACHES TO REACH PLAYERS

away from the field in an 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. Each month, OX Sports sponsors a Q&A with a prominent high school coach.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

U

nder coach Rodney Saulsberry, the Whitehaven

“It helps. We can say, ‘Watch these plays and formations. Do the mental work.’ They love watching themselves on film. Kids want to get mentally prepared on their own schedule.

They’re always watching film and improving the mental side of their games.”

Every season has ups and downs. How do you communicate to your players the need to prepare for adversity?

Tigers have established themselves as the dominant program in Memphis, Tenn. Last year’s championship was Whitehaven’s third since 2012. Heading into his 15th season, Saulsberry’s teams have a record of 149-32. Whitehaven is 103-11 since 2010 and has won 10 or more games in 10 of the last 11 seasons.

In a conversation with FNF Coaches, Saulsberry reflected on the pillars of OX Sports – education, communication and coordination.

“One way is to prepare quality depth. We have a deep roster, so we can give repetitions with the first and second group. We make sure guys are put in those situations in practice. We mix them in. With our practice schedule, we have first- and second-team players getting reps. We prepare multiple guys for those positions. Football is inherently a physical sport. We’ll have bumps and bruises. We make sure we give practice reps to more than one unit. When a guy goes down, you have to have things happen on the fly.”

How do you make sure your staff is using the latest technology?

How do you encourage a player to embrace the mental side of the game if he doesn’t enjoy watching film?

“It’s one of the biggest things we’ve done in the past. We make sure we’re training and preparing properly. We’re willing to do new things.

Technology plays a big part in football.”

“The game progresses at every level. If you’re lucky enough to go to college and play football, the mental side of the game is so important. I let them know, ‘This is what will be asked of you if you plan on moving forward with the game.

This is how you study an opponent. This is how you prepare for a game. This is how you become a college player.’ That’s the way we motivate.

Those that have high football IQs can play college football. It’s the easiest way to get on the field and get playing time. It’s about knowing assignments and knowing where you’re supposed to be. That’s the quickest way to show your talent level and find a way on the field.”

How do you coordinate a successful program in-season?

“We hope that we’re doing a good job of balancing rest and recovery with our workload.

We try to do that with our schedule. On Saturday mornings after games, we have the kids get up and move around. There’s no exertion, but they stretch those muscles out. On Mondays, they come back and do some weight lifting and conditioning.

It’s not heavy, but it’s enough. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are compete football days. There’s

16

Have you found that film study is the best way to teach the mental side of the game?

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COORDINATING A DYNASTY

S

aulsberry credits one of the pillars of OX Sports’ philosophy – coordination – to his team’s unparalleled run of success in Memphis, Tenn.

One of the biggest parts of Saulsberry’s process is the Whitehaven community itself.

Middle-schoolers from Havenview, which feeds into Whitehaven, practice at the same time as the varsity. And on game nights, there will always be youth players present, dreaming of one day donning the black and gold themselves.

“We have belief in our community and belief in our school and what we do,” Saulsberry said.

“It’s a program you have pride in. We trust each other, with the majority of my coaching staff being former players.

“With one of our feeder schools practicing up here with us every day on the same field ... it just builds that sense of community. We hope that’s an advantage that we have, that our community bleeds into our team and these kids have something to play for more than just the name on the jersey. They’re playing for everyone around them.”

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MENTAL PREPARATION

3 TIPS FOR OVERCOMING ADVERSITY DR. EVANS PROVIDED

■■ Dr. Tony Evans, author of “The Playbook: A Life Strategy Guide For Athletes”

Prepare Your Players for Life After Football The majority of high school football players will not go on to play college or professional football, but almost all of them will have an opportunity to become better men, fathers and leaders in the community.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Dr. Tony Evans has made it part of his life’s mission to mentor athletes to help them become better people and fathers. He is the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, founder and president of The Urban Alternative, chaplain of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, and author of over 100 books, booklets and Bible studies.

One of those books, “The Playbook: A Life Strategy Guide for Athletes,” co-authored

by Evans and his son, Jonathan Evans, is a mentoring guide for coaches and athletes. The Playbook offers 16 character-building keys proven to gain victories in their lives. Coaches

can use this comprehensive and palatable life guide to emphasize the importance of integrity, responsibility, teamwork, resilience, and more.

“We’re so involved with athletes since coaches are becoming fathers for a lot of young people who don’t have fathers,” Evans said. “What can we do to equip coaches with the X’s and O’s off the field? We want to help student-athletes become mentors.”

Evans says The Playbook is a guide for coaches when it comes to mentoring players. He has also helped create an app – iCoach – that is designed to challenge coaches and provide support within the coaching profession.

The iCoach app allows coaches to access strategies from NFL legends and other successful coaches. It provides coaches with instruction on how to build character in players and build a community with like-minded coaches. The app has information videos, motivational speeches, instructive plays and best practice drills. It provides coaches with an opportunity to network, compete against other coaches, upload professional resumes or connect with athletic directors.

“The Playbook is a guide that gives spiritually based life principles,” Evans said. “It’s a guide to walking through mentoring process with students. The app uses sports figures to encourages coaches on and off the field.”

DR. EVANS HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF THE 12 MOST EFFECTIVE PREACHERS IN THE

English-Speaking World by Baylor University. His radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 1,200 US outlets daily and in more than 130 countries. He posts a daily sermon to his website (tonyevans.org) along with videos that might prove useful for coaches.

The free Tony Evans app is available in the Apple Store and Google Play.

18

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three tips for coaches who are trying to teach their players to overcome adversity on and off the field.

Give students a vision. “A coach has to give people a vision, and within that vision, the coach should include challenges or adversity. He has to give them a vision that includes adversity to get to victory. If you talk about vision without adversity, it becomes unrealistic. Combine the two, and they can see the whole package and play together.”

Become a servant.

“One of the best ways to stay humble is by administering to people who are less fortunate than you. It shows you reality. Now you’re forced to be humble because it’s a humbling thing to do to administer something for nothing in return.”

Set internal goals. “It’s easy to say, ‘I want to win a championship.’ That is an external trophy.

Give them a vision for an internal trophy. They can reward themselves because what they did is give all they had to give. Create a mindset within them. ‘I want to be victorious not only in the competition, but in my performance.’ Change their perspective of what victory really means.”

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SUPPORT SYSTEMS THE BOOSTER CLUB THAT NEVER STOPS WORKING

Build a Support System for When You Need it One of the most important parts of preparing for a new season is setting up a support system for the entire coaching staff. A Booster Club or Team Moms Club can help with off-the-field planning so coaches can coach.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

The Watkins Memorial High (Ohio) Booster Club recently won the 2018 FNF Frog Fitness Best Booster Club Award. FNF recognized the Watkins Memorial Athletic Association for running the concession stand at athletic events, in addition to organizing a craft show, Volkswagen Show, July 4th Show, and many other fundraisers.

In addition to fundraising, the WMAA will donate its own labor, working on upgrades in the athletic facility such as a $750,000 turf project at the football stadium, a $280,000 weight room facility, press box installations, and new middle school softball fields. In the latest contracting project spearheaded by the WMAA, the group build a brick wall and wrought iron gate entrance to the stadium.

“I cannot thank them enough for the things that they do to support our athletic programs,” said Watkins Memorial Athletic Director Lisa Morelli. “When our school district had to make cuts in money to athletics, they were the ones that stepped up and helped us survive.”

The WMAA organizes an annual kickoff football dinner each year in late July with a guest speaker. This year, the club booked local comedian, magician and inspiration David McCreary.

EASTERN ALAMANCE (NC) TEAM MOMS EMBODY COMMUNITY ■■ The Argyle (Texas) Team Moms

TEAM MOMS WHO FORMED A SUNSHINE COMMITTEE

T

he Argyle High (Texas) Football Team Moms hand out spirit

shakers at football games, host a prayer group at the field house each Monday, and write inspirational messages to players and coaches. They also host traditional team dinners and provide meals for coaches each Thursday during the season.

The group of mothers also formed a Sunshine Committee, which provides cards and visits to injured or sick team members. The Team Moms participate in pep rallies and awards assemblies.

“We’re a spirited group,” said Argyle Team Mom Kelly Dunham. “We have a lot of fun working together. What I love about the group is we don’t ever have to beg. It’s a great group of moms, and each mom can participate in as many areas as she wants.”

Argyle coach Todd Rodgers makes it a priority for his players to express their gratitude to the Team Moms.

“They all love to contribute,” Rodgers said. “We have a very strong, winning tradition. The moms enjoy having their boys be a part of something special like our football program. They love to be a fly on the wall and participate as much as they can. They’re amazing.”

THE EASTERN ALAMANCE (NC)

football team can look to its Team Moms for an example of what can be achieved when a group of individuals unites for a common purpose.

The Eastern Alamance Team Moms play a big role in keeping the players focused on football during the season. They host a team dinner for every player and coach associated with the program each Monday night. More than 150 people often gather for the meal, which is prepared by eight to 12 parents of players.

The Team Moms also provide snacks after Wednesday practices and during halftime of

junior varsity and varsity games.

“I think players see these efforts put on by the parents, and they realize it’s a community effort,” said Eastern Alamance Team Mom Tina Lowell. “It shows that when you all come together, you can really accomplish great things.”

Lowell stepped away as leader of the EA Team Moms after her son graduated in 2015. Coach John Kirby asked her to return to her position in the fall of 2016, even though she did not have a child in the program.

“We started the club a few years ago,” Kirby said. “We felt like we wanted to get something done.

Ask a mom, and she’ll get it done.”

■■ The Eastern Alamance (NC) Team Moms

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MENTAL PREPARATION

Prepare Your Players By Lifting Their Spirits ALTER THE SELF-ESTEEM SYNDROME There is no question that a team is made up of individuals all trying to accomplish a common goal. It stands to reason that a player will perform better, accomplish more and have a better chance of success if he feels good about himself and what he is doing.

BY MICKEY MARLEY

Helping your players achieve a level of confidence through skill improvement is a critical objective for every coach.

If you think about it, we as coaches all face the same dilemma. Do you tell them what they need to hear or do you tell them what they want to hear? Truth is you must tell them what they need to hear as honestly and directly as possible. To do anything less is simply to falsely inflate a player’s ego, which does nothing to build skill-based confidence. Giving out false self-esteem doesn’t do anyone any favors, except your opponent. A world where everyone gets a participation trophy, certificate or ribbon does not exist in the real world of competition. Telling a player up front when he needs to make corrections prevents problems down the road for the entire team.

Blunt assessment and honest critique matters most. The success or failure of the team is at stake.

■■ Mickey Marley, author of “Game Ready: 52 Takeaways For Winning”

Don’t get me wrong, I believe a player’s self-esteem is important, but it must be developed legitimately. Coaches determine where the opportunity exists within each player. The best way to do that is through an honest individual player assessment. Every coach has his or her own style, which is as it should be. If that style is ‘firm but fair,’ then demonstrate that every time.

If that style is ‘relaxed but always in control,’ then consistently deliver that style. But never confuse players by sugarcoating what needs to be fixed, no matter what kind of coaching style you use.

The job of building true self-esteem in an individual player is predicated on a coach taking time to show that player how to improve and holding him accountable for improving. When you get that you get a better, more confident player and, most importantly, a more confident individual. The more of those you get, the better your team gets. I call that Team Esteem.

There is nothing more satisfying than to coach a team that is confident, not cocky, but confident.

It stands to reason these players will have a chance to dominate every time they compete if they follow the game plan and feed off the Team Esteem that has been created.

These statements sum up the job ahead when it comes to building Team Esteem: ■■ You as a coach determine the self-esteem syndrome.

■■ In the real world of competition everyone does not receive a trophy.

■■ Coach with a consistent style that never falls back on the temptation to sugarcoat.

■■ Turn individual self-esteem into Team Esteem.

■■ Watch as individual and Team Esteem combine to create true confidence.

■■ It’s really very simple. Giving out false self-esteem doesn’t do anyone any favors, except your opponent.

MICKEY MARLEY COACHED COLLEGE, HIGH SCHOOL

and middle school football for 37 years. He recently published “Game Ready: 52 Takeaways for Winning”– a book that offers insights for football coaches.

22

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THE BOOK BREAKDOWN

I

n Game Ready: 52 Takeaways for Winning, author and coach Mickey Marley reveals the keys to cultivating talent, instilling teamwork, and creating a clear path to victory. From “Altering the Self-Esteem Syndrome” and “Potential Can Get You Fired” to “Want vs. Willing” and “Always Look Around to See What Can Hurt You,” Marley offers practical and insightful takeaways that will help everyone from coaches and CEOs to managers and school administrators become game ready.

Whether you’ve just gotten your first job or you’re a seasoned professional, Game Ready demonstrates not only how to work with people but how to inspire, motivate, and take your team to a championship level.

In his trademark firm but fair style, Marley shares what he’s learned from 37 years of coaching, mentoring, and teaching.

“Mickey’s book is a darn good read,” said former Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer, who wrote the foreword. “He shares his passion for the game, his love for his kids, and lessons for life that we can all gain from.”

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BUBBA BURGER FNF MAGAZINE MOMS OF THE YEAR CONTEST RETURNS IN 2018 FNFMAGAZINE.COM/MOMS

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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 FNFMagazine.com/moms. 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! Make sure your school is nominated this summer, so we can show our pride and support for our team moms!

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!

TRAINING EQUIPMENT

The Frog – The Indisputable Game-Changer!

THE FROG

T ■■ The Villages Charter School (Fla.) players have been using The Frog for the last three seasons.

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uch the same as other football tech advances like

cleats on shoes and the transition from leather helmets to hard plastic … The Frog is taking football training to an entirely new level. The Frog is an “INNOVATIVE TOTAL BODY TRAINING DEVICE” meant for athletes of all disciplines. It is the result of years of relentless hard work, research and development, and scientific testing by Frog Fitness, Inc. 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

Q&A WITH THE VILLAGES (FLA.) COACH MYRICK GUICE How did you learn about The Frog?

What made you decide to purchase Frogs for your program?

“Right when it came out, people from Frog Fitness came out and did a demonstration with a guy from the Pittsburgh Steelers – a strength coach.

We purchased about 10 of them.”

So, you learned how to use them during the demonstration?

“Initially I had no clue other than what they demonstrated. The great thing about it, the guys who work at Frog Fitness were easy to contact.

I’ve never seen anything like it. We had a lot of questions, and we were able to get a hold of them quickly.

They came out several times to teach our coaches how to use them.

That was so beneficial.”

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Olympic athletes began adding The Frog to their training regimens. The end is nowhere in sight!

Frog Fitness has partnered with FNF to supply various schools across the publication’s coverage area with Frogs. The Frog Fitness staff will now have the opportunity to reach out to well over 10,000 serious high school programs throughout the nation.

Frog Fitness partnered in 2017 with an up-andcoming program in Florida, The Villages Charter School. The Villages posted a 5-6 record in 2017.

Defensive coordinator and strength coach Myrick Guice shared his thoughts on The Frog after using the training device for the last three seasons.

How do you use them?

“Once we learned the techniques and the amount of different things we can do with them, we started to get used to it. Really, it’s a great tool for competitiveness. Don’t get me wrong, the guys’ shoulders, abs and legs are burning when they use it, depending on the exercise and the weight. In the offseason and the summer, especially, we get them out and create competition, not just with running or agility. The Frog allows us to do races around the baseball field and get the competitiveness going.

Sometimes we take it in the gym and race around. Then we’ll do curls and squats. It’s a great workout.”

How often do you use The Frog?

“During the summer, we use it twice a week. During the school year, we break it out a little less frequently. We use it to break up the

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monotony of the weight room. When you’re in there week after week, breaking out The Frog gets the juices going.”

What improvements have you noticed?

“There’s no doubt it helps with hip flexibility. I could see the kids who struggled to get their hips up or bend their hips with basic movements. They couldn’t go parallel or get their knees to their chest because their hips were too stiff. It points out some stuff they need to work on. One of the things we found is that our players struggled to get to 90 degrees while squatting in the weight room.

We can get them on The Frog with resistance bands and do stationary squats. They’re doing basic movements while competing and it helps with flexibility.”

he Frog is the first concurrent strength and aerobic training device. This Total Body Training Device works every major muscle in the body simultaneously. The design of The Frog allows the user to match his or her specific abilities to the exercises.

The Frog is a training device that can be used to train any position group. Core strength is important to any player on a football field, and The Frog builds that strength to help players exceed their fitness goals.

The Frog comes standard with two 10-pound resistance bands, two 20-pound resistance bands, two 40-pound resistance bands, and two 60-pound resistance bands. The Frog allows for up to three bands per side so an athlete can customize the weight to his or her particular strength goals.

Use any combination of resistance to adjust to the specific exercise, use heavy weights until failure for musclebuilding, or race The Frog to build endurance.

The Frog is not about finding a player’s one-rep max; it is about maxing out every muscle in the body as a player assumes the signature horizontal position or the traditional vertical position.

TECHNOLOGY

Improve Performance by Monitoring Head Impacts with Athlete Intelligence

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ith 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 Problem: ■■ Football participation rates continue to decline in many areas; in some, there are efforts to completely ban youth football ■■ Over 4M sport concussions are estimated to occur each year ■■ 33 percent of sports concussions happen at practice

Causes: ■■ Exposing crown of head through improper technique ■■ Over-exposing athletes to head impacts in games and practice ■■ Missed and unseen problematic head impacts and not intervening within a timely manner ■■ Relying on a subjective understanding of what is seen With continued concern around head injuries and concussions in football, Athlete Intelligence aims to tackle this problem, head on! Our goal at Athlete Intelligence is to help drive decision making of coaches and athletic training staff by empowering them with the data they’ve never had access to before.

Athlete Intelligence has been providing sports wearables to the athletics market since 2015 from its first product, the Vector MouthGuard™ and now its latest wearable, the CUE™ Sport Sensor. Both devices work in tandem with the Athlete Intelligence Platform allowing athletic personal to see both real-time and post-game or practice analytics athletes sustain around head impacts. This data now gives staff a centralized platform to measure and manage head impacts on the field to help with individual technique adjustments and visibility to overall athlete head-impact exposure and severity.

Challenges around head injuries and concussions Symptom based diagnosis which makes it very difficult to identify players who have sustained injury. More than 50% of head-related injuries and concussions go undetected and therefore undiagnosed creating a greater chance for more severe injury to occur such as second impact syndrome, CTE, and more permanent neurological injury.

Because of the variables that may lead-up to a concussive event, it makes it very difficult to understand why some individuals respond differently than others. Some say gender, neck size, impact history, impact severity, impact count are just some variables that may lead to head injuries or concussions.

Since there is so much we still do not know about head injuries and concussions, at Athlete Intelligence we aim to focus on what we do know, and where we can help measure and manage what happens on the field.

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Technique. We know hitting with the crown of your head

is now an illegal form of tackling, but also leads to a greater risk of neck, spinal, and brain injury. To help solve this problem, Athlete Intelligence heat maps impact locations on a 3D modeling of an athlete’s head to show trends over time and help identify where technique adjustments need to be made, as well as where most frequent head impacts occur. The mobile application will also alert sideline personnel when an athlete takes an impact to the crown of the head or is exposed to a pre-determined head impact count.

Impact Counts. Unlike baseball for pitchers, football has yet to establish a head hit count for athletes. Through research we’ve learned it’s not just the big hits, but also the accumulation of head impacts. To help solve this, we track head impact counts by athlete to help develop a baseline and the increase or decrease over time against themselves, other positions, and as a comparison to the team as a whole. This allows us to see certain athletes or positional groups who may be over-exposed to head impacts in comparison to their peers.

Severity. While there isn’t a direct correlation to impact severity and concussions, we still know the harder the impact, the greater chance of injury. For this, we display g-force of each impact and send an alert to the sidelines when an impact exceeds a pre-determined threshold to intervene medical attention in a timelier matter.

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We understand the value we provide at Athlete Intelligence is only a piece of the pie in solving the overall issue around head injuries and concussions, so our goal has always been to work close with other companies that help complement what we provide. Some companies include solutions that provide diagnosing applications, injury tracking, equipment accessories, video, and many more. By working close with these organizations and tackling the epidemic from multiple angles, as a group we have a much greater chance of closing the gap on head-related injuries and providing more knowledge around what is happening.

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PLAYBOOK presented by The down block and the reach block DAVE CHRISTENSEN

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DOWN BLOCK VS. A PENETRATING DEFENDER

DIAGRAM 1

un blocking is divided into three categories: man-

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blocking techniques, two-man blocking techniques and pull techniques. Blocks categorized as man blocks are executed by only one lineman. Let’s look at two of them.

Down block A down block is an angle block toward the inside. The down blocker chooses one of two landmarks to attack, typically determined by the scouting report or the defender’s technique during the last few scrimmage downs. A defender may be a penetrator who attacks the line of scrimmage on the snap or a reader who sits on the line of scrimmage and reacts to the blocking scheme.

A penetrator has little regard for the particular blocking scheme. His role is to charge the line of scrimmage, getting to the backfield and disrupting the play. That defender is hoping to force your offensive linemen to tighten their splits.

In order to block a penetrator, the offensive lineman should aim for the defender’s opposite shoulder while driving the outside arm and pad through the near shoulder of the defender. The blocker must keep his hips down and his lower back arched as he punches his inside hand to the chest of the defender, while driving his outside hand under the armpit of the penetrating defender.

Driving the fist up through the near armpit of the defender forces the defender’s near shoulder to elevate, increasing the likelihood of a pancake block. When punching through the near armpit, the blocker’s outside hand should be kept open so that he can wedge the armpit between his thumb and index finger, giving the blocker an excellent feel of the defender’s escape move. The hand locks in the defender, cements the fit and prevents escape.

A read-technique defender will attempt to anchor the gap, fight pressure, cross the face of the blocker and fight outside on a lateral plane.

Read-technique down linemen tend to have exceptionally strong upper bodies. Using the outside shoulder, this type of defensive lineman will dip and rip the inside shoulder across the face of the blocker to pursue toward the outside.

Since the read-technique defensive lineman doesn’t move forward to any significant depth, the proper aiming point for the blocker is on a sharper angle, namely the defender’s hip, not the shoulder (diagram 1). Because the inside reading

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■■ When the center executes a down block, it is called a back block

DIAGRAM 2 T

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defender usually gets an outside pull read by the inside blocker, the defender will be on the move toward the outside at the moment of the down blocker’s contact (diagram 2).

If the down blocker were to aim for the defender’s shoulder, a read-technique defender would gain several inches of clearance across the blocker’s face. By aiming to the hip, the down blocker can meet the defender with a secure fit as the defender reacts to the outside pull read.

The finish technique is the same that is used against a penetrator. The outside hand, arm and shoulder provide thrust and lift into the outside half of the defender’s body. A well-coached defender will keep his shoulders nearly parallel to the line of scrimmage as he reacts to the outside pull. If the defender commits the technique error of “facing up” to the blocker, he will be hit head on and easily pancaked by the down blocker’s momentum. The blocker should use the inside hand to punch across the defender’s chest and grab cloth. The outside hand cements the fit and prevents escape.

If the landmark is correctly secured and fit is cemented, the down blocker can easily dominate an inside defender. By the same token, the size of the split should be directly related to the

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capabilities of the down blocker – the more skilled the blocker, the greater the split.

For example, if a blocker is ineffective when down blocking, consider cutting his split. For young players, it is particularly important to build from success instead of correct from failure. This means that you should develop the down-blocking technique of young linemen from smaller splits, giving them the opportunity to experience success. A smaller distance between the defender and the blocker allows the blocker to concentrate on departure, demeanor and finish Working from inflexible, fixed splits is a waste of time if your linemen aren’t physically capable of controlling the split. Concentrate on teaching technique first, then gradually widen the splits as your linemen become more skilled.

Some coaches install a system of splits without taking into account the undeveloped downblocking skills of younger linemen. These coaches are eventually forced to tighten the splits so that the blockers can achieve their goal, which may then be complicated further by the blocker’s fear of failure and lack of confidence caused by a previous inability to control the larger split.

It is much better to start with tighter splits and progress to down blocking with wider splits. The point to keep in mind is that it is easier to build from success than from failure.

Successful down blocking is a matter of the linemen adhering to several coaching points, including: ■■ Keeping the eyes and hands on target ■■ Keeping the hips down ■■ Keeping a proper run-blocking demeanor ■■ Being able to redirect to prevent the defender’s escape The most common error of a down blocker relates to the blocking angle. Down blocking on too sharp of an angle allows a penetrating defender to easily drive through the blocker’s head. Down blocking on too flat of an angle allows a reading defender to easily rip the inside arm across the blocker’s face in an uppercut fashion (diagram 3). A reading defender also can easily spin out against a down blocker who targets his landmark on too flat of an angle (diagram 4).

Reach or hook block The reach block – also called the hook block – is an onside-blocking technique (diagram 5). To perform a reach block, the onside offensive lineman should set to reach, which involves the blocker pushing off his inside foot and taking a set-to-reach step with the outside foot. The second step is made through the defender’s crotch as the blocker rips his inside arm across the defender’s chest.

■■ The guard blocks too flat versus the penetrating defender; the defender ricochets through the B gap.

DIAGRAM 3

■■ The guard blocks too flat versus the reading defender.

DIAGRAM 4

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THE REACH BLOCK

DIAGRAM 4 T

The blocker can use the inside arm as a flipper to rip with and secure the fit against the defender.

The reach blocker’s objective is to initially overtake the defender in width, then ride the outside shoulder of the defender as he works up to the next level.

The reach blocker should use his flipper to push against the defender and prevent the defender from grabbing the blocker and pulling him to the ground. Lateral movement with outside leverage is integral to a successful reach block.

The reach block is the mirrored blocking technique of the inside-zone blocking combination “zone” call. Both blocks are “J” blocks that are characterized by the blocker flattening his path to junction the defender’s pursuit.

■■ Dave Christensen is a college football veteran of more than 30 seasons, including his last two stops at Texas A&M and Utah. Previously, Christensen was the head coach at Wyoming from 200913 and a longtime offensive assistant at Missouri and Toledo.

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PLAYBOOK presented by Individual practice

Implementing RPOs into the practice schedule RICH HARGITT

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n effective method for implementing run-pass

options (RPOs) into a team’s offensive system involves five fundamental elements of preparation within the practice schedule: ■■ The prepractice meetings ■■ Walkthroughs ■■ Individual practice periods ■■ Group practice periods ■■ Team practice periods Ultimately, success will be seen during 11-on11 team practice periods. As such, it is critical that players understand this period is both the culmination of the preparation process as well as a game dress rehearsal.

After the initial phase, each of the remaining preparatory elements builds upon its predecessor in a cumulative and compounding manner.

The prepractice meeting At some point, the offensive coordinator needs to stand up in front of the offense and sell the concept to the players. In this stage, the important aspects are to provide players with diagrams of the plays and specific rules for each position, and – if possible – actual video of the play from a game or practice.

Since the primary focus is on RPO concepts, these videos would be most effective when showing the offense succeeding in all the possible play options.

The walkthrough This period is nearly as important as team time.

The goal is to emphasize the assignment aspect of the play and do it at about three-quarters speed.

It is important to simulate the defense as realistically as possible. Using upside-down garbage cans to simulate defenders is one option if the available players are limited. Try to simulate defender presnap alignments and their post-snap movements.

Unlike in the team period, during walkthrough, coaches can stop and redo a play if a significant assignment error needs to be corrected. The underlying goal is to come out of this period with no confusion regarding everyone’s responsibilities in each concept.

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Once each player is confident in what he is supposed to do, a coach can focus on repetition to develop muscle memory for each skill with the ultimate goal of helping each player have success when executing against an actual defender.

A position coach must do his best work in this period. In that regard, there are several principles to help master this preparation phase.

Perhaps the most important principle for this element is the “less is more” principle. One tool that coaches can develop is called the “one-page offensive manual” – a Microsoft Excel document that lists every skill required at each position. This resource describes each essential skill and lists the drills that can utilized to develop each skill.

Position Assignment List TE/H Pass Pro Ed Jump Set (end of Ed) Wham Kick Set G Block Down

Blocking B/Obo Dig Slice Arc Iso Wrap Combo Post Base Block (CS #) Force block Follow CPG

RB Pass Pro (A & B Back) Randy/Lisa, Rodeo/Lasso Rex/Lex Rio/Lio Rip/Lip

Running Ball (A Back/B Back Pitch) Mid- Zone Tight-Zone Power Tom/Harry Pitch Razer/Lazer Counter Hammer Ball Security Sideline Demeanor

WR Outside Receiver- Pass Verticals (Fade/Hole Shot/Returns) Switch Vert/Switch Choice Peak Weak Step Off Hitch Slant Speed Out Whip Scat 1,2,3,4 Dig

Blocking Ram Fox Cobra Fox Help Monkey Raccoon (or BS TD block) Arc B Block

Pass Game Drive Arrow Stick Choice Corner Bender Dagger Out

Run Game Combo Post Combo Lead Combo Down Base Block (CS #) Base Block (BS #) Veer Wash CPG Skip Pull Open Pull Open Pull Log Rewind

Run Blocking (A & B Back) Arc Ram 3 Cut Blocking

Receiving (A & B Back) Bubble/Wrong/Long Arrow Wheel Bender C/S Drive St. Louis

Slot & #3- Pass Bender Drive Bubble Pivot Jerk Choice Wheel Rub Wheel Stick/Nod Dagger Post Corner

Other Skills Ball Security Breaks Catching Cut Blocking 3 Launches Press Release Stance Identify sky safety

Combo Post Combo Lead Combo Down Base Block (CS #) Base Block (BS #) Veer Release Veer Wash CPG Slow Play Arc Anchor Rewind Combo Post Combo Lead Combo Down Base Block (CS #) Base Block (BS #) CPG Veer Wash BB Long BB Short Rewind

OL Pass Game Guards Power Set Kick Set Jump Set PnC Open Pull Deep Pull

Tackles Power Set Kick Set Jump Set PnC

Centers Power Set Kick Set Jump Set PnC

QB Run Game Run Reads Dive Meshes Lateral Meshes Pitch Phase/Pull Pitch Speed Options (Speed/Belly)

Pass Game Flash/Fast Flash 3/Drop Back Heavy Rodeo/Lasso, Rex/Lex Drops & Throw Escapes Progressions Quick Game Peak Weak Screen Game Audibles

Group drills Group drills are probably the most important of all the preparation elements for implementation and simply are the combination of two or more position groups into the same drill.

At the top of every RPO, a coach’s group drilling list should be two essential drills: the mesh drill and the two-ball drill. As shown in the run game vs. pass game table below, the mesh drill involves the center, the quarterback and one running back.

QB Run Game Run Reads Dive Meshes Lateral Meshes Pitch Phase/Pull Pitch Speed Options (Speed/Belly)

Pass Game Flash/Fast Flash 3/Drop Back Heavy Power/Counter Rodeo/Lasso, Rex/Lex Teaching: Drops & Throw Escapes 1. Catch snap 2. Be the Progressions gatekeeper Quickfoot Game a. Callside first – 4-inch step downhill b. 2ndPeak step Weak gate closes to allow appropriate RB aiming point 3. Ride ball in belly Screen Game 4. Carry out fake (magic hands) or execute pull or cheat throw Audibles Drilling this skill: –mesh drill –speed ball

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The coach should pick two plays to work where the quarterback has to make an initial run read and run the play six times in each direction before switching to the second concept, rotating the quarterbacks and running backs on every play.

The goal is to execute a maximum number of repetitions. Realistically, coaches should expect to get 24 reps completed in five minutes.

The two-ball drill is the most important individual drill for an RPO offense (diagram 1). It is a modification of the classic option drill in which the quarterback makes his dive read. If he gives the ball, he then grabs a second football from a backup quarterback and finishes the option phase with a pitch or vertical run.

The drill can be modified in a number of ways.

For example, the pitch phase can be eliminated from the drill and replaced with a pass option for the quarterback (diagram 2). Accordingly, if the quarterback gives the ball to the running back, he immediately gets a second football and executes the throw.

On the perimeter, the receivers work the routes and the blocks required.

DIAGRAM 1

T DIAGRAM 2

QB

The team period As a rule, this phase is most effective when conducted at the end of daily practices. Each position coach has a responsibility to have his position drilled up and ready to execute at a high level during this culminating phase of practice preparation.

While there are many aspects that go into making the team period run more effectively, there are a few principles that are important for coaches to consider.

Different days of the week should have different objectives. During a typical game week, there are approximately three team periods.

Regardless of the level, the team period on the first day should focus on about 50 to 60 percent of the schemes supporting play calling in the basic situations of the game plan (e.g., first and second downs with normal yardage).

The second team period addresses the remaining base downs in the offense in addition to any review that might be necessary from the previous day.

The third team period is 100 percent situational, practicing conversion downs from all distances, field-position plays – such as red zone and backed-up plays – and any trick or unusual plays that may be part of the offense that week.

T Q2

■■ Second QB ready to toss ball to QB if he gives it

to a triple option play but requires even more extensive understanding of both the system itself and the defense that will be attacked. As such, it is essential that coaches who want to implement the RPO offense into their systems spend a great deal of time teaching quarterbacks what defenses look like and how they will react to typical offensive plays.

The quarterback must be trained what different defenses look like structurally and be shown how they will react to certain offensive tendencies. An RPO play caller must spend a great deal of time in the offseason working on both the mechanics of the offense and learning about defenses that he will face.

This instruction can be accomplished through film study but also should be done through repetition of the functional aspects of the offense.

Conclusion Implementing RPOs into a team’s offensive system can create unique challenges given that the effort involves trying to combine two distinct offensive systems into one. With great planning and preparation by the coaching staff, coupled with specific knowledge of teaching and drilling methods, however, coaches can make the complex concepts involved in RPOs simple, which, in turn, leads to optimal execution.

The time to train the RPO quarterback A final factor to consider is the overall length of time it takes to train an RPO quarterback. A typical RPO concept bears a striking resemblance

■■ Rich Hargitt is the assistant head football coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, N.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 Defending against spread offense lead and power in the 3-5-3

DEFENDING THE LEAD SPREAD POWER

DIAGRAM 1 QB

BY THOMAS COUSINS

Success against the spread is dependent on: ■■ The defense cannot get outflanked by formations.

■■ The defense must practice formation adjustments, motion adjustment and checks every day.

■■ All adjustments must be made correctly and in a timely manner.

■■ The running game must be shut down by the front six players.

Part of the reason I have had success with the 3-5-3 defense is the way I approach practice. I stress tempo in defensive practices every day so players get accustomed to the speed of the game from Day 1.

I also never do pursuit drills in practice. Instead, I incorporate pursuit into every practice drill, whether it is individual, inside, skelly or team. Because we always stress pursuit and being fast, our kids believe that no other acceptable way exists to practice.

Now, consider the following reasons for running the 3-5-3, especially on the high school level.

Most high schools have few true defensive linemen. Finding a 5-foot-11, 220-pound kid walking the halls is much easier than finding a 6-3, 280-pound player. As a result, most high schools have a bunch of linebacker and strong safety-type players.

As coaches, we want to get as much speed as we can on the field. The great equalizer is speed.

Traditional 4-3 defenses can have problems with contain. But with the 3-5-3 ,you have built-in leverage players outside on every play.

The 3-5-3 lends itself to fewer coverages to learn. What is better? Being 50 percent at 20 coverages or being 100 percent at five or six?

Having players only playing to the strong side or the weak side reduces the amount of linebacker reads they must learn.

Because the defense is balanced on both sides, usually only one or two people need to adjust to anything they see, easing the adjustments for different offensive formations.

The emergence of the spread offense causes most defenses to remove linebackers from the box to cover receivers, which in turn causes a loss of gap integrity. With eight players that can step into the box, defensive coaches have flexibility to adjust to the situation.

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DEFENDING THE POWER

DIAGRAM 2 QB

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Every player who comes out for the team wants to play.

This defense allows for the use of smaller, speed-type players, helping you find homes for some players who would not otherwise have a spot.

The accompanying diagrams explain how we align and defend two common plays in the spread offense.

■■ 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.

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PLAYBOOK presented by DIAGRAM 1

The Middle Punt Return STEVE ORTMAYER

I

n the game of football, one of every five plays is a

kicking game play. I consider the kicking game to have seven levels of special team play. On each play in the kicking game, one or more of these three events take place: ■■ A direct attempt to put points on the board ■■ A change of ball possession ■■ A sizable amount of yardage is involved (40 yards of more) If you are a good team, the ratio is about one in every six plays is a kicking game play. If you are not a good team, it is one in every four plays.

The kicking game plays have the potential for big momentum swings both positively and negatively. Kicking game plays weight heavy as they affect the tide and the outcome of the game.

Many of the big “breaks” in a game occur on a kicking play. Breaks usually happen when a team or a player is unprepared for a situation. When a team is prepared, the chance to capitalize upon a break presents itself at the most opportune time.

The kicking game breaks mark the difference in winning and losing.

In my opinion, the kicking game is relative to about 35 percent of the game. If we talk about the kicking game being one in five plays, that relates to 20 percent of the game. The momentum plays and the weight of the momentum in the kicking game is probably as important as the 1/3 offensive and 1/3 defensive plays in a game.

We consider the punt return and kickoff return to be the first play of an offensive drive. The field goal is the final play of an offensive drive.

Defensively, the punt coverage team and kickoff coverage is big parts of the defensive philosophy.

The field- goal block team is the third phase of the defensive kicking game.

In my opinion, special teams are a way for lesser or younger players to find a role in your football team. You have to do that in the NFL, but you can do it in college and high school and be comfortable. The one element you cannot sacrifice in the kicking game is speed. You cannot play with players in the kicking game that cannot run. If they can run, they need not be the best or toughest players on your team.

You can get a player to buy into a role in the kicking game and it becomes his special area.

Players who are not ready to play on offense or defense will buy into a role in the kicking game.

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LC

LS

LE LT

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RT RE

RS

RC

LB

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DIAGRAM 2

LC LS

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RS RC

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PUNT-RETURN GAME In the punt-return game, the wide coverage men have to be blocked. We have to do whatever we can to keep them from getting in front of our return man. By blocking the wide coverage men, we are buying grass in front of the return man. If you can buy 15 yards of grass in front of your return man, he will hurt people. If we have to double both the outside men, we will. That means we have five players involved with two defenders.

I will use two blockers on one man, if we run directionally. When we run a directional return, we start everything at a 45-degree angle. We must get the first 10 yards immediately. We never run laterally or backward. I also will double-team the containment man to the side of the return. Every punt coverage team has a player responsible for containment. If they lose their containment man, they are in trouble.

In the punt return game, there are six “don’ts.” Don’t: ■■ Be offsides ■■ Rough the punter ■■ Clip ■■ Let the ball bounce ■■ Let the kicker run the ball ■■ Field the ball inside the 10-yard line

check out more in-depth coach content at usafootball.com/coaches-notes

I think the worst thing you can do in the kicking game is to put your defense back on the field. That is a psychological killer. I do not like to rush a punt on fourth and less than five yards for a first down. If you have a guy who is keyed up to block the punt and jumps offside, that gives the offense a first down.

The same rules hold for roughing the punter. Do not rush the punter in fourth and less than five yards for a first down. If two or three rushers run into one another and one bounces off and hits the punter, you put the defense back on the field.

Do not block anyone when you cannot see the numbers on the front of their jersey. That is a disciplinary thing for the return team. We do not block very much downfield. We tell our return team to find the return man so they know where the return is. They run to a point on the field where the return is coming. We hold up defenders and run to that point, trying to put our bodies between the defender and the return

man. All of our returns are man-to-man blocking schemes. We do not run any wall returns.

The return man will beat the coverage coming late. What he cannot beat is the quick speed in front of him. If you let good return men start running upfield at coverage players, they will beat most of them on their own. Teach your return men to run at coverage personnel and make a move. When the return man runs away from the coverage, he puts all of them in the pursuit game. Everyone who can run will run down the return man. However, if he runs at them and freezes the defender, he can get by him.

■■ Steve Ortmayer is a former assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at the University of Kentucky. One of the most-respected special teams coaches in the game, Ortmayer has coached for almost four decades, including 18 seasons as a special teams coach. As a member of the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders’ staff, Ortmayer coached the special teams for the 1981 and 1984 Super Bowl champions. He began his college coaching career in 1967 at the University of Colorado. He then moved to Georgia Tech in 1974, before beginning his career in the pro football coaching ranks.

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33

Advance Your Career Through Education Many coaches look to further their education after starting their professional careers to give themselves options beyond football, such as athletic director or administrative roles. Advanced degrees can help coaches achieve goals beyond football.

■■ A decision to pursue a postgraduate degree can lead to a promotion into an administrative position.

Jason Ferdinand landed a dream job this summer when he accepted the position as fulltime athletic director at Junipero Serra High (Calif.). Ferdinand, who served as a coach and part-time athletic director at Half Moon Bay (Calif.) since 2012-13, was able to advance his career thanks to his commitment to continued education.

“For me, personally, in my career goal, this is what I envisioned to be the next step — for me to be in the position of a full-time athletic director,” Ferdinand said.

The 42-year-old grew up in San Ramon and graduated from California High, where he was a member of the boys water polo team. He continued to play the sport at Chaminade University in Honolulu and coached boys water polo at HMB for the past five years.

During his tenure with the Cougars, the athletics program claimed 13 Central Coast Section championships, including the Open Division III title in football during the fall for a team that finished as a CIF state Division 3-A runner-up.

The ability to focus on just one job appealed to Ferdinand. In addition to his

duties as athletic director at Half Moon Bay, he was also a teacher and coach.

There simply weren’t enough hours in the day for Ferdinand to be three things to all people.

He has spent the last few years furthering his education in hopes of landing a job in which he wasn’t spread quite as thin.

“I think that definitely factored in [to the decision],” Ferdinand said. “Running an athletic department without having to juggle all the other day-to-day duties [was appealing].”

In 2016, Ferdinand was selected as the Northern California Athletic Director of the Year by the California Coaches Association.

“I’m extremely passionate about athletics and how it plays a role in the overall experience at the high school level,” Ferdinand said. “And I’m just excited to have the opportunity to use what I’ve learned in the past six years as an athletic director to really just support and enhance the successes of all the programs moving forward.”

INJURY PREVENTION

Help Increase Concussion Awareness

PRESENTED BY MAYFIELD ATHLETICS

Players, coaches, and parents should do everything in their power to encourage the proper reporting of concussion symptoms. The game might be everything to a player in the moment, but years from now, he’s going to wish he sat out for the game he can no longer even remember.

In recent years concussions have been more closely related to football than ever before. While concussions can happen in just about any contact sport, football players are at the highest risk for many reasons. A concussion is a brain injury that’s not easily diagnosed by professionals and therefore requires a full examination of the players’ cognitive function.

It wasn’t until 1994 that the NFL established its Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, the first to acknowledge that concussions were a growing problem. Since then, doctors have vigorously studied the brains of current players, past players, and deceased players. One of the most important findings in the study of concussions came in 2002 when CTE was first identified in the brain of a former NFL player. CTE is short for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a longterm neurodegenerative disease that is only diagnosable with an autopsy. Recently, CTE has been closely associated with former NFL players.

This problem isn’t just happening in the NFL, but in collegiate and youth football as well.

Because tackle football is the most popular high school sport in America, football players suffer more concussions than anyone else. In fact, if you compare a high school football player to a high school baseball player, that football player is 16 times more likely to get a concussion than the baseball player. In relevance to basketball players, football players are 4 times more likely. Even worse, on average, 2.4 high school football players will die due to a head injury on the field each year.

One of the hardest parts of diagnosing and treating a concussion effectively at this level is convincing the players to come forward when they think they have a head injury. Protocol insists upon the player coming out of the game or practice to be examined, so many players would rather push through it and not disappoint their team or coach than sit on the sidelines.

When players act this way, they don’t fully understand the damage they’re doing to their brains. Another hiccup in the football culture is that certain positions are so used to banging their head around, they think that dizziness

■■ The SAFE Clip educes up to 28 percent of G-forces to the facemask and is more durable than standard facemask clips.

and losing consciousness is a normal part of their day. Running backs and offensive linemen are the most susceptible to concussions, and are the least likely to report one.

Concussion protocol is pretty new to the entire football industry, but an extremely important concept to integrate into every program. It was only back in 2005 that the NFL believed that “returning to play after sustaining a concussion does not involve significant risk of a second injury either in the same game or during season.” We now know that a concussion can get worse if a player continues to participate in sport. Now, players are to be immediately removed from the field so that a full examination can be performed on them. If they’re diagnosed with a concussion, they’re not to return to play until they’ve followed the return to play process. This process includes plenty of rest, aerobic exercises, an introduction back to strength training, sport specific drills, and then full clearance.

New technology is being introduced each year in attempt to save the game and the brains of each player. The SAFE clip is one of the newest equipment introductions in the world of football. The SAFE clip attaches onto your football helmet and helps absorb impact from hits to the face mask. It allows the facemask to have some “give” so that it can move with the blow and then return to its original position. The SAFE clip can absorb up to 28 percent of the direct hit.

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SPEED + CONDITIONING

how to Evaluate Sprinting Technique

TURN YOUR LOVE OF THE GAME INTO A CAREER YOU’LL LOVE

If a player’s sprinting technique can be improved, then the focus can turn more to the speed at which the athletes runs. Improve strength and power. Make players more efficient at the gait cycle. Improve turnover.

BY LEE TAFT, SPEED COACH

When coaches evaluate sprinting

OPTIONS INCLUDE:

mechanics, what should they look for? Here is a simple template to use when working with multidirectional sport athletes during sprinting.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE

Tips to Evaluate Sprinting:

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■■ Keep in mind the outline is for sprinting NOT acceleration.

■■ Do the arms cross the body and elbows flare out to the sides?

■■ Do the hands come up to roughly the chin/cheeks and pass by the hips 4-8 inches.

■■ Are the shoulders bouncing and or tight?

■■ Are the head and eyes up? Is the chin down (not sticking out)?

■■ Does the knee drive forward and not cross the mid-line?

■■ Does the foot recover to the level of the support knee?

■■ Is the back overly arched?

■■ Do the feet rotate outward and do the shins abduct out (flare out)?

■■ Do the feet slap the ground?

■■ Does the foot cross the midline during plant?

■■ Is the knee drive low?

■■ Is the runner over-striding?

■■ Does the runner extend the hips and run tall?

When evaluating sprinting, if you have a video camera and can slow down the footage, then you can better evaluate running form. However, if you do not, then you can have the athletes perform several reps and you focus on a particular area of the body each time.

Finally, the biggest mistake when coaches evaluate sprinting is trying to fix all of athlete’s issues at once. There may be mobility and flexibility issues as well as poor motor programming that will take time to correct. Be patient and congratulate the athletes in each area they improve.

10 TIPS TO SHARE WITH A YOUNG COACH

1 2 3

PRACTICE TIME MANAGEMENT. If you set times for practice, try to stick with it.

BE ON TIME. You should be there before the athletes.

ASSESS YOUR TEAM. Identify team strengths and weaknesses so a proper and productive practice can be prepared.

GATHER YOUR TEAM. Always gather your team together at the beginning so clear and concise directions can be shared.

VALUE SKILL WORK. If you are not spending time on improving skills, you are hurting the future of your program.

KEEP THE ATHLETE ACTIVE. Try to keep lines small and keep them moving fast.

MINIMIZE THE DRAMA. Always address team issues or distractions immediately.

SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS. You need to communicate clearly what your expectations are for practice and the season.

PAY ATTENTION. Do a lot of listening and watching so you can learn.

HAVE FUN. Your athletes will respond for you if they are having fun.

4 5 6 7 8

9 10

LEE TAFT SPEED COACH ■■ Lee Taft is the owner of Lee Taft Athletic Consulting (Greenwood, Ind.). He specializes in speed training for football players.

NUTRITION

the 4 Tenets of Nutrition Fueling is of the utmost importance for football players in-season.

Performance starts with fueling – not training. It’s important for coaches to be able to differentiate between nutrition facts and myths when advising their student-athletes on nutrition.

BY NANCY CLARK, SPORTS NUTRITIONIST

Here are my four biggest takeaways after attending the annual meeting of American College of Sports Medicine.

Fat vs. Carb Which will better enhance athletic performance: A high carbohydrate or a high fat sports diet? Despite growing interest in a high fat sports diet, research does not support it for athletes who exercise at high intensity. Rather, research supports consuming 3 to 4.5 grams carbohydrate per pound (7-10 g carb/ kg) body weight per day to be well fueled for hard training and competitive events.

Grains, fruits and veggies are obligatory if you want to exercise hard. Some athletes eat a high fat diet for training and then switch to carb-loading before a competitive event.

Bad idea. The enzymes involved in metabolizing carbohydrate become less active, so the muscles are less able to access carbs for fuel when it is needed for winning sprints and surges.

Protein for Athletes If you want to build muscle, when is the best time to eat protein: before, during, or after you lift weights? It might not actually matter because resistance exercise stimulates a muscle-building effect that is most robust within the first four hours but lasts for one to two days. You need not carry a protein shake around the gym! More important is to pace your protein intake evenly throughout the day.

Resistance exercise is far more potent than a high protein diet for increasing strength and muscle gains. That said, most athletes could expect to see only a gain of about 2 pounds (1 kg) of muscle in 13 weeks. That’s not very much compared to what they really want to see.

Muscle-building effects are seen with about 25 to 30 g protein per meal. More than that has little or no further benefit. However, these recommendations do change with age.

Sport Supplements There is no one single sport supplement that works for all athletes. To better understand why, we need a more specific scientific approach to studying supplements based on age, sex, body size, training status, and genetics. That would help us give better advice to target groups of athletes, rather than simply make population-wide recommendations. Many athletes take multiple supplements, so research with “stacked” supplements would also be helpful. Here’s some of what we do know: Creatine enables an athlete to lift harder in the training room—and build more muscle. But not everyone is a responder.

For example, three of 11 subjects in a research study had a strong positive response, five had a slight response—and three

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.

did not respond. Why not? Maybe their daily diets impacted their baseline creatine levels?

Caffeine is a known energy-enhancing sport supplement.

Your response to caffeine will depend on your genetics.

Caffeine works best when you are starting to fatigue. Athletes can consume it in coffee, tea, soda, gels, gum, and pills, preferably consumed with carbs.

Fluids and Hydration When you sweat, you lose proportionately more water than sodium, hence sodium levels in the blood increase with dehydration. The amount of sodium you lose in sweat varies from a lot to a little, related to both sweating rate and how well you are acclimated to exercising in the heat, among other factors. A high concentration of sodium in your blood stimulates thirst.

Thirsty athletes have three ways they deal with replacing fluid losses: hit-or-miss ad lib drinking as desired; drinking to quench thirst; and drinking on a set schedule. The effectiveness of these strategies depends on the individual athletes, availability of fluids, the weather, and exercise intensity and duration.

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TECHNOLOGY CORNER

PRESENTED BY SIDELINE POWER

Commit to the 2019 #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic Sideline Power will host a #PoweredUp clinic in February for Midwest coaches looking to become stronger leaders, gain access to the latest technology, and learn from the pros.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Sideline Power LLC specializes in outfitting teams with headsets, end zone and sideline cameras, drones and portable sound systems to improve the game experience for coaches, players and fans alike.

In 2019, Sideline Power will also look to improve the clinic experience for coaches through the #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic. The 2019 #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic will be Feb. 22 and 23 at La Vista Conference Center in La Vista, Neb. The clinic will feature a host of guest speakers from the professional, ■■ The Sideline Power staff will share its technology with coaches at the collegiate and high school coaching 2019 #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic. ranks. Coaches will also have an opportunity to test the products Sideline Power offers to coaches around the country.

Davis and Sideline Power CEO Matt Starr “We’ve taken feedback from coaches on decided to keep the clinic in-state for the what makes up a great clinic,” said #PoweredUp Nebraska-based company after noticing that Coaches Clinic director Brett Davis. “We focus many Midwest coaches travel to Colorado or ourselves on customer service, and we’ll really Kansas City for coaching clinics. Davis said this try to make this a great experience for coaches. clinic will cater to coaches in Nebraska, Iowa It’s an opportunity to do some networking and Kansas, although all coaches from across the through small group sessions. We’re customcountry are welcome to attend. fitting our clinic to meet coaches’ needs.”

“We see a lot of coaches leave the state for The clinic has 28 spots for guest speakers, clinics,” Davis said. “This gives us an opportunity which are still being filled. There will be chalk to showcase our products and technology to our talk sessions that provide coaches opportunities local coaches.” to talk X’s and O’s in small groups. Champion coaches from around the Midwest will be targeted for speaking slots. There will also be special sessions for 8-man and wing-T coaches.

Besides the networking opportunities and growth potential that the clinic offers, there will be tangible takeaways for coaches such as free swag and the potential to earn college credit through Drake University.

“More than anything, this will be about the speakers,” Davis said. “Will we inform coaches about our products? Sure, we will. We’ll set up sound systems, sideline headsets, and show them how to use end zone cameras. They’ll be able to see the products in use. We’ll give them opportunities to do some hands-on things that they wouldn’t get at other clinics. It’s a great fit for us and the coaches.”

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THE 2019 #POWEREDUP COACHES CLINIC PRESENTED BY SIDELINE POWER What: A clinic for Midwest coaches looking to become stronger leaders, gain access to the latest technology, and learn from the pros.

When: Feb. 22 and 23 Where: La Vista Conference Center (La Vista, Neb.) Website:

poweredupclinics.com

Cost: $75 per coach

through Feb. 12; $300 for an entire staff (6 coach limit)

Questions? Call 1-800-496-4290

Star ratings don’t matter. the4dclub.com

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 former players/coaches on Twitter @FNFCoaches. The following quotes received the most buzz from our followers.

Preparation

The secret is there is no secret. The only thing that will determine what happens in the future is how we work and how we prepare.”

–kirby smart

Work

Success is like anything worthwhile. It has a price.

You have to pay the price to get to the point where success is possible.” –Vince Lombardi

REPS

Repetition: A person must hear something several times to believe it.

A person must do something several times to achieve it.” –John Wooden

People are not going to follow you as a leader unless … they trust you. And they are not going to trust you unless you always tell them the truth and admit when you were wrong.” – Mike Krzyzewski

Trust

DEDICATION

If you’re gonna be great, you can’t ever be satisfied.”

–Dabo Swinney

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football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

EAT. SLEEP. PLAY. REPEAT. There’s always time time for for aa BUBBA BUBBA burger. burger.

FNF v1.indd v1.indd 11

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