FNF Coaches 2019 "Player Safety"

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may 2019

MAKE THE GAME SAFER The coaching practices and products that reduce the risk of injury

PLAYBOOK

+ Defending 20 Personnel Run Game + Cover 2 Read to Stop RPOs + Empty Quick Passing + Adding RPO’s to Your Run Game

college Q&A WITH

Florida International Coach Butch Davis

Weaponize Your Kickoff

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Best Excerpts from FNF Coaches Talk | Teach Tackling and Blocking Technique | Safety Products | Headset Technology | Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings

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08. COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

butch davis FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL QUICK GAME SCHEMES

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WEAPONIZE YOUR KICKOFF RETURN

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INNOVATOR’S SPOTLIGHT

04. NEWS+NOTES 05. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 12. SIDELINE POWER 14. GSC COACH-TO-PLAYER™ 16. LAZSER DOWN 38. BACK IN THE DAY 40. INSPIRATION

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playbook PRESENTED BY

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teach a smart and effective down block

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR We are proud to present our fourth edition of 2019, which has a strength and conditioning theme.

Spring practice schedule offers coaches an opportunity to recommit to a strength and conditioning program that best fit their players’ skill sets. Strength programs can morph into a secondary concern for coaches in-season, when much of the work in the weight room is spent trying to help players maintain and feel better after physical practices and games.

Coaches need to know how to share their vision with their coaches and players and have the maximum buy-in for the spring and summer. That process includes tweaking the strength program, mixing up the routine, and finding mentors who can add different ideas.

We will also share stories of program building, technology, strategy, and family. Our FNF Coaches staff recently attended the USA Football National Conference in February, so we are still sharing some of the lessons we learned from coaches across the country.

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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NEWS+NOTES

TEXAS GOVERNING BODIES MANDATE CERTIFICATION IN TACKLING SAFETY

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n Texas, the Texas High School Coaches As-

sociation and University Interscholastic League has mandated that the state’s 23,000 junior high and high school football coaches become familiar with a program that teaches rugby-style tackling. It emphasizes the use of the shoulder, not the head, in bringing down the player with the ball.

The program was created by Atavus, a company based in Seattle that says it can produce more effective tacklers by teaching defenders to square up before hitting a ball carrier and to use their shoulders and legs for leverage and power.

From the viewpoint of the Texas High School Coaches Association, any

program that might reduce the number of head injuries in football, and the apprehension that they create, is worth looking at. Even if the program is inspired by a sport, rugby, that is much more prominent in other parts of the world than it is in the United States.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

A COALITION OF ADMINISTRATORS, COACHES, FACULTY AND STUDENTS HAVE BANDED

together to fight back against early recruiting, and the N.C.A.A. voted on April 17 to prohibit early recruiting in most college sports. High-profile sports like football and basketball were excluded. In what has become a common tactic in football and other sports, middle-schoolers are pressured by coaches offering full athletic scholarships to commit early. Sometimes, the offer comes with a take-it-or-leave-it deadline. Football, basketball, baseball and ice hockey were excluded from the new guidelines because of the professional contract opportunities recruits in those sports are sometimes considering.

Gamebreaker produces soft-shell helmets that are made with a D3O impact technology that absorbs shock when a player hits their head.

The soft shell, cap-style helmets have now become a requirement for Texas State 7-on-7 tournaments and will be implemented in the 2019 7-on-7 State Tournament at the end of June.

These helmets are also being worn in D1 schools across the country and in other sports like, water polo, wrestling and cheerleading.

Rutgers researchers have proposed a solution for athletes at higher risk for sportsrelated concussions, such as football: protect your head with neck-strengthening exercises in the pre-season.

A paper by researchers at the Rutgers School of Health Professions examines previous studies on the role that the neck’s strength, size and posture play in reducing concussion risk. A neck that is stronger, thicker or aligned in a neutral posture – with the ears aligned with the shoulders – may reduce the amount of energy transferred to the brain during an impact, thus reducing the risk and severity of injury.

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TRENDING TOPICS @FNFCOACHES It’s an honor to receive a scholarship offer from any school at any level.

Remember college football is about getting an opportunity to use your talent to create opportunities for you and your family. Not just the logo on the helmet and facilities. @COACHAWARNER Great coaches: 1. Read. 2. Be a mentor 3. Share info with other coaches.

4. Attend clinics 5. Observe other great coaches. @DEFNSEUNIVRSITY Parents, Coaches,Teachers PLEASE teach your kids that life is short. Work hard, Play hard. Make the most out of life. Be responsible. life happens and you won’t get this time back. You have to be book smart as well as street smart.

SPORTS END FOR ALL! TIME STOPS FOR NONE!! @PHILSIMPSON_23 Coaches love T.O.U.G.H players.

Talented, yet humble. Open to coaching.

Unselfish attitude. Great team player.

Hungry to be better. @COACHJORDAN82 Having trouble getting in-season kids to train? Here’s something to think about: When designing workouts...is your goal to make it “hard,” or to help your kids improve?! Make sure you understand the difference. Too many coaches equate “tired and sore” with a successful workout @COACHBDIXON

An app, Your Call Football, plans to change the way the game is coached and played. YCF is part football, part gaming, part fantasy and allows fans to decide how an actual in-progress game is played, as though a game of Madden came to life.

For four Monday nights in the spring, fans get a notification at 8 p.m. to open the YCF app. They are given a coach-selected “bundle” of three plays to choose from in typical play formation sketch. Fans are awarded points when they select what the coach wanted and when their play selection is successful.

HUDL IS GOING DEEPER INTO

hardware with Hudl Focus, a smart camera that turns on automatically, follows the play from multiple different angles, and uploads the video directly to the appropriate Hudl account. In development for a year and a half, Focus was built from the ground up inside of Hudl’s HQs in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Even though the hardware sold out in 2018, Hudl isn’t in a rush to build more units, instead waiting to get feedback from the initial users about the product and making sure that they are able to adjust and improve the product from there.

Product Spotlight FOCUS 3 IMPROVE YOUR CULTURE WITH FOCUS 3.

The USA Football and Focus 3 partnership provides coaches with an exclusive training tool for growing their culture. Designed for any level, this program creates customized programs for those who want to build elite programs, win championships, and change lives. Focus 3 includes 2 elite programs, 5+ hours of content, 16 skill courses and 80 chapter lessons. What are you waiting for?

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DJI OSMO X5 Motion without blur. Action shots without shake. Perfect video even when you move. Thanks to advanced technologies specifically designed to keep the camera flat no matter how you move it, the DJI Osmo helps you record videos and take photos like never before. It is much more than just a camera. It helps you create with more freedom than ever.

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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-to-player 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.

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FNF COACHES TALK

The Best Excerpts from FNF Coaches Talk FNF Coaches Talk is a daily post on FNFCoaches.com that shares all of the top stories that coaches are talking about. We dig up creative play calls, explanations of how to out-scheme an opponent, articles from strength trainers on seasonal programs, tips from veteran coaches, funny videos, and more. Visit FNFCoaches.com daily or follow @FNFCoaches to keep up with the daily feed.

Most of the buzz on coaching chat boards in April revolved around offseason conditioning and instilling a culture. We shared those stories in our daily Coaches Talk posts. Here are some of the more popular posts from April.

■■ Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy believes 7-on-7 is the most aggressive drill for spring practices.

The most aggressive drill in the spring?

Gundy says it’s 7-on-7 ■■ GoPokes

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy was asked which drill gets the most competitive, most physical, has the most fire and it was no surprise. The seven-on-seven may be a perimeter drill, but at Oklahoma State it might as well be the trenches.

“Well, there’s a lot of fire, we have good wideouts and good experienced corners,” Gundy said of the expected answer of the seven-on-seven drills. “It’s on everyday and at some point I slow down the scripting of those periods because I’m concerned about the hand-to-hand combat that is going on at those positions. That has happened here forever.”

■■ What is your team’s most competitive drill during the spring?

Jacked Up: Why Strength Coaches Are the Heart and Soul of Modern College Football ■■ Sports Illustrated

In today’s college football, a strength assistant is the most important hire that a head coach makes. He matters more than either coordinator because he spends more time with players than any other staff member. The NCAA strictly limits how much contact head and position coaches can have with players, but there are fewer restrictions on strength coaches, who run workouts almost year-round. Many of these workouts are officially voluntary, but coaches tend to say “voluntary” with a wide smile and roll of the eyes.

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From the start of August practices through the season’s last game, strength coaches have the same access to players as do other staff members. But it’s in the offseason where their value escalates: While other coaches are limited to two hours per week with players, they’re allowed eight.

Strength coaches must balance the duty to produce a winner—to push those bodies to their limits—with a duty to protect the safety and well-being of the 100-odd players on their rosters. We all remember the story out of Maryland last football season. No strength coach wants to see a player get injured — or worse — on his watch.

Great strength coaches also follow the science, and they have a little Thomas Edison in them. For instance, there’s a $12,000 exercise machine that Feld likes—it utilizes a belt around the waist and a well beneath the foot plate to allow lifters to get

the benefit of a squat without carrying the weight on their backs. It’s especially helpful for players with back injuries, or for targeting the muscles below the waist.

■■ What is your process for hiring a strength coach and streamlining the program to fit your scheme and values?

How small-school coaching in Ohio helped shape Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch ■■ Norman Transcript

Sometimes, we as coaches think it’s impossible to make the jump from high school to college, or from college to the NFL. We view ourselves as high school coaches, and if we want to become a college coach, we think we’ll have to start over as a quality control coach or graduate assistant.

That’s not always the case.

Successful coaches are often imagined

to have taken the same golden escalator to riches and fame. A former Power 5 player turns Power 5 graduate assistant, turns Power 5 assistant, turns Power 5 head coach. But that’s certainly not always the case. The small-school path works.

In the NFL, the Buffalo Bills’ Sean McDermott and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin both graduated from FCS William & Mary, then started out coaching small — Tomlin at Virginia Military Institute and McDermott at his alma mater. John Harbaugh (Morehead State) also went that route. So did Mike Leach, who helped pioneer the Air Raid offense with Hal Mumme at Iowa Wesleyan College.

Small schools are ideal incubators, Leach explained.

“What’s good is you get your hands in there right away,” he said. “You get to coach a lot of guys. You get to be involved and develop your skills as a coach. It’s not like the higher division where you’re holding a clipboard. And you’re around some real knowledgeable people.”

■■ In what ways has coaching high school football helped you gain experience you couldn’t get at any other level?

We’ve Been Handing Out Participation Trophies for 100 Years

“Trophies galore will be offered for the second annual Ohio State invitation high school basketball tournament,” the paper reported. “Members of the victorious outfits will be given individual trophies. A participation trophy also will be given each athlete playing in the series.”

The writer of this column comes down on the side of many coaches — that participation trophies are dumb. He says the players gain from their participation through the lessons learned by competing, working hard, and winning or losing. Maybe NOT getting a participation trophy sends a better message than getting one.

Literal participation trophies or medals are indeed dumb. Not because they send a “dangerous life message,” as a high school student wrote in the New York Times, or because they constitute “child abuse,” as a local news anchor in Washington said.

They’re dumb because they inevitably wind up collecting dust. It’s fine to give a memento to children under the age of, say, 9 who complete a season of a sport or participate in some other competition. Just give them something useful, like a hat or a piece of equipment.

■■ How do you feel about giving participation trophies to youth league players?

job, a security update could be required.

This spring is a particularly sensitive time for teams with multiple quarterbacks competing for a starting job, because the losers have been known to scatter come June 1.

What that means for spring practice is that everybody gets a chance to play because if a coach showcases his projected starters more than other players, those depth players might transfer in search of starting roles with other programs.

If you attend a spring passing tournament, teams have wisely figured out that they need to play multiple quarterbacks or they may be left with just one — and no one wants to go into a season with a single quarterback for a sport in which injuries are expected.

■■ In what ways have player transfers impacted your spring practices?

■■ Slate

For many coaches, the participation trophy is a symbol of what’s wrong with America: the disappearance of toughness, discipline, and accountability; the lack of will, determination, and hard work; the creation of coddled children who are taught that they are special, who never learn that you have to earn it, who are being set up for failure.

But if you think the participation trophy is a recent symptom of the diapering of America, think again. We didn’t start handing out participation trophies when Baby Boomers became parents. We started handing them out after World War I. The first print citation for “participation trophy” that I found in newspaper databases is from the Feb. 8, 1922, edition of the Evening Independent of Massillon, Ohio.

Headline: “Many Trophies for Tossers in State Tourney.”

It’s time for spring football practice and the transfer game at high schools ■■ Los Angeles Times

High school football spring practices used to be about coaches taking a look at players from lower-level programs while installing their offensive and defensive schemes for the new season.

Now that spring has become “transfer season” in high school football, spring practices have become unofficial tryouts, welcoming transfer students while seeing which returning players are going to stay or leave when the competition gets tough.

One trend we hadn’t heard about is that some players will transfer again in June depending on how the competition for their jobs shakes out in the spring.

It’s gotten to the point where playbooks need to be written in pencil or put on the web with a password for access because, depending on who wins the quarterback

■■ Colquitt County (Ga.) benefited from the transfer of Steven Krajewski from a Michigan high school.

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COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

DAVIS: FIND MENTORS DAVIS SPENT FIVE

Q&A with florida international coach butch davis

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

I

n just two seasons, Butch Davis has transformed the

football program at Florida International University, setting a school-record for wins (9) in 2018.

Davis also held head coaching positions with the University of North Carolina (2007-10), the Cleveland Browns (2001-04) and the University of Miami (1995-2000). From 1979-94, Davis had a successful 15-year association with Jimmy Johnson, first as a receivers and tight ends coach at Oklahoma State University (1979-83), then as a defensive line coach at the University of Miami, and ending with the Dallas Cowboys, where he rose to defensive coordinator. His tenure included two of Dallas’ Super Bowl titles.

FNF Coaches recently caught up with Davis to discuss his philosophy.

What are some of the things a high school coach can be doing in May and June to prepare for the next season?

“A high percentage of schools across the country have some version of spring football practice. That’s a significant, important time as far as building a team for next year. A lot of that time should be spent introducing fundamentals and techniques. That’s what it takes to have a successful season in the fall. When there’s no stress to win games, it’s a great time to help them become better players. Second, it’s a great opportunity for young players to develop and find the roles they can play in the fall.”

With the rise of the spread and RPO concepts, how has your defensive strategy changed?

“I’d say 75 to 80 percent of my philosophy hasn’t

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changed in the last 25 years. I think it always comes down to this: How do you make sure you don’t put kids in conflict with their assignments?

You don’t want them to be thinking, ‘I have to stop the run, but I also have to cover.’ From a defensive standpoint, it’s critically important that you don’t put kids into those situation. Teams that struggle put players in situations where it’s impossible to do everything.”

You’ve coached on teams that had superstar players with big personalities – guys like Michael Irvin, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. What’s the best way to manage those personalities?

“I think every kid has a different hot button.

It’s about building a relationship with every kid.

What motivates you? What’s critically important?

That’s the way you coach them. Take a look at the guys I’ve been fortunate to coach. Ed Reed was an unbelievably emotional leader. Ray Lewis was in that category. Russell Maryland, who was a former No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, was a quiet leader. He took responsibility for guys watching film, going to class, staying eligible. You have to be fair. The other thing is you have to be consistent. I want every kid in our program to know that – whether it’s the head coach, assistants, strength and conditioning coach, support staff – we’ll always be upbeat and positive.”

What are some of the common attributes of the great teams and players you’ve coached?

“Here’s an interesting statistic: I’ve coached 36 first-round picks. Well over 50 percent of those players were under the radar coming out of high

years (1973-1978) teaching biology and anatomy and coaching high school football in Oklahoma before joining Jimmy Johnson’s staff at Oklahoma State.

During that time, most teams across the state ran 3-4 or 5-2 defensive schemes. Davis wanted to coach a 4-3 defense, so he visited Texas Tech to learn from their staff.

“Myself and four other coaches climbed in a car and drove to Lubbock,” Davis said. “We took a 16 mm projector with us, and they gave us some video from spring practice. We pulled a sheet off the hotel bed to watch video.

Then, we spent two days watching practice.”

Texas Tech had just hired a defensive coordinator who would go on to win two Super Bowls as a head coach in the NFL. “You may have heard of him,” Davis said. “Bill Parcells.”

Since that experience, Davis has encouraged every member of his staff to visit other colleges and NFL teams to mine for ideas.

“If I could give high school coaches advice, I would advise them to learn as much as they can,” Davis said. “Go and visit other coaches if you are within close proximity to college or pro teams.

I wish I learned that earlier. Develop mentors, guys you can reach out to for advice or ideas. If you don’t continue to grow in this progression, you grow stale and stagnate.”

school. Some didn’t have scholarship offers. Santana Moss didn’t have a single offer. Guys like Ed Reed and Reggie Wayne would have gotten maybe one star at best. What I loved about those kids is they all loved football. They were passionate about it.

We loved kids that wanted to compete.

My biggest turn-off is when a recruits says to me, ‘You already have five guys on the roster at my position.’

Or, ‘Who else are you recruiting at my position?’ That tells me they don’t have confidence to compete.”

Are you doing anything new in your strength and conditioning program?

“One of the things we’ve started doing is coming up with outside-thebox things that enhance development as an athlete. We recruit guys who play multiple sports. It carries over when we get them. Everybody runs and lifts, but we have other things. We have yoga classes, racquet ball, martial arts and speed development with an emphasis on track mechanics.”

What more can high school coaches do to help players get recruited?

“Be honest about kids. Nothing hurts a kid more than somebody trying to exaggerate size. Don’t tell me he’s 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, and then when we bring him to camp, he’s 6-1, 195. The other aspect: We still go into high school and meet with coaches who are not completely aware of what it takes to get a scholarship. Studentathletes need to have taken 16 core courses, they need to have SAT or ACT scores, those types of things.”

What was your biggest takeaway from all of the years you spent with Jimmy Johnson?

“Jimmy was unbelievable with his attention to detail. He was the most organized guy I’ve ever been around.

He also had a remarkable ability to predict long-term potential. ‘We recruited this guy to be a tight end, but he’ll be our starting left tackle in a year. We recruited this wide receiver, but he’ll be a phenomenal safety.’

Making safeties outside linebackers and outside linebackers defensive ends … When those things took place, we were more athletic and faster.”

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09

USA FOOTBALL

Teach a Smart and Effective Down Block The down block is a technique used in many offensive systems and schemes.

It is a block taught at the youngest levels and utilized through the NFL. The objective of the block is to drive the defender to the opposite side of the play and to prevent penetration into the backfield or a cross face over the top.

■■ The downblock helps offensive linemen control the line of scrimmage.

A

s the game continues to evolve and we

become acutely aware of player safety and methods to create a better, safer game, we must evaluate our teaching of the down block.

A brief survey of videos teaching this technique on YouTube shows about half teach the “head-across-the-front” technique. Most coaches have eliminated “head-across-the-front” as a coaching point for tackling, and it is time to eliminate that technique from blocking as well.

USA Football’s Contact System includes detailed articles and videos on teaching effective down blocks, as well as drills for installing the techniques, without the “head-across-the-front.”

Eliminate terms not useful for an effective block “Head across the front,” “hat placement,” or “earhole the defender” are old techniques and coaching points, and we

10

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avoid this term because we aren’t using our helmet to engage.

These terms and techniques are not necessary coaching points for an effective down block.

In fact, the method puts the blocker at a disadvantage against a moving or reading defender. The technique using those methods requires head contact and leaves the hips behind. If the hips are behind, there is a loss of control, and the blocker is susceptible to being pulled or shed. Additionally, it leaves the blockers feet in the running lane.

The technique taught in the Contact System removes the head as a tool for contact, creates force of the hands driven by the hips and handles the different reactions a defender may give against a down block.

Here is an overview of the coaching points for the down block:

Keys for Success ■■ To cut off penetration and prevent cross face, the blocker must position their body perfectly.

■■ Execute footwork that accomplishes aligning the hips to the target.

■■ The Bridge technique works by closing the hips and engaging with the hands to prevent penetration and cross face while widening running lane.

Footwork ■■ Unlike traditional aiming points, where head is the focal point for contact, we want to align the hips with the target at the most optimal point.

■■ The optimal target to align the hips is inside the neckline (V of neck).

■■ Taking a brace step will enable us to align our hips to the target.

TWO SYSTEMS TO HELP YOU WIN EVERY SNAP Build the most critical defensive skill within your athletes

SHOULDER TACKLING SYSTEM Built in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, explore a foundational approach to tackling to develop better defenders and build a more efficient and physical defense.

This free system is endorsed by the NFL and USA Rugby. It starts with instruction, drills and coaching points to help your players with regards to Fundamentals and Leverage.

ADVANCED TACKLING SYSTEM Created with international and multi-sport tackling expert Richie Gray, the Advanced Tackling System focuses on fitting every element of how your team tackles together.

From execution in-game to practice planning to film breakdown and drills, this system is a comprehensive and cohesive approach that will change the way your team approaches tackling.

WIN THROUGH BETTER EXECUTION. GET THERE WITH USA FOOTBALL. Explore your opportunities today at footballdevelopment.com

TECH CORNER

Multivoice cuts out background noise, opens line for coaches The challenge of in-game communication sometimes seems impossible for coaches, who often switch to hang signals and face-to-face communication along the sideline between plays. In order to play fast, you need to have the right headset system.

Multivoice is the right choice for that.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

A relative newcomer to the industry, MULTIVOICE stands firmly on a 30-year foundation of experience in the field of electrical engineering. Through their delivery of “iconic wireless systems that enable simultaneous, hands-free group communications in rigorous environments, MultiVoice enhances the human experience.”

A pioneer in the realm of football, the MultiVoice MV-Audible is an open line communication system for multiple coaches with no base station required. The hallmark of all MultiVoice communication systems is their sound normalization technology.

Developed for military applications, MultiVoice uses active sound normalization technology to automatically increase or decrease the volume in the headset to ensure every coach is heard every time, without perforated ear drums. Separate from sound normalization is noise cancelation.

In an arena where background noise can get overwhelming, active noise cancellation in MultiVoice systems cuts out the noise but keeps the line open for instant communication.

With their newest iteration, MV-One, MultiVoice once again pushes the envelope of technology enhancing the coaches’ experience.

An all-in-one headset communication system, the MV-One has eschewed the days of base stations and even belt packs. Through significant technological advances, the MV-One offers all of the cutting edge features of the MV-Audible in a compact and easy to use package. A true mesh network means that there is no “weak link” in the MV-One system. Even if one of the headsets malfunctions the remaining headsets will operate flawlessly, meaning you don’t lose your entire coaching strategy because a base station or “master” headset fails.

Coaching against a rival with the same headsets brings a plethora of issues. Either the headsets jam each other and no one can use them, or you spend precious warm-up time trying to change channels on all the systems and headsets.

Or worst of all, there is bleed/cross-talk which gives up valuable information. With MV-One’s

12

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SIDELINE POWER SIDELINE POWER LLC

is the No. 1 choice in coaching communication providing a wide variety of coaching headsets, end zone cameras, sideline replay and other technology needs for all athletic programs.

WEBSITE:

sidelinepower.com PHONE:

1-800-496-4290

auto avoidance, the system automatically locks onto an open and secure channel giving you peace of mind and time to focus on what’s really important: winning.

With up to eight channels available and all headsets being able to switch between defense and offense, any coach on your sideline or in the press box can communicate with any other coach instantaneously. With up to 15 coaches on a 900 mHz frequency, with a 10-hour battery life, the MV-One reaches more coaches from farther away and for longer periods of time on a single charge. The added benefits of active digital noise cancellation, sound normalization, and a warranty on the waterproofness of each headset, set the MV-One in a field of its own.

If you would like more information and insight on how the MV-One can help your program win this fall, be sure to visit sidelinepower.com.

We look forward to helping get your program #PoweredUp!

MATT STARR FOUNDER AND CEO, SIDELINE POWER

ON-FIELD TECH

Continued growth for GSC Coach-to-Player™ High school football coaches have to decide how to make the most of limited practice time – whether it’s maximizing reps for players or stopping practice to review coaching points. With GSC Coach-to-Player™, coaches can do both at the same time.

■■ The GSC Coach-to-Player system was used by coaches at the East-West Shrine Game in Nebraska.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

GSC’s Coach-to-Player™ is looking forward to making its mark on high school football in the coming months – as a key piece of technology that can help teams in 7-on-7 and spring practices.

GSC Coach-to-Player™ (C2P) provides coaches with an ability to speak to players directly in to their helmets during practice. Through the C2P practice system, a coach speaks into a handheld transmitting device and his voice is audible through the speakers loaded in the helmets of the players of his choice. The technology provides additional coaching opportunities while also helping to maintain or expedite the tempo of practice.

GSC provides helmet communication for all 32 NFL teams, as well as stadium systems on game day for both the home team and visitors.

“We’re fully active on each of the weekends throughout the NFL season, especially during the

■■ Bellevue West High (Neb.) coach Mike Huffman

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Playoffs,” GSC Director of Operations Alex Shada.

GSC also is prepared to become more immersed in the college game, as is typically the case each spring when teams consider new technology for practice. NCAA rules prohibit the use of headset communication during games; but the GSC C2P system is fair game in spring practices. NFHS rules also prohibit headset communication at the high school level, but that technology is allowed in practice and 7-on-7 competitions.

“With teams gearing up for spring ball, we start to find out what teams need or want,” Shada said.

“At the college level, it’s a practice tool. Coaches use it to develop players. Obviously, spring ball is 100 percent focused on the development of players and teams.”

C2P allows for more focused instruction from coaches to players due to its ability to customize the communication. For instance, multiple position coaches can listen to a coordinator call a play, and then provide specific instruction to his particular position group before the snap.

“There’s a curiosity among high school coaches about how this can help them develop their teams,” Shada said. “There’s really no certain way a coach has to use it. They all tailor it to how it works for their practices.”

There is no regulation on headset communication for 7-on-7 summer leagues. In this setting, a coach can stand on the sideline and offer his quarterback advice as the player surveys the defense at the line of scrimmage.

“So many schools are on the cusp of moving forward with us, so it’s really exciting,” Shada said. “Coaches are seeing how beneficial it is to talk instantly with a player for the purposes of recognition and explaining coverages. It’s proving to be a huge advantage for teams in the offseason.

It eliminates much of the typical learning curve.”

THE CONTINUED REWARDS OF GSC C2P BELLEVUE WEST HIGH

(Neb.) coach Mike Huffman used the GSC Coach-to-Player™ helmet system during his team’s 7-on-7 season for the first time last summer en route to the program’s first state championship.

Huffman was first exposed to the GSC C2P technology at the 2018 Nebraska Shrine Bowl, when he served as coach of the North.

“They gave it to both teams and let us use it in practice and the game,” Huffman said. “Because of that experience, I remembered my mistake when it came time to coach 7-on-7 this summer. I kept it in my hand, and that helped us win the championship.”

Bellevue West continued to reap the rewards of the GSC C2P experience during the regular season last fall. Bellevue West’s starting quarterback got hurt midseason, but the backup was able to make a faster transition to a featured role thanks to his experience listening in on the coach-to-quarterback communication during the 7-on-7 season.

TAKE PRACTICE TO THE

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ON-FIELD TECH

Lazser Down gives coaches accurate down and distance readings Sideline Power works to find and bring new technology to the industry in order to help coaches win. Sideline Power has partnered with FNF Coaches to create an educational article each month on different innovative products. It’s time to get #PoweredUP with this month’s featured product, Lazser Down.

BY MATT STARR

D

efining, designing, and producing a truly evolutionary

product is always a double-edged sword.

Innovative products have always been critical to growth in any industry. However, if a product advancement leaps too far beyond current technology, there is a tendency for people to be uncomfortable with the change and reject it.

With more than 30 years of experience as a football coach, Lazser Down Founder Mike Foster knew there was a better and faster way to get critical down information to a coaching staff. For over a decade, Foster has worked diligently, from concept to creation, to build technology that helps coaches make more informed in-game decisions.

Lazser Down is an innovative product in a market segment where not much has changed in the last several decades. What makes Lazser Down so unique is a patented system of LED down marker, combined with a paired LED distance marker. The down marker, in and of itself, is a technological advancement. It has a fully waterproof housing for use in all weather conditions, five levels of brightness for visibility even in direct sunlight, a matte exterior finish to eliminate glare from high intensity light sources, and fully ambidextrous operation with easy-to-use one-touch buttons.

The biggest technological advancement Lazser Down offers is the optional Lazser Down Distance Marker.

Using a paired and synchronized radio technology, the distance marker accurately measures and displays the distance between the line of scrimmage and the line to gain. Measured and displayed in yards, feet, and inches, the distance marker provides easy, efficient, and instantaneous feedback. Both the down marker and distance marker incorporate a rechargeable battery that can run for over seven hours on a single charge.

While the investment in Lazser Down has been monumental for Foster, he has cultivated crucial connections with industry giants like Jim Egender, creator of Dial-A-Down, the industry standard for the NFL and colleges. Egender now sits on the Advisory Board for Lazser Down and has been an instrumental part of the company’s success.

If you would like more information and insight on how Lazser Down can help your program this fall, be sure to visit www.sidelinepower.com. We look forward to helping get your program #PoweredUp.

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PHOTOGRAPHERS CONTEST

FNF PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR: NOMINATION ROUND Nominate your favorite high school football photographer for the FNF Photographer of the Year contest! The winning selection will be featured in the print edition of FNF Coaches magazine and will also have their school and work featured in an article on the FNF Coaches website. When the photographer wins, your program wins as well! This is a great way to not only recognize your team photographer, but gain added exposure for your school. The nomination round will conclude on May 15, so be sure to nominate your photographer now. The FNF editorial staff will select 10 photos to be featured in an online contest, with online voting to take place from May 17 through May 31.

NOMINATE YOUR TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE FNF COACHES PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR CONTEST: FNFCOACHES.COM/PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Make Safety Your Top Priority A coach bears the ultimate responsibility of providing a safe environment for his players during training sessions and games. Educate yourself now to avoid issues later.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ A coach is tasked with providing a safe environment for his players in games and at practice.

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Player safety has come to the forefront of the discussion surrounding high school football in recent years, and coaches are expected to exercise best practices for keeping their players out of harm’s way.

We understand this can be an overwhelming proposition for high school coaches who are also trying to serve as role models, build programs, and win games.

Football is a collision sport, so injuries are inevitable. Every coach needs a strategy to prevent these issues, and also an action plan for when these setbacks occur.

What is your safety plan? If you don’t have one, you need one.

Parents place their trust in coaches to steer their way through the most challenging of medical issues, and making the wrong decision could leave a coach wishing he’d taken the time to formulate an emergency action plan.

We’ll help you with that by sharing our findings of the most recent trends in player safety. The responsibility of a high school football coach has never been greater when it comes to seeking out resources and educational tools to deal with issues of player safety.

We hope you’ll come away with a better understanding of how to prevent injuries and how to react when the inevitable occurs.

Explaining the Helmet Rating Systems Coaches may find it difficult to know what to believe when it comes to evaluating helmet safety performance standards. The Virginia Tech 5-Star Helmet Rating System is one of the most reputable models. A total of 18 helmets were rated using the STAR evaluation system in 2018.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

The Virginia Tech 5-Star Helmet Rating System Since 2011, Virginia Tech researchers have been providing unbiased helmet ratings that allow consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing helmets. The helmet ratings are the culmination of over 10 years of research on head impacts in sports and identify which helmets best reduce concussion risk. The work is done as part of Virginia Tech’s service mission and is independent of any funding or influence from helmet manufacturers.

“We have two goals with our rating system,” said Steve Rowson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech. “We want to educate consumers and players as to which helmets are the safest. And we want to provide a tool for manufacturers to help improve safety and design.”

Through a series of impact tests, helmets are evaluated using two fundamental concepts: 1) each test is weighted based on how frequently players experience them and 2) helmets that lower head acceleration reduce concussion risk. The impact conditions and weightings are sport-specific, and inclusive of the broad range of head impacts that athletes are likely to experience. These methods have been published as peerreviewed articles in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering.

“We know which impacts cause concussions, which are most frequent, and which locations on the helmet are hit the most,” Rowson said.

Schutt Sports’ new football helmet, the F7 LTD, earned a “Five Star” rating and the No. 1 ranking in the Virginia Tech STAR Rating System, displacing a highly touted and publicized helmet from Vicis.

The F7 LTD builds upon technology already proven in the F7, like TPU (thermoplastic urethane) Cushioning and 3-Dimensional Tektonic Plate Technology. Engineers at Schutt have enhanced the shell design of the F7 LTD to improve performance and impact absorption in high impact areas of the helmet. The company has also added Anti-Friction faceguard attachment points to the helmet.

2018 VIRGINIA TECH VARSITY FOOTBALL HELMET RATINGS Helmet Cost Schutt F7 LTD $975 VICIS Zero1 $950 Schutt F7 VTD $975 Xenith X2E+ $289 Riddell Precision-FIT $1,700 Xenith EPIC+ $349 Riddell SpeedFlex $409.99 SG DBS.001 $329 Schutt Vengeance Z10 $210 Schutt Vengeance Pro $225 Schutt F7 $649 Riddell Speed $279.99 Schutt Air XP Pro VTD II $219.95 Schutt Vengeance VTD II $249.95 Schutt Air XP Pro Q10 VTD $335.99 Riddell Speed Icon $280 Schutt Air XP Pro $199.95 Schutt Air XP Pro Q10 $210 *A lower score means better protection.

Weight 5.1 lbs 4.4 lbs 4.1 lbs 4.1 lbs 4.8 lbs 4.2 lbs 4.4 lbs 2.9 lbs 3.7 lbs 3.3 lbs 4.1 lbs 3.7 lbs 4.5 lbs 4.2 lbs 4.1 lbs 3.8 lbs 3.7 lbs 4.0 lbs

*Score Stars 0.75 5 1.92 5 2.54 5 2.92 5 3.23 5 3.79 5 4.49 5 5.39 5 6.28 5 6.44 5 6.50 5 6.67 5 6.98 5 7.35 5 8.42 5 9.95 5 18.22 4 25.77 3

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SAFETY

■■ With the Atavus system, players can improve their tackling ability while practicing a safer technique

Atavus educates coaches to teach safe tackling technique Regardless of the safety rating of a helmet or shoulder pad system, a player cannot rely solely on his equipment to prevent head injuries like concussions.

While it is impossible for players to avoid contact on the football field, it is entirely possible to learn proper tackling technique to decrease the risk of injury.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

When coaches in Texas noticed a trend of decreasing participation numbers in high school football, they decided to do something about it. The Texas High School Coaches Association attributed the drop in participation to the increased number of news stories highlighting concerns about the safety of the sport.

In the spring of 2018, the state’s governing body, the UIL Legislative Council, announced mandatory tackling certification for coaches. In cooperation with UIL, THSCA became the first state in the country to require all football coaches to successfully complete tackling certification.

With 23,000 junior high and high school coaches needing certification by August 1, 2019, the THSCA and UIL approached Atavus to help implement a certification program.

Atavus educates coaches to teach a safe, highperformance tackling technique. Resources such as drill videos, practice plans, coaching tips, and practical, how-to advice are designed to give high school coaches the tools needed increase player safety and improve performance.

20

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The UIL and THSCA aimed to launch a coaches’ certification program during the 2018 annual Coaching School conference in July of 2018. In order to ensure that all coaches would be certified by the August 2019 deadline, together, THSCA, UIL and Atavus decided to certify a hundreds of coaches at a time, while putting into place additional certification opportunities over the next 11 months leading up to the deadline.

“The folks with the THSCA and UIL launched a positive learning environment with as much face to face interaction as possible,” said Atavus Vice President of Operations Kerry Carter.

Each of the coaches that attended the Coaching School in San Antonio attended a 60- to 70-minute lecture followed by a 30-minute assessment.

Atavus led four Coaching School sessions – two with more than 1,000 coaches each and two more with 500-plus each. To earn certification, coaches had to pass a written test.

More than 3,000 coaches earned certification through that first wave of Coaching School opportunities. Atavus also held certification sessions

ROCKWALL HIGH

(Texas) coach Rodney Webb began teaching the Atavus tackling technique in 2006 and saw a 33.8 percent decrease in missed tackles over three years, and zero tacklerelated concussions.

“Atavus’ use of data to implement better tackling techniques helps simplify and reinforce the teaching process.

I believe shoulder-led tackling is safer, but what you’ll find is that your kids are going to be better tacklers, too.”

–ROCKWALL HIGH COACH RODNEY WEBB

with coaches at the Texas state championship games in Dallas in December and four more in-person sessions in early 2019. In April of 2019, Atavus launched an online certification resource and has successfully certified thousands of Texas coaches since then.

Atavus teaches rugby-style tackling, emphasizing the shoulder – rather than the head – in bringing opposing players down. The company’s mission is to produce more effective tacklers by teaching defenders to square up before hitting a ball carrier and to use their shoulders and legs for leverage and power.

Pete Carroll, the coach of the Seattle Seahawks, has promoted “hawk tackling,” which borrows heavily from rugby. But Atavus, which works with coaches at Michigan State, Cincinnatti, Rutgers and other colleges, also uses video to analyze

“We want coaches to speak the same language from coach to player,” Carter said. “Why do you want to do this? Here’s how to teach it. Here’s how to evaluate it. Here are the drills to put into practice. It’s a progression-based format and a tackling plan. It gives enough of a foundation to build on it.”

In addition to requiring tackling certification of coaches, the THSCA and UIL also are increasing the amount of time coaches can require players to practice during the spring. This also falls in line with the increased focused on player safety. The idea is that if the coaches have more time to teach proper tackling technique, players will be less likely to get injured.

“We think there should be a seasonal focus,” said Atavus VP of Football Rex Norris. “The more you get in-season, the more it gets positionspecific and football-specific. The thing we’re proud of is it helps coaches meet the requirements given the limits they’re being given. We want them to focus on the drills and skills needed to be a good tackler. Those skills can be taught without a ball, cones or pads.”

Some other state athletic associations are now looking at how the tackling-technique program is taking hold in Texas. Representatives from high school football coaches associations in Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma, among others, are considering adopting a similar model. One of the obvious benefits of requiring certification of coaches is that they will all be teaching it the same way – with the same verbiage and drills – in case players move from one program to another.

“With current momentum, we believe our approach will become the norm,” Carter said. “We want everyone using the same terms and taking it back to their own communities. We want it to be as immersive as possible, and we want to further empower coaches.”

Starting April 1, Atavus began offering online tackling-technique classes for coaches in Texas.

So, coaches are no longer required to attend Coaching School to earn their certification.

“We’re also adding additional levels so that coaches can assess themselves and their ability to teach it,” Norris said. “It’s an element of maximizing practice time and player engagement and helping them with retention.

“The value in what we’re doing is not age-specific or skill-specific,” Norris said. “It’s about improving player safety and performance at all levels.”

and rate tackles as well as identify additional drills to address deficiencies.

“A lot of coaches are aware of rugby-style tackling, which is shoulder-led, because of the success of the Seattle Seahawks and the ‘Hawk Tackle’ video,” Carter said. “We built on that.

We gave it a little more structure more than just raising awareness. We want coaches to put in a system they can teach and evaluate, so they can start the cycle again.”

The Atavus model teaches pre-contact strategy as well as tackling technique. Coaches learn to teach players how to close space, the importance of strike timing, and how to be intentional about every aspect of ONLINE: ATAVUS.COM practice and film analysis.

PHONE: 1-877-4ATAVUS

INTRODUCING TACKALYTICS™ TACKALYTICS™ IS A

grading and reporting platform that coaches can utilize through Atavus. A coach can send Atavus film following a game and receive analytical feedback on tackling technique as well as insights and video cut-ups with examples of exemplary and poor tackling technique.

“We evaluate each tackle for every game,” Carter said. “Coaches can use our cut-ups to identify learning plays. They can use it to show players what they’ll be working on in the upcoming week.

We try to provide as much data and video evidence as possible to allow coaches to coach and not worry about the data.”

Atavus guarantees postgame analysis within 48 hours of receiving game film.

TWITTER: @ATAVUSFOOTBALL

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SAFETY

Guardian Caps reduce impacts to head during practices Guardian Caps are currently utilized by over 100 colleges and 1,000 high schools to reduce impact during practice. The Cap augments any existing helmet to make it flexible and soft, able to more effectively manage energy and mitigate repetitive, cumulative blows.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ Guardian Caps reduce the impact to the head by up to 33 percent.

The Guardian Cap is the leading soft shell helmet cover engineered for impact reduction. It brings a padded, soft-shell layer to the outside of the decades old hard-shell football helmet and reduces impact between 20 and 33 percent.

“New research shows that the small blows to the head add up,” said Guardian Caps Sales Manager Tony Plagman. “We’re looking to reduce the number of repetitive sub-concussive blows.

It’s not necessarily the large collisions that cause concussion symptoms.”

The Guardian Cap has an outer “soft” material, which reduces the initial severity of the impact.

The hard shell then has lower forces transmitted to it, and in turn conveys lower forces to the interior soft helmet padding and then lower forces to the head.

The model is similar to the soft wall technology that NASCAR tracks have adopted or even automobiles and the soft bumpers and airbags that are now required. The Guardian serves the same purpose for an athlete’s head—a soft shell barrier between it and impact.

“We see the biggest benefits for offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers – those

22

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guys in the box with repetitive contact,” Plagman said. “There’s no real way of getting away from it.

Teams still do thud drills and inside runs. Coaches say it makes a big dent in terms of injuries.”

The Guardian Cap was created in 2010 to address the clear need to advance the standard football helmet. From an engineering perspective, the Guardian Cap is effective because it allows greater energy dissipation at the point of contact with a pliable material; the cap is also attached in such a way that allows for shifting and movement independently of the helmet/head/neck unit, which redirects some of the blow upon contact. The Guardian Cap is effective because it reduces the overall buildup of small blows that occur in practice.

“The feedback has been great for the communities that have brought in the Guardian Cap,” Plagman said. “They’re seeing the benefit.

We’re always working to see if something is new in the market that we can utilize. We’ve got a good product.”

ONLINE: GUARDIANSPORTS.COM/CAPS

TWITTER: @GUARDIAN_CAPS

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SAFETY

A Robot Tackling Dummy Priced for the High School Market Concussions are at the forefront of the football discussion as recent trends have shown decreased participation numbers due to concerns about the risk of head injuries. The MVP, or Mobile Virtual Player, was designed to take the type of violent, repeated hits that can injure the brains of human players.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ The MVP Kheiron will be priced at $3,450.

In 2013, a team of undergraduate engineering students at Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H., sought a technological solution to the problem of concussions and other injuries that occur in practice. The goal for the engineering students was to invent a robotic tackling dummy that could move like a real player and take the hits during practice sessions. By serving as a realistic stand-in, a robot would reduce player-on-player impacts during tackling drills, when many head injuries occur.

“The Dartmouth coach (Buddy Teevens) was getting to game day every Saturday, and he didn’t have his best players on the field,” MVP CEO Joe McLaughlin said. “After an 0-10 season, he decided to eliminate tackling from practice. He then realized he still needed practice reps, so he went to the engineering school and asked them to come up with an idea.”

Teevens has since testified at a U.S. congressional hearing on concussions and his motivation for introducing the MVP into his practices.

“I love the game of football, but I love my players more,” said Teevens while testifying before the committee to describe his radical response to this crisis.

The Dartmouth engineers partnered with a sports equipment company to manufacture commercial units, and the Mobile Virtual Player was the result.

On opening day of Dartmouth’s 2015 football camp, two prototype MVPs joined the burly players in their first

24

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tackling drill. The prototypes didn’t make it through the first season in tact, so the engineers went back to the lab to fix the malfunctioning parts. By 2016, the Dartmouth engineers were ready to put the MVPs to market. The MVP Drive is now used by half of the teams in the NFL, 50 college football teams and 80 high school teams.

The MVP has lowered concussions at Dartmouth by 58 percent since the Big Green started using the product in practice. Dartmouth went 9-1 in 2018 and allowed the second fewest points in the FCS. While the $8,000 price tag for the MVP Drive was beyond the means of many high school teams, new technology is making the product more affordable. In an attempt to further saturate the high school market, the MVP engineers recently created the MVP Kheiron, a slightly smaller model that will retail for $3,450.

The Kheiron will travel at speeds up to 16 mph and has a battery life of 3 to 5 hours. Roughly 160 pounds in weight, it is designed to move like a high school skill position player. The unit will be made available to high school through Rogers Athletic.

ONLINE: MVPDUMMY.COM

TWITTER: @MVPDUMMY

SAFETY

the Products That Are Making High School Football Safer FNF Coaches wants to share with coaches the products that are making the game safer. Consider these products when looking to update the technology in your program.

Technology is constantly changing the way high school football is played and coached. Some companies strive to constantly stay ahead of the curve and break new ground in making the game safer.

It’s important for all coaches to understand the technology that is out there, so they can take advantage of every opportunity to run a safer program. It’s equally important for coaches to understand where the game is going. The best coaches develop relationships with companies that are at the forefront of the industry. As you take stock of your program this spring, consider these companies that offer new safety products for your players.

Atavus Atavus educates coaches to teach a safe, highperformance tackling technique. Resources such as drill videos, practice plans, coaching tips, and practical, how-to advice are designed to give high school coaches the tools needed increase player safety and improve performance.

Use real game data points to provide guidance that drives players to improve. Specific details about individual players or aggregated for the team help you deeply evaluate each tackle. Way beyond big hits and missed tackles, Atavus gives you the full story of your team’s performance.

MSRP: Varies depending on program WEBSITE: atavus.com/football

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Athlete Monitoring AthleteMonitoring.com attempts to provide coaches with data and feedback that will help minimize the risk of injury and help players perform better at practice and games. AthleteMonitoring. com combines a best-practice approach and the latest sports science into a simple, customizable, budget-friendly athlete monitoring and data management software that incorporates evidence like sleep, fatigue, soreness and workload to determine an approach to getting more out of each athlete.

MSRP: Varies depending on program WEBSITE: athletemonitoring.com

GameBreaker Soft Shell Headgear The Gamebreaker-PRO powered by D3O is molded out of the finest EVA rubber and SAF foam, coupled with exclusive D3O Impact Protection, offering maximum protection upon impact. Improving upon the original Gamebreaker line of headgear, the GamebreakerPRO features significantly more impact protection thanks to the power of D3O smart molecule technology and an improved self-adjusting rear boss that offers more protection and comfort on the back of the head.

The hook and loop chin strap combined with the self-adjusting rear boss enables the headgear to custom fit each person’s head. LYCRA surrounds the outer shell, allowing air to flow throughout and prevent the player from enduring the stress of any extra heat. No more sweaty, smelly head gear. Bad odors wash right out!

MSRP: $79.99 WEBSITE: gamebreaker.com/shop/gamebreaker-soft-shell-protective-headgear/

GameBreaker Practice Pads — Powered by D3O® GameBreaker Practice Pads exclusively powered by D3O smart molecule technology offer maximum rib, spine, and shoulder protection for athletes involved in non-contact sports or unpadded practices. The lightweight construction won’t weigh you down, and the dynamic impact protection you expect from a GameBreaker product makes sure a hit won’t lay you out. The soft padded vest is available in a wide range of sizes, secured with adjustable elastic straps and to ensure the proper fit for athletes of all ages. Protect the Player. Protect the Game.

MSRP: $89.99 WEBSITE: gamebreaker.com/shop/gamebreaker-practice-pads/

GameBreaker Stealth Helmet Liner — Powered by D3O® Power-up your protection! The GameBreaker Stealth Helmet Liner is discreet, supplemental padding that can be inserted into any full-coverage, hard-shell helmet, with no modifications to the helmet needed. Exclusively made from D3O smart molecule foam, a dynamic impact reduction material that is trusted by military and law enforcement professionals, and the same technology that powers the 5-star rated GameBreaker-PRO headgear.

■■ Add the power of D3O to any hat or hardshell helmet ■■ One-size-fits-all design can be easily trimmed to fit any size of headgear ■■ Protect Head: Unique design conforms to the head and protects a greater area from impact (when compared to Unequal Gyro) ■■ Powered by the same D3O Smart Molecule tech as the 5-Star rated GameBreaker-PRO Protect the Player. Protect the Game.

MSRP: $59.99 WEBSITE: gamebreaker.com/shop/stealth-helmet-liner/

LIGHT Helmets LS1 Varsity LIGHT football helmets are made from the lightest, strongest materials available. That means you can improve your speed and quickness with a helmet that is half the weight and designed to help you react faster. It’s time to improve your game with a LIGHT football helmet. Play light… Play fast… Play safe…

Not only do LIGHT Helmets provide better protection, but they can also improve athletic performance. While other football helmets can weigh as much as six pounds, LIGHT Helmets weigh less than three. LIGHT Helmet’s design also make it easier for football players to turn their head during the game to maintain situational awareness, track the ball and other players.

MSRP: $500 WEBSITE: lighthelmets.com/buy-helmets/

Mobile Virtual Player Drive The world’s first mobile, remote-controlled, self-righting, padded training dummy — the MVP enables players to practice proper techniques with live, skill-building reps, without the injury risk associated with player-on-player contact.

■■ Allows players the opportunity to practice situations that were, until now, too risky to practice ■■ Allows players to experience live, game-like scenarios without putting teammates in harm’s way ■■ Allows coaches to adjust the speed of a drill to ensure proper technique ■■ Allows coaches to vary each rep making players make game-like decisions and reactions MSRP: $8,295 WEBSITE: shop.mvprobotics.com/

Prevent Biometrics Prevent Biometrics’ real-time head impact monitoring technology takes today’s observational and inaccurate method of identifying athletes for concussion assessment, and turns it into an objective, accurate, data-driven process.

The mouthguard system measures linear and rotational acceleration, location, direction and count of each head impact. It pairs that information with a team app to allow sideline monitoring of player impacts in real time.

MSRP: Varies depending on program WEBSITE: preventbiometrics.com/

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SAFETY TackleBar Football TackleBar football is a safer approach to the game that preserves the tradition and spirit of the sport.

Players wear traditional football equipment, plus a TackleBar harness that holds two foam bars across the lower back. The defender must track and engage the ball carrier with proper form tackling technique, then wrap the ball carrier and rip a bar from the harness. With this approach, players stay on their feet rather than driving the ball carrier to the ground.

MSRP HARNESS: $50 MSRP SHOULDER PADS: $65 WEBSITE: tacklebar.com/

Riddell InSite Training Tool Riddell’s InSite Training Tool (ITT) is the latest innovation in head impact monitoring technology, designed for use by youth, high school and college football programs. It is an easy-to-use system that utilizes Riddell smart helmets and wirelessly connected devices that monitor and alert sidelines to significant impacts and records nearly every head impact that occurs to build player-specific impact profiles.

MSRP: Varies depending on program WEBSITE: riddell.com

Riddell Speedflex Helmet The SpeedFlex was created with the wants and needs of players, coaches, equipment managers and athletic trainers in mind.

Notably, the Flex System is engineered into the helmet’s shell, face mask and face mask attachment with hinge clips that help reduce the impact force transfer to the athlete. The Tru-Curve Liner System allows the helmet to conform to the contours of a player’s head, while the Composite Energy Management System absorbs impact energy. The AllPoints Quick Release enables trainers to disengage the face mask with the simple press of a button. The Ratchet-Loc Retention System designs the chin strap to help players secure proper fit each time they strap up.

MSRP: $409.99 WEBSITE: riddell.com

Tackle Tube Senior Pro The Tackle Tube is designed to give coaches a tool that will facilitate correct tackling position and hones judgment and timing. The mobile ring made of high density energy absorbent foam allows coaches to provide both a stationary and moving target while teaching perfect form.

The Tackle Tube website also offers several instructional videos for coaches looking to incorporate the Tackle Tube into their practices.

A tackling progression video begins with the shoulder punch, then moves the player onto all fours, then starts the player on either one knee or two knees, and finally moves the player to a standing position for the swoop step.

MSRP: $325 WEBSITE: tackletubeUSA.com

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■■ Base blocks ■■ Center Back Blocks ■■ Down Blocks ■■ Second Level Blocks Arm your coaching staff with the most effective and sophisticated approach to contact.

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MSRP: Varies depending on program WEBSITE: footballdevelopment.com/contact-system

INNOVATOR’S SPOTLIGHT

LIGHT Helmets will continue to make the game safer Each month, FNF Coaches selects a product that makes the game safer or more enjoyable for players, and allows a representative from that company to share the benefits of the product. For the May edition of FNF Coaches, we’ll feature Light Helmets.

BY NICK ESAYIAN, CEO OF LIGHT HELMETS

I see football as a microcosm of what America is supposed to be.

the lightest helmet to ever receive a Five-Star Rating from Regardless of the level of play, when it’s third down and 10, Virginia Tech. Depending on the model and configuration, late in the fourth quarter, and you are standing in the huddle, the LS1 is between 2.6 and 3.1 pounds. We have even added no one cares if you are black, white, Hispanic, your body type, a polycarbonate helmet for the youth market at lower price age, religion or sexual preference. It’s a game of teamwork, point to make it available to more leagues. We are focused discipline, small goals leading to the accomplishment of larger on football, but this technology will be applied to seven-man, goals, respect, hard work, accountability and love all tied into a hockey, lacrosse and baseball. complex game that appears simple to those that don’t play it.

Dr. Tal David, Former Team Physician of the San Diego Football is under attack for a wide range of reasons. Some Chargers states, “A lighter weight helmet logically reduces the are valid and a result of the game not always being curated amount of kinetic energy transmitted to the head, neck and properly. Others are greatly exaggerated and political in nature. spine while reducing fatigue.”

Football has never been safer to play than it is now, and Performance is part of the equation as well… If you have a LIGHT Helmets is going to advance that further.

53-player roster and can reduce the weight of each player’s We are taking the best materials, technology, and helmet by two pounds, you are pulling 106 pounds off your manufacturing techniques from the military, aviation and team. What would your players or coaching staff say if you professional auto racing to build a superior helmet that absorbs asked them to tote that weight around in a game situation on impact better, is lighter weight, can be resized and does not the absolute worse part of the body to add it to? have a high failure/replacement rate when it needs to be We love the game of football and it has many benefits in refurbished. Not only is the LS1 a superior helmet, but the cost terms of building confidence, discipline, working with others, of ownership of the LS1 is significantly less than competitive perseverance, and achievement. We are here to support the helmets. This is also a simple and robust design so maintenance game, the players, coaches/staffs, and all the principles and and the number of parts needed to keep the LS1 on the field is character growth that serve the athletes throughout their lives. lower than traditional plastic and metal helmets.

Football is not a “problem,” but a solution and LIGHT Helmets is We designed three completely new helmets … We started here to ensure the game remains part of the American fabric. with a composite shell that incorporates Kevlar, Armor Foam liner, chromoly facemask, and auxetic foam from Auxadyne, which just won the NFL’s ONLINE: LIGHTHELMETS.COM TWITTER: @THELIGHTHELMETS Head Health Tech VI Challenge. We are by far

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PLAYBOOK presented by Defending 20 personnel Run Game

SPLIT ZONE WEAK OKIE PALMS TWIN OPEN FAR

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BY ADAM GAYLOR

Today we are going to talk about 20-personnel run fits.

We are going to talk about our 3-4 odd fronts and how we fit it against the run.

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Base Structure In our odd front, the base we are going to set the front is towards the passing strength. We have two different outside linebackers in our defense. It is almost like a hybrid 4-2-5. Our Sam/ Nickel is going to be more like a hybrid safety than a true Sam linebacker because he’ll be asked to have safety-like responsibilities due to some of the coverages we play with him.

Our other outside linebacker, the Jack, is going to be more of a hybrid defensive lineman. He is going to be to the boundary a lot with the Sam/ Nickel going to the field a lot.

We can hide the Jack’s lack of athleticism a lot by aligning him into the boundary where he doesn’t have to cover as much ground.

We do something similar with our safeties. Our strong safety is going to be out of the run fit a lot.

He is going to be to the field a lot, so he has to be your better athlete and open field tackler.

Our free safety is going to be inserted into the run fit a lot. He is what you consider more of your “old-school” strong safety.

We flip our corners as well, boundary and field. Since we play a lot of man coverage to the boundary, we will play our better corner into the boundary.

Okie The front we are in here we call our “Okie” front. Okie for us is going to consist of the nose in a 0-technique with the defensive ends in 4i-techniques, 4-techniques and so forth. That all depends on the formation and backset.

If there’s two backs and we are in Okie, then we are going to get into 4i’s. The reason we do this is because it eliminates a lot of things that offenses like to do with 20-personnel sniffer. It eliminates the insert zone and the lead stuff that offenses like to do. The A- and B-gaps are gone, and there’s no place to insert those guys, forcing the ball to spill.

Keys and Alignments With our linebackers in Okie, if it’s 2-backs we are going to align in 20-techniques. The Mike and Will linebacker are keying through the guard and tackle to the sniffer.

Our defensive ends in 4i’s are going to attack the inside of the tackles and read the guards.

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Our nose is going to key the center and play what we call a “lag” technique.

This means the nose is going to engage the center and play the back half of the center’s block.

The outside linebackers, the Jack and Sam/Nickel, are going to key through the tackles to the mesh. They understand it is a 2-back set and there is a high likelihood of run. We know we are the C-gap players.

In “open” coverage, the free safety is a run fit player. He is going to key through the guard and tackle to the sniffer.

Split Zone Weak (diagram 1) If we get Split Zone Weak with the Y shifting back to the strong side of the defense, here is how our rules will play out. If I am the Mike linebacker and I get the sniffer coming to me, I am going to chase and spill the 4-technique.

The 4i defensive end is going to be the B-gap player. The linebacker wants to come nice and tight off that tackle to spill the ball to the force player.

If I’m the Will linebacker and I get pulled away with the sniffer, I’m going to spike the A-gap. The nose guard is going to play the opposite A-gap since he is “lagging” on the center’s block with the defensive ends playing the B-gaps.

To recap, if the sniffer is away, the Will linebacker is going to spike the A-gap. If we get two pulls away, the Will linebacker is going to overlap the Mike linebacker, spilling the puller.

Split Zone Strong (Diagram 2) Just like with Split Zone Weak, the defensive ends are going to attack the tackles and read the guards. To the frontside, the defensive end is going to end up “hipping” the guard and attacking the post leg of the tackle. The nose is “lagging” behind on the center’s block.

With the sniffer away, the Mike linebacker is spiking in the A-gap. The Will linebacker is going to chase and spill the 4-technique.

The Jack linebacker here is the force player and the Sam/Nickel is the force to the trips side. Our rules with force players are they are going to always turn everything back inside.

Here, the Jack is going to fit tight on the outside shoulder of the Y that is shifting back.

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

Cover 2 Read to stop the run, pass and RPO

BY ADAM HARVEY COVER 2 READ

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At Cibolo (Texas) Steele High School, we base out of a press-two coverage. Our checks are sky and cloud to go Cover 3, and we will play Cover 4 and Cover 1.

Our Cover 2 Read takes away the things that usually attack Cover 2 like smash, fade-flat and slant because of the rules and techniques that the corner is taught to play.

Why Cover 2?

The first thing we like about our Cover 2 Read (Diagram 1) is it allows us to align versus different formations and continue to stop the run. We want to be sound on the back end, especially against offenses like the Air Raid, but we also have to stop the run and have answers for the immensely popular RPO offenses.

We like that the coverage eliminates the big play by disrupting the routes early. The way we play our press allows no easy release off the line of scrimmage for the wide receiver. We have found that at the high school level it’s difficult to get off of a really good press technique by the corner.

Finally, we like that it takes away the quick passing game. Spread passing teams want to hit you quick especially versus off quarters, which allows them to dink and dunk down the field. By having someone in the flat immediately, the quarterback will have trouble hitting a high percentage of his quick throws.

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Teaching the Corners We base everything we teach the cornerback on the 3 A’s: ■■ Alignment ■■ Assignment ■■ Aggression We challenge our players to play as fast as possible and with aggression. We want to be physical and get to the ball in a hurry. All our teaching and skill development drills are built around the principles of the 3 A’s.

The corners are force flats and allow us to take a lot of things away with our two read palms concept. We teach the corner to align as close as possible with head-up alignment. We want to have active eyes with the ability to look inside and let the QB give signal and then get his eyes back to the man.

We want to re-route with physicality, and we drill this constantly. It takes patience with allowing the receiver to get to the CB as well as skill to develop this technique. The biggest tool we have to teach them this principle is what we call the “two-yard rule.” We utilize the two-yard rule on the release of the receiver. He will break inside with the outside receiver and sink underneath any smash or outside route like the wheel on a slant route. He can be physical, re-route and rub the receiver for two yards before letting him go and playing his responsibility.

PLAYBOOK presented by Ease pressure on the OL and QB with Empty Quick Passing

BY MARK SOLIS

Offensive Philosophy At Olentangy High School, our offensive philosophy is going to consist of five parts.

■■ Attack the defense with our tempo!

■■ Run the ball effectively.

■■ Throw the ball accurately.

■■ Threaten the defense with the quarterback.

■■ Expand and contract the defense with formations and motions.

We want to dictate the tempo of the game and we will employ four different tempos.

■■ Fast: Get to the ball, get set, look to sideline for signals. This is us operating as fast as we can. 80 percent of the game we operate within this tempo.

■■ Freeze: Jog to the ball, get set, dummy cadence, look to the sideline for signals.

■■ Steady: Jog to the ball, get set, first sound.

Listen for code word (numbers).

■■ Huddle Up (Sugar): Huddle 3 yards from the ball.

We can, and will, use any tempo at any time to keep the defense on its heels. In a 25-second play clock, we want to snap the ball at 19 seconds. In practice, we do not script our offense’s team period.

This allows us to operate and call plays based on down and distance to get a feel for the game.

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Quick Passing Game Why do we do it and what does it do for us?

In our offense, everyone has to be able to catch the ball. This is geared towards our tight ends and running backs. It allows us to stay in the same personnel packages while operating in our empty backfield with five receiving threats across the field.

We like empty and the quick passing game because it is a good changeup for us. It’s also a good drive starter at times. When pairing this with tempo, it gets really tough on the defense.

When you operate out of empty it is imperative that you have a run threat. If you pass every time you align in empty, it makes it easier to call the defense. They can drop eight, which allows the defenders to key on the receiving threats without having to key the run game.

The quick passing game helps us deal with pressure when it’s giving us problems. If we can’t block them up front, it gives us the chance to move the ball and possibly create explosive plays against pressure.

Formationing to empty allows us to identify matchup advantages. If we stick our quickest player inside to the two-man side and the defense

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walks a linebacker out over him, it gives us a matchup advantage. We can move guys around to create matchup problems for the defense.

Practicing routes on air is a practice tool we utilize. There’s a few reasons behind this: ■■ It forms a good timing relationship with the quarterback and receivers.

■■ Not everyone runs at the same speed.

■■ Quarterbacks get a feel for how everyone will run a route (i.e. everyone runs a slant route differently).

■■ Completing routes on air generates a confidence in the passing game.

FORMATIONS We will utilize two main formations in empty: Empty Left and Empty Right (Diagram 1).

We keep the X-receiver to the right and the Z-receiver to the left. The tight end will align to the three-man side of the ball as the No. 2 wide receiver and the tail back will align as the No. 3 receiver off the line of scrimmage.

The tight end has a “bubble alert.” If he’s tagged on a bubble route, he will move off the line of scrimmage and the No. 1 receiver will move onto the line of scrimmage.

The Y in our offense is our quickest wide receiver. This is our Julian Edelman- or Hunter Renfrow-type of guy. Quick out of breaks, creating matchup problems on linebackers. Everyone must be able to run routes and catch the ball in our offense because the ball will be thrown to them.

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

CONCEPTS ■■ Horn (diagram 2): We changed “Horn” a few years ago. Horn used to be the “Smash” concept with No. 1 on a 5-yard hitch and No. 2 on a 7-yard flag route. Horn now has the No. 1 on a 5-yard hitch and No. 2 on a 2-step slant. We changed this because teams started to play quarter-quarterhalf against us. Quarters to the three-man side and cloud to the two-man side. The cloud corner would sit on the hitch route by the No. 1 with the safety playing the corner route ran by No. 2.

To the field they would match the concept with quarters coverage.

Instead of reading the corner like we would with the smash concept, we are reading the apex defender and his leverage. We are reading: 1 – Hitch, 2 – Slant. The apex defender usually hangs on the slant route, which results opening up the hitch route to the No. 1.

Pre-snap we are going to read the width of the safeties. If they are as wide as the hash, we are going to work No. 3 on the seam route with a linebacker trying to carry him.

We formation this concept. We like this concept to the boundary, so the three-man side will be to the field and the two-man side into the boundary.

If we get a press corner, we have an automatic conversion. The No. 1 receiver now converts to a go route. The No. 2 receiver doesn’t run a slant anymore, and instead, runs a vertical route at the safety to hold him, giving the outside wide receiver a one-on-one opportunity.

■■ Slant Bubble (diagram 3): Slant Bubble is conceptually very similar to Horn. We have a slant with a flat route. Putting the apex defender in conflict again.

With No. 2 on a bubble, the tight end is on a “bubble alert.” This tells him to align off the line of scrimmage and the No. 1 receiver to align on the line of scrimmage.

Against 2-High, we will work the three-man side: 1 – Seam, 2 – Slant, 3 – Bubble.

Against 1-High, we will work the two man side: 1 – Slant, 2 – Bubble.

Unlike Horn where we like it from the hash, we can run Slant Bubble from anywhere on the field. From either hash or the middle of the field.

This is a great “man beater” as well. You get a natural rub with the slant-bubble.

■■ Spot Bubble (diagram 4): To the three-man side we have the “Spot” concept and automatically have a slant-bubble backside.

No. 1 runs a 5-yard spot route; No. 2 runs a 5-yard pylon route; No. 3 always runs a bubble.

The No. 1 receiver running the spot route has to ID the Mike linebacker. He has to find a void in

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the defense where the Mike is not. The Sam linebacker is going to chase the bubble. The quarterback is throwing off the level-two apex defender.

The quarterback is reading: 1 – Spot, 2 – Bubble off the apex defender.

We will motion the No. 1 receiver in towards the No. 2 receiver to create an easier release.

If the defense has a struggling Will linebacker that likes to jump routes like the bubble, then we will work the slant-bubble combination backside.

■■ Go-Slant-Slant (diagram 5): We run Go-Slant-Slant with “Tac” motion from the running back. We will send him in motion from the backfield towards the three-man side, creating a four-man surface.

The quarterback will key the Mike linebacker on the motion. If the Mike linebacker runs with the motion, the quarterback will throw the slant to No. 3 in behind him. If the Mike linebacker does not run with the motion then the quarterback will get his eyes to the Sam linebacker, otherwise known as the apex defender.

The quarterback will then throw the slant to No. 2 or the swing route to the running back depending on his movement.

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PLAYBOOK presented by Adding RPO’s to your run game

BY JARRETT TROXLER

Here at Massillon (Ohio) Washington, we are a multiple pro style/spread offense. We have taken a lot of different parts of other offensive systems and made our own. There are parts of various systems including the Air Raid and Tony Franklin System.

In 2018, we were the Ohio state runner-up in Division II. We averaged 44.7 points per game and 416 yards per game.

This year we had a record-setting season: ■■ Most points scored in a season (670) ■■ Most touchdowns scored in a season (93) ■■ Most wins in a season (14) ■■ Most offensive yards in a season (6,244)

Offensive Staff Culture We have a close offensive staff at Massillon.

Our culture as an offensive staff is to encourage everyone to question the status quo. We have created an environment in the offensive office that every detail will be questioned.

■■ No egos.

■■ If a coach brings up an idea, he must be prepared to put it on the board and show how it fits within our system.

■■ No wasted time.

■■ “Question everything. Trash no one.”

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Massillon RPO Drill Work Like any other scheme, we drill RPOs and develop the skill set required to master them, specifically when talking about the quarterback.

We find time to drill these RPO skills throughout practice, whether that be pre-practice, during special teams’ periods or combining drills and working the quarterback’s footwork to master the skillset needed to execute.

Give the quarterback different looks in practice scripts and cards. Don’t give your quarterback the same look all week on scout cards. We draw up our scout cards every day.

We don’t draw up the cards on Sunday and say, “These are the cards we’ll use all week.” I want to put our quarterback in a bind with the scout looks to provide different looks. I don’t want to give the same look all week long because that’s not how it will be on Friday night.

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Massillon RPOs ■■ More pre-snap RPOs than post-snap RPOs ■■ Gives our offense the ability to be a full field offense ■■ The goal is to ensure we have a great run look in the box ■■ Around 85 percent of our runs have a RPO tag attached to them.

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RPO Skillset Progression In the offseason we use Hudl, installs, videos and whiteboard to teach the schemes of what we’re doing. Then we progress into the preseason and summer camps to start drilling the footwork. This is our progression for our drill work.

■■ Drops/Footwork ■■ Drops/Footwork/Throw (Static) ■■ Drops/Footwork/Throw with WR’s (Routes) ■■ Run Tracks/Throw (Static) ■■ Run Tracks/Throw with WRs (Working the scheme)

Massillon Base RPO Schemes Tag Screen (diagram 1): This is day one install for us. We are teaching the “Y” to flat fast and under control. He is blocking the corner, but if the corner bails he is peaking back inside to possibly block the safety or Sam linebacker.

The main read for the quarterback is the Sam linebacker. If he’s coming off the edge we’ll throw. If he’s in the box we’ll throw. There are times when maybe the Sam isn’t in the box but isn’t wide either, so we’ll throw to the tag screen and force the defense to run and tackle in space.

The main goal is to get the Sam away from the run game and give us a favorable run look.

■■ Quick Game Schemes (diagram 2): We really like this tag against 1-high looks and man coverage. We came up with this scheme as an answer for when defenses are clouding and knifing real hard on the tag screen.

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

The No. 2 receiver is on a wide fade while the No. 1 is on a 3-step slant.

Against 1-high in an unfavorable run box we’ll throw this. With man coverage, I really like the wide fade by No. 2.

■■ Tag Screen paired with Quick Game (diagram 3): This is our tag screen paired with some sort of quick game paired backside. You still have the same read to the frontside on the Sam linebacker.

First, the quarterback would check backside and see if he has what he wants. If the defense drops the weak safety down or rotates him to the middle of the field, then you can throw the backside. You can game plan the route backside.

You can put the “X” on a vertical, a hitch, a free access out route or a 3-step slant. This holds the backside of the defense accountable.

If you have a really good player backside at the “X,” a lot of the times the defense will keep that weak safety over the top. That forces the defense to defend the entire field.

If the defense keeps the weak safety high and backside then we’ll look out at the Sam linebacker to see if we want to run the football or throw the tag screen frontside.

■■ Red Zone Verticals (diagram 4): You can run this scheme in the open field – as we have – but we think it’s a little more effective in the red zone. We kind of stumbled onto this scheme by accident. We were blocking pass up front and running fades on the outside, but because the safeties saw a high hat from the offensive line, they were able to get over the top and help on the fades.

We just started blocking power up front to draw the safeties in and throw the fade.

If we are getting 2-high then we’ll run the ball because we have the box count that we’re looking for. If we’re getting 1-high then we’ll throw the fade based off which way the free safety is leaning.

■■ Pop Pass Series (diagram 5): Up front, we’ll block a fold scheme where the guard will fold up on the frontside linebacker and we’ll read the Mike linebacker for a give-or-run read.

With the pop pass RPO, we still have a pre-snap tag screen that we can throw. If the Sam tightens down close to the No. 3 then we’ll throw the tag screen. We want to force the Sam linebacker to defend the tag screen so we can play off the Mike linebacker with the pop pass.

This is a post-snap RPO, but we have a pre-snap RPO built into it to keep us in a good play.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

WEAPONIZE YOUR KICKOFF RETURN Marty Berson has spent chunks of the last 30 years coaching special teams at various levels of high school football in Orange County. He has implemented an option kickoff return scheme that relies on reverses and misdirection to spark explosive plays.

Why not inject some fun for your players and excitement

BY MARTY BERSON

■■ By implementing an option kickoff return scheme, coaches can turn an otherwise predictable play into instant offense.

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for your fans right at the start of the football season? First games of the season offer teams the opportunity to surprise opponents with plays or schemes that have not been seen previously on any past game tapes.

Just envision what the effects of returning the season’s opening kickoff for a touchdown would do for your team and your fans not to mention the reverse for your opponent.

We have experienced this scenario numerous times. When first introducing the reverse to the other members of our coaching staff, it wasn’t exactly met with overwhelming enthusiasm.

However with persistence the staff finally gave their reluctant approval. Only given 15 minutes of practice time to teach and implement the new kickoff return the day prior to the opener, miraculously, somehow we got it done.

On game day, prior to the captains’ meeting with the referees, our captain was instructed not to defer if we won the coin toss. We wanted the ball first. We lost the flip but it was immaterial as our opponent deferred. Some of the older coaches were seen rolling their eyes when they heard that we were going to run the reverse. The whistle blew

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and the ball was kicked deep. Only 17 seconds and 80 yards later, our wing back crossed the goal line untouched. Everyone on our side was going crazy.

The opposition side was silent and in a state of shock.

The wedge return or a variation is the predominate choice of most programs. Albeit a fine return, it offers little deception. From our perspective the wedge plays right into the hands of the defense whose strength lies in the center.

We prefer to attack the flanks, which we deem weaker. Despite that potential advantage, most teams use little imagination or variety in their return game. Their preference is power on power.

We believe it wiser to attack the weakest point of the defense, the flanks. All teams designate one player as the contain man. As such, their job is not to allow the ball carrier to get outside. Our return has a wedge appearance and can in actuality be a wedge return. However, our design is to run a reverse either left or right where we can deceive and outman the end responsible for containment.

We count heavily on the human aspect of the game. Regardless how disciplined a team is, once the contain men believe the return is a middle wedge their tendency inevitably is to flow toward the middle. This plays right into our hands.

We align our personnel as shown in the diagrams. The front five are aligned on the 40-yard-line. That personnel group is comprised of five of our largest, most physical and fastest linemen or linebackers. Arbitrarily on the diagram they are designated as center, guards and tackles. The three players aligned on the 25-yard-line are comprised of a blocking end, quarterback and a wingback. The quarterback should be the best ball-handler and the wingback the fastest back on the squad.

The back aligned on the 20-yard-line should be a fullback or blocking back. The two deep returners are aligned at the 10. Of course, the alignment of the backs can vary dependent upon the opponents kicking abilities. Our first option is always to run the reverse. However, if the kick is squibbed or mishandled, the wedge return is automatic. The reverse can be run toward either sideline. Our preference is toward our sideline.

Executing the Wing Reverse Left The front five must first defend the onside kick. Once the ball is kicked deep they sprint back to approximately the 25-yard line to the position of the QB. The center, guards and the right tackle move to their left while retreating and center the formation in front of the QB. Their job is to form a wedge and protect him.

The left tackle swings wide to his left and loops back to the 25-yard-line to attack the first man to react to the reverse. He does absolutely no good blocking anyone who has fallen for the fake wedge.

The left end is responsible for kicking out the defender guarding the sideline. Predicated upon scouting reports or film, most teams know in advance who has sideline responsibility.

The defense may X or loop the third man outside or leave the outside man with contain.

After the kickoff, the QB turns his back on the defense and faces the deep returners. The front five conceal the QB from the defense. His job is to receive the handoff from the deep back and hand the ball to the Wing positioned to his left. The end behind the QB is responsible for sealing off the inside. He picks up anyone who reacts from the wedge or a safety coming upunlike the loft tackle who picks up anyone who filters through.

He goes immediately to help seal off the inside.

The returner who does not receive the kickoff becomes the lead blocker for the wing. Both receivers head toward the QB. If the kickoff is to the left returner the back on the right allows the possession returner to go first and then fall in behind and heads to the QB’s left where he becomes the wing’s lead blocker.

The opposite applies if the reverse is to the right.

The possession returner runs toward the QB on a path that takes him slightly to the QB’s right, so a smooth handoff can occur. The wing takes a drop step and waits until the returner is half way to toward the QB. As the deep back approaches, the QB the wing should be converging on a lateral path toward the QB at full speed. His arrival must be precisely after the QB has received the handoff from the returner.

When the returner is 5 yards from the QB he yells, “GO, GO”, signaling the linemen to move forward. The return images a wedge return. He then hands the ball off to the QB.

The exchange between the returner and the QB cannot be a forward handoff. To ensure the legality the returner hands the ball after he has passed the QB by extending his right arm backwards and places the ball in the stomach of the QB. He then continues to carry out his fake wedge return. This technique legalizes the return.

As soon as the QB receives the handoff he then hands the ball to the wing. Being in a precarious position with his back to the defense he has been coached that immediately after handing the ball to the wing, to sprint in the opposition direction of the wing.

COACHING POINTS ■■ Have the backs practice the precision and the timing of the handoffs without the presence of linemen.

■■ The linemen initially engage the defense. After first contact, let them sift through. Proceed downfield as a convoy, sealing off the outside running lane. After initial contact only, block defenders who have reacted to the reverse.

■■ Always alert the referees about the reverse and the legality of the backwards handoff. It would be a shame to have a touchdown called back because of an inadvertent whistle by a referee deceived by the fakes.

■■ Never defer, always receive. Don’t wait for the second half, it may be too late. That initial score can mean the difference between winning and losing.

The Positives of Implementing This Scheme ■■ Anytime you force your opponents to spend extra time in preparation, that is a plus.

■■ If they are always looking for the reverse, the wedge might pop wide open.

■■ Teams may never kick deep, rather squibbing the ball to you in fear of the reverse, giving you excellent starting field position.

■■ Despite the opposition looking for the reverse with great deception and disguise of the wedge, it may still produce a great gain if not a score.

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BACK IN THE DAY

Conditioning the Way It Used to Be It was the fall of 1974. I was a doe-eyed sophomore trying out for the high school football team — standing 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing 110 pounds.

This was at Logan Elm High School, a rural, single-A bastion of secondary education located 30 miles south of Columbus, Ohio.

BY JOHN SCANLAN

That summer, the Logan Elm Braves had a new head football coach, Mr. Perry Griffith.

He was a graduate of Worthington High School, a AAA powerhouse located in a wealthy Columbus suburb. There, he had been a football star and state champion wrestler. Now he was tasked with turning country bumpkins into not only winners on the football field — but ■■ Coach Perry Griffith also winners in life.

The sports page of the local newspaper, The Circleville Herald, always printed when the first day of football practice would be held for the four high schools in the county. Logan Elm was to start on August 1, which I learned by reading a tiny byline beneath a huge article about the Cincinnati Reds’ current home stand.

So, 60 hayseeds showed up at 6:00 p.m. on Aug. 1, not sure of what to expect. To start with, we were all herded to the 50 yard line and told to take a knee. There, with the new assistant coaches standing in a row behind him, Mr. Griffith introduced himself. With the bill of a baseball cap pulled down low over his eyes, he glared at his young tutelages. The short sleeves of his Polo shirt strained to contain his biceps, and the whistle around his neck hung in a valley between his pectorals. Sporting classic black, polyester coaching shorts, white knee socks, and 1960’s football cleats, he reminded me of Vince Lombardi.

With a clipboard in one hand and a stopwatch in the other, he stated that we were about to be timed in an inventory one-mile run. That mile would consist of four laps around the school’s cinder track in shorts, shirt, socks and football cleats.

I mumbled, “What?”

Was a timed mile Mr. Griffith’s way of taking stock of what he had to work with?

Then Mr. Griffith continued, explaining that we would be timed again on Friday, Aug. 9. At that time, backs and ends would have to complete the mile in six minutes, and linemen would have to finish in 6:30. Those who failed wouldn’t get their pads. It was that simple.

My eyebrows went up. Internally, I called his policy “running for your pads.” Did other high school football teams do that? Or was that just a big-city-like-Columbus thing?

But at the same time, I didn’t object to Mr. Griffith’s policy.

Young, pubescent males needed to learn the valuable lesson of overcoming obstacles to achieve one’s goals.

“Okay, get up and follow me,” Mr. Griffith commanded. He spun about and began walking toward the Logan Elm sideline.

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“GENTLEMEN, TONIGHT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL!” Tweeeeet!

In the gaggle that followed him, my head was spinning. Run an inventory mile for time?

Mr. Griffith halted in the grass behind the Logan Elm bench. With his clipboard and stop watch in hand, he jumped upon the bench to a more domineering position. Then he dispatched his new assistant coaches to the four inside corners of the track — to simultaneously provide encouragement and prevent cutting corners. Sixty country bumpkins crowded the starting line on Logan Elm’s track.

From atop the bench, Mr. Griffith commanded, “ON YOUR MARK . . . GET SET . . . GO!” Eight minutes later, my shins hurt from running in cleats on the track’s cinders. But that was small potatoes. I remember boys doubled over in pain and gasping for air. I recall boys begging for water. I recollect boys puking on the track. Some boys even got in their cars and never returned.

The very next evening at 6:00 was our first real practice.

However, before starting, we were all corralled together again, but this time it was at the 50 yard line of our parched practice field.

“Take a knee,” Mr. Griffith instructed again.

A smaller horde knelt down in front of their new head coach.

The five-minute speech that followed would best be summarized with the following three sentences: “Getting out of shape is a natural thing. Don’t worry about it.

I’ll get you where you need to be.”

After which, Mr. Griffith called us all in to huddle around him, and commanded “READYYYYYY . . . BREAK! GENTLEMEN, TONIGHT IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL!” Tweeeeet!

What followed that night and for the next week were basic conditioning drills like we had never seen. Even the “warm-ups” involved more running than last year’s entire daily practices.

■■ John Scanlan is a 1977 graduate of Logan Elm High (Ohio), where he was a senior letterman in football. He won the 1976 “Most Coachable” award in football. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1983 and spent 20 years in the Marine Corps as an aviator. The Desert Storm veteran and Top Gun graduate retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. In his second career, he is a freelance writer for publications such as Chicken Soup for the Soul, Reminisce, and Good Old Days.

He offered this submission to FNF Coaches.

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

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INSPIRATION

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

Responsibility

The superior man blames himself. The inferior man blames others.” –Don Shula

Dedication

You don’t show up on game day and expect to be great.

Greatness happens in practice. You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” –Michael Jordan

HEART

I’m not looking for the best players, I’m looking for the right ones.”

–Herb Brooks

Effort

We compete not so much against an opponent, but against ourselves. The real test is: Did I make my best effort on every play?” –Bud Wilkinson

MENTOR

More than winning, I believe it is our job as coaches to develop our players into responsible leaders.” –Pat Summit

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