FNF Coaches 2019 "Football Tech" by A.E. Engine

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The Magazine for High School Football Coaches

summer 2019

PLAYBOOK

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college Q&A WITH

university of iowa Coach kirk ferentz

Tech Product Spotlight

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A High School Legend Retires Inspirational Quotes | FNF Coaches Talk Improve On-Field Tech | Athlete Monitoring Why Use Force Plates? | Concussion Safety Photographer of the Year

10. COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

CONTENTSUMMER

FOOTBALL TECH 18

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04. NEWS+NOTES 05. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 16. GSC COACH-TO-PLAYER™ 24. INNOVATOR’S SPOTLIGHT 26. SIDELINE POWER 28. TECH PRODUCTS FOR COACHES 39. INSPIRATION

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR We are proud to present our fifth edition of 2019, which has a “Football Tech” theme. The summer of 2019 offers an opportunity for a coach to take stock of his program and form a wish list for the upcoming season. What new tech devices might help your team practice more efficiently? What gear or apparel will help your players develop strength faster and recover quicker. We attempt to uncover some of those items, as we dive into the trends from the 2018 season. We also spoke with coaches about the process of recharging during the summer. So many times, the season starts with a flurry of unexpected activity (injuries, transfers, coaching moves).Players and coaches are left scrambling as to how to recalibrate their goals. The head coach has the ultimate responsibility of providing energy, enthusiasm and inspiration throughout the offseason. Some legendary coaches offer their advice of this topic. We will share the stories and tips from experts in the field– whether it’s other coaches, authors, or coaches that specialize in strength, conditioning, speed, equipment, nutrition, motivation, safety or recovery – in hopes of sharing some information that high school football coaches may not know. It’s worth taking the time in the summer 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

INSPIRING TEXAS COACH, WHO WAS BATTLING GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE, DIES

fter battling Graft-versus-host disease for over three years,

former Newton High (Texas) athletic director and head football coach W.T. Johnston died on May 11. In eight seasons, Johnston went 97-15 with the Eagles, capped off with back-to-back UIL state titles, despite suffering from Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which he developed after receiving a double lung transplant in 2015. GVHD is defined as a common complication, as many as four out of five people who get a transplant get it in some form, and

The Indiana High School Athletic Association executive committee approved a mercy rule in May that will go into effect this fall. When a point differential reaches 35 points in the second half, the game clock will convert to a running clock for the remainder of the game with the exception of timeouts, scores and injuries. Once implemented, the clock will not revert to standard timing regardless of the score.

In an effort to further promote sportsmanship and support contest officials and administrators, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Board of Control approved a recommendation to adopt a Spectator Conduct provision. The approved policy states that “any adult spectator (adult who is not listed on the current roster of coaches for the school) at any KHSAA sanctioned interscholastic event (scrimmage, regular or postseason contest) who is removed by school administrators or by law enforcement (whether or not referred by a contest official) for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be suspended from attending, at minimum, the next contest.”

it happens when the cells that come from a donor mistakenly attack your own cells. Newton went 15-0 each of the past two seasons and won two 3A Division II titles. Following the game, Johnston gave one of the most powerful post-game messages by saying he used his final season to teach his players how to face death with dignity. Johnston resigned from his positions in April with his son, Drew, taking over. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAD THE MOST SELECTIONS

in the NFL Draft with 34, including five in the first round – two more than any other state. In fact, Broward County had more (4) than any other state in the first round. Florida, California, and Texas combined for 83 of the 254 selections. In total there was at least one player selected from 39 different states. The only other states with at least 10 players taken were Georgia (13), Louisiana (10), Mississippi (10), Ohio (14), and Virginia (10).

TRENDING TOPICS @FNFCOACHES The 3 Best Performance Enhancing Supplements: 8 Hours of Sleep, Real Food, Water @COACHALANBISHOP The basic building block of a championship culture is the championship individual. Without developing #accountability and #discipline at the personal level to produce high quality individuals, there is a ZERO PERCENT chance of having strong #TeamChemistry and #Culture #TAKEthePAC @COACHFELD Never allow athletics to be your only identity. Regardless of how physically gifted or talented you are at some point in life you’re going to need other talents. One dimensional athletes often struggle when their athletic ability fades. #AP2W @DUKECOACHDJ If it’s important to you, you find a way. If it’s not, you make excuses. Interested means you do it when it’s convenient. Committed means you do it no matter what. We drill this to our players regarding our offseason workouts.We dont want kids who just show up when the pads come out. @COACHMATSUMOTO

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Catapult Sports and Prevent Biometrics announced a cooperative agreement to test their technologies together across North America, Europe and Australia. The partnership expands joint trials the companies conducted with the University of Colorado football team during spring practice this April. Under the agreement, Catapult and Prevent will outfit designated elite level teams with Catapult’s flagship ClearSky and OpenField athlete wearable tracking technology and Prevent’s Impact Monitor Mouthguard, looking to evaluate athlete performance and head impact data in an integrated manner. Ultimately, the companies hope to provide teams with the clearest understanding of the total demands they are putting on athletes.

THE STUDENTS AGAINST VIOLENCE APP,

launched by The Jason Foundation Inc. and Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, enables states to address pressing issues for young people, including bullying, teen dating violence and suicide. The app also provides resources for students dealing with domestic violence, school violence, self-harm, depression and anxiety, drug abuse, electronic cigarettes, and underage drinking. It is available as a free download. Tennessee will be the second state to roll out the app with an expected launch this summer. Eight more states are slated to sign on by midfall. The app can be customized with local resources, laws and information.

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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 May 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.

Calling a defense a 3-4 scheme is pretty much obsolete ■■ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Defensive terms such as 4-3 and 3-4 are obsolete and have lost their relevance because many teams spend so much time in subpackage defenses. Those are defenses which employ anywhere from five to seven defensive backs playing multiple positions. So, if you’re teaching a 3-4 defense, and you use the Pittsburgh Steelers as an example, it’s likely that you’re using film from a previous version of the team. The Steelers were in their subpackages — either nickel, dime or dollar defenses — between 75 to 80 percent of the time in 2018, according to coach Mike Tomlin. And with the AFC North Division undergoing a transformation with players such as Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr., the Steelers might be using those defenses even more in 2019. Seven defensive backs might not be enough. What are the different variations the Steelers run now that they rarely run a 3-4? Their nickel defense, probably their most popular subpackage, consists of three cornerbacks and two safeties. The dime defense, which is becoming more frequent, features three cornerbacks and three safeties. A variation of that defense is their “quarter” package, which is four cornerbacks and two safeties. In either of those packages, one of the “inside linebackers” could be a safety.

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■■ Defensive schemes have become more difficult to identify due to sub packages.

Their dollar defense features seven defensive backs with no true inside linebacker. ■■ How often do you use subpackages with more than four defensive backs?

Why Memphis Tigers athletes are part of ground-breaking approach to injury recovery ■■ Commercial Appeal

Dr. Daniel Greenwood stood near the sideline watching the Memphis spring game on a computer screen. Greenwood, the director of Memphis’ Human Performance Center, and his team kept an eye on 12 players through data recorded by GPS sensors. It tracked their distance and velocity while measuring the impact happening in their upper bodies. It’s something he started doing over the last half of spring practice in the latest change that Greenwood has brought

to the football team and the Memphis athletics program since he arrived in September. “The GPS sensors help the teams answers two questions,” Greenwood said. “What does my body need to do to sustain this effort in games? And how do I train to prepare for it?” One of his early conversations was with Memphis football senior assistant athletic trainer Larry Reynolds. The two discussed sophomore quarterback Markevion Quinn and his rehab from the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that he suffered in the spring before he transferred. The conversation shifted to bone loading, a way to measure impact on an athlete’s leg while in motion. It had been used mostly with distance runners in cross country, but Greenwood said it hadn’t been used on a college football player.

Greenwood had been given a trial run of inertial sensors, which measure the amount of force exerted on a leg, from a New Zealand-based company called IMeasureU. He was familiar with them from his previous job at the Australian Institute of Sport. Reynolds was curious if they could help assist with Quinn’s rehab and the two agreed to try it out. “We both thought that the sensors offered a potential solution to improve the individualization of the rehabilitation process and we were both brave enough to be the first team in the world to trial these sensors on a football athlete,” Greenwood said. ■■ What computer data do you use for training sessions, game prep or play-calling?

Rams coach Sean McVay believes he made mistake of over-preparing for Super Bowl ■■ MMQB

Three months ago, the Rams defense produced what could prove to be the most impressive forgotten Super Bowl performance in history. Tom Brady and the Patriots came in averaging 27.3 points a game in the regular season and 39 points a game in the playoffs, and Los Angeles held them to just 13. Rams coach Sean McVay has watched the Super Bowl film a few times, the first being the Monday after the game. “I was ready to talk a couple of hours after the game,” McVay says. “It would be spurts where [I would] be OK and then [suddenly] it was like, ‘I can’t flippin’ believe that we lost that game!’ Or you suddenly think, ‘I was so bad in that moment!” Then when you think you are past that, something comes up and again you’re like, ‘I can’t flippin’ believe that!’ But I really was over it in 48 hours. “But you have to give the Patriots credit, they were their best when their best was demanded. And personally, I wasn’t good enough. I have to do a better job.” McVay has thought about the adjustments he’ll make should the Rams “be fortunate enough to return” to a Super Bowl—and much of it would be in his personal preparation. “In the back of my mind, [when making the Super Bowl game plan back in L.A.],

I operated knowing I had another week. That urgency to completely finalize the gameplan wasn’t quite there, and that led to me watching so much film that you can almost water down your thought process.” A coach’s instinct, he explains, is to want to do as much work as possible. But before the Super Bowl, McVay admits that “you have so much time that you can over-prepare and get away from some of the things that helped you get there. I watched every game from New England’s season. You see stuff that worked in, say, Week 3, but you forget about the amount of stuff that’s taken place since Week 3. You can watch so much film that you lose perspective. You have 18 games of film you can pore over. And then I even watched the Philly and Atlanta Super Bowls closely.” ■■ How do you prevent yourself from studying too much film before facing an opponent?

Save $35 on Adidas Soft Shell Helmets by Gamebreaker ■■ FNF Coaches

Coaches — One of our partners has extended an offer of an exciting new deal that will benefit your team heading into 7-on-7 season. You can save $35 on each Adidas Soft Shell Helmet by GameBreaker with a minimum purchase of 10 helmets. Team Express has extended this

offer through the summer. Each helmet is available at a cost of $55 — $35 below the suggested price of $90. ■■ Contact Team Express Sales at 1-866-816-9892 or email teamsales@ teamexpress.com.

Math Teachers Should Be More Like Football Coaches ■■ New York Times

You’ll like this one, coaches! There is evidence to suggest that the motivational style of high school football coaches could translate to any profession, including math teachers. A growing body of research shows that students are affected by more than just the quality of a lesson plan. They also respond to the passion of their teachers and the engagement of their peers, and they seek a sense of purpose. They benefit from specific instructions, constant feedback and a culture of learning that encourages resilience in the face of failure — not unlike a football practice. There are many ways to be an effective teacher, just as there are many ways to be an effective coach. But all good teachers, like good coaches, communicate that they care about your goals. ■■ How do you make sure you’re bringing energy and enthusiasm to every practice and training session?

■■ Math teachers could benefit from teaching in the style of high school football coaches.

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COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

Q&A with university of iowa

coach kirk ferentz BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

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irk Ferentz is the winningest coach in the

history of University of Iowa football with a lifetime record of 152-101. Ferentz led Iowa to Big Ten Conference championships in 2002, 2004 and 2015. Thanks for joining us for the summer edition. What are some of the things you’re working on this time of year? “For coaches, it’s a great opportunity to go through your system on film and do some advanced scouting. We do more self-study. Maybe I’ll visit with other people about ideas that I might want to integrate into our program. Take advantage of the resources you have around you, and visit with people that you think do things that might be beneficial to your program. It could be anybody, any sport, or any business. There are millions of people you could visit that would help you.” From a strength and conditioning standpoint, what’s changed at the college level that maybe hasn’t yet trickled down to high school football? “My encouragement there is this: Whatever position you’re coaching, whatever you’re responsible for, learn from people who are qualified in that field. My high school coach went to the Pittsburgh Steelers to learn about their strength program. Whatever you’re responsible for learning, make sure you find people who are knowledgeable in that area. Sometimes, the quality of the college facilities and equipment might not transfer directly. Take what pertains to your program and fit it to the athletes.” Why haven’t you taken any NFL head coaching jobs you’ve been offered? “One of my mentors once told me there are two kinds of coaches – coaches who are in it to be head coaches and coaches who love coaching. I’ve tried to enjoy every day as best I could at my given responsibility. I’ve tried to learn. That’s incumbent for all of us. We do the best we can do as coaches, and we ask the players to do that too. I wouldn’t describe myself as someone who is preoccupied with the next job.” You coached on a Cleveland Browns staff with Bill Belichick and Nick Saban. What did you learn from those two? “It’s kind of interesting; I’ve been in two situations like that. When I came

here in 1981, that staff included Barry Alvarez, Bill Snyder and Dan McCarney. The commonality is that somebody had to pick the right people. It was Coach (Hayden) Frye here in the 1980’s, and Coach Belichick in Cleveland. The bottom line in Cleveland was it was a great atmosphere and football environment. At the time, not many people recognized how gifted Belichick was. History has proven that to be a fact. He was a Hall of Fame coach in Cleveland, just a rare person and coach. We were all young, and we learned that if you pay attention to what you’re doing and keep your mouth shut, you might learn something.” How do you handle a player who is getting into trouble or not going to class? “I’ve read that the problem with millennials is they always need you to explain why. I think that’s ludicrous. The best teachers always explain why. That’s the essence of teaching. Discipline is getting people to understand this is why we do this. Some things are negotiable, some are not. It comes down to education and explaining why this is important.” How do you keep the parents of players from becoming negative influences on the program? “We’ve got to educate the parents on what this experience is about. What are the goals? What are we trying to accomplish? The reality is very few high school players are going to become scholarship athletes. Educate parents on what the realities are. The best thing I’ve heard about this was from legendary De La Salle (Calif.) High coach Bob Ladouceur. He said the goal of his team every season was for the players to have the ultimate team experience. That takes a little bit of salesmanship and education to get the parents to buy in. They might say, ‘My kid’s 5-8, and Bob Sanders was 5-8.’ Well, Bob Sanders was dynamite. Our guys might dream of making it to the NFL, but every player should get a degree. That’s realistic. Make sure you’re advocating for that.”

What new piece of technology are you using that helps your team? “We’re fortunate to be able see the way our GPS technology puts science behind our intuition. Everybody develops senses, and now this puts science behind it. Our strength coach might say that two guys are getting up their high-speed volume workload. Maybe it’s a receiver/ return guy, and he’s a good voice of caution to have the player sit out a punt.

Maybe he’ll develop a hamstring issue if we leave him out there. Teaching a safe and effective way play is critical. I stress the importance of three simple things with my players. The first is the importance of sleep and rest. The second is good training and nutrition. The third is social media. I encourage them to track their sleep and social media use, and it’s usually tied together. Take those three steps, and your guys can get an edge.”

FERENTZ’S RECRUITING PHILOSOPHY FERENTZ TAKES PRIDE IN

running a program like a high school coach. He takes the best local talent and takes pride in developing the players. “If you find a really good high school coach, chances are he’s a really good teacher who understands the basics,” Ferentz said. “In high school, you coach the athletes you have.” Ferentz encourages high

school coaches to recruit in their own schools. “The best recruiting in high school is done within the hallways,” Ferentz said. “If you see a guy playing basketball or running track who isn’t playing football, you’re crazy not to recruit him.” The Iowa coaches don’t set minimum requirements for height and weight at because they understand players can

outperform those metrics. “We have 3 million people in our state,” Ferentz said. “We’re playing in a conference with teams that have stadiums that seat 100,000-plus. We can’t look down our nose at a 6-foot center. “A player who impacted our program more than anybody in the last decade was Bob Sanders. He was 5-8 out of high school … out of college, and … when he was the defensive MVP of a Super Bowl.”

USA FOOTBALL

Get Certified Before the You Hit the Field Become a better coach and expand your knowledge before you start executing this summer’s practice plans. Both new and veteran coaches benefit from USA Football’s certification each year, because it helps inform and refresh their expertise when it comes to critical contact and non-contact aspects of football.

Blocking and Defeating Blocks During certification, coaches will learn how to maximize the performance and improve fundamental skills for blocking and defeating blocks. When it comes to blocking and defeating blocks, coaches will learn these key elements: ■■ Principles of Contact ■■ Blocking Techniques ■■ Defeating Blocks ■■ Shoulder Contact ■■ Force Deflection Concepts These core skills also form the base foundational concepts of USA Football’s Contact System, and they’re readily available in the certification courses. Both offensive and defensive line coaches will benefit from this information, but it also includes key principles that benefit skill position coaches as well, using the same terminology and core techniques.

Shoulder Tackling USA Football continues to offer leading educational resources on tackling through certification. Coaches will master the core techniques of shoulder tackling, learning efficient and better ways to teach this key defensive skill. This is led by former Seattle Seahawks’ coach Rocky Seto. You’ll learn the following concepts through drills and instructional video: ■■ Form Tackle ■■ Thigh & Drive Tackle ■■ Thigh & Roll Tackle ■■ Shoulder Tackling Drills ■■ Fundamentals & Leverage While many coaches have already made the switch to this method of tackling, getting certified will give coaches inspiration for drills this year and ensures they are fully up-to-date with regards to technique. Bonus: These core skills form the basis of USA Football’s free Shoulder Tackling System. Once coaches complete their certification, they can find over twenty additional drills at footballdevelopment.com/shoulder-tackling.

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Non-contact Components of Certification Mastering on-the-field concepts is important, but the non-contact elements of football are just as crucial. USA Football has partnered with NFHS to make sure these key areas of the game are covered. When taking the certification courses in these areas, coaches can expect to learn about: ■■ Proper Football Equipment Fitting ■■ Concussion in Sports ■■ Heat Illness Prevention ■■ Sudden Cardiac Arrest ■■ How to Get Certified Starting the 2019 season by getting certified before you step on the field means that you’ll be refreshed and informed on smarter techniques for contact for your athletes. By getting certified, you’ll also learn important health and safety information that can help prepare you for many situations you could encounter on and off the field. You can learn more about USA Football’s Certification with NFHS by visiting usafootball.com/certification.

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COACHING LEGENDS

Service Rendered: Legendary Pennsylvania Coach Retires After Five Decades As high school coaches across the country say goodbye to another academic year and turn their eyes toward summer workouts and preseason practice, the winningest coach in Pennsylvania history will be thinking about how he’ll spend his retirement. BY DEREK SMITH

The Jim Render Profile SCHOOL:

Upper St. Clair, Pa.

YEARS AT SCHOOL:

1979-2018

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS:

2 PIAA tiles (1989, 2006) COACHING RECORD: 406-141-6

Other schools: Carrolton, Ohio (1970-71); Uniontown, Pa. (1972-78)

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

■■ Upper St. Clair (Pa.) coach Jim Render

pper St. Clair, Pa., coach Jim Render, 76, announced in January he’s

stepping away from coaching after nearly five decades in the profession. He leaves with over 400 career victories, two state championships, five western Pennsylvania titles and a slew of memories as one of the most successful coaches in the country. Render is the only coach in western Pennsylvania with that many career wins. “I don’t know that there is any great time to retire,” Render said. “My family has been after me to do something else and enjoy a little part of the world. I’ve had a good run and I’ve coached a lot of great kids, marvelous kids.” Render began coaching in Ohio in 1970 at Carrolton High School. After a two-year stint there, he moved across the state line to Pennsylvania and led Uniontown High School for seven years before settling into Upper St. Clair, 10 miles south of Pittsburgh, for the next 40 years. Render said he hasn’t ruled out coaching somewhere in the future on a volunteer basis. He and his wife also have a trip planned to Italy in the fall.

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Won five WPIAL championships, six-time WPIAL runners-up, 38 playoff appearances, 23 conference titles, 25th all-time high school coaching list, coached NFL player Sean Lee, Dallas Cowboys and former MLB player Kevin Orie, Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Hall of Fame (1998), Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (2005), Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award (2013).

“I’m going to be 77 this summer and I don’t know that I have to do anything and just enjoy what’s going on around me. I’ve got four grandchildren so if something comes up that interests me on a part-time basis I might go for it.” In his free time before retirement, Render did some feature writing for USC Today, a local magazine, and profiled several of his former players, including Doug Whaley, former general manager of the Buffalo Bills; Sean Lee, linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys; Terry Hammons, former wide receiver at William and Mary; and Dr. Jeff Rudolph, a former player at Yale University. “(The stories) have been about people that I’ve had the honor of coaching who have gone on to be outstanding men,” he said. In Render’s final season at Upper St. Clair, he earned his 400th victory and led the Panthers to an 8-3 record and a 38th playoff appearance. The 400th win came on Aug. 31 vs. Peters Township, 16-14. In the 1960 class of Dover High School (Ohio), Render graduated from Wittenberg University. His wife, Pam, is retired from the Upper St. Clair school district, and his two sons, J.T. and Eric, both played for their father.

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.

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■■ The Stanford football team started an industry trend by using force plates to measure power.

Football Tech

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A coach wants to give his team every advantage to win. Sometimes, that means taking the time to learn about all of the latest technology. High school football is constantly evolving. Whether you are “old school” or “new school”, tech-savvy or computer illiterate, the coach at a small-town school or one at a powerhouse school with a college-style campus, you need to invest resources into keeping up with products and companies that are helping to improve the game. Every coach has a different budget, and expectations are different for every coaching staff. One coach may have a 10,000-square-foot weight room and a significant budget for equipment upgrades. Another may be looking to fundraise for one new tech product each season. We understand, and that’s why we’ll be presenting you with various options. Technology is changing the profession of coaching. It’s altering the world we live in, and also the way the game we love is played and coached. Technology is not just about spending money; it is about investing in the future and finding ways to better relate to players. We’ve all seen the way student-athletes learn these days – with devices and visual aids. Meet them where they are, and teach more efficiently. Read on to learn about the products and companies that are paving the way for the future of football.

8 Ways to Improve Your On-Field Technology BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

n-field technology allows coaches to view various angles of plays almost

immediately in games and practices, as well as communicate clearly with fellow coaches and players. Improving on-field technology can help a coach eliminate mistakes. There are various ways to improve on-field technology, depending on a school’s operating budget and resources. We’ve picked out eight. End zone cameras. Companies like Eyes in the Air, HUDL, Sideline Power, HD Endzonecam and Sport Scope offer models that allow video to stream directly to devices. Most systems include an HD camera with a 15- to 25-foot extension tower so that coaches can get an elevated look at formations and techniques. The videographer can film from a tree-stand tripod, or control the camera angle with a remote control. Sideline replay. Companies like GameStrat, Insight Replay and HUDL offer sideline replay systems that allow coaches and players to review game film anywhere on the field. The most basic models include a video camera (a phone or device), and monitors or tablets for viewing. Some of the higher-budget packages include large monitors, end-zone cameras, tripods, mounts, as well as iPad and iPhone accessories. Timers. Some companies, like CoachComm, offer the combo timer/ speaker system, while others, like Spectrum Timers and Victory Game Clocks, specialize simply in the timing system on wheels. A coach can program the timers into practice segments and focus on the quality of play rather than his watch and whistle. Sound systems. Most headset suppliers, such as Multivoice, X-Series and Porta Phone, can outfit coaches with a system that will serve as many as 20 coaches with wireless models. Companies such as Bigfoot® offer portable sound systems that are designed to cover the entire football field. Most of these systems have built-in Bluetooth technology. Drones. While the perception is that drones stretch a high school football budget more than sideline replay systems or end zone cameras, drones can provide an aerial vantage point for a lesser cost than other cameras. DJI and Phantom Pilots offer drones for well under $1,000 each, and many high school coaches are finding that to be within their budgets. Video technology. The camera technology has gotten so good that high school coaches are finding it within their budgets to afford products that remove the blur, and in some cases, don’t even require videographers to hold the camera. The DJI Osmo x5 is a handheld device that can be used while the videographer is in motion without blur. The HUDL Focus is a smart camera that follows the action and automatically records and uploads to HUDL. Tackling systems. With concussion research at the forefront of the sport of football, coaches are limited to the number of full-pad practices they can hold each week. Companies like TackleTube, TackleBar and MVP Drive provide padded equipment or robots for players to use when practicing tackling technique. Research shows the decrease in live reps has also caused a decrease in head injuries. Helmet communication. GSC’s Coach-to-Player™ is a stand-alone system or it can be integrated into any coach’s headset system. The coach can then speak directly to players through an earpiece in their helmets. It is used strictly in practice and can help increase reps.

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6 7 ■■ An end zone camera can help give coaches unique angles to review line play.

FOOTBALL TECH

5 Types of Athlete Monitoring Technology Gone are the days when coaches used to have to look for athletes breathing heavy or slumping with their hands on their knees to realize they needed breaks. Now, there is plenty of technology to signal fatigue and soreness so that coaches can avoid unproductive play or injury. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ Jawku

oaches have various options when it comes to monitoring an

athlete’s workload to improve performance and limit injury. We’ve picked out five. GPS monitoring. Catapult is likely the most popular GPS tracker for football teams, although other companies like Titan GPS and Jawku are also starting to break into the market at the high school level. Through a GPS (global positioning system) chip placed at the middle of a players’ spine, coaches and trainers can download info and click and see if a player is hurting, working hard or if he’s ready to return to fullcontact practice after an injury. Titan GPS measures metrics from games and practices, training loads and has an athlete management system to gauge an athlete’s soreness, readiness to return to the field, and stress levels. Athlete optimization. Companies like Kitman Labs, FusionSport, Edge10 and Kinduct use analytics to break down athlete performance and determine – by using medical records – the best course of action to maximize performance. Not only do these apps record and track all collected performance data, they offer coaches information to make more informed decisions, take decisive action and produce measurable results. Recovery systems. The Fatigue Science Team Solution helps staff and athletes make the connection between sleep and athletic performance. The wrist-worn Readiband is scientifically-validated at 92 percent accuracy compared to a clinical sleep lab. The Senaptec Sensory Station is an automated platform to quantify 10 sensory skills against a normative

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■■ Titan GPS

■■ HitCheck

database of other athletes. The system shows strengths and where improvements are most important. Playbook study. Now coaches can track how often players are studying their playbooks and game plans by tracking the time they spend on their devices in certain football apps. OX Sports allows coaches to reach players away from the field and academic setting. With players spending more and more time on devices, it is the perfect avenue for coaches to share learning tools through photos, videos, scouting reports and customized tips. Head impact tracking. Coaches, parents and athletic trainers can now screen for signs of concussions in minutes by using a mobile app. One company that provides that technology is HitCheck. The mobile app is available on a smartphone and is designed for everyone – not just medical experts. Through the app, players can test their baseline cognitive skills before game day so that they compare the results after they are suspected of suffering a head injury. Riddell’s InSite Training Tool (ITT) is also designed for use by youth, high school and college football programs. Mouthguard manufacturers are also getting in on concussion detection, with several companies creating mouthguards that send signals to computers or devices to alert trainers and coaches or head trauma. 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.

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FOOTBALL TECH

6 Reasons to Use Force Plates for Strength Training Coaches who invest in force analysis want high-quality data to improve their players’ performances in the weight room. However, we know that the highest priority for any addition of equipment or technology to the weight room is it has to be easy to use without taking the players off schedule. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

force plate is a weight scale that samples changes in applied force

at a high rate. The data from a force plate is useful, but it’s only one part of the puzzle, and it’s important to clear up what that information can do for a coach. A force plate is a strong platform connected to a computer or tablet. A force plate is capable of looking at all forces, such as lateral and horizontal force, not just the vertical plane. Saves time. Force plates provide rapid assessments of static and dynamic balance without running through a series of test (i.e. standing on one leg with eyes closed, etc.). Time allocation for monitoring players with force plates is a question of being able to extract as much valuable info as possible with minimum effort. Relieves pressure from coach during player rehab. The constant pressure to which staff members are subjected during the entire competitive season can negatively impact monitoring rehabbing players. Having an automated workstation can highly reduce the risk of low-quality work. Force plate platforms can be perfectly integrated in every weight room very easily thanks to their design and dimensions. Data visualization. Most force plate companies provide software with both structure and data visualization properties that are perfect for fast collection and data analysis. The data provided can help coaches recognize if an athlete is

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on track to hit his development goals, or whether he is ready to return to the field after an injury. Improved posture. It is usually recorded by a force platform, measuring the center of foot pressure displacement during a given time period. In a quiet stance, the body is normally maintained upright and the center of mass projects over the base of support provided by the feet. The data will offer tips to correct the position of the body’s center of mass, discrepancies arise between the two, particularly during fast or highfrequency components of motion. Body symmetry. A force plate can measure weaknesses in muscle mass or strength throughout the body and alert a coach and/or athlete so that he can spend more time and energy strengthening those weaknesses. With horizontal and lateral measurements – not just vertical – force plates can analyze muscle performance out of just about any stance or body position. Pressure mapping. Pressure mapping tools improve cleat fit, as well as adding another perspective to gait analysis. Tekscan, Novel, and Moticon systems are solving problems for sports medicine professionals as gait analysis is growing and becoming more practical. Coaches are realizing that instead of using research to validate general concepts, it’s better to research their own athletes with the same instruments they are reading about in the literature.

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INNOVATOR’S SPOTLIGHT

Prevent system provides teams accurate head impact data The game of football is obviously under pressure due to concerns around head impacts and their effect on player health. It’s an emotional and contentious issue at every level of the game, and all parties to the debate eagerly dispense “facts” to support their case. BY DAVID SIGEL, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER OF PREVENT BIOMETRICS

Ironically, the one set of facts missing when it comes to head health are the true head impact forces athletes are experiencing. Prevent Biometrics is a spin-off of the world renown Cleveland Clinic. Between us, we’ve been working for nearly 10 years to measure head impacts on the field, accurately, precisely and in real-time. The science needed to measure threedimensional head kinematics is highly complex, starting with the fundamental requirement that impact sensors are attached to the skull. Embedding sensors in a mouthguard has been found to be the only viable solution, because the upper arch of teeth is anatomically part of the skull. Engineering and manufacturing a wearable device with 100+ built-in electrical components, that fits comfortably and can be boiled and fit like a normal mouthguard, is the next challenge. Then you need a system to sanitize, charge and store the mouthguard, and receive all of its head impact data both in-game and through an analytics portal. The product needs to be independently validated. In our case at Prevent, we’re able to measure head impact forces with measurement accuracy within +/- 5%, an exceptional level of precision. Football teams at all levels will benefit immeasurably from the ability to deeply understand head impacts across the team and organization.

■■ Prevent Biometrics offers accurate, real-time head impact data through an app.

The introduction of accurate, real-time head impact data helps shift teams’ head health practices from observationally-based and subjective to datadriven and objective. Head impacts occur in about 20 milliseconds, or 1/10th an eye blink. Understandably, that’s hard for an athletic trainer or coach to see, especially with 22 players on the field. Reliable data through the Prevent app greatly supplements the process of identifying athletes for sideline evaluation. Coaches can use head impact monitoring to identify athletes experiencing high magnitude head impacts or high impact load. Oftentimes, certain athletes consistently put themselves at risk due to poor technique and that becomes visible through the data, especially when paired with film. The Prevent system helps coaches teach effective technique and better structure contact and live practice periods to manage head impact exposure. Organizations and teams that adopt head impact monitoring show that they are proactive about head health, and are leaders in improving safety, performance and growing the game of football. Teams can see the actual head impact exposure for players, and validate their safety practices with facts. This commitment reflects positively with players, recruits, parents and the team’s community. Advances in technology have delivered breakthroughs across athletic performance and training and it’s hard to imagine that analytics won’t become an even more important part of football going forward. Head impact monitoring holds transformational safety potential with no competitive tradeoff. We are proud to be introducing Prevent’s technology this year, and see it improving the game we all love.

ONLINE: PREVENTBIOMETRICS.COM EMAIL: SALES@PREVENTBIOMETRICS.COM FACEBOOK+INSTAGRAM: @PREVENTBIOMETRICS TWITTER: @PREVENTBIO

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EAT. SLEEP. PLAY. REPEAT. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always time time for for aa BUBBA BUBBA burger. burger.

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TECH CORNER

Spectrum Timers, Victory Game Clocks help coaches stay on schedule A coach needs to be able to rely on his team’s timing devices so that games and practices go off without a hitch. Spectrum Timers and Victory Game Clocks provide coaches with the peace of mind to know things will remain on schedule. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

I’m Matt Starr, founder and CEO of Sideline Power. 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 products, Spectrum Timers and Victory Game Clocks. In football, every game is measured in yards and downs. Every decision, however, is measured in seconds. When seconds count, you need a reliable time clock to make sure you are making the most of every moment in order to secure a win. That’s where Spectrum Timers and Victory Game Clocks come into play. Spectrum is one of the largest privately-owned custom scoreboard and electronic display manufacturers in the US. Spectrum Scoreboards was founded in Houston, Texas. With nearly a half century of experience, Spectrum products are known for their superior performance, longevity, and durability. Likewise, Victory Game Clocks, based in Roanoke, Ala., exceeds the timing and scoring needs of coaches, teams for high school, college, and beyond. When looking at portable segment timers, the EB-5 is a great place to focus. With 99 programmable segments of up to 99 minutes of timing (up or down), the EB-5 allows you to run a game clock while practicing pre-programmed segments during a fluid, non-stop, practice. Spectrum Segment Timers and Game Clocks are programmed prior to the practice and/or game so that transitions happen fluidly, automatically and seamlessly. With a recessed, face-mounted horn, you don’t have to keep an eye on the clock with a whistle in your mouth. The horn sounds automatically at the end of each segment helping keep your practice on track and on schedule.

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Victory Game Clocks offer four functional modes and the latest technology. With Practice mode, Two-Minute drill mode, Game Clock mode, and Custom Play Clock modes, Victory Game Clocks let you prescript your practice with up to 99 segments of up to 99 minutes a piece with the option of an audible horn at the end of each segment. Fully weatherproof with reliable wireless operation, Victory Game Clocks have been tested to over half a mile with flawless operation between control module and clock. With permanent or mobile stands available, these clocks run on hardwired, battery, or even solar power to make sure your system is #PoweredUp regardless of the situation. Whether you are looking at the full Spectrum or going for Victory, Sideline Power has the Segment Timers and Clocks that will keep your practice and game on schedule. For more information on any of the Spectrum or Victory products that will get your team #PoweredUp, check out sidelinepower.com.

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

MATT STARR FOUNDER AND CEO, SIDELINE POWER

Tech Products for Coaches

Looking for tech products that will help upgrade your program? These are the products we think will be useful for coaches in games, practices and training sessions. Catapult OptimEye S5

OptimEye S5 is the most widely-used athlete tracking technology in elite sport. High-quality, GPS-derived movement data coupled with our unique suite of bespoke inertial sensor metrics gives the most demanding of practitioners valuable insights into athlete performance. WEBSITE: CATAPULTSPORTS.COM

CoachComm Tempo GO

Tempo’s most affordable and compact package ever, Tempo GO, is an innovative practice management system designed to provide total control over practice through time management, motivation, and coordination tools. From anywhere on the field, Tempo provides control of practice scripts, music, sounds, communication, and the management of play clocks. Tempo is an easy and powerful tool for teams seeking a competitive edge. Prepare your team and get the winning advantage with Tempo.

■■ CoachComm Tempo GO

■■ Catapult OptimEye S5

WEBSITE: COACHCOMM.COM

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.

■■ DJI Osmo x5

WEBSITE: DJI.COM/OSMO

DJI – Mavic 2 Pro

DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, introduced Mavic 2, an ultraportable, foldable camera drone that delivers higher performance, more intelligent features and greater creative possibilities than any other consumer drone. A drone that embodies all of DJI’s advanced, signature technologies, and is able to redefine what is possible for the world of aerial photography. In creating the Mavic 2, DJI made its dream come true. The Mavic 2 offers iconic Hasselblad image quality on the Pro and a high-performance zoom lens on the Zoom. ■■ Hasselblad Camera ■■ 1” CMOS Sensor ■■ Adjustable Aperture ■■ 10-bit Dlog-M ■■ 10-bit HDR Video ■■ Hyperlapse

■■ Fatigue Science

■■ Fit3D

■■ First Down Playbook

WEBSITE: DJI.COM/MAVIC-2

Fatigue Science

The Fatigue Science Team Solution helps staff and athletes make the connection between sleep and athletic performance. The wrist-worn Readiband is scientifically-validated at 92 percent accuracy compared to a clinical sleep lab. That data, passed through the SAFTE™ Fatigue Model, allows teams to see sleep’s effects on performance indicators

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■■ DJI – Mavic 2 Pro

Get It Right

The Get It Right product combines the power of visual learning and video game technologies to improve rules knowledge and increase player safety. The Deluxe program is designed for officials and includes a mechanics and an evaluation module. The Rules module is provided as a stand-alone product for coaches and includes animations of over 100 NFHS rules.

■■ GoArmy Edge ■■ Jawku

WEBSITE: GETITRIGHTTRAINING.COM

GoArmy Edge

GoArmy Edge is a suite of free-to-use apps designed to help athletes and coaches learn and prepare in a virtual environment before taking the field. Draw routes, passes, handoffs, interceptions, pre-snap motions, and more to create plays and build playbooks. Add huddles, shifts, set the ball on a hash, precisely align players, and save custom route trees. See plays in 2D or in 3D on a virtual field with accurate animations, timing and ball-handling. View from any camera angle or player perspective to see it as they do on the field. View plays in real-time, or 2x speed.

Get It Right Color Stacked Black, PMS 361

■■ Hawkin Force Plate

WEBSITE: GOARMYEDGE.COM/FOOTBALL

Hawkin Force Plate

Hawkin Dynamics force plates measure athletes’ ability to produce force – the most essential quality of all athletic movement. Testing athletes regularly can help to identify potential injury risks and provides objective feedback on how training programs are improving quality of movement.

■■ Hudl

WEBSITE: HAWKINDYNAMICS.COM

HitCheck

like reaction time and judgment. These real-time and predictive fatigue analytics for each athlete can inform training and recovery decisions. WEBSITE: FATIGUESCIENCE.COM

First Down Playbook

FirstDown PlayBook is transforming the way football coaches organize playbooks, installations and practice cards. Instead of doing this time-consuming work yourself, they do it for you. FirstDown PlayBook offers you and your entire staff an editable collection of 35,000 plays, defenses and special teams schemes drawn by NFL coaches. This is the most comprehensive football playbook solution available and also allows you to draw plays from scratch with the best technology on the market. FirstDown PlayBook helps football coaches of all levels get out of the play-drawing business and back to coaching their players. WEBSITE: FIRSTDOWNPLAYBOOK.COM

Fit3D

Fit3D is a body assessment device that helps you measure progress over time. Compared to weight scales it can visually show you where your body is changing in fat mass and lean mass at each point of the body. It takes 35 seconds to get a scan and then results go right to your phone. An athlete can share with a coach. Fit3D is the easiest way to “prove your program” in terms of workouts. WEBSITE: FIT3D.COM

Drawing on decades of medical research, HitCheck has developed a comprehensive cognitive assessment app to screen athletes for concussions anywhere, right from a smartphone. HitCheck takes standard cognitive testing methods and translates them into a short 7-minute digital test, measuring the nine brain functions impacted by concussions. Athletes take a pre-season baseline test, and in the event of a head injury, they re-take the test. By recording previous scores, the HitCheck app highlights changes in cognitive functioning that indicate cause for concern. The app is used by high school, college, professional and youth athletes throughout the world, empowering you to make smarter health decisions to keep your athletes safe. WEBSITE: HITCHECK.COM

HUDL Focus

Focus gives coaches and athletes HD video from the perfect angle. Rely on it to automatically start before the first whistle and follow the action until the last point. Our smart camera automatically records and uploads your games and practices to Hudl. Set-it-and-forget-it tech and complete Hudl integration make every step of the process, from installation to film study, easier for everyone—especially coaches. WEBSITE: HUDL.COM/PRODUCTS/FOCUS

Jawku

Jawku is a wearable technology that allows coaches and athletes to track anything you would track with a stopwatch, but it’s as accurate as the multi-thousand

TECH PRODUCTS FOR COACHES

■■ PLT4M ■■ Smart Cuffs

■■ Polar Team Pro

dollar timing gates and costs a fraction of the price. Using Jawku doesn’t require a suitcase of equipment as well as 45 minutes of set up time. Now testing day doesn’t have to be an event and coaches and athletes can set up the Jawku in 5 seconds to accurately get their times as well as their reaction time out of the starts. You can track any sprint from 5yrds all the way to 800M, any agility run such as a 5-10-5 or 3 cone drill, or use the Build-A-Drill function to create and save any drill we might not already have built. WEBSITE: JAWKU.COM

PLT4M

PLT4M is a digital training solution built specifically for high schools. We help coaches and teachers coordinate and deliver training for their student-athletes seamlessly between different teams and classes in a way that boosts engagement, accountability, and results. PLT4M is a curriculum built around progression and planning. We believe in setting common foundations, progressing students through a holistic education into specific fitness tracks that allow them to realize their fullest potential, all while recognizing that no two individuals are the same. WEBSITE: PLT4M.COM/ATHLETICS

Pocket Radar

The Smart Coach Radar from Pocket Radar is the first affordable, complete speed and video training system that empowers the modern football athlete and coach with the ability to create and share a digital record of their progress. By providing actionable insights into important metrics like quarterback arm strength, kick speed and long snapper velocity, coaches and athletes can now optimize their techniques and methods to get better results in this new era of athletic training. WEBSITE: POCKETRADAR.COM/SMARTCOACH

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Polar Breeze

Why use firefighter thermal rehab for football players? Used by major fire departments & DoD Hazmat for Thermal Rehab, Polar Breeze® can help mitigate the risk of all five stages of heat illness by using 30-35 degree colder than ambient air to wash heat and humidity off the body while cooling lungs, blood, internal organs and brain. The most advanced internationally recognized patented Thermal Rehab machine. True “Ready-to-Go” whether on the fire grounds or football field. WEBSITE: POLARBREEZE.NET

Polar Team Pro

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Smart Cuffs

Smart Cuffs are specifically designed from the ground up for Blood Flow Restriction with a proprietary bladder system. They offer a single-chambered bladder system to allow LOP (Limb Occlusion Pressure) measurement for clinical use. The valve system allows reliable tube detachment while maintaining Cuff inflation for freedom of movement and consistent results. There is a thick, anti-microbial Neoprene encases the bladder system to provide superior comfort, hygiene, and durability. The Industry-leading MDF® Bravata® sphygmomanometer with movement by Bachmaier and Klemmer™ for highly accurate measurements. WEBSITE: SMARTTOOLSPLUS.COM

Sport Scope Endzone Tower

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Sport Scope’s Smart Endzone Camera uses the most advanced technology in the industry. Film the game wirelessly from your iPad! Use the virtual, on-screen joysticks to pan, tilt, and zoom from your stadium’s press box. And with Sideline Instant Replay built-in, each clip is downloaded to all connected iPads and ready for replays in seconds. No long cable bundles, monitor screens, or remote controls. Filming from the endzone has never been easier! WEBSITE: SPORTSCOPEVIDEO.COM

Titan GPS

The Titan GPS Sensor is priced to be affordable for youth/high school organizations and colleges of all levels. The software is very easy to use for coaches and we provide unparalleled customer support to make sure they’re able to understand how to use all the features properly. The main feature that sets us apart from the rest aside from cost is our video integration piece (Session Explorer) as well as our AMS features. The Session Explorer allows you to upload game/ practice film into the software and play it side by side with GPS readings. Our Athlete Management System features: ■■ Readiness Surveying ■■ RPE (Rated Perceived Exertion) ■■ Table reporting (Acute: Chronic Load Ratio)

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Vokkero

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Smart Rope Rookie

■■ Smart Rope Rookie

Smart Rope Rookie, which launched in May, is very similar to the PURE in terms of functionality, as it does not feature the LEDs, but the rope is more adjustable, cheaper, comes in four different bright colors (Black, Coral, Light Blue, and Pink), connects to our new and improved SmartRope app, and it is coin-battery powered instead of rechargeable (a coin-battery is included with the product on sale). Two different double color versions of these are also in Apple stores across the world, the colors are White/Navy and Black/Orange. WEBSITE: STORE.TANGRAMFACTORY.COM

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THe Yoak

The Yoak is the world’s first multi-modal stability training system. It can be suspended for push-andpull workouts, or used as a barbell for conventional exercises. The device’s instability forces the recruitment of stabilizer muscles when suspended, and via perturbations with pendular loads when used as a barbell. The Yoak is composed of an aircraft grade aluminum core and finished with Baltic birch, making it a perfect blend of form and function. WEBSITE: THEYOAK.COM

PLAYBOOK presented by Different Pressures from the Double A-Gap

DOUBLE A-GAP MUG

DIAGRAM 1

MIKE PETTINE

oday we are here to talk about different looks out

of the double mug package. As defensive coaches, we are always looking for ways to line up that are simple for us and difficult on the offense. We know that threatening both A-gaps is definitely an issue for the offense when it comes to pass protection, so we came up with a variety of ways to threaten the A-gaps without always running the same thing out of it. I think it’s important that you can show the look often and back out of it. Then from time to time bring pressure in the form of Cover 1 or zone blitz, and then a few instances you need to go Cover 0 and bring everybody. The look here is the Double A-Gap Mug (diagram 1). We are going to start by widening our defensive tackles into the B-gaps. They have B-gap responsibility. The defensive ends are C-gap responsible. The defensive end towards the tight end can align in a 6-technique, 7-technique or 9-technique. It all depends on what you’re running out of it. Now walk both of your linebackers up into the A-gaps. A key coaching point here for the linebackers is they need to make everything look the same. Everything should look like an all-out blitz. We always talk defensively about being great actors. The offense is in the business of gathering information pre-snap, just as we are defensively. I think it’s important not to give a “tell” based on your stance, your posture, or your demeanor.

DOUBLE MUG PACKAGE COVER 3

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Cover 3 In this first look, we are going to show all up and then we’re going to back out of it and play standard Cover 3 (diagram 2). However advanced you are, you can run it anyway you want. We prefer to “double call” our Cover 3 so we are in the best defense possible against specific formations. The key point here is the acting job. We want to show all out pressure and back out of it. Most offenses will have some sort of protection check against double mug pressure. Many times, the quarterback will cheat the running back up into one of the A-gaps so he can block his responsibility early. The key thing to know here is since your tackles are starting wide, one of them has to have a plan for how they will balance out the rush lanes. What you don’t want to end up with is two B-gap rushers and two edge rushers. With that, the QB has an easy escape lane up the middle once the linebackers vacate.

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Key Coaching Points Acting is very important. Everything must look the same. Show heavy pressure and then back out of it. Balance out your rush lanes. Do not have two B-gap and C-gap rushers and none in the A-gap, leaving a lane for the QB. When bringing players from depth, you may create a free rusher, but it is hard to reach the QB. Bring blitzers from near the line of scrimmage.

Cover 1 The key thing for your players to understand is if they have a job responsibility, never sacrifice your job for the disguise. Disguise early, but never stray too far from your work. This is a simple Cover 1 (diagram 3). We are going to play man-free. The problem here is how to account for the running back. In most protections, the running back is going to have to block one of these inside rushers. For some reason if the running back free releases, the near defensive end will peel off to cover him. That allows us to be protected if the back does free release into the route combination. We also coach the tackle towards the running back that if he feels the back leave, work for width because he will become the new contain rusher. What we are trying to do inside is “pick” the center. A lot of teams are running this, but there are a couple of different ways to do it when determining who is “picking” the center. Whoever the running back has in protection, have that player “pick” the center first with the other mugged linebacker looping around. The player who goes first must keep their legs moving, pads down. A lot of times that game will get passed and the guy that ends up coming free will be the original guy setting the “pick.” That is a critical coaching point for us. One way we do it is the Mike linebacker starts to drop out before looping back in the A-gap after the opposite linebacker picks for him. That gives the play a little bit of time to set up. The secondary players have an importance in their disguise. We tell them to test themselves in practice. See what you can get away with in your disguise.

There are some instances where you can drop both defensive ends. In turn, this results in a four-man rush. This is what we call a “simulated pressure.” A “simulated pressure” allows you to play defense in layers. It stresses protection like a blitz, but you’ve built insurance policies into your pressure with both defensive ends dropping.

Key Coaching Points While disguising is important, you never want to sacrifice a job for the disguise, so “never stray too far from your job.” Account for the back. If the running back free releases, the near defensive end will peel off to take him. When picking the center, the player who goes first must keep his legs moving and pads down. Often, it is the first rusher who comes free.

Zone Pressure The next evolution of this package is to have a zone pressure out of it (diagram 4). We’ve already brought both inside linebackers so now we’re bringing edge pressure. A zone blitz pressure looks like an interior blitz but brings edge pressure instead. We are playing what we call “fire zone” coverage behind this pressure. This has two seam/flat players dropping off No. 2, a middle hole dropper that is dropping off No. 3 and three deep cover players. The linebacker to the side of the nickel is going to be the penetrator. He is hitting the A-gap as hard as he can. We always tell our guys, “Always assume you will be the free rusher.” Oftentimes, especially when it comes to “games” being passed, the initial penetrator gets blocked but comes free late. Away from the passing strength, we call this a “pop” technique with the defensive tackle. The common mistake here is to just loop outside. They want to buy the block of the guard. The defensive end away from the passing strength is dropping to the seam/flat. The defensive end here is taking onestep up the field before looping inside. The nickel has to do a good job with his pre-snap disguise. The QB is oftentimes going to try and escape out so we have to do a good job with our aiming points.

Key Coaching Points Zone pressure means bringing five rushers and playing a form of Cover 3 zone behind it. Drop one linebacker and one defensive end. Always assume you are going to be the free rusher. Many times, it is the player who goes first that ends up coming free. Have the boundary tackle use “pop technique.” A common mistake is to just loop outside. Instead, this player needs to buy the block of the guard first and then get contain.

Cover 0 The final component of this package is the all-out pressure. To make this double mug look effective, you must bring everyone at times. As teams see you continuously bluff it, they get used to it. There is going to be times in the game when you have to bring everyone. It is high risk, high reward. Many times, before we run an all-out pressure we say, “Someone’s band is going to be playing after this play.” There is a time and place for Cover 0. The purpose of Cover 0 is that the defense is going to bring one more player than the offense can protect resulting in a free run at the quarterback, which forces him to make a quick decision. We don’t like our Cover 0’s to be exotic. We like them to be direct. There is nothing worse than watching a team run an all-out blitz with a “looper” or a “twist.” That player might end up being the free rusher, but the ball is already out. We always like to draw that bonus defender. We coach the mugged linebackers to read the center. Whichever way he steps, engage the block and buy him, then drop out. We don’t want to assume that you’re going to be the dropper and either go slow or drop right away.

Key Coaching Points To make the double mug look effective, you must bring everyone from time to time so the threat of blitz is always there. Don’t make Cover 0 blitzes exotic. Line up tight and rush directly at the QB so that your free rusher can get to the QB. Demeanor is most important. The offense is reading everyone for keys so work hard to remove any “tells” about who is coming and who is not.

PLAYBOOK presented by Defending a Key Receiver

SNAKE

DIAGRAM 1

MOUSE

DIAGRAM 2

X-STUNT

DIAGRAM 3

SIC ’EM

DIAGRAM 4

BY STEVE SPECHT

oday we are going to talk about identifying a key

receiver and how you can isolate to take that receiver out of the game. At Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier High School, we see a lot of spread offenses. Every time we see spread, we’re going to see that isolated receiver somewhere on the field, creating mismatches and problems for you. It’s usually the 6-4 “cat,” the dude that can hurt you. You want to double team him and you ultimately want to take him out of the game. That’s what we’re going to talk about today. We are an odd-stack defense. We run a 3-3-5, but I think this coverage philosophy works no matter what type of defense you are currently running. The coverage principles all remain intact. We are going to identify this key receiver as either the “snake” or the “mouse.” Anytime the key receiver lines up as the No. 1 receiver, we identify him as the “snake.” We want to double team him with bump, inside leverage and man coverage with the corner. Now we are going to roll the safety over the top of the No. 1 receiver. You have to determine whether you are a true zone team or a pattern match team. So, as I talk about our underneath coverage, you can adapt it to being a true zone team or a pattern match team.

snake (diagram 1) We have identified the “snake.” That corner is going to play bump-and-run technique from inside leverage, and he is going to stay underneath of the receiver. The weak safety is now going to work over the top of the “snake.” Our coverage principles are going to remain the same across the board. Our corner to the trips side is going to play a bump-man, or loose-man, on the No. 1 receiver. Our strong safety is going to play our seam and pattern match No. 2 to No. 3. One of our inside linebackers is going to drop to what we call the “hole” and is going to pattern read No. 3 to No. 2. We have a backside linebacker that is going to work backside to the seam. He is going to pattern match No. 2 to No. 3. If he has no immediate threat from No. 2, he is going to try to stay inside out on the No. 1 receiver. If a team wants to isolate their best receiver backside, we can essentially have three defenders taking that receiver away.

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When the offense puts their best receiver as No. 1 to the trips side, this is how we will play it. We now have a strong rotation. To the trips side, we are going to take our corner and play him with the same technique that he would play if the “snake” was No. 1 weak. The corner is going to play bump-andrun technique from inside leverage, and he is going to stay underneath the receiver. He is going to get help from the middle safety over the top while the weak safety that was backside helping is now going to rotate to the middle of the field. The corner backside of the trips is going to play either bump-man or looseman coverage. The strong safety and a linebacker are still pattern reading the No. 2 and 3 receivers. In any case, we are getting inside and underneath coverage on the “snake” receiver with a safety rolled over the top. We may not get three defenders on the “snake” but we are getting at least two defenders on him. That is our “snake” concept to defend a dominant receiver.

mouse (diagram 2) Now we are going to talk about when we play our “mouse” defense. When the offense moves that star-studded receiver inside to No. 2 or 3 in trips, we will play “mouse.” If we called “snake” and he aligned inside as the No. 2 or 3, then we are going to automatically check “mouse.” In “mouse” we are not going to move a corner inside to cover the star receiver. The nearest safety will rotate down and play bump-and-run technique from inside leverage, staying underneath of the receiver. The corner to the trips over the No. 1 receiver is going to play bump-man, or loose-man, on the No. 1 receiver. The corner to the weak side of the defense is going to do the same over the No. 1 receiver. He is going to play bumpman, or loose-man. The middle of the field safety is now going to rotate towards the threat. We

always roll coverage towards the star receiver. The middle of the field safety is going to play the seam where he is pattern reading the No. 2 receiver to the No. 3 receiver. We will have a linebacker that will work to the “hole” and pattern read the No. 3 receiver to the No. 2 receiver. The backside linebacker is going to work the backside seam. We are going to have our weak safety rotating to the threat so now he is playing the middle third of the field. The coaching point for the secondary is simple: rotate towards the threat. The strong safety is going to have help from the middle of the field safety. If the star receiver goes to the flat, the seam defender is going to jump him as well. If he goes across the field, then the “hole” defender is going to jump him and help double him. The purpose of the coverage is to eliminate the threat as much as we possibly can.

Front We are either going to run a three-man pattern, spy the quarterback or we can run a four-man pattern up front. Maybe we want to run an “X” stunt. That’s a four-man pattern (diagram 3). Maybe we run what we call “Sic’ em” where we let the ends rush the B-gaps and we spy the quarterback with a linebacker. That’s a three-man pattern with a spy (diagram 4). There are times when maybe that star receiver is really good and we want two immediate defenders shadowing him. We will take an inside linebacker and play him over the star receiver immediately with the safety, then have the other linebacker play the “hole.”

Key components Whoever is playing man coverage on the star receiver, whether it is “snake” or “mouse” has to maintain inside leverage and stay underneath the receiver. The safety that is playing over the top of the receiver has to stay outside and over the top.

PLAYBOOK presented by Simplify with bunch formations BY DREW LIEBERMAN

s coaches, one of the most difficult

aspects of our jobs is organizing practice time in order to maximize every minute allotted to us. There is seemingly never enough time in a given week to fully prepare our players for game day and teach them every nuance of the game plan. With that understood, offensive coaches must take advantage of the time they have and simplify the game by creating a strategy with multiple formations and personnel packages. This reduces the amount of calls defenses can make because practice time also is limited for them. It becomes difficult for defensive coaches to allocate enough reps to defend every formation set that an offense shows on film. At the least, using multiple formations should limit the defense to one or two calls against some of the more exotic sets – such as bunch formations, stack sets and empty – simply because there is not enough time in the week to dedicate entire practice periods to defending one exotic set. As a result, defensive coaches at the high school and Division III college levels often settle on one or two ways to defend an exotic set in order to put their players in the best positions possible to be successful and build up the reps necessary to perfect a specific defensive call. Once those calls are uncovered through film study and game planning, offensive coaches can lock in to the best plays to attack a specific look. Bunch formations simplify the game and dictate the defense’s hand when they are used as part of an offensive game plan with multiple formations and personnel packages. Conversely, offenses must invest a lot of practice time to become proficient in bunch pass game because almost every route must change out of a bunch formation compared to spread. Quarterbacks also must commit real time to studying the opponent’s “bunch checks” and learn to understand how the defensive coverage will change versus bunch as compared to

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a normal three receivers set. However, much of that work is done early in preseason when introducing concepts and not necessary later on during a game plan week in the regular season. When designing bunch concepts, there are four base defenses that most teams will use as “bunch checks.” Teaching your players how to decipher each look and where the weaknesses are in each defensive scheme will help the players execute when it counts.

Man coverage looks The first common indicator of man coverage vs. bunch is a one-high safety look with the Sam linebacker or strong safety rolled down in press technique over the point of the bunch. The cornerback will be aligned five or more yards off the ball with outside leverage of the widest receiver in the bunch. The strong safety or Sam linebacker (whichever is not pressing the point) will be aligned five or more yards off with inside leverage of the tightest receiver in the bunch. Study the film to determine whether the defense aligns like this to “lock the bunch” or play “point banjo” or “point combo” (banjo and combo are interchangeable terms). In both looks, the defender pressing the point will play him man to man. If the defense tends to lock the bunch, the corner will stay locked on the widest receiver, and the linebacker or rolled safety will stay locked on the No. 3 receiver in the bunch and run with him where ever he goes. Against this defense, crossing routes and rub routes are effective. In-breaking routes by the No. 1 receiver and out-breaking routes by the No. 3 receiver are simple, easy ways to take advantage of the leverage they have on the defenders over them. If a defense’s plan is to play “point banjo” or “point combo” vs. bunch, its alignment will look similar, but responsibilities will be different. The widest defender will wait outside and take the first outside threat. The most inside defender will wait inside and take the first inside threat. Neither defender will chase crossing routes or flat routes across the field but will wait for the first threat to come into the zone and then

play man coverage from there. Running two receivers at one of these defenders playing combo coverage will put that defender in a bind and create simple post snap reads for the quarterback.

Zone coverage looks Defenses that run primarily two-high coverages will often “cube the bunch” and play with four defenders over three receivers, which plays out a lot like quarters coverage. The Sam linebacker will walk out over the point of the bunch and is the flat defender responsible for the first shallow outside threat. The cornerback will be outside of the bunch at least five yards deep and is responsible for the first deep outside threat. The Mike linebacker is aligned inside of the bunch responsible for the first shallow inside threat or will squeeze on any vertical if nothing threatens him inside. The strong safety will be aligned at about 10 yards with inside leverage of the point of the bunch and is responsible for the first deep inside threat. The weakest area in cube coverage is the center of the cube. A snag concept with a corner route by No. 2, a flat route by No. 3 and an inside stem snag route settling right over the point of the bunch is a very simple concept that is hard for this defensive coverage to defend. From my experience, defenses that run primarily one-high coverages are usually forced to make some sort of man-to-man bunch check or roll back to a 2-high coverage. If defenses play 1-high zone coverage, they are usually undermanned vs. bunch or are forced to push defenders out to defend the bunch and will have trouble fitting their gaps in the run game. A lot of defenses like to bring zone pressure and force the ball to come out quick if they stay in one-high zone pressure vs. bunch. Spacing concepts, snag concepts and easy quick game out of bunch are all effective vs. one-high zone looks. ■■ Drew Lieberman is the wide receivers coach at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J. He previously served as the wide receivers coach at his alma mater, Wesleyan University, in 2016-17 and was a graduate assistant and assistant receivers coach at Rutgers in 2014-15, where he helped guide four NFL receivers. In August 2017, Lieberman founded The Sideline Hustle – a football education resource for players and coaches. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram

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Teach Proper Dig Breaks BY KEITH GRABOWSKI

aving a weekly work flow and knowing

what drills you work and when are important to skill development. When players understand the errors that the drills are designed to fix and the proper body mechanics we want to see, then it becomes important to them. As with anything we do during practice, we emphasize that they are not going through the motions. They are focused on a specific movement to create muscle memory. We adapted the Air Raid settle and noose drill to accommodate both quarterback pocket movements skills and teaching the proper dig break. The dig is an effective route when executed

correctly. It brings the receiver into a window that the linebacker or safety cannot defend. However, just a slight error in how the receiver breaks can change the window and allow defenders to react to break up the pass or, worse, intercept the ball. The dig break drill is one that we start practice with one day per week to emphasize many of the same skills as the settle and noose. However, instead of working back and forth between the cans, we work upfield and break perpendicular to a line to the point of exaggeration in getting the hip open on the break. The quarterbacks simultaneously are working a route progression that has them scanning across and moving right or left in the pocket before throwing the ball. The first error we want to eliminate for the receiver is stepping outside of the frame of the body to make the break.

The receiver is slower out of the break, which affects the window the quarterback wants to throw into. The other most common error occurs when the receiver breaks around his inside leg because he does not get his hip open. Each of those can be seen in the video below from spring 7-on-7s. When done correctly, the difference is enough to be able to get into the window and have the room to make the catch as seen below. The mastery of a skill taught and trained drill is evident when the players can see it on film.

■■ Keith Grabowski was a football coach for 26 years, most recently serving as an offensive assistant and technology coordinator at Oberlin College in Ohio. He previously was a head coach at the high school level for eight years and the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Baldwin Wallace University. Now the director of football operations at USA Football.

your connection to the high school football coaching COMMUNITY FNF Coaches is the first football magazine 100-percent dedicated to high school football coaches.

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PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

HOW THE WINNING PHOTO CAME TOGETHER GOLD OFFERED THREE

tips for producing a winning photo.

ON » »

ING

» »

EQUIPMENT. Gold used a Canon 7D Mark II camera body with a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L lens. If the action is more than 50 yards from Gold, he uses a Canon EOS-1DX Full Frame with a 400mm f/2.8 L Canon Lab lens. AWARENESS. Photographers should bring a notebook to games and chart plays. Look for patterns, like what plays are called in specific downs and distances.

SUBMIS

■■ Photographer Will Gold’s winning submission, as well as two other photographs from the season.

Kansas photographer wins FNF Coaches contest The Photographer of the Year Contest was hosted at FNFCoaches.com during the months of April and May. More than 8,000 people voted in the contest. Will Gold received 28 percent of the vote. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

As team photographer for the Manhattan High (Kan.) football team, Will Gold finds his work similar to that of a scout or assistant coach. Each game, he takes his notebook down to the field and charts each team’s scheme and coaching trends. “I want to find out whether they consistently call running plays in certain situations,” said Gold, 48. “If they stack two out wide, are they going to pass? That helps me get in position.” Gold found the perfect position in capturing the 2019 FNF Coaches Photo of the Year. His action photo of Manhattan tailback Kevontae

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McDonald breaking through the line of scrimmage between a crowd of defenders was selected among 15 finalists to earn the top prize. As part of the grand prize, Gold has a page in the summer edition of FNF Coaches to showcase his work. “I never studied photography in school; it was all self-study,” Gold said. “I’m a geek at heart. I’m an IT director for my day job. I started shooting football about 12 years ago, and got some good feedback. I never planned for this to become one of my jobs.” Now, photography is a part-time job for Gold, who started Gold Image Photography. He specializes in senior portraits and has been taking action photos for the Manhattan football team for six seasons. Gold became interested in action photography when his kids played sports in the area. His children both attended Manhattan High. His son, 29, is now a professional ballet dancer. His daughter, 21, was a competitive softball player through high school. “I shot a lot of my daughter’s softball games in high school,” Gold said. “I came to love football too. I love the interactions. There’s something about it; every game means something at the high school level.”

“Get in position and prepare for that one great shot,” Gold said. “Find a location that gives you the best chance for success.”

PHOTO EDITING. Gold is not embarrassed to admit he uses filters, Photoshop and Lightroom. Of the 1,000-plus photos he takes each game, he makes edits to 50 or 60.

“That winning photo was probably taken from farther away than it looks,” Gold said. “If I’m going to present it, I process and crop it.”

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.

Self Improvement

When I talk about being a champion, I’m not talking about winning a championship. I’m more concerned with you being the best you can be.” –Nick Saban

Focus

Whether it’s a drill or a game, the most important thing is to do the best you can and to not clutter your mind with things you can’t control.” –Mike Leach

LEADERSHIP

When your best player’s working harder than everybody and holding everyone accountable, that’s a winning culture.” –Grant Hill

Challenge

The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” –Steve Young

TRUTH

The only way to help people improve is telling them the truth. That builds trust. Without either we have no chance to move forward.” –Frank Martin 39

IN MEMORIAM

Remembering Texas coach WT Johnston FNF Coaches featured Newton High (Texas) coach WT Johnston in our February edition after the veteran coach received national attention for leading his team to a state championship after being given just months to live. We are sad to report that Johnston died on May 11. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

IN HIS WORDS I don’t want to die, but I’m at peace with it. I know where I’m going, and I’m not going to be sick anymore. Don’t worry about me.”

efore the Newton Eagles (Texas) opened

football practice last season, thenhead football coach W.T. Johnston told his players he might not make it through the end of the season with them. Johnston did make it through the season, but unfortunately, did not make it to spring practice. He died May 11, long after any doctor’s predictions and after he led his Eagles to another state football championship. Johnston, who was diagnosed with lung disease in 2012, had been battling health issues since contracting a rare Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which stemmed from complications of a double lung transplant he had in April 2015. His case was only the fourth reported case of GVHD from a lung transplant in the U.S. When he first learned of the rare, life-threatening condition, doctors didn’t know how long he had left to live. We’ve compiled some of the best quotes and photos of Johnston from our story in February.

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I’ve been given a great gift through all of this. People don’t understand that. I’ve been able to see how my life can affect people before I die. Not everyone will have that experience. I’ve been able to see what I can do to enrich other people’s lives before I die. If I leave them with something from me, that’s a part of me that will never die.”

■■ Former Newton High (Texas) football coach WT Johnston died on May 11.

I got better because I wasn’t sitting around thinking, ‘Pitiful me.’ I lay it at the Lord’s feet. This is Your will, not my will. I want to live, but if it’s Your will, it’s your will. You can heal me any time You want, but it has to be Your will. I can’t go around it. I have to go through it.” Coaches don’t realize the impact they can have. I still remember things my coaches said to me 40 years ago. Do things the right way, and put things in the right perspective.”

It’s how you live before you die, where to put your strength, where you put your faith, and who to lean on. I’m going through this life experience, and we’re all going to experience it at some point. I’m going to show you how to handle it, whose feet to lay it on, and where to put your trust.”

–WT Johnston

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