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

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trent dilfer on breaking down game film PLAYBOOK + Reading Slant-Flat + Power Scheme + Quarters Coverage + Rip/Liz Coverage

The Magazine for High School Football Coaches

oct/nov 2019

BUILDING BETTER PLAYERS

USA Footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S development model

College Q&A with Aurora University Coach Don Beebe Game-Planning | Delegating Responsibility In-Game adjustments | rookie tackle program | Tips to Forming a Game Day Routine

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THE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT MODEL

CONTENTOCT/NOV

USA Football provides a road map for learning the game PAGE 16

06 08

18. DRIVING FOOTBALL’S FUTURE 19. USA FOOTBALL’S ADVANCED TACKLING SYSTEM 20. ROOKIE TACKLE PROGRAM 21. BIG RESULTS FOR FEEDER PROGRAMS 22. IOWA INNOVATION GROWS FOOTBALL COACHING LEGEND: JIM ROTH

DRAGON OVER

DIAGRAM 1

24 .

S F B

B C

C E

GAME PLAN

36. DELEGATING GAME-PLANNING 37. CRAFT A GAME PLAN FOR LIFE 38. IN-GAME ADJUSTMENTS

TRENT DILFER ON BREAKING DOWN FILM

06. NEWS+NOTES 05. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 10. ROAD TO THE RINGS 14. GAME-DAY ROUTINE 30. TECH CORNER 32. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 34. INNOVATOR’S SPOTLIGHT 40. INSPIRATION

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COLLEGE

COACHES’ CORNER

with aurora university coach don beebe

playbook PRESENTED BY

your connection to the

high school football

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR We are proud to present our seventh edition of 2019, which has a “Football Development” theme. As participation numbers have decreased among players at the youth and high school level across the nation, one of our partners, USA Football, has worked toward implementing a progressive introduction to the game for players of all ages. This model encourages players to develop as athletes first, and learn to play safely before putting on the helmets and pads. Football is bound to teach these players so many life lessons, and we, along with USA Football, want to help players find entry points into the game at every level of competition. We also have a section of the magazine that focuses on game-planning. What works? What’s the best way to do it? How can we save time by delegating some of this responsibility to our assistant coaches. We know the grind of the football season when every day of the week is packed with preparation for that particular week’s opponent. We want to help you manage that. We also 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 at the start of the season 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

NFL, HUDL EXPAND PARTNERSHIP TO GROW THE GAME OF FOOTBALL

n their ongoing efforts to improve high

every NFL game of the season. A Game Pass subscription also includes access to archives of every NFL game from 2009 through 2019, the “All-22” coaches’ film, in addition to NFL Game Pass Film Session, which highlights successful concepts, techniques and first-hand tips by players and coaches. Additionally, the partnership will

school football, the NFL and Hudl have expanded their partnership to include providing one NFL Game Pass subscription, free of charge, to every varsity high school football program using their services. NFL Game Pass brings fans in the United States of America replays of

assist with extending the Way to Play initiative to the high school football level. The NFL Way to Play High School Award will honor one high school football player weekly for demonstrating exceptional in-game playing technique. The high school award recipient will receive a $1,500 equipment grant. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

THE NCAA IS ATTEMPTING TO ADDRESS THE YAWNING RACIAL GAP IN HEAD-COACHING

jobs with its Champion Forum, a professional development program aimed at helping promising black and other minority candidates climb to the top of the coaching ladder. Working with the Power 5, college football’s top conferences, the NCAA each year identifies a half-dozen minority assistant coaches for intensive training. Some of these rising stars are already offensive and defensive coordinators, who are typically one step removed from a head-coaching job. Others are position coaches who are usually not immediately considered for head-coaching jobs.

At the start of the season, FNF Coaches asked coaches on Twitter for favorite pregame and workout songs. Based on their feedback, we created a Spotify playlist. Search FNF Coaches Workout on Spotify to view the entire playlist. The playlist includes songs by Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, DMX, Jay-Z, Pantera, House of Pain, Eric Church, Phil Collins, Kanye West, P.O.D., Queen and Jeezy.

Youth sports organizations are increasingly reporting scenarios in which parents yell, threaten or physically assault coaches, referees, players or other parents. A 2017 study from the National Association of Sports Officials, which represents youth, amateur, college and professional sports, found that 40 percent of officials named parents as the source of unsportsmanlike behavior. Money is a top reason. Parents spend a lot of time and financial resources on youth sports, which can prompt some to want a payoff greater than watching their children perform well or enjoy themselves. Parents reported spending an average of $1,583.89 a year on their child’s sports participation.

TRENDING TOPICS @FNFCOACHES High school sports are incredible. You get to play in front of your family, community members, and the friends you grew up with. School pride and your community shines during pep rallies, homecoming, on game nights & beyond. Soak it all in as it will be over before you know it. @COACHDOTY The weight-room is special because it only rewards those that work. It values tenacity over talent. It doesn’t care about ’s or playing time. It’s a sanctuary where athletes aren’t subject to scrutiny from the outside world. The weight-room is a equal opportunity equalizer. @RYANHORN45 Coaches, Speed training and conditioning are not the same. Athletes getting plenty of rest and recovery between sprints is sign #1 of a good speed session. If you can’t stand seeing your athletes resting that much, turn your speed training over to someone who can. @MATTRHEAPHD Lessons learned: One of my HC had very different schemes - strayed from the norm - but it was sound. I learned at an early age that it’s ok to be vastly different as long as your scheme is sound. @COACHKIRKTHOR

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A Texas-based company called VAR Football has set up a virtual reality system by videoing practice from the quarterback’s perspective with 360-degree capability. After practice in the film room or coaches’ office, the quarterback puts on the VAR goggles and sees the practice from his viewpoint. By turning his head while wearing the goggles, the quarterback can see from sideline to sideline. This singular focus allows young quarterbacks more reps. Even with UIL rules limiting football players to eight hours of on-field practice per week outside the normal school day, quarterbacks can get dozens of extra daily reps with VAR.

A MOUNTAIN POINTE HIGH SCHOOL (ARIZ.)

coach for two years shared game strategies with opposing teams. Justin Hager, who resigned in September in lieu of termination, was hired in 2016 as an assistant coach for the Pride varsity football team. Tempe Union officials said they discovered an email address linked to Hager that showed he had shared protected information on the school’s football program since 2017. Hager shared play calls, formations and at one point a list of players deemed ineligible, giving opposing coaches a “competitive edge,” according to a letter written by Tempe Union Athletic Director Bruce Kipper.

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THE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT MODEL Focused on long-term athlete development, the Football Development Model is the script for how we coach, play and learn the game at every level. The FDM allows us to: ■■ Instill solid fundamentals ■■ Develop better players on and off the field ■■ Provide multiple entry points and game types ■■ Create developmentally appropriate skill instruction Sign up at usafootball.com/fdm to get ahead of the game and be a part of the future of football.

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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 this month revolved around the start of the regular season, game-planning and in-game adjustments. We shared those stories in our daily Coaches Talk posts. Here are some of the more popular posts from September.

Coaches Need to Stop Kicking on Fourth Down ■■ Deadspin

This story is about NFL’s coaches’ propensity to kick on fourth down rather than following the analytics, which say that they should be going for it far more often. So why aren’t more coaches more aggressive, even amid near-universal agreement that it’s often the smart thing to do? During Super Bowl 52, the Eagles had an assistant linebackers coach who communicated realtime advice from the team’s analytics department. By the time the Eagles had fourth-and-goal on that final first-half drive, Peterson had already gotten word that he could and should go for it on fourth down, if it came to it. The most notable decision to kick on Sunday came from Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, who decided to send his kicker out three times inside the five-yard line against the Ravens on Sunday. Kingsbury said he did not even consider going for it on any of those fourth downs, even though his team was trailing each time. “We have a system and have analytics involved and all sorts of things that we go through,” Kingsbury said of the considering to go for it on fourth down. “At those points in the game, that was the decision I made.” As it turned out, no coach had ever made decisions quite like that before. Jon Gruden also made an odd decision on Sunday. The Chiefs led the Raiders, 28-10, early in the fourth quarter. Oakland had the ball, and went on a five-minute drive into Kansas City

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■■ Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson is at the vanguard of NFL coaches who have started making decisions based upon analytical data.

territory. Consecutive sacks pushed it back into Oakland territory for a long fourth down. Gruden looked at the situation and punted the ball away. The Raiders had given up. An 18-point comeback in 6:25 would’ve been improbable. But not scoring a touchdown on that first drive made it impossible. Why not try to win? ■■ What is the No. 1 reason you’re not going for it more often on fourth down?

Arizona high school coach gave game strategies to opponents ■■ Ahwatukee Foothills News

We can’t figure out this one. A Mountain Pointe High School (Ariz.) coach for two years shared game strategies with opposing teams. Justin Hager, who resigned Friday in lieu of termination, was hired in 2016 as an assistant coach for the Pride varsity football team. “Our entire campus is shocked at these findings. It is the responsibility of all adults on a high school campus to act with

integrity and to put students first in all we do,” Mountain Pointe Principal Tomika Banks said in a press release. “Mountain Pointe students, families and staff are heartbroken to learn our trust was violated by someone we cared for and considered a member of our family.” Tempe Union officials said they discovered an email address linked to Hager that showed he had shared protected information on the school’s football program since 2017. Hager shared play calls, formations and at one point a list of players deemed ineligible, giving opposing coaches a “competitive edge,” according to a letter that Tempe Union Athletic Director Bruce Kipper sent to David Hines, the executive director of the Arizona Interscholastic Association last Friday. “While we do not understand the motive behind these actions, our district does not condone cheating and is devastated to find that a trusted adult on our campus was actively working to undermine the success

of our students,” Kipper wrote. Coaches — You’re going to have to help us out with this one … ■■ Why would a coach ever share his game strategy with an opposing coach before a game?

■■ What steps have you taken to keep your players feeling healthy and fresh in-season?

Eagles provide roadmap to analytics-driven future of football ■■ ESPN

American Heritage football’s limited-contact practices have led to championships ■■ Aspen Institute

American Heritage is a football powerhouse in Florida, and the coaching staff might be on to something with its effort to take hitting out of practices. Most of the Patriots’ drills have a predetermined outcome. The American Heritage running backs take handoffs, make a cut and dash untouched into the end zone as defenders let them go. The offensive linemen largely work on assignments and hand placements while engaged in some limited contact. The linebackers hit sleds and run nocontact drills designed to leverage the ball-carrier. American Heritage, with six former NFL players on its coaching staff, practices like the pros. These days, NFL teams are allowed only 14 full-contact practices during their 17-week regular season. Patriots head coach Pat Surtain, a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, estimates American Heritage tackles at practice four times all year – twice in the spring and twice in summer scrimmages. All of American Heritage’s coaches must take courses in concussion management, handling heat illness and sudden cardiac arrest. Stearns said all coaches practice their venue-specific emergency action plan at least once a year and receive reminders from the athletic trainer during the season. There’s a plastic ice tub ready on the field or right outside the locker room every day in case of a heat stroke. It’s a minimal cost – ice tubs like this can be purchased for no more than $150 – given that nationally three football players a year on average have died of heat stroke since 1995, most of them high schoolers. Dr. Douglas Casa, executive director of the Korey Stringer Institute, told HBO Real Sports that ice tubs have saved athletes from heat stroke every single time in more than 2,000 cases he has tracked.

We understand pro and even college teams have much larger budgets to assemble an analytics department, but this article shows why it’s certainly something to consider at the high school level. Pulaski Academy (Ark.) coach Kevin Kelley is referenced in the story for his philosophy of never punting, and it gives examples of ways high school coaches can use information derived from analytics to their advantage. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie predicted in 2016 that this radio frequency identification (RFID) technology would “revolutionize the sport in the long run” and made sure his team was well-positioned to handle the flood of information that hit the NFL as the league released two years’ worth of game data last spring. Since 2014, the NFL has worked with Zebra Technologies to outfit its stadiums with RFID technology that tracks and records the real-time position and movement of all players using a chip embedded under their shoulder pads. Meanwhile, teams such as the Eagles

who have been working to master this language for some time have started using the information gleaned from player-tracking data in their game preparation. Teams can efficiently time the pace of play of their opponent — how fast they get to the line of scrimmage and how many adjustments are made once they get there — and tailor the tempo at which they practice accordingly. They are using this data to develop schemes, identifying matchups and tendencies they can exploit. Analytics can also be used to help coaches make in-game decisions, like whether to go for it on fourth down. As we know, the statistics would show MOST coaches should be going for it on fourth down more often than they are. The team’s working philosophy turned into practice when the open-minded Pederson became coach in 2016. Pederson and Paganetti communicate before every fourth-down situation. The Eagles went for it on fourth down 26 times during the 2017 regular season — second only to the Green Bay Packers (28) — converting a league-high 17 attempts for a 65% success rate during their Super Bowl run. Since 2016 under Pederson, the Eagles have gone for it on fourth down 78 times, most in the NFL over that span. ■■ In what way does the use of analytics inform your coaching decisions?

■■ American Heritage has been able to excel on Friday nights after scaling back full-contact practices during the week.

COACHING LEGENDS

The last of his kind PENNSYLVANIA COACH JIM ROTH IS OLD-SCHOOL In the age of fast-tempo, spread offenses, one record-setting Pennsylvania head coach has no desire to employ the latest trends of moving the football but instead prefers to play the game the old-fashioned way. BY DEREK SMITH

The Jim Roth Profile AGE: 61 TEAM:

Southern Columbia H.S., Catawissa, Pennsylvania

YEARS AS HEAD COACH:

35 (1984-present)

2018 RECORD: 16-0,

Class 2A state champs (def. Wilmington 49-14)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 9 RUNNERS-UP: 8 DISTRICT TITLES: 26 COACHING RECORD: 428-63-2 PROFESSION:

■■ Southern Columbia High (Pa.) coach Jim Roth at the dedication of Roth Field.

outhern Columbia High (Pa.) coach Jim Roth, who has

led the Tigers to 17 of the last 29 state title games, runs the Wing-T, an offense developed at the University of Delaware in the early 1950s. The Wing-T is a classic offensive lineup with two guards, two tackles, a center and the quarterback under center. The formation is characterized by having a wingback just off the tight end’s strong side and a split end lined up on the weak side. The tailback and the fullback can move around, but are generally split in a two-back set. It’s a misdirection offense that can be hard to stop and uses counters, fakes and waggles to cause matchup problems for defenses. Southern Columbia doesn’t run that type of offense based on any limitations the team has or the types of teams they play. Roth said they embrace the uniqueness of the Wing-T because it wins football games. “We run it because of its effectiveness,” he says. “We’ve always felt like within the offense we can highlight certain positions and aspects of personnel and talent. We’ve figured out a way to incorporate the passing game in the offense, too.” The Tigers throw the ball enough out of the run-heavy set that senior wide receiver Julian

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Head football coach, athletic director FAMILY: Wife, Kenda; triplets (two girls, a boy)

Fleming, an Ohio State commitment, became the No. 1 player in the country at his position, according to 247 Sports. Consider that Roth had won 428 games, all at Southern Columbia, when the 2019 season began in August, including nine state championships. The Tigers have won three of the last four titles and lost only one game over that span. Six of his teams have gone undefeated and he’s never had a losing season since taking the job in 1984. It’s hard to argue with the success he’s had at Southern Columbia implementing a running attack that’s outscored its first four opponents 222-0 in 2019. He says given “no thought” to abandoning the Wing-T for a more wide-open offense. “If everyone is doing that, then our offense is more of a rarity because they don’t see it as much,” he says. “To me it’s feeding into our opponent’s hands doing what everyone else does.” Southern Columbia is in rural east-central Pennsylvania, 50 miles north of Harrisburg in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s a small school with around 150 boys enrolled in grades 10-12. The town of Catawissa where the school is located has a population of about 1,500.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Six undefeated seasons (1994, 2004, 2006, 2015, 2017, 2018); ten seasons with only one loss; no losing seasons (6-5-1, 1986); double digit win totals in 31 of the previous 34 years; youngest coach in state history to reach 400 wins; field at Tiger Stadium named in his honor in 2016; began 2019 season on 32-game winning streak, including two straight state titles, and No.1in the High School Football America Small Schools Top 25; first in Pennsylvania history in number of state titles (9) and appearances (17) in championship game; No.15 all-time on the list of the winningest coaches in America and No. 7 among active coaches

ROAD TO THE RINGS

MSSU Coach Describes Journey to the Top Jeff Sims was hired as head coach of the Missouri Southern State University head coach in November of 2018. Sims came to the Lions with more than 24 years as a high school and college coach. For the previous four seasons, Sims was the head coach at Garden City where he led the team to a 32-12 record, including the 2016 Junior College National Championship. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Each month, Legend Rings sponsors a Q&A with a champion high school coach. The supplier of custom championship rings has worked with many championship teams over the years, outfitting coaches and players with keepsakes following memorable seasons. FNF Coaches recently connected with Sims for an interview. At what point during a championship season do you start to get a sense that you’re part of something special? “It’s kind of not a moment. It’s a growth throughout the year. It’s like raising a kid. You see them go through different stages of life. First, you put in the work to get that first win. Then, you win a close game. Then, you win a big game. A great team never thinks it’s going to lose. As the team grows throughout the season, you start to sense what the end result is going to be because of how they follow through on things.” How do you avoid having your players become complacent on a championship team? “The great thing about our sport is there are always things to correct. I would tell you a great quote I’ve heard from Vince Lombardi: ‘When a team is good, be their worst enemy. When a team is bad, be their best friend.’ If you come and watch me coach, you’ll see that on the days I push the hardest, we have a better team. If I’m more laid back and even keel, we probably don’t have as good of a team. I’m still giving the same level of instruction. But a good team needs to be humbled at times; a bad team needs to be built up.” Do you coach differently in the playoffs? “Early in my coaching career, my philosophy was not to punish guys for making the playoffs. Don’t make practice overly hard. Give them mental stuff and allow them to enjoy the process. We never played as hard as we needed to, and we would lose. Midway through my career, I changed it. The more we win, the harder and more detailed I expect practices to be. They’re more willing to lock into those things. No matter how hard you are on a good team, you can never

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NORTH AMERICA’S LEADER IN CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS LEGEND RINGS IS

break their spirit. Because the minute they walk off the field, guys are patting them on the backs.” How can a team sustain excellence? “I think it’s cute when guys who haven’t won championships talk about winning championships. Everybody expects that it will eventually just happen. I was at a school that wasn’t very good. Within three years, we got to the national championship. The next year, we had 100 people watching practice. I’d come off the field, and they’d have suggestions. None of them had ever been there when we were getting good. Now they criticize. They thought they knew how to make it. Believe in yourself.”

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COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

Q&A with aurora university coach don beebe BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

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wide receiver in the NFL for nine years

– which included six Super Bowl appearances and one championship – Don Beebe was widely known for his grit displayed in Super Bowl XXVII when he denied Leon Lett an easy touchdown. After retiring from the NFL, Beebe got into training athletes and eventually coaching. Before accepting the position at Aurora University, Beebe coached high school football at Aurora Christian, leading the school to two state championships. Beebe recently joined FNF Coaches for an exclusive interview. When did you start to get the sense that you wanted to get into coaching? “During my playing days, I knew I wanted to do two things: still be around sports, and be a mentor to young men and kids. I started training kids around the country when I opened House of Speed. Now, we have 24 franchises. It gives us a chance to help boys and girls fulfill their dreams. I’ve been doing that for 21 years. After a while, I wanted to get more involved at an intimate level on a daily basis, so I got into coaching at Aurora Christian. I always knew I’d get into it in some form. I just love to coach. Most coaches say they’re competitive people, and they’re no longer able to play the game they love, so they live vicariously through the athletes they coach. It still gives me the same feelings I had on game day as a player. It gives me a chance to strive for excellence and compete.” What was the biggest challenge when you made the transition to coaching high school football? “When I got there, the first thing I had to do was take my knowledge of the game and bring it down to their level. To ask someone who is 15 or 16 to do some of the things I expected, it was impossible. So, I had to pull back somewhat. But I wanted to get across to the players that if they trained hard, good things would eventually happen. Quitting is not an option. Can you feel sorry for yourself? Yeah, but get over it quickly. Keep striving, and eventually you’ll do it. I have a saying that I never want to hear an athlete say, ‘I can’t.’ I say, ‘You can’t do it now, but eventually you will.’

That’s how I want to teach an athlete. You can take average skill and hard work, and you’ll do well.” Do you run an offensive scheme similar to the K-Gun offense of those Buffalo Bills teams? “I actually took what I learned in Buffalo with the no-huddle offense and put it into the terminology of the West Coast offense I learned in Green Bay. We’re a high-pace team, but we can slow down. We’re using the terminology of a West Coast system designed by Bill Walsh and Mike Holmgren. A good example of it is Brett Favre’s offense with two backs, two receivers and one tight end.” Who were your mentors or coaching role models? What did you learn from each? “It depends on what type of mentor you’re asking about. My passion for the game came from my high school coach, Joe Thorgesen. He’s a Hall of Fame high school coach in Illinois, and I brought him out of retirement. I thought it would be an honor to be able to coach with him. From a character standpoint and knowing what to look for in a player and building a team, hands down it’s Marv Levy and Bill Polian. What they assembled in Buffalo was amazing. In terms of X’s and O’s, Mike Holmgren helped with wide receiver skills, running routes, getting open, how to beat guys and create space. My two wide receiver coaches – Charlie Joyner in Buffalo and Sherm Lewis in Green Bay – were two of the better mentors for receiving. I took a lot of notes and accumulated a playbook from all of the great coaches.” How did Buffalo teams overcome the disappointment of losing in the Super Bowl over and over again? “Character. That’s the word that comes to mind. I went to dinner with Coach Levy a month ago. I knew what he’d say, but I asked what I should be looking for in players. The first thing he said was character. That’s what they would look for – fine men of character. When Bill Polian went to Indianapolis, most people said he should draft Ryan

Leaf. He took Peyton Manning due to character, and the rest is history. On that Buffalo team, we had something unique. Granted, we won a Super Bowl with the Packers, but the sustainability of that Buffalo team was historic. The closeness of that group was special; 24 guys went to all four Super Bowls. We’re all close today. Even the more flamboyant guys

FAMILY FIRST FOR BEEBE

eebe had an opportunity in 2005 to join the Buffalo Bills coaching staff in 2005, but he chose instead to take a job as a high school coach at Aurora Christian (Ill.). “I wanted to be around my four kids,” Beebe said. “I wanted to be around and be at home. I got to coach them in high school, and that was most important to me. I have no regrets at all. If you told

like Thurman Thomas were team-first. He got just as much joy out of me scoring a touchdown as when he scored one himself. Without naming names, the me-first guys dismantle teams. No matter how good a player is, you’ll win more games when you have good men, and the experience will be a lot more enjoyable.”

me I could have gone into the NFL in 2005 and be a head coach by now, I would say it wouldn’t have been worth it. Coaching my son and being around my three daughters – and even coaching some volleyball – it’s been the time of my life.” Now that Beebe’s children are out of the house, he is willing to put in longer hours to advance his career as a coach. “First of all, college is a year-round job,” Beebe said.

“The hours you put in far outweigh high school. It’s a 12-month job. In high school, of course there’s stuff to do year-round, but not at the level of college football. Recruiting is obviously the biggest difference. I will say there’s more pressure to win in college, with the exception of maybe Texas high school football. I have more players on this roster (126). Game plans are more sophisticated. The playbook is a lot thicker.”

GAME DAY PREP

Form a Game-Day Routine That Works The last thing a coach wants to be doing on game day is dealing with logistical nightmares. Organize a schedule for each and every Friday and share it with administrators, fellow coaches, players and parents. That way, you won’t be blind-sided with unexpected tasks. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

ame day can feel like a marathon for

coaches and players. Expend too much energy early, and you’ll be left with nothing when it truly matters. For that reason, you want to map out exactly how you’ll be spending every minute of your in-season Fridays. And then create boundaries to make sure everyone around you honors your plan.

The Calm Before the Storm Haltom High (Texas) coach Brandon Clay and his staff require players to remain on campus all day on game days. That prevents players from getting in trouble off campus, showing up late for meetings, or being involved in car accidents. “We keep them on campus,” Clay said. “Coaches feel better when everyone is in the building. It lets us focus on the goal.” Many coaches have a pregame meal right after school to give players time to digest and relax. It’s important for coaches not to waste too many bullets from a motivational standpoint early in the day. Keep the players’ heart rates down so that they can give you energy when it matters most.

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Getting Focused After giving your players time to rest and relax on the afternoon on game day, you’ll want to rein them back in with an exercise to sharpen their focus. This can be a team meeting, a guest speaker or even some film review. Ligonier Valley High (Pa.) coach Roger Beitel reads a poem to his team before every game, “A State of Mind,” by Walter D. Wintle. The familiar poem ends with: Life battles don’t always go To the stronger or faster man But sooner or later, the man who wins Is the fellow who thinks he can Beitel says the poem gets his team focused on the task at hand. “We trust in our ‘process’ and that means that we prepare every single week like we are playing for the state championship,” Beitel said. “We have prepared the same way since Week Zero: Break down our opponent, try to take away their strength, and exploit any area of weakness.”

Generating Energy and Enthusiasm We all like to joke about our fire and brimstone pregame speeches. In truth, the moments before the game are often spent shuttling players in and out of the bathroom and sending the coordinators and scouts up to the press box. While the moments before the team takes the field might not always follow a Disney script, it is important for a coach to deliver one final message in an inspirational way. Southington High (Conn.) has a tradition in which a team captain drops the metal head of a sledgehammer against the concrete floor over and over to fire up his teammates. The sledgehammer is a symbol for the team’s aggressive, physical play.

■■ Haltom High (Texas) offensive coordinator Brandon Clay

GAME DAY ROUTINE FOR HALTOM HIGH (TEXAS) HALTOM HIGH OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Brandon Clay shared his team’s game day routine. 3 P.M. Players meet in cafeteria. Head coach

gives five-minute speech.

3:05 P.M. Players are served a pregame meal. 3:45 P.M. Players are encouraged to get off their feet (i.e. mat room, watch film, sleep, play cards, etc.). 5:15 P.M. Special teams meeting. 5:25 P.M. Defensive coordinator meeting. 5:35 P.M. Offensive coordinator meeting. 5:45 P.M. Get on bus to stadium. 6 P.M. Arrive at stadium, bathroom break. 6:10 P.M. Position coach meetings. 6:30 P.M. Specialists take the field. 6:40 P.M. Skill position players take the field. 6:50 P.M. Linemen and linebackers take the field. 6:55 P.M. Team stretch (static and dynamic). 7 P.M. Individual position drills. 7:05 P.M. Defense runs four plays. 7:10 P.M. Offense runs four plays. 7:15 P.M. Special teams runs a PAT. 7:15 P.M. Coordinators lead coaches meetings. 7:20 P.M. Head coach leads team onto field. 7:25 P.M. Coin toss and National Anthem.

Trent Dilfer’s 7 Tips for Breaking Down Film Breaking down film of an opponent is the key to installing a successful game plan. With the restrictions on practice time each week, coaches have to make sure they’re processing game film efficiently so that they can practice that particular week’s game plan. Make the most of the time you spend in the film room. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

The Trent Dilfer Bio SCHOOL: Lipscomb Academy (Tenn.) EXPERIENCE: Hired in

Jan. of 2019

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:

Starting quarterback for the Super Bowl XXXV champion Baltimore Ravens

■■ Trent Dilfer addresses his Lipscomb Academy (Tenn.) team

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: Served as

a coach for the Elite 11 Premier Quarterback Competition for high school seniors, founded QBEpic, a developmental program for young quarterbacks and wide receivers

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Studied film as

NFL analyst for ESPN

Former Super Bowl winning quarterback and ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer accepted the head coaching position at Lipscomb Academy (Tenn.) in Jan. of 2019, determined to turn the private school into one of the elite programs in the country. With 14 years of experience as an NFL quarterback and nine as an ESPN analyst, Dilfer figured breaking down game film would be the easiest part of the job. He quickly learned otherwise. “The biggest thing is the angles and film quality,” Dilfer said. “In the NFL, it’s obviously the best video possible. Plus, there’s a better understanding of who you’re watching because you have rosters and information on players. The challenge in high school is you’re getting pieces of the puzzle through HUDL, and you have to fill in the rest.” Dilfer has compiled a list of tips for breaking down film. Get a Head Start. Dilfer spends 90 minutes each Friday breaking down film of the next week’s opponent. “I like to stay a week ahead,” Dilfer said. Crunch Film on Saturday and Sunday. “We install on Sunday nights,” Dilfer said. “We want to have the game plan refined enough to teach it cleanly a 2-hour meeting. We talk about life for a half hour, then football for 90 minutes.”

1 2

Find the “Game Wreckers.” The first thing Dilfer looks for when

breaking down film is the other team’s star players. “Do they have any game-wreckers?” Dilfer said. “If they do, how many and at what positions?” Identify the Base Schemes. “Do they have a 4-man front or a 3-man front?” Dilfer said. “Do they have an in-line tight end or a spread offense? Are they a wrap team or a zone team? It’s a 30,000-foot view of who they are.” Identify the Purpose Plays. “We make sure to identify the plays that show who our players need to prepare for,” Dilfer said. “We find the plays the show the types of things they need to see.” Collect Data. Lipscomb Academy is a HUDL franchise partner, so the coaching staff is supplied with data showing other teams’ tendencies on certain downs and distances. Dilfer takes it a step further with his own research. “I want to know what they do on third-and-5 from the right hash mark inside the 40. I’m a big situational guy, so we’re very specific.” Use New Technology. Dilfer and his assistants use Just Play, which provides drawing playbook software. He can add HUDL video to the play designs, along with quizzes. “I send our guys about 14 drawings a week with video of them doing it in practice or cut-ups of the opponent. Then I attach quizzes for reinforcement.”

4 5 6 7

■■ The United States National Team is the pinnacle of the Football Development Model.

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The Football Development Model

USA Football provides a road map for learning the game BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

We’re all looking to grow the sport of football, and that’s no easy task these days with so player safety concerns at the forefront of the conversation, and so many other athletic options available to youth players. Football doesn’t have an obvious natural entry point for young players – like, say, tee-ball for Little League Baseball players – but USA Football is working on that. USA Football Director of Coaching Mike Krueger introduced the Football Development Model (FDM) with a goal to provide a variety of entry points and options, and empower parents and young athletes to choose the best version of the sport for them. The objective of the FDM includes instilling fundamentals, developing better players, providing multiple entry points and game options, and creating developmentally appropriate skill instruction. By teaching the game in a fun and engaging way, we can more effectively meet players’ developmental needs based on their individual stages of growth and development. USA Football has incorporated scientifically based guidelines, which assist in building recommended stages of development for athletes as they grow through the sport. This helps coaches and parents gauge the progress of a young player’s skill level and game readiness. By taking athletes from their touchpoint into the sport and continuing through opportunities in high school and beyond, the FDM guides every individual as they learn, develop and progress through the sport.

USA FOOTBALL

■■ USA Football has designed the Football Development Model to increase participation in the sport.

Driving Football’s Future in Your Community “22 LEADERS, 1 FOOTBALL” DEVELOPMENT MODEL

he 21st century’s game plan for football is coming together with

the goal of building better people and better players. The Football Development Model (FDM), launching in 2020, will work as a roadmap for youth leagues nationwide, reimagining how we coach, play and experience the game at every level. Young players in FDM-embracing leagues – your feeder programs -- will learn the sport in exciting, developmentally appropriate stages that emphasize the fun of football while gaining fundamental skills and improving athleticism. Crafted with help from leaders across football, sports science and medicine, the model offers a framework and path to excel on the high school level. The FDM is built on the following pillars: ■■ Whole Person & Multi-Sport Development ■■ Physical Literacy & Skill Development ■■ Coach Education & Training ■■ Multiple Pathways & Entry Points ■■ Fun & Fulfilling ■■ Participation & Retention Those pillars make up the foundation and guiding principles of the FDM. However, structuring the curriculum, resources, tools and guidelines requires a variety of skills and expertise. To do that, USA Football assembled the FDM Council. The FDM Council is comprised of 22 leaders spanning medical, child development and long-term athlete development experts as well as coaches and administrators on the youth, high school, college and professional levels. The Ivy League, Children’s National Hospital, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) are among the organizations represented on the Council.

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NCAA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Hainline serves as the Council’s chairman. The renowned doctor and medical researcher brings experience in building long-term athlete development models like the FDM, which is in alignment with the USOPC’s American Development Model. “The FDM is an athlete’s roadmap – at any age – to enjoy the fun of football by participating in sport activities that are developmentally appropriate physically, mentally and socially,” Dr. Hainline said. “Part of the model’s forward thinking is that you learn to become an athlete before you learn to become a player. When sports programs adopt the FDM, athletes will perform better, play longer and gain a lifelong path to athleticism, health and wellness through football.” Just as students have a variety of math options to support their knowledge and abilities, the FDM offers multiple pathways across the sport so players and parents can find the best football fit for them. “The FDM is a progressive approach for the development and safety of our players as they are learning the game,” said Dartmouth head coach Buddy Teevens who also serves on the FDM Council. “This is 21st century football that embraces the value of the team experience, fundamental skill instruction and contact reduction in an effort to teach the sport in a smarter and safer fashion.” Stay in-the-know and encourage your feeder programs to learn more about the FDM by visiting usafootball.com/fdm.

LEARN MORE: SEE THE FULL COUNCIL AT USAFOOTBALL.COM/FDM

■■ USA Football senior manager of education and training Andy Ryland

Interviewing Andy Ryland USA FOOTBALL’S TACKLING EXPERT IS A LEADER OF THE ADVANCED TACKLING SYSTEM Andy Ryland is USA Football’s senior manager of education and training. A former Penn State linebacker, college football coach and member of the U.S. men’s rugby team, With USA Football, Ryland helped develop the organization’s American Development Model, Heads Up Football and Master Trainer programs. What should coaches expect to get from USA Football’s Advanced Tackling System? Depth, a lens, a filter. This system gives coaches a unique way to look at, evaluate and coach any type of tackle. No matter what your team is doing in tackling currently or what may be your preferred type of tackle or style, this will give you a new way of thinking about and dissecting it. This system will help you find Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and help your players understand what is required to be their best in that skill. I think coaches who learn about the system really look at tackles differently and have a critical eye for detail, looking at what was good, and what could have been done better, regardless of outcome.

What exactly is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and what does it mean when coaches are teaching skills, whether that’s tackling or something else? KPIs are items that are most commonly associated with positive outcomes. In the tackle, these are items that — through research and film study — are most aligned with a great tackle. Within the big skill of tracking and tackling, a coach might say something like “balance and foot placement” with “dominate contact angles.” If a player can hit those items in the process for the tackle, their chances for success go up. I often tell coaches that KPIs are what “great” looks like. They are the little things great tackles have in common from a technical standpoint.

The Advanced Tackling System seems to have a lot of details, is it too late to start using it for results this post-season? Not at all, that’s the beauty of the system, it meets you where you are. Coaches can start to implement it at any time because it is not a copyand-paste, replace your old system thing. It really was built to sit on top of whatever your current framework is. Coaches may hear a few coaching terms or KPIs they really like and can just start using them in practice. The system becomes part of their integrated language without needing a big kickoff presentation explaining “this is now how we do things.” Coaches can start by stealing little bits and phrases to instruct their players on key areas where they aren’t doing as well. They can use the core language to identify key coaching points and some of the drills to fix the problem. That’s the best part – it makes improving and communicating about tackle performance simple and easy. Many youth leagues are considering adding flag football. How can a high school coach work with those coaches to teach proper tackling through flag pulling? Flag football can teach some of the core elements of tackling. I see a lot of transfer and flag can be a great entry point for young players. The Tracking and Prepare aspect of tackling are vital parts of the flag game. In both flag and tackle, a player needs to track the near hip, keep leverage and close the space. Also, as you near the runner, a player needs to come to balance, lower your center of gravity and get your feet right. The difference is instead of connecting with our shoulder, we are connecting our hand to a flag. Coming to balance before a tackle with good posture to get the flag and grasp is similar to loading the hips for a full tackle. Where should coaches go to learn more about the Advanced Tackling System? They can subscribe and register at footballdevelopment.com/advanced-tackling for free access to three lessons, as well to try it out.

USA FOOTBALL

Rookie Tackle Helps Increase Player Participation A community in Minnesota has found that Rookie Tackle has helped increase player participation by providing a bridge between flag football and tackle. The hybrid level of football features small-sided games on smaller fields and gives coaches an opportunity to give youth players an instructional experience. BY BRETT DOUGLAS

Rookie Tackle ROOKIE TACKLE IS A

modified game-type offered by USA Football and an important conduit for skill development within the Football Development Model (FDM). USA Football will launch the FDM nationally in 2020, which you can read about in this issue. This hybrid level of football is meant to be a bridge between the flag and tackle levels. It features smaller fields, fewer players on the field, coaches on the field to provide instructions, twopoint stances, players who get to try out several different positions, and no special teams.

■■ Prior Lake High (Minn.) coach Matt Gegenheimer

lthough it’s difficult to teach an old dog

new tricks, many coaches’ eyes are being opened to a smarter, reimagined way to play football. Matt Gegenheimer, 14-year varsity head coach of Prior Lake High School, rides the crest of the 21st century football wave. In Prior Lake, Minn., Rookie Tackle, a game type made popular by USA Football, bridges the gap between flag and 11-player tackle. A catalyst for developing skills and football smarts, Rookie Tackle is winning coaches over and increasing player participation. “I firmly believe it has changed our community,” said Gegenheimer, who also is an ambassador for the Prior Lake Athletics for Youth (P.L.A.Y), and helped initiate the

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Minneapolis suburb’s adoption of Rookie Tackle on third- and fourth-grade levels. “Our community is all in and I think Rookie Tackle has been huge in growing the game of football at Prior Lake.” Player development and safety are key components of the game type. Along with scaling the traditional football field’s size, skills are built within Rookie Tackle’s exciting play and nuance. “I think one of the biggest things we’ve noticed in having 8-on-8, is that the coach-to-player ratio is better,” Gegenheimer said. “It leads to more kids playing and less kids standing around. We’re developing way more kids and they’re enjoying it more, too. You lose kids making them play only one position rather than teaching them the

fundamentals, which in turn teaches them to play a multitude of positions.” Safety is also at the forefront of the program and Prior Lake has noticed that from the jump. “One key piece we have seen is that we haven’t had any major concussions reported since the two years we’ve had Rookie Tackle,” Gegenheimer added. Prior Lake football participation is up 25 percent among its Rookie Tackle thirdand fourth-graders. The varsity head coach attributes the increased interest to forward-thinking and open minds. “We fought (pushback) early on because people scoffed at the idea of not playing 11-on-11 football. We have had other communities now try and join our league once we started Rookie Tackle.”

Small-Sided Game Yields Big Results FEEDER PROGRAMS BENEFIT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA

■■ Small-sided games have helped drive participation numbers within the School District of Philadelphia.

BY GEHRIG PARKER

hough nobody knew, the fall of 2017 marked the begin-

ning of the Philadelphia Eagles’ storied run to capturing the city’s first Lombardi Trophy. At the same time, middle schools within the School District of Philadelphia were starting to craft a football success story of their own through the help of Rookie Tackle, a bridge game between flag football and 11-player tackle created by USA Football. When Jimmy Lynch took over as the executive director of athletics for the district in 2016, only five middle school football teams existed. Operating within a regional structure, teams were made of a base school and other students within the district that lived near the base school or in a pre-determined academic region. While this afforded more than 100 young players the opportunity to play football, the regional model presented various challenges and limited students’ access and participation. “With teams being regionalized in our Middle Grades Conference, coaches weren’t coaching kids that attended their school,” Lynch said. “It was also tough for kids to get to practice and games since they weren’t being held directly after school or on school grounds.” Following the 2016 season, Lynch was introduced to Rookie Tackle while attending USA Football’s National Conference in Orlando, Fla. “Down to five programs, we were looking for a solution to get back to a school-based model,” Lynch said. “A lot of our schools’ populations aren’t ideal for 11-player tackle, so Rookie Tackle made the most sense to help us increase opportunity and access for our student-athletes with the resources we had.” Lynch and the district wasted no time making the transition to Rookie Tackle. By the start of the next season, 13 schools had a team and the district was among 10 locations nationwide selected by USA Football to pilot the new game type. “Football provided our students a new outlet,” said Matt Kacergis, head football coach and teacher at Philadelphia’s Francis Hopkinson Elementary School. “A lot of them have never been part of a team before, so getting to teach them to understand how to work with others, how to solve problems and be more responsible has been a very positive thing.”

Now in the district’s third year offering Rookie Tackle, 21 teams comprised of nearly 400 young students took the field this season. For many, it’s evident that kids are becoming better players, which they credit to Rookie Tackle’s modifications, such as less players-per-side, a scaled playing field and position sampling. “A majority of our players have never played the game before outside of pickup games or flag football in gym class,” said Jarret Smoyer, the Football Sport Chairperson for the district’s Middle Grades Conference and longtime educator. “This program [Rookie Tackle] has met our athletes where they are as athletes and better equipped them with fundamental skills and developed them in a progression that’s allowed them to be more confident and successful.” New for this year is the establishment of a “developmental” division that’ll help get even more kids playing and experiencing football. “Having a second team has allowed us to grow our numbers because more kids are given the chance to play and contribute,” Coach Kacergis said. “In our three years doing this, we’ve added more players for this upcoming season than ever before and even have five girls that’ll suit up this year.” However, Rookie Tackle’s biggest dividends may be seen off the field. “Kids are becoming a positive influence at their schools and in their communities,” Smoyer said. “They’re not only improving as football players, but they’re becoming better students and people.” Ultimately, there has been positive turn-out from every perspective, from better player development to positive interaction in the community to building participation from the youth through the high school level. “We have to start looking at football from a different lens and do what’s best for the kids by increasing opportunities and access,” Lynch said. “From our district’s experience both on and off the field, whether you’re a school or a park district, there should always be a place for Rookie Tackle.”

For more information on Rookie Tackle, visit usafootball.com/rookietackle

USA FOOTBALL

Iowa innovation grows football The Football Development Model (FDM) has established roots in Iowa, where a community league is piloting USA Football’s recommended strategy for player progression of athleticism and fundamental skills through a range of football game types. The prototype has been nothing short of a huge success. BY STEVE ALIC

The Iowa Developmental Youth Football League (IDYFL) is changing how the game is played, taught and experienced for thirdthrough-sixth graders. Based 20 miles outside the state capital of Des Moines, the four-community league is piloting USA Football’s Football Development Model (FDM). The FDM delivers a progression of athleticism and fundamental football skills through a range of football game types. In 2017, Dallas Center-Grimes (Iowa) High School head coach Scott Heitland learned of modified football game types at USA Football’s annual National Conference in Orlando, Fla. The idea of matching fun, engaging game play and skill instruction with a child’s physical and cognitive abilities inspired him to bring the concept home. “What sparked it for me was watching my own son – he was 7-years-old and playing youth baseball – and he was playing modified games,” Heitland said. “Smaller diamonds, shorter base paths, coach pitch and t-ball. Football wasn’t doing the same. There was no pathway or progression.” The IDYFL unites the Iowa communities of Norwalk, Johnston, Dallas CenterGrimes and Adel-De Soto-Minburn, collectively known as “ADM.” Driven by Heitland’s inspired encouragement, the communities’ four youth football clubs agreed to create the new league. Its eightperson board consists of four youth league presidents (one from each community) and the four varsity high school coaches of the four areas, including Heitland, who now serves USA Football’s FDM Council. “When we shared news of our new model and the direction we were moving to, we called a community meeting, led by our four communities’ youth league presidents and head varsity high school coaches,” said Tyler Tripp, the

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president of the board for the Norwalk Youth Football League. “We shared what we wanted to accomplish and every parent in that room could see that our motivation was sincere – we wanted what was best for their kids. Some had initial concerns, but all were very supportive. All of us took a leap of faith. “It’s a partnership across the board for everyone.” IDYFL 3rd graders play flag; 4th graders play padded flag (wearing full equipment, but not tackling); 5th graders play 8-on-8 Rookie Tackle; and 6th graders play 11-on11 tackle. With approximately 550 players today, the league’s four community programs are experiencing a 65 percent increase in participation from when 11-player tackle was last played in all four divisions two years ago (340 players). Mark Hargrafen of Dallas Center-Grimes is the dad of a 3rd grader and coaches his son’s team. A member of the Wartburg (Iowa) College Athletic Hall of Fame, Hargrafen played guard for the Knights’

football program in the 1990s. He sees the FDM as a smarter and safer path for his son. “I thought the model was progressive, just like the football I see practiced and played at the highest levels,” he said. “Contact is minimized. It’s not your father’s football and it doesn’t need to be. When I played college football, we were a glorified powerlifting team – it’s not that way anymore. It’s about agility, athleticism, physical literacy.” League leadership already has received inquiries from neighboring towns interested to join and expand the IDYFL. Scott Mikkelsen, president of the Dallas Center-Grimes youth football program, credits a “can-do” attitude for the league’s blossoming success. “You need a group of youth board presidents that are flexible and high school coaches who will lend their time to it,” Mikkelsen said of the new league. “We could not have done this without the involvement of the high school coaches – you cannot overstate how important that is. This would have taken years (to accomplish) without them.” As a high school coach involved with his city’s youth program, Heitland has an overarching philosophy that inspires the IDYFL’s vision. “I don’t dictate to our youth coaches, but I do tell them, ‘Don’t go through a practice without teaching blocking and tackling fundamentals that you learned at USA Football trainings,’” he said. “I don’t care what offense they run – I want kids to have a good experience, learn the fundamentals and come back to play next year.”

■■ USA Football will launch the FDM nationally in 2020, which you can learn more about at usafootball.com/fdm

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Z Y

BY CLAYTON CASON

the Divider Before we start, players must understand what the Divider is, and how they relate to it and its rules. What is the divider? Cogan described it as an invisible line that goes all the way down the field. This divider tells Corners and overhangs whether they have the MOF safety’s help. When the receiver is inside of the divider, he has Safety help; if the receiver is outside the divider, he has no safety help. The divider is different based upon where the ball is placed pre-snap; opposite hash, in the middle of the field, or near hash. The rule is 5/1/Bottom. These numbers are compared in relation to the numbers on the field. ■■ Ball is on Opposite hash: The divider lies 5 yards inside of the top of the Numbers. ■■ Ball is in the middle of the field: Coach Cogan tells his player that if the ball is inside the goal posts, it is considered MOF. If the ball is in the Middle of the field, the divider lies 1 yard inside of the top of the numbers. ■■ Ball is on Near Hash: The Divider lies on the bottom of the numbers.

Position Maintenance “Position Maintenance” is a defender’s position relative to the WR and the divider. Cover players will always honor the divider line, even post-snap. If a receiver’s route takes him inside

n 1994, when Nick Saban and Bill Belichick were with

the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, they led Cleveland to its last playoff victory. However, following three losses in one Season to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they understood that they had to change. The Browns based out of a MOFC Cover 3. The issue this presented was that dropping into their zones, they could not properly defend 4 vertical “Go” routes; the two inside seam routes horizontally stretched the center-field safety. The problem Belichick and Saban had was they needed to be able to keep overhangs on both sides of the formation, eight defenders in the box, and still be able to defend 4 eligible receivers going vertically. As Saban famously said “when Marino is throwing it, that old break-on-the-ball stuff don’t work.” Once they realized that they couldn’t play Cover 1 and compete man-to-man they had to come up with something: the creation of “Rip/Liz Cover 3.” Rip/Liz is a Cover 3 match concept when defending offenses 2x2 formations (11 or 10 Personnel)

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X C WH

VS. NCAA 3 RIP/LIZ

DIAGRAM 2 R H

Z Y

C CF

the divider, defenders will trail him outside-bottom. Because the receiver is inside the divider, the defender knows the MOF Safety can help him. When he stays outside and bottom of the receiver maintaining low-hip leverage, it forces the passer to put air on the throw and that added time aids the MOF Safety to defend the route top-down, which we’ll talk about later on. If the defender’s receiver goes outside of the divider, the defender must understand he no longer has MOF help; the defender must be inside and on top of the receiver to keep his positioning between the ball and the receiver. If a receiver aligns directly on top of the divider, the defender will align head up, and relate to his “Position Maintenance” post-snap.

Position Breakdown: Corners: Corners start in press, and bail on the snap using a sideways shuffle, with chin on the shoulder looking at No. 1. Corner will play MOD. MOD means Man on Deep. They count steps of their drop to declare vertical, and the corner will match him with his divider rules if he declares vertical. If the receiver Runs under or a hitch, he will make the appropriate “Under” or “Smash” call. This communicates to the Overhang what type of route No. 1 is running, because he cannot vision it himself. When a “smash” or “under” call is made, the corner will vision No. 2 while keeping his position maintenance (outside-trail). Overhangs (Star/Outside Backer/Free Safety): Overhangs (Curl/Flat Player) play with the 2 main rules: the first rule being “2 in the Seam” - meaning if 2 is in the seam, overhangs will match and take him (unless he gets a “smash” or “under” call). Overhangs use a “Scootch” Technique; starting square to the receiver and shuffle backwards on the snap within their divider rules. Scootch

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technique is used to declare “2 in the Seam.” After 3 scootch steps, if No. 2 is still vertical he is considered in the seam. If No. 2 is not in the seam, overhangs will play cover 3. Eyes of the Overhang will read the end man on the line of scrimmage (EMLOS) to near back, they have to be able to vision No. 3 on their second rule - “Fast 3.” “Fast 3” is when No. 3 goes directly to the flats after the hike, such as an arrow or swing. Conversely, if the back is “In the down,” the Overhang will shuffle and vision No. 2 for “2 in Seam.” If the Overhang gets a “smash” call, he will leave No. 2 and “Hunt 1.” Hunt 1 means to find up-field hip of No. 1 to force him to cut back into the defense if he were to miss the tackle. “Under” is different than “smash,” which tells the Overhang that No. 1 is coming towards him and he does not have to flip and “hunt.” He will come off No. 2 and open up to squeeze the “Under” to the Hook defenders. if “3 is in down,” and No. 2 goes out, Overhang will open up to the curl area, holding that until No. 2 out leverages us. (This will help leverage the wheel as well.) “Sail” technique is used when the Overhang gets a “fast 3” and a vertical/out by No. 2. Overhang will keep his zone turn and fight out for width on the out, not depth. “Sail” looks similar to a Cover 2 corner, with his back to the sideline. Once the “Fast 3” has out leveraged the overhang, he will flip his hips and rally to the flat route. Inside backers (hook): Their rule is Hook, and “Final 3 Through.” If “3 in down” No. 3 will be matched by the inside backers (hook). Any check-releases where No. 3 will release to one of the flats, the hook players will carry him thru to the flat, or “Final 3 Through.” This is because he cannot guarantee an overhang will have the flat, since the Curl/Flat player may match No. 2 vertically. The other hook dropper will drop and melt to the middle; The two inside backers will play “on a string” with each other. When given a “Fast 3,” The strong hook defender will “flood” the coverage into the direction of the “Fast 3.” The Strong Hook defender will expand into the Curl area, relating to the final No. 2 by pushing to the low and inside Hip of No. 2. The Weak Hook (opposite the fast 3) will use what is called a “bingo” drop: opening up towards the “weak hook” area to defend the early in-routes by visioning No. 2 weak. If No. 2 does anything other than break inwards, the Weak Hook player will push back into the Strong Hook, replacing the backer to the “Flood.” MOF Safety (DIAGRAM 1): The Middle of the Field Safety will align at 14 yards in the direct middle of the field. Upon the snap, he backpedals to 20 yards; “melting” or angle-pedaling to where the passer looks first, then breaking on the 2nd direction the

passer looks. This is referred to as “MOF Principle.” When stemming from a 2-high safety structure, the “MOF Principle” player will run at a 45-degree angle into the Middle of Field and square up. The MOF safety should not move far from the midpoint, doing so will fracture the “Divider” rules. Versus NCAA (diagram 2): Hook droppers are the key to creating a 3rd level when the Offense tries to stretch you with three levels such as a “Levels” concept. When the Hook player gets an “under” call he will “Robot” or roll over and run to the middle of the field looking for the “Dig.” When he finds the “Dig” he will match the route bottom-up. The opposite hook defender will drop to his Zone matching the final 3. Versus Mesh (diagram 3): Double under, CF will squeeze back to hook and take the double drags from the opposite side. Both hook players will robot with the “under” call. There is not a route for them to match, but they will both end back into the hook. How Will Offenses Attack Rip/Liz? Cogan explained that Rip/Liz (and cover 3 in its entirety) pedagogy should be filled with daily match distributions against NCAA (diagram 4) and “fast 3” flood, because defenses have to be able to create 3 levels of defense to match the offense. Why Rip/Liz? Coach Cogan wants to play Rip/Liz to maintain the defense has box numbers no matter the offensive formation. Rip/Liz helps to leverage receivers with the MOFC principles, relieving your overhangs and Hook players pass stress. It is a great scheme when you have corners that can handle 1-on-1 without being beat over the top.

VS. MESH 3 RIP/LIZ

DIAGRAM 3 R

H Y

C CF

VS. 4 STRONG 3 RIP/LIZ

DIAGRAM 4 R

H Y

C CF

PLAYBOOK presented by Quarters coverage detailed by College Coach BY CLAYTON CASON

an: Man coverage is exactly as it sounds. Each

defender has a designated man across the entire field. Vision is on the man the defender is covering, typically in his hip pocket. Example: The Corner has the most outside receiver no matter where he goes (“cat” coverage as it is known). ■■ Zone: The field is separated into areas, where each player has designated area to defend. He will do this while visioning and breaking on the QB. Example: I have the curl/flat zone. I drop to where the landmark for curl/flat is. When the QB “pulls the pin” on the throw, I break on the ball. ■■ Zone Match: Like zone, the defenders are dropping to an area while visioning the QB top-down, however, if a player enters the defender’s zone, he will take him man-to-man. Zone match is played by rallying to throws short of zones. Defenders have a “no cover zone” in the flats where they will not take a player man-to-man until the ball is thrown. Example: Will LB dropping to his hook zone and No. 3 runs up through it. The Will now mans up No. 3. ■■ Man Match: Man Match is defenders having a particular man assignment until that player does something that triggers me to become man-toman with another receiver Example: Corner has No. 1 man vertically. If No. 1 does anything else, he will man up a different player.

What are the Differences in Zone Match and Man Match? There are a few distinctions between the two, even though at times one can look like the other. To understand, ask a few questions: ■■ What do the drops look like? If they are dropping to an area before running to man a receiver, then it’s a Zone Match principle. ■■ What is the discipline and location of the cover

defenders’ eyes? If the defenders are looking toward their man, it is typically a Man Match. If the defenders are dropping with eyes on the QB, it is a Zone Match. ■■ Are defenders allowing receivers to cross the field

and passing them off? If so, this means they are using a zone match concept. ■■ How aggressive are the cover defenders? Defenders are in the hip pocket of receivers in Man Matches, while they cover with a top-down approach in Zone Matches.

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COVER 7: BOX

DIAGRAM 1 3 2

1 A

C $

What is Cover 7? Cover 7 is part of the Man-Match Quarters coverage family. It is a two-high split field coverage concept where defenders distribute routes tightly, running with receivers, even across the field in their hip pocket.

Why Cover 7? Cover 7 allows defenses to have tight coverage on intermediate and vertical routes by bracketing slot receivers and squeezing the “lanes” in the coverage. This Man Match version of Quarters is best used in situations when allowing players to catch short throws and rallying to them won’t work because they are too skilled and can outrun your defenders if given the head start. Often, the spacing of modern spread offensive sets force defenses out of zone coverages. However, playing straight man-to-man is not always a viable option when evaluating player talent against the opponent. Man-Match Quarters give the defense the leverage and coverage options to defend offenses.

What is Cover 7 vulnerable to? Tight splits where the offense uses many shallow crosses and meshers. Better off using Zone Match schemes against those teams and rally on short throws.

Key Definitions/Terms ■■ Cut: Underneath WR, have No.

2 or No. 3 man-to-man if he goes up or in. If he goes out, they will man No. 1 with a particular technique. ■■ Push: I will push my man by one receiver over. This is mainly used by the backer when No. 3 pushes into the flat, where the Apex will push to the old No. 3 and the backer will push and play man-to-man against the new No. 3. ■■ First to Flat (F2F): First WR to flat will be manned by the Apex. The “F2F” player is expecting to man No. 2 until he gets a “Push” call. If No. 2 goes in/out and there is no fast No. 3, he will take two back across field. ■■ Fast 3: The back in the backfield runs directly into the flat area and out of the box at the snap of the ball.

Installation Cover 7 is a split-field cover concept that is flank-dependent. This means that they will make the coverage call depending on how many receivers there are to that particular side. ■■ BOX (diagram 1): The first call installed within Cover 7, working as a base in that way. Box is the first coverage call because the concepts built in box are like training wheels; most of the carryover in teaching methodologies starts with Box. ■■ Corner: Inside leverage, playing off man on deep (Mod) on No. 1. If

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No. 1 goes inside immediately, he will make an “Under” call to the Overhang and will zone off into his quarter. Corners will count steps to determine the Under call. By default, three steps by the corner and no move into the shallow, he will man up the route. This allows the corner’s footwork to control the tempo of routes, instead of yards of the receivers, which allows the receiver to dictate coverage. Counting corner steps instead of receiver yardage also cuts out any gray area of coverage calls by the corner. ■■ Safety: Inside leverage using robber technique (2-1 read) If No. 2 is up, man No. 3 with inside on-top leverage. If No. 2 is in/out, “rob” No 1. “Robbing” means to snap your hips and eyes to the receiver, undercutting slant/dig/post. ■■ Apex: Apex between the EMLOS and No. 2. If No. 2 is attached to the core of the formation, he will align 3x5 outside. He is the “first to flat” player. If he gets an “Under” call, he will play No. 1 man-to-man. ■■ Mike: He will Relate to No. 3 with no zone integrity (eyes on No. 3). If there is a “fast 3,” the Mike will make a “Push” call and then find the new No. 3 to man up. ■■ MOD: Mod is the identical coverage to Box except the corner will align presses to No. 1. The corner will use what is called a “bail man” technique, still making “Under” calls. The only differing technique is by the corner, making it an easy carryover for the defense. ■■ MEG: Meg will align just like Mod, with the corner being the only adjuster like before. In this coverage, the corner will take No. 1 everywhere he goes, hence MEG (man everywhere he goes). He will stay on the hitch of No. 1 ■■ CONE: Cone is a bracket coverage, and even though it is mainly used on the one-receiver (weakside) sets, understanding and installing it creates carryover into other coverage calls. If No. 1 runs a “sneak” or cross to the field, the safety will rob and man No. 1. The corner will bail off and use Mod rules. If No. 1 does anything else (outside release), the corner will man No. 1. The Backer to the Cone call will man the back. If the backer stays in to block, that backer will add himself to

the pressure pattern, hugging the LOS. Adding the backer creates the illusion of pressure within all coverage families. But the largest benefit to adding into pressure is that it creates one-on-one for all other rushers. Now, the defensive line knows that if they beat their guy, the back cannot chip or help. ■■ SWITCH: Coach Bartee breaks Switch down into two coverages, one when in the open field and the other when in the red zone, known as “Red 7 Switch.” Switch is a specific coverage call, used when No. 2 is on the ball (when a lot of switch routes occur) while bracketing the dangerous inside receiver. ■■ Corner: The corner will press align, like in Mod. His rules are to play manto-man on No. 1 unless No. 1 goes behind No. 2, which will then prompt him to switch and man No. 2. An example would be vertical switch routes by the two receivers. ■■ Apex: He will align 5 yards off and anywhere from shaded on to 2 yards inside No. 2, playing man-to-man on No. 2. He is allowed to “let the receiver win the race” because he is an inside-bottom trail defender on No 2. Will “builds a fence”” to the inside of No. 2. ■■ Safety: Will use same exact Robber technique as other coverages, aligning outside instead. He has No. 2 up with outside trail. This is where the crossover with Cone occurs: looking 1-2, if No. 1 has an inside release, the safety will play the first break he sees (i.e., No. 1 on a post), but if No. 1 goes outside, he will treat it like Cone on No. 2. ■■ Mike: The Mike has No. 3 man-to-man. An adjustment made at the college (Saban) level is for the Mike to make a “Push” call to the Apex defender, then take over his responsibilities for the Apex (inside trail man coverage on No. 2, where the safety is bracketing outside).

Red 7 Switch (used in red zone) ■■ Corner: The corner is slow bailing to help define the release of No. 1. He has the same rules as Switch. ■■ Apex: He will man No. 2 if he goes up and/or in. If No. 2 goes out, the Apex will cut No. 1. ■■ Safety: Man No. 2 up/in. If No. 2 goes in, he will rob No. 1

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PLAYBOOK presented by How the Quarterback Should Read Slant-Flat BY ZACH DUNN

lant-Flat has become synonymous with the passing

game at all levels of football. It is a simple, easy read for the Quarterback that is designed to get the ball out of his hands quickly and into the hands of a skill player. Today, we will talk about Slant-Flat with an “over the ball” route. The concept is known as Dragon Over (diagram 1). Dragon refers to slant-flat, while Over refers to the “over the ball” route by the tight end. This is a common concept that has been used for many decades. Like the Spacing concept, it’s another way to flood the defense with five underneath options. To the right, the No. 1 wide receiver is running a three-step slant. The No. 2 receiver – the tight end – is running the “over the ball” route. He is running his route at 6 yards depth and will sit over the ball. Hence the name for the route, over the ball. The No. 3 receiver – the offset running back – is running the flat route. He has no protection responsibility and is running to the flats. To the left, the offense is running the Dragon concept, just like to the right side with the No. 1 wide receiver and the running back. As you can see in the diagram, the defense is in a one-high shell again. Pre-snap, the quarterback is not entirely sure if he’s going to get man coverage or Cover 3, but he knows he’s getting one of the two. The quarterback’s read always starts with the “over the ball” route. That’s his No. 1 option. The ball will often times not go there, but it’s important that his read starts there because that tells him where to take his eyes to next. If the defense spot drops and doesn’t cover the “over the ball” route, the quarterback will take his three-step drop and throw the ball to him. If the defense is pattern matching the route, whether that be through Cover 1 Rat or Cover 3, the quarterback is going to read the “squeeze” of the two inside defenders. Whichever inside defender – the hook/curl defenders in Cover 3 – squeezes the “over the ball” route, the quarterback will take his eyes to that side. So, in the diagram above, if No. 44 on the defense squeezes and matches the “over the ball” route, the quarterback will now take his eyes to the Dragon concept to his left. This allows the quarterback to read the curl/flat defender for his next throw without a hook/curl defender getting in his throwing window.

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DRAGON OVER

DIAGRAM 1 S F B

B C

If No. 55 matches the “over the ball” route, then the quarterback will take his eyes to the Dragon concept to his right and read the curl/ flat defender for his throw without a hook/curl defender getting in his window. In the clip below, the defense is not in Cover 3, but they are actually playing Cover 1 Rat. The quarterback’s reads stay the same nonetheless. Above with the defense in man coverage, the corners are locked up man-to-man on the No. 1 receivers. No. 23 on defense is in man coverage on No. 13 on the offense. No. 26 on the defense is playing man coverage on the tight end (No. 82), while the two inside linebackers funnel the running back (No. 45). Whichever way the running back releases, that linebacker will take him man-to-man while the other linebacker becomes the “rat in the hole.” On this play, the running back releases on the flat route so the linebacker (No. 55) takes him man-to-man. This leaves the other linebacker as the “rat.” When the tight end’s “over the ball” route comes inside, the rat should match that route and the defender (No. 26) covering the tight end should become the new “rat.” This would put him in position to make a play on the slant to the right side. Therefore, it’s important to read the squeeze of the two inside defenders. Once the quarterback sees the inside defender (No. 44) match the “over the ball” route, he should now get his eyes to the left to read the curl/flat defender on the Dragon concept. The defense messes this up, and the defender over the tight end (No. 26) follows the route inside and doesn’t fall off as the new “rat.” The quarterback takes his three-step drop and completes the slant.

C E

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Yet Another Application for the Power Scheme

The play side tackle, guard and the center have down blocks and can build a wall. The backside guard is taking his normal pull on power coming up inside the hole created by the tight end blocking out and the wall being formed. The lane in a traditional one back power to the tailback is nothing near the space created for the slot ball carrier Landry here. The other flank is threatened by Chubb from the tailback position and a deceptive ball handling by Mayfield. Mayfield makes a fake on the sweep and opens on what appears to be developing as a pitch to Chubb to attack the flank to the bunch side. Now linebackers are flowing to stop the threat to the bunch side flank. With both flanks being threatened, and great fakes by the sweeper, the quarterback and the tailback, the stage is set for a big inside run of the slot being led through the hole by the pulling guard. The defense is out of position to stop the inside counter and a big play results. The misdirection strategy coupled with a play that the offensive line is running proves to be an explosive combination resulting in a touchdown play on the goal line and a 51 yard gain from the open field. The creativity in using a concept already in the offense with formation, personnel use, and backfield action is a formula that any team can use to get more out of what is already in place in their system.

KEITH GRABOWSKI

he power scheme is not only a very effec-

tive way to move the football on a downhill run, it has flexibility in how it can be applied to a multitude of backfield actions and ball handling to attack an offense. The Cleveland Browns have shown a lot of creativity under first time offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens. The have untiled the traditional one and two back power all season long. Against the Panthers they utilized the power scheme on what very much resembled a play from a wing-t play book. The hallmark of the wing-t offense is misdirection with the buck sweep series being a prime example of a play concept that threatens both flanks as well as the middle of the defense with its sweep, waggle, and trap. The Browns effectively utilized that strategy with this play from a tight bunch set (diagram 1). The tight end side flank is immediately threatened with jet motion and the receiver running full speed on a sweep course. This threat helps the tight end secure the 9-technique outside of him. That defender must set the edge and cannot be effective in stopping anything inside of the tight end by doing so. This makes the tight end’s assignment of keeping him outside easy.

BROWNS SLOT COUNTER WITH POWER BLOCKING

DIAGRAM 1 F

B C

Y Z

C E X

TECH CORNER

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Aerial Attack Football machine that is designed for football programs on a tight budget. This unit will deliver right-footed deep spiral punts that turn over as well as end-over-end kickoffs for coverage and return practice. Plus… it throws both long and short passes for receiving and defensive drills. The machine pivots in any direction to challenge the defensive coverage or to instantly throw to an exact location. The two solid polyurethane throwing wheels grip the ball for a tight spiral and precise ball delivery. The Aerial Attack is easily moved around during practice or can be used with the Universal Cart Clamp to attach to any cart. Now all programs can afford to practice like the pros and make the most of every practice.

S.A.F.E.Clip Proven to Reduce Collision Impact Each month, FNF Coaches selects a product that makes the game safer or more enjoyable for players, and allows a representative from that company to share the benefits of the product. For this edition of FNF Coaches, we’ll feature the Mayfield Athletics S.A.F.E. Clip. BY VANESSA SPASOVSKI

As football season kicks off, concussion and injury awareness remain a top priority amongst players, parents, coaches, and spectators alike. As a coach, you are often sought out as a resource for players and parents to recommend preventative care options. Back your commitment to safety this season with an innovative, lab-tested, and proven product—S.A.F.E.Clip—to prioritize injury prevention and reduce collision impact for your players. S.A.F.E.Clip (Shock Absorbing Football Equipment) is a patented facemask clip created to reduce the energy at an impact point (commonly referred to as g-force) by up to 35 percent. To accomplish this, the S.A.F.E.Clip design allows the facemask to move slightly backwards and absorb impact through a unique sorbothane insert—all within seconds. S.A.F.E.Clip replaces the facemask clip that comes standard on helmets direct from the manufacturer and does not violate the standard helmet manufacturer warranty. Furthermore, S.A.F.E.Clip can be installed on new, used, or recently reconditioned helmets—all it takes is a quick, two-minute install to be equipped for the next practice or game. “We designed S.A.F.E.Clip with our passion for the game of football in mind and the desire to make it safer for everyone who plays—whether it’s a youth, high school, recreational, or professional team,” described Justin Summerville, Inventor, Founder, and CEO, Mayfield Athletics. “Like coaches, athletic trainers, and parents, we, too, view safety as our responsibility. That’s why we engineered S.A.F.E.Clip to fit nearly every helmet and facemask configuration on the market.” Jordan Ackerman, athletic director at Oxford High in Southeast Michigan, shared his support for S.A.F.E.Clip at the conclusion of using patented clips for one full season with his football program: “Anytime we are messing with the head or the brain, we are never going to compromise. S.A.F.E.Clip provided a great product for our athletes and we were happy to jump on board.”

MAKE SAFETY A PRIORITY THIS SEASON WITH S.A.F.E.CLIP S.A.F.E.CLIP IS A

As evidenced through rigorous testing performed by third-party, accredited, and NOCSAEapproved laboratories, S.A.F.E.Clip is scientifically proven to reduce collision impact by up to 35 percent with every hit. Beyond the lab, coaches, athletic trainers and players continue to validate S.A.F.E.Clips effectiveness and positive impact on the game: “Using S.A.F.E.Clip this season has been very reassuring…I will say that I did not have the kids complaining as much about their heads hurting. Truthfully, that’s a first and this is my nineteen season,” echoed Andrew McDonald, head athletic trainer at Oxford High School. If you are a coach wondering how you can further your commitment to safety this season, learn more about S.A.F.E.Clip by visiting getsafeclip.com or contacting S.A.F.E.Clip directly. You and your players do have a choice when it comes to your equipment—choose S.A.F.E.Clip.

ONLINE: GETASAFECLIP.COM FACEBOOK: @SAFECLIP INSTAGRAM: @SAFE.CLIP TWITTER: @SAFECLIP

patented facemask clip scientifically proven to reduce collision impact. Designed for nearly all helmet and facemask configurations, S.A.F.E.Clip works to help make the game safer immediately upon install. PREVENT INJURY ■■ Reduce impact to

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INNOVATOR’S SPOTLIGHT

Transforming Game Video Into an Immersive Teaching Tool Arming young athletes with the knowledge, skills, and techniques they need to become tomorrow’s football stars is a tall order for high school coaches. Capturing the attention of players and presenting concepts in engaging and memorable ways has never been easy. But it’s especially challenging in today’s digital world, where coaches compete with video games, social media, and mobile platforms for their players’ attention. BY NIALL HENDRY, PRODUCT MANAGER, CHYRONHEGO

Each month, FNF Coaches selects a product that makes the game safer or more enjoyable for players, and allows a representative from that company to share the benefits of the product. Video plays a huge role in teaching advanced concepts in football, enabling coaches to review game and practice footage to improve team play. But what if you could overlay that video with advanced telestration graphics, the ones we’ve all seen on major live sports broadcasts and highlight shows? At ChyronHego, we developed our Coach Paint solution to bring a new dimension of learning to coaches and athletes in all sports, and at all levels. Coach Paint is an out-of-the-box software solution for highlighting sports videos. Player cut-out, spotlight, zoom, player tracking, and zone tracking are just a few of Coach Paint’s powerful telestration capabilities. Plus, Coach Paint has a built-in chroma-keyer makes it easy to place telestrator graphics on the playing surface. With Coach Paint, ChyronHego has taken many of the powerful visualization tools of its industry-leading Paint broadcast telestration system and packaged them into software that’s extremely easy to use and accessible by any team, from high school to the pros. No more dry white board drawings – coaches can take video footage from games and practices and create an immersive learning experience for their players. Easily and instantly, they can visualize formation, progression, alignment, and techniques and help players see and absorb all-important nuances of the game. One high school coach commented, “Coach Paint lets us harness the telestration effects we’ve all seen on TV games. Plus, it’s extremely easy to use – after one tutorial I was up and running, creating advanced clips for our teams in a fast and efficient manner.” In another example, the Kansas State University (KSU) Wildcats football team has just entered its fourth season using Coach Paint to illuminate and enhance game footage. “The ‘eye candy’ generated by Coach Paint helps to communicate the vital

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■■ Coach Paint allows coaches to use telestration effects while viewing game film.

CHYRONHEGO COACH PAINT COACH PAINT IS A

points of interest quickly and clearly to our players and outside audiences,” said Scott Eilert, director of video services – football, KSU Wildcats. An athlete’s true potential lies far beyond a physical skill set. If athletes can visualize something happening, they can be more aggressive, play faster, and minimize mistakes. By highlighting practice and in-game moments and turning them into teaching points, coaches are able to emphasize both individual technique and teamwork, the cornerstones of development for youth football players. With Coach Paint, coaches can make training interactive, relevant, and engaging. By bringing advanced telestration technology to athletes who otherwise wouldn’t have access to elite-level training tools, Coach Paint is rewriting the rules on how athletes learn and how the football is coached.

powerful and userfriendly video tool specifically designed for coaches of all sports. Engage, teach, prepare and recruit your players in a way that not only grabs and keeps the athlete’s attention, but lets them instantly visualize formation, progression, alignment, keys and technique like they’re used to seeing it on live major network sports broadcasts and highlight shows. To see how, watch the video below.

WEBSITE: CHYRONHEGO.COM TWITTER: @CHYRONHEGO EMAIL: INFO@CHYRONHEGO.COM

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GAME PLAN

6 Tips to Delegating Game-Planning Responsibilities Coming up with a game plan should be a collaborative effort for a coaching staff. The more time a head coach saves by delegating responsibility, the more time he’ll have to allow his players to practice the game plan to perfection. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

COACHES CAN HELP WITH SCOUT REPS ONE OF THE MOST DIF-

■■ Frisco Lebanon High (Texas) coach Sadd Jackson

Sadd Jackson left his alma mater, Manor High (Texas), in 2016, to fill the same position as head coach at Frisco Lebanon Trail. He started that program from scratch at the 5A level in Texas, and has rounded out a coaching staff with an eye toward fostering a collaborative effort for game-planning. Jackson offered some tips for including coordinators and assistants in the game-planning process. Send scouts to games. Jackson relies on HUDL film as much as the next coach, but he still deploys scouts to games of upcoming opponents. “The film doesn’t get everything you need to know,” Jackson said. “In high school, you don’t get an injury report. If a kid gets hurt on a Friday night, you won’t get that until the pregame warmup unless you have a scout at the game.” Assign a coach to self-scout after each game. “The first thing you need to do is figure out what you can do well,” Jackson said. “Then figure out what you don’t do well. That’s the biggest key of all. Take advantage of what you can do well against their personnel and scheme.” Have the entire staff break down film. Every coach has different strengths when breaking down film. Some will focus on scheme and formations. Others will look for talent and ways to contain another team’s play-makers. “Try to get as much intel as you can on your opponents,” Jackson said. “Who’s the backup quarterback? Who’s the punter? How accurate is the deep snapper? You’re looking for players that jump out.”

Put together a big-picture game plan with the entire staff. Jackson holds a staff meeting on Satur-

day to break down game film together. The coaches

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then collaborate on game plan ideas on Sunday and Monday morning. “It’s always a collaborative effort,” Jackson said. “It’s everyone – the head coach, coordinators and assistants. Everyone on the team should have valuable input. As the head coach, you’re the one who makes the final decision.” Let the coordinators present the game plan. The coordinators introduce the upcoming opponent’s offensive and defensive schemes, highlight the top players, and then introduce a game plan to combat the opponent’s strengths. “The coordinators give them a general game plan – players we need to watch and control. Who do we have to make sure to block and be conscious of?”

Allow the assistant coaches to form a practice plan. Once the game plan is in place, the posi-

tion coaches can gear their drills to that week’s specific opponent. If the opponent is a spread offense team, the defensive coaches will introduce the checks and keys for that week.

ficult parts of practice – once you have a game plan in place – is providing a scout look for your starters. Most high school rosters don’t have backups at each position to simulate the level of talent that the starters will see on game day. “At the high school level, you don’t have the personnel to get a good look,” Jackson said. “Coaches might have to jump in to give a scout team look.” For that reason, Jackson spends more practice time having his scout team show the upcoming opponent’s expected formations than simulating specific players. “Often times, they won’t get a realistic look until game day,” Jackson said. “If you want to simulate the best players from the other team, you have to use starters from the opposite side of the ball in scout roles. But you can’t wear kids out.”

Oregon Coach: 6 Steps to Help Players Craft a Game Plan for Life A coach’s responsibility starts with providing a game plan for players each and every week of the season. However, a coach is also tasked with helping young men form a game plan for life. Make character development a priority in your program, and reap the rewards later. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

The Bill Volk Report SCHOOL: Aloha High (Ore.) EXPERIENCE: 24 years, seven as head coach HONORS: USA Football Master Trainer, named head coach of the United States Under-16 National Team during the 2018 International Bowl Series CHAMPIONSHIPS: Helped lead Aloha to its first Class 6A state championship as an assistant in 2010 PLAYING CAREER: Former NAIA All-American

running back at Western Oregon University (1992-95)

Aloha High (Ore.) coach Bill Volk bristles at a question he often receives from high school football fans over the summer: What do you expect from this year’s team? “I say I have no idea,” Volk said. “I’ll know 10 to 15 years from now when I can see how these players do as fathers, husbands and citizens in society. I want to make sure they have a better understanding of how to do that.” Volk has strategies in place to support the goal of molding better citizens. He shared some of those strategies with FNF Coaches. Address the negatives. Volk insists that teenage boys are self-centered, narcissistic and egotistical by nature. Once they own that, they can make strides to evolve. “It’s about understanding and developing team group dynamics,” Volk said. “Our job as coaches is to lead them to a path where they understand that to become better fathers and citizens, they have to avoid those egotistical ideas.” Build up the people around you. Volk subscribes to the theory: It’s not what you do for me, it’s how you make me feel. “That’s about being a good leader. I want them to feel good and believe in themselves. Your belief is tied to your behavior, and your behavior is your belief.” Meet weekly in small groups. Volk learned this mentoring strategy from his time as the coach of the U.S. U-16 National Team. “Each coach selects five, six, seven or maybe even eight players,” Volk said. “We sit down in different corners of our turf field and give them a topic to discuss.” Discuss subjects outside of football. Volk opens the floor for discussion in the small groups. Topics might include virtues in the program, family roles, motivational slogans, current events or politics. “It spins it toward developing character,” Volk said.

Stress the importance of family. Volk’s goal is to make every player feel like a part of his family. “I’ve heard an acronym for family: forget about me, I love you. They feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves. It’s emotional and powerful beyond measure.” Don’t lose sight of the big picture. When Volk’s team got into a particularly difficult portion of the schedule last season, the coaches stopped using practice time to break into small groups. They felt the time would be better spent getting practice wraps and teaching X’s and O’s. “We forgot about why we’re all here,” Volk said. “We lost two of three games. We met as a staff with the captains, and they asked to go back to meeting in small groups.”

■■ Aloha High (Ore.) coach Bill Volk

GAME PLAN

The Key to In-Game Adjustments: Always Have a Plan B Mike Tyson made famous the quote, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” While he was speaking about boxing, the same can be said for football. A perfect game plan is only perfect until you give up a first down. Then it’s time to adjust. A prepared coach always enters a game with a Plan B. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ Paola High (Kan.) coach Mike Dumpert

Mike Dumpert has been a coach at Paola High (Kan.) for 39 years, including the last 19 as a head coach. He has led the Panthers to two state championships and two runner-up finishes. The member of the Paola High Hall of Fame spent 20 years as a defensive coordinator before becoming a head coach. He has since turned over defensive play-calling duties to fellow Paola alumnus Todd Weaver. Dumpert praised Weaver specifically for his ability to adjust in-game. “His attention to detail is outstanding,” Dumpert said. “He always has a plan ‘B’ if the initial game plan falls short. That may sound easy, but is very difficult to do well.” Dumpert and Weaver start the week by breaking down an opponent’s scheme and various formations. From Weaver’s perspective, the game-planning process is smooth because both men check their egos at the door. “Our coaching staff is very close and we all have a personal connection to the program that drives us to work hard to maintain its success,” Weaver said. Part of checking egos at the door for the coaches includes the recognition that their collaborative game plan is inevitably going to have some holes. “We start with how we’re going to stop their scheme based on formation,” Dumpert said. “Then

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we look at the talent. Then we work on a plan ‘B’. What Coach Weaver does best is have a plan to fall back on in his back pocket.” Dumpert listed the following keys to making in-game adjustments. Determine how the opponent is using its star. “You have to see how it unfolds,” Dumpert said. “If they move a wide receiver to slot back or tailback so they can feature him, we’re going to change our read keys. Adjust to what you’re looking at rather than continuing to do what you’ve been practicing all week.” Identify the scheme. “The key is to figure out their adjustments so we’re aware of it. Then, it’s a chess game. If they do this, this is how we’ll counter.” Have a spotter. “We have a spotter in the booth who was a graduate assistant under Coach Mangino at KU,” Dumpert said. “He can call out formations and tendencies from the booth and get that to my defensive coordinator.” Trust your assistants. “I won’t take over calling offensive or defensive plays in the middle of a game. I trust my guys completely. They make the adjustments.” Use all of the information at your disposal. “I’m more of a gut guy,” Dumpert said. “I make adjustments based on the way I see it unfolding. My defensive coordinator is more of an analytics guy. We come to a consensus.”

2 3

4 5

The Mike Dumpert File SCHOOL: Paola High (Kan.) EXPERIENCE: 39 years,

19 as head coach

CAREER RECORD:

171-68

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS:

8 district titles, 3 bidistrict titles, 7 regional championships, 5 sectional championships, 3 sub-state titles, 1 state runner-up INDIVIDUAL HONORS:

Inductee to Paola High Athletic Hall of Fame, two-time Kansas Shrine Bowl coach, two-time Kansas City Chiefs Coach of the Week

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.

Humility

If you want to make a lot of big plays, forget about the one you just made and move onto the next.” –troy polamalu

Integrity doesn’t come in degrees: low, medium, or high. You either have integrity or you don’t.” –tony dungy

INTEGRITY

There is only a half step difference between the champions and those who finish on the bottom. And much of that half step is mental.” –Tom Landry

Mistakes are necessary steps in the learning process; once they have served their purpose, they should be forgotten and not repeated.” –vince lombardi

WORK ETHIC

There’s a lot of blood, sweat and guts between dreams and success.” –Nick Saban

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