FNF Coaches 2020 "Special Edition"

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Special Edition 2020

Fighting the Good Fight Coaches tasked with leading through a pandemic.

Photo by Tyler Rabuck

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS…LEAD page 4

06 05

Q&A

COACHES SHARE LESSONS LEARNED

with Texas Legend Randy Allen

CONTENT

SPECIAL EDITION

MENTAL HEALTH:

02

08 HELP PLAYERS BECOME CIVIC MINDED

10. PANDEMIC’S MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT 11. TIPS FROM A COACH WHO BATTLED DEPRESSION

15 THINGS TO CONSIDER IF NO FALL SEASON 12. CREATE CONTINUITY DURING A CRISIS 14. REACTION TO SPRING FOOTBALL 16. CONTINUE TO RECONDITION EQUIPMENT 18. PLAN A FUN DAY IN STRENGTH PROGRAM 21. HOW TO USE VIDEO CONFERENCING 22. MAINTAIN A PANDEMIC NUTRITION PLAN 23. FUNDRAISE & STREAM WITH SPORT SCOPE 28. TURN YOUR BINDER INTO A COACHPAD 29. PRODUCTS TO PREVENT VIRUS SPREAD 32. 7 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING HEADSETS

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When all else fails...

LEAD High school athletes need coaches to guide them through uncertain times

This spring and summer has made third-and-long feel like a walk in the park to coaches. If only designing and calling the right plays was the most difficult part of the job.

This season, we are being faced with unprecedented challenges. How do we coach throughout a laptop or tablet? How do we watch film as a team in 50 different locations? How do we handle the mental toll on the players as they experience disappointment after disappointment due to closures, postponements and cancellations?

We’re coaches, so we find a way. Throughout this pandemic, we’ve seen coaches step up and show leadership in all parts of the country. Coaches are setting an example by implementing safety measures that show we care about others and want to keep everyone healthy. We’re connecting with players on various online platforms, showing them we’re willing to meet on their terms. We’re also showing our vulnerability, because we know that the student-athletes will see right through a false confidence or sense of security.

We know that coaches will continue to adjust and adapt to the new landscape of high school football. We look forward to continuing to share those stories.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

04

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LESSONS LEARNED

What Did Coaches Learn During the Pandemic?

CULLEN O’BRIEN

Gateway High (Fl.) “Creativity. How to adapt and adjust

The one thing all coaches have in common during the pandemic is we are all going through it for the first time. There is no playbook for social distanced practices, Zoom meetings or coaching in masks. We all learned something new that we’ll take with us when normalcy returns.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR NO ONE WOULD EVER WISH FOR THE

spread of the coronavirus. However, we at FNF Coaches were surprised by how many coaches have positive takeaways from the spring and summer, when the coaching landscape shifted dramatically.

We posed the following question to coaches: What did you learn during the pandemic that you’ll take with you in the future? Here’s how they responded.

MIKE WHITNEY

North East High (Pa.)

ADAM HARVEY

ROBIN MILLER

Columbus Academy (Oh.) “The coaching fraternity is a vast and incredibly supportive network.

The sharing of knowledge during this shutdown - across the country - has been a blessing. I have grown as a coach and teacher thanks to this tremendous network of coaches high school, college, pro and youth.”

JOE RIGSBEE

Grimsley High (N.C.) “Stay ready at all times. The county that I coach in continues to push things out two weeks at a time.

So, we have no idea when the light will turn green, but I know when it does, our staff will be prepared, our kids will be excited to return, and we will be successful because of it. This pandemic has forced coaches to ‘coach’ even if they aren’t physically coaching. Coaching is about having a plan, sticking to a plan and adjusting. Things change daily so you have to adapt and adjust.”

Hutto High (Tx.) “ZOOM IS A GREAT

way to clinic, to install, and to connect with coaches as well as players.”

“For my entire career, we have always been able to help a student by moving their hands to the right spot, or getting in a proper balanced stance, and the list can go on. COVID has eliminated any unnecessary physical contact so we have, even more than usual, become more intentional with the specific words we use to get the right technique from the kids. One great example is teaching kids to long snap. We generally work a group of four kids as snappers every year. This year we need four new guys. So, teaching four athletes that have never long snapped has been an exercise in learning effective communication without the ability to help them place their hands on the ball, work on the follow-through of hands, etc.”

workouts, drills and measureable exercises while still maintaining social distance, and still achieving the desired outcome.”

ANTHONY STONE

Boylan High (Il.) “TRAINING FOR

sports, whether in person or virtually, is about how we connect and interact with each other on a deeper level. Anyone can be a coach, but an effective coach makes a difference that impacts the lives of our players beyond the field. I believe that if we coach in person, like normal, maintain social distancing or if it is done virtually, it is vital to lay a foundation.”

AARON NOWELL

Midway High (Tx.) “There were several things I’d say, the amount of family time we had was something that can’t be replaced. One thing I got to see was who is truly committed to our program. Kids sending videos of their workouts, attending Zoom meetings, who was staying on top of their school work etc.

The kids that worked on their own were more than ready when we were able to start summer strength and conditioning. I had kids surprise me both good and bad.”

QUINNON ISOM

Wren High (S.C.) “To value the time lost with spending quality time with our FIRST family, and that’s our wife, sons and daughters. We spend so much of our time with our SECOND family, and that’s the coaches, young men on our teams, students in our classrooms, our administrators, staff members, and co-workers.

We lose focus and time with our FIRST family.

To not be disrespectful to the lives that were lost due to COVID-19, but I am so grateful for this time because I got to spend a lot of it making some long forever memories with my family. My biggest takeaway from the pandemic is to never rush the days away and to always value the time spent with everyone that’s involved in our lives.”

05

LEGEND COACH

Highland Park coach Randy Allen is one of just three coaches in Texas history with 400 career wins. Allen is starting his 47th year of coaching, 40 as a head coach. He also held stints at Ballinger, Brownwood and his alma mater, Abilene Cooper.

Allen trails only Phil Danaher (467) and G.A. Moore (426) in career victories among Texas high school coaches. Allen recently joined FNF Coaches to discuss the impact the pandemic has had on his program. ff I can’t imagine you’ve seen anything like this in your 47 years of coaching. How have you remained engaged with your players?

“We had to use Google Meets. We had a lot of Zoom meetings. We were out of school and couldn’t meet with players, but the UIL did allow some summer conditioning. That started in June, and we had good results. We did our social distancing. We had to check the players coming in each day. If they came indoors, they had their temperatures taken. They had to answer the five questions. Have they been around anyone with COVID? Have they been out of state? If the answer to any of those questions was yes, they couldn’t work out.

“We had them distant indoors. They’d lift in small groups, and if anyone tested positive in the group, the entire group had to sit out.”

ff Where does it stand now in your region?

“Our country shut us down after a month. We can’t work out with players anymore. I have 76 players going to work out in private facilities outside the county. Here’s the unusual thing. We had six players test positive, but they all got it away from our strength and conditioning program. The other players in the group all tested negative. So, it didn’t spread between players passing it around from one to the other.”

ff Do you believe you can continue to have workouts safely?

■■Highland Park coach Randy Allen ranks third among all Texas high school football coaches in career wins.

06

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“In Texas, 25 percent of coaches took a survey. They found that 1% of players tested positive in Texas from the strength and conditioning.

We’re trying to get every coach in Texas to complete the survey so we have the statistics. Our hope is that they’ll allow us to work with players again in Dallas County. Our contention is that they’re not getting it from the strength and conditioning because we’re adhering to the safety protocol.”

LEGEND COACH ff How did the recent stoppage affect the motivation of your players?

“Well, they want to work out. They want to keep personal contact with their teammates.

So, they’ve been working out since the first Monday we were shut down. They’re willing to drive outside the county to work out. That’s how important it is to them to keep going. They’ve been resilient.

“For me, it’s hard to start and stop and start and stop. The thing to consider is how it affects them mentally. They’ve been out of school since spring break. They want to go back to school. They want to get back to football. We want to do it the right way so we don’t have to stop again once we start.”

ff How are you designing the schedule with so much uncertainty around the fall season?

“They delayed the start of school until Sept.

8. So, that’s the first day we’ll have the players.

I know that 76 of them will be in great shape.

The UIL requires one week to get back in shape before we start padded practices. So, that’s how I’m planning it.”

ff How will you offset the loss of any fundraising revenue that you were expecting to generate in the spring and summer?

“Right now, we’re not considering anything in terms of fundraising. Our people were great about sending the season ticket money – even without the guarantee of a season. At that time, they didn’t know how many people would be allowed in our stadium. It turns out it’s 50% capacity. We’re going to live stream on TV and radio so people who can’t get into the game can watch. We’ve rescheduled fundraisers because of the delays.”

ff The Google Meets and Zoom calls seem to be a polarizing topic for coaches. Where do fall on that topic?

“It’s in between a personal meeting and not meeting at all. It was as personal as it can get with talking to somebody on a screen and hearing their voice. It wears on you. It’s not the same. But you can get information out. You can show the playbook online, go over video, so the players can study. There was a lot of football teaching going on. We’ll continue to use that, but nothing takes the place of personal man-to-man, coach-to-coach meetings.”

ff How did you manage the smaller groups when you had to be socially distanced?

“We have a lot of coaches, so we spread our groups out to different parts of campus. We had some in the weight room, some doing agility and speed training. We kept it to two hours a day, four days a week. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, coaches taught skills for an hour.”

The Recruiting Fallout HIGHLAND PARK IS

typically a popular stop for college recruiters in the spring, as the perennial state championship contender produces several Division 1 prospects each season. Allen worries what a spring without campus visits and a summer without college ID camps will mean for the future of recruiting.

“We’ve had two guys make commitments since the start of this,” Allen said. “College coaches had to make evaluations based on the video of a guy’s junior year. If affects the guy who would have made an impression if recruiters were on campus, and he could work out for them. I think it did affect them. They were shut down just like we were.”

If there’s one potential upside to the pandemic, Allen believes it is the way in which coaches have learned to communicate through online platforms. He feels recruiting might shift to that type of communication.

“We got an app, sportsYou, for every coach in Texas,” Allen said.

“We were encouraged to communicate through that app. We’ll continue to use that as means of communication.”

07

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Coach of national powerhouse:

Help players become civic-minded In the midst of a pandemic this spring, much of the nation’s attention shifted to issues of racial injustice and police brutality. Some coaches embraced this discussion in an effort to create real change for generations to come.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

The death of George Floyd in May at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer hit home for Armwood High (Fla.) head coach Evan Davis. The coach saw the way it affected race relations in the Tampa, Fla., region as a whole and even on his team. As the brother-in-law to multiple police officers, he also saw the way in which some people in the country turned against police.

He challenged the Mayor of Tampa, Jane Casto, to have a meeting to discuss race relations in the community.

Less than a week later, he took part in a walk for unity with citizens of Tampa, including former and current players.

Davis discussed his push to become more outspoken about race relations on the FNF Coaches podcast.

ff We applaud your effort to become more outspoken about race relations in America. Are you satisfied with the response you’ve gotten from local government officials?

“I don’t think we can be completely satisfied, but I think there’s progress. I’ve mentioned many times, to quote the play, Hamilton, it isn’t a moment, it’s a movement. We need to keep the energy. I don’t think we can get distracted by just the game of football. We talk about LeBron James, and he’s going to have his name on the back of his jersey because he’s doing even more than putting a slogan there. We have to keep that same focus as a coaching staff.”

08

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Life Can Imitate Football DAVIS SAID RACIAL

tensions don’t run high in his locker room because the team has a merit-based hierarchy.

“You are respected on merit more than anything else,” Davis said. “Regardless of skin color, it is all about ability and skills. That’s where you gain respect and honor. Our game is so different in that skin color and background does not matter.”

Davis believes it is incumbent on his staff to make sure players recognize the real world is not as blind to race.

“That’s our job to change the world to be more like our locker room,” Davis said. “Our job is to educate people on why our game is a teaching tool to show why it doesn’t matter if a quarterback is Hispanic, Black or white. Is he the best player to help us win? Everything is based upon merit.”

ff What have you said to your players about the current unrest in the country?

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have brother-in-laws in the police department.

I hear their perspective on things and explain it to my kids. I can talk about what role police officers play, and give my kids perspective the other way. There is obviously police brutality going on. But this is a battle between good and evil. We need to take the evil out of the police departments that are being exposed. And we need to take the evil out of the communities that have that as well.

Evil is portrayed to the public as a media storyline. There’s not going to be a clear and easy solution like the civil rights movement.

You can’t see the incentive at the end of the battle. This is a battle for social and economic equality. Players of the next generation need to make sure it’s done the right way.”

WANT TO HEAR MORE FROM COACH DAVIS? Listen to his podcast on fnfcoaches.com.

You can also find our podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Simplecast.

Stay Informed & Engaged Through the FNF Coaches Podcast The Guest List

COACH EVAN DAVIS

MARCO REGALADO

ARMWOOD HIGH (FLA.)

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COACH BUDDY TEEVENS DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

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HOW: FNF Coaches will handle all of the technical aspects of the podcast — recording, editing, producing. For coaches, it’s as easy as connecting on a Zoom call.

WHAT DO WE TALK ABOUT?: Dan will interview the guest on the subject of his expertise. This could be X’s and O’s, technology, a product, coaching philosophy, etc.

WHERE DOES THE PODCAST APPEAR?: It will be catalogued on www.fnfcoaches.com/category/fnf-coaches-talk-podcast/ HOW DO WE PROMOTE IT?: We promote the podcast on Twitter to our 9,000 followers.

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MENTAL HEALTH

1

Stress the importance of exercise.

2

Don’t let players break their routines.

3

Focus on the present.

4

Focus on social-emotional learning.

5

Be authentic.

“The No. 1 thing, regardless of what happens for the rest of the year, is they have to be physically active. That has been linked over and over to having a positive impact on depression. Most high school kids don’t even think of the impact of exercise because they’re so into the activity.

Very few think of it as something that helps them relax and relieve anxiety.”

The Mental Health Impact:

How to Lead in a Crisis High school athletes across the country have dealt with months of bad news -- from school cancellations, to lost sports seasons, to isolation, to uncertainty about the future. There’s no finish line in sight, so coaches have to continue to find ways to lift their athletes.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR

Kevin Bryant, CMAA, holds the unusual distinction of being both a mental health expert and a district athletic director. It hasn’t been the best spring for the President of Thrive Athletic Consulting and athletic director of Redmond School District in Oregon.

“All of the research shows us that the state of mental health for athletes in this country is significantly challenged right

now,” Bryant said. “It’s showing that there is major depression and anxiety around the country.”

Bryant spent the summer working with coaches to adjust the athletic calendar for the fall sports season in addition to counseling athletes who were struggling with mental health issues. He offered these tips for coaches who are tasked with leading during a crisis.

“When we started back up in June, some of the kids were totally out of shape. They had checked out because they didn’t think the season would happen. The baseline was really low. We don’t know how quickly things will change, so we have to encourage the athletes to stay engaged.”

“One of our baseball coaches closes all of his emails with ‘Next pitch’. That’s all we can do. The positive things we tell the kids about focusing in the moment apply to this situation. Every play matters. We have to put that in action every day without looking too far into the future.”

“One of the major ways coaches can continue to have an impact is through social-emotional learning. It’s something coaches have provided forever. That social-emotional connection to an adult that cares provides hope. The players love being out on the field with coaches and teammates. Now that those opportunities have been curtailed, it’s even more important that coaches are in touch with kids.”

“If coaches can do anything, it’s being authentic and real. The other way comes across as you always thinking everything is flowery, rosey and great. This isn’t great. This sucks, and it’s horrible.

However, we can’t live life that way every day.

Be authentic. If you have kids at home and you’re teaching them, share it with the players. It’s not fun. They can relate to that.”

A Coach’s Mental Health IT’S EASY FOR COACHES TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME FOCUSING ON THEIR PLAYERS’

collective mental health that they ignore their own health and happiness.

Bryant believes it is imperative for state associations and administrators to consider that contribution when deciding whether to continue to pay coaches if there is no fall season.

“The challenge will be how many districts won’t be paying coaches,” Bryant said. “Coaches are at it year-round. I know that in our district we’ve made a commitment to pay coaches whether there is a season or not. There are districts that are not planning on paying coaches.”

Bryant’s biggest concern is that if coaches are not paid, they will be less engaged with athletes who are in need.

“That will impact the social-emotional connection,” Bryant said. “I feel like coaches will be less likely to provide that connection if they’re not paid.”

■■Thrive Athletic Consulting President Kevin Bryant

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MENTAL HEALTH

8 tips

to Monitoring Mental Health from a Coach Who Battled Depression

The pandemic has challenged the mental health of all of us, between the lack of social interaction, the disappointment of a consistent stream of cancellations, and the uncertainty of what’s to come in the future.

A coach needs to make the mental health of his players the highest priority this fall.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR

M

ullen High (Colo.) football coach Jeremy Mullen

worries about the impact the pandemic will have on the mental health of players across the country.

“I was a depressed kid at one time in my life,” Bennett said. “High school sports saved me.”

Bennett has kept that in mind throughout the spring and summer as he’s attempted to keep his players pointed in the right direction.

“We’ve gone through a progression starting with Zoom meetings in the spring,” Bennett said. “Then we started OTAs in the summer, everyone was fine. How do we get to the next phase of playing football? What do we do if that doesn’t happen? The struggle after that will get trickier.”

In his quest to help his players through the mental challenges offered by the pandemic, Bennett has done the following:

1

Monitor each player.

“We have to be vigilant as coaches and keep our eyes open. Look for telltale signs of depression. Be aware that they hide things and deal with them on their own.”

2

Change expectations.

“One thing we talk about is we are not guaranteed everything. I can guarantee we’ll do the best we can to make it as real as it can be.

But I can’t guarantee they’ll have a season.”

■■Mullen High (Colo.) coach Jeremy Mullen

BENNETT MET MANY

3

Live in the moment.

4

Don’t dwell on bad news.

5

Grow from adversity.

6

Maintain continuity.

7

Remain engaged with players.

8

Provide a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Whether it’s COVID or an injury or a family member having a tragedy, it’s really about the moment. Getting kids to live in the moment helps them be the best they can be in that moment.”

“It’s not all bad news. We have to push through and live with that. It was a tough spring, particularly for seniors. Through heck or high water, it brought us closer together.”

“No one will ever be able to take this adversity from us. As educators, it’s important to look at the big picture and find the positives. We’re together as a family and football community. This will be the time when we’ll say we did it together to overcome adversity.”

“I got hired just before the start of this, so we were building the staff. I brought several staff members with me. We’ve been together 20 years. I kept several members of the existing staff for continuity.”

“We were feeling our way through Zoom calls; it was different. I don’t know that it was bad. That’s how we looked at it. We did a heck of a lot of Zoom meetings.”

■■The precautions required to manage the pandemic can add stress to a player’s mental state.

Zoom Etiquette

“We had a Zoom meeting to introduce the Class of 2024. They were ecstatic. The guys got a boost from seeing the young guys so enthusiastic about joining the team.”

of his players for the first time on Zoom, since he got hired just before schools closed in March. While his career move made it more difficult to monitor the mental health of his players since he didn’t know them before the pandemic, he felt Zoom calls provided enough of a forum to connect.

“You can get to know someone sitting on screen if they’re engaged,” Bennett said.

He instituted a few rules to make sure the players were opening themselves to forming closer connections.

“Don’t block your face out,” Bennett said. “I have a rule that we want to see you; we want you engaged. We want you to ask questions.”

Bennett felt that structure helped players feel a sense of norm.

“I know that’s how I get rid of stress -- by doing the same things every day,” Bennett said.

11

PROGRAM BUILDING

5 Ways to Create Continuity During a Crisis High school athletes have been met with months of uncertainty and change.

From remote learning to social distancing, the way in which they learn has changed dramatically in the last six months. Coaches need to find ways to provide continuity in otherwise turbulent times.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR

N

ew Mount Saint Joseph High (Baltimore, Md.) coach Dom Damico

knows something about providing continuity for a high school football program. Prior to his hire at Mount Saint Joseph, he spent 24 years at McDlonough, leading the team to a 149-74 record during that stretch including one A Conference title and four B conference titles.

In fact, part of the reason he was hired at one of the top football programs in Baltimore is because of the way in which he values continuity.

“His passion for impacting young men, understanding of our Catholic Xaverian mission, and his relationships with our current players and coaches make him the right man for the job,” said Mount Saint Joseph athletic director Kraig Loovis. “I am confident that The Mount’s football program is in good hands.”

Mount Saint Joseph is coming off of a Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship. The Xaverian private school finished with a top-20 ranking in the nation from MaxPreps. It was the first MIAA championship for the team in 12 seasons along with the first outright championship for the school since 1949.

The program is returning a number of Baltimore Sun AllMetro players in quarterback Billy Atkins and wide receivers Don’t’e Thornton and Ausar Crawley.

“I know the talent level that is coming back from last year’s championship team has the ability to do that, so that’s going to be our main goal,” Damico said.

Damico is prioritizing continuity as he embarks on his new post with a perennial state championship contender. Here are five ways to provide continuity to a program.

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1

Value loyalty as a staff.

2

Don’t overhaul the scheme.

■■Mount Saint Joseph High (Md.) coach Dom Damico

If you are hired to take over a program that has had some recent success, take a long look at the coaching staff in place and keep the good ones around. The players will see that you are prioritizing continuity, and they will be more apt to be loyal to your program.

The assistant coaches will appreciate the job security and respond in kind by sticking around through difficult times.

In an offseason like this one, when most of the installation is taking place over Zoom meetings and other video conferencing platforms, it’s best to keep it simple. Getting the players to refresh on something they already know is much easier for players than asking them to learn an entirely new scheme.

3

Prioritize experience.

Look at the big picture. This may not be a year in which you’ll have time to get freshmen and sophomores up to speed fast enough to unseat returning starters. There will be fewer opportunities for practice and film study.

Keep your veterans in starting roles unless it’s painfully obvious they should be unseated.

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4

Be a steady leader.

5

Set short-term goals.

We understand there are ups and downs -- perhaps more downs -- during a pandemic. Your players are looking to you for stable leadership. If you get bad news about your season or a player contracts the virus, don’t panic. Show your players leadership in the wake of the storm.

Players are goal-driven. No, you can’t promise them their hard work will pay off with wins on Friday nights this fall. But you can set short term goals.

Give them landmarks to hit in the weight room or on the track. Create competition in practice, even if the players are not in pads.

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TIME MANAGEMENT

PAUL BASSLER |

@COACHBASSLER

Triad High (Ill.)

“We will just flip our fall and spring workouts, so it will not have much of an effect. I was more worried about going into the fall season without having much of a summer. Now we will have more time to regroup going into February.”

MICHAEL HARRISON |

@BTHSEASTLANCERS

Belleville East (Ill.) ■■A spring football season will force coaches to adjust their fall calendars.

Coaches Comments:

WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL REACTION TO FOOTBALL GETTING PUSHED TO THE SPRING SEASON? Coaches all across the country are dealing with disruptions to the football schedule. As of press time, several states had already pushed football season into the spring. Minnesota, Colorado, Maryland, California, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico, Virginia and Washington have already postponed football until 2021. We asked the FNF Coaches audience how they felt about the change.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR

JOE BEVIS |

@COACHBEVIS

Collinsville High (Ill.) “We ended our summer contact days, and we set up a lifting schedule moving forward. We now have an opportunity to develop ourselves as athletes for another five or six months. It also gives the incoming freshmen time to adapt to the ways of high school long before any competitions start.’’

DAVID BUCHANAN |

@CHIEFSMOKE10

Mercer County (Ky.) “I’m not that torn up about the lengthening of the strength and conditioning period, because we lost March, April and May (due to school being out). I think I’ve got a great strength and conditioning coach, Josh Painter. So, for Mercer County, this work with him has been … really, really good for us.”

14

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“This will have a major impact on the 2021 seniors who have not already been offered or made decisions on college. So, the time of the year that is usually recruiting season and is normally marked with college coaches visiting the school and doing in-home visits will definitely change this year.

However, as long as these schools are still fielding football teams, they will find a way to recruit.

We’ve had a lot of communication with college coaches virtually this spring so they have a lot of the players’ information and evaluations already.”

JEFF TURLEY |

@MARINAVIKINGSFB

Marina High School (Calif.)

“I believe this is the best plan to allow us to hopefully get back to workouts prior to season starting.

It’s going to be strange not having double-day practices in August. Knowing a start time that hopefully will work is good. [It is] something to prepare for with less question marks. Bowl games, playoffs, championships, that is January and February football, so I think it will be fun for a season. More weather to work through.”

JONATHAN HADNOTT |

@COACHHADNOTT

Waukegan High (Ill.)

“We’re basically going to flip our schedule and do (now) what we normally do in February,” Hadnott said.

“We’re trying to build our offseason program. We will give them a break to get acclimated to school and start our offseason training soon after.”

ANDY BRUNGARD |

@AWHSFOOTBALL

Anthony Wayne (Ill.) “We’re doing walkthroughs and any kind of teaching sessions with everybody having a mask on, and disinfecting equipment after practice. Really following the CDC’s guidelines on what we need to do when we’re here to be doing it right.”

SCHEDULING

7

Things to Consider If the Season Is Postponed Until 2021

One of the unprecedented outcomes of the pandemic is that some states decided to postpone football season until the winter or spring sports calendar. For coaches in the states that did, it presented the challenge of designing a new football calendar.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES

Don’t Break During School Breaks

Two of the first states to push back the fall football season until the winter or spring of 2021 were California and Washington.

That left Santa Maria High (Calif.) coach Dan Ellington and many others scrambling to put together a new schedule for the fall season.

Ellington’s plan is still fluid, as it’s impossible to predict when the state of California will move into Phase 1. However, he offers these tips to coaches who are facing a new football calendar.

1

Work backward from your first game.

“Our first game is scheduled for Jan. 6, so that gives the calendar some structure. We don’t know when we’ll be allowed to start practice. That’s up to each district. But if we can work back from Jan. 6, it gives us an idea of when we’ll need to install certain things.”

2

Read up on the restrictions in each phase of the return to play.

“Our first day of school is Aug. 18, and I’m hoping our district will allow us to start practice. Once we do practice, we’ll be in groups of 10, standing six feet apart. We’ll check temperatures. It’s mostly conditioning in the first phase. Phase 2 will get us in the weight room. Phase 3 will be the official start of practice. Each phase will be at least a few weeks.”

3

Do what you can on Zoom meetings.

“The kids aren’t always focused on Zoom meetings, so don’t overdo it. We’re planning to run the same schemes, so we can go over those quickly on Zoom. Each position coach takes his position and goes over our scheme on Zoom.”

4

ONE MAJOR

Provide a workout schedule.

“The biggest challenge for me will be incoming freshmen. They haven’t been in the strength and conditioning program, so we need

■■Santa Maria (Calif.) coach Dan Ellington

to get detailed information out to them. I send a workout schedule every couple of weeks.”

5

Make sure players have the necessary paperwork completed.

6

Send motivational videos.

7

Stay on top of your players’ academics.

“The paperwork needs to get done before they can start practicing. It’s easier to get them to do it when they have a deadline. The administrative stuff is the biggest challenge now. Give them deadlines.”

“I use the Marco phone app and do a little motivational speech to keep them encouraged.

It’s good for them to see your face and feed off your energy.”

“We still have grading periods with distance learning in the fall, so that’s the time to support your players. It’s easier when there’s the motivation of staying eligible to play each week. But they’ll still be getting graded even though football season starts later, so they need to keep their grades up.”

challenge for teams that will start playing games in January is managing the holiday breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Typically, football season is in full swing over Thanksgiving break, so players stick around.

The season is over before Christmas break.

Not this year.

“For us, we’re talking about practicing and having our acclimation period during Christmas break,” Ellington said.

“I have 94 percent Hispanic kids in school, so a lot of kids travel to Mexico for Christmas. That will be a challenge.”

Ellington will encourage his players to stay at home during Christmas break.

“I’m trying to get kids to stay home and practice,” Ellington said. “Football-wise, it’s a challenge. It’s a tradition for many of our players to visit family in Mexico.”

15

RECONDITIONING EQUIPMENT

Stick to the Normal Reconditioning Schedule Many coaches are under the false assumption that they can skip this year’s reconditioning of helmets and shoulder pads if the season is shortened or postponed.

With the spread of the virus hanging over all of us, it has never been more important to stick to the recommended schedule.

Clean Equipment with the Sports-O-Zone Gear Blaster

NAERA (National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association) is an association of athletic equipment reconditioners whose mission is to increase awareness and acceptance of high quality athletic equipment reconditioning / recertification. Particular emphasis is directed towards reducing the risk of injury for athletic event participants.

Members are licensed by NOCSAE to recertify football equipment.

NAERA Executive Director Tony Beam recently joined FNF Coaches to discuss the importance of reconditioning during the pandemic.

ff Why is it necessary to get helmets and equipment reconditioned even if there is no fall season?

THE GEAR BLASTER IS

ff The normal guidelines state that schools should recondition helmets and other equipment once a year.

Should coaches be doing it even more now?

“I think the biggest misunderstanding about reconditioning is it’s broken down to two parts.

There’s the reconditioning part, but there’s also the sanitization part. More now than ever before, it’s important because of the COVID outbreak. As we continue to learn more about how the virus is spread, the sanitization of equipment is more important than ever.”

“Most states offer return-to-play guidelines. You can look at what each district has put together for a return to play. Daily sanitization is always good, particularly on blocking shields, footballs and other equipment that’s getting used by multiple players.

It makes a ton of sense to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and keep equipment clean.”

ff And that extends beyond the helmets, doesn’t it?

ff What does the sanitization process entail?

“The part that a lot of schools skip is that all of the pads need to be sanitized. Most pieces of equipment are not re-certifiable but they certainly can be sanitized. A lot of shoulder pads aren’t sanitized by sub-varsity programs. Junior high programs don’t often send shoulder pads to be reconditioned. At the youth level, they don’t send them out.”

“Whether it’s shoulder pads or a helmet, the padding is taken out. Then it’s cleaned in temperaturecontrolled water and detergent. Certain equipment is submerged. The process generally follows the manufacturer’s guidelines. There are some college teams that use ozone treatments. Put it in the locker room and it helps kill bacteria.”

ff Is there a specific time of year that you recommend for reconditioning?

“It should be done at the end of the season. I’d recommend doing it whenever the season is over, but if you can do it more, I definitely would.”

ff Where can coaches go to get more information on reconditioning?

“All of the recommendations can be pulled off www.naera.net. One of the things we recommend after each practice period ends is to make sure the equipment is working properly and getting cleaned.”

ff And it goes without saying that players should never be sharing equipment?

■■The NAERA recommends reconditioning helmets at least once a year.

16

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“Fit is a very important part of making sure your equipment is working correctly -- without saying anything about the bacteria.”

a steel structure with a control unit made of ozone generators and features 40 air drying ports or tubes that supply warm air or ozone to sanitize gear and facilities. The ports may be turned on/off by row and they come with adaptors to allow access to dry and sanitize such hard-toreach areas as the toe box of footwear.

■■ Locker Room Odor is a huge concern in all locker rooms and points to bacterial growth.

Sanitizing your locker room with ozone helps eliminate these odors, and more importantly, significantly reduces the threats of MRSA and Staph.

■■ Equipment Ozone ranks ahead of hydrogen peroxide, iodine and bleach in sanitizing capabilities, and has no residue.

Apply ozone directly to equipment or turn your equipment storage room into an ozone chamber.

■■ Facility Minimize the risk of infection by treating the whole facility. Great for equipment, weight and training rooms, as well as wrestling/gymnastic workout areas.

Chris Bunting Milbrook High (N.C.)

@bunting36

Augie Tieri Danbury High (Conn.)

@CoachTieri

Robie Robbins Rockport-Fulton High (TX)

@txcoachrob

Leaders

Leading Wyatt Tuggle West Noble High (Ind.)

@tuggle_55

Dave Bosko Akron Springfield (Ohio)

@SpartanPrideFB

Teams all over the country resumed some aspect of football – mostly conditioning drills – in July and August.

Coaches all over the country set an example for their players by wearing masks for workouts.

We asked our FNF Coaches Twitter audience to share their photos coaching in masks.

Sam London J.P. McCaskey High (Pa.)

@mccaskey_ jpfb

DJ Pittel Central High (Mo.)

@MinOfOffense

Thomas Wilkes Greer High (S.C.)

@Twilkes13

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

Incorporate a Fun Day Into Your Strength Program With what seems like a constant stream of bad news coming at players from every direction, it’s important to give them time to have fun with teammates. Program a fun day into your strength and conditioning program to foster team chemistry.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR

Rockland Summit High (Mo.) coach Derryan Derrough is the first to admit he doesn’t monitor one aspect of his strength and conditioning program as closely as others.

“The coaches don’t run the dance part,” Derrough said. “We don’t hold a candle to (Z Total Body Fitness instructor Lisa Hale).”

Derrough and his staff gave Hale control of one workout per week this summer, and the fitness instructor mixed in some non-traditional football workouts designed at getting the players out of their comfort zones while making it fun.

“It’s challenging, plus I’m old and they’re young,” Hale said. “I make it look good, so they want to do it too.”

During the first week of workouts in July, Hale led the players in masks through dance classes. During the second phase of the return to play in Missouri, she hosted workouts for groups of up to 10 players. She spread them out in the gym or outside and led core workouts.

“It was hard, but they had fun,” Hale said. “They go home and tell their parents how much fun they have. You’ve got to give them something different with some music. They love it. I gives them a chance to do something different.”

Hale leads workouts for every sports team at Rockland Summit in addition to her private training business. She also teaches a physical education class at the high school once a month.

“I do the fitness that other coaches don’t know about,” Hale said. “I give them core workouts; that’s my speciality.”

18

■■Z Total Body Fitness (Reston, Mo.) owner Lisa Hale poses with Rockland Summit players.

When the groups were limited to 10 players at once, Hale led three workout sessions per day.

The players would then rotate between track workouts and lifting in the weight room. She occasionally took the athletes out to the stadium to do a bleacher workout.

“It’s not your typical idea of stadium sprints,” Hale said. “We don’t do much running up and down the steps. We’re getting into poses that work the core.”

In the midst of a pandemic, Hale believes it is imperative to build some fun into the strength and conditioning program.

Athletes often lose motivation when their minds drift to the uncertainty of whether there will be a fall football season. By taking them out of their comfort zones and allowing them to laugh together, they’re more likely to stay in the moment.

“It’s been different, but we’re doing the best we can,” Hale said. “We break them into sessions, and my session is the fun one. The kids go home and tell their parents. Their parents say, ‘They never talk to me, but they keep telling me how much fun they’re having.’”

football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

Alternate Football Workouts HALE’S GOAL IS TO

take athletes out of their respective comfort zones and make it fun during an otherwise uncertain time.

Here are some of the workouts she leads for the Rockland Summit football team.

■■ Cardio + Pump: Total body high intensity workout consists of cardio drills using kick bags, gloves, hit pads and kick pads.

Performing jabs, punches, hooks, uppercuts and kicks to burn fat and tone muscles..

■■ ZUMBA: This class fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a high energy, total body, dance based workout. Zumba is a great mix of Latin flavor and international beats designed to tone your body from head to toe.

■■ HIIT Express: Short intense workout using full body to improve athletic capacity and conditioning. Great calorie and fat burner.

■■ Circuit Challenge: Only class that has body challenging exercises to push yourself to the limit with battle ropes, bosu, sled push, agility ladder, big ball throws, climb the rope and hang from gymnastic rings and so much more.

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RECRUITING

Host a Virtual Combine for Your Players The spring and summer offered very few -- if any -- opportunities for high school prospects to get recruited by college coaches. With the NCAA dead period restricting high players from making campus visits, high school coaches have to get creative to make sure their players get a fair shake.

As many as a dozen players from Hoover High (Ala.)

Combine Events

typically commit to offers from college coaches each spring, but this spring was understandably slower than most.

Hoover recruiting coordinator Durrell Fuqua, a former University of Alabama defensive back, felt he had to take the recruiting process into his own hands.

“My main thinking was our kids weren’t able to get to camps, and coaches couldn’t get to our campus like they usually do,” Fuqua said. “We put together a virtual combine. I got some ideas from several people, and ran with it.”

Hoover created a virtual combine on July 17 to measure and time their players in various typical combine events, such as bench press, broad jump and 40-yard-dash. Nearly 55 seniors and juniors took advantage of the platform that could help earn them a college scholarship.

Fuqua and the Hoover staff set up the following stations at the virtual combine.

HEIGHT/WEIGHT:

College coaches don’t want to take your word for it. Provide video of the measurements.

WING SPAN: Some college coaches set minimum requirements for wing span for each position.

HAND SIZE: Again, this is an important metric for many college recruiters.

Fuqua offered these tips to coaches considering hosting virtual combines: Set up stations.

FLEXIBILITY DRILLS:

Record video of players in which they show flexibility in their hips and knees.

1

“We’re blessed to have a lot of coaches, but you could ask for parent volunteers. Put each coach in a specific area. That way, you can break into smaller groups and maintain your distance.”

2

Video record everything.

“We had a corner run a 4.3, but coaches want to verify it. One coach at each station has to be responsible for recording each player’s performance, even if you’re just measuring them.”

3

Post the clips to HUDL.

4

Send out the clips to recruiters.

“We recorded each clip and loaded to the iCloud. Then I went back and loaded to HUDL and tagged each individual kid in his clips. I put it all together, it took a lot of time and effort.”

“You can create a highlight reel from the combine for each player. Then you can send it out to recruiters. One of our guys got an offer from Air Force right after our combine. It’s been beneficial, and I think more will come out of it.”

5

Be willing to put in the time.

“It took hours and hours, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do for the kids. Once I finally got it all completed and tagged all of the files, I knew it would make a big difference.”

6 ■■The Hoover High (Ala.) coaching staff put on a virtual combine for prospects.

20

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Get some help.

“The combine is just one piece of it. You need the coaches to run a drill at each station, but you also need some help with the grunt work. We uploaded over 1,000 clips to HUDL and tagged each kid on every clip. Luckily, two coaches helped me with that.”

REPS ON BENCH:

Players to decide between 135 lbs., 185 lbs., and 225 lbs., and do as many reps as possible.

40-YARD DASH: A Hoover corner ran a 4.3 and subsequently received an offer from Air Force.

PRO AGILITY: This includes cone drills and shuttle runs.

BROAD JUMP/TRIPLE BROAD JUMP: Some

coaches want to see leaping ability.

INDIVIDUAL WORK WITH POSITION COACH: Example:

Corners might do the W drill, line drill or work in the middle of the field.

PLAYER ENGAGEMENT

10 Ways

to Use Video Conferences Going Forward

Even if teams are playing games and having in-person practices this fall, coaches will be encouraged to limit the exposure of players to the virus by shortening practices and taking advantage of more remote learning opportunities. Video conferencing platforms will continue to serve coaches as they teach and motivate players.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Tips to Leading a Video Conference HEADEN OFFERS

these tips to leading a successful Zoom meeting.

1 “Keep everything

KEEP IT SHORT.

short and to the point. Don’t get off track. Keep each segment 15 minutes in length.”

2 “We have to

SHOW CLIPS.

■■Susquehanna Township (Pa.) coach Joe Headen

Susquehanna Township (Pa.) coach Joe Headen laughs as he looks at the photo that best captures his coaching experience this spring. In the photo, he’s on a Zoom with his players as he’s chopping onions while preparing dinner.

“My wife took it without me knowing, but I can’t wait to look back on that in 20 years as the season coaching changed forever.”

Headen plans to continue to use video conferencing moving forward, as it’s provided him and his assistants an opportunity to remain engaged with players during the pandemic.

“Moving forward, I think it will be a major piece,” Headen said. “I had never really used Zoom before this. I think every level of football, from youth up to the pros, will use it going forward.”

Here’s how Headen plans to use video conferencing.

1 2

Coaching clinics. “When this all started in

March, everyone was on Glazier Live Clinics. I did as many as I could in the first few weeks.”

Virtual workouts. “My son plays at Old Dominion, and I saw the way they’d do workouts on Zoom. I watched and started leading Zoom workouts with my staff.”

Installs. “That took on an entity to itself. We did installs, position meetings, live walkthroughs. That was from the very beginning.”

Game-planning. “The coaches can put a plan in place over Zoom. That may end up being a daily routine. I think it challenged us to become better coaches. We had to prepare for the calls and learn how to use new technology.”

Position meetings. One thing we’ve done this week is start having special teams meetings over Zoom. We go over how we’re going to practice before coming into school.”

3 4 5

teach coaches to share screens and show clips. If they’re traditionally teaching in the building, they have to learn to do it on Zoom.”

3 “When coaches

BE PREPARED.

6

Organizational meetings. “We’ll go over how

practice will look each day. Then we apply it in practice. Rather than bringing them into the building to meet as a group, we’ll do it over Zoom.”

Locker room pep talks. “The lack of locker room use will change the way we address the team. We’ll have to be creative. We can do that when they’re home and keep it as normal as possible.”

Watching film. “Kids love clips. We have to teach in ways that cater to their learning style. Coaches need to learn to be more proficient on HUDL.” Teaching life skills. “It’s teaching kids to be present. We have coaches make sure they’re looking into the camera so we can see that they’re paying attention.”

Public speaking. “Coaches are learning to be short and to the point. Kids are learning how to speak in groups while keeping everyone’s attention.”

7

8 9

10

are prepared, it goes smooth. You have to know which clips you’re going to show, which topics you want to discuss. Make sure you know how to work the Zoom functions.”

4

REQUIRE PLAYERS TO SHOW THEIR FACES.

“We want the camera on so we can see you. No screen savers. No backgrounds that block your face. We want you looking at the camera.”

5“We have one

MONITOR THE PLAYERS.

coach presenting to the camera and one monitoring the players. One coach is teaching a lesson and one is watching to make sure everyone is listening.”

21

NUTRITION

Maintain a ‘normal’ diet during the pandemic The stay-at-home lifestyle of the last five months has gifted many of us with time to cook breakfast, enjoy lunch and have family dinners. Yet, many athletes are feeling confused and/or uneasy about how they are eating. Here are some tips to maintaining a “normal” diet.

BY NANCY CLARK, MS, RD

WHAT IS NORMAL EATING? To answer that question, I turn to eating authority Ellyn Satter, author of “Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family”.

Here is her definition of “normal eating”:

1

Normal eating is going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied. It is being able

to choose food you like and eat it and truly get enough of it—not stopping eating just because you think you should.

If you are “feeling hungry all the time,” you likely ARE hungry; your body is requesting more fuel. Trust it. You’ll end up eating more sooner or later, so please honor that hunger and eat more now.

2

Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food.

That is, have you put yourself in food jail and banned “fun foods” like cookies, cupcakes and chips, out of fear of over-eating them? Ideally, your meal plan includes 85-90% quality foods, with 10-15% fun foods. Some “fun food” in the midst of a pandemic can be, well, fun!

3

Normal eating is giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad or bored, or just because it feels good.

Yes, food is a way we celebrate, mourn and entertain ourselves. Sometimes we even need a hug from food, despite being not hungry. That said, routinely overindulging in ice cream as a means to distract yourself from life’s pain will not solve any problem.

4

Normal eating is mostly three meals a day, or four or five, or it can be choosing to munch along the way.

Most athletes require fuel at least every 3 to 4 hours. Those who “graze all day” commonly under-eat at meals. If you stop eating because you think you should, not because you are satiated, you will feel the urge to graze. Solutions: eat the rest of your breakfast calories for a mid-morning snack, eat an earlier lunch, or better yet, give yourself permission to eat enough satiating food at breakfast.

22

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■■It’s OK for coaches and players to eat a treat like a cookie.

Eating an entire plate of cookies is not recommended.

5

Normal eating is leaving cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating more now because they taste so wonderful.

If you are banning fun foods from your house because you can’t eat just one cookie, think again.

Denying yourself permission to enjoy a few cookies boosts the urge to eat the whole plateful.

6

Normal eating is overeating at times, feeling stuffed and uncomfortable. And it can be undereating at times

7

Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life.

and wishing you had more. Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating. If you have a hearty brunch, you will be less hungry that evening. Trust me. Rather, trust your body.

Hunger is your body’s way of telling you it has burned off what you gave it, and now it is ready for more fuel. You want to honor hunger and eat intuitively, like kids do.

CONCLUSION MANY ATHLETES

very rigidly eat the same foods every single day. A sports nutritionist can help add variety (more nutrients), flexibility, and more joy to eating. Food can and should be one of life’s pleasures, both when training and in the midst of the pandemic.

If you eat until you are satisfied, you will stop incessantly thinking about food.

NANCY CLARK MS, RD, CSSD ■■Nancy Clark, MS, RD counsels both casual and competitive athletes at her office in Newton, MA (617-795-1875). Her best selling Sports Nutrition Guidebook and food guides for marathoners, cyclists and soccer players offer additional inform-ation. They are available at: http://www.NancyClarkRD.com. For her online workshop, visit: http://www.NutritionSportsExerciseCEUs.com.

FUNDRAISING

Raise close to $30,000 this season with Sport Scope’s fundraising platform Traditional fundraisers like golf scrambles and team dinners have been wiped from the 2020 calendar due to social distancing regulations, so teams will be forced to get creative to offset the loss of that revenue. Most fundraisers will be hosted online, and the most effective ones will provide a service to the potential donor.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR

C

oaches are understandably weary

of asking for donations to their programs these days with so much uncertainty surrounding the fall season and so many people struggling with the economic downturn.

However, fundraising is more important than ever due to the lost opportunities this spring and summer and the potential decline of revenue for gate receipts this fall. Fans still want to remain engaged with the program even if they aren’t able to attend games. Sport Scope will offer a platform that will serve both football programs and fans by streaming games and hosting online fundraisers.

“Live streaming is something we’ve wanted to do,” said Sport Scope CoFounder Derek Taylor. “It moved up the list due to the urgency. We realized we need a platform that will allow schools to make money, particularly this season.”

ff How does it work?

Sport Scope partnered with Vertical Raise to build the fundraising platform because the companies are aligned in

quality. Sport Scope and the high school team will split the profit 50/50 for live streams of games. On the fundraising site, teams will keep 80% of all donations, with no cap on the revenue.

ff How much will teams make?

According to Taylor, it’s close to $30,000 in Year 1.

“Vertical Raise hosts fundraisers that average $28,000 per high school team.

We help promote games for fans and drive viewers. We’re saying the average football team will likely bring in $30,000 this season.”

ff How do you get started?

their belief that a team should maximize the profits from a fundraiser since the coaches and players are providing the service -- the livestream -- for the fans.

Sport Scope will set up a site with schedules, highlight reels and scores for free. Fans can then pay for premium content, including the live stream in HD

ADDITIONAL REVENUE STREAMS Teams will also have the ability to add logos of advertisers to the livestream. Coaches can make deals on their own and keep 100% of the proceeds.

“We plan to build that out, and eventually, provide teams with the opportunity to sell commercials to local sponsors,” Taylor said. “We will allow teams to brand their pages with local sponsors.”

Sport Scope is offering a $500 package to set up livestreaming -- even for teams that use other sideline replay systems like HUDL Sideline. For $500, coaches will be sent a streaming kit with a cable and instructions. If a coach is already using camcorders and/or tablets to record video, no additional equipment is needed.

A coach can then opt to set up a fundraiser on the team page, and a Vertical Raise rep will make a social distanced visit to the school to provide instructions to the coach.

“It’s not a burden on teams,” Taylor said. “We are giving really rich content to fans because they’re more inclined to donate when they’re getting things out of it. We think teams will be pleasantly surprised when they receive large checks at the end of the season.”

ONLINE: SPORTSCOPE.COM SOCIAL: @SPORTSCOPEVIDEO

Another cool feature: The videographer streaming the game can turn on the microphone to collect crowd noise or run an ethernet cord to the broadcast booth and pick up the play-by-play of the local announcers. That way, the fans can feel like they’re in the stadium.

“It’s rich content for fans,” Taylor said. “We stream a quality picture and can even do down and distance. It’s simple for the user and has a lot of options for audio.”

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PLAYBOOK presented by THERE’S STILL A PLACE FOR TARGETED PLAY-ACTION PASSES

BY CHARLIE COINER, FIRSTDOWN PLAYBOOK

Putting together an offensive game plan can be a complicated thing. You need enough plays to keep the defense honest but certainly not so many that your players can’t execute them. There is also that delicate balance between run and pass that is at the heart of many a debate between the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator.

Any time you can find a way to tie your run game in with your passing game it is a good thing. The PlayAction pass game may be one of the more underrated weapons that exists in your offensive tool bag. It seems that some coordinators want to lean completely on the RPO game.

The play-action pass game is an easy sell with your offensive line coach for a couple of reasons. He will be quick to see that this pass is going to make his life easier the next time you call the run play. It also gives his players a chance to be more aggressive without guessing if the ball is going to be thrown or not.

Sometimes your Play-Action pass attack can be as simple as picking on one defender. Below is an example of an inside zone run play in which the offense has good numbers because the defense his playing two deep coverage. The one offensive player who has a challenging block is the F in the slot. This play will often get down to whether or not the F can make the block on the Will or Nickel Will.

24

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As an Offensive Coordinator it is your job to help him out. If they continue to play two high to stop your passing attack then the focus can be on this one defender. If you run the football at the Will LB enough he is going to eventually begin to cheat his alignment inside towards his B gap responsibility.

The more he does this the harder that block will become for the Slot.

Remember that the WLB is more than likely getting his run/pass read from the tackle through to the back. That is why it is critical that the offensive line, quarterback and running back all sell the run fake with low pad level.

The route combination that you throw behind the WLB can vary. You will notice that this pass involves using a switch release double Dig concept. The outside release of the F should not be an issue because, once again, the WLB is getting his run/pass key in the box.

The Will linebacker’s “conflict of assignment” is not just run/pass though. As he diagnoses the pass he has three eligibles running through his zone. The H pushes up and out to the flat and the double dig routes come in behind him.

So as popular as the RPO game is today there is still a place for the placation pass game. This will take some of the burden off of your quarterback’s shoulders and put it back on you the offensive coordinator.

One Place. All The Football. HELPING FOOTBALL COACHES, PLAYERS AND FANS AT ALL LEVELS: blog.firstdownplaybook.com

4TH & INCHES TO WIN: WHAT’S YOUR CALL?

BY CHARLIE COINER, FIRSTDOWN PLAYBOOK

situation that could come up in a game.

We also understand that there are some offensive line coaches out there who would want to go with their bread and butter play as opposed to the sneak. For you guys, we just ask that you indulge us here and give us your input on the quarterback sneak call.

So your offensive line is in their stances and the ball is about to be snapped. Which way have you coached your quarterback and offensive line to go vs this defensive look? We give you our thoughts.

It can be very tempting as a play caller to design your quarterback sneak to hit the open A gap. However, you must always take into account that the defense is most likely going to pinch or stunt inside.

Pushing the ball right behind the double team is normally your best bet. The one thing to take into consideration is if both A gaps are covered, which is likely. In the event that you get this then we would run behind our best (away from their) best personnel.

It is down to one play. You are up by two points with 40 seconds to go in the game.

You are on the 50 yard line. Your punter is a freshman and has never been in this situation before.

You have made your mind up to run a play. Neither team has any timeouts left so if you get the first down the game is over. If you do not they have the ball on your half of the field with a little over 30 seconds to work with.

Our Monday Morning QB question is this. You have decided to call a good old fashioned quarterback sneak and put the game on your offensive line’s shoulders. Which direction are you going to run the sneak? Are you going to run it to the shade or the 3 technique?

Now for all of you high rollers out there who are going to throw a fade for six, relax and get real for a second. This is a very real

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PLAYBOOK presented by THEIR SLOT IS WEARING YOU OUT. HOW CAN YOU FIX IT?

BY CHARLIE COINER, FIRSTDOWN PLAYBOOK

Some teams are very talented in the passing game and they come after you on the outside with speed and dare you to match up against them. This is why 2 deep and 4 deep coverages can be a defensive coordinator’s best friend when he needs them.

There are other teams who are talented outside but where they get you is in the slot with underneath routes. We have all seen that slot receiver who has wiggle and can just get open in space.

Think Wes Welker and Julian Edelman and how the Patriots wore defenses out with both.

Although you won’t have to line up against Brady, Welker or Edelman this year, everything is relative, right? What’s your answer when the opposing offense is serving up death by 1,000 cuts? They are just feeding the slot receiver on option routes.

Before we get started here let me point out that I am aware that there are many ways to bracket a talented receiver in the red zone. Trust me, I have seen it on many a Sunday.

I have also seen it blow up in a defensive coordinators face when the offense started shifting and motioning. This is why, at the high

26

football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

school level I would suggest that you find a very simple fix for defending this slot receiver.

You want your nickel to travel with the slot receiver regardless of if he is strong or weak. The safety to that side will work with the nickel to “in and out” or bracket the slot underneath.

Of course in this case you are going to normally just match up outside if you want to play a deep safety. That’s why it’s best to disguise this bracket until late. The QB should see two deep or quarters prior to snap.

If the slot runs vertical then the safety to that side will cover him. Remember, it’s not the deep threat that he has been hurting you with. The nickel will then settle and look to help underneath vs a shallow crosser from Z or X.

One Place. All The Football. HELPING FOOTBALL COACHES, PLAYERS AND FANS AT ALL LEVELS: blog.firstdownplaybook.com

CROSS THEM UP IN THE RED ZONE

BY CHARLIE COINER, FIRSTDOWN PLAYBOOK

Crossing routes can be a great weapon in your drop back passing game playbook. They offer a lot of solutions for a young quarterback or a quarterback with minimum arm strength.

They are great against man coverage, because if taught correctly there will be a natural rub that occurs as the two crossers pass each other.

Obviously, good defenses will work on fighting over the top and zoning off of the crossers so it’s good to have a change up or two on your call sheet. The play below offers a couple of answers, particularly in the red zone.

The first thing it does is let your quarterback pick one side to read. If he has been throwing a lot of slant routes to a particular receiver this is probably the best place to start.

Your quarterback can go through his double move footwork with the confidence that if the corner does not bite then he still has answers. A return route is coming directly into his vision as a secondary answer. This will allow him to be deliberate and patient with his footwork and mechanics.

The same goes for the sluggo route runners as they need to sell the slant route first.

The return route runners can be patient as they should not start back outside until they get to the near A gap. Read this Z-Y-H or X-F-H.

TECH CORNER

A Shift in Technology: CoachPad & Custom Facemasks The changing landscape of high school football is forcing coaches to become more organized so they can take advantage of fewer practice opportunities with players.

Facemasks will also be a part of every team’s equipment pack this fall.

BY MATT STARR, CEO OF SIDELINE POWER

I

’m Matt Starr, Founder and CEO of Sideline Power. Side-

line Power works to find and bring cutting edge technology to the football industry in order to help coaches win. Sideline Power has partnered with FNF Coaches to create an educational article each issue on different innovative products. With preseason workouts just around the corner and all the media attention on COVID-19, It’s time to get #PoweredUP with this month’s featured products, The CoachPad and custom facemasks.

“The Binder,” every coach has one, and it’s usually stuffed full of scout cards. Some coaches have eschewed the traditional binder in favor of technology, making large quantities of documents much more portable. The biggest drawback to tablets is that when you get out on the field, the screen is extremely difficult to see in sunlight.

Now there is a tablet on the market that combines portability with visibility even in direct sunlight.

The CoachPad is a unique product that provides the capabilities and capacity of a tablet with the look and feel of traditional paper. The CoachPad is a stand-alone device that easily integrates with your desktop to quickly and efficiently transfer PDF files to and from the computer. This allows you to draw up scout cards in your preferred program and easily get them organized and stored on a portable device.

With built in wireless and Bluetooth capabilities, The CoachPad offers the ability to wirelessly transfer files directly to a computer and several other cloud platforms like Dropbox. Flexibility is critical, ■■The Coachpad will replace “The Binder” for coaches.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE COACHPAD CONTACT US HERE: ONLINE: SIDELINEPOWER.COM PHONE: 800-496-4290

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football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

■■Order custom face masks for an entire team at www.facemasksforschools.com.

and sometimes you need to draw up a scout card on the fly. With The CoachPad you can easily draw up any type of card or note that you want, and it can be automatically converted to a PDF file when you close out of it. Another great feature is that script and symbols can be converted to type simply by tapping on them. This way, you are able to take handwritten notes and then convert it to type for ease of reading. While The CoachPad is intuitive and easy to use, The CoachPad YouTube channel is full of instructional videos starting with basic use and covering the full functionality of the device.

While you are prepping for the season and looking at new tech to improve your program, the unfortunate reality of the world today is we don’t know how much of a season we are going to have. With different areas of the country either recommending or mandating face masks, Sideline Power is here to help you keep your kids safe and show school pride at the same time. Facemasksforschools.com provides custom ordering for facemasks in quantities of 500 or more. For quantities under 500, masks only available with the Sideline Power logo printed on them. The three-layer mask consists of a microfiber exterior, a cotton interior, with a filter in between. Masks are 100% washable and the ear loops are adjustable for a secure fit. When ordering through facemasksforschools.com your program can order in quantity with the price per mask decreasing as the quantity increases. Bulk order quantities over 500 allow you to put your school logo on any color of mask you choose.

If you do not want to order in bulk, we can also set up terms where we handle all the inventory and all masks are purchased through us for $6.50 per mask.

Custom color and logo is available after a pre-order quantity of 70 has been reached. Additionally, $1 of each mask purchased is given back to the school.

LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP YOUR PROGRAM GET #POWEREDUP

TO ORDER CUSTOM FACEMASKS VISIT:

ONLINE: FACEMASKSFORSCHOOLS.COM

Keep Your Players Safe

Companies are making products available to high school coaches across the country to prevent the spread of the virus. Here is an example of five products that will help keep your players healthy and safe heading into the season.

SCHUTT SPORTS SPLASH SHIELD

CLEAR GEAR SPRAY Clear Gear Spray is perfect for your daily routine because it

The Splash Shield is designed to offer protection for players from harmful droplets caused by talking, sneezing and coughing in close proximity. The Splash Shield will attach directly to the faceguard. Not only will the new Splash Shield fit all configurations of football helmets, but these guards are lightweight, easy to attach and clean, and inexpensive enough to be disposable.

eliminates odors and kills harmful bacteria. Clear Gear has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19 virus) on hard, non-porous surfaces.

Therefore, Clear Gear can be used against 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19 virus) when used in accordance with the directions for use against norovirus on hard, non-porous surfaces.

schuttsports.com/splash-shield.html

Web: cleargear.com

SPORTS-O-ZONE GEAR BLASTER

SIMPSON® SM1200 SANITIZING MISTER & PRESSURE WASHING SYSTEM

This unit is a specific application unit for hard to sanitize and dry equipment and provides up to 2,000 square feet of odor reduction and significantly decreases pathogen levels. The Gear Blaster is an open system and thus should not be used with people present. The unit can run: ■■ MRC and ozone at the same time or either one separately, ■■ Timer runs from 1-99 minutes and can be left in a room overnight with the caveat that you allow 5 hours, after the system is done running, before entering the room Testing done against two respiratory enveloped viruses used to mimic SARS-CoV-2 (the technical name for COVID-19).

Web: sportsozone.com

COVID-19 means clean locker rooms, training facilities, busses, weight rooms, and restrooms are more important than ever. When used with Vital Oxide®, the SM1200 mist will quickly and easily disinfect most surfaces indoors and out. To tackle larger jobs, SIMPSON® offers an adapter to power three misting guns at once. For tougher cleaning jobs in stadiums, arenas, and other outdoor sports facilities, turn the dual-action metering valve to go from mister to pressure washer mode.

Web: SIMPSONCLEANING.COM

SIDELINE POWER FACE MASK Facemasksforschools.com provides custom ordering for facemasks in quantities of 500 or more. For quantities under 500, masks only available with the Sideline Power logo printed on them. The three-layer mask consists of a microfiber exterior, a cotton interior, with a filter in between. Masks are 100% washable and the ear loops are adjustable for a secure fit. When ordering through facemasksforschools.com your program can order in quantity with the price per mask decreasing as the quantity increases. Custom color and logo is available after a pre-order quantity of 70 has been reached.

Additionally, $1 of each mask purchased is given back to the school.

Web: facemasksforschools.com

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USA FOOTBALL

Kick, Throw & Go™ Skills Challenge

USA Football maps out return to play for youth football The best high school football coaches work closely with their feeder programs at the youth level to provide a safer and more enjoyable pathway to their respective programs. While USA Football advises high school coaches to follow return-to-play guidelines adopted by their respective state athletic associations, the governing body of the sport has offered a series of considerations for youth leagues as they develop their own plans for a return to the field.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

U

SA Football’s guidance offers a phased approach to the

return of activity similar to the phased reopening guidelines from the CDC. Youth league administrators and coaches should first consult their city or county health departments to learn more about the guidelines for their respective areas phased return to play. Aligning USA Football’s sportspecific recommendations with your respective health department’s standards and phases is the first step in a youth program’s plan to resume football.

Youth league administrators are then also encouraged to consult with local school systems and other relevant organizations in their area to share information and resources. From this information, a youth league will make a determination about what phase of activity is currently appropriate in its area and the different acitivities permitted in that phase.

Prior to initiating any activities, it is advised that youth league administrators and coaches screen for virus symptoms through questionnaires and taking athletes’ temperatures. Leagues are encouraged to have players practice six-foot physical distancing in the first two phases of USA Football’s guidance before adjusting to a separation of 3 to 6 feet in Phase 3 when not directly involved in Phase 3 activities.

From a sanitization standpoint, all players and coaches should be washing their hands consistently and thoroughly. Leagues should require separate, clearly labeled footballs, drink bottles, towels and other personal items.

Face coverings are advised for all coaches and optional for players. All spectators should also wear face coverings.

■■ Leagues that find themselves in the first phase should concentrate on football workouts and drills, limiting practices to 10 or fewer people (including coaches) who must stay within their groups and at least 6 feet apart. No equipment is to be shared. USA Football’s guidance offers example activities to help

30

football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com

youth programs within each phase.

■■ In the second phase, league administrators are encouraged to limit practices to up to 10 people inside or 50 people outdoors, again within the same group of five to 10 teammates in station-based activities.

Individual drills are conducted either unopposed without contact or against standalone bags or soft surfaces , with coaches remaining at a minimum of 6 feet from players. All bags and sleds should be sanitized between each use.

Leagues can allow passing, kicking, punting and shotgun snaps, but hand-offs or snaps under center are discouraged in deference to physical distancing.

■■ In the third phase, leagues may conduct modified flag football and 7-on-7 games as well as modified tackle practices, with up to 50 people in small groups. Player contact, including blocking, may be introduced with partners or within small groups, along with games and activities involving a limited number of players.

All such activities are consistent with USA Football’s Football Development Model for progressive play.

USA Football has followed the CDC and worked with other medical experts, including those with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the National Federation of State High School Associations, in developing its guidance.

■■ A youth league’s return to regular practices and games is treated as the fourth and final phase and should only be considered once an area has no restrictions on the size of group gatherings and local public health authorities allow public facilities to reopen.

Leagues should consider the continued use of preactivity screenings and travel restrictions even as local restrictions have been lifted.

Learn more about USA Football’s guidelines at usafootball.com/return and share it with your local youth programs.

NO SEASON

doesn’t have to mean no football. Let kids show off their skills while making space for social distancing with the Football Development Model’s Kick, Throw & Go Skills Challenge!

They’ll use their arms, legs, body and mind to do their best at six different skill stations – passing distance, passing accuracy, speed, agility, punting accuracy and kicking distance.

The Kick, Throw & Go Skills Challenge is the evolution of many fun games and competitions we played as kids, adding new skills and challenges inspired by the Football Development Model.

It helps kids sharpen and show off their skills at six stations. The furthest kick or throw isn’t the only key to success in a game or in this competition.

Accuracy, speed and quickness matter in Kick, Throw & Go just as much as they do on the field.

A safety-focused setup has one athlete per station, making space for social distance and time for sanitizing footballs.

If your youth league is interested in hosting, visit usafooball.com/ kickthrowgo.

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

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

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

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

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

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

COACHING TECH

COACHCOMM AUDIO TECHNOLOGY WILL GUIDE COACHES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC

7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Coaching Headset System The pandemic offers new challenges for coaches as they enter the fall season looking for innovative and creative ways to communicate in a safe fashion. CoachComm is ahead of the game in providing communications solutions for coaches both in games and practices.

H

1

ere are seven things that you should

Does it have the features to help you follow new safety rules and guidelines?

You need a system like CoachComm’s Cobalt PLUS that can deliver reliable, robust communication from one end of the field to the other to accommodate sideline expansion. The Cobalt Plus Player Receiver is a powerful tool for communicating with players while maintaining social distancing guidelines.

2

Does the technology work through press box glass?

Properly engineered technology can overcome unexpected challenges without sacrificing audio quality and wireless performance. One of the most common venue-related challenges encountered involves tinted glass on press box windows. Tinting, whether clear or shaded, is typically a metallic film, which can obstruct radio frequencies. CoachComm’s engineering takes a multi-faceted approach to solve all types of challenges, and the result is a tailor-made headset system for football coaches.

3

Does it operate in the right wireless frequency band?

In today’s wireless world, there are a multitude of wireless devices active in any given environment such as Wi-Fi access points, wireless microphones, scoreboards, video editing and broadcasting equipment. These types of devices can wreak havoc on poorly designed headset systems. CoachComm systems are uniquely designed to take advantage of the most optimum frequency bands in order to provide

32

products with a robust-signal delivery that result in superior performance regardless of the customer’s environment.”

consider before making that all important headset system purchase.

football coaches! Get your subscription at

fnfcoaches.com

FEATURED PRODUCTS COBALT PLUS. Cobalt PLUS coaching

headsets provide more full-featured users and more flexibility, and now with player communications options, too.

Featuring easy setup, extended range, and exceptional performance, the system is also coupled with the industry’s most trusted D-1 SmartBoom® headset. coachcomm.com/cobaltplus

eVENUE TEMPO GO. Tempo GO provides a proven D1 practice workflow to help you keep practice on schedule and get the most from practice time. With the ability to script practice, play music, sounds, and control segments with play clocks, you have total control over the flow and pace of practice. For teams seeking a competitive edge, Tempo GO is the ultimate game-preparation tool. coachcomm.com/evenue-tempo COBALT PLUS PLAYER RECEIVER. The Player Receiver is a small, durable, listen-only device that can be clipped to a player’s equipment and enclosed in an arm band to help increase tempo, efficiencies, and instruction during practice as well as help ensure the ultimate winning advantage for your team. coachcomm.com/ cobaltplus-player

4

Does it come with the SmartBoom headset?

5

Can the technology overcome noisy environments?

6

Is it easy to set up and operate?

7

Will it be a good investment and can grow with our program?

The SmartBoom PRO Headset by CoachComm is the headset of choice by D-1 coaches around the country because it delivers outstanding performance and comfort in the toughest environments.

Even in loud, intense games, the SmartBoom PRO gives coaches the ability to hear clearly as well as to quickly mute communication with a lift of the mic boom. The quality and comfort of the SmartBoom PRO are just a few of the reasons you’ll see it being worn by more college coaches than any other headset.

Many systems attempt to eliminate additional background noise solely at the headset, but CoachComm systems are specifically engineered to dynamically lower the ambient noise so your coaches hear only what matters most - each other.

CoachComm’s Cobalt systems are configured and ready to go out of the box, and any last-minute adjustments are easily made in seconds with no additional codes or programming necessary.

CoachComm has been providing systems, service, and support to teams at every level of competition for more than 28 years. With experience and knowhow, the tradition of continuous product innovation is rivaled only by CoachComm’s commitment to its customers’ success and satisfaction.

t s a c Pod ol o h c s h for higl coaches l a b t o o f

AIRIN Y L K E G TW WE I CE Listen on: Find Our Podcast Lineup at FNFcoaches.com