RG III

We will see how long this link stays up...Enjoy it while it lasts!!

Selling items

I am currently selling off my DVD collection. You can find my first installment on ebay. Click the picture to take you to the site.

SPRINT OUT READS

A question was asked about the READS for the QB on the SPRINT OUT SMASH concepts.
Hope this answers them!

More R4 powerpoints

SMASH CONCEPT

STICK CONCEPT

CURL CONCEPT

 

If you would like the animated version. shoot me an email

dacoachmo@hotmail.com

SUBJECT LINE R4 Powerpoints 

LINKS to keep you busy...

"Chief Pigskin" does a great job of getting awesome video

chiefpigskin.com



A neat little drawing tool

dabbleboard.com








One of the classic websites...

spreademandshredem.com



For those that may need some inspiration of the old school offense

singlewingfootball.proboards.com


FREE DECEMBER WEBNARS at GLAZIER CLINIC ONLINE

glaziercliniconline.com

He'ssss back....with swords up!

No-Huddle Manual

I have been working on a no-huddle manual for about two years now. I pick it up and put it down. I am in the final chapter of it and it needs to be edited. Is there anything in a no-huddle manual you are looking for and just can't seem to find.

When I am done, I plan on posting it to the Kindle store for everyone to enjoy. I will let everyone know when it is finally completed.

Post Season Analysis through five games

I have been undertaking a major post game analysis and I sat down today to take a look at a couple of things that I already have compiled

We ran 300 plays in five games
We had 25 Explosive Plays
Explosive plays are defined as plays of twenty or more yards
14 Run
7 Pass
4 Screen

Our number one run play was Counter.
Our number one pass play was a tie between our Polecat look and a play action bubble slant we run.
Our number one screen play was jailbreak

The scoring average for these five games was 45.2
Our season average was 38.

It also interesting to note that during this time-frame we gave up zero sacks.


I hope to have this project completed in the next couple of weeks with more in depth breakdown.

Improving Practice Tempo ~ GridNotes

Some interesting notes about practice tempo. This year we had over 80 guys on our varsity football team. Nothing drives me more crazy then have guys standing around watching the practice go by. We put in place grass drills for all position groups if they were not actively involved in a segment of practice. We had the WRs doing a square drill-throwing and catching and then moving to the other side and repeat.
The offensive line were doing their kung fu phase-A series of low impact drills that places an emphasis on hand fighting.

The rbs were running a series of cones cutting and jumping with an emphasis on keeping the ball high and tight. If you came to our practice it looked like chaos but believe me it was one of the best things we did all year.

Below is a post from GridIron notes about practice tempo.


Improving Practice Tempo ~ GridNotes

This Season 's Production

Well our season has been over for about a month now and I am finally coming out the haze. We went 10-1 on the season. We were completely a no-huddle team this season and we had an exceptional season as far as production was concerned.

Our quarterback threw for 2900 yards, 28 TDs and 4 Ints
We rushed for 1400 yards and averaged 6.6 yards per carry.

It was by far our best season from a production stand point in the last five years.

I attribute our success to a couple of things that we implemented this past season.

1. No-Huddle-All the time. We had run no-huddle in previous seasons but it was a component of our offense. We would jump in and out of it in previous seasons as we deemed necessary. This season we stayed in it the entire game and found that it put a tremendous amount of pressure on the defense and allowed us to run exactly what we wanted to on each offensive snap. I was so inspired by our success with the no-huddle that I decided to write an electronic manual on the nuances of the no-huddle that should be available to view in the upcoming months.

2. End Zone Camera-This year we purchased an end zone camera from www.endzonecamera.com. Jamie Hill is the owner of the company and he offered us a tremendous amount of support throughout the season. I really liked the end zone camera because it allowed me to see exactly what the quarterback was seeing at the line of scrimmage. Additionally, it allowed us to videotape our practices and make corrections to techniques the next day. It was by far the best investment we have ever made in our program.

3. Helmet Cam-We acquired a helmet cam that allowed us to see exactly what the quarterback was seeing before, during, and after the snap. This tool was invaluable to us because it allowed us to see exactly what the quarterback was seeing during each play. If the qb was looking in the wrong spot it allowed us to coach the qb up and put his eyes in the correct location. Additionally, it was invaluable for us in pass protection, assessing the center's gun snap, the eyes of the qb in the inside run period.

The technology we used cost us money but the money for both of the products was the best money we have ever invested into our program.

If you are looking for more information about the end zone camera and the helmet cam please do not hesitate to contact me at fastbreakgrassfootball@gmail.com or jek0152001@hotmail.com.

DVDs for Sale

I am trying to clear out the clutter in my office. I need to make room for some of the new items I will be bringing into the house.

Here is my list:
Sonny Dykes series
Tom Lewis Single Wing Series
Coaching the Shovel Ken Leonard
2008 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Box Set
2006 NTCA ClinicShot Put and Discus Clinic 2 Box series
Tunch Punch
Centerline Football
Vision Trainer
30 Speed and Power Drills for throwing (Shot and Discus)
Original DVDs from numerous series of the COOL Clinic

I have numerous books to let go of as well. Some of them are mint to worn condition. Please let me know if you are interested. You can email me fastbreakgrassfootball@gmail.com or you can leave a comment if you are interested in any of the above items.

Next article soon

As the hangover of the season disappears...new articles are coming.

Trips passing concepts. 3 step and 5 step.

any other ideas out there?

SPRINT OUT SMASH COMBOS

 SPRINT SMASH with DEEP OUT
#1 WR runs what I call a READ HITCH. WR runs to  a depth @ 6yards and slides to the open area
#2 WR runs a CORNER. Plant at 8 yards and stay vertical. Let the QB's throw lead him to the open area
#3 WR run a SQUARE OUT. Plant at 10 yards and may slow down according to coverage
Backside WR runs a POST that can get into QB's view and replace the Safety

SPRINT SMASH with  WHIP
#1 WR runs what I call a READ HITCH. WR runs to  a depth @ 6yards and slides to the open area
#2 WR run a WHIP. Run toward ILB then pivot outside. The route may gain some depth.
#3 WR runs a CORNER. Plant at 8 yards and stay vertical. Let the QB's throw lead him to the open area

Backside WR runs a POST that can get into QB's view and replace the Safety

 

SPRINT SMASH with SKINNY CORNER
#1 WR runs what I call a READ HITCH. WR runs to  a depth @ 6yards and slides to the open area
#2 WR runs a CORNER. Plant at 8 yards and stay vertical. Let the QB's throw lead him to the open area
#3 WR runs a SKINNY CORNER. Plant at 8 yards and stay vertical.the landmark may be the goalpost...


Backside WR runs a POST that can get into QB's view and replace the Safety

SPRINT SMASH with backside Z POST CORNER. 
A great change-up. the QB's roll is shorter setting up behind the OT.

#1 WR runs what I call a READ HITCH. WR runs to  a depth @ 6yards and slides to the open area
#2 WR runs a SKINNY CORNER. Plant at 8 yards and stay vertical.the landmark may be the goalpost...

#3 WR runs a SKINNY POST .
Backside WR runs a POST CORNER. When the CB falls asleep and thinks backside post that the QB never throws. BAM. the backside WR breaks and ...TD!!!

Mike Leach: Training the QB | X&O Labs

Mike Leach: Training the QB | X&O Labs

Another great article from the Labs...

Interesting Blog Article

Very enlightening...

3 components of Training for Team Sports

GAME PLAN SHEET FREAKS

For those of you that have a game plan sheet that rivals the size of a bulletin board or the Oregon sideline boards...


Here is a handy table. Adapted from The R4 Book authored by Coach Slack and Coach Maddox.

C = COVERAGE           ATTACK = WHERE to THROW

C	ATTACK
0	DEEP
1	AWAY
2	MIDDLE.STRONG
3	WEAK
4	FLATS

Cover 0 attack DEEP on Rhythm

Cover 1 attack AWAY from deep single safety

Cover 2 attack the MIDDLE and STRONG SIDE

Cover 3 attack WEAK away from middle safety

Cover 4 attack the FLATS

Using this chart add what concepts you use to exploit each coverage.

Great Video

Thanks for Sharing Coach Hoover!

If you face a 3-4 team this is a great video to watch.

1. You set the defense's strength THEN ATTACK their weakness!

Example: Run at the weakside OLB and pass at the strong side OLB

Thanks for unlocking, Coach Hoover!!


Boise St. Shifts and Motions from Barry Hoover on Vimeo.

Coming soon

Will the season underway, posts will be shorter...more This has worked for us or what I have college football games I get to watch!

I'm working on SPRINT OUT SMASH.

I'm anxious to see Notre Dame and Oregon spreading it out this weekend!!

This ain't your Daddy's Flood Concept

Sorry for the poor English...but the title just sounded good.

The traditional flood pattern has been a staple of many teams. The vertical stretching of defense has always been a part many offenses. The standard teaching of the flood was simple. 

#1 WR Streak to clear the deep defender.

#2 WR Square Out. Break at 10 yards.

#3 WR Speed Out. Break at 5 yards. 

The #1 WR was only an option if the defense had blown the coverage. Easy read on the Flat defender. If he flies to the Square Out, throw the Speed Out. If he sits on the Speed Out, then throw the Square Out. The variation I plan to use this year makes all routes viable for the QB.

FIRST, replace STREAK with BURST CORNER.

SECOND, replace SQUARE OUT with a SEAM OUT.

THIRD, still use a SPEED OUT or have the route come from the backfield.

The BURST CORNER (thanks to Coach Slack and Coach Maddox for showing this route in the R4 book) gives the concept a deep threat that is not determined by just blown coverage. The way I teach it is to have the WR take 3 steps in at a 45 degree angle then burst upfield and by the seventh steps make a corner cut. The common mistake is the corner is not skinny enough. You must tell you WR to line up inside (most people refer to as bottom) of the numbers and when he makes corner cut make sure to stay at or near the numbers. This gives the route the proper spacing. 

The SEAM OUT is similar to the SQUARE OUT the difference is the angle. The WR must run vertical to a depth of 10-12 yards. The WR’s route should not look like a 90 degree angle, but more like a backwards seven.

The SPEED OUT is pretty standard. The only difference is slight break in the gain depth to 5-6 yards. If the route is coming from the backfield make sure the release is clean.

A twist that I may use this year is running FLOOD from a 2x2 formation. The only difference is the SPEED OUT becomes a shallow route.

FLOOD from a 2 x 2 formation

FLOOD from a TRIPS formation

FLOOD from a WING formation, RB sneaks into flats

Of Course, the backside runs a POST. He must be reminded to get into the QB's view!

SPRINT OUT PART TWO: THE QB

When designing route combinations for the sprint out game, you need to remind the WRs the time it takes for the QB to rollout to his passing position.  Routes need to lengthen to fit the timing of the rollout.  A great rule of thumb is “get covered early, and open late”. The backside WR also needs to “get into the QB’s view” if he wants to be a viable option.

The QB’s drop needs to gain depth THEN sprint out. A poor drop results in a bad throwing angle. The poor drop affects the CURL route more than the FLATS route.

Next, when he gets into his throwing phase, you need to tell him to be ready to throw the FLATS route or the CURL route. This is the only time, I don’t coach R4 principles.

QB throwing to the FLATS route.

I just think it is real tough to ask the QB to get his shoulders square to the CURL route then redirect to the FLATS route.

QB throwing to CURL route.

The QB’s sprint results in first his shoulders square to the FLATS then to the CURL. When it is a SMASH concept then R4 principles can be applied.

When only running a two man concept, the third option is the threat of the QB run. The great aspect about sprint out is that the QB’s momentum gets him an easy scramble mode. One piece of advice I give my QB is to know where the defenders drop and when possible run to the drop zone of a defender is running away from you. The best scenario is the FLATS zone. The QB can get to the edge, away from the defense’s best tacklers and duck out of bounds to avoid “unnecessary roughness”.

Another point for the QB is after the throw is made, he should “follow the throw for two to three steps. This helps accuracy of the throw and gets the QB into running mode too. To help avoid contact from any rusher, you need to tell the QB to “peel” after throw.

When facing a rusher peel, or run away from contact!

Finally, when sprinting to the left, make sure the QB snaps his shoulders as he makes the turn after his sprint form the pocket.

Crack Screen

This is probably one of my favorite screens when a defense is giving you a soft corner on the boundary. It is a crack screen that we have run with a lot of success over the past couple of years.
The H bubbles and looks for the ball right away.
The X runs downhill and cracks the overhang over #2. The tackle releases immediately and runs to where the corner is going to be post snap. We want to kick the corner out and allow the H to come off the kick out. The F will take off at the snap and look to chip a DE who is flying up field. if he sees no one then he can climb to the next opposite color jersey. The rest of the offensive line steps to the direction of the play and controls their gap. If we get an odd front the fronside guard can climb to the frontside backer. The qb receives the snap and briefly looks downfield and turns his head to the H and delivers the ball to the frontside shoulder on bubble. The H may need to throttle their run momentarily to allow for the tackles kick out of the corner back. In the video below the F is on the wrong side of the formation and needs to moved to boundary.

SPRINT OUT PART ONE: PROTECTION

I must apologize for the delay...3 days without the internet makes it hard to complete any research. Then a short family vacation. Plus I felt the urge to be creative and make diagrams with MORE then "xs and Os".

So here is the first part...PROTECTION.

Adding a sprintout package to your offense is one way to change the launch point for the Quarterback. Protection is a little bit different then your standard BOB or SLIDE protection. There are two important factors in sprintout protection. You must be able to secure both edges with drastically different schemes. The frontside concern is to seal the edge so the QB can get outside. The backside concern is to stop any pressure from the backside rush. You don’t want a free rusher chasing down your QB like a cheetah chases down its prey.

The frontside protection can be related to your players an acronym…COW (Thanks to Coach Lew Johnston). COW stands for Capture Outside Wing. This can be accomplished in varieties of ways.

•  Playside Tackle reaches the DE 
• Runningback seals the edge from the backfield
•  Align a Wing to block the edge

Using the playside tackle seems like the most logic choice. However some of us are not blessed with tackles that are agile enough to seal the edge. If you are that lucky then the tackle should be able to secure the edge with a simple HOOK block. I do mean hook as opposed to reach block. The objective is to make sure the defender’s outside pursuit is cut off. Inside penetration can be countered by “washing” the defender into the line. But with today Odd Front and Stack defenses, you can’t always say that the DE will be the man that the playside tackle will end up blocking. Add this simple term to all of you pass protection schemes “Slide to Air, Be Aware!” (See STACK picture below).

When using the tackle to seal the edge means the playside guard is securing the playside gap. He will use a reach block to secure the 3 technique. He needs to remember to protect the playside gap, if the defender slants inside then he will need to “wash” him down.

The center’s assignment remains the same regardless of the outside protection scheme. He steps playside, pivots then blocks any defender that comes to his gap. This is commonly known as turn back protection.

The backside guard’s blocking assignment is the same as the center. He will step, pivot then block any defender that comes to his gap. One key coaching point is for the lineman not to pivot so fast that a defender could blow right him. (FIGURE 2).

 The backside protection is drastically different. The backside tackle must prevent the edge rusher from an easy path to the QB. If there is a defender lined up head up or inside of him he must be aware of the possible edge rusher. The tackle should take a short inside step followed by stepping at a forty five angle toward the outside gap. If the rusher goes inside then give the backside guard a “helping hand” without fully committing…keeping in mind a linebacker may be coming on a blitz.

Note the different angles by each blocker...

 Your tackle can’t make that reach block? Then securing the edge can come from a wing or a running back from the backfield.  The playside tackle and guard’s blocking assignment changes to the step and pivot technique when using either protection. This makes it easier to teach to the entire unit as four of the five linemen are using the same blocking technique (Step and Pivot). Make sure the angle of the pivot is relation to the defender’s rush path.
The only concern is when the defense starts scraping the LB over the top (FIGURE 4 and 5). Then you will need to have the playside tackle and runningback or wing double the DE and the LB (FIGURE 6).

SCRAPING LB could be a problem...

Play side Tackle and WING/RB double the edge rushers.

RB/WING must keep and eye on the LB.

Kudos to Blogger for the improving/adding the edit box for pictures. It now makes changing the sizes and adding captions made the pictures a snap...no pun intended!

Coming soon. QB techniques and route combinations.

Next Article...

Sprint Out Pass Game?

or

Screen Game?

Great Webiniar

Once again, Andrew Coverdale provides awesome information!

Basic Checks out of Empty Sets

THE SCARECROW

I found an alternative to lugging around trash cans all the time. At one of the clinics I attended, I heard Head Coach Shawn Jackson from Obion County Central High School (TN). He showed some clips of routes on air. The thing that struck me were these dummies he was using for drop awareness. He calls them “scarecrows”. They are made of PVC pipes and weighted down with a 10 pound plate. I decided to make my own version of it. They are taller than a trash can, so the QB can’t throw over it that easy!

There are not many materials needed.

PVC CROSS $2.53

PVC 10' pipe $4.18

2x4x10 $2.78

Hacksaw to cut pipe

Screws for base

Drill for screws

I measured and cut a 6 foot section. I set the extra 4 foot section aside. I took the 6 foot section and stood it up to get basic idea where the shoulder cut should be. This ended up at 18 inches. Take the 4 foot section and cut in half for the “arms”. Now take the “head-shoulder” piece and put it in the CROSS joint. I used 2x4 for the base. Have the hardware store cut them for you, saves a TON of time. The cuts should be 14-16 inches.  Next is the tricky part, set the pieces upright and place CROSS piece with the pipe side down into the center. Secure the 2x4 pieces together. Below are some pictures.

Links and Websites

Has anyone seen a good blog article or website that they would like to share??


Brophy's  Quick Game intro

Coach Hoover's Levels

Otown's 3P Grading System3P grading system

Adding an "avalanche" to your offense

With the clinic season now finished, two topics have sparked this article. The first is going fast…Oregon fast. Some coaches may find it hard to grasp that their team can go that fast. It is already being done at the high school level.  The second is combining two plays in one COMBO concept. This was first introduced to me by Coach Emendorfer at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He combined Inside Zone with Bubble. The decision to run or pass was a presnap read by the quarterback. Some teams have made it into a postsnap read by the Quarterback.

There a few ways to go fast. The coach calls the plays from the sideline in rapid fire 2 minute offense style. Or the coach develops a set number of plays that the offense runs in a specific order.

As you start the process, there are a few suggestions
1. Keep the formation the same or simple. This helps the players from running all over the place and worried getting set before the snap. More than two players moving will slow pace. If you want to move players then keep the movement from the backfield to #3 WR spot.
2. Use quick plays. 3 step passes and zone runs will cut down on the amount of thinking by the QB and Oline. If you choose to include a 5 or 7 step pass concept or a counter run, make sure the play is later in the set…when the defense is winded.

      3. Have a BOXER or KNUTE ROCKNE thought process. Boxers will use a combination of different punches to keep his opponent off balance, then when the opponent is fatigued…the knockout punch delivers the final blow.  Knute Rockne delivered a classic speech that can be applied. We’re going hit em INSIDE, OUTSIDE, when we get em on the run we gonna KEEP them on the run…

You should attack the defense in different areas.

The offense becomes unstoppable force that AKA an “avalanche”. Avalanche can be the term that signals the start of set of plays or the start of the INDY tempo. Be creative with the terms…

“STAMPEDE” “SNOWBALL” “KA-BOOM” “HURRY, HURRY”

A few years ago, I coached a sophomore team and used “ATTACK, ATTACK” to start the INDY tempo. I only used four plays: VEER, SPRINT OUT FLOOD, QB SNEAK and FREEZE/NO PLAY. This past year, I used one pass concept (CURL FLAT) with some minor tweaks to score quickly at the end of a JV game. These two examples show that this tempo can be run at lower levels with limited practice time. This means that it can easily be used at any varsity program.

When you start developing your play groups, be aware of the most important factor: your offensive line. You want to make sure to keep them both physically and mentally fresh. Of course extra conditioning is the answer!  WRONG! Make sure to have the TEMPO built into practice. Emphasize parts of practice that will allow quick tempo. One clinic nugget is to tell the lineman, during a long gain, to jog to the ball. We may have the mindset to tell the big boys to SPRINT to the BALL, GET THERE! But by telling them to jog to the ball, it converses energy and adds a mental edge. As the defense is sprinting and pursuing, the Oline are jogging to the ball and thinking, “look at those stupid defensive lineman, wasting all their energy…I got something for them on the next play!” Make sure to remember, as the defense gets tired, some plays will be less effective. Avoid interior screens and draw plays. When the defense gets fatigued then the rush will slow down. Thai will make those plays infective at that time.

A couple of ideas for play sets.
1. Best quick pass (outside pass)
2. Draw (inside run)
3.  Zone Boot pass (movement pass)
4.    FREEZE/ NO PLAY NOTE: why do some teams still use ALASKA as the code for FREEZE?
Be creative!

1. Bubble (perimeter screen)
2.  RB Slip Screen (slow screen)
3.  Tunnel Screen (perimeter screen)
4.  FREEZE/NO PLAY

1. SPEED OPTION (perimeter run)
2. COUNTER (inside run)
3. POWER (inside run)
4. FREEZE/NO PLAY

Okay, so power and counter involve pulling lineman…use this early when your big boys are ready. Or run your best run play that may involve pulling or trapping. If you don’t score after three plays then when running the ball go to a simple scheme like zone or iso.

Next, you can experiment with a COMBO play. The two that I will begin with are meshing Inside Zone and Bubble Screen then Outside Zone/Stretch with Quick Screen.  The quickness of Inside Zone compliments the quickness of Bubble Screen. The QB’s presnap read should be the Outside Linebacker and the Free Safety. Can they make the play on the Bubble? The QB read during the play is the Defensive End. Can he tackle the RB? The QB has the option to run, but really is looking more to GIVE or THROW.

The Gun Stretch play can be a good compliment to the Quick Screen. The Lateral movement of the Runningback gets the defense moving laterally, which creates more space for the WR running the Quick Screen. The QB’s presnap read will be the leverage of the secondary and the backside Linebacker. The QB’s read during the play is the Linebackers in the box. If they Flow…I Throw.

The final combo play is pairing JET sweep with Jailbreak screen. A Team in California runs this concept with great results. The QB’s presnap read would be if the defense has rolled to the field or runs with the jet motion. 

And If even lower levels can run at a FAST pace...Here is clips of my old team running fast pace from 2006.


Bloom vs Crete Monee 2006 from John Maurek on Vimeo.

End zone camera.com

just got out new end zone camera and it is awesome!. It has a remote that allows you to pan and zoom. Jamie Hill the company's owner was a pleasure to deal with and answered all of my questions in a timely manner. I am looking forward to using it this season during practice and games.

http://www.endzonecamera.com/
Jamie Hill
(901)219•5606

PRACTICE SEGMENT TIMER

I was using my editing program today and created a one hour long "sound clip". I found an air horn sound bit and inserted it every five minutes. I burned it to CD. I plan to use it during practice. Not Manager to keep time and blow and air horn...Of course, they will still have to yell what period it is!!

R4 BOOK is here

I just got the R4 book in the mail yesterday...The question is how fast will I read it!!


It is notebook size and has great items to copy for your QBs !!

330 CHECK

Last year, I wrote an article about the quick game. Some concepts worked well others were scraped.

SCRAPED...Did anyone try these?

I will be trying this concept. We play a few teams that run Cover 2. And my co-author is currently running this with great results.

# 1 WR He aligns outside of the numbers.No upfield steps, he steps inside at less then a 45 degree angle. He then slowly gains ground.
#2 WR  runs a seam or corner depending upon coverage. This is presnap adjustment.

ND CLINIC 2011 notes part one

I was waiting for some additional information from Coach Mickey Wilson. Hope to hear from him soon. I will add more !

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6pEj6M2z8lSMGQ1ZDM5MmMtMDEwOC00MWVkLWFiMGMtMTcxMDBhMDZjMzI4&hl=en&authkey=CKX4_7UK

URBAN MEYER notes

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6pEj6M2z8lSNzMzZDczZGEtYzU2Yi00M2M5LWI2OWMtODA4NGNhZjViMWEz&hl=en&authkey=CMSLqroN

Which do you prefer GOOGLE DOCS or SCRIB'D ??????