More Clinic Notes 2013

I will refrain from putting Notre Dame Clinic notes in the title. Last year's notes ended up on a MICHIGAN FORUM site!!! (It was titled KNOW YOUR ENEMY)

IRISH 2013 NOTES

Notre Dame 2013 Clinic Nuggets

Bill Belichick
"If you have to "light a fire" in the same players, everyday, that is a Red Flag."

Marc Trestman
"The BEST know WHY they do it."

Chris Ault
"The Pistol Formation presents a one back formation with the effect of a two back offense."

Sam Wyche
"How do you learn? PAY ATTENTION!"

Marvin Lewis
"Challenge yourself AND challenge your staff."

Brian Kelly
"Stress to your players that BEFORE practice is critical:REST and HYDRATION."
 
Mike Denbrock (WR Coach)
"You must PRACTICE full speed so can PLAY full speed."

Harry Hiestand (OL Coach)
referring to the PUNCH in pass protection
"Don't attack the rusher, be patience, to avoid overextending and losing your balance."

Chuck Martin (OC and QB coach)
"Don't complain about what they (players) can't do, Ask them to do what they can do."

Kristin Sheehan (Co-Director Play Like A Champion Today Educational Program)
"How do you find happiness? By serving others."

Don Fellows (HC Grand Rapids Christian  High School)
"We want a double team block at the point of attack on all our runs." 

BAMA SMASH and BEATDOWN

As Alabama was scoring again...I wondered how did they get sooo wide open. As a Notre Dame fan,  it was difficult for me to watch the first time, but for the sake of learning (and writing a long overdue blog article) I RE recorded the game. I hate to admit, but I deleted the game as soon as the 4th quarter was finished... Not to confuse this with when the game was over, which could have been end of the FIRST quarter!

Most of the deep routes were a pretty typical CORNER route, but could it be the traditional SMASH CONCEPT that beats Cover Two? 

SIDE NOTE: I have always loved the SMASH CONCEPT and it had been a staple part of our offense. The problem we had was the Cornerback's drop. Some of the cornerbacks we faced were able to squat on the HITCH then rally to the CORNER or cloud the read of the QB just enough to frustrate us… Luckily we discover the SNAG or SCAT CONCEPT.

Okay, back to the game, or beat down… Alabama was creative in how they kept the coverage of the corner back low. Not a traditional HITCH route which is normally paired with the CORNER. They used a delay arrow (or flats) route and a pivot route.

The Tide also used three other components

• PLAY ACTION: It seemed like almost every pass was PLAY ACTION. It helps to have an impressive run game. But they also utilized it on FIRST DOWN!
• COMPRESSED FORMATIONS: Basic tight BUNCH set or 2x2 formation.
• MOTION: They would motion from Bunch or TE Trips to a 2x2 formation. 

 So with pencil and paper ready, I was able to review the pass plays. Then I took some extra time to put them all in a short PowerPoint.

Some of the plays I was able to get the down and distance. I had planned to get some screen shots ala SMART FOOTBALL, but I am still a rookie when it comes to that technological savvy. 

One of the final pass plays wasn't the SMASH concept, but it looked like the backside WR ran a " Y CROSS " type route.

 

Coach Martin's Favorite Concept

The last few years going to clinics, I always make it a point to ask questions. My two favorites are

Q: What is your favorite concept?

Q: What do you call on 3^rd and 10?

During the Notre Dame Coach’s chalk talk, when the opportunity came for me to ask a question. I asked Coach Martin “What is your favorite concept?” He got a sly grin, paused then started drawing a boundary throw…As he drew the concept, it looked familiar to me. The concept is known as Grand Valley State “W Read”. 

The beauty of this concept is that combines many of Coach Martin’s philosophies.

• Can be run from multiple formations
   
• TE to the boundary
   
• Empty
   
• Empty with a TE

The base of this concept is the crossing wheel action. The main difference is it is not your classic POST by #1 and OUT and UP #2. 

 

BASIC "INGREDIENTS"

1 part WHEEL CONCEPT

1 part Run and Shoot SWITCH CONCEPT

      A dash of Coach Martin                                                                                                                                           

Basic QB tip

“Don’t throw TO the WR…Throw ball AWAY from defenders”

VS 1 HIGH SAFETY

The #1 (outside) WR runs directly to the hash to a depth of 18 yards. This route allows the WR to get to open grass sooner and it is not a typical route that a CB may have to defend.

The #2 (inside) WR runs to a depth of 5 yards to the outside edge of the numbers…

EDITOR’S NOTE: I prefer telling WRs Outside and Inside of NUMBERS, NOT TOP or BOTTOM of the NUMBERS. In the past, when I told a rookie WR “get on the top of the numbers”, he would be DIRECTLY on the numbers…in the middle of them!

The inside WR breaks up and stays on the edge of the numbers.

VS 2 HIGH SAFETIES

The #1 (outside) WR get to 10 yards (or over LB) then run the route between a DIG and a POST.

The #2 (inside) WR begins the same wheel type route; the only difference is if he can’t beat the CB then SIT IT DOWN.

VS 2 HIGH SAFETIES plus a LB walling and dropping deep

Now the concept becomes similar to the run and Shoot SWITCH concept

The #1 (outside) WR settles at 8 yards without getting too wide

The #2 (inside) WR settles at 12 yards

I look forward to seeing Notre Dame running this concept against the big boys this year. I also plan to run this concept in some form this season. Cross your fingers that I will get some quality clips this year!


Special Thanks to

O-ZONE SPREAD OFFENSE CONSULTING ON HUDL

for access to game film.







Coach Kohler Clinic Notes

The wait is over...

2012 ND clinic notes

Thanks to Kyle Mc from Ohio for filling in some blanks!

Coming Soon...

I asked Coach Chuck Martin "What is your favorite concept?"
He was excited to answer this question (that was not about fundamentals).

Building a Program, more than just a team

Brian Kelly's talk from the 2012 Clinic

There are few gaps but I did my best to fill them. For example he never really told us about the 3rd quarter mentality and what YELLOW was on the practice plan.

Overview: It is really easy to find the best players and have the best team. However these teams don’t last. Building a program involves building people.

STAGES

1. Stability = Consistency

a.    You can’t start winning until you start losing.

2. Raised Expectations = Excellence

a.    In the classroom, At Practice, In the community

b.    When you see expectations are being met then raise them to the next level

3.  Championship = Competitive Greatness 

a.    Little things (being late, walking on field, poor academics) will get you beat. You won’t win a championship until you have gotten rid of all the little things that cause you to lose.                                                             

Use the locker room to reinforce the rules and mission. This is where the players spend the most time.

STAFF

It starts with respect. Respect the game. Respect other coaches. Respect the players.

Recognize special people in the program.

Trustworthy: What I’m doing or showing how much I give for the program. 

Selfless: There is not job too big or too small…

“WE” thinking… Along the same lines as teammates…The staff must work together as a “team”

 The A TEAM

This a collection players within the team that have achieved the following standards

1. Accountability

a.    The willingness of team members to remind one another when they are not living up to PERFORMANCE STANDARDS of the team.

b.    PEER ACCOUNTABILITY is the toughest to teach and develop

2. Appreciation

a.    ABILITY is God-given, BE THANKFUL

b.    PRAISE is Man-given, BE HUMBLE

c.    CONCEIT is Self-given, BE CAREFUL

3.Achievement

a.    Going far beyond the call of duty, doing more than what others expect

b.    It comes from striving and maintaining the highest standards. Looking after the smallest detail. And going the extra mile.

c.    Excellence means doing your best in everything in every way.

Q and A session

In regards to player discipline: You shouldn’t need to take more time from a coach and have the player do extra running. This only makes the player and NOW the coach mad. You need to take away what they love the most…PLAYING TIME or REPS in PRACTICE!

Q: What taking over a program, what are the first things to change?

A: The three things that need to be stressed first are:

1.    DISCIPLINE: Attention to Detail

a.    Be on time

b.    Proper dress

c.    Know your assignment

2.    WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

a.    The atmosphere of the locker room

b.    Players need to come energized

3.    CONSISTENCY

a.    Players need to what to expect

           

You build INTENSITY through REPETITION. You need to coach on the fly and not have a clinic on the field. Use coaching terms that are short and easy to remember.

Use film to teach players. It is easier to teach a player when they can SEE what they did wrong.

WEEKLY PRACTICE (posted in the locker room)

MONDAY – MENTAL

            Install the game plan for the week.

TUESDAY – INTENSITY

            You will get more out of player when they know what to expect every day. Be consistent.

WEDNESDAY – WORKING

THURSDAY-PERFECT PRACTICE

            No thinking should be needed. Execute the plays and assignments.

FRIDAY-FOCUS

            Locking in on the task at hand. The players should not be “giddy”

SATURDAY-SUCCESSFUL

            GAME DAY

SUNDAY-ASSESSMENT

Coach Kelly showed a practice plan that was colored coded to indicate the speed of teaching and drills.

GREEN-GO…repetition.

YELLOW-not defined, I would think it would be up tempo with some Coach to Player interaction

RED-SLOW…teaching. There were only a few segments of red.

GAME by QUARTERS


1. FIRST QUARTER           
                START FAST: Play with Intensity and set the tone
2. SECOND QUARTER
                ATTENTION to DETAIL: Don’t let the game environment affect your assignment
3. THIRD QUARTER
                Make adjustments and carry them out
4. FOURTH QUARTER

                FINISH STRONG

           

Notre Dame Clinic nuggets

When punishing a player...
"Take away what the player loves the most...PLAYING TIME"
Brian Kelly HC

"Drills need to look like a game or they are just warmups"
Bob Diaco DC

"Use a more balanced stance and base for lateral routes to help eliminate false steps"
Scott Booker TE Coach

"You make them (OL) right, pick up theirs" in reference to RB pass protection
Tony Alford RB/Inside WR Coach

"Little Things are big in the grand scheme"
Mike Denbrock Outside WR Coach

"Only use Walk Through or Full Speed...1/2 speed or 3/4 speed to hard to define"
Harry Hiestand OL Coach

"There is no greater feeling for an Offensive Lineman than moving a defender from
Point A to Point B, against his will"
Joe Moore former ND OL coach (from Coach Hiestand)

"A Punt is way better than a turnover"
Chuck Martin OC

"The Stretch Run is a good answer for the inside blitz that run to stop Inside Zone"
Jerrod Ackley, Head Coach, Immokalee High School (FL)


General Notes

• I'm a offensive coach but, it was fun watching the ND defense play and Coach Bob Diaco coach. 
• I definitely saw Chuck Martin's influence on the offense. 
• The offensive staff is doing a fine job moving players around and getting running backs into space. 
• All four QBs took reps and all had positives and negatives. 
• Tommy Rees looks much quicker.
• Mike Golic was at practice on Saturday and he still looks great.