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First week in July is moratorium time for football in Indiana...So I will have some time for an article or two...

The question is what to write about???

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

Missouri's Coach Yost

I'm always entertained and enlightened when I get the chance to see Coach Dave Yost.

His basis for offensive planning is "Attack the defense with what they don't like."

He spoke briefly about the principles of the Missouri offense

1) FOUR VERTICALS: This is one of the best ways to get the defense into 2 safeties. Some years it is better than others, but always want to have the threat of it.

2) NO HUDDLE: Keep the defense out of their comfort zone.

3) TEMPO: Change it up, to keep the defense from finding a rhythm.

4) BUBBLE SCREEN: Make the defense defense the FORMATION. Around 90% of the run game has a BUBBLE or NOW built in.

5) SLANT PATTERN: The best route that allows for run and catch up the field. They love to throw it against the blitz, The WR has the chance to catch a short route and turn it into a big gain.

6) SCREENS: The type of screen varies from year to year. Make sure to throw screens to your play-makers!

7) EMPTY: 3x2, 4x1, 5x0... There is no defense designed for EMPTY. Do not use EMPTY for dropback concepts. Use EMPTY for QUICK GAME, SCREENS, and QB RUNS.

8) FORMATION to the BOUNDARY: Defenses don't like to defend strength to the boundary, the MIKE linebacker hates going to the "weak-side". It creates a lot of space for the single WR to the field.

9) UNBALANCED LINE: The last defenders to adjust are the D LINEMEN. They are creatures of habit that like to line up in the same technique. It also affects the Linebacker's gap responsibility.

10) FORMATION ADJUSTMENTS (1 different each week): Bunch or Motion. Use it just for "window dressing". Most defenses' check for BUNCH is a secondary check...Line up in Bunch then RUN the BALL or screen away from the bunch.

11) QB RUN: The type of run depends upon the QB...When the QB can a be a primary ball carrier then the offense is more effective.

12) OPTION FOOTBALL: Speed option has been the best answer for same side RB run.

Hal Mumme Part 2

Second part of the Y Series

Hall Mumme Old School

Here is something to keep you busy while I finish Coach Martin's favorite concept.

Part One of Two...Coach Mumme talks about the Y series.

Part Two will be posted after Wednesday (Vimeo limits per week)

VEER and MIDLINE update

Thanks to Coach DiMatteo for sharing his mini clinic on www.chiefpigskin.com

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

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).

Super Power

Super Power

One of my favorite plays to run in short yardage is the Super Power.  I was inspired by Coach Vallotton(@jerryvallotton) and Hugh Wyatt when I started tinkering with adding this to the offensive playbook.  We have had a ton of success with it throughout the years and I thought I would share it with the readers.    Enjoy the clips and I did the drawings with my 3d Playbook program.

Chuck Martin preview

As I finish the chuck Martin section of my notes, here are some clips...

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