Mesh Play

I was searching the net and ran across the explanation of Darin Slack's R4 system for the mesh play.


Good Stuff here check it out.



I am going to make a concerted effort to run the mesh play in the spring. I am devoting a lot of my study time to learning the nuances of this play.

Thanks Otowncoach for posting this for all of our viewing pleasure.

Smart Catch Update

A couple of days ago I posted about the Smart Catch product and I did some research on low cost alternatives. We had practice this past weekend and I had a couple of WRs wear the golf balls on the palms of their hands. We ran the settle and noose drill and it was amazing to see how it forces them to catch with their fingers and avoid letting it hit the palm of their hands. I saw less dropped balls from two WRs who sometimes have a case of the dropsies. We will be practicing again this Saturday and I am going to try the cut off tennis ball inside the WRs gloves.

CLINIC STOPS 2010

I am fully ready for the Clinic season! I will try to get some notes done for the blog.
I always write down notes during the sessions, then on the break I put them into powerpoints with notes...I seem to get a better sample that way, while the talk is fresh in my head. And it is much neater...

Stops include

Chicago Mega Clinic in Feb.
www.glazierclinics.com/megaclinic/spkrschedule2x.php?clinic_id=255

Indy Mega Clinic in Feb. I will be volunteering!! (sweet gig!)
www.glazierclinics.com/megaclinic/spkrschedule2x.php?clinic_id=268

Notre Dame Clinic.

I will making the trip up to Evanston,IL to see the Wildcat's spring practice.

More to come!!!

MIDLINE CLIP

http://www.vimeo.com/8709332

Midline

The Midline out of shotgun is a play we ran several years ago when we had Freddie Barnes at qb. It is a great play to run against an even front defense if you have a fast physical qb who is not afraid to tangle with the big boys in the middle.
The QB and the F run together towards the lie of scrimmage with the QB decided to give or pull the ball based upon the front side DT. If the frontside DT decides to the A gap then the QB will pull and run through the B gap. If the DT goes to the B gap then the QB will give to the F who will take the ball up the A gap.

The blocking for the oline is as follows from left to right using the graph above.
LT expand the 5 technique
LG climb to fside lber. Important to coach you OL to run underneath the DT to get to the Lber. It will look exactly like the trap play you run.
C and RG Combo block into the Bside lber.
RT expand the 5 tech and do not let him cross face.

We have not run this play in several years however, I am looking for it to make a comeback in my playbook in the near future.

The Spread is dead at TT1, because of TT2...

sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4811310

And I just got a Texas Tech T Shirt for Christmas!

After firing Tony Franklin at Auburn, I don't see how TT2 (Tommy Tuberville) will be running any spread offense at TT1 (Texas Tech)

Wide Receivers pre-practice and individual period

STANCE and STARTS

I believe this may be one of the most overlooked skills.

1. Foot alignment: A good starting point is for the inside WR have the inside foot up and the outside WR have the outside foot up. When a WR is on the LOS then the foot position may be determined by the coverage.
2. Watch the ball: A WR should never have to know the snap count. He needs to watch the ball. I will always simulate the snap while calling out various cadences.
3. Release: Make the DB uncomfortable and which way is your route. When a WR has a free release then I will let them know to attack the DB’s opposite shoulder.
4. When the DB is in press coverage:
-The WR’s helmet level must be lower than the DB’s helmet. This compresses the body surface which makes it harder for the DB’s press technique.
-If the DB is cheating to a side then the WR’s foot to that side should be up. This provides for easier separation.
-If the DB is head up then the WR’s foot that is opposite of the release he wants should be up.
-The WR’s hands should be up ready to “strike” the DB.

BLOCKING

Q: What are the keys to effective blocking? A: Great hands and feet.

Q: What do most WR’s have? A: Great hands and feet.

IF you teach WRs proper technique and attitude toward blocking then your WRs will start to block! The WR must keep hands and feet moving, I tell them it is like setting an illegal pick in basketball. I break down this skill by working feet then hands. I start with the classic mirror drill with the WR’s hand behind his back. The WR works on keeping their balance, eyes on the target, and not over committing. Next, I have the WRs work their hands by striking their partner’s shoulder pads. Keep the hands moving and make sure the strikes are quick. Keep the DB off balance and uncomfortable! I tell the WRs that a block never needs to be devastating, just make the DB’s path to the ball carrier a difficult one.

BALL CATCHING

1. Partner Catch: The WRs find a partner and face each other. The WR looks the ball in. Arms are extended and the hands forming a diamond or triangle (FIG. 1).Early in camp have the WRs call out what they see on the ball "LINE-SEAM-LACES". Remind the WRs of proper ball security…”wrist higher than the elbow”. I will walk around the drill and try to rip the ball out or bump the WR.



Once they have show a mastery of this drill then change it up.
-Sideways: The WRs are now catching on a different angle
-Around the clock: The WRs throw the ball to spots on the “clock”
- Over emphasis the catch. The WRs throw the ball to make their partner stretch for the catch. The WR pauses and looks at the ball then tucks it and takes a long look at the tucked ball.

2. Tennis balls: I try to do this on Wednesdays. No footballs used during partner catch, just tennis balls. The more the better. The WRs throw the ball “rapid fire” to each hand. Step it up by having two balls thrown at the WR, not at the same time but the second ball following quickly.

SETTLE and NOOSE

This is the drill taken from a Texas Tech drill tape. A key point is, after catching the ball, to turn up field quickly and away from the contact. Emphasis on keeping low,as the turn is made, to avoid that “big hit” from the DB.

CUTS

I will set up cones in a box pattern and the WRs will line up and jog through and make their cuts. SPEED CUTS: short choppy steps to slow down then a hard step for the break (FIG. 2). POST CUTS: no choppy steps, but one hard “stomp step” for the cut (FIG. 3).

Great Catch

Ok I was doing some research on how to train my wrs on catching a football when I ran across a thread on Coachhuey.com. People were asking about Great Catch and if anyone has ever used it with their players.

Here is a clip of it.


I was about to buy a couple when I read a post by the member Scoresomemore which states,

yeah, tape golf balls to your hands. cheaper than spending 20 bucks a pair. they work and help develop soft hands. we have used something similar. THANKS SCORE!!! You saved me tons of money!

Tech Tip

For those out there interested in those commercials claiming to double your computer speed. Here are a few apps that help me clean my computers...

Visdir presents a pie chart (or optionally, a bar chart) where each slice is a subdirectory on your computer. Clicking a slice in the pie chart brings up a pie chart of that subdirectory, allowing you to recurse.

http://www.sb-software.com/visdir/

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

Just call me old school

Am I the only one that misses all the bowl games on New Years Day. Trying to figure out how to split the cable so I can have three TV sets going...