Communicating on the Offensive Line

Originally published in the CSF Coaching Magazine One of the things I preach to my offensive line every year is the importance of communication. Pre-snap calls help us all make sure we are on the same page and performing the correct assignment. We use simple calls that go along with blocking schemes that help us…

Read More

Enduring the Long Season

The last few games of the regular season are upon us. By now the players and coaches are starting to feel the length of the season kick in. It may have already set in for some in the last week or two.  But the season isn’t over, and many teams still have plans on extending…

Read More

Paying Your Dues

How did you “pay your dues” as a young, new coach to the profession? I spent three years coaching middle school, learning the system of the high school we fed into, and live scouting games for their upcoming opponents. I remember the first scouting packet I filled out. My partner and I filled it out…

Read More

My Football Beliefs

I believe in the offensive line. Of all the members of a football team, the players in this position embody what it means to be a teammate. A good offensive line can carry your team deep into the playoffs. They keep football fun. I believe in running the ball. A good run game breaks the…

Read More

Why TE Trips is the Best Formation

What’s your favorite formation?  Right now, mine is TE Trips. I really like this formation for a number of reasons. It forces a fairly predictable defensive alignment The TE forces the front to declare a strength, giving the offense a strong side and a weak side to attack with the run. This gives a bubble…

Read More

Making In-Game Adjustments

Do you take notes during the game? When I was in the booth, it’s easy to take notes. I had ready made templates to draw up the opponent’s alignment to our formation. I used printed spreadsheets to jot down my thoughts on how the OL performed on each play. I’m not talking about detailed reports,…

Read More

A Win is Never as Good as it Seems and a Loss is Never as Bad

Football is a game full of cliches. Coaches love to use them to keep a team focused or to quell the probing minds of the community. A cliche can be comforting to hear because there is always some truth behind it. That’s how statements become cliche. One such example is “a win is never as…

Read More

Vertical Athletic Alignment

Successful programs are built around many things. You can order a DVD from Coaches Choice that lists these factors as being key components: Enrollment, boosters, and recruitment Personal contacts, faculty support, and academic verification Standardizing equipment and facility improvements Weight training Multi-participation Know the staff Realistic goals Parental involvement Administration and coaches What I find…

Read More

Keeping Game Week 1 in Focus

What is your focus the first week of the season? What do you want to accomplish in this first game of the season? This is your starting point. It is the first impression of your team to the current season of football. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and how you…

Read More

What Football Language Do You Speak?

Looking at offensive formations is a fascinating way to learn how your system works.  From personnel location and variation to defensive alignment, formations provide insight into what an offense or defense is trying to accomplish. Take this formation for example: This formation had 39 different names, but overall the plays run from it were the…

Read More