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Post by chebington on Sept 16, 2014 23:10:41 GMT -6
We don't do it. There are more efficient uses of practice time than everyone standing around watching two or three guys beat each other up.
If a situation won't happen on Friday, why practice it during the week?
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Post by chebington on Aug 29, 2014 21:12:17 GMT -6
I would say that everyone has varying levels of natural aggression, but that it can be improved. Here's how I do it.
Children reflect the energy around them. I learned this as a camp counselor, and it is absolutely true. If you get excited, they get excited too. Not in a demeaning way, just show your life of hitting and contact. Congratulate guys on good hits, get excited for contact. Be positive.
The most important thing I do to encourage aggression drillwise is teaching gang tackling. First guy there holds the ballcarrier up, the second guy attacks the football to force a fumble, the third guy smacks the runner as hard as he can. Party at the ballcarrier. Force fumbles and score.
A lot of coaches use drills that teach their players to pursue a runner, then surround him and chop their feet. I feel this is detrimental because it doesn't actually teach gang tackling; it teaches your players to pursue and spectate.
The drill I like the most is splitting my guys into groups of four. Each group has a tackling mat, so the ballcarrier doesn't get obliterated. In the drill there is a ballcarrier and three defenders, numbered 1 to 3. First whistle, the ballcarrier moves forward and makes a football move of his choice. Second whistle, the first defender makes a form fit tackle on the ballcarrier. Third whistle, the second defender helps the first, forming up next to him and going for the ball, ripping or stripping or putting his helmet on it, "biting" the ball. On the fourth whistle, the third defender fits to the group and brings the pile to the ground on the mat. The players rotate every rep. The whistles are rapid. Start by walking it through, then thump, then full contact if you feel your men can handle it.
I stress the stripping of the football. Everyone loves to score, and some defenders never touch the ball all year. By their effort and aggression, they can. I tell my guys every day that we as a defense can outscore the offense in every single game, as long as we get bodies on the ball.
If you teach gang tackling, the guys learn that in fact they outnumber the ball carrier. They may not be able to verbalize it, they just come to know it. We can hit the runner with every guy on our defense on every snap if we hustle hard enough.
Then they realize that, aggression becomes fun.
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Post by chebington on Aug 27, 2014 18:22:13 GMT -6
Long time lurker, seldom poster. I was lucky enough to play in college a bit at Michigan. I have been coaching a few years, really like it. I'm a defensive guy who coaches the front 7 and OL. I spent one season as a DC and was in over my head. I love what you guys are all about, and I'm glad I'm here
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