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Post by bignose on Feb 12, 2020 9:04:17 GMT -6
Everything is just repackaged and relabeled stuff from the old days. Still boils down to blocking and tackling. I have seen that there is seldom anything truly new in football. Just new ways of doing the same thing. This is the truth as expressed by Vince Lombardi. I have long been a proponent of ball control, time of possession, and series and sequence football. In the "New Order" of football, this has seemed to fallen by the wayside, with the advent of the proverbial "fast break basketball on grass." This works great if you've got the talent, not so good if you don't. It seems a bit complicated for an old fogey like me. Hence the question about "the game passing me by," something that I heard in the past about "older" coaches, who stayed on beyond their perceived usefulness.
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Post by bignose on Feb 11, 2020 18:15:46 GMT -6
I played high school ball from 1966-1968. I have been coaching since 1974, so figure 45 years on the sideline.
I attended a Glazier Clinic recently and listened to a coach speak with great enthusiasm about his offense. His stats were impressive, nearly 2,000 yards rushing and over 3,500 yards passing.
I found that his terminology and method of play calling very difficult to follow. No numbers for holes or backs, everything had a code name, in some cases several code names ,because they were high speed- no huddle and wanted to keep the defense off balance and be able to call the same thing several ways to keep the defense from locking in. To me this required a lot of rote memorization by the kids. A clap for the cadence. O.K. I got that, a lot of colleges are doing this.
His series and system was not real apparent to me. More like a situational sequence based on down and distance, along with some defensive reaction conflicts.
He was running plays so fast that the new play was being called before the ball was set. How did he know what to call?
He ran a combination of Jet Sweep and complimentary plays, plus a playaction , and bootleg passing game. His goal was to score 70 points per game.
Every one of his plays had a read and an RPO built in. It seemed extraordinarily QB centric. (The QB was his son has signed with a major university).
I was sitting thinking to myself: "I can't teach this." This seemed to be way too much for a kid to handle and this old dog can't learn these new tricks.
Now I ran triple option for a lot of years, but moved away from offenses like this, to match the talent that I had available. I found out the hard way that you can't make chicken salad out of chicken feathers, and wishful thinking doesn't help you achieve success on the field.
My young HC wants to install a system like this. He is 3-27 over the past 3 years, running a vanilla Spread. I am trying to keep him from repeating the hard lessons I learned many moons ago.
I am being very resistant, because our talent is mediocre, at best. We would be much better off IMO slowing the game down instead of speeding it up, and exposing our defense due to the 3 and outs.
So I am left wondering: "Am I a dinosaur, or am I a fossil?" A dinosaur is still alive, but a fossil.........
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Post by bignose on Feb 1, 2020 12:29:46 GMT -6
Marked scrimmage tape / firehose for run skeleton.
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Post by bignose on Jan 11, 2020 16:15:46 GMT -6
Might not want to “hate” 7-on-7. It might be high school football in twenty years... Coach, I'm 68 years old. I've got a feeling that in 20 years, I'm not gonna give a rat's butt about High School football. Lol BTW, while I can't say I hate 7-on-7, I sure don't like it much, especially when it starts taking priority over other football related skills.
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Post by bignose on Jan 10, 2020 16:39:37 GMT -6
When we ran the Double Wing, we looked at 7 on 7 as the place to get our defensive backs some work against what they might see from our opponents and the chance to evaluate them.
I had us run some routes from the double tight formation and one of the wags wanted to know if we were gonna run passes from a tight punt formation. lol
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Post by bignose on Jan 7, 2020 8:48:09 GMT -6
On our Thursday walk thru, at the end of practice we have a 15-20 minute scripted set of situations that we go thru in rapid fire, to practice transitions, substitutions, and situations. This is a review of things we cover as a part of our regular practices during the week.
The kids are standing on the sideline. One of the coaches is checking the depth chart as we do this. We want the kids coming in off of the sideline.
We simulate a coin toss. If we win: K.O. Return Go to offense, run three plays on air, Punt, Go on defense, run three plays on air punt return, one play of offense go to PAT, etc.
If we lose the toss, we start with K.O. return and go on defense. You get the idea.
We will work in take -a-knee, take- a- safety, K.O. after a safety, 15 seconds left in game to get the FG team on, last play of the game, victory defense, etc. as we go thru the script. It varies weekly.
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Post by bignose on Dec 30, 2019 16:25:22 GMT -6
In the same vein I lined up to kick a field goal on third down with 15 seconds left in the first half. (My HC started tearing me a new one). I explained that we had a fake called.
We ran the fake, throwing a pass, which was incomplete. The clock stopped on the incompletion, and then we attempted to kick the Field Goal on 4th down with 5 seconds left.
The other team's HC went crazy, thinking that the fake field goal ended our possession........
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Post by bignose on Dec 30, 2019 15:35:51 GMT -6
Picture a very windy day. The wind is at your back. You are third and long, with 30 seconds left in the third quarter. You are playing decent defense.
If you punt on third down, you have the wind at your back. If you run a play, and the quarter ends, and have to punt after the ball changes ends, you would have to punt into the wind.
Quick kick on third down a possibility as well.
You should end up putting the other team in poorer field position.
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Post by bignose on Oct 31, 2019 10:12:12 GMT -6
Up three or more, inside of the -22, under 2 minutes.........
That's about my thought process for safety vs. punt.
Not counting the other myriad variables.
other teams' timeouts remaining wind direction our punter our Snapper, our protection and coverage team, our kickoff coverage (punt vs. kickoff the tee) Their return team our defense their offense their kicker
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Post by bignose on Oct 30, 2019 10:19:50 GMT -6
The question that begs to be asked is: Why did you punt to them so they could return it?
I'd have settled for 25-30 yards with the ball kicked out of bounds.
It's hard to make the call on the info provided without knowing all of the variables available.
BTW, hindsight is 20/20.
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Post by bignose on Oct 29, 2019 19:22:37 GMT -6
Good call. Their coaches started screaming for them to move up. (Of course, us yelling :"It's a fake" from our sideline didn't hurt either!).
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Post by bignose on Oct 29, 2019 9:29:00 GMT -6
I am absolutely shocked that the most common answer isn't taking a safety. Most notably for the 2 responses from wingtol and cs . This was us. We punted and punter returner got a decent return to our 26. Our kicker consistently puts the ball to the goalline or the 5 every time. Kicking from the 20, puts the ball landing around the opponent's 25 and heck even with a decent return they start in their territory. IMHO punting is "bad football". Even if you haven't repped this scenario, how hard is it to tell your punter to run out of the back of the endzone? I can do that from the sideline. Very very surprised at the results thus far in the poll. Duece Agreed. But we have seldom had a kicker that can do what your kicker can. If we kickoff from the twenty, the offense would get the ball around midfield. If we punt 35 yards, from the 10, the net result is almost the same. Plus, if we punt, the clock keeps running If we take the safety, the clock stops.We lost a game because we took the delay of game penalty and the defense was able to put it's punt block team in instead of their regular defense, with the clock stopped. We were on the 23 with 30 seconds left and the clock was running. The delay penalty causes the clock to stop. If we get the kick off without stopping the clock, they have maybe 15 seconds to score from midfield. They recovered the blocked punt on the 2 with 10 seconds left. And scored. We should have taken the safety. And yeah, more bad stuff could happen if we punt, bad snap, etc. If there was under 2 minutes left, yes, I would definitely take the safety.
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Post by bignose on Oct 28, 2019 11:24:20 GMT -6
But who'd bite on that when you're 4th-and-whatever on your own 10 and leading? They are High School aged kids. You'd be surprised how stupid they can be when under duress.
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Post by bignose on Oct 28, 2019 10:27:17 GMT -6
Another, outside of the box alternative is use the "Fake Punt-Quick Kick."
Offense lines up in a tight punt formation. Punter at 12 yards of depth, personal protector at 5. On "Shift" the Personal protector moves up to a position behind the center like a QB. He places his hands on the outside of the snapper's butt cheeks, and takes a very wide stance. The punter scoots up to 6 1/2 yards deep (no longer a scrimmage kick). The snapper passes the ball between the legs of the PP to the punter, who kicks a rugby style end over end kick.
What happens is the receiving team, thinking that a fake is going to take place, will rush their deep backs up for coverage. With nobody back to field the ball or return the punt, we hope to get an extra long roll on the kick.
The last time we ran this (about 2009)was in a State Playoff game, the defensive backs nearly broke their ankles trying to get back to get to the ball. We got about 50 yard roll out this. We were on the 15 yard line at the time. It's one of those plays that you practice once or twice every couple of weeks and keep it on the back burner until the right time.
Of course another alternative would be to Quick Kick (especially if you are a Gun team ) on third down.
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Post by bignose on Oct 28, 2019 7:15:05 GMT -6
4th and how long? If under 4th and 5 we may try to do a "freeze punt" call.
Call the cadence and try to draw them offsides. If we jump it's only half the distance and we punt.
I don't think I'd take a safety with that much time left in the game.
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Post by bignose on Oct 24, 2019 10:01:03 GMT -6
A little perspective.
In 2010 we win a State Championship running the DW, runner up in 2008. For many years the school had a reputation for a hardnosed running attack from the Wishbone. We converted to DW in 2006. We threw 3 passes in the Championship game. We had a parent complain to the administration that we weren't getting his kid a look from colleges as a receiver. ( He ended up getting a scholarship as a defensive back.)=
Fast forward to 2013. The numbers of players trying out declined, and the decision was to go to more of a "wide open" Spread look to attract more talent.
We added about 5-6 more "receiver" types to the program. Not one of those kids made any significant contribution to the program.
The winning record declined even further. My analysis was that although we were more explosive, we were also a lot more inconsistent, plus we turned the ball over a lot more in the Spread. My first rule of offense is don't do stuff to beat yourself.
i am no longer affiliated with the school, they run a very vanilla Spread this year and have lost a lot of games.
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Post by bignose on Aug 31, 2019 15:03:26 GMT -6
It doesn't sound like conditioning is an issue. Obviously, more players would help...... Keep the kids fresh during practice. Helmet and shoulder pads most days, so they are as fresh as possible for games. Lots of reps on air.
Slow the game down and try to minimize your opponent's possessions. Walk to the LOS, huddle every play. Milk the clock.
Don't fall into the trap of running high risk plays. Long, patient drives. It takes a lot more energy to play defense, than offense. Don't do stuff to beat yourself.
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Post by bignose on Aug 1, 2019 17:17:08 GMT -6
Here is more or less how we structured our coaching responsibilities with a 10 man staff for varsity and JV:
1. HC-supervisory, may be offensive play caller- on headset with spotter in the booth and OC / DC 2. QB Coach / OC / P.A.T. 3. Backs Coach / runs the offensive scout team on defensive practice days . / offensive pressbox spotter 4. Receivers Coach / Defensive backs / defensive pressbox spotter/ Punt and K.O. return 5. Line Coach: on offense and defense 6. DC: linebackers -runs scout defense on offensive days (gets extra defensive work in that way) kickoff and punt. For several years our DC preferred to be in the pressbox
7. JV HC: QBs and Backs / OC / . offensive scout team on defensive days / punt / P.A.T. / K.O. return 8. JV DC: LBs . runs defensive scout team / punt and K.O. return 9. JV Line: this is the most important position on the field. You want a very experienced coach for this 10. JV receivers and defensive backs. (this is usually our youngest, least experienced coach)
Equipment guy, a non coach, who is a swing man. He can supervise the varsity pregame meal, sets up the headsets, etc.
From 2010 thru 2015 this was me. Funny how something always needed fixing while we were running full offensive team practice. I would observe over the HC's shoulder and make recommendations and suggestions ( I was drawing up the offense in the off season, so it was my "baby.")
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Post by bignose on Aug 1, 2019 12:21:16 GMT -6
We tried the "all together" practices. I didn't like how they worked out except for some indy drills.
The problem was the younger kids either get overlooked or are out matched physically. You forget how far behind 9th graders, who have never played before are compared to a 4th year varsity senior. They are still learning ABC, while the older kids are up to EFG. Group work, and team scrimmage time left the younger kids shortchanged.
It also does not allow the JV coaches to have the independence to run their own program. I do want the JV to run the same base offense and defense but beyond that scope, the JV coaches can make their own adaptations. You are dealing with some coaching ego issues.....
I just don't want to be in a situation where, many years ago, I was in a program where the Varsity ran the Flexbone and the JVHC refused to run this, and ran Power I.
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Post by bignose on Aug 1, 2019 10:30:09 GMT -6
Funny, I retired after 40+ years on the field, a couple of years ago to become a "Hudl" scout. I haven't coached JV since like 1979-1980. This year I find myself helping out as a volunteer with a JV program. My role with the Varsity is strictly "advisory." We usually have 3-4 coaches assigned to JV and 6-7 assigned to the Varsity. Our county allows for 10 positions, 5 paid and 5 volunteers. On paper, there are 3 paid varsity coaches and 2 paid JV staff.
The JV guys can't help out with supervising the team meal, but they should be able to do some game spotting and charting, provided that the JV kids can sit in the stands after their game ends. Not a problem with home games.
If they need to ride a separate bus home after away games, the coaches will have to accompany them, so you lose them for your game. Just gotta juggle your staff.
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Post by bignose on Aug 1, 2019 10:09:44 GMT -6
That is how we do it in Maryland Public Schools as well. Been doing this since forever, and there is no problem with it. JV plays either Thursday afternoon, or Friday at 4.
The biggest issue I see, is that you lose the ability to move kids back and forth from JV to Varsity. This may be a problem in a very small school.
Back "in the day", the JV coaches had to bust their ass to get down the road to scout, but Hudl has solved that.
I know those who play JV on Monday can play those kids on Friday as well, with limited play time, usually a 6 quarter per week limit. We can't do that. Juniors are mandated to play on the Varsity, and once a kid moves up to the Varsity, he cannot go back down.
What is your concern?
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Post by bignose on Jul 2, 2019 11:43:47 GMT -6
The children now love luxury: they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room.-Socrates (469-399 B.C.)
Ain't nothing new.
BTW, I resent the comment about Boomers....but then again see the above! Lol
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Post by bignose on Apr 5, 2019 15:18:37 GMT -6
Sherrill once tried to motivate his Mississippi State players by having them witnessing the castration of a bull............ Yeah, I get that they were playing Texas, the Longhorns, steers-castrated bulls........Did he want his kids to bite the Texas kids balls off? I'm not sure of what, why, or how this would motivate players! I would be looking back over my shoulder after that. Lol There is an old coaching joke along that line: The old Coach is trying to show his kids how to be tough. He brings in an 8 foot alligator, provokes it to open it's mouth, and lays his tallywhacker across the gator's jaws. The gator clamps down and he just stands there, grunting. Finally, he grabs a player's helmet and knocks the gator out cold to get him to let go. "Do any of you think you're tough enough to try that?" he challenged the team. After a long pause one of the players timidly say: "Yeah, I'll try it, but don't have to hit me in the head with a helmet when you're done."
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Post by bignose on Apr 1, 2019 14:41:46 GMT -6
Best all time pregame speech, ever:
The Old HC was getting the boys revved up to play a team with a cocky new HC in the league who said that he was going to beat everybody.
Picture this: We are in the girls locker room as the visiting team. He is on roll, really laying it on heavy with gestures to boot. Finally he says: "We're gonna $hit thunder and rain lightning". As he said it his clip board caught a row of overhead 8' fluorescent bulbs, and they exploded, showering him and the front row with sparks and glass! The kids eyes looked like dinner plates!
Early on, we went down 14-0 only to score 44 unanswered. The game got so physical that the attending paramedic wanted to stop it. The head official had to have him escorted off of the field!
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Post by bignose on Mar 31, 2019 12:05:31 GMT -6
It did not show up on a BookFinder.com or Abebooks search.
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Post by bignose on Mar 25, 2019 18:39:22 GMT -6
It's when a kid who you coached 20, 30, or 40 years ago recognizes you and tells you what a positive influence you were on their lives.
Or when you coach the son of a former player because he wouldn't think of having his kid play for anybody else.
And when a former player becomes a Head Coach of his own team.
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Post by bignose on Mar 12, 2019 14:32:45 GMT -6
You need to look up John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success"
No need to reinvent the wheel. Of 25 traits mentioned only one mentions skill.
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Post by bignose on Mar 2, 2019 8:39:41 GMT -6
Make a scrimmage strip out of 3" flat drain hose It rolls up easily, doesn't get waterlogged like firehose, and is light enough to move easily. It runs about $1.00 per foot from eBay. You'll have to figure how much you need by doing a little math. For our DW, with tight splits, we needed about 25 feet. Use paint to mark your splits, and place marks on it (combimned with flat cones (aka "frisbees") for your interior line and backfield spacing.
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Post by bignose on Feb 13, 2019 17:43:24 GMT -6
Total B.S. I was a second string backup center at a new high school with a loosing record in the late 1960's. I did not play college ball, my school didn't have a football program.
I have been a part of 3 State Championships and coached every position on the field over a 45 year career. I have produced all State QB's, and still have a former player in the Pros, a linebacker.
And even though I am now retired, I still go to clinics and still remain active in film analysis because there is always something new to learn.
So according to your acquaintance, I don't know much about football? I've probably forgotten more about football than he knows! Lol
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Post by bignose on Feb 5, 2019 8:30:56 GMT -6
What this Dinosaur does now is I draw up the plays for myself off of Hudl. I'm a visual learner. But I no longer draw these up on the computer (old Appleworks program was great, Powerpoint not so much) and send them out to the coaches.
What I will though is something like this on my report:
Hudl clip #7 RHHS-WLHS. observe how the defense is aligned to the Red formation and how the MLB reacts.
This puts the onus of looking on the coach who I am sending it to. It also saves me several hours of grunt work on Sunday afternoons.
One of the things I can get from a Hudl analysis, that you can't always see live or from watching film is offensive patterns: i.e. certain plays are followed by other certain plays.
The bottom line, unlike the Pros, is that you can end up with too much information, the proverbial paralysis by over analysis.
I thought it interesting, and I wrote about it in the other thread, is that the Patriots issue film demerits for missing assignments that should have been seen in film study. But that is the difference between the highest level of Pro football, and what a bunch of dumb old high school kids (and coaches) can handle. Lol
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