Question for coaches about getting career started

Learn as much about the offensive line as possible. This is where it all starts offensively. You need to study offensive systems, and the blocking schemes that they have. This is where a lot of early learning takes place. To understand these blocking schemes completely though, you must know basic defensive fronts and coverages and how they operate. Good Luck! Luke

I agree with Luke- learn as much about the OL as you can. Good OL guys can be hard to come by; pick up as much about blocking schemes is imperative.

One of the things that got me my new job at the HS level was being able to talk blocking schemes with the new HC I am working for. Having the ability to look at his blocking schemes and understand them left a very good impression with him. Just being able to point out the pros and cons of various pass pros helped me out immensely.

As luke said, you can't get much done offensively if you don't have sound blocking schemes. And it's not just limited to knowing the schemes on paper; KNOW THE FOOTWORK!!.

Can I hear a what knowledge you guys have on the offensive line if it wouldn't be any trouble.

Im guessing that you could write a book for me then right?

Study the single wing offense or philosophy. It is a root of most of today's offense systems. You could find those single wing books at a university library or in the playbook section of this board.

I would also encourage you to study any and all offensive systems such as double wing, wing-t, pro-I, wishbone, air raid, west coast offense, etc. You could find some ideas from those systems to incorporate into your own offensive system if you have one.

I am like you. I am an offensive minded coach and I love to study all the offensive systems. Defense is not my thing too. However, it is wise to study all the defensive systems as well.

I love spread offense. I always try to inside of great coaches' heads such as Andy Coverdale, Dan Robinson, June Jones, Mike Ememdorfer, Tony Franklin, Mike Shanahan, so forth to understand their offensive philosophy. However, I do try to figure out how to stop spread offense. I read John Rice's book called "Defending the Spread Offense" just about everyday so I could be a well prepared coach.

For your information, I will coach defensive backs this fall to the best of my ability. I want to be a well rounded coach.

Jimmer

learn OL
learn secondary

then learn everything else

well said dcohio

This may be a little off subject (or maybe not), but a huge key to success early on for new coaches is how well they master the art of communication. A coach may know his X's and O's or techniques to his position better than anybody, but it is how well this coach communicates what he knows to his athletes that is key. If you can't get athletes to understand what you know, then you will be a poor coach (or classroom teacher). The performance of the kids you coach on the field has a lot to do with communication skills. Always make things simple for them to understand (even down to every word that you use). Reminds me of a college professor I had who was renowned as a genius in his field. His IQ was off the charts. He had written books, won awards, etc... He was also the worst teacher I had in college, bar none. He was way over our heads and could not communicate what he knew to us. Half the time, we looked at each other with blank stares while he lectured with a look that said, "What the heck is he saying?" Most of us dropped this class, and I heard that there was not an "A" made by the ones that stayed. My two cents again. Luke

Thanks Phantom. I always enjoy reading your posts. What a great site this is. Luke