For decades a year-round football strength and conditioning program has been essential to maximize the opportunities for a successful season. Whether your offense was the Wing-T, Veer, Power I or even the Single Wing, the same essential programs were compiled by coach- es for their players whether it be in-season or during the off-season.

For decades a year-round football strength and conditioning program has been essential to
maximize the opportunities for a successful season. Whether your offense was the Wing-T,
Veer, Power I or even the Single Wing, the same essential programs were compiled by coach-
es for their players whether it be in-season or during the off-season.

Now, with many programs running both the spread and up-tempo offense, there is a need to
condition in a different way to sustain the increasing number of plays during the course of a
game. While running a more-conventional offense, a high school or college team would have
50 snaps. Now, the spread and up-tempo offenses are getting between 80-90 offensive plays per game. There is
clearly less down time. How then do you condition differently for the increased amount of play?

Chad Dennis is the former Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Texas Tech University. He has been training
players for over a decade for the up-tempo offense


And his article, ‘Preparing Your Team for the Up-Tempo Offense’ is included in this issue of GS. Coach Dennis
discusses the energy system used in football which is the alactic/aerobic system.

“The alactic energy system supplies the energy
required for speed, power, and strength,” said
Coach Dennis. “Each coach wants their team to IN THIS ISSUE
have more speed, power and strength so proper
development of the alactic system is necessary.
The alactic system assists the aerobic system to The Split Dive Offense – Richard Abrams,
supply the fuel for athletes sprinting, jumping, retired College and High School Coach ....1
and weightlifting.
Letter from the Managing Editor – The
“There are two approaches that we take when Importance of a Strength and Conditioning
developing the alactic system. First, we want to Program for an Up-Tempo Offense ...2
increase the alactic power (exercises performed
in 5 seconds or less), or improve speed, power, What Leadership Means to me – Tim
and strength by performing maximum effort reps. Brennan, Head Coach, Bishop Kelly High
Second, we develop the capacity in the alactic School (ID) ...7
system by working for six seconds or more for a
repetition.” Preparing Your Team for the Up-Tempo
Offense – Chad Dennis, Head Strength
Coach Dennis’ article can be read in its entirety in and Conditioning Coach, Texas Tech Univer-
this digital issue of GS. sity ...9

We hope you enjoy all the articles. Coaching Defense at Birmingham
Sincerely, Southern – Eddie Garfinkle, Head Coach,
Rex Lardner Birmingham Southern College ....12
Managing Editor
Gridiron Strategies