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Plus! Up-Tempo Offense Texas Tech S&C - Preparing for Coaching Defense at VOL I - 2017 Birmingham Southern THE SPLIT THE SPLIT DIVE OFFENSE DIVE OFFENSE photo by Annie Mulligan/The Herald by Richard Abrams - Former College and High School Head Coach and Edd Pratt, Assistant Coach THE SPLIT DIVE OFFENSE causes defensive confusion as defenders are not sure where to align. The offensive guards maintain a one foot split from the center. The offensive tackles and The Split Dive offense was developed as an alternative offense to cause defensive confusion and provide tight end to the strong side maintain two foot splits a numerical advantage to the offense at the point of between them which may be narrowed or widened attack. It has been used successfully in spot situations depending on blocking assignments. as well as throughout entire games. O O X O OOO The alignment of the offensive line is the first step in the development of the Split Dive formation. One The basic alignment of the backs is a “full house” offensive tackle is flipped to the other side of the line backfield with the quarterback taking the snap under joining the other offensive tackle and the tight end. center. All backs are at three yards depth as measured from the heels of the quarterback. The full- This forms the strong side of the formation, which may be on the right or left side. The normal split end posiback is positioned directly behind the quarterback, tion is then moved down toward the center to replace and the two tailbacks are aligned with their inside the absent offensive tackle forming the weak or quick foot directly behind the outside foot of the offensive side of the formation (the personnel is often switched guard on their side of the formation. at this position, as the split end may be replaced by another tight end or offensive lineman). The split in O O X O OOO “Split Dive” now comes in the alignment of the of- Q fensive line as the two normal tackle positions double their splits from the offensive guards, taking a four B F B foot to six foot split. This widens the “B” gap hole and www.GridironStrategies.com
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Letter from the Editor - Conditioning for the Up-Tempo Offense 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 coaches 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 Univerthis 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 2
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Split Dive Offense ... continued from page 1. Backs may adjust their alignment in order to make the mesh successful with the quarterback. A three point stance by all backs is favored to emphasize the fast, hard-hitting, explosive component of the offense. In the base play of the series, the Dive, the playside tailback dives straight ahead to “B” gap as quickly as possible. The quarterback must take the snap and open to the playside and step quickly to mesh with the dive back. The “B” gap is generally left unblocked as the dive back must beat and eliminate any defender that shows. The offensive line will base block this play, with uncovered linemen proceeding to the second level of the defense to attack linebackers (Diagram 1). Diagram 1: Tackle Over Dive The second play of the series is called “2nd Back.” The dive back to playside fakes receiving the handoff and attacks the first defender to show in “B” gap. The fullback attacks the Line Of Scrimmage at a 45 degree angle which takes him to the quarterback mesh point right behind the dive back. The offensive line may base or down block the “2nd Back” play (Diagram 2). Diagram 2: Tackle Over 2nd Back 3 www.GridironStrategies.com
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The third play of the series is the Option with the quarterback and the backside tailback running the option behind the fake of the dive back and fullback. The offensive line can down block this with the fullback becoming a lead blocker. The quarterback will often find holes in the defense and can turn upfield or pitch to the remaining back. The individual plays, Dive, “2nd Back”, and Option, can be called rather than asking the quarterback to make the reads as in a true option (Diagram 3). Diagram 3: Tackle Over Option A key advantage to the offense is when the quarterback is able to call plays at the LOS (“check with me”). The quarterback counts the number of defenders on the weak side of the formation. If he counts four or less players to the weak side, the play should go to the weak side (a defender in line with the center is counted as ½ man). If the count is greater than 4, the play is going strong side. The offense will always have the numerical advantage with the “check with me” play call, and three running backs that can quickly attack either side of the formation (Diagram 4). Diagram 4: Tackle Over The split dive series is just the start of the plays that can be used in this formation. A favorite short yardage play is “Blast” where the dive back and fullback are lead blockers for the backside tailback. The quarterback steps back with the ball at a 45 degree angle to give the ball to the back. After receiving the ball while running laterally to the LOS, the back then cuts at the appropriate angle to run through “C” gap. This play involves down blocking by the offensive line (Diagram 5). 4
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Diagram 5: Tackle Over Blast Weak Midline is also an excellent play from this formation. The two tailbacks both dive through their respective “B” gaps. The fullback receives the ball from the quarterback and proceeds straight through the center position (midline) as the quarterback steps back off the midline to get out of the fullback’s path. The center and offensive guard run a “come-around” block (Diagram 6). Diagram 6: Tackle Over Midline – C/OG Come Around An effective counter can also be run. The dive back to playside fills his “B” gap. The fullback takes a counter step to playside, then takes the handoff as the quarterback steps back to him and runs to the opposite “B” gap. The backside tailback runs his option route. The playside guard pulls and leads through the hole or kicks out the first defender (Diagram 7). Diagram 7: Tackle Over Counter 5 www.GridironStrategies.com
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The play action pass is also a part of this offense. Boot action can be very effective and backs out of the backfield are often open due to defensive confusion and misalignment. Play-action off the Blast play has been one of our favorites (Diagram 8). Diagram 8: Tackle over Play-Action Pass Off Blast If the Split Dive Offense is not exciting enough for you in this day of “spread” offenses, try moving your Tailbacks out to Wings and use motion to get them into position. But that is material for another article. Please contact me at dick_abrams@hotmail.com with questions regarding the Split Dive Offense. 6
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WHAT LEADERSHIP MEANS TO ME By Tim Brennan, Head Coach Bishop Kelly High School (ID) The football program at Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho, has been fortunate to have had success since its inception with the team in 1964. Bishop Kelly has won six out of the last 12 4A Idaho State Championships, including the last three titles in 2013, 2014, and 2015. There are many factors and pieces of the puzzle that contribute to a successful football program. In this article I am going to discuss what I believe have been the most important influences that have helped our success. First, you must have good, disciplined, committed players. These players must understand what the expectations are and hold their teammates accountable. The second factor is leadership. You must have players who are willing to step up and lead, both on and off the field. We are working with teenage boys who need to be guided and trained to be leaders. The following are some basic things we have done to help our players develop leadership skills. Shortly after the completion of our season, we start to set team goals for the remainder of the school year and the following fall. Each senior-to-be is given a simple goal sheet to complete. This poses questions, as well as sets team and personal goals, regarding academics, family and football. Each of these players individually meets with me to discuss their goals. We will be specific in our discussion about how they can achieve these goals. We will discuss the process they need to follow to be successful. Next, we will have a leadership dinner with all the upcoming seniors. During this dinner, we will work together to develop our team goals and the strategies to reach them. We will do some leadership exercises to improve their ability to lead. One important key in developing leadership is the player learning from previous classes. Once you have a strong group of leaders as seniors, it is much easier to continue the tradition of direction. You discuss what you think was done in the past that was positive and brought the team together. They build on what previous classes have done. 7 www.GridironStrategies.com
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The third factor is love: we must be a unified family. We all coach because we love what we do, and we love our players. I believe we must go a little further; that is, we must talk about love and why we love each other. In team meetings, or whether in the classroom or locker room, before and after practice, we talk about love. We are living examples of love, and, because we are family, we must care for each other. We identify players who need a little love, then we direct and encourage our leaders to show them that love. We as coaches tell our players we love them individually and as a group. We give them hugs. I believe our players truly love each other by the end of the season, and that love and the relationships built lasts a lifetime. There are many more things that are crucial to our success; schemes are important, as is patience, planning, and organization of practices. We, as high school coaches, must never forget that, when our student athletes graduate, most will never play organized football again. We must use football to teach these lessons. If we can teach them to be positive sons, husbands, fathers, and brothers in their communities, and to love and care for each other, we have won the first half of the game we call life. American Football Systems Record Breaking Systems fo Football Programs We have assembled complete libraries of record breaking football systems from the most successful coaches in America. Playbooks, videos, call sheets, practice schedules, scouting reports and much more. Packages include 24/7 unlimited access, unlimited downloads plus access for you and up to 5 of your staff. www.AmericanFootballSystems.com 8
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PREPARING YOUR TEAM FOR THE PREPARING YOUR TEAM FOR THE UP-TEMPO OFFENSE UP-TEMPO OFFENSE By Chad Dennis, Former Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Texas Tech University A majority of college and high school football teams are prove speed, power, and strength by performing maxiusing a version of the spread, up-tempo offense in today’s mum effort reps. For example, on lower body days we game. The up-tempo approach has leveled the playing sprint, jump, and do strength exercises such as a back field and allowed a team’s athletes to make plays. Football squat. These exercises will be performed for five seconds coaches want the ball snapped as soon as their team is or less. Second, we develop the capacity in the alactic set to catch the defense in a bad scheme and wear them system by working for six seconds or more for a repetidown. I have had the privilege of working with some of tion. An example would be doing agility drills that last the best coaches in the country and have been preparing between six and ten seconds. Both energy systems are spread, uptempo teams going on ten years. regenerating ATP/CP to resupply the fuel for the next rep or play. Proper training is increasing the efficiency of the In our program, we focus on three things that we believe body’s energy system as well as the nervous system. We help our football team. First, we compete, whether it is in focus on sprinting and agility drills to increase our alacthe weight room or a movement drill outside. Second, we tic power and capacity. Although the weight room exerwant our players working for each other so they become cises are also improving alactic power and capacity, they better teammates and are willing to be “all in”. Third, we are utilized to improve speed-strength, strength-speed, teach technique in the weightlifting exercises as well as strength, or hypertrophy and repetitions are prescribed for speed and change of direction. We teach technique for as normal. better performance and each athlete’s health. The aerobic system is the primary supplier of fuel for I want to provide a basic description of the energy systems the body and its functions. It is used at rest and during used in football and why they are important. The energy exercise. In conjunction with the alactic system it should system used in football is the alactic/aerobic systems. be emphasized during the off-season and summer train- The alactic energy system supplies the energy required ing. The aerobic system will be the main system used for speed, power, and strength. Every coach wants their between plays and series to resupply the fuel. When the team to have more speed, power, and strength so propaerobic system is trained to be more efficient, the athletes er development of the alactic system is necessary. The are able to reduce their heart rate and ventilation faster. alactic system assists the aerobic system to supply the We use the term, “building roads” which is a metaphor for fuel (ATP/creatine phosphate or CP) for athletes that are developing blood vessels in the working muscles. More sprinting, jumping, and weight lifting. roads, or blood vessels, means more blood and oxygen transport is able to take place in the working muscles. There are two approaches that we take when developing the alactic system. First, we want to increase the alactic power (exercise performed in 5 seconds or less), or im- 9 www.GridironStrategies.com
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When we train during the off-season, our objective is to improve In July, our emphasis is on alactic capacity (6 seconds strength, hypertrophy, speed, and the aerobic system. The strucor longer) and further aerobic development. Monday ture of our program is to use a high/low approach. High means and Friday continue to be a high CNS day with speed, high central nervous system (CNS) stimulation through sprints repeated lower body power, and repeat sprint ability. and jumps at 95% to 100% effort, Olympic lifts, and lower body On Tuesday and Thursday the focus is repeated upstrength exercises at 80% or more of a one repetition maximum. per body power and tempo runs. Usually we will have Low is a low CNS stimulation, and we will do upper body exerthe athletes perform two Wednesday sessions in each cises with tempo runs to develop the aerobic system. The upper month and give them off twice. body lifts can be performed at 80% to 100% and not have a detrimental effect on the CNS. It is possible for up-tempo offenses to run plays between 12 to 24 seconds during practice and run 1 to 16 Tempo runs are performed at 60% to 75% effort over prescribed plays per series and up to 100 plays in a game. distances. They can be done with changes of direction and straight running. We believe the tempo runs also improve tissue Nutrition, rest, and recovery play an important role in integrity and resiliency which can play a role in reducing injuries. our training process. During the off-season our nutri- We stay away from medium CNS stimulation because the work tionist, Dayna McCutchin, RD and myself meet about is too slow to improve speed and too fast for the body to adapt the objectives of our off-season and summer training the aerobic system. plans so she can tailor the nutrition plan for our athletes. For example, if we have an athlete that needs Most coaches like the look of medium CNS exercise because it to gain weight, she will meet with him to go over a has the appearance of being hard and it usually is. This is typiplan of action to improve their muscle mass gains and cally the work zone, 80% to 90% effort that many athletes tend body composition. We routinely teach the importance to throw up and have to quit during a workout. Crossfit is a great of sleep and sleep hygiene to improve the player’s example. There may be a time for this type of training, but we recovery. We believe that 95% of recovery is accomkeep it to a minimum. We prescribe the amount of high and plished through quality sleep and nutrition. At times low intensity exercises based on the level of the athlete in the of the year we will introduce cold water contrasting/ program. Younger players may need more aerobic development immersion to further enhance recovery, but it is dosed so they can handle the workload that is demanded, whereas the based on the demand placed on the body. players that have been in the program for three or more years are able to handle the higher intensity workloads. I purposefully have not given much detail on sets and reps because I can’t know the needs of your teams. During the summer training period we have the offensive line Rather, I am sharing the methods that have worked and the defensive line work together so the training can be taifor us and why we do them. Our players frequently lored to their positions. The skill positions work together for the mention that they feel in great condition when they same reason. Our summer preparation begins in June and runs begin to go through August camp. Since part of our through July for a total of eight weeks. In June, our objective is offensive philosophy is to push the tempo in practice maximum speed, strength, alactic power (5 seconds of work or and games, I believe this is the best method to train less), and development of the aerobic system. During a typiour players to run fast repeatedly and recover becal week, Monday and Friday are speed, strength-speed, lower tween plays and series. body strength, and repeat sprint ability training, or a high CNS day. Tuesday and Thursday are low CNS days with upper body strength exercises and tempo running. At times we will do agility work and some high intensity conditioning runs to work in the medium CNS range. The reason we do this is to introduce the athlete to the medium stimulus because usually practice falls in the medium range. www.AmericanFootballMonthly.com/EZcall 10
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This is a template In June during our pre-season prepara- Wednesday tion: -Cone and reaction agility variations (90to 100% effort) Monday -Intensive tempo runs (85% effort) – OL/DL 300 to 600 yards Skill – 600 to 1000 yards -Warm up for sprinting Thursday -Sprints (100% effort) 6 to 8 reps for 10 yards up to 40 yards -Warm Up -Single leg hopping for 10 to 20 yards for 2 to 4 sets -Abdominal variation -Abdominal variation -Olympic variation – total of 15 to 20 repetitions -Olympic lift variation (75 to 90% of 1RM) – total of 15 to 20 -Bench Press variation – total of 15 to 20 repetitions repetitions -Pull ups – 20 to 30 repetitions -Squat variation (75 to 85% of 1RM– total of 15 to 20 repetitions -Shoulder Press variations – 15 to 20 repetitions -Single leg variation or a hamstring/low back variation – total -Tempo change of direction variations – 300 to 700 of 15 to 20 repetitions yards -Repeat sprinting (90 to 100% effort) – 15 yards up to 40 -Tempo runs – OL/DL – 800 to 1300 yards Skill – 1200 yards for 3 to 4 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions. to 2400 yards Tuesday Friday -Warm up -Warm up for sprinting -Abdominal variation -Sprints 6 to 8 reps for 10 yards up to 40 yards -Olympic variation (70 to 80% of 1RM) - total of 15 to 20 -Single leg hopping for 10 to 20 yards for 2 to 4 sets repetitions -Abdominal variation -Bench Press variation (75 to 80% of 1RM) – total of 15 to 20 repetitions -Olympic lift variation – total of 15 to 20 repetitions -Rowing variation – total of 20 to 24 repetitions -Squat variation – total of 15 to 20 repetitions -Shoulder variations – total of 30 to 50 repetitions -Single leg variation or a hamstring/low back variation – total of 15 to 20 repetitions -Tempo change of direction variations (60 to 70% effort)– 300 to 700 yards -Repeat sprinting – 15 yards up to 40 yards for 3 to 4 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions -Tempo runs (60 to 70% effort) – OL/DL – 800 to 1300 yards Skill – 1200 to 2400 yards 11 www.GridironStrategies.com
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Coaching Defense at Birmingham-Southern By Eddie Garfinkle, Head Coach Birmingham Southern College At Birmingham-Southern we base out of a 4-3 Defense. Since the influx of the shot-gun/spread offenses, we have been playing nickel (4-2-5) 90% of the time the past four years. Although our defense has changed, our basic philosophy and principles of coaching defense have remained the same. I learned more about how the game of football should be played from Coach Bill Burgess, the former Hall of Fame Head Football Coach from Jacksonville State University (AL). He gave me the opportunity to become a defensive coordinator thirty years ago with one exception - we play defense using the 4. Eyes KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). I learned that scheme 5. Get-Off will put us in position to be successful, but fundamentals will 6. Attack & React determine the amount of success we have. Through the years 7. Hand Placement of coaching defense I have found that keeping it simple and 8. Separate & Escape allowing our players to play full speed and not think, has been 9. Playmaker the formula for playing winning defense. Our philosophy is simple. We want to play with GREAT EF- Linebacker Teaching Progression FORT. BE GREAT TACKLERS. STOP THE RUN. AFFECT THE QUARTERBACK. In order to implement this philosophy The linebacker teaching progression consists of the following we do two important things that we believe in. One, each poprinciples: sition group has its own teaching progression in order to teach basic fundamental defensive football. Two, we have defensive The 10 Commandments of Linebacker Play practice policies that are enforced in every practice. Below are Pre –Snap Post – Snap examples of the defensive line and linebacker teaching pro- 1. Alignment gressions along with our defensive practice policies. 2. Stance 3. Responsibility Defensive Line Teaching Progression: 4. Key 5. Communication 6. Steps Pre-Snap Post-Snap 7. Technique 8. Blow Delivery 1. Alignment and Assignment 9. Tackle 2. Stance 10. Effort 3. Awareness 12
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I. Alignment- Depends on defense called Defensive Practice Policies II. Stance – Two point stances, feet shoulder width apart, We must strive for discipline in everything we attempt. We weight on the inside balls of feet, flat back with head up, all must not do it some of the time; we must do it all the time. power angles bent (ankles, knees, hips, and elbows). Palms of The following are defensive practice policies that will be adhands in front of knees. hered to. III. Responsibility – Depends on defense called 1. Every practice will include instruction on the following fundamentals, at all defensive positions. IV. Key – Depending on formation and alignment the linebackers will be given a “triangle” to read. The triangle can include -Stance and Steps offensive line, tight end, and backfield. Linebackers are taught -Agility to see the “Big Picture” through peripheral vision. -Tackling -Blow Delivery V. Communication – Before every play linebackers must com- -Technique municate to each other and to the entire defense. This is para- (Run & Pass) mount for the success of the entire unit. -Effort (GATA) VI. Steps – Lean Shuffle – Lean with front foot, push off 2. Although every drill might not include full contact, we will and take a short lateral step with back foot. Steps should be require every player to go full speed (100% effort) on every rep quick. they take in practice. You play how you practice and if you do not practice full speed it is hard to play full speed. At the end VII. Technique – Depends on defense called, and offensive of each play every player will be required to sprint full speed to play the ball (not a jog), and we will rally and GATA. VIII. Blow Delivery – Hit Technique - Explode blocker with eyes 3. Those players not involved in a drill must pay attention in and hands. The hands should go to the sternum with thumbs at the same manner as those who are. Learn from your own 12 o’clock. Lock elbows and run your feet. Put your face to the mistakes and from the mistakes of others. We shouldn’t have side of your gap responsibility. Rip Technique – Rip through to repeat everything twice. blocker with backside shoulder (Dip & Rip). Hand Shiver – Blocker is below our natural plain. Hands should make con- 4. While we do not expect players to stand ready at all times, tact with blocker’s helmet, eyes looking at the blocker. Force we will expect a player to be ready if he is aware that he is blocker down and run your feet. about to enter a drill. (Helmet on, chin strap buckled) IX. Tackle – A wide shoulder tackle, eyes up, all power angles 5. Anytime teams are interchanging, players will run all the way bent. Explode ball carrier with chest and shoulders. Roll hips, to the sideline or all the way to the next drill. shoot your arms upward, and grab the back of the jersey with your hands. Run your feet. 6. We must have enthusiasm and feel free to express it. Anytime there is a big play, everyone should share in the excite- X. Effort – The value of a linebacker is judged on how close ment. This attitude will build defensive cohesion and make he is to the football at the end of each play. practice fun. We will take a positive approach to conditioning. It will help us (GATA – Get After Them Aggressively) win the close games in the 4th Quarter. 13 www.GridironStrategies.com
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