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Strategic planning for youth football

Gary McCulleyThe Football Academy

What coaches should be thinking and planning during Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

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Coaching Materials

• ALL MATERIALS MENTIONED IN THIS PRESENTATION ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREE @

www.thefootballacademy-llc.com• Click on youth coaching material link for

• This presentation• Practice plan templates• Game day plan templates• Sub package templates• Business Card Templates• Sample playbooks• Introductory Letter to Parents and Players• Example Team Rules, Expectations, and Consequences• And other materials for youth coaches

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Agenda

• Introductions – What is the GFA Coaching Committee and why are we here?

• Youth Football Strategic Planning– Spring – Summer– Fall

• Regular Season• Playoffs / Post Season

– Winter

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Introductions

• Who are we? GFA Coaching Committee– Rob Michael – Coordinator– Jim Weybrecht– Terry Mahan– Howard McMurphy– Gary McCulley

• What are we doing? Recruit, interview, assist, and mentor GFA coaches

• Why are we doing this? To optimize the overall quality of the program and to prepare kids for High School Football

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Advanced Planning

• Why do it?– Success thrives with advanced planning

• Prepare to be successful– Avoid crisis management later on– Brian Kelly example

• Coach Kelly plans the entire year - to the minute– Including walking to practice field, using the restroom, etc.

– “Plan your work, work your plan”– Everything should have a purpose

• Don’t do something “just because”• Practice like you want to play

– Huddle dynamics– Conditioning vs 2 minute drill

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Spring Planning

Jan – May

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Spring (Jan – May)• Jan - March: Prepare for Head Coach interviews• March - May: HC candidates to be interviewed• March -June: Head Coaches selected• Once selected as a head coach

– Head Coach to interview, select, propose and agree on roles and responsibilities for assistant coaches and business manager(s) – see next slide

– Entire staff to discuss and agree upon philosophies (offensive, defensive, who will coach coach’s sons, etc.)

• Decide on how to get offensive plays in the game– Wristband, hand signals, messengers, etc. – buy early

– HC should arrange pre-season scrimmages for mid to late August vs. quality opponents (suggest picking last year’s champion and/or runners up – ideally 2 scrimmages before the regular season starts – this will be the forcing function to get your team prepared for the regular season)

Select / Recruit Assistants

• Best if done early, prior to registration(March-April)

• Clearly establish responsibilities– Offense, defense, play calling, special teams,

etc.• Establish team rules together• Establish team “philosophy”

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Select / Recruit Assistants

• Establish/Discuss Offense and Defense– Suggestions

• Pick an offense and defense that plays to your players strengths

– Difficult to do prior to being assigned a team

• Talk with High School coaches in the area– Pick an offense that kids will see when they attend high

school» If most of the kids on your team will attend WFHS…

» E.g. Talk with Coach Campbell - Implement Blackhawk offense/defense – (adjust for youth kids)

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Offensive Play Call Format

• When selecting an offense, select an offense that kids can easily and quickly learn – play call should speak to every position– Example Pass Play: “PRO - FLANK – LAKE – VEGAS”

• “PRO”: Back formation: Tells Running backs where to line up• FLANK: Receiver Formation: Tells Receivers (X, Y, Z) where to line up• LAKE: O-line Pass Protection Scheme: Tells Offensive Lineman which

protection• VEGAS: Route Package: tells Receivers which routes to run

• Example Run Play: “GUN – FLANKER – 26 POWER”– “GUN”: Back formation: Tells Running backs where to line up– “FLANKER”: Receiver Formation: Tells Receivers (X, Y, Z) where to line

up– “26 POWER”: TELLS BACKS/RECIVERS/O-LINE WHERE BALL IS

GOING AND WHATAT TO DO

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PRO - FLANK – LAKE - VEGAS

XT G C G TYZ

QB

LOS

• “Vegas” Route Package• X and Z run 5 yard posts• Y runs 2 yard arrow

Instruction: 3 step drop - QB reads SS - He can’t be two places at once• If SS goes with Y, hit Z• IF SS goes with Z, hit YMust be “bang-bang” – ball needs to be airborne in less than 3 sec.

3 2

BM

FSCB

SS

Example

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Spring: Jan – May (cont.)

• Get to know Players (March-July)– Stay within the rules (i.e. draft, boundaries, etc.)– Attend baseball, basketball games, other football

leagues– Do not over promise / over commit

• All players will be evaluated fairly – no favorites• Everyone plays, but the best players play the most

– Once parents begin coming to you…• “My son plays QB – I’ve watched you coach QBs and I want

him to play on your team…”…– “That’s great – he will be given every chance to play QB, just

like the other 2 QBs that played for us last year.”

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Summer Planning

This is the most active planning phase: May – Late July

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Summer: May - July

• Plan/Hold Informal working sessions with previous & prospective players to go over offense and defensive concepts, formations, QB/WR/RB timing, etc.

• Advise players of summer football camps that are offered in the area– Youth Speed camps / strength / conditioning offered by High Schools in

the area– Premier Camp and Combine – weeks of 6/11 and 6/18 (M thru Thurs.)– Passing leagues– ASU/UA camp(s)

• Be an ambassador of the GFA where appropriate– Talk to parents, potential players– Business cards? (see thefootballacademy-llc.com)

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Example June Schedule

Example

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May-July (continued)

• Begin preparing introductory packet that will be sent to the team (once team is finalized)

• Items to include– Tentative practice August practice schedule (including

2 scrimmages vs. quality opponents, once scheduled)– Tentative regular season practice schedule (M-W-F, or

Tu-Th-F, or Tu-Th, etc.)– Fundraising commitments

• Poker night, t-shirts, etc.

– Team rules and expectation– Consequences if rules are broken– Playbooks (if appropriate)

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Dates to Remember• 3/24/12: Future Pro Camp @ Mountain Pointe High School• 3/27/12: CHS night camps (every Tuesday thru May 1st)

• 5/11/12: TFA Youth Camp – 6p-9:30p @ WFHS (TBD)• 6/5-6/8: ASU Youth camp

• 6/11 – 6/21: TFA Premier™ Camp and Combine @ Gilbert High (TBD)– Mon thru Thurs over two weeks– Combine: speed, agility, player evaluations

• 7/28/12: Saturday: Team Fundraiser: Poker Night @ HC house

• 7/30/12 Monday: First Day of AYF Practice – helmets only• 8/2/12 Thursday: Thurs: shells• 8/6/12 Monday: full pads - no contact• 8/7/12 Tuesday full pads - live on dummies• 8/8/12 Wednesday full pads, full contact

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May – July (cont.)

• Formalize month of August schedule – this is important – significant potential to get ahead of the curve if you plan ahead and plan smart– Think through Pre-season Practice Milestones

• 1st Day of practice – have a very crisp practice plan for this day:  start slow, don’t try and install your entire offense on this day – go slow, explain your offensive and defensive philosophies, start with the basics, etc.

• 1st Day of pads - Think through 1st day of pads – have a very crisp practice plan for this day:  start slow, work up to full speed contact – keep distances close

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May – July (cont.)

• Think Through Pre-season August milestones (cont.)– “Get tough” practice to determine what you have: 

• Have a signature “get tough” drill– Oklahoma drills– 3 cone drill– Etc.– typically late in the 1st week of pads or early in the 2nd  - this may vary team to

team – head coach should know team and know when to have this – keep it close

– 1st Scrimmage• Plan on having at least 50% of your 1st game offense and 75% of your 1st

game defense installed by the time you have your first scrimmage– 2nd Scrimmage

• Usually the last week of August – Suggest scheduling on a Thursday before 1st game week, give the team Friday off. 

• Plan to have the majority of your offense and defense installed at this point.

These are the forcing functions to get your team prepared

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Importance of Down Days

• Plan “down” days after the 2nd or 3rd week of full pads– Examples

• schedule a walk through in shells• hold barbecue and/or hold dodge ball game in lieu

of practice, etc. • even consider canceling practice if team needs a

break

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Example August Schedule

Example

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Buy Equipment Early

• Football Equipment hits stores in May/June– Wristbands for QB– Water bottles– Pads– Etc.

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Late July

• Once assigned a team, – Send introductory email to team with packet info

described previously– Ideal if you schedule informal ice breaker for team,

(e.g. barbecue, dodge ball at Freestone Rec center, etc.) – work with Team Mom(s)

– Decide on any apparel preferences so parents can buy before sold out• Seek Uniformity in Game and Practice Uniforms

– Black socks, mid calf?

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Once players are assigned to you (continued)

• Once players are assigned to you– Send letters addressed to players and parents

• Set expectations

• Encourage summer football camp/summer league/summer conditioning (attend if possible – take notes)– Passing leagues

• Implement passing game– Encourage Development camps– Encourage College camps

• ASU, UA, NAU– Encourage High School Camp attendance

• Send out playbook? – send electronically to players if possible (once registered – see example next slide)

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PRO - FLANK – LAKE - VEGAS

XT G C G TYZ

QB

LOS

• Vegas• X and Z run 5 yard posts• Y runs 2 yard arrow

Instruction: 3 step drop - QB reads SS - He can’t be two places at once• If SS goes with Y, hit Z• IF SS goes with Z, hit YMust be “bang-bang” – ball needs to be airborne in less than 3 sec.

3 2

BM

FSCB

SS

Example

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Once Team Has Been Selected (cont.)

• Fundraising– Hold fundraising even once team has been

selected but prior to first game– Everyone hates fundraising – try and have fun

• Suggestions– Have it the Saturday night before practice begins– Parents only – no football talk– Poker night, etc.

» Parents only» Great way to meet the parents in non-football

environment» Food/drink/poker

– Bowling

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Late July, Early August Pre-Season Practice

• Always Prepare and have well defined practice plans– Have a lesson plan for each and every practice

• Prepare practice plans the weekend before

– Plan down to the minute, but allow for flexibility– OK to deviate from practice plan, but have to have

one to start– Early season practice will look different than late

season / playoff practice – plan appropriately– Be organized – have a strategy for each opponent

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First Week of Practice

• Get to know / Assess the team (pre-season, if possible)– Be honest and impartial– Have a “tryout” day if required– Use measurables to help

• 40 yd dash, pro agility, catching, throwing, “hitting", previous tackle history

• Keep a record (for parents..)

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Role of HC

• Lead Assistants by example– “Coach the coaches” – if warranted

• Establish Offense and Defense (with staff input)• Be the interface to parents and league• Be a good steward with equipment• Spokesperson for fund raising

– Set expectations early• Settle disputes• Lead by example – be selfless, own your

mistakes, and move on

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Role of HC (continued)• Not a dictatorship, but HC has final say• Value everyone’s opinion, say “thanks”

allot• Set good behavior examples (especially

when things “go bad” in a game)• Solicit their staff input – let them do their

job• Always set a good example

– Don’t lose control – maintain composure, always

– NO CURSING IN FRONT OF THE KIDS (tough to do)

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Avoid Parent Issues by setting expectations

• Set clear expectations from the start– Fund raising– Player evaluations– Playing Time

• Be honest regarding their son’s• Talent• Work ethic• Attitude• ….All of which will give a good indication of playing time

• Open Line of communication– If there is a problem, come talk to me – let’s work it

out

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HC’s relationship with kids

• Plan, plan, plan – kids can recognize when you know what your are doing compared to “faking it”

• Earn their trust, win their hearts– Keep it positive, upbeat, up tempo– Have well defined practice plans

• No standing around in practice (2 drills vs. 1 drill once technique is established – max reps)

• Coach by the Golden Rule– Be honest and fair, in all circumstances

• Have patience, especially with low/medium talent kids• Do not favor, over coach, etc., your own kid(s)• Give written tests – “extend learning time” – see next

slide

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Example Test Problem

Example

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Regular Season

Game Week Preparation

• Sunday– WATCH GAME FILM FROM SATURDAY IF YOU HAVE IT

• EVALAUATE THE GOOD/BAD/UGLY

– WATCH UPCOMING OPPONENTS FILM (IF YOU HAVE ACCESS)

– IDENTIFY OPPONENTS DEFENSIVE FRONTS/SECONDARY

– PUT TOGETHER YOUR GAME PLAN BASED ON IDENTIFIED OPPONENT WEAKNESSES AND YOUR TEAM’S STRENGTHS

• Create NEW PLAY/GADGET, if desired

Game Week Preparation

• Offensive Practice Plan– PRE PRACTICE-SKILL (PASS GAME): 15 minutes– GROUP FUNDAMENTALS: 20 MINUTES– PASS GAME FUNDAMENTALS: 20 MINUTES

• OL PASS PRO FRONTS• SKILL ROUTES 

– IMPORTANT: SCRIPT PLAYS (WRIST BAND FOR QB)– 9 0N 9 INSIDE RUN VS ALL FRONTS (NO

WR’S-CORNERS/CARDS): 10 MINUTES/12 PLAYS – 9 ON 9 OUTSIDE RUN VS ALL FRONTS (NO WR’S-

CORNERS/CARDS): 10) MINUTES/12 PLAYS– 11 ON 11 PASS (BLITZ/CARDS): 15 MINUTES/ 12 PLAYS

• See next slides for example level of detail

Sample Offensive Practice PlanTIME PERIOD ACTIVITY NOTES

6:15 –6:30 (15) Pre-practiceSkill playersO-line

QB-Receivers: formations from the huddleO-Line: practice handwork and footwork

QBs/receivers: huddle break (flanker, flank, slotter, slot, x-flanker, x-flank, spread)O-Line: work on river, lake, L step, Power L step vs. air

6:30-6:45 (15) Warm-ups Dynamic and static stretch organized, upbeat & efficient

6:45-7:10 (20) Fundamentals • break into 3 groups

•O-Line•Backs

•Receivers

Stance, footwork, handwork•Timing, handoff, ball security•Stalk block, hand drills, routes

Emphasize proper techniqueEmphasize proper depth & exch.Emphasize blocking & catching

7:10-7:15 (5) Water break

7:15-7:30 (15) Inside Running Game

PLAY CALL•FLANKER 26 POWER (20) •NEAR FLANKER - 36 POWER (26) • SLOT - 26 POWER (4) • SLOTTER - 24 BLAST(5) • FLANK - 22 ISO (6) • XFLANKER 25 COUNTER(15) •FLANKER 22 ISO (7) • FLANK 23 ISO (8) •NEAR FLANKER - 36 POWER (26) •SLOT - 26 POWER(4) •FLANKER 22 ISO(7) • FLANK 23 ISO (8)

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•Run inside running plays that you plan on running vs. this week’s opponent DEFENSIVE FORMATIONS•Run vs. opponent defensive sets •Emphasize O-line assignments vs. even and odd fronts (center covered and un covered : 40 fronts and 50 fronts)

Sample Offensive Practice Plan (cont.)

TIME PERIOD ACTIVITY NOTES

7:30 –7:35 water

7:35-7:50 (15)

Outside Run Game PLAY CALLFLANKER 28 PITCH (8)FLANK 29 PITCH (7) SLOT 28 PITCH (2) SLOTTER 29 PITCH (1) DEALER 28 PITCH (10) DEAL 29 PITCH (11) FLANKER 28 PITCH (8) FLANK 29 PITCH (7) SLOT 28 PITCH (2) SLOTTER 29 PITCH (1) DEALER 28 PITCH (10) DEAL 29 PITCH (11)

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WORK OUTSIDE PLAYS THAT YOU PLAN ON RUNNING VS UPCOMING OPPONENT DEFENSIVE FORMATIONS

RUN VS ODD/EVEN FRONTS OF YOUR OPPONENT.

Sample Offensive Practice Plan (cont.)TIME PERIOD ACTIVITY NOTES

7:50-8:10 (20)

Pass Game PLAY CALLX FLANKER FIRE RIVER CUT (22) X FLANK FLASH LAKE CUT (21) SLOTTER RIVER VEGAS (24) PRO SLOT LAKE VEGAS (23) DEALER RIVER VEGAS (30) DEAL LAKE VEGAS (31) FAR FLANK 34 PWR PASS (13) SLOTTER 24 LAKE Y CK ME (19) SPREAD FLANK RIVER WHEEL (31) FLANKER FIRE RIVER CUT (22) X FLANK FLASH LAKE CUT (21) SLOTTER RIVER VEGAS (24) PRO SLOT LAKE VEGAS (23) DEALER RIVER VEGAS (30) DEAL LAKE VEGAS (31) FAR FLANK 34 PWR PASS (13) SLOTTER 24 LAKE Y CK ME (19) SPREAD FLANK RIVER WHEEL (31)

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•Run plays that you plan on running in the game vs. opponent’s Defensive Formations

8:10-8:25 (15)

SPECIAL TEAM PUNT TEAM PUNT TEAM OR KICKOFF TEAM

8:25-8:35 (10)

CONDITIONING •FOOTBALL RELATED EX..NO HUDDLE OFFENSE;PUNT COVERAGE

END

Game Week Preparation

• Friday Practice Plan Suggestions (if scheduled)

• SCRIPT FIRST 10 PLAYS – FORMATIONS/RUN GAME/PASS GAME–  LET’S YOU SEE HOW DEFENSE ADJUST TO YOUR FORMATIONS WITH FRONTS

& SECONDARY– After 10 plays, call plays based on what the defense is showing– Think at least 1 play ahead

• QUICKLY THINK ABOUT:– DEFENSE, DOWN, DISTANCE, & FIELD POSITION– GET PLAY INTO QB QUICKLY

» GIVE HIM ENOUGH TIME TO CALMLY CALL THE PLAY TWICE IN HUDDLE– THINK ABOUT THE NEXT PLAY

» IF THIS PLAY IS SUCCESSFUL, WHAT SHOULD WE CALL NEXT» IF THIS PLAY IS UNSUCCESSFUL, WHAT SHOULD WE CALL NEXT

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Game Day Ideas/Strategies

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Game Days

• Have a game day schedule – minute by minute, just like in practice. 

• You don’t want to be late or in a hurry before a game (warm-ups, offense, defense, specials, sub packages, etc.)

Game Week Preparation

• GAME DAY– COACHING RESPONSIBILITIES– ASSIGN POINT OF ATTACK RESPONSIBILITIES TO STAFF

• IMPORTANT: CAN’T HAVE ALL EYES ON THE BALL!!!!

• WR COACH-SECONDARY• RB COACH-DEPTH OF BACKS/BLOCKING ASSIGNMENT• OL COACH- DEFENSIVE FRONT/ BACKSIDE

• OC-POINT OF ATTACK– NOTE: FIND THE FREE SAFETY

• HE WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO ATTACK ACCORDING TO YOUR FORMATIONS

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Sub Package Strategies

• You may not have the luxury to have all the best kids on the field at the same time– Red Squad: 6 - #1s, 5 -#2s– White Squad: 5 - #1s, 6 - #2s

• Once everyone has their plays:– Gold Squad: 11 - #1s – best players on the

field– See www.thefootballacademy-llc.com for sub

package templates

PLAY CALLING 101

1. HAVE ONLY 1 PLAY CALLER!!!! A. CAN’T HAVE TOO MANY CHEFS IN THE KITCHEN… IF OC IS NOT THE

HC, REMEMBER, YOU WORK FOR HIM…

2. USE FORMATIONS THAT BALANCE YOU TO RUN BOTH TO AND AWAY FROM A TE

A. SLOTTER/ACE FORMATIONS: 4 PLAYS/8 FORMATIONS/MOTIONS (PITCH OUT OF FLKR & DLR)

3. ALWAYS ATTACK A 3 MAN SIDE… OPEN SIDE LEAD/POWERA. YOU HAVE A NUMERICAL ADVANTAGE – 4 GUYS TO BLOCK 3

4. HAVE A PLAY PASS FOR EACH POWER RUN PLAY (ISO/POWER/LEAD)

A. EXAMPLESLOTTER F 24 LAKE Y CK ME

PLAY CALLING 101 (cont.)• 5. EARLY PASSING GAME SUCCESS – OPENS UP RUNNING GAME• 6. CALL PLAYS THAT PUT YOUR TEAM IN POSITION TO WIN THE GAME

– DP/SD/JEFF TEDFORD

• 7. SCRIPT • 8. ID WHAT PLAYS GET YOUR OFFENSE OFF THE BALL WHEN HAVING A

TOUGH TIME– EACH YEAR IS DIFFERENT

• 9. KEEP CALLING WHAT THEY CAN’T DEFEND, IF YOU WANT TO WIN– “COULD BE A 3 PLAY GAME”

• 10. PLAY PASS ON 1ST / 2ND DOWN• 11. HAVE A FORCEFULL O-LINE ON 1 SIDE / 2ND UNIT ON OTHER SIDE/TOP

RB’S WITH BACKUPS– HAVE A “GO TO” SIDE OF THE LINE WHEN YOU NEED TO GET 3 YARDS

GAME WEEK PLANNING SUMMARY

Game week planning: Have a plan for the week Be organized: think through every day of the week Prepare an offensive and defensive practice plan

Share with assistants at least 1 day before practice Script out first 10 plays of the game, based on tendencies

Prepare for Game Day Script out pre-game activities to the minute, just like practice – never be caught off

guard – stay cool, calm on game day – do not “blow-up” on game day

Play calling One play caller – play caller should have studied opponent’s defense Prepare a QB wrist band and a coaches play sheet Utilize a Balanced attack/formation Practice the plays you will call in the game Attack weakness Know your “go to plays” – don’t be afraid to call them consecutively

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Playoffs / Post Season

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Post Season (cont.)

• Eliminate plays that have not been successful, install plays that play to your strengths (not too many new plays)

• Playoff logistics– If you get to travel

• Enlist help of parents• May have to hold supplemental fundraiser(s) to cover costs of travel

• Hold end of year team dinner/banquet after last game– Enlist help of parents– Charge a nominal fee to cover costs– Make it nice, with structure and organization – not just a “Chucky

Cheese party”• Collared shirts, respect, well behaved

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Off Season

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Off Season (December-February)

• Rest• Re-assess

– What worked, what didn’t?• Talk to other coaches• Encourage participation in other sports

– Jeff Tedford / Mike Belloti– Attend other sporting events (win their hearts)

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Dates to Remember• 3/24/12: Future Pro Camp @ Mountain Pointe High School• 3/27/12: CHS night camps (every Tuesday thru May 1st)

• 5/11/12: TFA Youth Camp – 6p-9:30p @ WFHS (TBD)• 6/5-6/8: ASU Youth camp

• 6/11 – 6/21: TFA Premier™ Camp and Combine @ Gilbert High (TBD)– Mon thru Thurs over two weeks– Combine: speed, agility, player evaluations

• 7/30/12 Monday: First Day of AYF Practice – helmets only• 8/2/12 Thursday: Thurs: shells• 8/6/12 Monday: full pads - no contact• 8/7/12 Tuesday full pads - live on dummies• 8/8/12 Wednesday full pads, full contact

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Summary• Plan Ahead

– Success is a cruel master

• Think Through everything you will do– Does it prepare your team to do well?

• If not, eliminate it– Practice like you want to play

• E.G. During team phase, don’t walk to the huddle and tell the QB which play to call – stand away from huddle and give plays like you would in the game

– If you don’t know, ask!• No one knows everything (Urban Meyer, Chip Kelly, etc.)

– The best coaches are always learning and asking

Best Wishes for a Productive Season