Like most books on leadership they are basically the same in The Score Takes Care of Itself. You don't read books on leadership and expect to have this magical shift in your style of leadership most of the time it just validates that you are doing things right. I have spent a total of eight years working for three of the best football programs in the state of Texas where they did the little things right most of the time which led to on and off the field success. Their Head Coaches and Assistants exhibited between seventy to ninety percent of what is outlined in this book. Which is not surprising considering the impact that Bill Walsh had on the coaching profession. I several ideas worth mentioning from this book:
No Hierarchy
I have heard this from several people who were around the 49ers organization. They do not haze rookies My old DC from Southwest Minnesota State went to preseason camp with both the 49ers and the Oilers and he said the 49ers were professional and the rookies and free agents were not made to get hair cuts or buy veterans meals.
This also included respecting everybody from the office staff, secretaries, and custodial employees. Bullying and its behavior is not to be tolerated.
Veterans Train your Replacements!
Bill Walsh used this idea to increase his coaching staff. If a veteran was in the twighlight of his career or a even a serious battle for starting position players were expected to help out with rookies and first year players not only on the field stuff but learning the expectations and procedures of the organization. This would work great for the starting varsity quarterback's interactions with the second stringer, junior varsity and freshman quarterbacks.
Enemies
He talks about this in several ways first that you need to go along to get along. Enemies take up too much precious time and energy you can use for productive activities instead. You know you don't like that staff he big timed you at a clinic, The kid he put up for all district beat out yours even though they didn't win a district game.
Then the second way is Bill Walsh does not believe in the continual use of demonizing your opponent as a motivational tool. He thought this tactic was overused and had diminishing returns. His belief was you opponent was nameless and faceless it did not matter who they are just what your players did to prepare for that meeting of the field that mattered.
Texas Tech under Mike Leach has truly evolved this Passing game concept. It was first perfected by Al Davis and the Oakland, L.A, then Oakland again Raiders. I think this is where Tony Franklin borrowed some Run and Shoot philosophies except they are not reading a coverage they are reading men and their ability to win the individual and if not still win the match-up.
The Concept for the quarterback is the following.
**Must read Safeties**
Cover 2 read play-side safety and go 2 on 1 vs. that safety.
Cover 1 or 3 read free safety and go 2 on 1 vs. free safety.
Cover 0 – pick best matchup
If no deep route open then go to check down
X Go Out side release on #'s re-stack on Corner after 10 yards look at QB's Eyes Watching for the back shoulder throw.
Y Go (Work for Outside Release) vs. 2 safeties = Bend if you cannot win after 10 yards, vs. 1 safety = stay vertical
Z Go Out side release on #'s after 10 yards look at QB's Eyes Watching for the back shoulder throw.
H Go (Work for Outside Release) vs. 2 safeties = Bend if you cannot win after 10 yards, vs. 1 safety = stay vertical
F 1002 count then Check-Down- if man break in or out/if zone settle
Q Must read Safeties-If cover 2 read play-side safety and go 2 on 1 vs. that safety-If cover 1 or 3 read free safety and go 2 on 1 vs. free safety. If no deep route open then go to back shoulder throw to check-down
The Shallow concept has been around since the 90'the first time I read about the shallow concept was from Mike Shannhan. It was adopted by the Air Raid. Chris Hatcher uses Go Routs vs Tony Franklin who uses a post with the shallow route. I do like the how Tony pre-snaps his deep routes but also add another check that is used in the Darren Slack R4 system where which he checks the deep route again after the quarter back hits the last step in his drop. But the cardnal rule with throwing the deep ball is to throw it early. CONCEPT: Hot , Shallow, Dig, Shoot
Pre-snap Post and Go if “0” cover or grass - Shallow rules (eyes away from where shallow starts- if shallow starts on right side , eyes start left ,etc.)
X Go Outside (hit defenders shoulder if he squats)
Y 2 yard Shallow/ run on the heels of the defensive line with a slight angle up-field- if you get to opposite hash only be 5 yards deep-catch and sprint to numbers gaining ground as you run/ peek
Z 10 Post
H (Align at least 8-10 yards from tackle) 10 Dig( Go through outside shoulder of “tough defender”)
F Check Protection - 3 Shoot #’s -head swivel after clearing DE and look for ball
Q Shallow (Y), Dig ( H), Shoot (F), Pre-snap Post (Z) and Go (X) if “0” cover or grass- Shallow rules (eyes away from where shallow starts- if shallow starts on right side , eyes start left ,etc.
Y (Align at least 8-10 yards from tackle) 10 Dig( Go through outside shoulder of “tough defender”)
Z Go Outside (hit defenders shoulder if he squats)
H 2 yard Shallow/ run on the heels of the defensive line with a slight angle up-field- if you get to opposite hash only be 5 yards deep-catch and sprint to numbers gaining ground as you run/ peek
F Check Protection - 3 Shoot #’s -head swivel after clearing DE and look for ball
Q Shallow (H), Dig ( Y), Shoot (F), Pre-snap Post (X) and Go (Z) if “0” cover or grass- Shallow rules (eyes away from where shallow starts- if shallow starts on left side , eyes start right ,etc
X Go Outside (hit defenders shoulder if he squats)
Y 10 Post
Z 2 yard Shallow/ run on the heels of the defensive line with a slight angle up-field- if you get to opposite hash only be 5 yards deep-catch and sprint to numbers gaining ground as you run/ peek
H (Align at least 8-10 yards from tackle) 10 Dig( Go through outside shoulder of “tough defender”)
F Check Protection - 3 Shoot #’s -head swivel after clearing DE and look for ball
Q Shallow (Z), Dig ( H), Shoot (F), Pre-snap Post (Y) and Go (X) if “0” cover or grass- Shallow rules (eyes away from where shallow starts- if shallow starts on right side , eyes start left ,etc.
X 2 yard Shallow/ run on the heels of the defensive line with a slight angle up-field- if you get to opposite hash only be 5 yards deep-catch and sprint to numbers gaining ground as you run/ peek
Y (Align at least 8-10 yards from tackle) 10 Dig( Go through outside shoulder of “tough defender”)
Z Go Outside (hit defenders shoulder if he squats)
H 10 Post
F Check Protection - 3 Shoot #’s -head swivel after clearing DE and look for ball
Q Shallow (X), Dig ( Y), Shoot (F), Pre-snap Post (H) and Go (Z) if “0” cover or grass- Shallow rules (eyes away from where shallow starts- if shallow starts on left side , eyes start right ,etc.
I prefer using wrist bands to all other forms of communicants for getting the play in. But unlike most wrist bands I prefer the system wristbands which tell that particular position what to do instead of the play. I would prefer to keep the skill kids in the dark and just concentrate on the position technique and responsibility. The offensive line is going to know most of the time what type of play they are running their wrist band will say what protection they are using, the screen, and their run blocking assignment. The Quarterback is the only one who needs to see the whole picture.
From the Example we can run all of our run plays with a backside fast screen so we can take advantage of receivers selfishness and they will run a fast screen and end up blocking the backside force player and corner back without both of them blocking. The quarterback also always has the option if he feels that the leverage is there is to give the right tackle a "Bambi" call and he will 60 set the DE and the Quarterback will throw the fast screen. Also from the example we can block counter, and power and also block a new play power kick by having all the offensive linemen block power except the right guard blocks counter. It is a way to add a new play without adding excess verbiage.
Wrist Band 101
Brand
TAG
NEUMANN
ALL STAR
NIKE
DRI-FIT
Style
3.5” X 5” WINDOW
2 or 3 Window Band for Skill Players playing multiple positions
Care
Have players keep their own bands
Possibly have bands embroidered with player number (Players can’t “borrow” other player’s band)
If bands are distributed and collected daily, wash bands every day with 1 cap Clorox and AIR DRY.
How it Works
The program is designed so that all sheets in Excel are connected and the formulas reference the different sheets accordingly.
PB = The PB (or Play Bank) sheet is where all of the plays are housed. New plays, old plays, additions per week, etc. all are put into the PB. You may format the PB however you wish. You may organize it to fit your preference. ANY PLAY RESPONSIBILITIES ARE CHANGED IN THE PB, NOT THE MASTER
MASTER = The MASTER sheet is the sheet where the plays are entered (copied and pasted, or typed) to be ON THE WRISTBAND.
If you would like a wristband program here is the link https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1nKmQzMhC5hQ1JWcXVZc1hoOFN5VWM0STRYdE1wLVRUUnpj
I have worked at several programs some of the places I have been did test every 6 weeks others just did once a or twice a semester. First thing I would say about testing is it should be easy to do if at all possible it should be part of the workout. See the following example: Week 7 is a built in workout.
Or you can rep max at the end of each set my last year as a power lifting coach this worked very well for example if a Kid was front squatting 80% of his max 150 for 2 sets of 8 and on the 3rd set He had to do as many as he could if he reached 12 then it was assumed that the next time he did front squats his new 80% would be 160. Generally if they can get 12 on their last set then their max went up 10 pounds for lower body or whole body lifts and their max went up 5 pounds for upper body lifts. If they went 3 workout times without getting 12 then its time for an intervention asking them questions about their diet, sleep length, and recovery strategies.
Junior high athletes should not 1 rep max, they should do the recommended John Wellborn Start with the bar concentrate on great technique once the can so 2 sets of 8 reps and 1 set of rep max if 12 reps move up 5 lbs on upperbody lifts and 10 on lowerbody lifts. They should master the movements and spend at least a month with power clean using only a dowel or broom stick working on form and bar speed. Also it is a great idea to start off with goblet squat instead of back squats.
Now with high school athletes this is what should be tested and why.
Power Clean
Power Clean king of all exercises dealing with football teaches athletes how to triple extend. Uses the rear chain hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. It teaches proper finishing movement for tackling and blocking. It is a difficult lift to preform and does make the athlete have to be coach-able. This is also my warning if you don't know how to teach it learn how to.
200 Plus Pound Pull-up for Reps
First of all there are a lot of programs across the country who do not do any upper back exercises. In football there is a lot of grabbing going on wrapping up in tackles, keeping the ball high and tight when running with the football, and controlling your opponent blocking (holding). Also having a stronger back will keep the shoulder joint balanced reducing shoulder injuries. Finally it will make your athletes bench stronger. Listen to http://coachxo.com/john-welbourn-crossfit-football/ for more anecdotal proof. Why 200 plus simple as a formor offensive lineman when I eventually could preform a pull-up it took about 50 workouts of modified pull-ups to preform one body weight pull-up and I was way over 200 pounds but that time I was strong as an Ox in all my other lifts. Now compare that to the 135 lb 4th string receiver whose biggest contribution to the team is catching the ball for the quarterback in pregame warm-ups so the qb does not hurt a finger catching a ball. So if a football players weight is under 200 lbs then strap on enough weight to bring it up to 200 lbs and do as many pull-up as he can. If he is over 200 lbs jump up there and rep out as many reps as possible.
Squats or Front Squats
So why front squats over back squats? Well, one problem with
back squats is that they have a tendency to put too much strain on your lower
back, especially when done incorrectly. An arched back and or forward lean can
compromise your balance, and increase your likelihood of spraining a ligament
or injuring a disk, which would suck. Simply put, the bar placement influences
your center of gravity during the motion. With the weight on the back and a
forward lean of the torso you have more back extension, and therefore more
pressure on your lower back. With the weight on the front of the shoulders and
the torso upright you have more hip extension and less pressure on your lower
back.
A second benefit of front squats is that they increase your
core strength even more than back squats. Now most of the time when you’re
talking about increasing core strength you tend to think about crunches,
hanging knee raises and planks. With front squats however, the load to the
front of your body forces your abs and core to stay activated to stabilize your
body throughout the movement. If your midsection isn’t activated and your torso
isn’t erect during the movement. Do it once, and you’ll never do it again.
Lastly, the front squat imitates the catch position of the
clean and the starting position in similar to that of the overhead press, push
press and split jerk motions. Now, I know that performing the front squats
using the clean grip is uncomfortable at first, but using this grip is strongly
encouraged. Meatheads and bodybuilders utilize the cross-armed grip because
it’s less stressful on the wrists. Be an athlete and get better by doing the
front squat with a clean grip!
Bench Press
It is a good indicator of upper body strength and that is usually the first question most ask if you look strong "how much do you bench press?"
purpose: this is a test of speed, explosion, body control
and the ability to change direction (agility).
Three marker cones are placed along a line five yards apart.
The player straddles the middle line and puts one hand down in a three-point
stance. The player can start by going either to the right or left direction.
For example, on the signal 'Go' the player turns and runs five yards to the
right side and touches the line with his right hand. He then runs 10 yards to
his left and touches the other line with his left hand, then finally turns and
finishes by running back through the start/finish line. The player is required
to touch the line at each turn.
Vertical Jump
Using a vertec which is a waste of money or a tape with 1 inch increments on a wall the athlete stands side on to a wall and reaches up with the
hand closest to the wall. Keeping the feet flat on the ground, the point of the
fingertips is marked or recorded. This is called the standing reach height. The
athlete then stands away from the wall, and leaps vertically as high as
possible using both arms and legs to assist in projecting the body upwards. The
jumping technique can or cannot use a countermovement (see vertical jump
technique). Attempt to touch the wall at the highest point of the jump. The
difference in distance between the standing reach height and the jump height is
the score. The best of three attempts is recorded. It is a quick and easy test to see if your program is building athletes if they are gaining weight and their vertical is improving then your program is working great. If their vertical is staying the same, but they are gaining weight need to work on plyometics or more explosive lifts. If they are not gaining weight and their vertical is not improving then its time to change up your program.
What do do with the numbers?
If you have a kid in your program and there is more that a 3 tenth of a second difference between the 20 yard Shuttle and the 40 yard dash. If the 40 yard is 3 tenth of second slower than the Shuttle then work to increase power clean, starts, and running form. If the 20 yard Shuttle is 3 tenth of second slower then the 40 yard time work on squats, core stability, hip flexibility and change of direction drills.
Mesh is a staple of the System though in recent years Tony has gone away from it since his Middle Tennessee stop. It is good against Cover 2, 2 man, Cover 3, and Cover 4, mesh is not a good blitz beater you do have the corner or post if you like but you need to keep with the formula. The formula is quick passing game, screens, and outside runs in the 1st and 3rd quarters. Go fast fatigue those defensive linemen and make those offensive linemen better by doing so.
Pre-snap the quarterback is going to look low left to right and high left to right looking for grass. The center will make the line calls most of the time it will be a 4-1, 4-2, 3-2,3-3 nickel call. The quarterback can also give the F a free call which free releases him or a stay call which the F will stay in the protection because the quarterback senses blitz pre-snap.
X 5 yards under mesh as you are running look a(at the Y if he is being followed the defense is in man continue running route after mesh if there is no defender following it is zone settle down get eyes on quarterback) with mesh Slap hands with Y.
Y 6 yards over mesh as you are running look a(at the X if he is being followed the defense is in man continue running route after mesh if there is no defender following it is zone settle down get eyes on quarterback) with mesh Slap hands with X.
Z 10 Corner-aiming point is front pylon if outside 25 yard line and back pylon if inside 25 yard line (Look at QB on pre-snap for possible change to post signal – if post keep it “skinny” unless 0 cover and no safety)
H 3 Shoot #’s (head swivel on route to check for early throw)
F Swing #’s (head swivel on route to check for early throw)
Q High (Corner or Post), Playside mesh, Playside back (Swing or Shoot), Backside mesh, Backside back (Swing or Shoot)
I am reading this book now it is even better than his "Finding the Winning Edge". It is less technical about running an NFL team and more about how to run an organization. I am listening to it on my Ipod and have gotten through roughly one third of the book. Here is an excerpt of some of his leadership practices.
Lessons of the Bill Walsh Offense
Success doesn't care which road you take to get to its door step.
Be bold remove fear of the unknown from your mind.
Desperation should not drive innovation ""What assets do we have that we are not taking advantage of?"
Be obsessed looking for the upside of the down side.
