Talent Code and the Tony Franklin System Chapter 2

Myelin

Myelin is the insulator that wraps around nerve cells and the more myelin is wrapped around a cell the faster and more efficient that movement pattern becomes. 

Talent Code (Coyle 34-35)

Q: Why is targeted, mistake-focused practice so effective?

A: Because the best way to build a good circuit is to fire it, attend to mitakes. then fire it again, over and over. Struggle is not an option: it's a biological requirement.

Q:Why are passion and persistence key ingredients of talent? 

A: Because wrapping myelin around a big circuit requires immense energy and time. If you don't love it, you'll never work hard enough to be great.  

Coyle states that myelin operates by a few fundamental principals.

1. The firing of circuits is paramount.  The mechanism responds to action with urgent repetition.  
2. Myelin is universal. Myelin doesn't care who you are-it cares what you do.  
3. Myelin wraps-it doesn't unwrap. Once a skill circuit is insulated, you cannot un-insulate it.  That's why habits are hard to break.  The only way to break them is to build new habits by myelinating new circuits. 

So What? 

I watched as a former Tony Franklin System school complete about 15 pat-n-go throws between the Junior Varsity Game and the Varsity Game against us last year.  The quarterback still knew how to throw it and the receiver still knew how to stack the defensive back and keep his body between the ball and the defender.  This school had run The System for about 5 years we did end-up winning both the JV and Varsity games but   they completing those pat-n-goes did make it very difficult to beat them. 

This is why it is so important to have consistency with this how you teach pat-n-go catch and throw. 

• Align on top of the numbers to 1 yard inside of the numbers 
• Must be on the numbers on this route.
• Quarterback has the bottom of the numbers to the sideline to throw the ball.

 And in a few years those coaches will be scratching their heads wondering why they cannot throw and complete the deep ball anymore once those kids who developed the myelin for the pat-n-go have graduated. 

Talent Code and the Tony Franklin System Chapter 1

I am going to go through each chapter of book Talent Code and out line specifics that also align in Tony Franklin System. 

Talent Code makes a case that talent is something else besides the nature and nurture stuff. Author based on his field research says that there are three ingredient's to talent which are

1. Deep Practice

1. Ignition

1. Master Coaching

Chapter 1

Sweet Spot Chicken wire Harvard
In Talent Code Coyle describes chicken wire Harvard where all of these hot beds of talent.  Example the slums of Sao Paolo Brazil where a young boy is working on a soccer move called the Elastico. he is trying to acquire the skill  of moving the ball very slowly in order to do the skill at a faster rate Elastico is gained using deep practice.

The example of deep practice of the Elastico is a lot like the two main drill staples of the System which is the Noose and Pat-N-Go.

PAT-N-GO

PURPOSE: Fundamentals drill where QB and other skill players perfect techniques at less than full speed as they continue to loosen up. Catches over shoulder.

TEMPO: 1/2

ORGANIZATION/SET-UP:  Basically a circular drill with two groups.  Player will align on either the right or left numbers (1 side a day).  QB will align just inside the player line.  Players will dummy down to work release as in noose drill.  On QB command, player will execute outside release and get back over top (which is the top of #s).  QB will take one-step drop, fire feet, and make a short throw with slight air over outside shoulder of receiver.  Receiver runs ball to other line, careful to stay out of QB’s way.

COACHING POINTS: Emphasize all details of receiving as in noose (stance, release, noose, exaggerate look & tuck).  Do not allow QB to over throw receiver or leave ball inside numbers.  Drill should move quickly with little down time.

NOOSE 

PURPOSE: Most important drill of the day – done in early stages of practice and sets tempo and focus.  Emphasizes stance, 

release, getting over top, sticking cuts, noose, exaggerating 

look and tuck, dipping and turning straight down field.  QB will 

work on drop, reads, slides, fast feet, and accuracy of throw.

TEMPO: ¼ - ½  MAX

ORGANIZATION/SET-UP: Set two cones on sideline three yards from a yard line.  QB aligns on yard line, can use center to work on exchange.  WR align as shown – R1 is on offense, R2 is defender and next in line.  R2 tries to jam R1.  R1 works release, gets back over top, sticks 2-3 times, settles closer to one cone or the other, forms noose, and works slightly back to QB.  On catch, exaggerates look, tuck, and turns straight downfield, ball high and tight.  QB works a drop and a play read, slides in pocket on 3rd read, waits for R1 to settle, places throw away from the nearest cone on R1’s shoulder, which simulates a defender.

COACHING POINTS:  

Coach with tremendous detail and intensity in this drill

Emphasize developing perfect techniques and habits

Everything must be perfect!!!

Look at the Tempo speed is 1/4 to 1/2 and the way Coyle describes deep practice.