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Stack Concept
This is in response to a coach who asked if we did anything with the stack concept.
We are not experts at the stack concept, but we started using it last season and it proved to be very effective, and we plan on putting it in sooner and doing more, we haven't seen anything yet from what can be done with this. Obviously it can be a great tool versus press man teams, but there is more to it. What I want to experiment with is motion with the stack, to and from, etc. Anyway, here is what we do.
We just make a call on top of our formations, "stack"(creative, huh?) and this tells us if we have two or more split receivers(only wideouts and slots, not tight ends or wingbacks) will stack themselves, with the further out in the formation being #1, next inside guy being #2, and if there is a #3 he lines up third. This has let us do it from a variety of backfield motions and has minimized extra teaching, the kids have a better feel for it being part of the offense.
From there we look for our bubble screen rule, which we can audible to, in this the last man in the stack takes one step up and turns to the QB, the first receiver kicks out/most dangerous, #2 if he is not running the screen he will look to seal inside or just block #2 over them. The QB delivers the ball immediately as on the bubble screen, and the receiver looks to take it up this alleyway or bounce it out to the sideline.
The big thing we encountered was that teams really tried to jam the top guy in the stack, which can definitely throw the whole thing off, so it is important to have a plan for him and for him to be able to use good a good escape maneuver, and at least get off the line.
We just run base stuff from stack, there is more to it but this is where we started and has proven results. The big thing is that each player must be patient with the release, and then break hard when it is time. For example we commonly used our flood route, 56, from a 3 man stack. #1 takes an aggressive release to the outside, and will push it upfield. #2 will hide behind him, move upfield at an outside angle behind him, and then when he clears explode vertically to the 10-12 and roll his out cut and use his normal rules. #3 will patiently step behind #1 and #2, jab inside at the LOS, and then break hard for the flat going for his depth of 2-3 yards.
It is important to get your #3 guy as a viable option in the route, quickly.
I hope that provides some info. We need to explore the options moreso with this, as there are a lot of possibilities.
Practice Schedules:
This is in response to a coach who asked roughly how do we organize our practice schedules, also with a short note at the end for how we install the gameplan on a given week, which is a great idea that we completely stole(don't we all):
Hey Coach, thanks for the kinds words. Sure, to give a
rough outline, school ends at 2:45. At 3:00 we meet in
the classroom(or certain areas around the gym/locker
room for positions), with the kids dressed in gear.
We give a quick and concise outline of what we are
going to do, new concepts and schemes, etc. Sometimes
we will show short film clips of a particular drill or
technique or route, but if this is not to the whole
team it has to be rotated for the vcr/tv etc, since
not every position can have their own classroom with
vcrs and tvs.
By 3:15 we break and by 3:20 we are on the field, in
positions, getting loose a bit and walking through
some things, QBs doing center snaps with an
action(straight drop back, handoff, boot action, etc.)
Receivers getting loose, catching balls, etc.
3:25 we are in lines, our players know where they are
to line up every day, and we have a coach move this
around so they have to sprint to this and get
organized as a team, quickly. Just sort of a fun game
to see where on the field this is set up and in what
order. We run down and back at 3 quarters speed, and
then we sprint out row by row into our streches lines.
Anyway, after stretching and running at 3:40 we break
into positions. Here we do agilities. At first we do
agilities to get more stretches, bags, ropes, stance
and starts etc for 5 minutes, then we kick it up a
notch for the second 5 into being more conditioning.
Then we finish with a 5 minute position specific
technique period, blocking form for linemen, cut
drills for receivers or stalk blocking fundamentals,
QBs go through their throwing warmups, etc.
From 3:55 we do 5 10 minute periods, and one 15 minute
period that we try to change up each day, and the last
thing we do is conditioning, which, and we tell this
to our players because it's the truth, it is for your
athletic conditioning but it is a test of your mind
and will to finish strong during the worst part. We
want to be done on the field by 5:15-5:25 at the very
latest every day, and on some days we keep skill
positions an extra 5-10 minutes to polish/throw, etc.
We let them take off their helmets and shoulderpads
and drink water for the conditioning, and we try to
keep it fairly short, and it consists mostly of 20s,
40s, and 60 yard sprints, though sometimes down and
back.
The 15 minute period is usually on Mondays some kind
of contact drill, like one blocker/OL vs one DL/LB and
one ball carrier in a chute, or a 3 blockers vs 3
defenders and the ball goes one way or the other in a
similar chute. On Tuesdays and wednesdays it is more
of a polish period for our offense's and defenses.
We rotate the 10 minute periods, but they include, and
we rely heavily on managers to help get things set up
for drills because we try to keep it fast paced, we
almost always do routes on air, which is our receivers
and QBs versus bags, and some kind of one on one
receiver drill. We also incorporate linebackers and
RBs and tight ends in this. It's also helpful to
sometimes have the receivers stalk block to keep the
DBs somewhat honest. Also, we will incorporate full
speed pass protection during this period too, and let
a Def coach throw whatever he may at us. we also will
have OL one on one pass blocking going on. Of course
we like to run pass skelly also, however we rarely go
full speed hitting in pass skelly since the DBs are
just teeing off, but they must tap off on the Receiver
but he still must sprint 35-40 yards downfield and
score.
We usually follow position specific work with a team
period that we just call "Let's Go" and what we
essentially do is huddle, or not huddle and call at
the line, and run a play, usually on air completely or
versus some JVs with bags, and we will run the plays
and everyone has to sprint 30-40 yards downfield and
break down on a coach until he releases them. The
second unit(and sometimes third) has to be ready to go
immediately after the first, running the same play and
we will keep this constant rotation. This is in part a
conditioning drill, it is a drill to work on huddling
and getting to the line, it is a repetition drill as
we are running our plays over and over, (we almost
exclusively run running plays in this drill and
screens and quicks every so often) but it is primarily
a pace drill, trying to teach our team the pace of
that we want. I can't say it's a super-fun drill
though.
We incorporate other drills as needed, running
periods, option periods, stalk-blocking periods,
sometimes in the middle of practice we will go right
back to bags and do high knees and all that very
inensely all over again.
Hope that gives you an idea, it provides our basic
outer structure and then it gives us a lot of
flexibility, cooaches bring their groups together,
etc. I'm sure as you know, the biggest key to practice
is the enthusiasm of the coaches and that, coupled
with this fast pace approach has helped us.
We like putting the lecture in the beginning because,
even though it is the end of the day, we feel like
they are better in learning mode than at the end or
even worse in the middle of practice.
Another note is that we, after scouting, generally put
in just about everything we're going to do versus our
opponent on Monday, and monday is our frustration day.
Everyone is frustrated, coaches, players, me, etc.
However, we begin throwing things our on Tuesday and
wednesday and wednesday night myself and one or two
other coaches will make our versions of our first 15
plays of the game and 2 or 3 "best plays" and we ask
our QB to come up with 5 of our 15 starting plays and
1 or 2 best plays. We bring all this together in our
plan and polish on our special teams/runthrough day on
Thursday.
Hope that provides a decent framework.
-Chris
QB Footwork:
Here is a reply to a coach asking about development of QBs. I got the wind behind me on this one, but this is some of our most time-tested stuff, though we also stole plenty of it, heh. It talks about throwing drills, stances, some drops, QB ball position, and some of our favorite drills at the end for polishing with the team and developing an understanding of the offense and timing.
As far as throwing, I believe footwork is the first
place it starts. We work very hard on this, and the
coaches have to know the techniques first and
foremost, you guys must really research this and work
with other coaches and learn what is being taught.
Secondly, we drill this hard, we don't just throw the
QB to the scrimmages.
Here are a few drills we do to work on footwork and
then also for learning passing progressions.
For footwork you have to walk before you can crawl we
really try to break all these down. We have a few
simple throwing warm-ups that also work on form. We
tell the QBs to exaggerate all these as they do them.
They are common you are probably familiar,
one knee: The focus point is pointing the opposite
shoulder at the target(tell the QB to pick a very
small point and try to hit it, get used to picking a
target. we tell them to hit him in the nose or the
corner of a number on the jersey every time.) Also
exaggerate the throwing motion and exaggerate the
follow through, finish bent way over with the hand
down outside the raised knee.
Standing feet stationary: the feet stay shoulder
length apart facing forward, the QB must really twist
to point the opposite shoulder and then will whiop
through to throwing motion and exxagerate the throwing
motion.
standing falling forward: similar to before but will
lean forward so far that after the throw he must take
a step or else he'd fall on his face. It's more of a
lean. This teaches the shifting of weight.
Then exaggerate stepping and throw. Putting it
together. Just as it sounds. Do this from 10 yards
away and then push it to 15. The ones on the knee
should be 5 yards and then after that 10.
There are others but those are good starters, our QBs
know these and do them all summer, and really focus on
critiquing themselves and the other QBs. We want them
to be real technicians (but still natural, not
mechanical) and be able to teach each other.
For drops: Must really focus on taking these slow and
then putting it together. We take the pre-season/early
season philosophy with a lot of the drills and the
kids that we won't let them throw until they get these
things fixed and are proficient.
One side note, we have the QBs hold it high, shoulder
height or higher, but they also are not to have some
kind of big windup or drop th eball down, but we do
like them to have a natural throw. That's just a side
note, we try not to overcoach this but prevent against
bad habits.
It starts with the stance, both under center and
shotgun feet under the armpits, slightly pigeontoed,
and you should be able to slide a piece of paper under
the heels if they were in tennis shoes on a flat
surface, and should have the knees bent but erect
enough to see the defense. There will be no false
steps and the QB on his drops will push off the
opposite foot and take a step back, will belly the
football first (probably similar to what yuo do on run
plays) and then will quickly bring it up to the
throwing reayd position (whatever is comfortable,
usually in front of the shoulder or by the ear. We
don't allow them to have it lower than that at any
time. ) And will always keep two hands on the ball.
The drops will consist of one or more "big" steps, and
then will finish with two quicker steps, and on most 5
and seven step passes will have a hitch up step before
delivering. On all "big" steps the QB will keep his
eyes directly downfield both to hold the defense and
to look at what is going on. (He doesn't have to do
comlicated reads.) He will look for the receiver on
his gather steps and his hitch step if he has it.
The three step passes are just one big step, a short
crossover and then a final gather step, this step
towards the target and the throwing motion should be
beginning or he should see his target is covered, and
he will gather himself and shift his feet looking for
the second target.
The footwork is the same for five step except it will
be one big, a bigger crossover, and then a big 3rd
step and then 2 smaller gather steps. If the play
requires quick timing such as a 10-12 yard speed out,
the QB will step toward the target on the fifth step.
If it is like a hook or such he will hitch up in the
pocket and look for his targets.
A big problem with drops are are finishing on the last
step and overstriding, a good drill for this is to
require him to drop back and when he hits his back
step he has to lift up his front foot and hold it
until the coach says throw. If he has too much of his
weight on his back foot he will fall over backwards,
so he will learn to have his weight balanced.
We drill drops rigorusly and always look for those
mechanics. Like I said he will always keep both hands
on the ball, fumbles are a no-no. Other simple drills
that are also good as conditioning or warmups are one
where we simply have the QB drop back until we tell
him to come back, sometimes we push them back a good
30 yards, and then have them run forward hard carrying
the ball in both hands with a back and forth chest
motion. Basically how a QB running the option holds
it.
Another is the moving in the pocket drill, which is
similar to a DBs backpedal drill. We tell the QB to
drop and we give him signals and he will slide, drop
further, move diagonally, move up, etc, all the while
keeping the ball high in a good throwing position and
looking at you. And when you show your hands he must
be able to throw you the football. He must always keep
his feet underneath him and his body in a good
position to throw.
Those are some of our better footwork and such drills.
Two drills we run a lot of are pat and go and routes
on air.
Pat and go, which can also be modified into our one on
one receiver vs db drill, is a simple polish period.
Two lines of QBs face each other 30-40 yards apart. To
each line of QB's right is a line of
receivers/TEs/Runners etc. We also have a center or
the QBs snap to each other. We simply call a play and
each receiver runs their assigned route on that play.
The QB will just call the snap count, take the nspa,
run his passdrop action, and deliver the ball on time
to the receiver on air. Often we have coaches give the
receiver release keys. After catching the ball the
receivers will explode downfield and go to the other
side, lay the ball down in front of the center and get
in the other line. After however long we switch from
the QBs left to the QBs right.
This is on air obviously and we try to be meticulous
about timing and fundamentals, and it is a chance to
condition the receivers and get a lot of the guys
catching passes, working on our plays and assignments,
getting the QB to throw the different types of throws,
and is a good warm up drill before any kind of live
contact or more intense work. Plus, the receivers are
always working on scoring on the other end of the
field.
The other drill we do, and I love this drill, is
called routes on air. Basically it 7 on none, or 7 on
bags. We line up garbage cans/bags whatever where a
defense might line up in zone. We then call a play and
line up and all the receivers at their positions line
up in a line behind them.
This drill works as many as 5(!) QBs at one time. The
QB in the middle will call the snap count. All the
receivers will run their route, adjusting it slightly
if neccesary for the defensive alignment, and their
rule is to never settle behind the defense(or garbage
cans).
The QBs will drop back, and will each throw to the
different receivers. But here's what I really like.
Each QB will go through the correct progression to
throw to each receiver. Our "peek" or "TD"
read(usually a receiver running a post who can be
thrown to if the QB sees something pre-snap and the D
doesn't stay on them) will have the ball thrown first,
then the 1st read, and the 2nd read, etc. and the QB
throwing to the 3rd receiver will think pre-snap
alert, and then look at the 1st read, shift and look
at the second and finally come under control and look
at the 3rd read and deliver the ball.
All the receivers will catch the ball and run 30-40
yards upfield and score, and the QBs will move over
one position, so they have a new route to throw to,
and a new part of the progression. Once we go all the
way around we will change the plays.
The QBs are working on timing, a lot of receivers are
catching balls, we are getting a defensive look, it is
a technique period since it is on air, for routes and
drops etc, and the QBs are working on their
progressions.
We can get through all of our pass plays in like 15
minutes, often we go somewhat longer.
This still works for sprint outs and things, it might
have to be adjusted. And you odn't have to use 5 QBs,
if your plays don't require it, that's fine, and if
they do you can subsitute a manager or coach.
That's a favorite drill of mine.
A note on reading receivers, we tell our QBs to read
passing lanes. We do not try to tell them to key on
all kinds of defenders cuz the D can change those
things. Therefore if the QB has an open lane to
deliver the ball (we do not throw OVER defenders,
unless it is some kind of bomb, even corner routes and
fades are not big lob throws and are not thrown over
defenders. We throw between them.)
Also, versus zones we tell our QBs and receivers to
find each other's eyes, they will often move and find
the open lane. It is as simple as looking through a
window.
Finally, a couple good offseason things for QBs, along
with throwing of course, is to do 1000 overhead passes
against a wall witha basketball, and a 1000 chest
passes against a wall, also with a basketball. These
are great for the hands as well as the triceps.
Also, especially for footwork, is jumprope. We firmly
believe in this, and footwork for QBs is intense.
Probably endurence jumprope is even more important,
because he is on his toes the whole game. We usually
test them over a minute, and normal for our QBs has
been somewhere 180-to better of number of jumpropes in
a minute. This is great for QBs.
Anyway, that was sort of rambling, hope that helps.
Good luck.
-Chris