Installing Today’s Hybrid Pistol Offense Run & Pass from Top to Bottom
This manual provides you with the full offensive line, receiver, and quarterback mechanics for installing each offensive play presented. Coach Campbell has left no stone unturned for implementing today’s Pistol Offense into your program.
Post by Coach Campbell on Mar 20, 2005 9:42:35 GMT
Program Organization
Coaching Philosophy For Developing A Successful Football Program. I believe, irrespective of the time element involved, an athletic program has little chance of succeeding unless the following "Musts" are adhered to:
· As a head football coach you must have a definite plan in which you believe in, with no compromise on your part.
· The head football coach must have the cooperation and support of the administration, who must believe in the head coach, his staff, and his plan.
· The coach must be mentally tough and dedicated to football. Must have the ability to make all those involved in the program feel important to the success of the program.
· The head coach must make each person involved in the program understand their role.
· The head coach must have the sole responsibility and authority for selecting his staff of dedicated coaches, who must in return believe in the head coach and his plan.
· If applicable the head coach must be able to select and coordinate coaches at intermediate schools and see that the head coach at each school adheres to the philosophy of the varsity head coach. The future of any program lies in the success of the lower level programs. "Winning Breeds Winning" at any level.
· The head coach must organize the football program from top to bottom in order to operate at maximum efficiency.
Post by Coach Nicholson on Mar 28, 2005 14:18:40 GMT
Thanks for all this great information Coach Campbell. I have a few questions...for anyone who would like to answer.
1) How common is it for the head coach to be given the authority to select his assistants?
2) How common is it for the head coach to be given the authority to select the coaches at the lower levels and be able to tell them how he wants things done?
I realize the answers to these questions may vary depending on location.
Post by Coach Nicholson on Mar 28, 2005 15:28:52 GMT
Lou,
I know these things are essential for a head coach to succedd. I am a young assistant coach and I have already heard way too many horror stories about head coaches not being given the authority to do things they need to do in order to win. That is why I asked the questions.
I was just hired in the end of January to my first Varsity Head Coaching job and one of my questions in the interview was about hiring staff. The AD and Prinicpal left it 100% up to me and I hired 4 paid staff(5 including myslef) and 5 volunteers that could step into a piad position anytime if one opened. As for now this school has let me run this program and do whatever it takes to keep this a winning program. They have been very good in the last few years in a competetive league 8-3, 10-1, 6-5. I'm not sure if any of that will change once the actually season or school starts next fall, but I hope not!!!
David Tinglof Head Football Coach West Boylston High School West Boylston, MA
I've been pretty lucky so far. All my coaches are really involved and working hard to keep the strength and conditioning program going and attending a clinic in May and waiting to have more staff meetings, etc. I was hoping that the volunteers would be involved as much as they can and they have been there just as much as the paid staff.
Post by Coach Campbell on Sept 5, 2018 22:17:47 GMT
Brett Baudendistel
This discussion post is a big one for me because I truly believe that an assistant coach or coaches are the backbone of a successful program. I can not tell you enough how much my assistants have meant to be in the past. In your most stressful moments they can help you as a head coach to take a breath and think clearly. If you have the right people on staff it can make the experience of coaching an even better one than it already is.
For me my expectations for assistants are the same expectations I hold for myself as a head coach. I want them to be on time and held accountable for knowing the content of that days practice. They need to be knowledgeable of the sport or specifically their position they coach. They must hold our players to the standards of the school and our team. On the field I expect them to be dressed properly and prepared in their designated areas. I am a huge proponent not micro managing my coaches as far as their coaching style and ideas. I want them to follow the overall idea of my program but still be able to add their own twist when necessary. Off the field they should be reminded that they represent the school and team no matter where they are. Its a privilege to work with kids and we are always held to the highest moral standards as coaches and teachers. I expect nothing less from my assistants.
Listen I think we all know by now that we are not making millions coaching unless we are the very few in the pros/big name colleges. So just having coaches who come and work hard can mean the world to you as a head coach. Loyalty is key. In my opinion its similar to a relationship, its probably the most important thing there is for longtime success. As a head coach you need those type of people around you and your players. There are not even enough words to describe how having the right coaches can be the difference between winning and losing. Not just on the field but building up young men to be just as loyal to their team and coaches.
Evan James As the head varsity football coach, I will institute a variety of activities throughout the course of the year to maintain a competitive and lively team environment. I will develop a framework encompassing an approach, assistant coaches expectations, offense, defense, kicking game, in-season, Leadership, off-season, and summer programs.
My approach to the program is based on the traits of toughness, unselfishness, relentlessness, being coachable, and being a great teammate. In order for a team to be truly unselfish and relentless, they have to be tough. Toughness enables players, as well as coaches, to achieve great things both on and off the field. Toughness will be evident in everything we do as a program. Players will demonstrate a willingness to compete without fear or failure. Giving great effort will demanded at all times. They will trust in their abilities, play with a sense of urgency, and do the dirty work. When this becomes the norm, it will become evident who on the team is not willing to sacrifice. When toughness is the norm, players are forced to be tough!
The approach also includes players being coachable and being a great teammate. Coaches will foster positive relationships with the players. This will assist players in developing the skill of being able to graciously receive advice and coaching as part of their growth both on and off the field. Players will be expected to demonstrate the characteristics of developing real relationships with their teammates, bring teammates together, demonstrate a willingness to play any role on the team, giving maximum effort, leading by example, and maintaining a positive and energetic attitude.
Assistant coach expectations will begin with building and fostering positive relationships with the players. Assistant coaches will develop strong relationships with their players to bring out the competitiveness, toughness, and trust. Assistant coaches will show players they care, be their friend but not their “buddy”, put the players physical and mental well-being first, remind players it’s “We NOT Me”, give players ownership, and by reinforcing good habits and actions. Assistant coaches will also emphasize how any individual success is always a credit and testament to others. I will ask assistant coaches to provide trust through loyalty, talent by possessing the knowledge to accomplish assigned duties, and time aspect of the profession by balancing life commitments to meet the demands of the football program.
The offensive philosophy is built around the basic principles of having a physical attitude, multiple simplicity, putting stress on the defense, and detailed teaching. A physical attitude involves making sure we approach every game as being the more aggressive physical team on the field, wearing teams down in the 4th quarter, and having players and coaches buy-in to the “Pound the Rock” mentality. We will use a simple system with multiple formations, shifts, and motions to look complex. We will also use a small package of well-executed plays out of many looks. By using multiple formations, it will force the defense to prepare and adjust to what we are doing. The difference between a touchdown and a sack is in the details. Hidden yards can be found throughout the game by coaching the details and fundamentals!
The defensive philosophy stems from four basic principles of dominating individual battles, playing with speed and physicality, attacking the line of scrimmage, and stopping the run. The philosophy of our defense is to be more aggressive, more physical, and execute better than the opponent’s offense each and every week. We will be relentless in our pursuit of the football and execute our assignments with aggression and determination. We will wear down the opposing offense mentally and physically; putting them into down and distance situations that allow us to dictate the offense’s options. Every snap, the goal of our defense will be to take the ball away from the offense. Our defense will be assignment sound. Each player will have a specific responsibility to the defense, which will be referred to as “doing your 1/11th”. Our defense will, relentlessly and aggressively, execute our game plan for the entire game. Our tenacity and mental toughness will set the tone for each game and remind everyone that DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Special Forces will be used to recognize positive contributions players make on special teams during Varsity football games. Offensive and defensive statistics typically overshadow the impact special teams have on a game, and frequently the deciding factor in if a team wins or loses. As a program, we will take pride in special teams and their dedication in time at practice, in the film room, and at program meetings emphasizing and reemphasizing the importance of sound special teams. At the beginning of the season, each Varsity coach is assigned a special team. Following a Varsity game, each coach will score his respective special team unit during the repetitions they performed on Friday Night. A player earns points based on their individual performance and overall special team unit performance. The number of Special Forces points are then added from week to week. Players will accumulate points throughout the year and be recognized on a week-to-week basis, and then the top-11 total at the end of the year.
The in-season practice is where players learn the value of hard work that will help them throughout their lives. A team MUST practice well in order to achieve at a high level. Practices will be highly organized, efficient, and up-tempo to maximize player development. In broad terms, practices will follow an individual, group, and team teaching progression. Each day of the week will have a specific focus that guides our efforts. Also throughout the season, coaches will establish weekly practice plans, weekly scouting responsibilities, secure team meals, and set schedules, monitor academic eligibility and check on travel plans one week ahead of away games.
The purpose of the leadership council is about giving athletes a leadership role and influence over aspects of the football program, address operational and team management issues, determine the team’s core values and establish a plan to achieve overall vision and goals, open lines of communication, establish trust, replicate positive influences throughout the team on a peer perspective, and to empower leaders and increase ownership in the program.
The off-season will be divided into two phases: January – March, and April – May. The first phase will include responsibilities such as establishing the off-season strength/speed program, taking inventory on equipment and needs for the next season, evaluate staff and make changes as needed, review of game film, attend clinics, and monitor academic progress weekly. The second phase will include responsibilities such as continuing off-season strength/speed program creating a master program summer calendar, catalog all college recruiter information and visits for future reference, recruit the hallways for athletes that can help the team.
During the summer, players will be expected to participate in summer camp. Coaches will check players’ final grades, follow up with all who will attend summer school, set initial pre-camp depth chart, prepare for football camps (7 on 7) and team camps, supervise summer weights and youth camps. I will meet with staff to discuss game night duties and responsibilities, finalize season-practice schedules, schedule final summer team scrimmage, schedule end of summer family BBQ, and organize a clinic with youth program coaches.
Setting up a 365-day approach to the football program I focus on one thing making the offseason demanding but not over the top so I do not lose anyone. This also goes for my coaches because football is one sport that is truly an all year sport, if you want to be good. I set expectations for my coaches to participate in as many offseason workouts as possible and if they coach another sport that is taken into consideration. One expectation that I will enforce is taking time to attend a clinic. I believe that as coaches we need to always be learning. I usually will book a weekend clinic for the whole staff to attend. This is a great time during the offseason to devote a whole weekend to football. We will discuss the strategies that cover all three phases of the game. At this time, we will start a foundation on what our identity will be going into next season, because each year we lose players and what is in the pipeline does not always fit the roles of what we have leaving. I truly love this weekend because when we leave every coach has a base knowledge of what is expected of them from that point to the end of the season. Another area that I take control on is meeting with each player after the end of the season and discussing where they see themselves contributing next season. I will also meet with the team captains every other week to discuss the team and if someone needs help. When we identify a teammate that is in need I assign a player to help mentor them.
In regard to the Summer program, in the state of Missouri we are only allowed 20 football contact days. So, we usually go with a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday schedule giving the week of July 4th off plus we have a camp at the end of the summer before the start of the season.
Football is a sport that you prepare and train for all year long both as coaches and players. As a head coach, I will make sure there is always something productively fun going on in my program to make all involved excited about being there. I think we all would agree that it takes a lot of planning, organizing, and communication to run a successful football program for 365 days.
My yearly process: New Football Year Starts
*I will send letters/calendar to parents with 2 a day schedule, game schedule, parent night date, picture day, etc.
*Week long Coaches clinic with our coaches presenting and demonstrating their knowledge of position coaching to our staff. We will also meet with junior high and youth football league coaches.
*THSCA Coaching School/Coaches Retreat- coaches will use this time to bond and gain professional development. During this time my Coordinators will set up all practice schedules and other duties assigned.
My Philosophy is, “Our players change but our will to win remains the same.” We will foster a winning culture, be consistent in our pursuit of greatness and work together as "One Heartbeat."
My Athletic Philosophy is TEAM-Together Everyone Achieves More “One Heart Beat.”
*No program is more important than any other. (Sharing Athletes)
My Defensive Philosophy is, “If they don’t score they can’t win”. We will keep things simple, be gap sound and know how to recognize and adjust to all formations.
My Offensive Philosophy is, “Protect the ball and score more points than them”. Again, we will keep things simple which will allow our kids to play fast and be creative with formations maintaining the integrity of our best plays.
Special Teams Philosophy is, “Special Players make special team plays”. Our special team’s unit will not be used to give starters breaks, we will play our best players to give ourselves a chance to make our Special Teams “SPECIAL”
My in-season program will consist of weekly grade checks, tutorials on Tuesday and Thursday with daily inspirational quotes. This will be part of our routine along with the normal activities associated with football practice.
It is my belief that the type of off-season your team has usually plays a big part in how your season will go. Teams will be able to see just how effective their preparation was when it comes to the deciding factor in close games. I look at off-season as the 5th Quarter, I stress the importance of off-season to my players and encourage them to look at off-season as another team or player they are preparing to compete against.
We have an Athletic Leadership Council and Character development program at my current school and I will incorporate the same programs when I become a head coach. These two elements add to the Class and Good Character traits I love to talk about and teach to my players.
Our summer strength and conditioning program will be four days a week and will run from 9 to 11. We will focus on building strength, balance and speed. We will encourage our players to attend and we will take strong notice on who is attending and who is not. Our players will be given all the opportunities they need to work themselves in position to be successful. 7 on 7 and lineman challenges will also be opportunities for our athletes to gain more reps and compete over the summer to get better.
Post by Coach Campbell on Jul 13, 2019 14:07:41 GMT
Manuel Diaz
When we are talking about a game week for me it all depends on if I am the Defensive Coordinator or the Offensive Coordinator. I have been fortunate to serve as a coordinator on both sides of the ball. I can honestly say when it comes to game planning and prep a lot more detail goes into the Defensive planning. This doesn't mean that the offense doesn't have to work to prepare, they must know the defensive front they will see and how it will affect certain blocking schemes. they also need to know what coverages they defense will be in and what pass plays just are not a good fit against that defense.
The defense has to break an offense down by looking at several films, charting plays and tagging them so you can run a report to look for tendencies, what are their favorite plays. Do they pass more than they run the ball? Breaking down film and tagging it can be time consuming. What I like to do is look at the 3 most recent games the opponent has played against. We are very fortunate that we use Hudl and in the last few years the league has created a pool for the conference and we can get whatever games we want out of there. In order to lighten the load I ask the defensive staff to start tagging the last 3 games, No breakdown just tag the info like Run or Pass, down and distance. Every staff member is assigned what to do in the season.
D Line Coach tags the Run or Pass
Linebackers coach tags down and distance
Secondary coach tags the pass play and the routes.
We ask them to begin tagging the Wednesday before so Saturday most of the information is in place and we can have an idea and look at tendencies.
By Sunday night the offensive play cards have been drawn to give to the scout team on Monday. They are all numbered and filed away in a folder, so when the script is made we can simply pull them out and replace them from the file.
Sunday night, the Scout cards for team are drawn, and so are the cards for the 7 on 7. While there are programs that can do this, I am still very "old school" and like to draw them out by hand, it helps sink in a little more for me personally.
The scouting report is put together and shared to all the coaches and if there is anything anyone feels we need to add we will do it at this time. In the scouting report we have what we want the players to know. we have the top running and passing plays and formations. Beginning Monday we will have a coach responsible for running the scout team. The scouting report is a collective report that everyone had a roll in completing.
Monday practice there is a lot of set recognition and teaching but there are certain drills that are all hustle.
Tuesday is a lot less talking from the coaches and players verbalizing things they see or asking questions.
Wednesday is full go, all the players on the field should know their assignment and adjustments.
Post by Coach Campbell on Jul 13, 2019 14:11:20 GMT
Colin Oke
Game planning in preparation for the upcoming opponent is an important skill to develop for success on game day. The objective is to find the strengths and weaknesses of your own team along with the next opponent to find the best matchups to leave with a victory.
The preparation for the next opponent starts on Saturday. It is important that the standards for every individual coach is understood within the football program’s game prep. The coaches are required to breakdown down their designated coaching position from the previous game. Our program can’t afford Hudl so we have to do it the old fashioned way. Coaches will meet either at 7am or 5pm depending on the what works best for the staff that week. Coaches will be required to be able to discuss what they have gained our team’s game film. The meeting will be no longer than 2 hours. Athletes will be required to attend a warm-up, stretch, and lift practice for an hour and a half starting a 9am. Coaches will be allowed to work on game film for the upcoming game on their own time until the meeting on Sunday.
The coaches meet on Sunday afternoon to share the game analysis from the opponent’s film develop a plan for upcoming game. It is important that everyone on the coaching staff has a responsibility in the assembly of the game plan to allow for ownership of the plan and have everyone on the same page. All coaches will present their game plan for the next opponent and will look for further input on the potential plan. This will allow for all the coaching staff to understand what the game plan is and what to expect at practice for the week.
The head coach and coordinators are responsible for the largest amount dissecting the overall film but position coaches have the responsibility of breaking down film on certain position groups. It is also important that the defensive coordinator understands any and all tendencies of the rival offensive coordinator in all major situations including the top plays in each formation.
Post by Coach Campbell on Nov 3, 2019 15:52:36 GMT
Jason Orona
As an aspiring head coach, I have yet to experience what it is like to be the person running the show. Through everything I have learned in this class I feel so elated to have the foundational knowledge of running a successful program. There is still so much to learn but now with a blueprint going forward my confidence is growing and one day I will take the leap and apply for my dream head coaching position. It may start with a simple JV program or even possibly coaching my sons youth team but regardless of what it is I will be ready.
Here are the expectations I would have if I were in charge of a team:
In-Season
Leadership- Implementation of a 10 week Value theme. Every week during our season we will have a weekly focus of a value and the coach who will lead the training for the theme.
Post by Coach Campbell on Nov 3, 2019 19:45:59 GMT
Jaime Cruz
Assistant coaches will do the scouting reports and they need to have does done daily. They will be in charge of getting film from other teams and
doing weekly reports on each team we face. Their relationship with the student athletes is most important because they spend most of the time
with them. Having that close relationship could have a positive effect on the athletes and always knowing what’s going on in their lives. They need
to make the decisions on who they feel will be best at each position and that’s a tough job regardless of how the character of a kid is. Assistant
coaches have to be responsible on keeping the energy high at practice.
The offensive philosophy is having a well-balanced offense with running and passing the ball. Our offense is based on the west coast offense and we will make the adjustments needed with the personnel we have. The offense is about spreading the love of the ball and keeping fresh legs We will be constantly rotating in guys so we can stay healthy all game long. The defensive philosophy is no missed assignments. We want turnovers every game. Most of all make plays until the whistle is blown. 100% effort. On defense it is said they win championships so make it true and show that the defense is a disciplined group of men who want to get the ball back and give it to offense in great field position. Kicking game philosophy is based on our production. The philosophy is getting the touchbacks and recover the onside kicks. Making all our PAT’s/ FG’s. Getting 40-yard
punts!!! Most of all staying focused and know this is an important part of each game is special teams.
Post by Coach Campbell on Apr 11, 2020 3:17:34 GMT
Timothy
The weekly game plan begins with me uploading the film to the pool in Hudl. The reason I choose to upload the film is to know exactly what is going on with the film, and I can keep better track of when we can get access to scout film, plus if there are any issues, I can then contact the opposing coach immediately. Once the game film is upload to Hudl, a couple of things happen with the coordinators and position coaches. For the coach that is strictly coaching a position and not a coordinator, I expect him to do the advanced scouting, below is a list of what I look for with the advanced scouting. The coordinators are responsible to self-scout the other to look for any tendencies or weaknesses. Below there is a list of expectations I expect for the position coaches to work through during the weekend.
On Monday, we will come together as a whole staff to talk through the advanced scouting report, the self-scouting report, and the plan for the future of the gameplan. This meeting happens following Monday's practice. During Monday's practice, we will go over the self-scout along with three plays (on each side of the ball) that need improvement, and four plays (on each side of the ball) where we were exceptional.
During Tuesday's practice, we begin by telling players the game plan that the staff agreed upon the day before. In this game plan, we tell them the other team's tendencies on offense and defense, the key players we need to stop or control, any player or position changes, and any specific checks that we have created on offense or defense. Following Tuesday's practice, we meet as coaches, again, to discuss how that day went and if we should proceed with the game plan.
On the day before the game, we talk through the game plan one more time to make sure we are all comfortable as a coaching staff going forward with the plan. It is during this meeting that coaches need to speak up if they think something needs to be changed or if there is a player that is not playing up to the level we need them at.
Post by Coach Campbell on Nov 1, 2020 20:02:12 GMT
Ronald
The identity I want to create for my new program is that we will give 100% 100% of the time. It all starts in the weight room. We must be a strong football team at the point of attack. Mentally and Physically. We must establish dominance as soon as we step on the field of play, the weight room, and the classroom. I will stress academics. I don't know how many times I've seen players with college potential, not make it because of not having success in the classroom. Education is forever, football has an expiration date.
Assistant Coach Expectations
Your assistant coaches should be an example of you. They represent the program just as much as you do. Depending on the organizational structure of your program, your assistants interact with the athletes more than you do. Assistant coaches should share the same moral and core values as the coach to create an environment that is best suited to produce a great on and off the field product.
Leadership
The impact this academy has had on our team is outstanding. We make every player take responsibility for their actions. We structure it to make everyone to lead and speak up to keep the group on top.
We use it to find out who wants it the most and shows the most drive out of our younger players mostly because our senior and juniors have been in the academy for 3-4 years.
Offensive Philosophy
I use a spread scheme to get a light box and keep it a hat on a hat to make it even but use pullers and some motion and trades to get an advantage on the play side. In the passing game we like to push vertical in our route combinations. We use our vertical routes to open our run game. We use short and intermediate routes to gain rhythm and run our no-huddle offense.
Defensive Philosophy
Our defense will be based on maximizing our player’s skills to create lost yardage plays early in a series and to apply added pressure to all conversion downs for an offense. Our defense will be designed to take advantage of our player’s ability to beat our opponents in space to disrupt the timing and accuracy of any given offense.
We will use multiple fronts coupled with combination movements in order to penetrate the line of scrimmage while maintaining our gap integrity. We will also have the ability to move between different fronts and run support systems without changing personnel and limiting our communication to the players.
Kicking Philosophy
Get the ball kicked/returned to the call side
Out-Hit & Out-Run the return team
Create a Turnover with physicality
Be schematically and fundamentally sound
Effort=Big Plays
Flip the field
Our offseason program is a 10-week period from the start of the semester to spring break (January to Mid-March). During this time only our strength and training staff can have any contact with our players. We also conduct our Leadership Academy during this time. This program is the glue that holds our offseason together.
We do not bring back our athletes during the summer. We tend to let them be home for a while. Most go back to work to earn money. We do daily check ins to assure everyone is still working out and being productive while away from campus.
Post by Coach Campbell on Jan 31, 2021 23:57:36 GMT
Francisco
There are 4 phases of a Football Program that the coaching staff needs invest time and effort into properly developing:
-Off-season Strength & conditioning
- Spring Football
-Summer Strength & Conditioning
- Fall Season Practice & Competition
In many respects, the off-season strength & conditioning period is the start of a new preparation cycle for the football program because of its natural position in the calendar year. The Football program goes on recess when the season ends in November until school returns from winter break in January. During this recess period, the coaching staff collaborates on the development of a new plan and schedule for the upcoming cycle of program activities. To facilitate this process, we conduct post-season exit interviews with the student-athletes to empower them with an active voice in the program's direction. We take the information from the exit interviews into account while analyzing the results of last year's plan to identify what worked and what needs improvement. The schedule and plan for the new iteration of the Football program should clearly define the structure and goal for all phases but maintain enough flexibility to make adjustments as needed to maximize the development and success of the student-athletes.
It goes without saying that our assistant coaches are expected to be fully committed to the spring and fall football seasons. These are in-season periods where the entire team and staff are expected to be in attendance. During the Off-season Strength & conditioning period, most of our assistants coach other sports and many of our student-athletes also participate in winter/spring sports. Assistants who are in-season with another sport must commit to being in attendance for workouts at least one day a week. Those assistants who do not have other sport responsibilities are expected to help run the off-season program. Student-athletes who are in-season with another sport must fulfill their responsibilities to that sport and are expected to complete their core lifts when possible. Those who do not have other athletic responsibilities are expected to be in attendance at training sessions. Consistent attendance expected from players and coaches for the Summer Strength and conditioning period.
Offense
The coaching staff developed an Offensive System around the following criteria:
1.Keep things simple for our student-athletes to minimize the learning curve
2.Attack opposing defenses with a fast tempo and multiple formations
3.Build Spread-RPO concepts on top of a Power/Counter foundation
The Run and Pass concepts were designed to show the same basic pre- and post-snap looks and keep position assignments the same across all formations. The goal is to ensure our players can execute the scheme with speed, accuracy, and precision in order to keep defenders on their heels—forcing them to think more and play slow, while we think less and play fast. Our Option and RPO concepts were designed as Tag calls that could be inserted into an existing play call, rather than install as completely separate plays. Structuring our offensive scheme this way eliminated the need to devote practice time toward installing and drilling different concepts. The Tags system allows us to work and focus on these concepts with the Quarterbacks during individual periods and within the scope of our regular practice schedule.
Our Offensive Mantra is: “We are a heavy R.P.O. Team— Run Power Often!”
Defense
Defensive Football is comprised of two distinct parts:
•SCHEME
•STYLE
Our defense has been designed to eliminate scoring opportunities for our opponents. First and foremost, we will not allow our opponents to run the football. While many opposing teams will spread the field, most offenses we will face are still predicated on running the football. By stopping the run, we force a team to be one-dimensional. We will dictate the game to the offense through our ability to effectively match up and react to all formations and personnel groupings.
While the scheme may be similar to many other teams and may seem very simple, we will take pride in our STYLE of play. Our style of defense is dependent on each defender committing to a selfless, aggressive manner of play. Hustle, Effort, Aggression, and Toughness (HEAT) must infiltrate every repetition and every drill throughout the course of the year. Diligence in our daily preparation will give us the self-confidence to dominate our opponent physically and mentally throughout the season. Our individual commitment to one another will ensure that we will never, ever, ever quit. Our play will be represented by relentless Hustle, maximum Effort to get to the ball, fierce Aggression, as well as mental and physical Toughness.
Special Teams
Our special team units WILL set the tone for The Mater Academy Football Program. We will accomplish this by playing with great INTENSITY, EXECUTION of assignments, and use the FUNDAMENTALS our coaches teach. We will develop our special team units into one of the best in the county through great preparation and effective use of practice time. To achieve success in this phase of the game, we will apply maximum effort in the following areas:
Mentally: The mental side of our success will be determined by how we prepare each week, to build the confidence we need on game day. This confidence will allow us to execute our assignments and give us the field position advantage throughout the game.
Physically: The physical aspect of our success will be determined by our willingness to hit and strike an opponent. As stated above, we will set the tone with our special teams and we will achieve this success by being the most physical special teams unit in the county.
Emotionally: Our special teams' units will play with emotion. We will have an intense burning desire to create and make big plays for our team. These big plays will happen when we play with great effort and pride.
Leadership
The purpose of The Mater Academy Football Leadership Program is to facilitate student-athlete success in the classroom, on the field, and out in the community through positive character development. The coaching staff will accomplish this by teaching our student-athletes the proper habits, skills, and qualities that contribute to the development of strong, positive character. The Leadership Academy is a critical component of Mater Football’s off-season program, which begins the first week of January when school resumes after winter break. The Leadership Academy classes will be held every Wednesday afternoon until the spring football season begins in May. Instruction will begin promptly at 2:45pm, and finish around 4:15pm. The Leadership Academy will focus on one concept each week and provide instruction and activities on the skills related to that concept. A variety of resources will be utilized to effectively deliver instruction on the skills and qualities that are important to the success of the Football Program. Student-athletes will receive a binder where they will maintain the material that is covered in the Leadership Academy. After spring break, the student-athletes who have excelled in the Leadership Academy will be selected as members of the Mater Football player’s council and have an active voice in deciding the direction of the program.