Spring Practice and Defense

1. GET THE BEST PLAYERS ON YOUR TEAM ON THAT SIDE OF THE BALL!

2. FIND OUT WHO CAN REALLY PLAY AND LOVES THE CONTACT!

3. GET THE RIGHT PLAYERS IN THE RIGHT SPOTS!!! THIS IS CRUCIAL!!!

4. SEE WHO CAN REALLY FLY! SEE WHO CAN PLAY IN THE SECONDARY, THE LB CORPS!
TEACH THEM YOU WANT 7-8 MEN MINIMUM IN ON EVERY TACKLE POSSIBLE! TEACH THEM TO
SWARM TO THE FOOTBALL AND IMPLEMENT DRILLS DAILY TO INSURE THEY ARE GETTING IT!

5. SEE WHO HAS BRAINS AND SKILL ENOUGH TO BE YOUR FREE SAFETY AS HE IS THE QB OF THE DEFENSE!

6. DON'T GO INTO THE SPRING WITH A LOT OF PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS ABOUT WHO WILL PLAY. GIVE
EVERYONE A FAIR AND EQUAL SHOT. MAKE THOSE RETURNING SENIORS KNOW THAT THEY WILL
HAVE TO EARN THEIR JOBS ALL OVER AGAIN!!!

7. INSTILL IN THEM THAT IT IS A REAL HONOR TO PLAY DEFENSE! SELL THEM ON THE FACT THAT OFFENSE GETS THE GLORY, BUT DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! INSTILL THAT PRIDE FROM DAY
ONE!!!

JUST MY WAY AS ALWAYS.

Coach Easton

I think there are a few things that i feel are most important. First, get the base defense in. If they can't play base, they can't play anything beyond that. I agree with finding a FS. As a former FS who was given lots of reign, I believe that finding a FS who can hit, run, and has a brain to be very important. Stressing the importance of flying to the ball is also important. I like to have all my rules in place for the DL and LB. If I can get in 2 coverages and all my rules, I'm happy. I fully beleive that getting everyone equal playing time is important. I actually like to get the guys who are new or don't play as much a little more time in the spring b/c they may not know the stuff as well as the returners. Just my ideas. I could be wrong.