Would like advice from the pros'

Bruzer,

What age level kids are you coaching? Acclimating kids to contact is one of the biggest challenges a youth coach faces as many players, even those who are often times your best athletes, can have a major aversion to hitting or getting hit.

I would suggest working against bags initially, if you don't have access to buy some or borrow any, a stuffed duffel bag will work well. Utilize form tackling (angle, open-field, eye-opener, machine gun) drills while stressing proper fits by your tacklers. I would also work on hitting and exploding from a 6pt. stance, first into a bag and then into other players at very close range. Then gradually increase the tempo of the drills to 1/2, then 3/4 speed before attempting any contact at full tilt. Be sure to match kids up appropriately, especially in the beginning, so that your players who are initially intimidated by contact can warm up to the idea of hitting someone and still living to tell about it! I've gone so far as to run behind a player while holding his hands behind his back so he would make contact with his shoulder pads. Obviously this was not done at full speed and is a pretty extreme case but, eventually even this kid got over his fear of contact.

Check out www.nflyouthfootball.com and their JPD (Junior Player Development program) for additional drills and ideas.

As Coach Easton mentioned, we incorporate an "inside" and "outside" drill period into each practice with our kids, which really focuses on developing toughness and their ability to take on/deliver blocks in a controlled and very observable environment for us as coaches.

Be patient even when it seems that not much progress is being made. Many times a kid will take or receive a lick accidentally and realize that it really wasn't that bad after all! In fact, they come to realize that hitting was even kinda fun and they still have all their body parts intact to boot!!!

Good luck coach and again, welcome to Coach Campbell's website.

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach

Coach,

A diamond formation is an empty set with 4 receivers in close proximity to each other (1 on los and 3 off). A cluster appears essentially the same minus the receiver to the rear of the diamond. A cluster is essentially a bunch formation split outside. While these might be useful if you see a lot of man coverage and your kids up front are capable of providing better than average protection for your QB, I would not think of them as base formations for your passing game at the youth level. I've found that sprintout, 3-step from the gun and an occasional 3-step drop from under center gives us what we need to throw the ball effectively at our level.

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach

Bruzer,

Did you get my e-mail regarding our passing game?

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach

I recommend putting in a backside screen off that sprint-out. IMO, It can be used to good effect, especially if the back-side contain man is chasing your QB.

I don't wanna sound ignorant coach Scott..but could you "show" me..a diagram or if ya know of a playbook? It does sound good..but being new to this I am not sure if I would be thinking the same thing that you are. Thanks.