Post by wildcats542 on Feb 11, 2024 15:57:35 GMT
Mario
Below is my mission and vision along with expectations for the coaching staff, parents, players, and community. Starting a new program with open dialogue along with clear and concise communication on both ends is the key to a successful program.
Mission
The Football program is to create an atmosphere and environment where our players will have a better chance to be successful in life through their involvement in our program. This
program will use the game of football to develop the scholars, character, and physical talents of the players involved in the program.
Vision
The Football program has already established itself as a program with tradition.
Following the plan of committing ourselves to preparation, will put our program in the position to take the next step towards being a District and State Championship Team. Through academic success, accountability, and character our program will be able to build champions on and off the
field.
Academic Responsibilities of Coaches
Teach proper time management skills
Maintain constant communication with faculty, staff, and guardians
Praise and reward academic achievements.
Monitor athlete’s grades and classroom behavior throughout the year
Facilitate tutoring/study sessions for student-athletes in need during practice.
Abide by the eligibility standards set forth by the student handbook.
Thoroughly understand any special academic needs of student-athletes.
Administration Expectations
The administration will be expected to:
Provide feedback
Complete a pre and post-season evaluation
Provide a safe and supportive environment
Assist with hiring assistant coaches
Hold coaches to a higher standard
Provide professional development opportunities
Coaches Expectations
All coaches are expected to:
Develop the character of the players you coach. To do so, you must provide a positive
example
Be prompt to all meetings and practices. We can never have kids or parents waiting on
their coach to arrive or release practice. If you are on time you are late, if you are early your own
time.
Be organized for all practice and meetings. Have a plan for what you are doing.
Support your coach and all programs to the public. Disagreements should be kept behind
closed doors.
Be positive with your kids.
Be positive and professional when communicating with players and adults
Coach the fundamentals of your position
Demand 100% effort from all players
Hold your kids accountable when they cannot follow our rules, school rules, or teachers’
instructions.
Assist with all fundraising events Assist with coaching 9 th grade and junior varsity team Required to lock up at least one day a week
Players Expectations
Players are expected to:
Players will be prepared for practice and games with all proper attire and equipment.
Players will be expected to give full attention during training sessions and games.
Players are expected to always work hard to help improve skills and understanding of the
game.
Players should always be courteous of other players and teammates.
It is expected that all players always exemplify and demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Players are expected to be respectful of their coaches, officials and opponents.
Players are required to carry exceptional grades in school while being a distinguished
athlete.
Parents/Community Expectations
Parents and Community members are expected to:
Parents are expected to get players to practice and games on time, as well as pick up
players timely.
All parents are expected to carry proper sideline behavior.
Parents should not yell instructions from the sideline and allow the coaches to properly
instruct.
If late to practice or a game, parents are expected to notify the coaching staff immediately
and ensure their player is properly prepared with attire, equipment and ready to play.
Parents should notify the coaching staff if school grades are below an acceptable level.
Parents are required to fulfill financial commitments to the team and club. If a financial
hardship presents itself, parents are expected to communicate this information to the
coaching staff or team manager.
Parents should be supportive and recognize the value and importance of volunteers, coaching staff, team managers, referees, and officials.
Do not scold or criticize your child after a challenging game. Encourage them and be
supportive.
Be a role model and example to your child by exemplifying good sportsmanship at all
times.
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Coach Campbell
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Feb 9, 2024 at 7:16pm
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Leadership is the topic of the day
Being the head football coach the expectations that assistants would have to meet:
Lead by Example: I believe the best a person can do for the younger generations is do well for themselves to show others a great model on how to be in life. In turn, others can do well for themselves after seeing consistent model. In coaching there's no difference. An assistant coach needs to do everything that he expects from his players, at the bare minimum. If what you preach is not modeled consistently through your actions, then your words hold no validity. Being able to earn the respect and trust with your athletes ties directly toward how they view you morally.
Be Reliable: As an assistant coach on the BUHS coaching staff there is a need for reliability. A coach must be a person that his fellow assistants, the head coach, and his players can rely on. What that entails is showing up for meetings at the designated time, sticking to your commitments, and showing up everyday for the betterment of the team. This team requires coaches to be there for the athletes as people first. This could mean being there for an athlete as a mentor on and off the field.
Trust/Loyalty: On a team and in life in general the main way to connect is by strengthening relationships. The whole team should be comfortable enough to trust one another. This trust is the glue that holds the relationship together. Coaches need to be able to make bonds with their players. Knowing and understanding them as people before athletes. This takes time and consistency. As a coach we should continue to strengthen our relationships with our players and our peers. Loyalty is a product of trust. Once trust is established in a relationship Loyalty to that is reciprocated in the relationship. The stronger the bond between players and players, coaches and coaches, and players and coaches the greater the loyalty to one another as the trust has already been established. Coaches must trust their players, and vice versa. Once a player trusts and is loyal to you they are eager to learn from you and do their best for the whole of the program. For a player the main reason they play is by being trusted to make the correct decisions on the field. Another form of loyalty expected from the assistant coach is to the program. There should be no other ulterior motives besides wanting to be the best coach they can be for the sake of the players and the program. A coach for himself only is a coach for no one. Trust and Loyalty are vital skills needed to be a successful coach and tem in general.
Passion: In order to connect to fellow coaches and players an assistant must be passionate about his position. A coach should come to work everyday for the simple fact that they love their job, their life, and of course football. Let the excitement be shown through every word spoken. Athletes feed off this energy. It's infectious when a coach as good energy and thoroughly enjoys his job. This speaks volume to all around. Show up everyday with love and enthusiasm.
Prepared: In order to be a coach on this staff there must be a focus on the fine details. Preparation is held in a high regard. The more prepared team usually comes out on top at the end of the game. For a coach knowing your role and being confident in the work being put in weekly is essential. If a coach is prepared it makes it easier to get the athletes prepared. There cannot be any slacking or missing keys on film. Preparation is what wins games and helps the whole team come together when striving for a common goal.
2. Expectations of an Assistant Coach & the Importance of Loyalty
As the head high school football coach I outline the following expectations of my assistant coaches regardless of level (HS or MS) or title on staff…
1. Be the champion for your position!
1. This is probably the number 1 thing I demand from my assistants. I want them to be the biggest advocate for all the players in their position group. I want them to build professional, positive relationships with their players. They are working to build up (confidence, skills, behavior, etc) the athletes in their charge. Let me, as the head coach, be the “bad cop”, they are always to be the “good cop.”
2. No “Yes Men” wanted but must be a good teammate!
1. I tell all my assistants that I intentionally hire people with different personalities, beliefs, and skills for a reason. I want and expect them to see things differently than me. I want fresh, new, exciting ideas. I want different views on problems and many ideas on how to solve them. To me this is the biggest area where an assistant coach adds value to the staff. However, only 1 decision can be made and once it is made “we” as a staff made it. Everyone supports it, buys into, and owns the results that come from it. Undermining, blaming others, or “passing the buck” will not be tolerated.
3. Be Present!
1. I ask my assistant coaches to be present as much as possible. Make an effort to be at off-season workouts, often this were the foundation of player-coach relationships start. There is less pressure and demand on the athlete and the coaches, which allows for a more natural relationship to form. I ask them to go see their players in other activities as well. Go to a wrestling match, basketball game, or track meet. Your presence shows our players that you are invested in their success as a person, more than just their performance on the football field. In season, you are present at everything (practices, meetings, games, etc) and giving your best to the players in your charge (being their champion and coaching your tail off).
4. One Voice, One Message!
1. Finally, all coaches must be on board with the vision and mission of the football program set forth by the head coach. All coaches must be teaching the principles and values that allow players to build habits that lead to success in all areas of their life. These messages are the same from the youth program to the middle school program, and finally cemented at the high school level. All coaches must know the core values of the program and consistently deliver the same messages every time.
5. Be a Servant!
1. We as coaches are here to serve our players and help serve one another. Don’t ignore potential problems with your athletes. Address potential problems early, don’t let things fester. You also serve your athletes by giving them your best every day. Be here on time, be prepared, and constantly give feedback. You must also look for ways to serve each other. If you see a job that needs done, do it. Don’t wait to be asked, take the initiative.
6. Be Passionate!
1. Coach with passion! Let your love of football and your players come through in your coaching. You should also be a football junky! You should let your passion drive your knowledge by gaining new ideas, new drills, or new techniques.
7. Loyalty Is Vital!
1. Nothing deteriorates trust between two people than a breach of loyalty. This is the same between any relationship on this team (player-coach, assistant coach-assistant coach, assistant coach-head coach). As a team it is important we stand together in everything we do. We win together, we lose together. Loyalty is also the key element to allow the flow of open, honest communication and collaboration. Finally, loyalty does not mean a lack of accountability. Problems and negative behaviors will not be overlooked or dismissed using loyalty as a scapegoat.
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Coach Campbell
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Feb 9, 2024 at 7:12pm
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Installing the Kicking Game
EVERYDAY! It does not have to be every phase of special teams at each practice, but we must hit special teams every day to help stress the importance of special teams.
Also this is not a time to just get guys in so they can get some snaps. The best players will play and we will use everyone to be successful on special teams. If there is a non-starter that can do what we need them to do on special teams they can give that starter a break, but we will not just be throwing in kids.
All coaches will coach special teams for multiple reasons. First off it is not a one man job, it requires multiple coaches. We will have one coach leading the different special teams, but all coaches will help out so we stress the importance of phases of the game. For example, OC is in charge of punt team, but we may need a defensive coach to help coach up the gunners because there may be a receiver at that position who never plays defense. He will need to know how to break down, track, and make a tackle.
Break down for special teams:
Kickoff - Secondary coach
Punt - OC
Punt return/block - DC
Kick off return - WR
Field goal/PAT - OLine
Dividing up our special team this way are for simplicity reasons. For example, offensive coordinator is in charge of changing from offensive personnel to punt personnel. He already knows who is on the field and knows what we need to change to have a successful punt. Same with DC, knows what needs to change to have a successful punt return from our starting defense. Kickoff will probably use some starting defensive skill guys so our DB coach will likely be familiar with them. Likewise, the return team is likely to have offensive skill players that our WR coach will know.
Each coach will be required to come into each week with a special teams scouting report. Letting our players know the plan for the week and what we are and aren't going to do. Are we attacking a punt or setting up for a return, pooch kicking or kicking it deep on kick off, or middle or right return for kick off return.
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Feb 7, 2024 at 8:43pm
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Rule Changes Coming in 2024
College football realignment 2024, explained: How every FBS conference will look by school
College football realignment 2024, explained: How every FBS conference will look by school
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Will you recognize college football in 2024?
Another round of realignment is here. Texas and Oklahoma will be in the SEC. USC and UCLA are in the Big Ten.
There were more shakeups in 2023. Oregon and Washington are headed to the Big Ten. Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah are heading to the Big 12. On Friday, the ACC added Cal, Stanford and SMU. Television, the 12-team College Football Playoff, NIL and the transfer portal have changed roster management.
Army became the latest team to move. The Black Knights announced they are headed to the American Athletic Conference on Wednesday.
Sporting News gets your preemptively ready for 2024. Which teams are in those 10 conferences? How many independents are left? How many conference games? Which conferences have divisions? It’s all covered in here (for now).
Here is a look at how college football will look in 2024:
MORE: What 12-team CFP will look like in 2024
How many schools are in the FBS in 2024
A total of 134 schools will compete in the FBS in 2024-25. Sam Houston and Jacksonville State make the jump from the FCS in 2023, and Kennesaw State will join the FBS in 2024.
Which schools compete in the Power 5?
A total of 69 schools will compete in Power 5 conferences in 2024, though the future of the Pac-12 is in doubt. A look at the makeup of those conferences:
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Feb 7, 2024 at 5:29pm
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Implementing the Kicking Game
Carl
It's critical for head coaches and kick coordinators to realize that, much like any other facet of football, the success of the kicking game rests on a methodical and organized approach. Let's dissect the roles and obligations associated with putting the kicking game into practice, taking into account player personnel, coach responsibilities, and coaching staff assignments.
Coaching Staff Assignments:
1. Kicking Coordinator (Head Coach):
• Punts, kickoffs, field goals, and extra points are just a few of the things that the kicking coordinator needs to be well conversant with.
- They have to decide when to kick, when to go for it, and how to counter the opponent's approach in addition to creating the overall plan for the kicking game.
- The philosophy and objectives of the kicking game must be explained to the players and coaching staff as a whole by the kicking coordinator.
2. Special Teams Coach:
• The kicking and coverage units' daily drills and skills will be the special teams coach's main focus.
- To hone their skills, they will collaborate closely with punters, returners, and kickers.
- To make sure that players are physically ready for their duties in the kicking game, the special teams coach and the strength and conditioning coach should work together.
3. Assistant Coaches:
• You may give each assistant coach a specific task, depending on how big the coaching team is. For instance, one coach might be in charge of the kickoff squad and another might be in charge of field goals and extra points.
- In order to execute the entire plan and make sure that players are aware of their responsibilities, assistant coaches should collaborate closely with the special teams coach and the kicking coordinator.
Expectations and Implementation:
• Quality over Quantity: Stress that distance is not as important as accuracy and technique. It is imperative that players comprehend.
d the significance of efficiently carrying out their tasks, instead than attempting to accomplish too much.
• Film Study: Urge coaches to watch game tape on a frequent basis in order to pinpoint areas that need work. This will assist in modifying player assignments and strategy in light of the opponent's deficiencies.
• Player Personnel:
• Put accuracy, consistency, and pressure tolerance first for punters and kickers.
- For covering units, consider traits like football IQ, speed, and tackling prowess.
- Concentrate on ball security, vision, and quickness for returners.
Weekly Time Allocation: Every week, allocate a substantial amount of practice time to the kicking game. Daily meetings and drills for special teams may be part of this. Here is an example distribution:
• Monday: Watch the movie again and make plans for the next opponent.
- Tuesday and Wednesday: Special teams rehearse on concentrating on particular methods and tasks.
- Thursday: Review and improve the special teams plays
- Friday: Last-minute preparations and walkthroughs.
- Saturday: The day of the game, when the players carry out the kicking strategy.
Motivation: It is your responsibility as the head coach to teach your coaching staff the value of the kicking game. Explain how crucial plays made by special teams, field position, and changes in momentum may all have a big impact on the result of a game. Urge coaches to instill a sense of pride in their players' involvement in the kicking game.
Recall that attitude and dedication are just as important to the success of the kicking game as skill. To be most effective, coaches and players should have the same grasp of the "want to" and "how to" components of the game.
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Feb 7, 2024 at 5:24pm
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Special Teams Considerations
Ryan
Special Teams can be the game-changing component in any game. A blocked kick, a returned kick for a score, or a punt downed inside the five can all change the momentum of a game. Within our practice, we will spend between 20 and 30 minutes on special teams daily. The Special Team units worked during practice depending upon the day's emphasis. For example, On defensive emphasis days, we will work kick-off, punt return, and block, and then when we switch to offense, we will mix in PAT/FG.
Since Special Teams are essential to the game, we will play our best players on these units. Our athletes are expected to keep themselves on these units, and if they need a break, they get their break on offense or defense.
Within our practices, position coaches are responsible for specific groups of players, while the special teams coordinator is responsible for the overall scheme. Below is how we set up responsibilities for each special teams unit.
PAT/FG
TE/FB Coach is an expert in long snapping and works with all long snappers. He will also work with TEs and Wings when we join the entire group.
The OL Coach will work with all offensive linemen to ensure solid protection.
Our QB Coach will work with holders.
We are lucky to have a coach who works with kickers all practice.
PUNT TEAM
TE/FB Coach will again work with long snappers.
Our LB Coach/ Defensive coordinator works with all "Offensive Lineman" on the punt team. These athletes are usually linebackers or very athletic defensive lineman-type kids.
Our DB coach works with all gunners.
Our Special Teams Coordinator works with the Personal Protector. He is responsible for all protections, fakes, and other schematical specifics.
The kicking coach will work with punters.
Kick-off Team
Defensive Coaches will work with all kick-off team members
The kicking Coach will again work with kickers.
Kick-off Return
TE/FB Coach will work with the front four and second two (Our Front six). We run a shield protection with the front four and a trap with the second two.
Our Special Teams Coordinator works with the middle three in our return. These three are the most physical blockers within the return and must make their blocks happen to have any success with the return.
Our WRs Coach works with our returners.
PAT/FG and Punt Block Units
These are part of our defense, and our defensive staff is responsible for these units.
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Feb 6, 2024 at 5:07pm
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Character & Leadership
David
A character and leadership program has been associated with some of the most successful programs that I have experienced. I feel it is sometimes assumed that your athletes will have learned physical and moral characteristics from their home or involvement in athletics. I have recognized the assumption as a huge mistake when taking over a program. Not all communities or athletes come with the same experience. Even if you are involved with a community that hold positive leadership and characteristic skills, it is important for the team to understand the vision, mission, and values of the program to have a common purpose. I really do not have any cons outside of time. However even with time, I feel for a program to maximize its time, efficiency and growth there is a need for leadership and character development. Otherwise you will never get the most out of an athlete.
To implement our leadership program I will provide a Fountain Valley Football Handbook at the beginning of the school year for our players to review. The handbook will provide our vision, mission, foundational values and guiding principles in support of have common characteristics and goals.
February- April Weekly Monday Morning 20-30 Minute Meetings
Meeting 1- Introduce Vision, Mission, Values (4) and Guiding Principles (6). Clearly communicate our purpose.
Meeting 2- Communicate and define the Vision and Mission of our program.
Meeting 3- Communicate and define Value 1 (Faith)
Meeting 4- Communicate and define Value 2 (Pride)
Meeting 5- Communicate and define Value 3 (Courage)
Meeting 6- Communicate and define Value 4 (Poise)
Meeting 7- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 1 (Honesty)
Meeting 8- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 2 (Accountability)
Meeting 9- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 3 (Polished Fundamentals)
Meeting 10- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 4 (Brotherhood)
Meeting 11- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 5 (Servant Leadership)
Meeting 12- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 6 (Passion)
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Feb 6, 2024 at 5:03pm
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Leadership and Character Academy
Joshua
I believe that teaching leadership skills to my football players is essential. Oftentimes, whether they deserve to be or not, football players are looked at as leaders (or least major influencers) of a school’s culture. Teaching players how to become positive, respectful, and good stewards of the influence is a must. Developing great leaders within the school, translates to developing good leaders on the field. Other positives that come out establishing a leadership academy are that you develop common goals for your team. Common expectations and standards also develop throughout your team as a result of these academies.
Some negatives that come from running these types of programs is that if they are not inclusive enough you can alienate players. Personally, I often in the early stages of my leadership program I will talk to all my players. I often refrain from selecting captains or naming “leaders” until we hit our summer schedule. I like to see which players step up and lead in the winter and spring without formal titles. Another negative is that these programs demand more time from the head coach in the off season. The coach must develop the material and find time to meet with the players outside of other off-season time commitments.
My program usually starts the Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. In combination with teaching our core lifts and getting starting weights for the weight program, I also focus on goal setting. I first teach players how to set individual goals. After our initial round of testing players will set 2 goals; a weight room goal and a position goal, that they will commit to for the next 7 weeks. After individual goals are set, we will then set 3 team goals. All of the individual goals and team goals will then get posted on our “Wall of Accountability,” which hangs in the hallway leading into the weight room (so they have to walk by them everyday). Lessons during this stretch occur weekly during our Monday-Thursday after school lifting. After 7 weeks (matches our testing cycle), players will continue to assess their progress towards their individual goals and; if necessary, adjust or set new goals.
Starting in March our leadership meetings increase to twice a week as we implement 2 morning team meetings a week to go along with our after school lifting. These meetings occur every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7am prior to the start of school. They include leadership messages, mat drills, and offensive/defensive installation. Also, starting in March I and the offensive coordinator begin our Sunday QB leadership and fundamental training. We open this up to all QBs in grades 6-12. We meet for an hour every Sunday with this group. This phase lasts until the end of May when we hold our spring practice.
After spring practice we jump right into our summer schedule and we begin our focus on getting ready for the season to begin.
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Feb 5, 2024 at 3:59pm
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waggle O-Line Rules
The waggle pass play is an excellent play-action passing play that will catch an over-aggressive defense off guard. This play has the QB fake one way and roll out the other way. This is one of the best misdirection pass plays in football. The waggle pass play is utilized on all levels of football.
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Feb 5, 2024 at 3:55pm
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Special Teams Organization
As a head coach, I have divided special team responsibilities two different ways in the past. Despite the two different approaches I still make sure all coaches have a stake and responsibility in the kicking game. The first way I have assigned responsibilities is to assign one of my coaches the title of “special teams coordinator.” It was this coach’s job to scout the opponent’s special teams, assemble the kicking game scouting report, and plan out the special teams’ practice time in the practice schedule. With this format, I would then assign the offensive coaches to support the coordinator during “offensive special teams” (kick return, punt, fg/xpt) and defensive coaches to help with the others. The support would involve coaching the breakout pieces of each special team, setting up a scout look, and/or giving input on personnel. I have used this method when I have had a coach with some experience that I would like to start mentoring them as a coordinator. Assigning them as the special teams’ coordinator helps them learn how to plan practice time, build scouting materials, and lead portions of practice.
The second way I have divided special teams was by assigning each coach an individual unit to run. Something along the lines as listed below…
• Head Coach - Kickoff
• Offensive Coordinator (OC) - Punt
• Defensive Coordinator (DC) - Punt Return
• Positional Coach (O & D Line) - FG/PAT
• Positional Coach (WR/S) - Kickoff Return
• Positional Coach (RB/DB) - FG/PAT Block
In this model, I as the head coach assigned which special teams would be practiced each day and the assigned coach would be responsible for planning that portion of practice. The other coaches were all responsible for supporting that coach in any way that was needed for the coach to execute their plan for their allotted time. I have used this way when I have some younger/”newer” coaches on staff and I want to create buy-in and ownership from them. This method makes everyone feel “in charge” of something and helps everyone feel like they have a say.
My philosophy on special teams is that we want to use the best athletes that we have to for each situation. Being a 4A school we are large enough usually to have some extra or younger athletes that we can use on special teams. This allows me to situationally rest some of our key starters at times for a play or two on special teams. However, I present it as a way for those non starters and younger players to earn playing time on Friday nights. They are not simply a fill in for a key player, rather they earned the right to be out there in certain situations. With all that said, when there is a key special team play ALL of our best players will be on the field. We typically practice special teams for 30 mins (out of a 2.5 hour practice) on Tuesday and Wednesday. We also make sure that we review all of our special teams during our Thursday pregame practice as we move through our game day script. We run the teams on and
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Jan 30, 2024 at 12:13pm
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History of the Air Raid Offense
In American football the air raid offense refers to an offensive scheme popularized by such coaches as Mike Leach, Hal Mumme, Sonny Dykes, and Tony Franklin during their respective tenures at Iowa Wesleyan University, Valdosta State, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Louisiana Tech, and Washington State.
The system is designed out of a shotgun formation with four wide receivers and one running back. The formations are a variation of the run and shoot offense with two outside receivers and two inside slot receivers. The offense also uses trips formations featuring three wide receivers on one side of the field and a single receiver on the other side.
History
The offense first made its appearance when Mumme and Leach took over at Iowa Wesleyan College and Valdosta State University and had success there during the late 1980s and early 1990s.The first exposure into NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) was at the University of Kentucky starting in 1997. There, head coach Hal Mumme and assistant coach Mike Leach helped turn quarterback Tim Couch into a consensus All-American in 1998, and later a first overall NFL draft pick. Leach then served as offensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma in 1999 before landing the head coaching job at Texas Tech. Shortly into the early 2000s, assistant coaches started landing head coaching jobs such as Chris Hatcher at Valdosta State, Art Briles (first at Houston then Baylor), Sonny Dykes (first at Louisiana Tech, then at California), Ruffin McNeill at East Carolina, Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia, and Kevin Sumlin (first at Houston, then Texas A&M). Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury (Mike Leach's first quarterback at Texas Tech) ran the offense as well. As of 2016, 7 out of the top 10 college leaders in career passing percentages—all above 68.6 percent—were Air Raid quarterbacks.
Air raid system
The scheme is notable for its focus on passing, as 65–75% of the offensive plays are passing plays. The quarterback has the freedom to change the play called audible based on what the defensive team shows him at the line of scrimmage. In at least one instance, as many as 90% of the run plays called in a season were chosen by audible at the line of scrimmage.
An important element in this offense is the offense does not huddle, also known as the No-huddle offense. The offense gets to the line of scrimmage as soon as the previous play ends. The quarterback then diagnoses what the defense is showing and starts the next play quickly. The quarterback is responsible for the audible play calls most of the time. The quick pace of the offense not only allows a team to come back if they are many points behind, but also tires out the defense and keep them off balance by limiting player substitutions.
Another important aspect of the air raid offense is the positioning or split of the offensive linemen. In a conventional offense, the linemen are bunched together fairly tightly but in an air raid offense, linemen are often split apart about a half to a full yard from one another. While in theory this allows easier blitz lanes, it forces the defensive ends and defensive tackles to run further to reach the quarterback for a sack. The quick, short passes offset any blitz that may come. Another advantage is that by forcing the defensive line to widen, it opens up wider than normal passing lanes for the quarterback to throw through, decreasing the chances of having the pass knocked down or intercepted.
Fundamental air raid play concepts are designed to get the ball out of the quarterback's hand quickly, stretch the defense thinly across the field in all directions, and allow the quarterback to key on one defensive player who is forced to make a decision on which receiver to cover in his assigned area. Air raid plays are commonly designed to beat zone coverages, but they also work well against man-to-man defenses since an air raid offense often employs receivers with better than average speed which gives them an advantage in man-to-man coverage.
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Jan 30, 2024 at 10:45am
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History of the Goal Post
Goal Posts in Early Years
In football’s earliest days – and we’re talking Pudge Heffelfinger, pre-1900 days – a field goal was actually more valuable than a touchdown. Under those rules, Justin Tucker’s field goals would notch 5 points, Tyreek Hill’s TDs only 4. Soon both plays were worth 5 points before gradually moving to modern-day scoring by 1912.
When did goal posts move?
The NFL moved the goal posts to the back of the end zone in 1974.
In the NFL’s earliest days, before the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles existed, the league followed the NCAA rule book. Goal posts were on the goal line. When the NCAA moved them to the end zone’s backline in 1927, the NFL followed suit.
In 1933, however, the NFL adopted its own rule book and placed the goal posts back on the goal line. NFL goal posts stayed there until 1974 when they were moved to the back of the end zone.
Not much happened in terms of design and placement for about 30 years. Perhaps the 30-year gap in development is why goal post history isn’t well documented. The goal posts were basically white, “H” style goal posts made of wood or metal.
1945 NFL Championship Goal Posts
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The goal posts made NFL history at least a couple of times in those years. Goal posts determined the outcome of the 1945 NFL Championship Game, but not in the manner of a missed field goal. The game featured perennial contender Washington against the surprising Cleveland Rams. The Rams hosted the affair and played in sub-zero temperatures (-8 degrees). The quarterback matchup featured the great Sammy Baugh against a breakout rookie, Bob Waterfield.
Baugh threw from his own end zone early in the game. He had a wide-open receiver to his left, and that receiver had a blocker in front of him. Cleveland’s defense featured a 12th man, however. The goal posts knocked down Baugh’s pass. By 1945 rules, that counted as a safety for the Rams.
Baugh suffered an injury after completing only 1 of 6 passes. Frank Filchock took over for the Redskins and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass early in the 2nd quarter to put Washington ahead 7-2. Waterfield countered with a 37-yard strike to give Cleveland a 9-7 halftime lead, the goal post’s safety being the difference.
Each team scored a TD in the second half, the Rams extra point failing in the frozen conditions. The Rams won by a 15-14 tally. The number of writers who may have voted the goal posts MVP is lost to history.
Sammy Baugh’s “Safety” Valve is at the 14-second mark
Disputed Field Goal Extends Uprights
The goal posts also factored in the result of the 1965 Western Division Playoff between the Colts and Packers at Lambeau Field. Vince Lombardi signed kicker Don Chandler away from the Giants, ensuring better accuracy than Paul Hornung and Jerry Kramer had provided. Lombardi may have smiled as Chandler lined up to take a last-second attempt to tie the score against the Colts.
The kick went well over the 10-foot upright. NFL rules to this day state that if the ball goes OVER the upright, it’s still good. The refs called the kick good, much to the dismay of the Colts. Chandler’s kick looked quite ugly and had the goal posts been at the back of the end zone like today, the kick would have been at least 6 feet wide.
The posts sat on the goal line in those days, and it’s impossible to tell from the film whether the ball crossed over the upright. The Colts were sure it didn’t. The Packers sided with the refs, who always have the final say. The game became the second-ever playoff to go into overtime (after the 1958 NFL Championship), and the Packers prevailed.
Packers - Packers - Bart Starr holds for Don Chandler in the Green Bay Packers vs. Baltimore Colts football game in 1965. Negative # 653794 PUBLISHED: 12-27-1965, Milwaukee Journal
Bart Starr holds for Don Chandler in the Green Bay Packers vs. Baltimore Colts football game in 1965. Negative # 653794 PUBLISHED: 12-27-1965, Milwaukee Journal
The disputed field goal caused enough controversy that the NFL extended the uprights to 20 feet starting in 1966 and offset them from the goal line a bit. The extension wasn’t much different than what the league did a few years ago after a disputed Justin Tucker field goal topped the Patriots, and the league extended the uprights to 35 feet.
Joel Rottman’s Claim to Fame
Ever broken the middle prongs out of a plastic fork? Joel Rottman did one day over lunch and visualized a concept for goal post improvement.
Added inspiration came while Rottman drove along the highway and noticed curved street lamps. He designed the now famous “sling-shot” look with a curved base. Rottman, a Florida resident, sold the University of Miami on the idea. The goal posts debuted at the Orange Bowl in September 1966.
Jim Trimble, a former Eagles coach who moved to the Canadian Football League, bought into the idea as a partner. He connected Rottman with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. Rottman later told the story to the Sun Sentinel: “There was a fellow in the lobby with these orange pylons, but Rozelle wanted to see the goal-post guy first,” Rottman laughed. “He said, ‘Oh, God, we’ve had a committee working on this thing for three years and want to put it back from the goal line to the end line. You show me a picture with 20-foot uprights instead of 10, and I’ll give you a list of all the owner’s names.”
Slingshot Goal Posts Make Their Debut
The goal posts made their NFL debut in 1967, with all teams bought in. Super Bowl 2 (played at the Orange Bowl in Miami) was the first Super Bowl to sport the new posts. Rottman sold his idea to the Rose Bowl for the 1971 “Grandaddy of Them All”, but with one stipulation.
The Rose Bowl didn’t want to spend $1,775 on goal posts only to see them torn down at the end of the game. Rottman guaranteed his goal posts would endure. When jubilant fans spilled onto the field after Jim Plunkett led Stanford to a 27-17 victory over Ohio State, they were in for a big surprise.
Rottman coated the goal posts with motor oil. Not even the brilliant Stanford kids could figure out ways to topple the slippery goal posts.
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Why Did the NFL move the Goal Posts?
In 1974, the NFL moved the goal posts from their offset position to the back of the end zone. Although player safety was a concern, much of it was to discourage long-range field goals. In 2015, the league experimented by narrowing the goal posts for the Pro Bowl. No word on whether the narrower goal posts will become standard.
What was the first Super Bowl with goal posts at the back of the end zone?
Super Bowl IX, played after the 1974 NFL season, was the first Super Bowl played with goal posts at the back of the end zone. The Steelers defeated the Vikings, 16-6.
Last Super Bowl with Goal Posts on Goal Line
Super Bowl VIII was the last Super Bowl with goal posts on the goal line. The Dolphins won their second straight Super Bowl by defeating the Vikings, 24-7. Super Bowl 8 determined the champion for the 1973 NFL season. Miami running back Larry Csonka was voted the MVP of Super Bowl VIII.
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Extra Points – Further Reading
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Coach Campbell
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History of the Goal Post
The History of NFL Goal Posts: Excitement And Danger
Once upon a time the uprights were on the goal line, where receivers used them as picks and the collisions were many.
The cover of the Dec. 14, 1964 issue of Sports Illustrated features an iconic image for a bygone era of the NFL. Charley Johnson, the 26-year-old quarterback of the St. Louis Cardinals, lunges into the end zone. A Browns defender hurls his body over him, and a Cardinals lineman is sandwiched underneath the pile. Chunks of grass fall onto the mangling of limbs at Busch Stadium. And right in the middle of it all is the ultimate occupational hazard: the goal posts.
Most young NFL fans probably don’t know this—and the details certainly surprised this millennial reporter—but the uprights were on the goal line until 1974. And up until 1967, there were actually two metal poles to contend with, as the uprights were shaped like an ‘H.’
“It affected the game quite a bit,” says Johnson, who retired in 1975 and went on to become a chemical engineering professor at his alma mater, New Mexico State.
Using the goal post to his advantage, Charley Johnson sneaks into the end zone.
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When the NFL was founded in 1920, it used the ‘H’ design for its uprights and placed them on the goal line. In 1927, the league moved the posts back 10 yards, to the back of the end zone. The reasoning? That’s what the NCAA did. At the time, the NFL simply followed the college rulebook. But that was short-lived. In 1933, the NFL finally wrote its own rulebook. And in an effort to increase field goal attempts—the general feeling was that there were too many ties—the NFL moved the uprights back to the goal line.
As Ben Austro, author of the popular NFL officiating blog “Football Zebras” notes: “a receiver could use the goalpost as a pick, just as they did with the umpire.”
• 1967 WEEK: The Greatest Player Who Never Was
“The goal line goal post was part of offensive strategy,” says Don Criqui, the famed broadcaster who began calling NFL games in 1967. “It was an extra blocker on goal-one runs and crossing patterns. Receivers Lance Alworth of the Chargers and Bernie Casey of the LA Rams were two of the best I saw at using the goal post to screen defenders on pass patterns. Goal line goal posts brought excitement and danger.”
Adds Johnson: “In the passing game, receivers would grab ahold of the post, spin around, and go the other direction pretty quick. I also used it a couple times on quarterback sneaks, like in that photo in Sports Illustrated, where I could use the goal post as a screen and go on the opposite side of the nose tackle.”
If a pass hit the metal uprights, it would automatically be ruled incomplete. This was famously applied in Super Bowl VII when, in the fourth quarter, Washington quarterback Billy Kilmer missed a wide-open Jerry Smith in the end zone and bounced the ball off the post. The Dolphins won, 14-7, though it should also be noted Kilmer was intercepted three times that day.
“Oh, it happened all the time,” says Johnson. “If you were on your 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-yard line, you drop back and there’s a good chance you’d hit it . . . and usually when I threw it, I did.”
• 1967 WEEK: Brawls, Booze and True Believers—The Saints’ Wild First Season
A new wrinkle was introduced in 1967. Joel Rottman, a retired newspaper distributer and a hobbyist inventor, was having lunch at the Queen Elizabeth hotel in Montreal with his friend, Alouettes coach Jim Trimble. After staring a bit too long at his fork and imagining what it would look like if the two inside prongs were knocked out, Rottman blurted out an idea: what if the football goal post modeled a fork’s shape? According to a 2010 account in the Florida Sentinel, Rottman believed “slingshot” goal posts would be more aesthetically pleasing—and a bit safer. Rottman brandished his new invention at Expo ’67, the world fair held in Montreal, and earned a meeting with NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.
SI
In the years to come, the kicking game became too commonplace. In 1973, a record 543 field goals were made on 861 attempts—an average of five per game. Field goals accounted for 23% of the scoring that season, compared to 15% in 1969, the NFL’s last year before the AFL-NFL merger. Owners wanted more touchdowns. When players returned from the 1974 strike, they found the goal posts in the back of the end zone, which did the trick to curtail the kicking game. In 1974, only 335 field goals were made—or 15% of the scoring.
It created more offense, too. As Paul Brown told SI in 1974: “The whole end zone is open for pass patterns now; the goalposts were, in effect, another safety man when you got inside the 20. You couldn’t run or pass around them. And it was hard to punt or pass coming out of the end zone.”
For the last 42 seasons, the NFL hasn’t found a reason to revert—and it likely never will given the safety issues.
Below is my mission and vision along with expectations for the coaching staff, parents, players, and community. Starting a new program with open dialogue along with clear and concise communication on both ends is the key to a successful program.
Mission
The Football program is to create an atmosphere and environment where our players will have a better chance to be successful in life through their involvement in our program. This
program will use the game of football to develop the scholars, character, and physical talents of the players involved in the program.
Vision
The Football program has already established itself as a program with tradition.
Following the plan of committing ourselves to preparation, will put our program in the position to take the next step towards being a District and State Championship Team. Through academic success, accountability, and character our program will be able to build champions on and off the
field.
Academic Responsibilities of Coaches
Teach proper time management skills
Maintain constant communication with faculty, staff, and guardians
Praise and reward academic achievements.
Monitor athlete’s grades and classroom behavior throughout the year
Facilitate tutoring/study sessions for student-athletes in need during practice.
Abide by the eligibility standards set forth by the student handbook.
Thoroughly understand any special academic needs of student-athletes.
Administration Expectations
The administration will be expected to:
Provide feedback
Complete a pre and post-season evaluation
Provide a safe and supportive environment
Assist with hiring assistant coaches
Hold coaches to a higher standard
Provide professional development opportunities
Coaches Expectations
All coaches are expected to:
Develop the character of the players you coach. To do so, you must provide a positive
example
Be prompt to all meetings and practices. We can never have kids or parents waiting on
their coach to arrive or release practice. If you are on time you are late, if you are early your own
time.
Be organized for all practice and meetings. Have a plan for what you are doing.
Support your coach and all programs to the public. Disagreements should be kept behind
closed doors.
Be positive with your kids.
Be positive and professional when communicating with players and adults
Coach the fundamentals of your position
Demand 100% effort from all players
Hold your kids accountable when they cannot follow our rules, school rules, or teachers’
instructions.
Assist with all fundraising events Assist with coaching 9 th grade and junior varsity team Required to lock up at least one day a week
Players Expectations
Players are expected to:
Players will be prepared for practice and games with all proper attire and equipment.
Players will be expected to give full attention during training sessions and games.
Players are expected to always work hard to help improve skills and understanding of the
game.
Players should always be courteous of other players and teammates.
It is expected that all players always exemplify and demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Players are expected to be respectful of their coaches, officials and opponents.
Players are required to carry exceptional grades in school while being a distinguished
athlete.
Parents/Community Expectations
Parents and Community members are expected to:
Parents are expected to get players to practice and games on time, as well as pick up
players timely.
All parents are expected to carry proper sideline behavior.
Parents should not yell instructions from the sideline and allow the coaches to properly
instruct.
If late to practice or a game, parents are expected to notify the coaching staff immediately
and ensure their player is properly prepared with attire, equipment and ready to play.
Parents should notify the coaching staff if school grades are below an acceptable level.
Parents are required to fulfill financial commitments to the team and club. If a financial
hardship presents itself, parents are expected to communicate this information to the
coaching staff or team manager.
Parents should be supportive and recognize the value and importance of volunteers, coaching staff, team managers, referees, and officials.
Do not scold or criticize your child after a challenging game. Encourage them and be
supportive.
Be a role model and example to your child by exemplifying good sportsmanship at all
times.
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Leadership is the topic of the day
Being the head football coach the expectations that assistants would have to meet:
Lead by Example: I believe the best a person can do for the younger generations is do well for themselves to show others a great model on how to be in life. In turn, others can do well for themselves after seeing consistent model. In coaching there's no difference. An assistant coach needs to do everything that he expects from his players, at the bare minimum. If what you preach is not modeled consistently through your actions, then your words hold no validity. Being able to earn the respect and trust with your athletes ties directly toward how they view you morally.
Be Reliable: As an assistant coach on the BUHS coaching staff there is a need for reliability. A coach must be a person that his fellow assistants, the head coach, and his players can rely on. What that entails is showing up for meetings at the designated time, sticking to your commitments, and showing up everyday for the betterment of the team. This team requires coaches to be there for the athletes as people first. This could mean being there for an athlete as a mentor on and off the field.
Trust/Loyalty: On a team and in life in general the main way to connect is by strengthening relationships. The whole team should be comfortable enough to trust one another. This trust is the glue that holds the relationship together. Coaches need to be able to make bonds with their players. Knowing and understanding them as people before athletes. This takes time and consistency. As a coach we should continue to strengthen our relationships with our players and our peers. Loyalty is a product of trust. Once trust is established in a relationship Loyalty to that is reciprocated in the relationship. The stronger the bond between players and players, coaches and coaches, and players and coaches the greater the loyalty to one another as the trust has already been established. Coaches must trust their players, and vice versa. Once a player trusts and is loyal to you they are eager to learn from you and do their best for the whole of the program. For a player the main reason they play is by being trusted to make the correct decisions on the field. Another form of loyalty expected from the assistant coach is to the program. There should be no other ulterior motives besides wanting to be the best coach they can be for the sake of the players and the program. A coach for himself only is a coach for no one. Trust and Loyalty are vital skills needed to be a successful coach and tem in general.
Passion: In order to connect to fellow coaches and players an assistant must be passionate about his position. A coach should come to work everyday for the simple fact that they love their job, their life, and of course football. Let the excitement be shown through every word spoken. Athletes feed off this energy. It's infectious when a coach as good energy and thoroughly enjoys his job. This speaks volume to all around. Show up everyday with love and enthusiasm.
Prepared: In order to be a coach on this staff there must be a focus on the fine details. Preparation is held in a high regard. The more prepared team usually comes out on top at the end of the game. For a coach knowing your role and being confident in the work being put in weekly is essential. If a coach is prepared it makes it easier to get the athletes prepared. There cannot be any slacking or missing keys on film. Preparation is what wins games and helps the whole team come together when striving for a common goal.
2. Expectations of an Assistant Coach & the Importance of Loyalty
As the head high school football coach I outline the following expectations of my assistant coaches regardless of level (HS or MS) or title on staff…
1. Be the champion for your position!
1. This is probably the number 1 thing I demand from my assistants. I want them to be the biggest advocate for all the players in their position group. I want them to build professional, positive relationships with their players. They are working to build up (confidence, skills, behavior, etc) the athletes in their charge. Let me, as the head coach, be the “bad cop”, they are always to be the “good cop.”
2. No “Yes Men” wanted but must be a good teammate!
1. I tell all my assistants that I intentionally hire people with different personalities, beliefs, and skills for a reason. I want and expect them to see things differently than me. I want fresh, new, exciting ideas. I want different views on problems and many ideas on how to solve them. To me this is the biggest area where an assistant coach adds value to the staff. However, only 1 decision can be made and once it is made “we” as a staff made it. Everyone supports it, buys into, and owns the results that come from it. Undermining, blaming others, or “passing the buck” will not be tolerated.
3. Be Present!
1. I ask my assistant coaches to be present as much as possible. Make an effort to be at off-season workouts, often this were the foundation of player-coach relationships start. There is less pressure and demand on the athlete and the coaches, which allows for a more natural relationship to form. I ask them to go see their players in other activities as well. Go to a wrestling match, basketball game, or track meet. Your presence shows our players that you are invested in their success as a person, more than just their performance on the football field. In season, you are present at everything (practices, meetings, games, etc) and giving your best to the players in your charge (being their champion and coaching your tail off).
4. One Voice, One Message!
1. Finally, all coaches must be on board with the vision and mission of the football program set forth by the head coach. All coaches must be teaching the principles and values that allow players to build habits that lead to success in all areas of their life. These messages are the same from the youth program to the middle school program, and finally cemented at the high school level. All coaches must know the core values of the program and consistently deliver the same messages every time.
5. Be a Servant!
1. We as coaches are here to serve our players and help serve one another. Don’t ignore potential problems with your athletes. Address potential problems early, don’t let things fester. You also serve your athletes by giving them your best every day. Be here on time, be prepared, and constantly give feedback. You must also look for ways to serve each other. If you see a job that needs done, do it. Don’t wait to be asked, take the initiative.
6. Be Passionate!
1. Coach with passion! Let your love of football and your players come through in your coaching. You should also be a football junky! You should let your passion drive your knowledge by gaining new ideas, new drills, or new techniques.
7. Loyalty Is Vital!
1. Nothing deteriorates trust between two people than a breach of loyalty. This is the same between any relationship on this team (player-coach, assistant coach-assistant coach, assistant coach-head coach). As a team it is important we stand together in everything we do. We win together, we lose together. Loyalty is also the key element to allow the flow of open, honest communication and collaboration. Finally, loyalty does not mean a lack of accountability. Problems and negative behaviors will not be overlooked or dismissed using loyalty as a scapegoat.
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Feb 9, 2024 at 7:12pm
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Installing the Kicking Game
EVERYDAY! It does not have to be every phase of special teams at each practice, but we must hit special teams every day to help stress the importance of special teams.
Also this is not a time to just get guys in so they can get some snaps. The best players will play and we will use everyone to be successful on special teams. If there is a non-starter that can do what we need them to do on special teams they can give that starter a break, but we will not just be throwing in kids.
All coaches will coach special teams for multiple reasons. First off it is not a one man job, it requires multiple coaches. We will have one coach leading the different special teams, but all coaches will help out so we stress the importance of phases of the game. For example, OC is in charge of punt team, but we may need a defensive coach to help coach up the gunners because there may be a receiver at that position who never plays defense. He will need to know how to break down, track, and make a tackle.
Break down for special teams:
Kickoff - Secondary coach
Punt - OC
Punt return/block - DC
Kick off return - WR
Field goal/PAT - OLine
Dividing up our special team this way are for simplicity reasons. For example, offensive coordinator is in charge of changing from offensive personnel to punt personnel. He already knows who is on the field and knows what we need to change to have a successful punt. Same with DC, knows what needs to change to have a successful punt return from our starting defense. Kickoff will probably use some starting defensive skill guys so our DB coach will likely be familiar with them. Likewise, the return team is likely to have offensive skill players that our WR coach will know.
Each coach will be required to come into each week with a special teams scouting report. Letting our players know the plan for the week and what we are and aren't going to do. Are we attacking a punt or setting up for a return, pooch kicking or kicking it deep on kick off, or middle or right return for kick off return.
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Feb 7, 2024 at 8:43pm
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Rule Changes Coming in 2024
College football realignment 2024, explained: How every FBS conference will look by school
College football realignment 2024, explained: How every FBS conference will look by school
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Will you recognize college football in 2024?
Another round of realignment is here. Texas and Oklahoma will be in the SEC. USC and UCLA are in the Big Ten.
There were more shakeups in 2023. Oregon and Washington are headed to the Big Ten. Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah are heading to the Big 12. On Friday, the ACC added Cal, Stanford and SMU. Television, the 12-team College Football Playoff, NIL and the transfer portal have changed roster management.
Army became the latest team to move. The Black Knights announced they are headed to the American Athletic Conference on Wednesday.
Sporting News gets your preemptively ready for 2024. Which teams are in those 10 conferences? How many independents are left? How many conference games? Which conferences have divisions? It’s all covered in here (for now).
Here is a look at how college football will look in 2024:
MORE: What 12-team CFP will look like in 2024
How many schools are in the FBS in 2024
A total of 134 schools will compete in the FBS in 2024-25. Sam Houston and Jacksonville State make the jump from the FCS in 2023, and Kennesaw State will join the FBS in 2024.
Which schools compete in the Power 5?
A total of 69 schools will compete in Power 5 conferences in 2024, though the future of the Pac-12 is in doubt. A look at the makeup of those conferences:
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Feb 7, 2024 at 5:29pm
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Implementing the Kicking Game
Carl
It's critical for head coaches and kick coordinators to realize that, much like any other facet of football, the success of the kicking game rests on a methodical and organized approach. Let's dissect the roles and obligations associated with putting the kicking game into practice, taking into account player personnel, coach responsibilities, and coaching staff assignments.
Coaching Staff Assignments:
1. Kicking Coordinator (Head Coach):
• Punts, kickoffs, field goals, and extra points are just a few of the things that the kicking coordinator needs to be well conversant with.
- They have to decide when to kick, when to go for it, and how to counter the opponent's approach in addition to creating the overall plan for the kicking game.
- The philosophy and objectives of the kicking game must be explained to the players and coaching staff as a whole by the kicking coordinator.
2. Special Teams Coach:
• The kicking and coverage units' daily drills and skills will be the special teams coach's main focus.
- To hone their skills, they will collaborate closely with punters, returners, and kickers.
- To make sure that players are physically ready for their duties in the kicking game, the special teams coach and the strength and conditioning coach should work together.
3. Assistant Coaches:
• You may give each assistant coach a specific task, depending on how big the coaching team is. For instance, one coach might be in charge of the kickoff squad and another might be in charge of field goals and extra points.
- In order to execute the entire plan and make sure that players are aware of their responsibilities, assistant coaches should collaborate closely with the special teams coach and the kicking coordinator.
Expectations and Implementation:
• Quality over Quantity: Stress that distance is not as important as accuracy and technique. It is imperative that players comprehend.
d the significance of efficiently carrying out their tasks, instead than attempting to accomplish too much.
• Film Study: Urge coaches to watch game tape on a frequent basis in order to pinpoint areas that need work. This will assist in modifying player assignments and strategy in light of the opponent's deficiencies.
• Player Personnel:
• Put accuracy, consistency, and pressure tolerance first for punters and kickers.
- For covering units, consider traits like football IQ, speed, and tackling prowess.
- Concentrate on ball security, vision, and quickness for returners.
Weekly Time Allocation: Every week, allocate a substantial amount of practice time to the kicking game. Daily meetings and drills for special teams may be part of this. Here is an example distribution:
• Monday: Watch the movie again and make plans for the next opponent.
- Tuesday and Wednesday: Special teams rehearse on concentrating on particular methods and tasks.
- Thursday: Review and improve the special teams plays
- Friday: Last-minute preparations and walkthroughs.
- Saturday: The day of the game, when the players carry out the kicking strategy.
Motivation: It is your responsibility as the head coach to teach your coaching staff the value of the kicking game. Explain how crucial plays made by special teams, field position, and changes in momentum may all have a big impact on the result of a game. Urge coaches to instill a sense of pride in their players' involvement in the kicking game.
Recall that attitude and dedication are just as important to the success of the kicking game as skill. To be most effective, coaches and players should have the same grasp of the "want to" and "how to" components of the game.
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Feb 7, 2024 at 5:24pm
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Special Teams Considerations
Ryan
Special Teams can be the game-changing component in any game. A blocked kick, a returned kick for a score, or a punt downed inside the five can all change the momentum of a game. Within our practice, we will spend between 20 and 30 minutes on special teams daily. The Special Team units worked during practice depending upon the day's emphasis. For example, On defensive emphasis days, we will work kick-off, punt return, and block, and then when we switch to offense, we will mix in PAT/FG.
Since Special Teams are essential to the game, we will play our best players on these units. Our athletes are expected to keep themselves on these units, and if they need a break, they get their break on offense or defense.
Within our practices, position coaches are responsible for specific groups of players, while the special teams coordinator is responsible for the overall scheme. Below is how we set up responsibilities for each special teams unit.
PAT/FG
TE/FB Coach is an expert in long snapping and works with all long snappers. He will also work with TEs and Wings when we join the entire group.
The OL Coach will work with all offensive linemen to ensure solid protection.
Our QB Coach will work with holders.
We are lucky to have a coach who works with kickers all practice.
PUNT TEAM
TE/FB Coach will again work with long snappers.
Our LB Coach/ Defensive coordinator works with all "Offensive Lineman" on the punt team. These athletes are usually linebackers or very athletic defensive lineman-type kids.
Our DB coach works with all gunners.
Our Special Teams Coordinator works with the Personal Protector. He is responsible for all protections, fakes, and other schematical specifics.
The kicking coach will work with punters.
Kick-off Team
Defensive Coaches will work with all kick-off team members
The kicking Coach will again work with kickers.
Kick-off Return
TE/FB Coach will work with the front four and second two (Our Front six). We run a shield protection with the front four and a trap with the second two.
Our Special Teams Coordinator works with the middle three in our return. These three are the most physical blockers within the return and must make their blocks happen to have any success with the return.
Our WRs Coach works with our returners.
PAT/FG and Punt Block Units
These are part of our defense, and our defensive staff is responsible for these units.
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Feb 6, 2024 at 5:07pm
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Character & Leadership
David
A character and leadership program has been associated with some of the most successful programs that I have experienced. I feel it is sometimes assumed that your athletes will have learned physical and moral characteristics from their home or involvement in athletics. I have recognized the assumption as a huge mistake when taking over a program. Not all communities or athletes come with the same experience. Even if you are involved with a community that hold positive leadership and characteristic skills, it is important for the team to understand the vision, mission, and values of the program to have a common purpose. I really do not have any cons outside of time. However even with time, I feel for a program to maximize its time, efficiency and growth there is a need for leadership and character development. Otherwise you will never get the most out of an athlete.
To implement our leadership program I will provide a Fountain Valley Football Handbook at the beginning of the school year for our players to review. The handbook will provide our vision, mission, foundational values and guiding principles in support of have common characteristics and goals.
February- April Weekly Monday Morning 20-30 Minute Meetings
Meeting 1- Introduce Vision, Mission, Values (4) and Guiding Principles (6). Clearly communicate our purpose.
Meeting 2- Communicate and define the Vision and Mission of our program.
Meeting 3- Communicate and define Value 1 (Faith)
Meeting 4- Communicate and define Value 2 (Pride)
Meeting 5- Communicate and define Value 3 (Courage)
Meeting 6- Communicate and define Value 4 (Poise)
Meeting 7- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 1 (Honesty)
Meeting 8- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 2 (Accountability)
Meeting 9- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 3 (Polished Fundamentals)
Meeting 10- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 4 (Brotherhood)
Meeting 11- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 5 (Servant Leadership)
Meeting 12- Communicate and define Guiding Principle 6 (Passion)
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Coach Campbell
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Feb 6, 2024 at 5:03pm
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Leadership and Character Academy
Joshua
I believe that teaching leadership skills to my football players is essential. Oftentimes, whether they deserve to be or not, football players are looked at as leaders (or least major influencers) of a school’s culture. Teaching players how to become positive, respectful, and good stewards of the influence is a must. Developing great leaders within the school, translates to developing good leaders on the field. Other positives that come out establishing a leadership academy are that you develop common goals for your team. Common expectations and standards also develop throughout your team as a result of these academies.
Some negatives that come from running these types of programs is that if they are not inclusive enough you can alienate players. Personally, I often in the early stages of my leadership program I will talk to all my players. I often refrain from selecting captains or naming “leaders” until we hit our summer schedule. I like to see which players step up and lead in the winter and spring without formal titles. Another negative is that these programs demand more time from the head coach in the off season. The coach must develop the material and find time to meet with the players outside of other off-season time commitments.
My program usually starts the Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. In combination with teaching our core lifts and getting starting weights for the weight program, I also focus on goal setting. I first teach players how to set individual goals. After our initial round of testing players will set 2 goals; a weight room goal and a position goal, that they will commit to for the next 7 weeks. After individual goals are set, we will then set 3 team goals. All of the individual goals and team goals will then get posted on our “Wall of Accountability,” which hangs in the hallway leading into the weight room (so they have to walk by them everyday). Lessons during this stretch occur weekly during our Monday-Thursday after school lifting. After 7 weeks (matches our testing cycle), players will continue to assess their progress towards their individual goals and; if necessary, adjust or set new goals.
Starting in March our leadership meetings increase to twice a week as we implement 2 morning team meetings a week to go along with our after school lifting. These meetings occur every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7am prior to the start of school. They include leadership messages, mat drills, and offensive/defensive installation. Also, starting in March I and the offensive coordinator begin our Sunday QB leadership and fundamental training. We open this up to all QBs in grades 6-12. We meet for an hour every Sunday with this group. This phase lasts until the end of May when we hold our spring practice.
After spring practice we jump right into our summer schedule and we begin our focus on getting ready for the season to begin.
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Coach Campbell
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Feb 5, 2024 at 3:59pm
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waggle O-Line Rules
The waggle pass play is an excellent play-action passing play that will catch an over-aggressive defense off guard. This play has the QB fake one way and roll out the other way. This is one of the best misdirection pass plays in football. The waggle pass play is utilized on all levels of football.
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Coach Campbell
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Feb 5, 2024 at 3:55pm
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Special Teams Organization
As a head coach, I have divided special team responsibilities two different ways in the past. Despite the two different approaches I still make sure all coaches have a stake and responsibility in the kicking game. The first way I have assigned responsibilities is to assign one of my coaches the title of “special teams coordinator.” It was this coach’s job to scout the opponent’s special teams, assemble the kicking game scouting report, and plan out the special teams’ practice time in the practice schedule. With this format, I would then assign the offensive coaches to support the coordinator during “offensive special teams” (kick return, punt, fg/xpt) and defensive coaches to help with the others. The support would involve coaching the breakout pieces of each special team, setting up a scout look, and/or giving input on personnel. I have used this method when I have had a coach with some experience that I would like to start mentoring them as a coordinator. Assigning them as the special teams’ coordinator helps them learn how to plan practice time, build scouting materials, and lead portions of practice.
The second way I have divided special teams was by assigning each coach an individual unit to run. Something along the lines as listed below…
• Head Coach - Kickoff
• Offensive Coordinator (OC) - Punt
• Defensive Coordinator (DC) - Punt Return
• Positional Coach (O & D Line) - FG/PAT
• Positional Coach (WR/S) - Kickoff Return
• Positional Coach (RB/DB) - FG/PAT Block
In this model, I as the head coach assigned which special teams would be practiced each day and the assigned coach would be responsible for planning that portion of practice. The other coaches were all responsible for supporting that coach in any way that was needed for the coach to execute their plan for their allotted time. I have used this way when I have some younger/”newer” coaches on staff and I want to create buy-in and ownership from them. This method makes everyone feel “in charge” of something and helps everyone feel like they have a say.
My philosophy on special teams is that we want to use the best athletes that we have to for each situation. Being a 4A school we are large enough usually to have some extra or younger athletes that we can use on special teams. This allows me to situationally rest some of our key starters at times for a play or two on special teams. However, I present it as a way for those non starters and younger players to earn playing time on Friday nights. They are not simply a fill in for a key player, rather they earned the right to be out there in certain situations. With all that said, when there is a key special team play ALL of our best players will be on the field. We typically practice special teams for 30 mins (out of a 2.5 hour practice) on Tuesday and Wednesday. We also make sure that we review all of our special teams during our Thursday pregame practice as we move through our game day script. We run the teams on and
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Jan 30, 2024 at 12:13pm
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History of the Air Raid Offense
In American football the air raid offense refers to an offensive scheme popularized by such coaches as Mike Leach, Hal Mumme, Sonny Dykes, and Tony Franklin during their respective tenures at Iowa Wesleyan University, Valdosta State, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Louisiana Tech, and Washington State.
The system is designed out of a shotgun formation with four wide receivers and one running back. The formations are a variation of the run and shoot offense with two outside receivers and two inside slot receivers. The offense also uses trips formations featuring three wide receivers on one side of the field and a single receiver on the other side.
History
The offense first made its appearance when Mumme and Leach took over at Iowa Wesleyan College and Valdosta State University and had success there during the late 1980s and early 1990s.The first exposure into NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) was at the University of Kentucky starting in 1997. There, head coach Hal Mumme and assistant coach Mike Leach helped turn quarterback Tim Couch into a consensus All-American in 1998, and later a first overall NFL draft pick. Leach then served as offensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma in 1999 before landing the head coaching job at Texas Tech. Shortly into the early 2000s, assistant coaches started landing head coaching jobs such as Chris Hatcher at Valdosta State, Art Briles (first at Houston then Baylor), Sonny Dykes (first at Louisiana Tech, then at California), Ruffin McNeill at East Carolina, Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia, and Kevin Sumlin (first at Houston, then Texas A&M). Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury (Mike Leach's first quarterback at Texas Tech) ran the offense as well. As of 2016, 7 out of the top 10 college leaders in career passing percentages—all above 68.6 percent—were Air Raid quarterbacks.
Air raid system
The scheme is notable for its focus on passing, as 65–75% of the offensive plays are passing plays. The quarterback has the freedom to change the play called audible based on what the defensive team shows him at the line of scrimmage. In at least one instance, as many as 90% of the run plays called in a season were chosen by audible at the line of scrimmage.
An important element in this offense is the offense does not huddle, also known as the No-huddle offense. The offense gets to the line of scrimmage as soon as the previous play ends. The quarterback then diagnoses what the defense is showing and starts the next play quickly. The quarterback is responsible for the audible play calls most of the time. The quick pace of the offense not only allows a team to come back if they are many points behind, but also tires out the defense and keep them off balance by limiting player substitutions.
Another important aspect of the air raid offense is the positioning or split of the offensive linemen. In a conventional offense, the linemen are bunched together fairly tightly but in an air raid offense, linemen are often split apart about a half to a full yard from one another. While in theory this allows easier blitz lanes, it forces the defensive ends and defensive tackles to run further to reach the quarterback for a sack. The quick, short passes offset any blitz that may come. Another advantage is that by forcing the defensive line to widen, it opens up wider than normal passing lanes for the quarterback to throw through, decreasing the chances of having the pass knocked down or intercepted.
Fundamental air raid play concepts are designed to get the ball out of the quarterback's hand quickly, stretch the defense thinly across the field in all directions, and allow the quarterback to key on one defensive player who is forced to make a decision on which receiver to cover in his assigned area. Air raid plays are commonly designed to beat zone coverages, but they also work well against man-to-man defenses since an air raid offense often employs receivers with better than average speed which gives them an advantage in man-to-man coverage.
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Jan 30, 2024 at 10:45am
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History of the Goal Post
Goal Posts in Early Years
In football’s earliest days – and we’re talking Pudge Heffelfinger, pre-1900 days – a field goal was actually more valuable than a touchdown. Under those rules, Justin Tucker’s field goals would notch 5 points, Tyreek Hill’s TDs only 4. Soon both plays were worth 5 points before gradually moving to modern-day scoring by 1912.
When did goal posts move?
The NFL moved the goal posts to the back of the end zone in 1974.
In the NFL’s earliest days, before the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles existed, the league followed the NCAA rule book. Goal posts were on the goal line. When the NCAA moved them to the end zone’s backline in 1927, the NFL followed suit.
In 1933, however, the NFL adopted its own rule book and placed the goal posts back on the goal line. NFL goal posts stayed there until 1974 when they were moved to the back of the end zone.
Not much happened in terms of design and placement for about 30 years. Perhaps the 30-year gap in development is why goal post history isn’t well documented. The goal posts were basically white, “H” style goal posts made of wood or metal.
1945 NFL Championship Goal Posts
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The goal posts made NFL history at least a couple of times in those years. Goal posts determined the outcome of the 1945 NFL Championship Game, but not in the manner of a missed field goal. The game featured perennial contender Washington against the surprising Cleveland Rams. The Rams hosted the affair and played in sub-zero temperatures (-8 degrees). The quarterback matchup featured the great Sammy Baugh against a breakout rookie, Bob Waterfield.
Baugh threw from his own end zone early in the game. He had a wide-open receiver to his left, and that receiver had a blocker in front of him. Cleveland’s defense featured a 12th man, however. The goal posts knocked down Baugh’s pass. By 1945 rules, that counted as a safety for the Rams.
Baugh suffered an injury after completing only 1 of 6 passes. Frank Filchock took over for the Redskins and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass early in the 2nd quarter to put Washington ahead 7-2. Waterfield countered with a 37-yard strike to give Cleveland a 9-7 halftime lead, the goal post’s safety being the difference.
Each team scored a TD in the second half, the Rams extra point failing in the frozen conditions. The Rams won by a 15-14 tally. The number of writers who may have voted the goal posts MVP is lost to history.
Sammy Baugh’s “Safety” Valve is at the 14-second mark
Disputed Field Goal Extends Uprights
The goal posts also factored in the result of the 1965 Western Division Playoff between the Colts and Packers at Lambeau Field. Vince Lombardi signed kicker Don Chandler away from the Giants, ensuring better accuracy than Paul Hornung and Jerry Kramer had provided. Lombardi may have smiled as Chandler lined up to take a last-second attempt to tie the score against the Colts.
The kick went well over the 10-foot upright. NFL rules to this day state that if the ball goes OVER the upright, it’s still good. The refs called the kick good, much to the dismay of the Colts. Chandler’s kick looked quite ugly and had the goal posts been at the back of the end zone like today, the kick would have been at least 6 feet wide.
The posts sat on the goal line in those days, and it’s impossible to tell from the film whether the ball crossed over the upright. The Colts were sure it didn’t. The Packers sided with the refs, who always have the final say. The game became the second-ever playoff to go into overtime (after the 1958 NFL Championship), and the Packers prevailed.
Packers - Packers - Bart Starr holds for Don Chandler in the Green Bay Packers vs. Baltimore Colts football game in 1965. Negative # 653794 PUBLISHED: 12-27-1965, Milwaukee Journal
Bart Starr holds for Don Chandler in the Green Bay Packers vs. Baltimore Colts football game in 1965. Negative # 653794 PUBLISHED: 12-27-1965, Milwaukee Journal
The disputed field goal caused enough controversy that the NFL extended the uprights to 20 feet starting in 1966 and offset them from the goal line a bit. The extension wasn’t much different than what the league did a few years ago after a disputed Justin Tucker field goal topped the Patriots, and the league extended the uprights to 35 feet.
Joel Rottman’s Claim to Fame
Ever broken the middle prongs out of a plastic fork? Joel Rottman did one day over lunch and visualized a concept for goal post improvement.
Added inspiration came while Rottman drove along the highway and noticed curved street lamps. He designed the now famous “sling-shot” look with a curved base. Rottman, a Florida resident, sold the University of Miami on the idea. The goal posts debuted at the Orange Bowl in September 1966.
Jim Trimble, a former Eagles coach who moved to the Canadian Football League, bought into the idea as a partner. He connected Rottman with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. Rottman later told the story to the Sun Sentinel: “There was a fellow in the lobby with these orange pylons, but Rozelle wanted to see the goal-post guy first,” Rottman laughed. “He said, ‘Oh, God, we’ve had a committee working on this thing for three years and want to put it back from the goal line to the end line. You show me a picture with 20-foot uprights instead of 10, and I’ll give you a list of all the owner’s names.”
Slingshot Goal Posts Make Their Debut
The goal posts made their NFL debut in 1967, with all teams bought in. Super Bowl 2 (played at the Orange Bowl in Miami) was the first Super Bowl to sport the new posts. Rottman sold his idea to the Rose Bowl for the 1971 “Grandaddy of Them All”, but with one stipulation.
The Rose Bowl didn’t want to spend $1,775 on goal posts only to see them torn down at the end of the game. Rottman guaranteed his goal posts would endure. When jubilant fans spilled onto the field after Jim Plunkett led Stanford to a 27-17 victory over Ohio State, they were in for a big surprise.
Rottman coated the goal posts with motor oil. Not even the brilliant Stanford kids could figure out ways to topple the slippery goal posts.
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Why Did the NFL move the Goal Posts?
In 1974, the NFL moved the goal posts from their offset position to the back of the end zone. Although player safety was a concern, much of it was to discourage long-range field goals. In 2015, the league experimented by narrowing the goal posts for the Pro Bowl. No word on whether the narrower goal posts will become standard.
What was the first Super Bowl with goal posts at the back of the end zone?
Super Bowl IX, played after the 1974 NFL season, was the first Super Bowl played with goal posts at the back of the end zone. The Steelers defeated the Vikings, 16-6.
Last Super Bowl with Goal Posts on Goal Line
Super Bowl VIII was the last Super Bowl with goal posts on the goal line. The Dolphins won their second straight Super Bowl by defeating the Vikings, 24-7. Super Bowl 8 determined the champion for the 1973 NFL season. Miami running back Larry Csonka was voted the MVP of Super Bowl VIII.
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Extra Points – Further Reading
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Coach Campbell
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Jan 30, 2024 at 10:42am
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History of the Goal Post
The History of NFL Goal Posts: Excitement And Danger
Once upon a time the uprights were on the goal line, where receivers used them as picks and the collisions were many.
The cover of the Dec. 14, 1964 issue of Sports Illustrated features an iconic image for a bygone era of the NFL. Charley Johnson, the 26-year-old quarterback of the St. Louis Cardinals, lunges into the end zone. A Browns defender hurls his body over him, and a Cardinals lineman is sandwiched underneath the pile. Chunks of grass fall onto the mangling of limbs at Busch Stadium. And right in the middle of it all is the ultimate occupational hazard: the goal posts.
Most young NFL fans probably don’t know this—and the details certainly surprised this millennial reporter—but the uprights were on the goal line until 1974. And up until 1967, there were actually two metal poles to contend with, as the uprights were shaped like an ‘H.’
“It affected the game quite a bit,” says Johnson, who retired in 1975 and went on to become a chemical engineering professor at his alma mater, New Mexico State.
Using the goal post to his advantage, Charley Johnson sneaks into the end zone.
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Sports Illustrated
When the NFL was founded in 1920, it used the ‘H’ design for its uprights and placed them on the goal line. In 1927, the league moved the posts back 10 yards, to the back of the end zone. The reasoning? That’s what the NCAA did. At the time, the NFL simply followed the college rulebook. But that was short-lived. In 1933, the NFL finally wrote its own rulebook. And in an effort to increase field goal attempts—the general feeling was that there were too many ties—the NFL moved the uprights back to the goal line.
As Ben Austro, author of the popular NFL officiating blog “Football Zebras” notes: “a receiver could use the goalpost as a pick, just as they did with the umpire.”
• 1967 WEEK: The Greatest Player Who Never Was
“The goal line goal post was part of offensive strategy,” says Don Criqui, the famed broadcaster who began calling NFL games in 1967. “It was an extra blocker on goal-one runs and crossing patterns. Receivers Lance Alworth of the Chargers and Bernie Casey of the LA Rams were two of the best I saw at using the goal post to screen defenders on pass patterns. Goal line goal posts brought excitement and danger.”
Adds Johnson: “In the passing game, receivers would grab ahold of the post, spin around, and go the other direction pretty quick. I also used it a couple times on quarterback sneaks, like in that photo in Sports Illustrated, where I could use the goal post as a screen and go on the opposite side of the nose tackle.”
If a pass hit the metal uprights, it would automatically be ruled incomplete. This was famously applied in Super Bowl VII when, in the fourth quarter, Washington quarterback Billy Kilmer missed a wide-open Jerry Smith in the end zone and bounced the ball off the post. The Dolphins won, 14-7, though it should also be noted Kilmer was intercepted three times that day.
“Oh, it happened all the time,” says Johnson. “If you were on your 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-yard line, you drop back and there’s a good chance you’d hit it . . . and usually when I threw it, I did.”
• 1967 WEEK: Brawls, Booze and True Believers—The Saints’ Wild First Season
A new wrinkle was introduced in 1967. Joel Rottman, a retired newspaper distributer and a hobbyist inventor, was having lunch at the Queen Elizabeth hotel in Montreal with his friend, Alouettes coach Jim Trimble. After staring a bit too long at his fork and imagining what it would look like if the two inside prongs were knocked out, Rottman blurted out an idea: what if the football goal post modeled a fork’s shape? According to a 2010 account in the Florida Sentinel, Rottman believed “slingshot” goal posts would be more aesthetically pleasing—and a bit safer. Rottman brandished his new invention at Expo ’67, the world fair held in Montreal, and earned a meeting with NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.
SI
In the years to come, the kicking game became too commonplace. In 1973, a record 543 field goals were made on 861 attempts—an average of five per game. Field goals accounted for 23% of the scoring that season, compared to 15% in 1969, the NFL’s last year before the AFL-NFL merger. Owners wanted more touchdowns. When players returned from the 1974 strike, they found the goal posts in the back of the end zone, which did the trick to curtail the kicking game. In 1974, only 335 field goals were made—or 15% of the scoring.
It created more offense, too. As Paul Brown told SI in 1974: “The whole end zone is open for pass patterns now; the goalposts were, in effect, another safety man when you got inside the 20. You couldn’t run or pass around them. And it was hard to punt or pass coming out of the end zone.”
For the last 42 seasons, the NFL hasn’t found a reason to revert—and it likely never will given the safety issues.