Book Review Post

LedgerSko
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Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 20:49:35 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 20:49:35 GMT

I think this is really important for us coaches to evaluate materials we have and to suggest literature to other coaches. I think there should even be a seperate forum for book reviews or video reviews.

Anyway I am going to give my review of the books I have in my library.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 20:52:42 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 20:52:42 GMT

Title - The Ultimate Passing Game
Author - Jerry Campbell
Publication Date - April 2002
Rating (5 stars possible) - 5

Comments - I love this resource. All the material covered in the book is easy to understand and very straight forward. Any coach could learn something from this manual. I know it has helped me.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 20:56:23 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 20:56:23 GMT

Title - The Ultimate Running Game
Author - Jerry Campbell
Publication Date - April 2002
Rating (5 stars possible) - 4.5

Comment - This is another fine source from Coach Campbell. It covers many backfield sets but is geared more toward an I-back or offset I offense. Blocking rules are covered as well as variations against different fronts. Any coach could fine something useful in this book.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 20:57:57 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 20:57:57 GMT

Title - How to Install the Complete Option Game
Author - Jerry Campbell
Publication Date - April 2002
Rating (5 stars possible) - 5

Comment - To me this is the gold standard for a complete option offense. Freeze option, speed, load, veer and mid are all in here with formations, rules, and variations. Excellent.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:00:25 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:00:25 GMT

Title - Coaching Linebackers
Author - Jerry Campbell
Publication Date - April 2002
Rating (5 stars possible) - 3.5

Comments - If you are looking for a good LB drill book this is a good one, but if you are looking for LB fundamentals there are some better resources out there. There is a good section on intangibles a LB should have. Either way it would be a good addition for any LB coach.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:03:42 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:03:42 GMT

Title - The Bunch Attack Using Compressed Formations in the Passing Game
Author - Andrew Coverdale and Dan Robinson
Publication Date - 1997
Rating (5 stars posible) - 5

Comments - This is the absolute Gold Standard for the Bunch Attack. Route packages, installation, tags, formations, releases and just about everything else you would want to know about the Bunch Attack is covered. It is clear and easy to understand and it applies to the underlying theory of the attack, which is also included. Simply amazing.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:06:41 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:06:41 GMT

Title - Football's Quick Passing Game: Fundamentals and Techniques Volume 1
Author - Andrew Coverdale and Dan Robinson
Publication Date - 1998
Rating (5 stars posible) - 5

Comments - Covers simple routes as the hitch, fade, quick out, slant and seam routes. This book also has two good sections on uncovered principles and how defenses work. I havent been able to purchase the 2nd and 3rd volumes yet but I have wanted to since I have read this book. The chapter on uncovered priciples alone is enough to read this book.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:08:50 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:08:50 GMT

Title - Coaching Offensive Linemen
Author - Dave Christiansen and James Peterson
Publication Date - 1998
Rating (5 stars posible) - 5

Comments - Everything you have wanted to know about O-linemen is here. Stance, steps, principles, requirements, you name it, it is here. This was the first book I ever bought and I am still refer to it when I need to.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:10:59 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:10:59 GMT

Title - Coaching Linebackers
Author - Jerry Sandusky
Publication Date - 1995
Rating (5 stars posible) - 3

Comments- I was hoping for more out of this text. It provides a good section on drills but I has left with an unfulfilled feeling when I was done reading it. I guess I was hoping for more fundamentals but I didnt get it.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:12:18 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:12:18 GMT

Title - 101 Defensive Back Drills
Author - Ron Dickerson
Publication Date - 1997
Rating (5 stars posible) - 4

Comments - Good drill book, nothing more, nothing less. If you are looking for techniques, fundaments, and schemes look elsewhere. Its simply a drill book.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:13:59 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:13:59 GMT

Title - 1001 Motivational Messages and Quotes for Athletes and Coaches
Author - Bruce Eamon Brown
Publication Date - 2001
Rating (5 stars posible) - 5

Comments - I love this book. I use quotes from it frequently throughout the season. John Wooden, Lou Holtz and a host of others have quotes in the book. Again there is something for everyone inside.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:16:18 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:16:18 GMT

Title - The Football Coaching Bible
Author - Various
Publication Date - 2002
Rating (5 stars posible) - 5

Comments - This is another amazing book. I have nothing bad to say about it. Schembechler, Holtz, Bowden, Tressel and others have chapters inside. This is a must in my opinion.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:17:58 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:17:58 GMT

Title - Talking Irish
Author - Steve Delsohn
Publication Date - 1998
Rating (5 stars posible) - 4.5

Comments - This is the oral history of Notre Dame football. So if you love the Irish this is the book for you. If you dont it is still a good book, but you wont like it as much. The fight against Miami in 88 is in here as well as why Holtz "resigned".

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:19:53 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:19:53 GMT

Title - Call Me Coach
Author - George Baldwin
Publication Date - 2000
Rating (5 stars posible) - 2

Comments - Simply not worth the time or money. Halfway through the book I couldnt wait to finish just so I could read something else. It is a good attempt at writing but he talks too much about personnel and other things that you just dont get much out of.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:21:36 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:21:36 GMT

Title - Homer Rice on Triple Option Football
Author - Homer Rice
Publication Date - 1973
Rating (5 stars posible) - 4.5

Comments - This is an early text on the triple option veer offense. It is a good book in the sense that he describes the basic veer plays on how they work but the book is limited to a 2 back 3 receiver set. If you run veer this is a good book, otherwise forget about it.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:23:32 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:23:32 GMT

Title - Football Multiple Motion I Offense
Author - Jack Beverlin
Publication Date - 1982
Rating (5 stars posible) - 3

Comments - This book seems a little outdated but he does give good insight into why offenses should use motion. He also talks alot about the sprint draw which could be a very good play for any offense with sprint out capabilities.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:25:59 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:25:59 GMT

Title - Attacking Modern Defenses with the Mutiple Formation Veer Offense
Author - Steve Axman
Publication Date - 1978
Rating (5 stars posible) - 4.5

Comments - The reason I didnt give this book a 5 is because some of the defensive schemes that he talks about arent really used anymore, therefore some of the information cant be translated into todays football world. The book does cover everthing thing else though. There is a good section on different blocking schemes for the veer which is excellent.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:28:14 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:28:14 GMT

Title - Bo
Author - Bo Schembechler and Mitch Albom
Publication Date - 1989
Rating (5 stars posible) - 4

Comments - Wheter or not you like the Wolverines this is a good book. It is much better written than Baldwin's book. There are many good stories about Bo and his teams inside. You wont be disappointed if you can find it in a used book store somewhere.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:30:18 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:30:18 GMT

Title - Developing a Successful High School Pro Set Offense
Author - Ed Henry
Publication Date - 1968
Rating (5 stars posible) - 3

Comments - Again I was expecting more from this book but considering it is over 30 years old it is still a decent book to use. He talks about some of the pro sets basic running plays and why and how they work. Some of the passing stuff seems a little outdated as well. Dont buy it unless its nearly free.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:33:21 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:33:21 GMT

Title - The Complete Football Passing Game
Author - Don Read
Publication Date - 1970
Rating (5 stars posible) - 3

Comments - Again this book is outdated and Jerry's Complete passing game is 10 times better but there are a few thoughts in the book that might help you out. It talks about why certain aspects of the passing game should be used as well as drills and variations.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko Senior Member Posts: 316	Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:34:48 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:34:48 GMT Title - The Junction Boys Author - Jim Dent Publication Date - 1999 Rating (5 stars posible) - 5 Comments The book is better than the movie. You really get a feel for the Bear as a man and how punishing this camp really was. Excellent read.
	"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko Senior Member Posts: 316	Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:35:55 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:35:55 GMT Title - Complete Linebacking Author - Lou Tepper Publication Date - 1998 Rating (5 stars posible) - 5 Comments- I think this is the best Linebacking book on the market hands down. If you coach LB's this is a must.
	"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:37:46 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:37:46 GMT

Title - Joe Torre's Groundrules for Winners
Author - Joe Torre
Publication Date - 1999
Rating (5 stars posible) - 4

Comments - This book didnt get a 5 because it isnt about football. It provides a wealth of good information on how to communicate with your team and how to lead. Even though it is a book from a baseball manager its principles apply to football.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:40:38 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:40:38 GMT

Title - Friday Night Lights
Author - H.G. Bissinger
Publication Date - 1989
Rating (5 stars posible) - 5

Comments- Simply amazing. I am sure most of you know about this book. I dont know what the rest of you thing but I loved it. Its full of heartache, pressure and societal factors. Excellent book. I read it in 3 days.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:42:32 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:42:32 GMT

Title - A Civil War
Author - John Feinstein
Publication Date - 1996
Rating (5 stars posible) - 5

Comments - This book is one of my favorites. It painst a vivid picture of life as a football player at the academies. It is so good I think everyone should have it. Its pure, about football, honor and pride.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:44:14 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:44:14 GMT

Title - For the Glory
Author - Ken Denlinger
Publication Date - 1994
Rating (5 stars posible) - 4.5

Comments - This books isnt as good as Feinsteins but it is good none the less. Its a behind the scenes look at life in Paterno's program. Fill of laughter, stress and love.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:46:43 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:46:43 GMT

Title - Fields of Honor The Golden Age of College Football and the Men Who Created It
Author - Sally Pont
Publication Date - 2001
Rating (5 stars posible) - 3.5

Comments - Id rate this behind the books on Army-Navy and Penn State but is a good short read. It can be tackled in a week if you have nothing better to do. The book is about the men of college football from the 50's through the 70's. It is a good read but isnt as good as others.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:48:25 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:48:25 GMT

Title - Winning Everyday
Author - Lou Holtz
Publication Date - 1998
Rating (5 stars posible) - 5

Comments - There is no reason not to have this book. I cant say enough about it. Holtz talks about motivation and how he has used it with his team. He also talk about how people can be successful on and off the field. This is a MUST

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:50:42 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:50:42 GMT

Title - A Championship Season At Notre Dame
Author - Lou Holtz
Publication Date - 1989
Rating (5 stars posible) - 5

Comments - As you can tell I love the Irish. This book is another good one. Wheter or not you like Notre Dame this is a good book. ND won the national title in 1988 and this is the book about that season. Like "Winning Everyday" this book is full of motivation as well as insights into the pressure cooker that is Notre Dame Football.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

LedgerSko
Senior Member

Posts: 316

Book Review Post Dec 26, 2003 21:56:19 GMT

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Post by LedgerSko on Dec 26, 2003 21:56:19 GMT

I have more books on the shelf that I intend to read but thats all I have for now. I am also trying to get some Christman money together to buy some more !!!!

Look for the following titles sometime in the future

Coaching Beyond the X's and O's by the Experts
When Pride Still Mattered.
The John Wooden Pyramid of Success
Notre Dame's Greatest Coaches
The Explosive Veer Offense for Winning Football
The Frontliners
The Art of War
It's Not About the Bike
Football's Quick Passing Game Volume's 2 and 3
Championship Team Building
7 Secrets of Successful Coaches
Game Tested Football Drills
The Complete Book of the I Formation

and some Jerry Campbell resources

The Gun Offense
40 Defense
3-4 Defense
Lou Varley's Veer Manual
and Lyle Lansdell's Complete Offense.

I havent bought all these books yet but they are next on my list.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" - V. Lombardi

Tradition Never Graduates

MaxPreps

Concordia University Irvine

The Efforts of One

JCFB eBook

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