Post by BROPHY on Nov 9, 2004 6:31:23 GMT
Every day we work fundamentals (separate from Indy time) with my linebackers.....we stress turnovers EVERYDAY and do some form of strip drill, int drill, etc.
So a few days this year, we devoted this period (to shake things up) into a "Turnover" game... pretty much it was Rugby. I stressed that defense is ALL ABOUT THE BALL and that we do not want to allow the offense to gain real estate and maintain possession....the game was simple 20yds wide...the length of the width of the field. I had 5 guys on each team (10 linebackers) and explained the simple rules.....Team A gets the ball and advances any way they like (we later divided this up into strictly running and strictly passing halves) and can pitch or throw the ball anyway they choose, but they maintain possession (and the clock) once they go down with the ball....I explained that it is important to keep the runner up while everyone else goes for the strip / punch, etc. Once the ball carrier is down, the ball is reset, a 1yd neutral zone is enforced and the ball is back in play.
The kids had a lot of fun, but more importantly, (I hope) got the message that defense isn't about JUST tackling...but about aggressively fighting for possession of the football.
***The kids were very sound tacklers to begin with, so I wasn't worried about them losing fundamental concepts.....
So a few days this year, we devoted this period (to shake things up) into a "Turnover" game... pretty much it was Rugby. I stressed that defense is ALL ABOUT THE BALL and that we do not want to allow the offense to gain real estate and maintain possession....the game was simple 20yds wide...the length of the width of the field. I had 5 guys on each team (10 linebackers) and explained the simple rules.....Team A gets the ball and advances any way they like (we later divided this up into strictly running and strictly passing halves) and can pitch or throw the ball anyway they choose, but they maintain possession (and the clock) once they go down with the ball....I explained that it is important to keep the runner up while everyone else goes for the strip / punch, etc. Once the ball carrier is down, the ball is reset, a 1yd neutral zone is enforced and the ball is back in play.
The kids had a lot of fun, but more importantly, (I hope) got the message that defense isn't about JUST tackling...but about aggressively fighting for possession of the football.
***The kids were very sound tacklers to begin with, so I wasn't worried about them losing fundamental concepts.....