MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL

FOOTBALL COACHES
ASSOCIATION’s WINTER
CLINIC 2009

The Michigan Offense

Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Offensive Staff

“If you can see yourself happy in the fall without coaching than don’t coach”

“Chemistry is more important than X and Os

January 16th-17th Battle Creek, Michigan

“when taking over a program look at the number of returning starters then decide on how much of your “new”
system you want to install in year 1

 What makes up a “Spread” Offense

- Makes the defense defend the entire field

- Creates personnel mismatches

- Quick threats in the passing game

- Run or throw based on numbers

- Gets the ball in playmakers hands

- Being in the shotgun allows you to see the defense

- Makes the defense defend all skilled players

- Multiple tempos

- QB becomes a dual threat

 Zone Runs

o Off Tackle (Outside Zone)

o Belly (their version of Inside Zone)

o Option

o QB Sweep

 Man Schemes

o Iso

o QB Draw

 Pull Schemes

o Trap

o QB Power

o Dart

- 3 total blocking schemes for entire offense

 Zone Run Game Notes:

- The difference between their version of Inside Zone (Belly) and most inside zone schemes is they want
their uncovered linemen to go straight to the 2nd level

- The linemen’s landmarks is to put their eyes to the chins of the defenders
 - The linemen will be on the line of scrimmage as far as possible. Doing this enables them to perform
better man on man blocks and allows uncovered linemen to get to the 2nd level quicker

- The play side tackle’s block is the most important because he almost always will block the defensive
end on his own

- First step is always gaining ground unless you are cutting the backside defender then you will take
short drop step and cut

B
 Zone Read: Pre/Post Snap Bubble, Concept (see below for visual)

- What does #4 defender do (could be OLB or SS), if he goes after the bubble, QB runs the ball

- If #4 goes after QB, QB throws post-snap bubble

- Pre snap: if Slot is covered, and QB points to him, Slot will block unless defender goes after QB and
then run post-snap bubble

- If QB doesn’t point at slot, and the slot is uncovered, he will be thinking bubble
#4

Hartford Multiple Offense and Teaching Progressions

Dan Brunner, Head Coach, Hartford, Wisconsin

 Hartford Offensive Philosophy

- Multiple 2 back, under center formations

1. Feature your talent through formations and plays

2. Play within the limits of your talent

3. Passing game comes off of the running game

4. Avoid potential negative yardage plays

5. Multiple formations with few plays

6. Use predictability to your advantage (run the unexpected in big games)

7. Go into attack mode after big plays

8. QB is in charge but only a good, hard working leader type kid will play QB.
 9. Primary goal is to get a first down (keep the clock moving)

10. Get input from players on the field. If the offensive line says they can dominate a certain player, then
do it.

QB POSITION IN THE OFF SEASON:

o Leadership ability is more important than physical ability

o Adapt package to QB’s talents

o Participate in summer passing leagues

o QB camps

o Lifting and Conditioning Leader

QB POSITION IN SEASON:

o Communicate with your QB on how you want things done

o QB represents the coach on the field

o Go over the game plan with the QB during the week

o Get the QBs input before and during games

o Get to know the QB better than anyone else on the team

 Hartford Pass Offense Series:

1. Quick Drop (3 step)

2. Deep drop (5 step)

3. Play Action

4. Sprint out

5. Screens

6. Tricks

Quick Drop (3 step):

1. 60 Hitch

2. 61 Slant

3. 62 Out

4. 63 Fly

5. 64 Out and Up
 6. Option Routes

Deep Drop (5 step):

1. 55 Out

2. 56 Curl

3. 57 Corner

4. 58 T-Out

5. 59 Post

Sprint Out:

1. Regular- Out/Corner

2. Switch- Corner/Out

Screens:

1. TE : Middle and throwback from sprint out look

2. Cross-buck, boot

3. Crossover

4. Bubble

Play Action: Named after run- call boot if needed

QB TEACHING PROGRESSION

1. Pre Set reads

2. Stance

3. Exchange and ball security

4. Footwork

5. Handoffs and pitches

6. Drops

7. Set up and release

8. Carry out fakes

QB WARM UP DRILLS (ALL 3 TIMES):

1. Open right/left

2. 3 step throw right/left

3. 5 step scan field

4. Sprint out right/left

QB POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Keep poise and display confidence

2. Give with the center on exchange

3. Throw to receivers above shoulders

4. Thumb down on release- carry out fakes

RECIEVERS TEACHING PROGRESSION

1. Stance

2. Starts and Releases

3. Ball catching

4. Ball control

5. Routes

6. Accelerate on contact

7. Blocking

RECIEVER DRILLS

1. Stance and starts, inside foot forward

2. Juke and rip (release)

3. Clock drill

4. Turn and catch

5. Wall drill

6. End of route drill

7. One hand concentration

8. Bad ball drill

9. Stalk

WR POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Look it in and tuck it away, head up field

2. Spin to the outside after hitches

3. Catch with cushion

5. Get back to alignment if you get knocked off during release

6. Become a good downfield blocker

RUNNING BACKS TEACHING PROGRESSION

1. Stance and starts

2. Aim point

3. Ball exchange and control

4. Explode up field

5. Accelerate on contact

6. Blocking

7. Pass receiving

RUNNING BACKS DRILLS

1. Stance and lead step

2. 2 line exchange

3. Gauntlet

4. Quick pitch

5. Oklahoma

6. Iso

7. 3 man hit and spin

8. Sideline cutback

9. Base blocking

OFFENSIVE LINE TEACHING PROGRESSION

1. Stance (bird dog drill)

a. Feet shoulder width apart

b. Toe/instep relation

c. Back straight

d. Z in the knees

e. Head up- shoulders square

a. Break down into perfect fit after 10 yards

3. Reach Block

4. Angle Step / Cutoff Block

a. 45 degree step, aiming point is the DL’s outside leg, get head across the defender

5. Quick pitch drill

a. Drop step and rip elbow to hip to clear the L.O.S.

6. Trap

a. First step is downhill

b. Trap to the near foot of the D.L.

Building Tradition Brick by Brick

Chris Peterson, Head Coach, Boise State University

Excellence- to do a common thing with uncommon discipline and uncommon persistence

- Every off season, ask yourself, how can I become a better coach

 Qualities of an Elite Coach

1. Integrity

a. Honesty- free of deception

b. Humility- low ego

c. Respect- treat everyone like they are important

d. Selflessness- meet others needs

e. Patience- show self control

f. Forgiveness- letting go of resentment

g. Commitment- sticking with your choices

2. Quest for Constant Improvement

b. Passion for football and recruiting

3. Positive and Enthusiastic

a. Brings people up

b. Instills confidence

c. Has a sense of humor

4. A great teacher

- Has to be an expert in one area

- Prepared

- Clear and concise

- Ask yourself, What did I accomplish today

5. Poised

a. Control temper when frustrated

b. Under control when no one else is

6. Demanding

a. High standards

b. Will hold people accountable

c. Composed

7. Self Starter

a. One step ahead of everything

b. High output

c. Low maintence – figures out things on their own

8. Work Ethic

a. Work smarter, not harder

9. Organized

10. Leadership

a. Has a vision for their position group

b. Good evaluator of talent

Leadership- influencing individuals to work enthusiastically toward team goals

 Effective Meeting Tips:

- Bullet points on your whiteboard of what you will be covering

- Summarize how long your meeting will go

- Have all needed visuals pre drawn before meeting

- Have several different breakpoints (make them get up switch seats, pushups, etc.)

- Your passion for the game must be communicated

- Voice tone changes

- Do not rush through material, cover it so they get it

- Encourage questions

- Ask them to grade a certain play

- Put them on the board

- Everyone from the first string to the redshirt players will get questions asked by them

- All players will take notes in a notebook which will be randomly checked

- Teach them what to do with notebook, writing helps crystallize thoughts

- Show practice plan for next practice at end of meeting

 Creating a culture of winners

1. People

2. We don’t have jobs, we have areas of responsibility

3. Ask yourself, what can I contribute today that will significantly affect the performance and
effectiveness of my team

4. Trust on and off the field

5. Creativity

6. Competition

7. Enjoyment- enjoy the process and embrace the struggles

Chuck Martin, Head Coach, Grand Valley State

- 24-4 Playoff Record

1. Prepare all year for your best possible opponent

2. Manage your practice schedules

a. They can handle more physically then mentally as time goes on

b. Normal practice is 2 hours. GV will start cutting down throughout the year and by playoff time,
practice is down to 1 hour and 15 minutes

c. Convince your team that they are fresher than their opponent

3. Sub early and often

a. Once a lead is established, start subbing. Playoffs are more important than shutouts

4. Practice indoors for more efficiency in bad weather

5. Prepare for the conditions, especially extreme wind

a. With the wind- make quarters longer

6. Establish a mindset that every week is a one game tournament

7. Mentally prepare your team for adversity and mistakes during games

a. Momentum is only created by panic

8. Don’t hold your best players off special teams

9. Attack their biggest weaknesses (players and schemes)

10. Get your best guys involved in big games (touches chart)

11. Move to the next week immediately.

a. Will run through previous game film only stopping for certain coaching points

12. Let the players have fun and enjoy the experience

Inside Zone

George Barnett, Offensive Line, Grand Valley State

- G.V.S.U. doesn’t force their offense to run the “zone read” play because it is trendy and they are in the
shotgun. They will put a T.E. backside to block the backside E.M.O.L. if they do not have a running
Quarterback that season

- Tailback needs to aim for the inside hip of the play-side tackle. His first step is slow, and then full
speed to allow flow of the linebackers.

- When this play is run correctly, the tailback’s path should be a straight line or slight bend, if not, than a
problem occurred on the offensive line

- G.V.S.U. employs “smart splits”. Base splits are 2 foot but will adjust based on the play , alignments,
and assignments.

DRIVE BLOCK

First step: get eyes to play-side number, and then fire your back-side leg through the crotch of the defender

Leverage: pad under pad with my hands inside his and elbows in

- Last 2 steps of your block will determine the tailback’s success

SLIP BLOCK

- Involves 2 adjacent linemen vs. D.L. and LB.

- Called “Power Slip” if occurring on the play-side and is called a “Back-side slip” if occurring on the
back-side

- Covered blocker: drive block

- Uncovered blocker: lateral step to linebacker

- Even if D.L. slants away from your play-side gap, if you drive your backside leg through the crotch of
the defender and go on your path, it will lead you to the linebacker based on the flow of the play

LB Slip Block

BACK-SIDE CUTOFF BLOCK

- Used by backside T.E. on back-side E.M.O.L

- Want to get north-south to 45 degree angle movement on the end

- Lateral step gaining ground then back-side leg through the crotch and get movement

BROCK BLOCK

- Between Center and back-side guard against an odd front

- Step steps straight ahead and wants to be as north-south as possible so the back-side guard can lateral
step and get to the 2nd level defender immediately
DRAW UP FORMATION, THEN HAVE THE PLAYERS FILL IN THE PATHS AND BLOCK NAMES