How you install your defense shouldn't be scary. There's no right way to do it - but there's a lot of wrong ways.

Coaches are often concerned way too much with how much to install, how fast. That's not the big issue.

If you install too much, too fast, it's because you have too much in your playbook. It's a whole different issue - but one that I'll address in this podcast too.

No, your bigger conern is not how much or how fast. The question is, is your focus in the right place?

When you start installing all kinds of whacky defensive fronts and blitzes, your focus is no longer on the kids. Your focus is now on the X's and O's. That doesn't win football games.

Listen to Episode 129 of The Football Coaching Podcast to find out how you can keep your focus where it needs to be when you install your defense this season.

I love the Wing-T Offense. So here's what I think about it.

I'll tell you a basic overview of how I view the Wing-T Offense. It's incredibly versatile, but there are some basic rules.

Then I'm going to give what I see as the advantages and disadvantages of running this type of scheme. 

If you're a Wing-T Guru, maybe you'll hear some things you agree with and some things you don't. 

For coaches who may not know a whole lot about the Wing-T, I hope this will spark you to learn a little more. 

There's a lot of myths about tackling. But the truth of coaching better tackling is much simpler.

I always hear coaches talking about violence. There's some misguided idea that if you don't lay the lumber you can't play defense. In reality, the whole goal of tackling is to get the man with the football on to the ground. 

He doesn't need to be hurt. We don't need cracked ribs, or snot bubbles (yes, a The Program reference). We just need him down on the ground, not gaining any more yards.

How do you make that happen? It's not some special sauce. You don't need to hire some tackling guru. I do like what I've seen of USA Football by the way, I just don't believe that alone could fix your tackling woes. 

The key to better tackling is to coach specifically what you want from your kids in a tackle. Build confidence in their own abilities to make a tackle. And then get some help for them. 

1 on 1 tackling is always going to be a tough job. The kids who carry the football are usually the best athletes on the field. If they weren't... well, they'd play more defense. But 3 on 1 is always good odds. 

By pursuing to the football, defeating blocks, and getting better with our reads and keys, tackling will automatically improve. More guys to the football means more chances to finish the tackle.