We’ve broken open the mailbag again. We’re digging in to answer the questions you’re asking the most.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel tackle everything from Nasty Splits to assigning OC/DC roles. You can review the questions in order below and find the answers on the podcast.
Cover 3 has silently, or maybe less so, become the go to defense of a majority of coaches across the world. Whether it’s run heavy divisions, fear of playing man, or tired of watching Cover 2 Corners getting blown up by the run game, coaches are converting… and for good reason.
In this episode, Joe and Daniel are joined by Coach Kahn Chace to discuss the fundamentals of Cover 3, what benefits it brings to your defensive package, and how to coach the basics to any age or skill of player.
The Zone Blitz at its core is one of the two basic blitz types on defense. They can range from simple zone evacuation blitzes in which we want to send an LB or Safety, and expand to some of the most complex blitzes in the business with different versions of America’s Fire Zone Blitz.
In this episode, Joe and Daniel discuss the ins and outs of the Zone Blitz, how they fit into your scheme, and a method for game planning Zone Blitzes for your next opponent.
The play action pass could be one of the biggest threats in your arsenal, especially if your run game is explosive. The more you can make a team commit to stopping your run, the more the play action pass can open up. You NEED to carry at least one play action scheme into your game on friday night.
On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the basics of three play action schemes, the differences in the names of some of them, and why you need them in your scheme.
You’ve just scored to get within 1. It’s been a hard fought battle up until now, but the game is almost over and you aren’t confident overtime is the best option. What do you do?
The entire situation above was unnecessary, we were going for 2 no matter what the situation was. If you don’t know why, then this episode is for you! Listen to Joe and Daniel as they break down some Two Point Conversion analytics, plays, and gameplans for ensuring when you score, 8 points go on the scoreboard.
You’ve just scored to get within 1. It’s been a hard fought battle up until now, but the game is almost over and you aren’t confident overtime is the best option. What do you do?
The entire situation above was unnecessary, we were going for 2 no matter what the situation was. If you don’t know why, then this episode is for you! Listen to Joe and Daniel as they break down some Two Point Conversion analytics, plays, and gameplans for ensuring when you score, 8 points go on the scoreboard.
In a world where seemingly every small school coach thinks they have to keep the wishbone, flexbone, or wing T alive due to their “lack of size and skill”, the zone run scheme may be the worst best kept secret.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel are joined by coaching legend Bill Blankenship to discuss the fundamentals of the Zone Run Scheme. They hit on what exactly a zone run is, why you need to add it to your system, and what the key pieces of a successful zone run scheme are.
The Cover 2 Defensive scheme seems to be outdated and almost extinct. But, the defense has its place in your system, if not in your playbook for this year.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel discuss the Cover 2 Defense, what it is, why you need it, and whether or not it should be a primary coverage, off coverage, or a situational install.
As we continue our dive into the fundamentals of the game, blitzing has to make the cut. Although new coaches will likely send blitzes at random and ad nauseam, or search for the most complex blitz schemes known to man, the very simple Single Edge Blitz can be the key to success in gameplanned situations.
On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the Single Edge Blitz’s uses, why you need to have them in your scheme, and exactly how to gameplan them to see positive results.
When in doubt, kick it out (of the reach of the front lineman and give your player a chance to recover it). That’s the motto that really captures the spirit of a “onside everytime” coach. The onside kick is an excellent tool to use to steal possessions from your opponent when used anytime.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel discuss the ins and outs of the onside kick, the reasons you need to start using it, and some coaching tips to ensure you’re getting the best out of your onside kick attempts.
Offensive schemes in football have gone many directions throughout the history of the sport. But, in the run game, two schemes have remained: gap scheme and zone scheme plays.
In this episode, Joe and Daniel are joined by O-Line Coach Jack Dingus as they break down the basics of the gap scheme, why you need it in your playbook, and some key coaching points to use to be successful.
In a world where there are a multitude of ways to play defense, and minimal time to install the ways you want to do it, every defensive coverage you use has to have a purpose. The Cover 4 coverage is exactly that, a coverage with a purpose. Whether you’re needing spot drop or quarters pattern match, you probably have a reason to install a Cover 4 coverage look.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel are joined by coaching great Dominique Franks to talk all things Cover 4. Listen in as we discuss the ins and outs of spot drop Cover 4 and Quarters pattern matching
The shield punt is a very simple, yet effective punt scheme. With Special Teams being the least prioritized phase of football, having a scheme that’s simple to coach and simple to execute can alleviate many of the Friday night woes.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel are joined by Joel Mathews to discuss the basics of the shield punt scheme, why you should use it, and some key coaching points of a simplified special teams scheme.
Live and die by the sword! Okay, maybe not the sword in this day and age, but Defensive Coordinators have replaced the sword with blitzes, and living and dying by the blitz is very true of some coaching philosophies. The man blitz, or blitzing with any man coverage behind you, is a fairly safe and targeted blitz call to live and die by.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel discuss the ins and out of man blitzing, why you need to install a few, and how you can mix them into whatever you’re running now.
As we start our dive into the basics of football concepts, we’re getting our first taste of the passing game. This season on the podcast is all about learning the small pieces to sure up your coaching knowledge.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel discuss the quick passing game, why you need it, and a few of the basic concepts you can install today.
Much like we started 2022, Joe and Daniel are closing it out with big predictions about upper level football. This time we’re taking on the NCAA, Bowl Season, and the College Football Playoffs!
On this episode, you’ll hear us discuss the current state of the Transfer Portal, our thoughts on NIL and how it’s changing the landscape of college ball, and some Bowl Game predictions you probably don’t want to go to the bank with.
Our Mailbag series continues with the second installment, as Joe and Daniel answer some more questions from subscribers. On this episode, we’re covering poor character in players, Special Teams programs, and changing defenses from the 4-2-5 to the 3-3 stack.
This week Joe and Daniel are fielding questions from you, the listeners. Our topics on this episode include increasing player and parent buy-in to the offseason process, how to get your O-linemen to block the right guy, and how to see more of the game as a future coordinator.
If you would like to send in your questions, click this link and let us know!
Calling defensive plays on game night may be one of the most stressful jobs in football. You have a limited amount of time to assess the situation, identify what call you want to use, and get it signaled in before a much more regimented offensive system goes to work.
On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss exactly what it is that goes into a defensive play call, and ways to guide yourself into making better calls based on your skill level and what you see on game night.
It’s week 7. You’re down by 4 against your crosstown rival in the 3rd quarter. The wind is in your face, your starting Right Tackle is gimpy and not playing as well as usual. You’ve been a step ahead of the defense all night, but you’re quickly running out of bullets. With the season and bragging rights on the line, what call do you signal to your QB?
In this episode Joe and Daniel break down the important pieces that go into any given play call on Friday night; from why every call matters, to what weaknesses the defense is giving.
Not every high school takes the field on Friday night with the perfect kid in every position. Sometimes they have a SR Linebacker who never learned how to get downhill. Sometimes they have a freak speedster who doesn’t have the confidence or ability to make a tackle. Coaches at many levels are usually trying to prevent one player from losing them the game and need to hide them in the scheme to eliminate them being exposed.
On this episode Joe and Daniel are joined by Coach David Lane as they discuss what kind of player needs to be hidden, how to hide him on gameday, and what you should do to prepare your players for such a scenario.
Special teams can be both frustrating and time consuming. It’s a part of the sport which can be so simple, but seems to be made complex by coaches trying to gain a competitive edge.
In this episode, Joe and Daniel break down what changes make sense to make and how your game plan should be altered from week to week.
There’s no worse feeling for a coordinator than to get to Friday night and our team can’t match the opponent on the field. It doesn’t matter what side of the ball you’re coaching on, if you can’t gain yards against their defense, or can’t stop their offense, frustration and embarrassment will quickly set in. You need to have an answer as soon as possible. Hopefully, it’s that night, if not at least being able to get right before the next opponent copy-cats and hits you with the same exact problem.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel discuss what comes next after you’ve been exposed. It may be what your choices are on game-night to solve the problem and move on, or a plan for next week to ensure you never suffer that fate again… or at least because of the same problem.
Injuries are an unfortunate part of football that can truly derail your season if they happen to a key player. Maybe it’s your QB. Maybe it’s your 5th QB. Maybe it’s your lead tackler, or the best Offensive Lineman your school has ever had. If you haven’t been struck by the injury bug yet, keep doing what you’re doing because that’s likely helping. But, understand that it will happen at some point.
In this episode, Joe and Daniel are joined by NFL Great Dominique Franks as they discuss what to do to salvage your season when you have a key injury, and how you can help yourself in the offseason before the injury ever happens.
Football is a game of adjustments. Whoever can make the correct adjustments the quickest will generally prevail in a game. The ASKA Principle and Pulling Levers is just an incremental adjustment system that allows a coach to make changes on the fly, or build a game plan throughout the week, and knowing exactly what they changed and why.
On this episode, Joe and Daniel discuss what levers are, how to determine which ones you should pull, and a checklist to start solving whatever problems you’re facing today.