Waukee Youth Football
Coaches Clinic
2013
Coaches Clinic Agenda
July 13th & 27th
8:00 – 8:05am - Introduction – Garrett Hill
8:05 – 8:25am - Absolute Performance – Alyssa Subbert
8:25 – 8:45am - Tackling – Nathan Bailey
8:45 – 8:55am - Terminology – Jeremy Holcomb
8:55 – 9:00am - Transition to field
9:00 – 9:10am - Rotation 1
9:11 – 9:21am - Rotation 2
9:22 – 9:32am - Rotation 3
9:33 – 9:43am - Rotation 4
9:44 – 9:54am - Rotation 5
9:55 – 10:05am - Rotation 6
10:06 – 10:16am - Rotation 7
10:17 – 10:23am - Close – Garrett Hill
WYFL Coaches Clinic
Offense Terminology - Numbering
The purpose of the unified nomenclature for WYFL is to provide a system that
allows kids to quickly get up to speed when changing teams and for coaches to
prepare for post season play. Using this system still allows flexibility for
coaches to name formation and plays while keeping the focus on teaching
fundamentals.
I. Backfield Numbering
a. QB – 1
b. FB – 2
c. TB – 3
II. Hole Numbering
a. Right – Evens 2, 4, 6, 8
b. Left – Odds 1, 3, 5, 7
III. Play Call
a. Player # then hole #
b. 36 – Tailback off-tackle play to the right
c. 11 – QB sneak to the left
0
WYFL Coaches Clinic
Offense Terminology – Player Definition
I. Player Definition and Numbering – Example of Pro Formation
a. X – WR on the LOS
b. Z – WR off the LOS
c. Y – Tight end
d. 2 – Full back
e. 3 - Tailback
2
3
WYFL Coaches Clinic
Offense Terminology – Passing Tree and Route Definition
I. Numbered Routes Based on Passing Tree
a. Odd numbered routes go inside
b. Even numbered routes go outside
II. EXAMPLE ONLY: 3 digit number is a pass play
a. Play call – routes assigned from outside-in
b. Play: “Pro Right 539” – 3 digits signals a passing play; 5 signifies a
“pass” play. Number 1 runs a 3 route (curl) and number 2 runs a 9
route (go).
9
3
III. Route Definitions
 0 - Hitch: Accelerate upfield for 3 steps - pivot on outside foot
 1 - Slant: Press upfield, plant on 3rd step, break in at an angle
 2 - Out: Speed out breaking on 4th step
 3 - Curl: Drive vertical for 10 yards - pivot on outside foot coming
back toward QB
 4 - Comeback: Drive vertical for 10 yards - plant on inside foot,
break toward sideline
 5 - In: Drive vertical for 10 yards - plant on outside foot, break in
toward middle of field
 6 - Out: Drive vertical for 10 yards - plant on inside foot, break
toward sideline
 7 - Post: Drive to 10 yards - plant on outside foot, break towards
goal post
 8 - Flag: Drive to 10 yards, plant on inside foot, break to the
corner
 9 - Go/Fade: Get DB on your hip and run vertical
Offensive Line Drills
The O-Line has two advantages over the defense 1) we know where the play is going and 2) we
know when the play starts; we must use both to be successful
Drive Block Progression
1) Pop the pad (just arms)– hit shield pad with hands; palms facing in/hit with heels of
hands
2) Pop the pad/drive from knees – hit shield with hands/explode off knees/don’t load
hands
3) Small Step/Big Step-hands (from Stance) – deliver blow with hands on the big step
4) Small Step/Big Step-hands/head-on – face mask on the shield (Head =steering wheel),
Head on keeps lineman in close/tight; do not hit with top of head – hands first!
5) Add footwork – chop feet; feet stay shoulder width apart – drive pad backwards
6) Add direction – lineman turns butt to hole
Commands – Small Step; Big Step; Head on; Drive; Turn
Hook Block Progression
1) Short step to outside
2) Power step at angle in to Defensive players crotch; inside hand simultaneously contacts
defensive players chest (aiming point is where player will be, not where he was)
3) Hook – step to outside of defensive player to gain outside position; drive outside hand
into defensive lineman’s outside shoulder
4) Drive through and up on defensive players shoulder (1/2 press)
Commands – Step; Crotch; Hook; Drive
Pass Block Drill
1) Good Position – Butt down; Big chest –heads up; feet apart, arms in tight-loaded, head
looks from inside out
2) Make first contact on line of scrimmage – tend to give up too much ground too fast.
3) Contact with hands, then re-set feet; wait for d-line to come to you – do not reach or
you will be off balance
Drill – put player in three point stance; Coach stands in front and to side of player holding a
tackling dummy like a baseball bat. On set cadence, coach swings pad at player who pops with
hands and re-sets feet. Repeat three times or a count to five.
Receiver Drills
Route Running
Line up receiver at line of scrimmage. Set out cones for route to be run. For example, 10 yard
out….set cone 10 yards down field, have receiver fake cut to inside and then plant on outside
foot to cut to outside to receive ball. Focus on having receiver run route hard and exact, do not
let them slant on an out or in route, needs to be straight across.
Catch and tuck
Teach receiver how to put ball away as soon as it is caught. Catch ball with both hands on a 10
yard stop route, then tuck ball and turn up field. Make sure to watch receiver to make sure ball
is secured before going down field.
Down Field Blocking
Have receiver line up on the line. Place coach with tackle dummy as cornerback. I like to teach
receivers to block from outside in, that way give a ball carrier chance for sideline and big play.
Have receiver take off like on a “go” route and run to outside shoulder of Cornerback, once
they have gone about 8 yards, turn into cornerback with tight hands on inside and move
cornerback back to inside of field.
Running Back Drills
1.
Stance and Start (cones only)
a. Both backs line up proper distance from line of scrimmage with proper spacing
between backs, tailback should be no more than 1 yard behind fullback, (I have
TB reach out with both hands and touch FB hips).
b. Both backs get into proper stance. (coach verifies feet, weight distribution, head
up and eyes forward)
c. Coach calls play. 34 lead, etc… On cadence both backs move thru proper hole.
d. Coach ensures that both players start with outside foot moving forward, strait
line towards hole. Check that both backs stay low and tailback has proper arm
placement to receive the handoff.
2.
Blind Handoff (ball only)
a. A running back lines up in position to run straight ahead 3 yards off the line of
scrimmage.
b. As coach starts cadence, player closes his eyes.
c. Running back starts with outside foot and raises arms to accept handoff, head
up and eyes closed
d. Running back accepts hand off, clamps down with arms and hands on the points
of the ball and then may open eyes.
e. This drill is run at 50% speed and is used to get the running back to feel for the
ball and not look for it.
3.
Follow the helmet (cones, ball and hand shield)
a. Both backs line up proper distance from line of scrimmage.
b. Coach calls play and then takes a outside or inside linebackers position.
c. Cadence is called and backs proceed thru hole accepting hand off.
d. Coach steps forward from linebacker position to take on fullback. As fullback
half presses coach, the tailback must read the helmet of the fullback and adjust
accordingly. (if fullbacks helmet goes right, tailback moves to the right, and vice
versa.)
Quarterback Drills
Warm Ups – 5-6 throws each position
1. Shoulder circles – both knees; throwing hand only
a. Tight circular motion
b. Elbow up; slightly out
c. Punch
2. Both knees
a. Rotate hips
b. Shoulder slightly open
c. Follow through – wrist snap and palm facing out
3. Stand up – face opposite
a. Rotate hips
b. Shoulder slightly open
c. Follow through – wrist snap and palm facing out
d. Rise up on balls of feet on release
4. Wrong foot forward
a. Hip rotation
b. Shoulder slightly open
c. Follow through
Stance
1. Shoulder-width apart
a. Knees bent
b. Comfortable
2. Staggered feet
a. Non-dominant foot back
b. Align foot to in-step of other foot
3. EYES UP!
4. Hands out in front – when starting drills
a. Ball in throwing hand
5. Hands under center – when in team
a. Wrist deep
b. Align thumbs
c. Rotate on snap
d. SECURE SNAP – RIDE CENTER OUT
6. Seat the ball into third hand (belly button)
Handoffs
1. Seat ball into third hand
2. Take ball back to running back as soon as possible
3. See the ball into the running back’s pocket
4. Setup or boot away
5. Always carry out fake
Bootleg
1. Back turned to defense
2. Keep ball on hip
3. Fake to running back with non-ball hand
4. Rollover on inside foot and boot opposite of fake
5. Get depth and get vertical
6. Square hips to target
7. Shoulders slightly open
8. Follow throw – shake receivers hand
Boot Drill
Coaching Points:
1. Get depth around cone
2. Work downhill
3. Square hips to target
4. Throw to partner
5. Follow throw
Defensive Line Drills
I.
II.
III.
Sled Punch
a. Defensive lineman lines up on the end sled bag.
b. Coach uses ball or foot to simulate ball snap.
c. At the snap of the ball, the defensive lineman fires out of stance and punches the
sled bag.
d. After the first punch, the defensive lineman rolls past the next sled bag on his
butt, lines up on the third sled bag, and repeats step C. (The defensive lineman
will not be going on movement after the first punch. He will go as soon as he is
set in a stance.)
e. After the second punch, the defensive lineman will roll past the fourth bag, line
up on the fifth bag, and punch when ready.
f. After the third punch, the lineman will roll on his butt once more. When the
lineman gets up, the coach will decide what he wants the lineman to do. Options
include, but are not limited to: sprint through a certain point, form tackle,
fumble recovery.
Hand Weave
a. Players line up in a single file line with two yards between each player.
b. Player first in line will turn around to face others.
c. Coach will select the hand move to work on and player will weave in and out of
players working on that specific move.
d. Players not weaving are to shoot hands at the weaving player’s chest.
e. Weaving player finishes through line and gets in back of the line.
Stance and Start
a. Defensive linemen get into stance at cones.
b. On ball movement, the lineman will explode out of stance and breakdown at 3
yards.
c. The coach will point in a direction to shuffle twice, then point at the ground to
signal an up down.
d. Once the players stand up, point at a cone 7 yards off of the line of scrimmage
for the defensive linemen to run too.
Linebacker Drills
Lineback Drills
Linebacker Steps Drill
1) LBs on line; athletic stance (butt down – eyes up); outside foot even with in-step of
inside foot
2) On ball movement, LBs take two quick small steps forward (6 inches)– inside foot first
3) Add Offensive Lineman – LB should be shading outside shoulder of o-lineman;
4) On ball movement LBs take 2 steps and read lineman (keep eyes out of backfield)
a. If lineman comes out to block – step up and take on block – keep outside
shoulder free
b. If lineman blocks down – step up hard and fill the hole – FB is coming
c. If lineman pulls – Check the hole and flow to play under control
Take on Block Drill
1) LB on line; athletic stance (butt down-eyes up); arms in/hands up
2) Coach brings blocking dummy toward LB; LB steps up to take on block
3) LB hits pad with inside shoulder, chest and hands; Face up –eyes beyond blocker
4) LB drives legs/extend arms to create space between LB and Offensive blocker
5) LB must keep outside shoulder free and stay inside the virtual ball carrier
6) Keep moving toward play
Shed/pursue/ tackle drill
1) Set up drill as illustrated
2) On cadence ball carrier moves toward outside
3) LB takes two steps then pursues ball carrier; inside out – do not over run the ball
4) 1st blocker steps up and makes contact with LB; LB handles block as in drill above-keeps
moving
5) 2nd blocker steps up and makes contact with LB; LB takes on block – continues to pursue
6) 3rd blocker steps up and make contact with LB; LB takes on block and closes on ball
carrier
7) LB makes tackle on ball carrier keeping head up; getting head across to outside of ball
carrier
8) LB wraps up; fires hips and drives legs – finish the tackle
Defensive Back Drills
"W" Drill
Purpose
Defensive Backs Drill to work on breaking out of backpedaling into forward sprint and
back while keeping eyes focused on the ball. Also an Interception and Fumble Drill.
Description
1. Backpedal to first cone
2. Plant, break to second cone
3. Settle, backpedal to third cone
4. Plant, break to forth cone
5. Run through 4th cone
6. Look for fumble
7. Coach will throw or roll ball
Deflection Drill
Purpose
Defensive Backs Drill to work on good technique to deflect the ball while still securing to
make a safe tackle in case the football cannot be deflected
Description
1. Put heavy stand-up dummies 10 yards from the sideline and roughly 10 yards
apart
2. The Defensive back lines up between the two dummies, and 7 yards away from
the coach on the sideline
3. Upon command the player backpedals about 6-8 yards
4. The coach points to one of the dummies and throws "a strike" to the directed
side.
5. The defensive back plants his foot and breaks forward to deflect the pass and
tackle the dummy.
Coaching Points
1. Deflect pass with near arm
2. Wrap up with the outside arm
3. Insure the tackle if no deflection
Weave drill
Purpose
Defensive back drill to develop ability to read and react to QB's shoulders.
Description
1. Three defenders will align 5 yards from the coach and side by side 5 yards apart.
2. On command backs will back pedal
3. The coach will then direct the players to either side
4. Defenders will weave at 45 degree angle, still in backpedal, concentrating on
QB's shoulders
5. Coach will then direct defenders in the opposite direction and throw the ball
6. One of the defenders intercepts the ball and they all three sprint back to the
coach