The Football Coaching Podcast with Joe Daniel

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.  

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.