The Football Coaching Podcast with Joe Daniel

The first day of practice is almost here. And in Virginia, that means 3 days with just helmets. 2 days in helments and shoulder pads. How can we get the most out of the opening of camp? I used to think those first 3 days were a waste. They're not. Football practice without pads can be a huge benefit for your team. You can get your playbook installed, but there's even more. Focus on footwork. Teach attack angles. Learn how to practice fast, without contact. But safety is still your number one concern. I'll give you some pointers on staying safe during your pads-free practice, too.

In 2004, I was captivated by the idea of throwing on every down. Chris Hatcher had me hooked. The Air Raid is absolutely brilliant. With just a handful of passing concepts, a simplistic running game, and a few screens and draws, you can make sure the defense is never right. Like every other scheme in football, it doesn't always turn out that way on the field. But it sure is a cool idea. While the offense is still being used, it's not as revered as it once was. You can look back to the '90s, when Kentucky's passing offense took the SEC by storm. Hatcher's teams that dominated Division II Football. And of course, Mike Leach throwing the ball all over the lot at Texas Tech. Not to mention, Tony Franklin System teams were dominating High School Football. When we look at the landscape today, it doesn't look quite as bright for the Air Raid. Leach and Kliff Klingsbury have struggled recently, as has Hatcher. (for what it's worth, I'm not a TFS member so I can't say for sure - but Tony seems to have evolved...) That doesn't mean it's not fun to talk about! So sit back and listen to Episode 131 of The Football Coaching Podcast. We're talking Mesh, Y-Shallow, Y-Stick, and just generally chucking the football all over the field!

You need to be prepared for anything, and that goes far beyond X's and O's. These are 8 important parts of your program that need to be addressed before practice starts.

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.

It's a huge Mail Bag episode today! Plus a short interview with Coach Ricky Coon from Southeast Missouri State. Here's what's on the menu... What are some key tips for a first year Head Coach? How should I adjust my practice plan for Junior High football? What adjustments do we make to the practice plan schedule for Training Camp? How do you align your corners for Cover 3? What are the 5 Defenses every coach should study? How do you hold the Linebackers on the Jet Sweep? Big mailbag show. Dive in and find some good stuff.

Are you getting all you can out of your practice time? Practices need to be geared toward winning football games. Not looking at your practices that way? You're leaving something on the field. Listen to Episode 125 to find out... How to plan a practice with a purpose What drills you should be using and what drills you don't need How to progress your players through a practice to learn a skill set they need for the next game (or needed last game!) How to create a competitive atmosphere while still accomplishing game planning goals How to know if you should install a new play or leave it out And you'll learn about the latest Live Web Clinic from Joe Daniel Football! Questions & Answers What coverage should we use on the Goal Line with our 4-2-5 Defense? Do you use a 6-Technique Strong End or a 30 technique Will Linebacker in your 4-3 Defense? Show Links To sign up for the May 19, 2015 Web Clinic, 15 Critical Keys To Planning Perfect Practices For Your Football Team Every Week This Season, visit http://joedanielfootball.com/ppwc What A Real 4-3 Defense Should Look Like For more detail on the 5 Minute Rule, listen to Episode 83 of The Football Coaching Podcast.

Coach Rob Patterson sat in with me for The Football Coaching Podcast in this episode. He's currently the JV Coach for Southern Lee High School in Sanford, NC. Coach Patterson has been on a path a lot of coaches want to know how to follow. He started coaching youth football when his son was playing. And he fell in love with it. After many years of coaching, he's moved to the Middle School and now High School coaching ranks. And he's winning. Rob is a Joe Daniel Football Insider member as well as a member of the 4-3 Defense eCourse. His youth team won their Pop Warner championship. He took his defense to the Middle School level and allowed just 8 ppg. Currently, he is coaching with the Junior Varsity at Southern Lee and also working in the box and as Quality Control for the Linebackers on the Varsity. Special Bonus: How To Build A Whiteboard, or... Why I Cannot Drive My Truck Right Now.

Episode 123 of The Football Coaching Podcast is the start of something new. This is our first Success Stories interview with members of Joe Daniel Football. Coach Donnie McDonough returned to his alma mater after college, and took over as the head coach at Western Wayne High School in 2013. After a rocky start, the team finished 6-4 in 2014. Their first winning season, and first playoff appearance, in 20 years. Coach McDonough is a member of The 4-3 Defense eCourse, and a Joe Daniel Football Insiders member. Hear how his football team made the turnaround in this episode!