In the world of youth sports, few debates spark as much passion as the one surrounding when and how young athletes should transition to tackle football. With the rise of flag football and 7-on-7 leagues, many programs have delayed introducing full-contact play until high school. However, this approach overlooks a fundamental truth: a strong middle school tackle football program is essential for achieving success at the varsity level. Not only does it foster critical skills an

In the high-stakes environment of six-man football, where scores can pile up quickly and field position is everything, kickoff coverage and return units often decide games. Unlike 11-man football, the reduced roster amplifies the importance of special teams, with more opportunities for explosive plays—or costly mistakes. This post dives into common errors coaches make in kickoff coverage, why they're detrimental, and how to set up a reliable, ball-hawking unit. By prioritizin

In the fast-paced, high-scoring world of six-man football, special teams play an outsized role compared to its 11-man counterpart. With fewer players on the field, every yard matters, and kickoffs can swing momentum in an instant. One of the most debated decisions for coaches is when to opt for an onside kick versus a traditional deep kickoff. This article explores the strategic considerations, risk-reward analysis, and best practices for incorporating onside kicks into your

Too many coaches focus on the Xs and 0s or the athleticism of the Jimmy's and Joe's when strategy, and athleticism are not nearly as important as the ability of a team to dominate penalties, turnovers, and special teams. This isn't just anecdotal wisdom—it's backed by decades of on-field evidence. As a head coach, I took the time to break down all 108 gamesinto these three "phases" of the game to evaluate their impact. Conclusion: winning the differentials in these areas isn'

I was asked recently to share how we cover kick-offs and when we opt to on-side kick the ball. The question stemmed from a coach who...

Through the years, I have been asked to provide coaches with insights into how we structure our practices. Our practices have evolved...

Below are the standard footwork drills that we use and the coaching points. For all the drills we expect the athletes to abide by these...

The next step for us is teaching how to block the cross and pull blocking that is integral to being able to run our counters and block...

The O'Brien (OB) is basically three plays. Two run plays and one pass play.  While this seems exceedingly simple, it get significantly...

The most difficult block in the O’Brien is made by the fullback (FB).  He is asked to block the defensive end (DE) and immediately turn...