Table Of Content22000033
CCOOAACCHHIINNGG
AACCAADDEEMMYY
PPLLAAYYBBOOOOKK
Copyright © 2001, 2002, 2003, The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc., National
Football League, NFL Players Association, Sportvision.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of The
National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc., 22 Maple Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey 07960,
or without the prior written permission of the National Football League, 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10017.
Portions of this publication are adapted from material copyrighted by Cooper Publishing Group, LLC for use in
this manual only by The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc., National Football League,
and NFL Players Association. No further use of this material is permitted without permission from Cooper
Publishing Group, LLC, Post Office Box 1129, Traverse City, Michigan 49685.
Produced by NFL Creative. Project Manager: Joe Velazquez. Graphic Designers: Jim Hudgens, Susan Kaplan,
Jackie O’Camb, and Will Tham. Cover Designed by Jim Hudgens.
Printed in Wisconsin by Banta Book Group.
CONTENTS
Section Page
I Coaching Academy Program Overview 1
II Coaching Philosophy— 3
Developing Winners In Football and Life
III Football Skills—Successful Offense 11
Successful Youth Offense 55
IV Football Skills—Successful Defense 75
Successful Youth Defense 111
V Football Skills—Successful Special Teams 131
Successful Youth Special Teams 174
VI Coach–Player Communication 187
Chapter 1: Communicating Effectively 187
Chapter 2: Giving Effective Demonstrations 198
Chapter 3: Giving Effective Feedback 206
VII Program and Team Management 213
Chapter 1: Organizing To Win 213
Chapter 2: Effective Practice Planning 266
Chapter 3: Effectively Dealing With Parents 275
VIII Player Life-Skills Development: 291
Developing Winners In Football and Life
Chapter 1: Coaching Life Skills On the Run 291
Chapter 2: The Power 4W Success System 302
Chapter 3: The Coach As a Mentor Of Young People 318
X Program Follow-Up 417
i
NFL/NFF COACHING ACADEMY
Content Editor
Daniel Gould, Ph.D.
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
University of North Carolina–Greensboro
Authors
Daniel Gould, Ph.D., Larry Lauer, M.S., Karen Collins, M.S.,
Yongchul Chung, M.S., Amy Nakamoto, B.A., Cristina Rolo, M.S.,
and Nori Sie Pennisi, B.A.
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
University of North Carolina–Greensboro
Tom Bass
Former NFL Coach
San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Author of Play Football the NFL Way
Russ Medbery, Ph.D.
Exercise and Sport Sciences Department
Colby-Sawyer College
Linda Petlichkoff, Ph.D.
Department of Kinesiology
Boise State University
Brent Steuerwald
Head Football Coach
Shenendehowa High School
Al Petitpas, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Springfield College
Chris Klieman
Sportvision
Olathe, Kansas
Note: Small Portions of Sections 6 and 8 contain copyrighted material used with the permission of Steven J. Danish and the
Life Skills Center at Virginia Commonwealth University.
ii
NFL/NFF COACHING ACADEMY
Program Development Team
Bob Casciola, President, The National Football Foundation
Mickey Chianese, M.D., Pediatrics and Sports Medicine, Pro Health
Yongchul Chung, M.S., Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North
Carolina–Greensboro
Beth Colleton, Director of Community Affairs, National Football League
Karen Collins, M.S., Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North
Carolina–Greensboro
Steve Danish, Ph.D., Director, Life Skills Center, Virginia Commonwealth University
Donna Duffy, M.S., Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North
Carolina–Greensboro
Rob Fazio, M.Ed., Life Skills Center, Virginia Commonwealth University
Carl Francis, Director of Communications, NFL Players Association
Len Genova, President, NYC, Nassau and Suffolk Chapters, The National Football Foundation
Daniel Gould, Ph.D., Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North
Carolina–Greensboro
Jerry Jewell, Former Head Coach, Levittown Division High School
Chuck Klausing, Retired Coach, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Alex Kroll, Former Chairman, Young & Rubicam and the Ad Council
Larry Lauer, M.S., Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North
Carolina–Greensboro
Sharon Lincoln, Executive Director, Coalition of Americans to Protect Sports
Allison Lucey, M.S., Women’s Sport Foundation
John Mackovic, Head Football Coach, University of Arizona
iii
Russ Medbery, Ph.D., Exercise and Sport Sciences Department, Colby-Sawyer College
Jerry Moore, Head Football Coach, Elizabeth High School
Amy Nakamoto, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina–
Greensboro
Michael Palisi, Vice President, Nelligan Sports Marketing
Rick Perko, Senior Director, Sales, Sportvision
Al Petitpas, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, Springfield College
Linda Petlichkoff, Ph.D., Professor of Kinesiology, Boise State University
Cristina Rolo, M.S., Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North
Carolina–Greensboro
Karen Schneider, M.D., Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Rod Sharpless, Linebackers Coach, University of Maryland
Nori Sie Pennisi, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North
Carolina–Greensboro
Brent Steuerwald, Head Football Coach, Shenendehowa High School
Grant Teaff, Executive Director, American Football Coaches Association
Kelly Thalman, NFL/NFF Coaching Academy Coordinator, The National Football Foundation
Gene Washington, Director of Football Development, National Football League
George Young, Senior Vice President of Football Operations, National Football League
Judith Young, Executive Director, National Association for Sport and Physical Education
iv
Dear Coach:
Welcome to the National Football League/National Football Foundation
Coaching Academy Program. The National Football League and its players are
proud to be part of this program designed to support youth and high school football
coaches.
Youth and high school football is the foundation of our game. For many of
us, that is where our interest in football began.
Many current and former NFL players tell us that their youth and high school
coaches played critical roles in their development both as players and as people.
This program recognizes that one of the best ways to help America’s young people is
by supporting and enhancing the skills of youth sports coaches.
Developing outstanding youth football coaches is the mission of this Coaching
Academy. The program explores coaching philosophy as well as the specifics of
offensive, defensive, and special teams play. Planning and organization, coach-
player communication, life skills, and player safety also are covered.
This program is an investment in the future. We salute your dedication to
young people and football, and look forward to working with you in our Coaching
Academy Program.
Sincerely,
PAUL TAGLIABUE GENE UPSHAW
Commissioner Executive Director
National Football League NFL Players Association
v
S E C T I O N I
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Section I: Coaching Academy Program Overview
Section Objectives
This introductory section of your Coach’s Playbook has four objectives. These include:
• Welcoming you to the NFL/NFF Coaching Academy Program (CAP);
• Introducing you to the CAP;
• Describing the CAP materials you will receive;
• Discussing how you can best use the CAP materials to improve your coaching.
About the Coaching Academy Program
Mission and Goals
The National Football League (NFL) and National Football Foundation (NFF) have formed a partnership to
initiate the NFL/NFF Coaching Academy Program (CAP). The CAP was developed in an effort to facilitate the
growth of the game and to insure the positive development of all those young people participating. The mis-
sion of the CAP is simple, but critical. It is designed to elevate the quality of football coaching at the youth
and high school levels across America and expand the game of FOOTBALL. This mission is reflected in the
program’s guiding motto: “developing winners in football and life.” By improving the quality of coaching,
positive youth development will be fostered and the number of participants in the game will increase.
By participating in the CAP, you will enhance your football coaching knowledge and learn ways to impart that
knowledge to your players. You will also learn how to maximize enjoyment for your players, while at the same
time insuring that they participate in a physically and psychologically safe environment. Most important, you
will learn ways to help your athletes develop as football players, good citizens, and productive members of
society. Finally, you will interact with and better understand coaches from all levels of the football community.
Your participation will help strengthen the network of football coaches in America.
Program Description
The CAP curriculum covers six essential areas needed to teach the game of football effectively to young
people and run a successful and safe program in a positive learning environment. These areas include:
• Coaching Philosophy: Developing Winners in Football and Life
• Football Skills and Strategy (offense, defense, and special teams)
• Coach-Player Communication
• Program and Team Management—Organizing to Win
• Life Skills Development—Teaching Players How to Succeed in Football and Life
• Player Health and Safety—Playing It Safe
1
S E C T I O N I
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Program Materials and How to Use Them
Program Delivery
The CAP curriculum will be conveyed through four primary means.
(1) CAP Clinic. You will take part in a one- or two-day CAP Clinic. The clinic will consist of a series of both
classroom and on-the-field sessions in which you will receive the latest information in the six content areas
noted earlier.
(2) Coach’s Playbook. As a CAP participant, you will receive the Coach’s Playbook, a jammed-packed foot-
ball notebook that contains clinic notes, written chapters, and reference information relative to the content areas
of the program. The Coach’s Playbook is also designed as a postclinic self-study and reference source.
(3) Coaching CD. You will also receive a CD that contains graphic illustrations of proper football skills and
summarizes key teaching/coaching points. You can use this CD for your self-study, as well as an important
teaching tool for players. The CD will work on both Windows and Macintosh computer operating systems. The
Coaching CD also contains a number of helpful administrative forms, documents, and checklists to assist you in
your team and program management duties. It will be invaluable in helping you manage both your program
and team and in saving you a great deal of time. The forms are in Microsoft Word Format and are compatible
with both Windows and Macintosh computer operating systems.
(4) NFL High School Football Website. To keep you up to date on the latest in football coaching, the NFL’s
high school football Website (www.NFLHS.com) contains a special coaching section. This section provides foot-
ball skills and tactics information, as well as high school coaching stories and tips from around the country. As a
CAP participant, make a habit of checking out this section of the Website and keep up with the latest develop-
ments in the game and football coaching community.
How to Maximize Your CAP Experience
You will begin your CAP experience by participating in the clinic portion of the program. During this one- or
two-day clinic, outstanding football coaches and coaching educators will lead discussions and exercises and
guide you through lively on-the-field sessions. Clinic handout sheets are contained in the various sections of
your Coach’s Playbook. Your clinic session presenters will use the Coach’s Playbook in an interactive manner
throughout their sessions.
As you will see, your Coach’s Playbook contains much more than these clinic handout sheets. Each section of the
Coach’s Playbook contains a written chapter that summarizes and expands the content of the clinic session. Use
this information after the clinic. Read it to expand upon and reinforce what you have heard. The Coach’s
Playbook also serves as an excellent reference source for you to use.
Finally, some sections of your Coach’s Playbook contain additional materials that are not covered in the clinic
because of time constraints. However, this material can be invaluable to you as a coach. After the clinic, thumb
through your entire Coach’s Playbook to see what is available.
Again, welcome to the NFL/NFF Coaching Academy Program. We are proud to have you as a member of the
football coaching community. Enjoy the program, and thanks for all your efforts to expand the game and con-
tribute to the positive development of young people.
2
S E C T I O N I I
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
Section II: Coaching Philosophy—
Developing Winners in Football and Life
Daniel Gould, Ph.D.
Russ Medbery, Ph.D.
Karen Collins, M.S.
Section Objectives
Developing a well-thought-out coaching philosophy is critical for coaching success. This section
of the Coach’s Playbook will help you formulate and clarify your philosophy of coaching. Specifically, it
has three objectives, which include:
• Explaining the importance of having a coaching philosophy;
• Describing the NFL/NFF CAP philosophy “Player Power Development: Developing Winners in
Football and Life!”;
• Testing your coaching philosophy by examining real-life coaching dilemmas.
Coaching Philosophy - Developing Winners in Football and Life
“It is important to have a philosophy of life. I encouraged all our Spartans at Michigan State to have the
‘Three Bones’ philosophy. The first bone I wanted them to have is a funny bone; to always have a sense of
humor and to enjoy and laugh each day, especially if it comes at their own expense, and to take responsibili-
ty seriously, but never themselves too seriously. The second bone I wanted them to have is a wishbone; to
think big so their seeds will grow, to hitch their wagon to the proverbial star and to have goals and lofty
ideals. The third and probably most important bone is backbone. This gives you the gumption, the get up and
go, the courage, the desire to excel, the motivation to make all your dreams come true and to reach all your
high goals and ambitions.”
—Duffy Daugherty, Collegiate Hall of Fame Coach, Michigan State University
Why Develop a Coaching Philosophy?
The football season is fast approaching. Just think of all of your duties. You must check all the equipment,
schedule the fields, make sure all the players have their medical clearance and insurance, and meet with
your assistant coaches to discuss the upcoming season. While these represent only the tip of the iceberg
when it comes to your coaching duties, one of the most important preseason tasks you have is to establish a
coaching philosophy. As the above quote from legendary coach Duffy Daugherty shows, having a well-
established coaching philosophy is a key to coaching success.
The reason most experienced coaches feel it is so important to have a well-thought-out and established
coaching philosophy is because it has an effect on virtually every aspect of your program. Think about it.
Your goals and beliefs about football and life affect everything you do from interacting with players’ parents
to decisions about playing time and the type of offense you run.
Having a well-thought-out coaching philosophy, then, is the essential foundation needed for successful
coaching.
3
Description:Life Skills Development—Teaching Players How to Succeed in Football and Life. • Player Health and Safety—Playing It Safe. Section Objectives. This introductory section of your Coach's Playbook has four objectives. These include: • Welcoming you to the NFL/NFF Coaching Academy Program (CAP);
