STEVEN CIOCCI

TIGHTENDSWAGNER COLLEGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS• Philosophy• Player/Coach Expectations• Stance and Splits• Start• Ball Security• Situational Running• Blocking

– Run Blocking– Pass Blocking

• Types of Blocks• Route Running• Route Tree• Coverages• Catching the Football• Communication• Tight End/Offensive Line Calls• Tight End Drills

“ Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.”-- George Halas

IF ITS EASY ITS WRONG!

PHILOSOPHY• We will be the hardest working position group on the field. We will be physical, disciplined and play with great pad level and technique• Need to have nasty players all across the board.• Score with your man! • One unit that plays together, bleeds together and works 24/7 together• We will block until the whistle blows• Know your assignment 100% of the time• Trust your steps and technique• Need to be violent and aggressive• We will dominate the line of scrimmage in the run game• Violent with your hands• Take the fight to them! We will be the aggressors!•WE WILL BE A COMPLETE TIGHT END

1. RUN BLOCKING / PASS BLOCKING2. PASS THREAT3. RUN THREAT (H BACK OPTIONS)

PLAYER/COACH EXPECTATIONS

• YOUR PLAYERS ARE YOUR PRIORITY• FOOTBALL IS A PRIORITY IN YOUR LIFE• BE FULLY COMMITTED TO YOURSELF AND

YOUR PLAYERS BY PERFECTING YOUR CRAFT• 100% ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRUST• ALWAYS HAVE OPEN DOOR POLICY• FILM STUDY AND PREPARATION IS CRITICAL.

GIVE YOUR PLAYERS KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME

• WE ARE ONE UNIT, ONE FAMILY FROM COACH TO PLAYER

• CREATE AN ENERGETIC ENVIRONMENT• BE YOUR PLAYERS ROLE MODEL…ALWAYS!

• YOUR PLAYERS ARE YOUR PRIORITY• FOOTBALL IS A PRIORITY IN YOUR LIFE• BE FULLY COMMITTED TO YOURSELF AND

YOUR PLAYERS BY PERFECTING YOUR CRAFT

• 100% TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY TOWARDS FOOTBALL AND ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY

• TEAM FIRST• BE COACHABLE• EVERY DAY 100% EFFORT, GIVE US YOUR

BEST NO MATTER WHAT• DO THE LITTLE THINGS RIGHT• BE A ROLE MODEL…ALWAYS!

COACH PLAYER

POSITIONAL GOALSAcademic

• 3.0 GPA OR HIGHER• SUCCESS IN SCHOOL TRANSLATES TO SUCCESS IN FOOTBALL AND LIFE• GRADUATE ON TIME, TAKE YOUR EDUCATION SERIOUSLY AND REALIZE IT IS

MORE IMPORTANT THAN FOOTBALLPractice

• WIN THE DAY EVERY DAY!• 100% EXECUTION• 100% HUSTLE AND EFFORT-NEVER WALK ON THE FIELD• PLAY WITH FEET FIRE AND HAND VIOLENCE• IMPROVE EACH DAY ON ONE FACET OF YOUR GAME IN EACH DIFFERENT PHASE

OF RUNNING BACK PLAY1. BLOCKING2. CATCHING3. ROUTE RUNNING

Game• WIN• 100% ASSIGNMENT EXECUTION• NO PENALTIES• NO TACKLES FOR LOSS EVER! WIN WITH YOUR MAN• OWN 4TH QUARTER!• 100 YARDS RECEIVING PER GAME• 30 YARDS AFTER CARRY• 8 EXPLOSIVE BLOCKS (CRITICAL TO TEAM SUCCESS)

STANCESPLIT OUT

• INSIDE FOOT UP WHEN SPLIT OUT • BACK FOOT STAGGERED BACK• SLIGHT SHOULDER LEAN

FORWARD• DO NOT BEND AT THE WAIST• KNEES SLIGHTLY BENT• HANDS IN ATTACK POSITION

READY TO SPRINT OFF BALL OR FIGHT THROUGH DEFENDER IF NECESSARY

• EYES INSIDE TO SEE SNAP OF THE BALL

• EYES UP TO SURVEY DEFENSE AND TAKE MENTAL PICTURE

STANCELINED UP AS FB

• FEET SHOULDER WIDTH APART• FEET PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER• HANDS ON THIGH BOARDS• KNEES SLIGHTLY BENT• FLAT BACK• EYES UP SURVEYING DEFENSE• HEAD UP• PARALLEL TO LOS

STANCETHREE POINT STANCE

• BALANCED STANCE• FEET SLIGHTLY STAGGERED-FOOT

STAGGERED BACK IS THE SIDE YOU LINE UP ON

• HAND DOWN TO THE SIDE YOU LINE UP ON

• BASE WILL BE SHOULDER WIDTH• FULL FOOT IN THE GROUND-BE

ON YOUR INSTEPS READY TO EXPLODE OFF BALL

• NO HEELS OFF THE GROUND• OPPOSITE ARM IN AN ATTACK

POSITION AGAINST YOUR THIGH BOARD

• FLAT BACK, SHOULDERS SQUARE TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

• TIGHT CORE, EYES AND HEAD UP SURVEYING THE DEFENSE

STANCEGOOD STANCE BAD STANCE• FULL FOOT IN GROUND EYES UP, ARM READY TO STRIKE, 50/50 BALANCE

• HEELS OFF THE GROUND, ARM IN NEUTRAL POSITION, HIPS SUNK TOO LOW

• SPLITS• Wider for inside plays• Tighter for outside plays

• RUN STANCE • 50/50 Stance• Comfortable – not interested in robots that look good • Be able to run block and get out into routes out of the same

stance • Everything is tight and compact • 3 point vs. 2 point

STANCE AND SPLITS

TIGHT SPLIT VS. WIDE SPLIT

STARTPASS GAME

• GREAT BURST OFF THE BALL• HANDFIGHTING VS. MAN DEFENDER• KNOW YOUR LANDMARKS ON YOUR

ROUTES• YOUR SECOND STEP IS YOUR DRIVE LEG,

THIS IS WHERE YOUR ACCELERATION WILL COME FROM

• CANNOT FALSE STEP ON FIRST STEP• STAY LOW WHEN BURSTING INTO ROUTE

RUN GAME• GOOD BASE IS KEY TO START• GET YOUR FIRST TWO STEPS AND PUNCH INTO DEFENDER

BEFORE HE CAN GET INTO YOU• POSITION STEP, THEN VERTICAL STEP WITH PUNCH• KNOW YOUR AIMING POINT CHANGES DEPENDING ON WHAT

TYPE OF BLOCK IT IS• CRITICAL TO ALWAYS USE PROPER FOOTWORK AND

TECHNIQUE

BALL SECURITY• AS WAGNER TIGHT ENDS, NOTHING IS MORE

IMPORTANT THAN THE FOOTBALL. YOU CAN’T PLAY IF YOU CAN’T HOLD ONTO FOOTBALL

• 4 POINTS OF SECURITY• HOLD BALL USING “CLAW” TECHNIQUE• POINT OF FOOTBALL WILL BE IN BETWEEN

POINTER AND MIDDLE FINGER• MEAT OF THE FOOTBALL ON YOUR FOREARM• OPPOSITE POINT OF THE FOOTBALL IN YOUR

BICEP• OPPOSITE MEAT OF FOOTBALL PRESSED INTO

YOUR CHEST PLATE

• HIGH AND TIGHT!!!• 5 POINTS OF SECURITY PLACE THE OFF HAND

OVER FOOTBALL IN TRAFFIC

4 POINT

5 POINT

SITUATIONAL RUNNING• MAKE ALL CUTS TIGHT TO COLOR!• ONE ONE ONE: BEST POSITION-PUT THE DEFENDER AND

YOURSELF IN A PHONE BOOTH. SQUARE UP TO HIM, THEN USE YOUR BEST MOVE. COVER GROUND TO DEFENDER BEFORE EXECUTING MOVE

• TACKLER WITH ANGLE: CUT BACK, OUT RUN HIM TO OUTSIDE

• HASH, NUMBERS, SIDELINE: USE IN ALL PERIMETER RUNNING SITUATIONS. RB WILL ATTACK HASH FIRST, THEN BREAK TOWARDS NUMBER, THEN UP FIELD BEFORE RUNNING UP THE SIDELINE. THIS WILL HELP YOU SET UP BLOCKS AND MAXIMIZE YOUR YARDS GAINED

• SIDELINE:DIP INSIDE SHOULDER, BALLIN OUTSIDE ARM, RIP THROUGH DEFENDER. DRIVE HEAD UP THROUGH CONTACT

• SHORT YARDAGE: RUN NORTH WITH LOW PADS, LEG DRIVE AND GREAT BALL SECURITY. DON’T BE DENIED EVER!

• BLAST: WHEN BEING TACKLED BY TWO DEFENDERS, SPLIT THROUGH THE MIDDLE, HITTING ON THE RISE AND SHOOT UP, 5 POINT BALL SECURITY

BLAST

DIP AND RIP

Zone = GAP – COMBO – MAN• Work back only when the numbers allow

it

• Drive Block – Landmark - Execution • Tight Reach Block – Landmark –

Execution • Reach Block - Landmark – Execution

(POSITION STEP / POWER STEP )

RUN BLOCKING

A / B / M / JET / SWEEP

BASE BLOCK:INSIDE ZONE• TARGET: MIDLINE:EYES TO THE APPLE• POSITION STEP: EYES TO TARGET, SQUARE• POWER STEP: GET IT IN THE GROUND• PUNCH: THUMBS UP, HEELS• WIDE BASE: PUSH OFF INSTEPS• FEET: TOES POINT OUT, STRAIN• DRIVE: 7 CLEATS, FIRE THE FEET• FINISH: EXTEND, EXPLODE THROUGH FINISH

1) POSITION STEP

2) POWER STEP (VERTICAL)

REACH BLOCK:OUTSIDE ZONE• TARGET: OUTSIDE ARM PIT WITH EYES• POSITION STEP: OPEN, EYES TO TARGET• POWER STEP: HAS TO GET TO THE CROTCH• PUNCH: SHOULDER AND STERNUM• WIDE BASE: RUN THROUGH THE TARGET• FEET: RUN• DRIVE: ON TRACK THROUGH TARGET• FINISH: CREATE AN EDGE

1) POSITION STEP (MORE LATERAL)

2) POWER STEP (VERTICAL)

(IF WIDE DEFENDER YOU CAN LOSE SOME GROUND TO GET TO AIMING POINT)

DOWN/BACK BLOCK• TARGET: MIDLINE• POSITION STEP: 45 DEGREES• POWER STEP: HAS TO GET DOWN FAST• PUNCH: STERNUM AND ARMPIT• WIDE BASE: RUN THROUGH THE TARGET• FEET: RUN• DRIVE: ON TRACK THROUGH TARGET• FINISH:

ANGLE STEP

HANDS AND HEAD PLACEMENT• WHEN RUN BLOCKING YOUR HEAD SHOULD ALWAYS BE LOWER THAN THE DEFENDERS

• PROUD CHEST, BULLED NECK AND HEAD / EYES UP

•HANDS ALWAYS INSIDE DEFENDER

• SHOULDERS AND ELBOWS TIGHT TO THE BODY (SQUEEZE THE ELBOWS IN

• IF YOU OWN THEIR CHEST YOU WILL OWN THEM THE ENTIRE GAME

PASS PROTECTIONOUT OF FULLBACK SET

• PRE SNAP PICTURE-RECOGNIZE WHAT DEFENSE IS GIVING YOU

• CHECK STEP WITH INSIDE FOOT• WHEN DEALING WITH AN INSIDE RUSH,

AIM MIDLINE• OUTSIDE RUSH AIM FOR INSIDE NUMBER

TARGET MAKE HIM RUN THE HUMP• ATTACK THE LOS-YOU WANT TO DELIVER

THE HIT AS CLOSE TO THE LINE AS POSSIBLE TO GIVE THE QUARTERBACK MORE ROOM TO WORK IN THE POCKET

• HEAD AND EYES UP• PROUD CHEST, DON’T LUNGE FOR

DEFENDER EXPLODE THROUGH WITH YOUR HIPS

• RELENTLESS, DO NOT STOP BLOCKING UNTIL THE WHISTLE IS BLOWN!

• CUT WHEN POSSIBLE (AS A CHANGEUP)• NEVER ALLOW COLOR TO RUN BY

UNBLOCKED, EVEN IF NOT YOUR READ ADJUST ON THE FLY AND MAKE THE POCKET RIGHT

• ONE ON ONE WHO IS THE TOUGHER MAN!

ATTACHED TO LOS• Own your man!• Mentality of back to a wall, only you stand

between defender and quarterback• Balance and control of body• Patience vs. Aggressiveness • Developing a good punch• Weight loaded on foot opposite of direction

you are kicking/posting• Shoulders back/proud chest• Ramrod your Back!• Work with the Offensive Line to sort out

twists/blitz pickup

ROUTE RUNNING• WE WILL BE A DIFFERENCE IN THE

PASSING GAME• ALWAYS RUN CLEAN AND

DISCIPLINED ROUTES• ATTAIN YOUR DESIRED LANDMARK

FOR EVERY ROUTE• RUN EVERY ROUTE ON TE TREE

WITH UTMOST CONFIDENCE• GIVE THE QUARTERBACK A VIABLE

PASS OPTION• DO NOT GET JAMMED ON LOS• MOR VS INSIDE RELEASE• ALWAYS COME BACK TO THE BALL• 100% ROUTE RECOGNITION-NO

MENTAL ERRORS!• RUN LOW DO NOT STAND

STRAIGHT UP• PRESNAP FIND YOUR LANDMARKS

ROUTE RUNNINGGETTING RELEASED-THIS IS THE MOST IMPORT ASPECT OF ROUTE RUNNING. A GOOD RELEASE OCCURS WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO AVOID THE DEFENDER WITHOUT LOSING ANY SPEED OR DISTORTING THE ROUTE.

1. STEM-DISTANCE BETWEEN THE RELEASE AND CUT. RUN FULL SPEED WITH FORWARD BODY LEAN AND EYES READING COVERAGE. HAVE A BEND IN THE KNEE AND REACH OUT WITH THE LEAD FOOT TO INCREASE SPEED. ARMS SHOULD MOVE IN TANDEM WITH OPPOSITE FOOT. WHEN RUNNING VERTICAL STEM LOOK TO QB WITH EYES AND SLIGHT HEAD TILT. NEVER TURN SHOULDERS BACK TO LOS.

2. CUT-USED TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF ROUTE QUICKLY. TWO TYPES OF CUT:PLANT AND ROLLOVER. WHEN YOU PLANT YOU ARE MAKING A “SHARP” CUT. PLANT OFF OF OPPOSITE FOOT FROM DIRECTION YOU ARE GOING. LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY BY DROPPING HIPS. STEP BEFORE PLANT STEP YOU NEED TO DECELERATE. SECOND CUT IS THE ROLLOVER. THIS IS MORE GRADUAL THAN THE PLANT BUT MUCH FASTER. NO NEED TO DECELERATE. CUT IS MADE BY THE OPPOSITE FOOT FROM DIRECTION WE ARE CUTTING. IF YOU ARE GOING RIGHT YOU ARE ROLLING OFF LEFT FOOT (SAME AS PLANT).

3. ROUTE FINISH-TIME RIGHT BEFORE THE CATCH. YOU SHOULD BE AT YOUR EXACT LANDMARK OF DESIGNATED ROUTE. THE FINISH WILL BE DETERMINED BY WHETHER YOU ARE IN A STATIONARY ON THE MOVE POSITION. WHEN ROUTE IS STATIONARY COME BACK TO THE FOOTBALL ON THE FLIGHT OF BALL AND CATCH AWAY FROM BODY. SHOULDERS SHOULD BE PARALLEL TO LOS. WHEN STAYING ON THE MOVE RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AND REACH WITH HANDS AS LATE AS POSSIBLE TO GRAB FOOTBALL.

RELEASEGOOD RELEASE BAD RELEASE• REPLACE DEFENDERS ASS, RELEASE INTO ROUTE• LOW OFF THE BALL

• GETS JAMMED BY DEFENDER, TOO HIGH DELAYS ROUTE RELEASE

TERMINOLOGY• ZONE TURN-OPEN HIPS INSIDE TO THE QUARTERBACK• MAN TURN-OPEN HIPS OUTSIDE TO THE RECEIVER• SHELL/UMBRELLA-ALIGNMENT OF DB’S AS A WHOLE• BUZZ-DEFENDER RUNNING TO COVER FLAT FROM INSIDE OUT• BAIL-ZONE TURN AND GAIN DEPTH (BY DEFENDER)• OVERLAP-OUTSIDE DEFENDER PLAYING OVER THE TOP OF INSIDE ROUTE (CORNER ON A SEAM)• REROUTE-IMPED VERTICAL RELEASE OF RECEIVER• SEAM-INSIDE VERTICAL•GO-OUTSIDE VERTICAL• HOLD THE LINE-FIGHT TO MAINTAIN VERTICAL STEM• LIFT-FORCE DEFENDER UP THE FIELD• STACK-GET DIRECTLY BEHIND DEFENDER• FRIENDLY-FLAT TO SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE• WEAVE-HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT ON VERTICAL SEAM• SEAM IN-INSIDE VERTICAL RELEASE• SIT-PLANT FEET AND DON’T MOVE • SETTLE/THROTTLE-SLOWDOWN IN OPEN ZONE• HOT-ADJUSTMENT TO BLITZ• LANDMARK-IDEAL SPOT ON THE FIELD• FINISH WITH HANDS ON-AT THE WHISTLE, HANDS ARE ON THE BALL OR A DEFENDER• STATIC ROUTE-ROUTE THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO STOP• D.A. RULE-ON STATIC ROUTE, STOP WHEN YOU ARE OPEN• OPEN SIDE-NO TIGHT END SIDE• CLOSED SIDE-TIGHT END SIDE

TIGHT END ROUTE TREE

COVERAGESCOVER 0• SAFETIES-ALIGNED LOWER AND STACKED OVER #2 WR/TE WITH EYES ON WR/TE• CORNERS-ALIGNED HEAD UP TO INSIDE #1 WR WITH EYES ON WR• LINEBACKERS-ALIGNED IN BOX OR TIGHT TO, EYES IN BACKFIELD (KEYING RB)

COVER 1• SAFETIES-ALIGNED LOWER AND STACKED OVER #2 WR/TE WITH EYES ON WR/TE OR ALIGNED DEEP EYS ON QB• CORNERS-ALIGNED HEAD UP TO INSIDE #1 WR WITH EYES ON WR• LINEBACKERS-ALIGNED IN BOX OR TIGHT TO, EYES IN BACKFIELD (KEYING RB) OR STACKED OVER #2 WR/TE WITH EYES ON TE/WRCOVER2• SAFETIES-ALIGNED DEEP OUTSIDE HASHES EYES ON QB• CORNERS-ALIGNED LOW (COULD BE PRESSED) SLIGHTLY OUTSIDE #1 WR WITH EYES INSIDE, FORCING INSIDE RELEASE• LINEBACKERS-ALIGNED TIGHTER TO BOX WITH EYES INSIDECOVER 3• SAFETIES-ALIGNED DEEP MIDDLE THIRD WITH EYES ON QB OR IN ALLEY WITH EYES INSIDE “BASED ON ROTATION”• CORNERS-ALIGNED OFF AND INSIDE WITH EYES INSIDE• LINEBACKERS-ALIGNED WIDER WITH EYES INSIDE OR ALIGNED IN THE BOX “BASED ON ROTATION”

COVER 4• SAFETIES-ALIGNED LOWER INSIDE HASHES WITH EYES IN BACKFIELD• CORNERS-ALIGNED OFF AND HEAD UP WITH EYES INSIDE• LINEBACKERS-ALIGNED WIDER WITH EYES INSIDE

COVER 6• SAFETIES-COVER 2 RULES TO BOUNDARY / COVER 4 RULES TO FIELD• CORNERS-COVER 2 RULES TO BOUNDARY / COVER 4 RULES TO FIELD• LINEBACKERS-COVER 2 RULES TO BOUNDARY / COVER 4 RULES TO FIELD

COVERAGE INTRODUCTIONCOVER 0• FREE SAFETY (F)-MAN TO MAN COVERAGE ON #2 WR (SLOT) TO THE BOUNDARY• STRONG SAFETY ($)-MAN TO MAN COVERAGE ON #2 WR (SLOT) TO THE FIELD• FIELD CORNER (FC)- MAN TO MAN COVERAGE ON #1 WR TO THE FIELD• BOUNDARY CORNER (BC)- MAN TO MAN COVERAGE ON #1 WR TO THE BOUNDARY• SAM LINEBACKERS (S)- MAN TO MAN ON RB OFFSET TO FIELD (COULD BE A BLITZER)• MIKE LINEBACKER (M)- MAN TO MAN ON RB (COULD BE A BLITZER)• WILL LINEBACKER (W)- MAN TO MAN ON RB OFFSET TO BOUNDARY (COULD BE A BLITZER)

COVER 1• FREE SAFETY (F)- MAN TO MAN COVERAGE ON #2 WR (SLOT) TO THE BOUNDARY OR DEEP SAFETY• STRONG SAFETY ($)- MAN TO MAN COVERAGE ON #2 WR (SLOT) TO THE FIELD OR DEEP SAFETY• FIELD CORNER (FC)- MAN TO MAN COVERAGE ON #1 WR TO THE FIELD• BOUNDARY CORNER (BC)- MAN TO MAN COVERAGE ON #1 WR TO THE BOUNDARY• SAM LINEBACKER (S)- MAN TO MAN #2 WR (SLOT) TO THE FIELD OR RB OFFSET TO FIELD (COULD BE A BLITZER)• MIKE LINEBACKER (M)- MAN TO MAN #2WR (SLOT) TO THE BOUNDARY OR RB OFFSET TO BOUNDARY (COULD BE A BLITZER)• WILL LINEBACKER (W)- MAN TO MAN ON RB OFFSET TO BOUNDARY (COULD BE A BLITZER)

COVER 2• FREE SAFETY (F)- DEEP BOUNDARY HALF OF THE FIELD• STRONG SAFETY ($)- DEEP FIELD HALF OF THE FIELD• FIELD CORNER (FC)- FLATS TO THE FIELD• BOUNDARY CORNER (BC)- FLATS TO THE BOUNDARY• SAM LINEBACKERS (S)- SEAM/CURL TO THE FIELD• MIKE LINEBACKER (M)- MIDDLE HOOK• WILL LINEBACKER (W)- SEAM/ CURL TO THE BOUNDARY

COVERAGESCOVER 0

COVER 1

COVER 2

COVERAGE INTRODUCTIONCOVER 3• FREE SAFETY (F)- DEEP MIDDLE THIRD (1/3) OR SEAM/CURL/FLAT TO THE BOUNDARY “BASED ON ROTATION”• STRONG SAFETY ($)- DEEP MIDDLE THIRD (1/3) OR SEAM/CURL/FLAT TO THE FIELD “BASED ON ROTATION”• FIELD CORNER (FC)- DEEP THIRD (1/3) TO THE FIELD• BOUNDARY CORNER (BC)- DEEP THIRD (1/3) TO THE BOUNDARY• SAM LINEBACKERS (S)- HOOK/CURL OR SEAM/CURL/FLAT “BASED ON ROTATION”• MIKE LINEBACKER (M)- MIDDLE HOOK• WILL LINEBACKER (W)- HOOK/CURL OR SEAM/CURL/FLAT “BASED ON ROTATION”

COVER 4• FREE SAFETY (F)- DEEP INSIDE QUARTER (1/4) TO THE BOUNDARY• STRONG SAFETY ($)- DEEP INSIDE QUARTER (1/4) TO THE FIELD• FIELD CORNER (FC)- DEEP OUTSIDE QUARTER (1/4) TO THE FIELD• BOUNDARY CORNER (BC)- DEEP OUTSIDE QUARTER (1/4) TO THE BOUNDARY• SAM LINEBACKER (S)-CURL/FLAT TO THE FIELD• MIKE LINEBACKER (M)- MIDDLE HOOK• WILL LINEBACKER (W)- CURL/FLAT TO THE BOUNDARY

COVER 6• FREE SAFETY (F)- DEEP BOUNDARY HALF OF THE FIELD• STRONG SAFETY ($)- DEEP INSIDE QUARTER (1/4) TO THE FIELD• FIELD CORNER (FC)- DEEP OUTSIDE QUARTER (1/4) TO THE FIELD• BOUNDARY CORNER (BC)- FLATS TO THE BOUNDARY• SAM LINEBACKER (S)- CURL/FLAT TO THE FIELD• MIKE LINEBACKER (M)- MIDDLE HOOK• WILL LINEBACKER (W)- SEAM/CURL TO THE BOUNDARY

COVERAGESCOVER 3

COVER 4

COVER 6

CATCHING THE FOOTBALL• KEEP YOUR EYES ON FOOTBALL THE

ENTIRE TIME FOCUS!• SEE THE SKINNY, CATCH THE FAT!• EXTEND YOUR ARMS-DON’T CATCH WITH

YOUR BODY-CREATE A BIGGER WINDOW OF VISION

• THUMBS TOGETHER WHEN BALL IS ABOVE YOUR NUMBERS

• PINKIES TOGETHER FOR BELOW THE NUMBERS

• TUCK BALL AS SOON AS IT IS CAUGHT• HIGH AND TIGHT• NO EXCUSE TO EVER NOT CATCH BALL

SEE IT ALL THE WAY IN

COMMUNICATION!• WHETHER YOU ARE COMMUNICATING WITH THE OFFENSIVE LINE OR THE WIDE RECEIVERS, THERE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE TO MISS A CALL• COMMUNICATE PRE SNAP EVERY PLAY!• NO MENTAL MISTAKES

TIGHT END CALLS• TED-TIGHT END DOWN WITH THE TACKLE PULLING AROUND FOR OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

• TANGO/TANK-TRUE DOUBLE TEAM BLOCK WITH THE TACKLE. WORK VERTICAL THROUGH THE DEFENDER UP TO THE SECOND LEVEL DEFENDER. DO NOT LEAVE BLOCK UNTIL LEVERAGE IS SECURED. COMMUNICATE WITH TACKLE.

• TUS-DOUBLE TEAM CALL BETWEEN GUARD AND TACKLE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS CAN ALERT THE TIGHT END TO A POSSIBLE SOLID CALL MEANING YOU ARE ALONE AGAINST YOUR DEFENDER

• BOX-OFFENSIVE LINE AND TIGHT ENDS BLOCKING DEFENDERS IN THE BOX. TURNS A ZONE SCHEME INTO A MAN SCHEME

• PUSH-OFFENSIVE LINE AND TIGHT END ZONING TO AN EXTRA DEFENDER IN THE BOX EVERYONE WORKS ONE MAN OVER THAN THEIR ORIGINAL ASSIGNMENT

TANGO TANK

TUS

TED

BOX

PUSH

OFFENSIVE LINE / TIGHT END CALLS

TIGHT END DRILLSRUN DRILLS

1. Boards Tight Reach (no bags)2. Boards Wide Reach- run off end of board3. Boards with Bag (PREFIT), Drive on command4. Boards with Bag Feet Fire 2 Step Progression5. Boards with Bag-fire off board weave drill

progression6. Boards with Bag-LB depth7. Chutes Zone Blocking (WITH OL)8. Power Double Team Progression/Bag Between

Hips9. Power Double Team Defender to LB (WITH

TACKLES)

PASS DRILLS1. Ball Security-Circuit of Drills to Ensure Ball is kept

high and tight2. Stiff Arm-Ball In Inside Arm Around Cone, use

hand/flipper to ward off defender3. Catch/Secure-Catch ball (thumbs and forefingers,

pinkies together) and Tuck4. Moving Catch/Secure-Ball In Front, Ball on Body,

Catch and Tuck5. Focus-Back to Ball, Then Snap Around to catch

ball on coach’s call6. Ball Behind-On the move, twist torso and spin7. Distraction-Stationary catcher with other TE’s

distracting8. Release Tech-Inside, Outside, Head up Defender9. Top of Stem-Cutting drill on Cones-Rollover and

sharp cuts

BEING A WAGNER MAN1. SELFLESSNESS-BECOMING A MAN MEANS SERVING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING

GREATER THAN YOURSELF. CHANGE THE THOUGHT PROCESS FROM SELF TO “US”. “No man has ever risen to the real stature of spiritual manhood until he has found that it is finer to serve somebody else than it is to serve himself.” ~ Woodrow T. Wilson

2. CONSISTENCY-REAL MEN ARE PEOPLE THAT OTHERS CAN COUNT ON. ANYONE CAN DO THINGS RIGHT ONCE IN A WHILE, A REAL MAN DOES ALL THE TIME. SHOWING UP TO CLASS, DOING HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS, MAKING WORKOUTS EARLY NOT ON TIME! ETC CONSISTENCY IS THE GAME FOR PROS, WHO ACTUALLY HAVE PEOPLE COUNTING ON THEM, MEN WITH REAL RESPONSIBILITY, REAL MEN.

3. HUMILITY-REAL MEN ARE SECURE IN THEIR ABILITIES AND DO NOT FIND IT NECESSARY TO PLACE THEMSELVES IN HIGHER ESTEEM THAN THOSE AROUND THEM. REAL MEN CHOOSE RESTRAINT AND HUMILITY. TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEAMMATES AROUND YOU, TEACH THEM HOW TO DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY. My power will be in humility ~ Walter Russell