4-2-5

I've been studying the 4-2-5 and I pulled a lot of good resources from Runcodhit, Brophy, Deuce, Blitzology, Coach Mac, Chris at SmartFootball, Jim Light, and some articles from this site.  The newer links are at the top of the list under each coach.  Here are links to the 4-2-5:

8-2-1 Kickoff Return: The Bandwagon is Growing!

Great article here by former Dolphins and Jets Special Teams Coordinator Mike Westoff on SI's MMQB  talking about his idea of a 8-2-1 Kickoff Return.  Duece from the Football is Life blog was the first one to come up with the radical idea of the 8-2-1 Kickoff Return and I did an article on the 8-2-1 Kickoff Return here back in February proposing it as a solution to the NFL's safety problem.  This idea that was initially dismissed as a gimmick is now starting to gain serious consideration as a viable solution to the NFL's safety problem as well as a way to restore the importance of the kickoff return in professional football.

Check out the 8-2-1 diagram from the article by Westoff:

Solving the NFL's Safety Problem: The 8-2-1 Kickoff Return

I believe that Duece's 8-2-1 Kickoff Return can be the solution to the NFL's concussion problem. Not that he needs me to validate him, but this idea should not be so easily dismissed without evaluating it on its merit.  Let me start by saying that when I first heard about the 8-2-1 KR that I thought it was the Special Team version of the A-11 Offense (read: gimmick), but I let Duece clinic me on the subject recently and I became convinced. 

How You Sell It - OJW, Deuce, Vass

In today's economy, if you can't afford to go to a coaching clinic, you have to create your own.  I was able to get together and talk ball recently with three great friends and coaches.  As you can see from the video background, we spared no expense in accommodations for the clinic.  Seriously, good people, a whiteboard, video projector, and plenty of time to talk are all you need.  OJW (black hat), Deuce (red shirt), and Vass (ugly green hat) discuss in the video how coaches have to be salesmen at times in wording things to get players to fully buy in.

4-3 vs. the Flexbone - Mike play

Introduction

I have learned a lot about 4-3 defensive fundamentals from my next guest writer.  He has tremendous knowledge and experience on defending the Flexbone from the 4-3, and he has been amazingly gracious and patient enough to answer all my questions over the years.  The keys for Mike LB play in the video are simple enough, but the position requires a high level of instincts, physical ability, and fundamental skills to execute effectively, as my friend from the "Darkside" will discuss.