The Force

When the Force is used correctly, it can be quite constricting.

The way I really learned the concept of "The Force" was from the book, Coaching Team Defense by Fritz Shurmur.  Matthew Brophy refers to this classic as "the bible of defense," and I would have to agree with him; it really is that good.  The principles in this book are universal to all defensive coaches, no matter what scheme they run.  Coach Shurmur was and still continues to be, thanks to his books and videos, a phenomenal teacher with the ability to explain the most crucial and fundamental concepts of defensive football in the most efficient and easy-to-understand way possible.

Coach's Corner Radio Show

I was recently allowed the opportunity and privilege to be a guest on the Coach's Corner radio show hosted by John Anderson and talked about Curl-Flat, Spacing, and Ball Security.  There are podcasts of great NFL, college, and high school coaches that are definitely worth checking out: http://compusportsradio.podomatic.com/

Curl-Flat

Curl-Flat is possibly the best play in football.  It is a horizontal stretch play designed to put the defensive Flat player in a bind of trying to cover both the Curl and the Flat route.  If the play is properly executed, the Flat player will be unable to do both.  Curl-Flat is a concept that has been around for quite a while and it has stood the test of time.  Its cruel effectiveness is not hindered in any way by its familiarity; rather, the design of the play makes it almost impossible for Cover 3 defenses to stop, even if they practice against it extensively.

John Wooden

A salute to John Wooden, the greatest coach of this era.  He showed us what success really is and that coaching is not screaming and yelling--it's about preparation and caring for your players to get the most out of them.

“Try your hardest in all ways and you are a success.  Period.  Do less than that and you have failed in one degree or another.”

“The ten national titles provided no additional peace of mind nor sense of validation of my efforts as a coach.  That I already had.  I had succeeded long before I was called a success." 

“You must have respect, which is a part of love, for those under your supervision.  Then they will do what you ask and more.  They'll go the extra distance, make the extra effort in trying to accomplish the most they can within the framework of the team."

- John Wooden

http://www.coachwooden.com

Bill Walsh

Michael Silver of cnnsi.com said this, "It was Walsh, after all, who not only revolutionized football strategy with the West Coast Offense, but who also created the organizational blueprint for the modern franchise, from the down-to-the-precise-minute daily schedule to the filming of practices and play-installation meetings."  The number of coaches who arose from the Walsh lineage is a testament to his greatness. 

Also, check this book out: Bill Walsh's Finding the Winning Edge.  It is probably the best football coaching book ever written.  I understand it is now hard-to-find, but it is worth the price if you can find a copy.  Here is the Bill Walsh coaching tree:

More Bill Walsh stuff: Bill Walsh site.  Be sure to take the Test.