December 9, 2009

Barry Alvarez on Defense and Building a Program

I love football, and I especially love college football.

A new football blog has a fantastic post regarding the coaching philosophy of former legendary Wisconsin football coach Barry Alvarez.
This information is obviously football specific, but I don't think it would be very hard to tweak coach Alvarez' philosophy towards a real estate company, bank, etc., etc.:

4 Things You Should Be Able to Ask your Players:
1. Know what you’re doing
2. Hustle
3. Hit
4. Finish

Defensive Philosophy:
1. When you give up a lot of yards:
a. How many missed assignments
b. How many missed tackles (anytime over 10 missed tackles, your probably going to lose)
c. How many times you got beat 1 on 1
2. Never go around blocks, cross their faces
3. Good defenses don’t spend time on the ground
4. Fundamentals have to include: explosion, reaction, pursuit, and gang tackling
5. Go for the ball- the 2nd and 3rd tacklers look to strip the ball, good defensive coaches coach turnovers
6. Stress speed and movement
7. A good linebacker is an extension of his coach. It is his job to keep his defense alert and anticipate the offense’s next move.
8. The bottom line is productivity. How many times is # __ involved in the play?
9. Teach them to get pre snap reads by noticing splits, formations, personnel, etc.
10. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO STOP THE RUN
11. Disrupt first downs. 3 or less yards
12. The more closer to the goal line, the more aggressive the defensive call
13. Always know what the offense’s answer is going to be to your blitz
14. Always play the scouting report percentages

Program Philosophy:
1. Devise a plan to fit their personality
2. Dealing with players:
a. The position coach is responsible for his players in all phases of their life
b. A good Head Coach wants his coaches to be close to their players. They must trust him. The position coach is expected to treat their players like family.
c. Set up practices to set up players to feel successful when building a program early on.
d. Use every opportunity to send your message
e. The players must know we will do all we can for them but they also have a duty to do what is right. Explain to them we are not a welfare program.
f. Always be honest in evaluating players
g. Don’t hesitate to contact players parents good or bad.
3. Practice Approach:
a. Don’t waste time, use walk-throughs effectively
b. Explain to them that every day is not an open try-out
c. Practice is about reps, coach the corrections during film
d. Explain the drills before practice
e. Develop the young players, keep them involved through meetings and scout team
f. Players respond to good organization. Coach the little details but also be sure to teach them the big picture.
g. Teach them the thought process during certain game situations.
h. Plain and simple, they must believe they have the advantage over their opponent every week

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