Category: JDFB Quick Clinic

Is it the right time to take this Head Coach position? Here’s what every young football coach needs to consider.

Every one of us, early in our career, thought we knew everything. If you were in charge, you’d do things different. And it would work.

Actually, this JDFB Quick Clinic is in response to an email from a coach with a very different perspective. He’s not sure he’s ready to take on that responsibility, but it may be falling to him anyway. Continue reading “QC 120 Should I Take This Head Coach Job?”

Why do you play the 4-3 Defense Strong Defensive End in a 9 Technique? Wouldn’t it be better to play him in a 7 Technique, inside of the Tight End?

I hear from a lot of coaches who want to run the Strong Defensive End in a 7 technique, to control C Gap and help protect the Inside Linebackers.

There’s no problem with it. It’s what we do in the 4-2-5 Defense. And that, in itself, is the primary difference in the two fronts. Continue reading “QC 119 Defensive End Alignment in the 4-3 Defense”

How do you defend Unbalanced Formations? What coverage do you run in 7 on 7? Can I change my defense?

Time to get caught up on some mailbag questions. None of the questions for today was long enough for its own episode. But every one is important.

Today’s mailbag questions involve defending unbalanced formations into the boundary, 7 on 7 coverages, and when to change your defense!

Continue reading “QC 118 Three Questions on the 4-2-5 Defense”

How do you get your defensive play calls in for Youth Football? If your playbook is simple, it doesn’t take much.

At the youth level, it’s all about getting your players to enjoy the game and play with great fundamentals. Focus on that.

Scheme won’t win you nearly as many games as great execution will. That’s true at every level.

On this week’s episode of the JDFB Quick Clinic, I’ll answer an email question about how to make your play calls for Youth Football Defense. It comes down to one thing: Keep It Simple! Continue reading “QC 117 Play Calling for Youth Football Defense”

You’ve got to develop your JV Team to have continued success on Varsity. How do you make sure they’re getting better and having fun?

Junior Varsity coaches can be in a tough spot. You want to keep the enthusiasm of your players high. Make them love the game of football.

You also need to win games. And prioritize development of those players who are going to contribute to Varsity in the near future.

On this week’s JDFB Quick Clinic, we’ll look at the role of the JV Coach. And how to best accomplish those goals. Continue reading “QC 116 How to Develop Your JV Team”

Who Should Your Inside Linebackers Read in the 3-4 Defense? Listen to this Episode to Find Out.

Linebacker Reads are the most popular topic on the Quick Clinic podcast. There’s lots of ways to do it, and none of them are the ‘right’ way.

This listener question focuses on Linebacker Reads in the 3-4 Defense. We’ll talk about the options, and why you might choose each one as your preferred method of getting your Linebacker to the point of attack, faster. Continue reading “QC 115 Linebacker Reads in the 3-4 Defense”

How do you defend Unbalanced Formations in your 4-2-5 Defense? This one will add a little more stress.

Today’s JDFB Quick Clinic question was sent to me on Twitter asking a specific question on defending Unbalanced I-Twins with the 4-2-5 Defense. So we’ve got to get out the mental whiteboard and draw it up!

We’ve run this formation as part of the Pistol Power Offense System in the past. Some teams fail to adjust as you’ve added two unbalanced elements to one formation. Continue reading “QC 114 Defending Unbalanced I-Twins in the 4-2-5 Defense”