Coach ,

A key to the big game this Sunday will be how well the Chiefs protect Patrick Mahomes.

For Offensive Line Coach Andy Heck, it starts with creating a pocket that, as he put it,  “He can bake a cake in” and “sit back and carve up the defense.”

He teaches his line that Protection will beat Coverage.  If they can give their QB 2.5-2.75 seconds, that’s all it will take.

Schematically, they are looking for 3-on-2 inside with the guards and center “stoning the tackles at 3 yards” allowing Mahomes to step up into lanes when he needs to.

He wants a pocket that looks like this:

Lanes that big essentially turn it into a 7-on-7 for Mahomes.

Of course, after the understanding of the “what,” it comes down to “how,” and to Coach Heck a big part of that is body position. 

In this video, he shares several drills he uses to teach correct body position.  These are drills that can be utilized in the off-season (click on image for video):

Video: Body Position

Knowing where to help and for how long can help create the clean pocket. Coach Heck emphasizes the importance of “holding space.”  What does that mean? It means that, for example, a Center who is sliding left but has no gap threat will not just punch to his right and move away.  He will sit and keep an arm in to “hold the space” keeping his eyes on his gap and going there when he needs to go.  Coach Heck illustrates that with this clip click on image for video):

Video: Hold Space

Coach Heck gave a thorough presentation at the 2022 C.O.O.L Clinic.  The 2023 C.O.O.L Clinic will be virtual for one more year with an announcement coming after the clinic on a new venue for it to go back in person.

Save the Date! May 18-20. The initial line-up has top college and pro coaches with the final NFL coaches who will be presenting named soon.

Here is the initial line-up:

• Stacey Searels - Georgia 
• Jim Harding - Utah
• Alex Atkins - Florida State
• Glen Elarbee - Tennessee
• Scott Fuchs - Kansas
• Keith Clark - Darmouth
• Josh Henson - USC
• Sherrone Moore - Michigan
• Eman Naghavi - Tulane
• Brain Callahan - Minnesota 
• Conor Riley - Kansas St.
• AJ Ricker - TCU
• Chris Foester - San Francisco
• Kris Sweet - Toronto Argonauts, Grey Cup Champions
• Steve Palazzolo - PFF
• Jim McNally - NFL Alumni 

Info and links to the clinic will be available soon.

All of the past two years talks are here: https://coachtube.com/coolclinic

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski