Coach ,

It was certainly a fun weekend of football with the Wild Card games and for the first time, we get a Monday night playoff game to feed our football addiction.

I enjoy watching what is done at the NFL level and learning how I could adapt principles and strategy and tactics to the situations I was coaching in.

We were fortunate to have four of these coaches who are moving on to divisional games present at the COOL Clinic this past May.

Each shared the concepts, but more importantly the details behind the techniques that made them successful on the biggest of stage in the NFL.

Let’s take a look at the four coaches who we will see again next weekend.

The Tennessee Titans could be a case study in the power of having a system and a specific way of doing things on offense.  

Eight games in, they lost one of the game’s best-running backs in Derrick Henry who helped the team rush 147.6 yards per game to that point. They didn’t change the plan when he was out and continued to rush the football and wear down defenses averaging 135.8 rushing yards per game without Henry.

We know the guys up front don’t get enough credit for a team’s success, and what the Titans have been able to do without their star running back certainly shows the talent of the guys up front.

Titan’s offensive line coach explains that the offense starts with the outside zone. In this short clip, he explains “why outside zone.” (click on image for video)

Video: Why Outside Zone

The main component of this play is the man-reach block.  Coach Carter explains the keys to the man reach as well as the “towel drill” that begins the teaching of their progression for the block. (click on image for video).

Video: Man Reach

The Titans will put the Bengals' defense to the test in next week’s match-up.

The Packers had to sit and wait for their opponent next week and that will be the Forty-Niners in the Divisional Round.  

Having their start under Mike Shanahan as entry-level coaches for the Washington Redskins, there are plenty of similarities in the offenses of Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur.  

Much like the Titans, the Outside Zone gets the offense going. Of course, Aaron Rodgers plays a huge factor in the success of the Packers’ offense, so protecting him is a priority.

Offensive line coach Adam Stenovich believes that to protect a quarterback, it starts with winning the set. He likes offensive linemen getting off the ball and into their set fast. It’s about getting to the rush line and protecting the launch point. He explains the different tools they use in this video (click on image for video):

Video: Win the Set

The Packers face the Buccaneers in the next round and of course, Tom Brady is the major factor in this match-up. Like the Packers’ task of protecting Rodgers, the Bucs will have to keep Brady upright.  

In 2020 that was the key to the Bucs success and a Super Bowl win. Offensive Line Coach Joe Gilbert spoke about “Fundamentals and Techniques in Protecting Tom Brady” at the COOL Clinic.  

Specifically, the offensive tackles need to do their job. Coach Gilbert believes the three components for an OT’s success are “Set Line, Punch, and Mirror.” (click on image for video):

Video: Offensive Tackle Protection Techniques

Keeping the hands tight is crucial in the punch. Using a slightly deflated volleyball helps train the tight hands to be able to execute a tight hands punch. He explains that in this video (click on image for video):

Video: Volleyball Hand Drill

In the other AFC Divisional game, the Bills get a rematch with the Chiefs and both teams looked flat-out dominant in the Wild Card.

The Bills pitched a “Perfect Game” in not having to punt or kick, or turn over the ball. Incredibly, that is the first time that has happened in NFL history!

The Bills’ first negative play from scrimmage was on the second-to-final play of the game. It was a kneel-down from backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

Here was the "perfect" offensive game by the Bills:

• Scored a touchdown on all seven offensive drives (excluding kneel-downs)
• Averaged 12.3 yards per pass
• Averaged 6.0 yards per rush
• Did not take a sack
• Went 6-for-7 on 3rd down and the only 3rd down they did not convert was the final kneel-down of the game
• Had more touchdown passes (five) than incompletions (four)
• Gained yards on 49 of 51 plays (excluding kneel-downs)
• The only negative yardage plays were two kneel-downs at the end of the game

Having no sacks in a game will win you a lot of games, and it’s been a focus for Bills Offensive Line Coach Bobby Johnson.

From a teaching perspective, it starts with teaching the “how and why” of their drills and techniques as soon as possible. (click on image for video):

Video: Teach the Why and How as Soon as Possible

For the offensive line, it’s having a toolbox of different sets in order to win the battle on the line of scrimmage. The more dynamic a defensive lineman is, the more tools an offensive lineman needs. In this video, Coach Johnson details the “hot set” (click on image for video):

Video: Hot Set

Hopefully, we have another fun game tonight, and I am sure the Divisional round will be as exciting as this weekend.  

Take the opportunity to learn from these coaches. While this is the highest level, there are plenty of takeaways to help us and our players as we prepare for next season.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. These four clinics are available through the COOL Clinic now for a 67% savings. Get them here: Divisional Playoff Bundle