Coach ,

While many of us expected a tighter game and maybe even different results, there’s a lot to be learned from the game played on the biggest stage.

Sharing some of my insight, as well as some resources I recommend if you'd like to dig deeper into mastering a concept.

Run the ball efficiently

The game plan of Byron Leftwich seemed simple - run the ball and play action. The Bucs did it well with Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II combining for 150 yards on 28 carries and a TD.  

Zone Runs were called often for the Bucs. Become a Master on the Zone Running Game by studying the experts.

Play action 

With a good run game comes the opportunity to throw play action. The Bucs did a tremendous job utilizing the play action and keeping defenders off Tom Brady. Brady was sacked just once and hit only two other times. 

Play action passing forces down defenders to play run technique and therefore not be in a pass rush demeanor. The result is a cleaner pocket for the QB to distribute the ball.

An example is seen as DePauw University head coach Brett Dietz shares their play-action concept “Yahtzee” which they use to draw a run-support safety down and getting their receiver 1 on 1 in the middle.

Learn from these other clinics and courses on play-action:

Mark Solis- Play Action Pass

Spread and Shred Naked Boot and Dash Pass

Play Action Pass - Russ Martin

Play Action Pass & Break Contain-Tom Herman

Tight Ends are an asset

For the Patriots, Rob Gronkowski showed up big time catching 6 for 67 and 2TD. Of course, a tremendous performance was turned in by Travis Kelce who was the game’s leading receiver with 10 catches for 133 yards. Gronk played a role in the run game of the Bucs and was called on to protect Brady as well.  

An example of making the TE a weapon comes from North Dakota State OC Tyler Roehl. He shows how they integrate the Tight End into play-action passing in this video:

Here are more courses on training the TE to be a weapon in your offense.

Building the TE from the Ground Up - Jeff Gallo, OC/TE, Monmouth U.

Tight End Fundamentals - John Strollo, Former Penn State TE Coach

TE Technique in The Pass Game- Chris Monfiletto, TE Coach, Rice

Stop the big play with zone coverage

Todd Boles learned something after the week 12 match-up where Tyreek Hill torched the Bucs defense with 13 catches for 269 yards and 3TD. You just can’t give up the big play. Boles pressured less and played much more zone defense. The result was keeping the Chiefs out of the end zone and limiting Hill to 73 yards on 7 catches.

There’s some very good courses on zone coverage. In this example, Dante Bartee, analyst at Southern Mississippi teaches the details of zone match coverage:

Here are other videos on zone coverage:

Kent State, Jason Makrinos- Defending RPO`s with Quarter, Quarter Half

Army, Cortney Braswell - Cover 6 Defense

Ole Miss, Chris Partridge - 3rd Down and Red Zone Bracket

Great LB can dominate the game

Devin White was all over the field making 12 tackles and 1 pass defended. Lavonte David added 6 tackles and 2 passes defended. Having guys who can be a factor in both the run and the pass makes a big difference,

Good linebacker play stems from good coaching. Patrick Willis was one of the best linebackers to play the game.  In this video, he talks about the impact of his coaches.

Courses on linebacker play:

Patrick Willis - Linebacker Training Course - Build the Beast

Creating a Run Stopping Linebacker in the 4-2 Defense

Tyson Veidt - LINEBACKER PLAY in the 33 Stack - Iowa State

Get to the passer

The Bucs had Patrick Mahomes under pressure the entire night sacking him 3 times and hitting him 8 times.  Developing the pass-rush skills of your defensive line can allow you to put pressure on and like the Bucs play zone and take away the big play.

For Oklahoma OLB coach Jamar Cain, much of their work on pass rush is done in pre practice. He explains and shows drills in this video:

More resources on pass rush fundamentals:

Anthony Camp: Louisiana Tech Pass Rush Techniques

The Pass Rush Bible: Essentials Edition

Jamar Cain - Outside Linebacker Play

Stance & B-G-O w/ Tommie Harris

With an FCS, small college, and even high school seasons beginning soon, we won’t be without football long. Make the most of your off-season by developing yourself.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski