Coach ,

My theory until this past Sunday was that you can always find a way to take a receiver out of the game.  You can bracket in and out, bracket high and low and disrupt his release to affect the timing of the play.

It’s something that Lou Anarumo and Bengals planned on doing as well, but in the end, Cooper Kupp destroyed that theory.

So now the question becomes, how do I develop my own Cooper Kupp who not only has the physical skills, but has a football IQ that’s off the charts.  

Here’s an example of Kupp’s intelligence (click on image for video)::

Video: Cooper Kupp’s Technical Understanding

Developing High Football IQ

Developing this kind of technical understanding starts in the classroom. Mark Philmore, former WR coach at Eastern Illinois and new head coach at Reynoldsburg HS(OH) starts with teaching a “top down mentality” in identifying coverages. 

Here he explains how the teaching begins simply by teaching 1-high or 2-high.  He also shares his methodology in how he uses multiple teaching methods to create understanding (click on image for video):

Video: Teaching Coverge ID 1-High/2-High

Arizona Cardinals assistant Jordan Hogan believes in using film to teach key points in the game plan and what to explicit from the opponent.  His receivers are taught exactly how to watch film.  He explains his methodology here (click on image for video):

Video: Film Review Keys

Of course on top of the developing mental intelligence is teaching a mindset that will win in all situations.  Holomon Wiggins, WR Coach at Alabama, uses the acronym EDGE to give those players keys to a winning mindset (click on image for video):

Video: Play with an edge

Stance

Getting into the physical side of developing your unstoppable receiver, it all starts with the stance as Coach Wiggins explains here:

Video: Stance

Explosion

Young receivers typically struggle with understanding how to explode off the ball.  This is a major issue as the can add .2 seconds on the line of scrimmage with false steps or sinking hips before moving forward.  

Why does that .2 seconds matter? Well first, it turns a 4.6 40-yard dash into a 4.8.  We all know that is significantly slower and certainly makes it easier for a DB to stay on top. 

Secondly, it creates timing issues for primary routes ruining the calibration that allows to see that receiver open on the last step of his drop.  Del Valle HS head coach Bobby Acosta utilizes a med ball drill to train that proper explosion (click on image for video):

Video: Med Ball Teach Tape

Footwork 

Crisp and precise cuts are accomplished by developing the receiver’s footwork.  Here Coach Hogan explains a series of drills he utillzes to accomplish it (click on image for video):

Video: WR Agility Drills

Here’s another drill to develop quick feet from 3x state champions WR Coach John Weaver (click on image for video):

 Video: Quick Feet

Double Jab Release

As mentioned, stopping a receiver can begin at the line of scrimmage.  Arming the receiver with differen releases can help him win both at the line of scrimmage and in preserving the timing of the route. Kansas WR coach Rob Ianello demonstrates the “double jab” drill here (click on image for video):

Video: Double Jab

Second Level Release

Releases happen on the second level in space as well.  A good release at level two will bring the receiver into space for the throw.  It’s something that is key for Kupp.  Vikings WR Coach Christian Jones shows it on film here (click on image for video):

Video: Second Level Release

Mentality - Using the Toolbox

After NFL receiver trainer Drew Lieberman equips his players with a tool box full or  techniques for releases and running routes, he teaches them a mentality that he refers to as ”Playing basketball with a Pitcher’s mentality.”  He explains that here:

Video: Mentality

Learning to Adjust

Winning routes also requires the ability to Adjust.  Edmonton Elks WR Coach Winston October demonstrates that here  (click on image for video)::

Video: Adjustments to the Redline

Correct bad decisions

Inevitably, a receiver will make a bad decision on his route, but as Rob Likens, WR coach at SMU, explains, there is a way to correct that and help the quarterback make a completion.  This is a key technique and strategy to teach any receiver who you want to make unstoppable (click on image for video):

Video: Correct Bad Decisions

What does it look like?

Want to see what this looks like on the field? Former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger uses game film to break down the importance of route selections and reading defenses utilizing Hall of Famer Randy Moss and All-Pro receivers Davante Adams and Michael Thomas.

Baldinger's insight into the techniques used, player's strengths, and overall play design from different offensive packages make this a valuable course for coaches, players, and scouts. Here he shows Randy Moss running an option route for a touchdown:

Video: Goal Line Option Routes and Go Routes 

Once the football intelligence, mindset, and physical skills are developed, it becomes putting the receiver into the concepts and designing those concepts to take advantage of his abilities as well as how the defense will have to adjust to stop him, but that’s a conversation for another time.

Good luck in developing your own Cooper Kupp to destroy defenses this fall!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski