Coach ,

We continue our learning from Preseason Top 25 coaches.  Today Coach Kauffman shares insight on Utah’s 6-Man Protection.

Coach Grabowski

Season Preview Capsule:

Utah is appearing to be ripe for contention at yet another Pac-12 title. A title this season would mark 3 straight and with USC and UCLA having pending departures to the Big 10 it could give the Utes a major stake in west coast recruiting leading to dividends moving forward. The Utes will lean on their 14 returning starters to guide the ship. 

The Utes look to bring in a solid defense with all gaps filled from last season's draft class and graduating seniors. Most notably Clark Phillips III who was drafted by the Falcons. Miles Battle, a transfer with 45 games of experience under his belt, appears to be a lock for filling this secondary spot. The other 4 DB spots will be occupied by a variety of faces that have been consistent through the previous few years. The front will continue to be anchored by Junior Tafuna.

The offense will continue to look as sharp as always. Spending a 6th year in Salt Lake City must be all the rage as arguably the two most important returners are grad seniors. Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe return for one last go around in SLC and intend to leave on a good note. Expect reps to be at a premium for these guys early on coming off their injuries. 

The biggest question mark remains at the RB position for the Utes, all signs point to former QB Ja’Quinden Jackson to take the spot and run with it literally. But as in all cases the most important factor will be the Offensive Line. They will need to be ready to play a big part in keeping Cam Rising healthy and confident through his comeback and helping Jackson catch his stride through a tough early season schedule.

Here is a look into Coach Jim Harding’s 6 man protections that will be aiding the Utes this season. 

Utilize a Number System:

We see this across the board with offenses and everyone has their way of doing things whether the numbers signify routes, blocking protections, plays, directions etc. You can alter the game tempo and so many other factors with this. Make it your own, make it simple stupid and cover your bases. 

We can take the example from Coach Harding and his Blocking system. Changing the number of digits can alter your blocking scheme, direction of the back, identify the play tempo etc. The number system is highly favorable due to the amount of manipulation the coordinator can have in a relative quick and effective amount of communication so feel free to remove the “Y-short to strong-right clamp Ace; H 2-Y Bingo X comeback; cannon with roll-right B shallow on two” play calls. 

Regardless of what you choose to use in the end unless you have the time that NFL teams have and your players have the mental capacity for much of these more complex systems the value has to be very apparent. Create something that is yours and your staff is able to quickly teach, believe in and familiarize with that allows you to open up the play book as much as you can but, also manipulate the game in as many ways as possible while allowing your players to understand and be loose.

Coach Harding gives an overview of using a 1-digit and 3-digit system here:

Video: 3-Digit vs. 1-Digit 

Terminology is Key:

Terminology is a driver. It is the key to communication and developing a terminology that can be processed by every individual involved and alter the speed and cohesiveness that the play of your offensive line is executed at. This communication is something that is going to allow the offensive line to tell eachother quickly and progressively what they are seeing/what the defense is running. In many ways this is a great way to eliminate great defenders but also an aid for your upperclassmen to pull the play of your underclassmen up.

A widely overlooked item with this is this common terminology regardless of player call or mix ups in play call. If communication is off, it gives the line the ability to shore up the blocking assignments in real time. 

Fluidity is key as you have to move with the ebb and flow of the game and play the other coordinator this enables your players to become an interactive piece in this. In the end, this gives players more ownership and responsibility which can aid in the progression and development as well as the pride and self motivation of an athlete and promotes the idea of contribution from the team.

Coach Harding shares all of this in this video:

Video: 6 Man Pass Protections

Strive to Succeed!

Coach Kauffman