Sunday Game Planning Tips – Creating Vertical Shots, Studying Opponents, and Building Better Coverage

Coach -

Each week, Game Planning Tips delivers ideas from coaches who live this process every day.

This edition focuses on how teams build explosive plays, analyze opponents, and execute on special teams — the three areas that define preparation and momentum.

Offense – Creating Vertical Shots in Your Offense

Caleb Corrill | Offensive Coordinator, Georgetown College

Every offense wants to be explosive, but few build it systematically. For Caleb Corrill, vertical shots aren’t random — they’re calculated.

“We’re not calling four verts every series. It’s about knowing what you do best and building vertical answers off it when the defense tells you it’s time.”

Corrill’s offense is balanced — 52% pass, 48% run — built around efficiency, not volume. His mantra: throw to score, run to win.

• Use base concepts as launch points for deep routes.
• Build shots from run looks to create defensive hesitation.
• Look for advantageous one-on-ones, not just matchups.
• Protect your base concepts — every play should threaten all areas of the field.

“There’s a difference between calling one-on-ones and creating advantageous one-on-ones.”

👉 [Watch the Clip]

Defense – Breaking Down the Opponent

Don Dobes | Defensive Coordinator, Dartmouth College

Preparation drives performance. At Dartmouth, Don Dobes has built his defensive process around organization and detail.

“We’re trying to divulge what makes them tick — to see who they are and when they’re going to do it.”

Dobes starts by breaking the opponent down from backfield sets forward, then layering formation tendencies, play selection, and down-and-distance study.

His five-step approach:

1. Start with personnel and backfield sets — pistol, offset, split backs.
2. Study formation personality — two-by-two vs. three-by-one, H-back alignments.
3. Chart top concepts — top five runs and top five pass actions.
4. Divide the work among assistants for buy-in and efficiency.
5. Analyze down and distance — from “P and 10” to third-and-long.

“Once we have our hit charts and formation charts, we can teach it cleanly to our players and play fast.”

👉 [Watch the Clip]

Special Teams – Building Effective Coverage

Jay Harbaugh | Special Teams Coach, Seattle Seahawks

Coverage success starts with knowing what your specialists can do — and what you’re asking your players to defend.

“It’s not how you like to cover first. It’s what your kicker and punter can do — and how you tailor your coverage to that.”

Harbaugh builds coverage units by aligning specialist ability, coverage player skill sets, and opponent return tendencies.

Key coaching points:

• Know your specialist’s strengths and consistency.
• Match player speed, power, and mindset to their assignment.
• Manage each player’s mental plate — don’t overload or under-challenge.
• Be aware of what you’re defending and what you’re inviting.

“Every scheme has a weakness. The best units know what they’re inviting and play fast anyway.”

👉 [Watch the Clip]

Closing Thought

Game planning is more than preparation — it’s alignment.

• Offensively, align your shots with your base concepts.
• Defensively, align your study with your players’ strengths.
• On special teams, align coverage with the ability of your specialists.

Details create confidence, and confidence creates speed.

Have a great week!

Coach Grabowski

🏆 Presented by Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation

Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation supports pediatric brain tumor research and families affected by cancer through football.

Since its founding, LFG has raised more than $2 million through clinics and community events led by coaches nationwide.

Join the mission or register for this year’s clinic series at 👉 laurensfirstandgoal.org