Coach -

The College Football Playoff future for both programs is on the line with Alabama and Tennessee each having a loss already this season and the teams in a four-way tie for fifth in the mighty SEC. The Crimson Tide lost their last game at Neyland Stadium in 2022. 

Coach DeBoer is across the sideline from a familiar face in Linebacker Coach William Inge who was on DeBoer’s Husky staff last season.

Today we will take a look at aspects of the Tide Offense and the Vols Defense.

ALABAMA

Clinic: Quarterback Play & Pass Game Organization

QB play is a what makes the Tide offense go with Jalen Milroe. For Coach Sheridan success at the position starts with fundamentals.

Video: Throwing Posture & Carriage

Job #1 for Milroe will be protecting the football and keeping it in their possession. Coach Sheridan focuses the drill work to take care of this and the most important aspects of what happens in the game.

Video: Drill Work 

Drill work needs to convert to execution on game and within the offense’s play concepts. In this video Coach Sheridan goes over ther Vertical Switch.

Video: 2x2 Switch Verticals

TENNESSEE

Coach William Inge is looking to develop the linebacker  position at Tennessee to be top tier.. Here are just a few examples from an his clinic. He believes in these and how thet contribute to elevating the level of linebacker play. 

Video: Dominance Starts with Drills

To be elite taking on blocks is critical  here is how Coach Inge approaches it:

Video: Front Fit

In the front fit drill, the idea of eyes, hand placement and those items is significant. You want to train the LB’s to become comfortable in an engaged position. For this the emphasis on extension and tight elbows that are not facing out is extremely important. The more you can reinforce the idea of that space regardless of body type, the strength of the individual and athleticism should be able to put the player in the best position to make a play. 

Video: Door Tackle

From the idea of a fit you can then progress and develop into the idea of tackling/tracing work. The door tackle is a great example of this because it brings the eyes into the process. In many cases the idea of peripheral vision has to be at play for the LB as they will have inbound blockers and still need to be aware of ball carrier movement. 

The season continues to offer excitement and surprises, and this game is another important one in the chase for the top 12 spots.

-Coach Grabowski and the CoachesClinic Team

Other Clinics from the Alabama Staff:

Leadership Development - Maurice Linguist

Building a Championship Foundation For Sustained Success - Maurice Linguist

Other Clinics from the Tennessee Staff:

Tempo Run Game & Counter - Glen Elarbee 

Why Inside Footwork with Tempo & Spreading the Field - Glen Elarbee