Coach ,

With snow on the turf and fall camp way off in the distance, now is as great time to add increasing player football IQ to the off season development plan.

This can be done in short segments of time, in the class room, virtually on zoom or Google meet, on social media apps, Google drives, Hudl or whatever system works best for you. 

The idea though is to really get your players to understand the why behind the game especially in terms of what both you and your opponents do. This video from Woody Blevins, Defensive Coordinator at Assumption University frames it out (click on images for video).

Video: Start with Why

So here are three ideas to help you create smarter football players during the off season.

#1) Ignition Reels

A great tool for demonstrating the performance that is being worked toward for each position is through the use of what Florida Head Coach Billy Napier calls “Ignition Reels.” These are cut-ups of some of the best in the game doing things right.  This idea can be adapted at every level.  It could be as simple as going through past season’s film and pulling clips of some of your best players as well as creating some aspirational videos of players from high levels. Coach Napier explains how they use “Ignition Reels” in this video (Click on image for video):

Video: Ignition Reels

Dave Patenaude who has been an FBS Coordinator and QB Coach begins with teaching the opposite side of the ball in what he calls Football 101. It allows his players to establish a strong foundation of understanding on what they will face and why. He explains it in this video:

Video: Football 101

Having multi-sport athletes or being strained for time doesn’t have to put learning the game on the shelf for your players. In this video, Pitt Defensive Coordinator Randy Bates discusses “homework” given to their linebackers. While this is something done in season, it certainly cn be adapted to the off season to keep your players engaged and increasing their football IQ even if it is in small weekly doses. Furthermore, it provides opportunity for discussions with your players individually or in a group to continue to learn.

Video: Homework

The technology we have available today and access to film from any level allows us to put together resources that will help our players become students of the game.  

Yes, we want them to have somewhat of a break from the grind of footbal season, but we certainly do not want anyone to stop learning.

Hopefully these ideas spark something for you to do with your own players. If you have other things you do to develop player understanding and Football IQ I would love to hear about it.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

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