- A & M wave drill, 222-223
- Action pass:
- coverage of, 75-77
- from broken backfield, 78-79
- from flanker set, 4-spoke coverage versus, 96-97
- from floater set, 4-spoke coverage versus, 98-99
- 4-spoke pass defense against, 92-93
- Africa, 16
- Against the grain, 143
- Aggies, 232, 233
- Agility drills, 209
- Alabama wave drill, 226-227
- Ant plan, 16-17
- Assistant coach, 203, 204, 212
- group work, 21
- responsibility, 22
- specialist, 21-22
- type of man, 18-20
- Automatics, 151-152
- faking, 152
- Backs:
- flanked out, defense adjustments versus, 56-57
- in victory defense, 47
- Bad play, 141
- Ball carrying techniques, 155-157
- mental attitude and, 157
- open field running, 156-157
- Baltimore Colts, 3
- Baseball terminology, 214
- Berry, Ray, 3
- Best defensive player, in victory defense, 47-48
- “Big plays,” 214
- Big tip drill, 218-219
- Blocked kicks, 114, 115
- Blocking techniques, 157-166
- blocking linebackers, 159-160
- crack back block, 164-165
- downfield, 160-161
- drive block, 157-158
- junction block, 165
- pass protection, 163-164
- post-lead block, 161-162
- reverse shoulder block, 158-159
- roll block, 165-166
- trap block, 162-163
- Box defense, 143, 190
- Bucker drill, 228
- Butt ball drill, 222
- Butt block, 120
- Center, 114
- extra point and field goal blocking rules, 137
- in goal line defense, 49-50
- offensive stance for, 145
- in quick kick formation, 125
- spread punt blocking rules, 119
- Champions, 231-234
- Chop block, 143
- Church, 20
- Circle drill, 224-225
- Clemson College, 16
- Climb block, 143
- Club, 142-143
- Coach:
- assistant (see Assistant coach)
- backfield, 187, 195-196
- dedication, 10
- defensive, 21-22, 208, 212
- head (see Head coach)
- high school, 22
- long term contract, 9-10
- mental toughness, 10
- necessity of a plan, 11
- offensive, 21-22, 205, 208, 212
- qualifications, 10
- quarterback, 194
- staff, 11
- and winning team, 9-11
- Coaching:
- division of duties, 21-23
- over-coaching kickers, 112
- rewards of, 232
- teaching and, 23
- (see also Planning for a game)
- Color, 143
- Conerly, Charlie, 2
- Corner man:
- defensive stance, 43
- left, defensive:
- 4-spoke pass defense versus action pass, 93
- from flanker set, 96-97
- from floater set, 99
- 4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, 91
- from flanker set, 95
- from floater set, 98
- 4-spoke pass defense versus roll-out pass, 95
- right, defensive:
- 4-spoke pass defense versus action pass, 92
- from flanker set, 97
- from floater set, 99
- 4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, 91
- from flanker set, 96
- from floater set, 97-98
- 4-spoke pass defense versus roll-out pass, 94
- Cotton Bowl, 3
- Courage, example of, 4-7
- Covered, 142
- Covering third-and-fourths drill, 216-217
- Crack back, 143
- Crack back block, 164-165
- Cross-body block, 120
- Crow, John, 141
- Cutchin, Phil, 195
- Cut off, 142
- Dedication:
- coach, 10
- players, 12
- Defenders, pass defense by, 85
- Defense, 24-61
- axioms, 27
- errors, 26
- gang tackling, 28
- goal line, 48-51
- importance of belief in, 61
- limiting offense, 26
- numbering system, 28-34
- advantages of, 34
- objectives, 24-27
- offensive-minded, 25
- pass (see Pass defense)
- personal challenge, 26-27
- philosophy of, 26
- reaction football, 26
- scoring, 25, 26
- signal callers, 33, 34
- 6-2 alignment, 53-56
- split-T, 51-55
- stance, 41-43
- surprise, 44-46
- team proposition, 27-28
- techniques, playing of, 34-41
- versus backs and ends flanked, 56-57
- versus single wing offense, 57-61
- versus unbalanced line, 56
- victory, 46-48
- Defensive alignment:
- attacking, 171
- even, 190
- numbering, 166-171
- odd, 190
- Defensive bucker drill, 228, 230
- Defensive coach, 21-22, 208, 212
- Defensive cuts drill, 215
- Defensive ends, drills for, 220-221
- Defensive football (see Defense)
- Defensive interior linemen, drills for, 222-228
- Defensive reaction drill, 226
- Defensive secondary:
- drills for, 215-220
- stunting in, 105-110
- Desire to excel, 13
- Dietzel, Paul, 2
- Dog fight, 25
- Dog fight drill, 217
- for safety man, 218
- Downfield blocking, 160-161
- Drills, 215-230
- for defensive ends, 220-221
- for defensive interior linemen, 222-228
- defensive, for team, 230
- functional, 230
- for linebackers, 228-230
- for secondary, 215-220
- (see also under Name of Drill)
- Drive block, 143, 157-158
- Drive man, 143
- Eagle, 144
- “Easy” touchdown, 24, 25, 27, 61
- 8-man front, 143
- recognizing and attacking, 190-192
- 8 technique, 40
- Ends:
- blocking rules:
- extra point and field goal, 137-138
- spread punt, 119
- tight punt formation, 123
- defense versus single wing offense, 58
- defensive stance, 42
- in 5-spoke defense, 70
- flanked out, defense adjustments versus, 56-57
- goal line defense, 49
- left, in punt return, 127-128
- left, defensive:
- coverage of action pass from broken backfield, 78
- coverage of straight drop back pass, 75
- from broken backfield, 78
- pass defense by, 81-82
- in quick kick formation, 125
- right, in punt return, 128
- right, defensive:
- coverage of action pass, 76
- from broken backfield, 79
- coverage of straight drop back pass, 75
- from broken backfield, 77
- 6-2 alignment, 53-54
- in split-T defense, 52
- in victory defense, 47
- Errors, 24, 26
- Even defense, 143
- Explode drills, 225-226
- Extra-point, blocking rules, 137-138
- Eye-closer drill, 229
- Eye-opener drill, 229
- Far back, 142
- Field goal:
- blocking rules, 137-138
- defending against attempt, 139
- Field position, 187-190
- Fighting spirit, 186
- Fill, 143
- Films, of game, 203, 204, 206, 212
- grading, 213-214
- First down zone, 189
- 5-spoke defense, 31, 32, 33, 66-73
- (see also 5-spoke pass defense)
- 5-spoke pass defense:
- advantages of, 85-86
- dividing the areas, 71-73
- principle of, 87
- 5 technique, 38
- Flanker set:
- 4-spoke coverage versus straight drop back pass from, 95-96
- 4-spoke coverage versus action pass from, 96-97
- Flare, 143
- Flooding an area, 179-181
- Flow, 142
- Football:
- American way of life, 3-4
- intrinsic values of, 4-7
- winning, theory of, 8-17
- Four Horsemen, 1
- 4-on-1 drill, 222
- 4-spoke defense, 30-31
- (see also 4-spoke pass defense)
- 4-spoke pass defense:
- advantages of, 87-89
- alignment, 89-90
- in 40 series, 99
- principle of, 87
- versus action pass, 92-93
- from flanker set, 96-97
- from floater set, 98-99
- versus flanker set, 95-97
- versus floater set, 97-99
- versus roll-out pass, 93-95
- versus straight drop back pass, 90-92
- from floater set, 97-98
- 4 technique, 35, 37
- Free wheeling zone, 189
- Fullback:
- in goal line defense, 50-51
- offensive stance for, 146
- in quick kick formation, 125
- Fumbling, 27, 28
- Gain, Bob, 112
- “Gangster,” 108-109
- Gang tackling, 28
- Gap, 143
- Gap 8 alignment, 32
- Gauntlet drill, 227-228, 230
- Gilmer, Harry, 2
- Gipp, George, 3
- Goal line defense, 48-51
- challenge of, 48
- Goehring, Dennis, 233
- Going wide, 171-174
- change-off for blockers, 174
- quarterback option, 172-173
- run-pass option, 172
- three-way option, 173-174
- Grange, Red, 1
- Groin block, 143
- Guards:
- blocking rules:
- for extra point and field goal, 137-138
- for spread punt, 119
- defense versus single wing offense, 58
- defensive stance, 42
- goal line defense, 49
- middle:
- in punt return, 127
- in split-T defense, 52
- in quick kick formation, 125
- right, in punt return, 128
- 6-2 alignment, 53
- versus single wing offense, 59
- Gut zone, 189
- Hale, Lloyd, 233
- Halfbacks:
- defensive, pass defense by, 83-84
- defensive stance, 43
- in 5-spoke defense, 70
- left:
- 4-spoke coverage versus action pass from floater set, 99
- in goal line defense, 51
- in quick kick formation, 125-126
- left, defensive:
- coverage of action pass, 76
- from broken backfield, 79
- coverage of straight drop back pass, 75
- from broken backfield, 77
- 4-spoke pass defense versus action pass, 93
- from flanker set, 97
- 4-spoke pass defense versus roll-out pass, 94
- 4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, 91
- from flanker set, 95-96
- from floater set, 98
- offensive stance for, 146
- in punt return, 128
- right:
- 4-spoke coverage versus action pass from floater set, 99
- in goal line defense, 50-51
- in quick kick formation, 125
- right, defensive:
- coverage of action pass, 76
- from broken backfield, 79
- coverage of straight drop back pass, 75
- from broken backfield, 77
- 4-spoke pass defense versus action pass, 91-92
- from flanker set, 97
- 4-spoke pass defense versus roll-out pass, 94
- 4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, 91
- from floater set, 96, 98
- 6-2 alignment, 54
- in victory defense, 47
- Head coach, 18, 23
- delegation of responsibility, 22, 23
- example, 19
- group work, 21
- (see also Coach)
- Head on, 144
- Henderson, Gene, 114
- High school coach, plan for, 22
- Holder, in extra point and field goal attempt, 138
- Howard, Frank, 16
- Huddle, offensive, 152-153
- Ice, 143
- Inspiration, 232
- Intercept drill, 215-216
- Intercepting passes, 27, 62, 66, 105
- “It’s All in a State of Mind,” 231-232
- Junction block, 165
- Keith, Bob, 233
- Kicker:
- blocking rules for tight punt formation, 124
- over-coaching, 112
- in quick kick formation, 125-126
- Kicking, in defensive football, 24-25
- Kicking game techniques, 111-139
- extra point blocking rules, 137-138
- field goal attempt:
- blocking rules, 137
- defense against, 139
- kick-off, and its coverage, 130-137
- kick-off return, 132-134
- on side (short) kick, 134-136
- defending against, 136-137
- place kicking formation, 138
- punting, 111-116
- punt return, 126-130
- quick kick formation, 124-126
- spread punt formation, 116-122, 126
- tight punt formation, 122-124
- Kick-off, 27, 130-137
- coverage, 130
- types, 130-132
- Kick-off return, 27, 132-134
- middle, 133
- right, 132
- L.B., 142
- LeBaron, Eddie, 2
- Left end (see under Ends)
- Left halfback (see under Halfbacks)
- Left tackle (see under Tackles)
- Leverage drill, 225
- Lewis, Tommy, 3
- “Lightning,” 109-110
- Linebackers:
- blocking by offense, 159-160
- defensive:
- 4-spoke defense versus action pass, 93
- 4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, 91-92
- pass defense by, 182-183
- defensive stance, 42-43
- drills for, 228-230
- in 5-spoke defense, 70
- 4-spoke coverage versus straight drop back pass from flanker set, 96
- inside, in goal line defense, 50-51
- left, in punt return, 128
- left, defensive:
- coverage of action pass, 76-77
- from broken backfield, 78-79
- coverage of straight drop back pass, 75
- from broken backfield, 78
- middle:
- in goal line defense, 49-50
- defense versus single wing offense, 58
- outside, in goal line defense, 51
- right, in punt return, 128
- right, defensive:
- coverage of action pass, 76
- from broken backfield, 79
- coverage of straight drop back pass, 75
- from broken backfield, 77
- 6-2 alignment, 54
- in split-T defense, 52
- strong side, defense versus single wing offense, 59
- in victory defense, 47
- weak side, defense versus single wing offense, 58
- Linemen:
- blocking techniques, 157
- defensive interior, drills for, 222-228
- interior, blocking rules for tight punt formation, 122
- middle, in victory defense, 47
- offensive stance for, 144-145
- spread punt blocking principle for, 119
- warm up time, 212
- Line splits, 146-150
- basic rules, 147-150
- pre-shift position, 147
- Lipscomb, Gene “Big Daddy,” 2
- Lockett, Bobby, 234
- Long term contract, value of, 9-10
- L.O.S., 142
- McKenzie, Jim, 26
- Man on L.O.S., 142
- Meals, pre-game, 211, 212
- Michigan State University, 113
- Middle drill, 223-224, 230
- M.L.B., 142
- Moore, “Scrappy,” 117
- Morale:
- coaching squad, 21
- for defense, 25, 26
- squad, 21
- team, 186
- Motion, 143
- “Must” zone, 188-189
- Nagurski, Bronco, 2
- Near back, 142
- New York Giants, 2, 15
- 9-man front, 143
- recognizing and attacking, 192-194
- 9 technique, 41
- Notre Dame University, 3
- N/T, 142
- Numbering system for defense, 28-34
- advantages of, 34
- O’Brien, Davy, 2
- Odd defense, 143
- Off-back, 142
- Offense:
- advantages over defense, 150
- assignment football, 26
- main requirements of, 140
- mistakes, 25
- objective, 140
- primary principles of, 140
- sound, 141-142
- Offensive coach, 21-22, 205, 208, 212
- Offensive football (see Offense)
- Offensive-minded defense, 25
- Offensive passing game techniques, 176-185
- passer, 176-179
- pass receiving, 183-185
- pass routes, 179-182
- Offensive running game, 140-175
- attacking defensive alignment, 171
- ball carrying techniques, 155-157
- basic principles of, 140
- blocking techniques, 157-166
- going wide, 171-174
- huddle, 152-153
- line splits, 146-150
- numbering defensive alignments, 166-171
- quarterback’s techniques, 153-155
- requirements of, 140
- snap count, 150-152
- stance, 144-146
- terminology, 142-144
- Off-side, 142
- On-back, 142
- One-six formation, 121
- 1 technique, 35-36
- On linebacker, 143
- On-side, 142
- On-side (short) kick, 134-136
- defending against, 136-137
- Organization, in building winning team, 15-17
- Osborne, Roddie, 141
- O technique, 35
- “Out-mean,” 13, 17
- Outside drill, 218
- Over, 142
- Owens, Jim, 2
- Pardee, Jack, 6, 57, 141, 233
- Parella, Babe, 114
- Parilli, Vito “Babe,” 176
- Pass coverage, 73-81
- of action pass, 75-77
- from broken backfield, 78-79
- of end out, 79
- of flanked back and split end out to opposite sides, 80-81
- of straight drop back pass, 74-75
- from broken backfield, 77-78
- zone coverage, 74
- Pass cuts, 181-182
- Pass defense, 62-110
- coaching point, 62
- 5-spoke, or 3-deep, 66-73
- advantages of, 85-86
- 4-spoke pass defense, 87-89 (see also 4-spoke pass defense)
- individual effort in, 62
- objectives, 62-66
- pass coverage, 73-81 (see also Pass coverage)
- phases:
- covering areas, 63, 66
- holding up the receivers, 63, 64-65
- rushing the passer, 63-64
- by positions, 81-85
- predetermined rotation, 99-104
- principles of, 110
- stunting in the defensive secondary, 105-110
- versus action pass with broken backfield, 78-79
- versus broken backfield, 77-78
- Passer, 176-179
- footwork, 178
- grip, 176-177
- passing principles and techniques, 178-179
- release and delivery, 177-178
- rushing of, 63-64
- warm up time, 212
- Passes (see under Name)
- Passing, principles and techniques, 178-179
- (see also Passer)
- Passing game:
- essentials of, 176
- primary objectives, 179
- (see also Offensive passing game techniques)
- Pass protection, 163-164
- Pass receiving, 183-185
- Pass routes, 179-182
- flooding an area, 179-181
- offensive pass cuts, 181-182
- Pass rush, 64
- Peel-off drill, 220-221, 230
- Penalties, piling on, 28
- Personal protector:
- spread punt blocking rules, 119, 120
- tight punt formation blocking rules, 123-124
- Phillips, O. A. “Bum,” 29
- Piling on, penalty for, 28
- Place kick, blocking, 139
- Place kicking formation, 138
- Planning, 16
- Planning for a game, 203-214
- grading game film, 213-214
- in-season planning, 204-212
- out-of-season planning, 203-204
- week preceding game, 204-212
- Players:
- dedication, 12
- desire to excel, 13
- leaders, 14
- physical condition, 13
- “solid citizens,” 10, 14, 231
- traits necessary, 12
- type, 11
- Point of attack, 142
- Position, 144
- Position ball, 143
- Position lateral, 142
- Post-lead block, 161-162
- Post man, 143
- Powell, Dee, 234
- Practice, 206, 207-209, 210, 211
- time essential, 214
- Punt (see under Kicking game techniques)
- Punter, 112-114
- timing of, 114-116
- Punting, 111-116
- Punt return, 126-130
- left, 126-128
- middle, 128-130
- Pursuer, 143
- Pursuit drill, 230
- Quarterback:
- characteristics of, 187
- faking, 155
- field position, 187-190
- in goal line defense, 51
- greatest asset, 186
- guide for, 196-202
- in huddle, 152-153
- making the exchange, 154-155
- offensive stance for, 145-146
- option, 172-173
- passing, 105
- playing game on blackboard, 194-196
- in quick kick formation, 125
- after receiving snap, 154
- recognizing and attacking defenses, 190-196
- stance, 153
- taking snap-back, 153-154
- team confidence in, 186
- techniques, 153-155
- tips for, 201-202
- training of, 186-202
- types of, 186-187
- Quick kick formation, 124-126
- surprise element, 126
- RBI, 214
- “Reading” drill, 221
- Receivers, holding up, 64-65
- Reverse shoulder block, 158-159
- Rice Institute, 3, 5, 6, 113, 135
- Right end (see under Ends)
- Right guard (see under Guards)
- Right halfback (see under Halfbacks)
- Right tackle (see under Tackles)
- “Robber,” 107-108
- Robinson, Jackie, 72
- Rockne, Knute, 1
- Roll back, 144
- Roll block, 165-166
- Roll-out pass, 4-spoke pass defense against, 93-95
- Rose Bowl, 1
- Rotation, predetermined, 99-104
- Running game (see Offensive running game)
- Running the line drill, 216
- Run-pass option, 172
- Rushing the passer drill, 227
- Safety man:
- defensive:
- coverage of action pass, 76
- from broken backfield, 79
- coverage of straight drop back pass, 75
- from broken backfield, 77
- pass defense by, 84-85
- defensive stance, 43
- in 5-spoke defense, 70
- in punt return, 128
- 6-2 alignment, 54
- in victory defense, 47
- Scoring, on defense, 25
- Scoring zone, 189
- Scout, 204, 207
- (see also Coaching)
- Scout report, 207
- Scrimmages, 230
- Secondary:
- alignments, 190
- defensive, drills for, 215-220
- 6-2 alignment, 54
- in split-T defense, 52-53, 54
- 3-deep, defense versus single wing offense, 59
- Secondary rotation, defensive calls for, 100-104
- Self-scoring zone, 189-190
- Set, 142
- “7,” 142
- Seven Blocks of Granite, 1
- 7-man spin-out drill, 224
- 7 technique, 39
- Shoot out, 143
- Signal callers, 34, 35
- in adjustments versus backs and ends flanked, 57
- Signal calling, automatic versus non-automatic, 151-152
- Single wing offense, defense versus, 57-61
- “6,” 142
- 6 technique, 38-39
- 6-2 alignment, 53-56
- versus single wing offense, 59, Fig. 37
- Slam, 142
- Snap count, 150-152
- Sooners, 2, 26
- Southern Methodist University, 116
- Southwest Conference Championship, 232, 233
- Split, 6, 32
- Split-T defense, 51-55
- Spread punt formation, 116-122, 126
- advantages, 117
- blocking rules, 118-120
- coverage, 120-122
- line splits, 117-118
- Staff meetings, 22, 23
- (see also Planning for a game)
- Stagg, Amos Alonzo, 2
- Stallings, Gene, 6, 233
- Stance:
- defensive, 41-43
- (see also under Offensive running game)
- Straight drop back pass:
- coverage of, 74-75
- from broken backfield, 77-78
- from flanker set, 4-spoke coverage versus, 95-96
- from floater set, 4-spoke coverage versus, 97-98
- 4-spoke pass coverage versus, 90-92
- Strategy, planning of, 205
- Sugar Bowl, 15, 26
- “Surprise defense,” 44-46
- Tackles:
- defense versus single wing offense, 58
- defensive stance, 42
- extra point and field goal blocking rules, 137-138
- goal line defense, 49
- left, in punt return, 127
- right, in punt return, 128
- 6-2 alignment, 53
- in split-T defense, 52
- spread punt blocking rules, 119
- in victory defense, 47
- Tackling drill in the secondary, 219-220
- Tackling, gang, 28
- Taylor, Lloyd, 6, 141
- Teaching, coaching and, 23
- Team:
- drills, 208
- defensive, 230
- “learning,” 208
- unity, 14
- Teamwork, defense and, 27-28
- Texas A & M, 29, 57, 87, 113, 114, 141, 232
- 1955 football team, 5-6
- 3-deep defense, 143
- Three down zone, 189
- 3-on-3 drill, 223
- 3 technique, 36-37
- Three-way option, 173-174
- “Thunder,” 51, 106-107
- Tight punt formation, 122-124
- blocking rules for, 122-124
- kicking from, 122
- Time schedules, pre-game, 211-212
- Timing:
- centers, 114
- for extra point, 138
- for field goal attempt, 138
- punters, 114-116
- Tip drill, 216
- Touchdowns:
- “easy,” 24, 25, 27, 61
- interceptions and, 27
- Trail junction blocker, 143
- Trap block, 162-163
- Tulane University, 116
- “Twelfth man,” 219
- 2-deep defense (see 4-spoke pass defense)
- Two-on-one block (see Post-lead block)
- Two-platoon football, 111
- 2 technique, 34, 36
- Unbalanced line, defense versus, 56
- Unity, feeling of, 14
- University of Alabama, 87
- University of Chattanooga, 117
- University of Cincinnati, 136
- University of Georgia, 114, 194
- University of Houston, 195, 196
- University of Kentucky, 14, 112, 113, 114, 116, 136, 176
- University of Mississippi, 116
- University of Oklahoma, 15, 26, 141
- University of Tennessee, 115, 116
- University of Texas, 232, 233
- Up-backs:
- extra point and field goal blocking rules, 137-138
- spread punt blocking rules, 119-120
- tight punt formation blocking rules, 123
- U. S. Navy, 16
- Vanderbilt University, 116
- “Victory defense,” 46-48
- Watson, Don, 6, 233
- Wave drill, 230
- Webb, Clayton, 112
- Wide tackle, 32
- Wilkinson, Bud, 2, 141
- Winning:
- intrinsic value of, 4
- theory of, 8-17
- Wintle, Walter D., 231
- Woodard, Woody, 116
- Wright, Jimmy, 6
- Zone coverage, 74
- Zones, 187-190
About This Book
A practical coaching manual that lays out a philosophy of hard‑nosed, all‑out football alongside detailed methods for building a championship program. It explains why the sport matters, presents a theory of winning, and advises on organizing and using a coaching staff. Chapters cover defensive schemes and pass defense, kicking and special teams, offensive running and passing techniques, quarterback training, game planning, and practice drills. The text emphasizes discipline, conditioning, persistence, and player development, blending strategic principles with concrete drills and tactical recommendations for coaches and teams.