The Project Gutenberg eBook of Building a championship football team, by Paul W. “Bear” Bryant.

Index

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