Allen East Football

Offensive Line Manual

Kevin Schelb Offensive Line Coach: Allen East High School

schelbk@ae.noacsc.org 740-360-9988

Table of Contents

Goals: Offensive………………………………………………………..………………3 Goals: Unit/Individual…………………………………………………………….… 3 Expectations of an Offensive Lineman………………………………………….…4 Huddle Mechanics…………………………………………………………………….6 Splits………………………………………………………………………………….…7 Stance…………………………………………………………………………….……..7 Fundamentals of Run Blocking……………………………………………………..8 Fundamentals of Pass Protection………………………………………….……….9 Steps……………………………………………………………………………….……10 Run Blocking Techniques…………………………………………………….……..11 Pass Protection Techniques…………………………………………………….…..14 Terminology/Phrases…………………………………………………………………15 Line of Scrimmage Calls Run Game……………………….…………………………………………….16 Pass Game……………………………………….……………………………17 Defensive Identification……………………………………………….……………18 Examples……………………………………………………………………...18 Film Study Sheet………………………………………………………………….…19 Sample Grade Sheet…………………………………………………………….…..21 Food for Thought……………………………………………………………….……22 “ L i n e m e n a r e l i t e r a l l y t h e u n s u n g h e r o e s o f t h e g a m e . T h e i r s i t u a t i o n i s a n a l o g o u s t o t h e i n f a n t r y i n w a r f a r e . T h e y d o t h e h a r d , b i t t e r f i g h t i n g f o r v i c t o r y . A s t h e g e n e r a l s r e a p t h e h e a d l i n e s i n w a r , t h e b a c k s r e a p t h e h e a d l i n e s i n f o o t b a l l . Y e t i n t h e i r h e a r t s , t h e g e n e r a l s a n d b a c k s k n o w t h a t v i c t o r y a n d t h e a c c o l a d e s c a m e t o t h e m t h r o u g h t h e w o r k o f t h e f o o t s o l d i e r s a n d l i n e m e n . ” --Gomer Jones “ T o b e a g o o d o f f e n s i v e l i n e r e q u i r e s m o r e t h a n j u s t d i s c i p l i n e o r g o o d b l o c k i n g t e c h n i q u e , i t r e q u i r e s p r i d e - - p r i d e i n y o u r s e l f , y o u r g r o u p a n d y o u r t e a m . A t e a m w i t h p r i d e i s a h a r d t e a m t o b e a t , b e c a u s e t h e y ' r e w i l l i n g t o d o t h e l i t t l e t h i n g s t h a t m o s t t e a m s a r e n ' t w i l l i n g t o d o . ”

Offensive Goals: 1) WIN!!!!! 2) 125 yards rushing 3) 100 yards passing 4) 225 total yards of offense 5) 1 or fewer turnovers 6) No Sacks 7) Zero Fumbles lost 8) 10 First Downs 9) 8 yards per pass attempt 10) 4.5 yards per rush attempt

Offensive Line Goals: 1: ____________________________________________________________________ 2: ____________________________________________________________________ 3: ____________________________________________________________________ 4: ____________________________________________________________________ 5: ____________________________________________________________________ Individual Goals: 1: ____________________________________________________________________ 2: ____________________________________________________________________ 3: ____________________________________________________________________ 4: ____________________________________________________________________ 5: ____________________________________________________________________

Expectations of an Offensive Lineman at Allen East Being an offensive lineman is far and away the most difficult position to play on the field. It takes a special person to play the position, and an exceptional person to excel at the position. The following are five of the major things that we expect from our offensive lineman.

1) Toughness: Physical/Mental Football is a game that requires more toughness than many other things you have done up to this point in your life, and being an offensive lineman requires more toughness than any other position on the field, both physically and mentally. Playing in the trenches, you will be getting hit on every play and will typically feel very beat up. There is a major difference between being injured and hurt and you must quickly learn to make that distinction. It is impossible for you to do your job standing on the sidelines in street clothes, and if that happens someone else will be getting your reps. Just as important as physical toughness is the mental aspect of being tough. In this game, you will eventually find yourself back up against a wall, either from a tough opponent or a coach who is pushing you. If you truly want to succeed in this game, as well as life, you must not cower in these situations, simply because the task looks tough, but instead, embrace them as a chance to show just how tough you really are, mentally. Individuals and teams who are able to do this will always be the most successful. 2) Well Prepared Former Ohio State football coach, Woody Hayes, was famous for saying, “Give me enough of a head start and I can beat Jesse Owens in a 100 meter dash.” What Coach Hayes meant by this is that even if he was not as talented as someone else he could even the playing field by outworking that individual. This concept applies not just to football, but in life as well. It is your job to utilize all the various ways we will have to prepare yourself for games. Doing this requires you to study film of your opponent and of yourself, as well as make yourself familiar with your scouting report. If you are diligent in studying both your film and scouting report you will feel much more confident when you take the field on Friday, this way you will not be seeing things for the first time and will have a good idea as to what to expect from your opponent.

3) Practice Player Practice is often seen as something that players have to drag themselves through, and simply survive. To be successful, however, this cannot be the case. You must show up to practice every day and be ready to improve. Teams who practice poorly will almost always play in that same fashion. There is no switch that you can flip on game day to be intense and focused if you have not practiced that way all week. This is not to say that practice will always be fun, because it won’t be that way. As an offensive lineman you will often find yourself doing the same drills, day after day, because those are the drills that we need the most. With that being said, you must find a way, as a player to keep yourself focused on the task you need to accomplish and do it with as much enthusiasm as possible. When you take care of this individually, it inevitably rubs off on to the rest of your teammates and sets the tone for a solid practice.

4) Leaders: Vocal/Example Something that this world needs more of is individuals who are willing to lead in a positive manner. Many times people think of a leader as just someone who will talk in front of the team and get everyone ready to go. That type of leader is a vocal leader, and is certainly a necessity on every team. Another type of leader is one who leads by example. This individual is not a “ra-ra” person, rather the way in which he shows his leadership ability is by showing up every day ready to work and do things right: the way they are supposed to be done. The point to be made here is that not everyone is a vocal leader. However, often times one of the best ways to lead is just by doing it through example. Regardless of which type of leader you are, part of being that leader is making sure that others are doing the right thing when they are supposed to be. If you truly care about this team, you will make sure that others are acting and practicing, as they should be, throughout the year. 5) Attitude Possibly the most important aspect of being an offensive lineman is the attitude that you have day in and day out, both on the field and in the classroom. There have been many great players/teams who were ruined by poor attitudes, which caused selfishness and laziness. It takes absolutely nothing special to have a positive attitude about things, which allows you to approach football/life the right way. In many ways, attitude is similar to mental toughness. Despite all of the things happening around you, you have to be able to stay in the right frame of mind and keep a good attitude. Attitudes are infectious and whichever you have, either a positive or a negative one, will leave its impact on all the others that you deal with on a day-to-day basis. How do you want to impact others?

Huddle Mechanics: “A Simple Efficient Business Meeting” We will line up as a unit 7 yards from the football. The center will set the huddle and call the down and distance for the rest of the offense. The quarterback will be the only one talking in the huddle. If you do not get the play or the snap count, simply say, “check” and the QB will repeat the play to you (do not be a habitual “checker,” pay attention in the huddle). Upon breaking the huddle we will JOG to the line of scrimmage. This is an important tempo setter to our offense and must not be neglected. “Six Second Rule” The six second rule refers to the time between the break of the huddle and the offense snapping the ball. These are some of the most important seconds for a player. As a lineman you have a specific routine that you should go through to help you accomplish your assignment.

1) What is my assignment on this play? 2) Is there anything special I should do based on my assignment? 3) What should I expect from the defense on this play? (alignment/movement) 4) What are my major threats from the defense on this play? (alignment/movement)

What can make me look bad? 5) Are there any calls that I need to make based on the play/defense?

“LOS Calls” When we reach the line of scrimmage there will be a number of calls that we will make in order to help us determine the best blocking assignment to be in for that particular play.

Defensive Structure Calls: When the center reaches the LOS, he will call out what the defense is giving us. He will call the front (even/base/open/nose) as well as the LB structure (stack/solo). Co-Op Calls: In our running game we will look to find as many double teams as possible. When you are going through your rule progressions, and if you are part of a double team, you will call out the name for that co-op as well as thick/thin. (uncovered lineman [the one giving help] are responsible for making the call)

Splits: Vertical Splits: As a lineman we always want to be off the ball as far as legally possible. Doing this allows us more room to gain momentum and also lets us see things develop in front of us. Guards: Align with your toes behind the centers shoes (down hand on the heel). Doing this should place your helmet right on the centers belt. Tackles/Tight Ends: Align with your inside foot on the same plane as the guards/tackles inside foot. Doing this keeps us from being back too far. Horizontal Splits Guard/Center: 2’ Guard/Tackle: 3’ Tackle/Tight End: 3’ These splits can be adjusted depending on the play and your assignment. If it is a trap play widen out your split. If it as an outside play/pass reduce your split. Smart Splits: If you are involved in a double team, cut your split down an extra 6” to reduce the amount of space that the two of you have to cover. Stance: As an offensive lineman, it is imperative that you have a good stance to work out of. There are three major areas of emphasis for your stance. Base: As an offensive lineman your feet should be set slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Your feet should remain pointing straight ahead (not out or in). The foot of the hand the lineman placed on the ground (if right hand on the ground the right foot) should be staggered back to create a toe/instep relationship. The knees should be pointed slightly in so that you feel tight in your lower body. If done correctly, your lower body will look similar to a triangle. Torso: The torso of a lineman should remain in a flat position. The tail should only come up as high as it needs to in order to create that flat position. Hand: The down hand of the offensive lineman will be placed straight down, approximately three inches inside of the foot, to keep the offensive lineman’s shoulders square, with enough weight to accomplish what the lineman needs to do. Ideally, the amount of weight on the hand will be such that the OL can still pick his hand up without movement in his stance. The off hand will be pinned to the side of the knee.

Fundamentals of Run Blocking 1) Proper first two steps: Your first two steps will determine your blocks effectiveness, and there must be no

false steps. These two first steps must “pound the ground” and get in the ground quickly. You want your first two steps in the ground before you make contact with the defender.

2) Punch/Delivery: Shoot hand to the aiming point based on your block (don’t wind up). This should be a

violent punch that shocks the defender. As you punch you must make sure to keep your hands and elbows tight to your body (grow out of your ribcage).

3) Leverage: There are two different types of leverage: 1) Inside Leverage – this leverage refers to you having your hands on the defender’s breastplate (“control the driving wheel”), which is done with a good punch. 2) Vertical Leverage – this refers to having your pads underneath the defenders, which is accomplished by having your helmet underneath the defender’s chin and bending at the knees.

4) Duck Demeanor: Drive phase of the block. After making initial contact with the defender you must reaccelerate your feet to get movement. Your feet must be wide (wide base) and pointed out. This puts all of your weight on the insides of your feet. You must then take powerful rapid driving steps to get movement on the defender.

5) Finish: In order to properly finish a block you must first bring your hips underneath your pads (“roll

your hips”). Doing this allows you to get lift on the defender There are two ways to effectively finish a block: 1) Domination Block (pancake), 2) Maintaining contact till the end of the whistle (stick and stay)

The black dots indicate the proper hand placement for the punch

Good examples of the drive portion of the block. Note the wide base of the offensive lineman and their toes pointed out. Also, look at the pads of the OL underneath the pads of the defensive lineman.

Fundamentals of Pass Protection 1) Pass Set Position: “The most uncomfortable position possible”. Inside foot should be up (post foot) with

the outside foot back (kick foot). Your back should be arched, head back, and hands up ready to deliver the punch. This position must be achieved as quickly as possible (get from stance to set). You should also be in a semi squatted position, with your butt down.

2) Set by alignment: We always want to achieve a half man advantage (“give him the edge”) in order to prevent penetration inside. To do this our midline must be placed on the rusher’s inside leg. Your set will vary based on where the defender is aligned and on the protection called.

Bob: *Defender headup/inside: Jam Set *Defender outside shade: Kick Set (reset the feet) *Defender a man removed: Kick Set (1-3 kicks) Sprintout: *Defender headup/playside: Jam Set *Uncovered (backside): 45° reach and hinge Slide: *Covered/Uncovered: Jam Set

3) Punch: When punching in pass protection we want a 4” punch, to stun the defender. Do not over

extend in the punch. Your aiming point is the breastplate of the defender.

4) Feet: After punching the defender you must continue to move your feet. Doing this allows you to adjust to any move the defender gives you.

5) Understand the protection: Before the snap of the ball you must have an understanding of where the QB will be in the pocket. Having that we know where we must prevent the rush from going and where we can “funnel it”

Steps These are the steps that are used for our core running game and pass protection schemes. *Note*: 1/2 indicate the first step (1) and second step (2)

Run Blocking Techniques 1) Drive Block

Defined: When a lineman has to base drive a defender aligned head up, or is the post man in a co-op Uses: Lead, Veer, Drive, Lead Trap, Wedge Step:

•Drive Step (“pound the ground”) Aiming Point: Midpoint of Jersey

•Shoot hands to breast plate (control driving wheel) Coaching Points

•Flat Back (roll the back knee to the ground) •Get second step on ground before making contact

–“Don’t take him in one” •Reaccelerate the feet on contact •Drive defender using duck demeanor technique

2) Lead Block

Defined: When an OL has to base drive a defender in Lead/Veer by himself that is shaded, or is the drive man in a co-op Uses: Lead, Veer, Drive, Lead Trap, Wedge Step:

•Lead Step Aiming Point: Playside Number

•Shoot hands to breast plate (control driving wheel) Coaching Points

•Flat Back (roll the back knee to the ground) •Get second step on the ground before making contact

–“Don’t take him in one” •Reaccelerate the feet on contact •Drive defender using duck demeanor technique

3) Down Block

Defined: When an OL to block a defender aligned in his inside gap away from the play. Uses: Trap, Lead Trap, Lead Sweep, Walked LB in Co-op Step:

•Down Step Aiming Point: Opposite Shoulder/Helmet/Near Hip

Outside Shoulder – Penetrator Near Hip – Reader Helmet – Catch All

Coaching Points •Prevent Penetration •Flat Back (roll the back knee to the ground) •Squeeze it (get to the defender) •Helmet in front of defender •Outside hand underneath the armpit •Reaccelerate the feet on contact •Drive defender using duck demeanor technique

4) Reach Block Defined: When an OL to block a defender aligned in his playside gap on an outside play. Uses: Jet, Rocket, Lead Sweep, Stretch Step:

•Reach Step (covered/uncovered) •Covered: Man aligned in gap or head up. Uncovered: No one in playside gap or head up.

Aiming Point: Playside Armpit/Belt Buckle •Playside Armpit: Covered •Belt Buckle: Uncovered

Coaching Points •Take proper first step based on alignment

–The wider the man the deeper the step •Get opposite shoulder to the playside armpit of the defender (“Stick Technique”) •Maintain contact with the defender and run him Attempt to pin inside, but if he won’t be hooked maintain contact and run defender to sideline.

5) Trap Pull

Defined: When an OL is kicking out a down lineman Uses: Trap, “G” Step:

•Trap Pull Aiming Point: Inside hip of the down lineman Coaching Points

•While taking step throw the step side arm back to open hips to the down lineman •Work into the line of scrimmage •Take the worst possible angle (assume the DL will close) •Run through the trap

–Head on inside, use shoulders and hands •If there is no hole blow the whole thing up.

6) Wrap Pull

Defined: When an OL is pulling and leading up on an LB/Force Player Uses: Lead Trap, Jet, Rocket, “Fold” Steps: (athlete dependent)

•Skip Pull •Power Pull *Open Pull (open hips to sideline)

Aiming Point: Defenders midline Coaching Points

•As you pull get eyes to linebacker level (be alert for run throughs) •Hug the double team (pat it on the butt)

–If there is no hole blow the whole thing up. •Never stop in the hole •Be in control when making contact •Adjust to linebacker flow

–“Read the helmet”: If it is inside of you pin it, if it is head up or outside than lock up and run him. –Stay in contact with the LB

7) DART (Dip And Release To LB) Defined: When an OL escaping inside a DL to a second level player. Uses: Trap, Veer, Dive, Lead Trap Steps:

•Escape step Aiming Point: Defenders midline/ Near Hip of LB Coaching Points

•When taking escape step rip the opposite arm through -Avoid contact with defensive lineman

•“Get skinny” •Get to LB level under control

8) Co-Op

Defined: When two offensive lineman are doubling a down lineman, working to a linebacker Uses: Lead, Veer, Dive, Lead Trap Steps:

•Post Man (covered): Drive step •Drive Man (uncovered): Lead Step

Aiming Point: •Near number of down lineman

Coaching Points •Get hip to hip on down lineman

–Don’t let him split the double team •Don’t hog the double

–Let your teammate help you •Don’t work against each other

–Both work for vertical movement •Get movement on the down lineman before worrying about the linebacker •Keep eyes on the linebacker

“Feel the down and see the backer”

9) Fold Co-Op Defined: A co-op where the drive man blocks down on the defensive lineman and the post man wraps around for the LB

Pass Protection Techniques These are the various techniques you will need to master in order to effectively pass protect 1) Kick Set

Defined: OL is man protecting Uses: BOB protection Steps:

•Kick Step Aiming Point: Inside armpit/number Coaching Points

•Get from stance to set!! •Alignment dictates the kick

- Outside Shade: Reset the feet (outside foot back, inside up) –Wide Rusher (man removed): 1-3 “kicks”

»Drive off inside foot, then kick •Get the “half man” advantage

- Your midline on his inside leg

2) Jam Set Defined: OL is protecting a gap/inside shade Uses: Slide protection, Man on inside shade Steps:

•Jam Set Aiming Point: Inside armpit/number Coaching Points

•Get from stance to set! •Stay square to the line of scrimmage •Man on inside half: take as many sets as you need to get the half man advantage –If defender continues to go inside it becomes a run block

3) Reach/Hinge

Defined: OL is protecting a gap on backside of sprint protection when gap is unthreatened Uses: Sprintout protection Steps: •45° Reach/ Peel

–Inside foot steps inside at a 45° angle, looking for possible angle and blitz. If nothing shows hinge back looking for work.

Aiming Point: Near Threat Coaching Points

•Know your possible threats (what can make me look bad) •When hinging work to get back to same level as center.

4) Power Set Defined: OL is man protecting, but wants to show run and not give any ground

Uses: BOB protection Steps:

•Lead Step footwork –Take the first two steps of a lead step footwork and then pass protect

Aiming Point: Breastplate of the defender Coaching Points

•Once you make contact with the down lineman regroup and pass protect as usual. •Keep your pads low with your head up.

Terminology The following are major terms/phrases that you will need to know for offensive line play.

Post Man: Inside (covered) man on the double team. He will execute a drive step to the down lineman. Aiming Point: Near Number

Drive Man: Outside (uncovered) man on the double team. He will execute a lead step to the near number of the down lineman. Aiming Point: Near Number

Near LB: LB stacked over or to the backside of the post man in the co-op Backside LB: LB stacked to the backside of the post man in the co-op.

Phrases 1) “Run the Rail”: Phrase used to describe the concept in our reach plays (toss/jet/rocket). On these plays

all OL want to get on their 45° tracks and run to cut off pursuit. 2) “Four Hands Four Eyes” : Phrase to describe the concept in our Co-Ops. We want to get maximum

push on the down lineman with the four hands while doing this keeping our eyes on the LB so we are able to come off on him

3) “Feel the Down See the Backer”: When we are involved in a Co-op we must keep our eyes focused on the LB in order to pick up any movement.

4) “Leverage”: Phrase to describe getting your pads under the defender’s. 5) “Pound the Ground”: Phrase to describe the forceful steps you must take when executing a block. 6) “Fast Feet”: Phrase to describe how the feet must move when in the drive phase of the block. We want

rapid powerful steps in order to get movement. 7) “Reaccelerate the Feet”: Phrase to describe the concept that when we make contact with a defender our

feet must speed up in order to get movement. 8) “Bring your hips with you”/”Hips under Pads”: Phrase to describe the concept that when blocking a

defender you must bring you hips with you in order to get lift/movement. 9) “Wide Base”: Phrase to describe the fact you must keep you feet wider than shoulder width when

driving a defender, or pass protecting. This allows you to adjust to any movement by the defender. 10) “Control the Driving Wheel”: Phrase to describe having inside leverage on a defender. To do this you

must have a good punch to the defenders breastplate to have your hands inside.

Line of Scrimmage Calls The following are calls that will be made at the line of scrimmage to help us communicate solidify our blocking schemes. Run Game Calls Cross – Tackle down blocks and Guard pulls and traps behind down block. If this call is made then the C must reach playside (can never block back on a 1 technique). Made when running lead vs. a 3/5 look.

Example of a Cross Call Zebra - Call made which forces co-ops to rotate to the frontside linebacker. This call will be made any time the drive man is the inside man in the co-op and the LB is stacked over top of the post man. In this case the post man will likely be coming off to the playside. Typically used when running Lead to the weak side v. 4-4

Down – Call made by the post man that the LB they are responsible for has walked up into the gap (showing blitz) and he will down block on the LB. The drive man’s block is now a down block on the DL.

Scoop – Called when the backside of a play will not be working in combos, and instead their responsibility becomes their playside gap to their near LB. This call is an adjustment if we see a team that blitzes a fair amount. All backside OL will take a reach step (covered/uncovered) instead of a drive/lead step.

Example of Scoop Call “LB Number” – When part of a Co-Op, both linemen will call out the number of the LB that they are working to, so that everyone is on the same page. For example: If there is a payroll to the middle linebacker and his number is 55, the guard/tackle would both call, “Payroll 55” Passing Game Calls: Tex: Tight End will stay in on the protection. Automatic vs. 5 man fronts (Base/Open) on 90’s passes.

Example of a Zebra call

Example of a Down call

Example of a defense with an auto Black on 90’s Tampa: Call made by the Guard to the Tackle to tell him he will have no help vs. a 3 technique and the Tackle must come down hard. Made versus a zero technique nose guard.(“Nose)

Fire: Alert made by the Tackle/Tight End to alert the rest of playside OL that an edge blitz is coming and they must slide a man over to pick up the blitz game.

Black: Both running backs will be involved in the protection. Max: Both running backs will be involved in the protection, as well as the Tight End. Defensive Identification These are the terms that we will use to communicate what the defenses are giving to us.

In this case the LT would call “Fire” as he sees the LB walking up to the LOS. All of the other OL anticipate a pinch to them

Here the LG would make the “Tampa” call to alert the LT that he will not be helping him on the three technique. He will be down to the Rover and the LT has the DT by himself.

Structure Even – The Center is uncovered, 4 down lineman Base – The Center is covered, 5 down lineman Open – The center is uncovered, 5 down lineman Nose – 3/0/3 alignment Defensive Line Alignments

LB Alignment Stack – There are two inside linebackers, stacked over top of the guards, 2-4 LBs total Solo – There is one inside linebacker, stacked over top of the center. 3 LBs total. Mike – Solo LB in the middle Meg – Backside stack LB in a stack set (always to the weak side) with 4LB Whip – Weakside LB Stud – Strongside LB Movement Fire – Outside LB blitzes off the edge (C/D gap)

Example of a Fire

Twist – Two defensive lineman exchange gap responsibility at the snap. One DL will cross the face of an OL (penetrator) and another will loop over top (looper).

Example of a twist Pinch – Defensive lineman crosses the face to the inside of an offensive lineman.

Example of a pinch Angle – Defensive lineman slants to the outside of an offensive lineman (opposite of a pinch) Mike/Stud/Whip/Meg: A/B/C: Used to identify a linebacker blitz inside the box

Defensive Identifications: Examples

Even Solo:

W M S

Even Stack W MG M S

Base Stack W S

Open Solo

W M S

Nose Stack W S

Film Study Sheet

Opponent: ________________________________________________________________

Players Evaluated: ________________________________________________________ Basic Information: What type of defense do they play?: _________________________________________ Is there anything special about how they play? ______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Do they blitz/angle very much?: ____________________________________________ Defensive Line Play: Run Game How does he play the drive block: 1 2 3 4 5 How does he play the reach block: 1 2 3 4 5 How does he play the double team block: 1 2 3 4 5 Is he a runner or a plugger? Is he a penetrator or a reader? Pass Game How well does he rush the passer: 1 2 3 4 5 What are his favorite pass rush moves: ____________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ How effective are those moves: 1 2 3 4 5 Linebacker Play Run Game Are the linebackers downhill players or scrapers? How quickly do they run laterally Speed: 1 2 3 4 5 Reacting to play: 1 2 3 4 5 How quickly do they fill down hill: 1 2 3 4 5 Blitzing How frequently do they blitz: 1 2 3 4 5 What is their favorite blitz: ___________________________________________________ Who is their favorite blitzer: __________________________________________________ Evaluation: What must you do in order to be successful this week? ________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

Sample OL Grade Sheet:

Player: ____________________________________

Opponent: _________________________________ Grading Scale: 0 – Missed Assignment (you had no idea what you were doing) 1 – You knew your assignment but did not execute it very well. 2 – You knew your assignment and executed it. 3 – You preformed an exceptional job of your assignment. Goal: Average a 2+ OL Unit Grade: ______________ Individual Grade: ____________ Run Game Grade: ____________ Pass Game Grade: ____________ Evaluation Areas: Domination Blocks (pancakes)_______________ Loafs ____________ Effort Plays (backside blocks, downfield blocks) _________ Missed Assignments ________________ Poor Techniques ___________________ General Comments: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Food for Thought

Man in the Arena "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

- Teddy Roosevelt Things that Don’t Require Talent Many times in life people believe that talent is the only determining factor in one’s success. However, that is simply not the case. Below is a list of things that require absolutely no talent to do. Habitually doing this will make you a “talent added” player. 1.Focus 2.Puncuatlity 3.Mental Toughness 4. Great Effort 5. Communication 6.Practicing Hard 7.Unselfishness 8.Practicing Hard 9. Attitude 10. Being a good teammate. “Talent is Never Enough” – Jim Tressel What Punctuality Says about a Person – Alicia Smith

1. You care. Showing up and on time is one of the best ways to show someone that you care about them. 2. You respect others. Arriving on times shows that you respect others. Respect is the foundation for

creating great long-term relationships. 3. You are professional. Being on time is a fundamental tool for anyone who wants to be perceived as

being the very best 4. You are confident. When you show up on time, it’s a sign that you are confident to take on whatever

might lie before you. Tardiness can imply that you aren’t confident or that you are hesitating to deal with a person or situation.

5. You are open to others. Punctuality says, “I’m ready” –to be involved with whatever is set before you. People who aren’t ready often show up late or not at all.

6. You have an edge. Being punctual gives you an edge in business. The early bird truly does get the worm. Timing is everything. Being punctual is great, being early is even better.

7. You’re in control. People choose to do business with those they like, know, and trust. They like doing business with people who are in control. If you always arrive early or on time, you give the impression that you are in control and manage things well.

8. You have a standard for excellence. Punctuality is just one standard of excellence. It implies that you are in control of you life and shows that you respect yourself and others.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the

world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” -- Calvin Coolidge How do you see it? Two stone cutters were asked what they were doing. The first said, “I’m cutting this stone into blocks.” The second replied, “I’m on a team that’s building a cathedral.” Attitude – Charles Swindle The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. !! Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. !! The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. !! And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. Man in the Glass “When you get what you want in your struggle for self ! And the world makes you king for a day, ! Just go to a mirror and look at yourself, ! And see what that man has to say. For it isn’t your father or mother or wife, ! Whose judgment upon you must pass; ! The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life ! Is the one staring back from the glass. He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest. ! For he’s with you clear up to the end, ! And you’ve passed the most dangerous, difficult test ! If the man in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years. ! And get pats on the back as you pass, ! But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears ! If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.” Lions v. Gazelles Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Ever morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle, when the sun comes up, you’d better be running. “I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do.

And by the grace of God, I will.” --Evert Hale “It is one of the strange ironies of this strange life that those who work the hardest, who subject themselves to the strictest discipline, who give up certain pleasurable things in order to achieve a goal, are the happiest men.”. --Brutus Hamilton (Olympic Track Coach) “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. What I can’t accept is not trying.” --Michael Jordan “Attitude is not something that comes by instinct. It has to be practiced over and over or relearned over an over. The more our players study and practice this fundamental, the more they believe they can decide who they feel. They realize they have power over their attitude. How they approach their attitude is their choice.” --Jim Tressel “Opportunity is often missed by many because it often comes dressed in overalls and looks like hard work.” --Thomas Edison “All I ask is that you play better than you are. As an individual and a team, play better than you are. You may not win. But that’s all I’m asking. And for you to play better than you are means you’re not playing just for yourself. You’re playing for that man on each side of you, on the other side of the ball, your coaches, the people cheering for you. You will forget being tired. You will not be tired. You will play better than you are. But you cannot do that unless you have love.” --“Doc” Spurgeon. (Professor, Georgia Southern University) Strength Through Adversity Ancient Lakota warriors handcrafted their own bows from seasoned ash. There were two ways to acquire the proper wood. The conventional way was to find a young ash tree, harvest it and let it dry for at least five years. But these warriors were always on the lookout for an ash three that had been struck by lightning. Such a tree had been dried and cured in an instant by the power of lightning, and any bows that were made from it would be much stronger. Such trees were rare, but they were preferred because they had suffered the ultimate adversity and ultimate adversity produces ultimate strength. Learning from Geese When geese fly in formation they travel about 70 percent faster than when they fly alone. Geese share leadership. When the lead goose tires, he or she rotates back into the “V” and another goose flies forward to become the leader. Geese keep company with the fallen. When a sick or weak goose drops out of the flight formation, at least one other goose will leave the formation to help and protect the weaker goose. Being part of a team we, too, can accomplish much more, much faster. Words of encouragement and support (honking from behind) inspire and energize those on the front lines and help them in spite of day-to-day pressures and fatigue. Finally, show compassion and active caring for your fellow man