Good Work Today!

The Lombardi Sweep

I love this photograph.  The Lombardi Sweep was a simple play by design, yet it turned out to be one of the most famous plays in football history.  The pulling guards #64 (Jerry Kramer-) #63 (Fuzzy Thurston) are leading #31 (Jimmy Taylor) around the right end.  #15 (QB Bart Starr) is carrying out his fake.  Look at how patient Taylor is running while waiting for his big buddies to read their blocking assignments. Kramer had the first kick-out block (usually a cornerback) and Thurston's job was to turn up field to seal off any leakage coming from the inside.   Look at Lombardi on the sideline (wearing the long coat)  AWESOME!! 

Today is Tuesday, and we had another great practice.  We started our normal school-time practice schedule today, so we modified the practice schedule we used for the first week.  It is becoming important that both sides of the ball get quality work with their normal starters.  Special Teams (punt, punt return, kickoff, kickoff return, and PAT) are rehearsed during the week. Since we have several kids contributing on both sides of the ball, being organized is very important.  On Mondays, it is usually an offensive day for us.  This means that the offense gets full use of any player we need for the entire practice period.  Tuesdays are usually defensive days, and they get use of any player they need for the entire practice period.  Wednesdays are usually split between both units.  Thursdays are usually walk-thrus (for game situations) and all aspects of the game are rehearsed.   FRIDAY is game day.   

Since it is Tuesday, DEFENSE was the focus.  On offense, it is a great time to get some quality work with the 2nd team players during our INDY period, and we also get to use these younger players on our scout offense as well.  (I guess I should explain scout teams.  Lets use today as an example.  It was our job to mimmick the other team's offense to give the defense an idea of what they can expect during a game.  The defense does the same thing for the offense on our day)  I usually run the scout offense for us, and I love doing it.  Coach Miller handed me an AWESOME folder before practice with about 30 plays clearly diagrammed and numbered.  When we started scout team, he gave me the play number to run.  I studied the formation for a second or two, and made sure I had the correct personnel needed to run the play requested.   Then, we run the play to the best of our ability.  Even though this was a scout team, it gives us (on offense)a great look at younger players in live action. Today went smooth as silk, and we gave the defense a serious look with lots of reps.   I hope the defensive coaches keep supplying me with the awesome folders, because I can sure help them with fast and smooth scout team plays.  It is always hard (at first) to get the younger players to understand EXACTLY what the duties of the scout team actually are.  Afterall, they are competitors as well, so they want to be successful too.  This is why I always try to get excited when a player does well on the scout offense.  (Do any of you remember the Washington Generals?  This is the team who ALWAYS lost to the Harlem Globetrotters)  Now you have a feeling what it is like for a player to play scout offense.  LOL.

That it for tonight.

GZ