Strategic planning

for youth football

What coaches should be thinking and
planning during Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Gary McCulley
The Football Academy
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Coaching Materials
ALL MATERIALS MENTIONED IN THIS
PRESENTATION ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREE @

www.thefootballacademy-llc.com
Click on youth coaching material link for

This presentation
Practice plan templates
Game day plan templates
Sub package templates
Business Card Templates
Sample playbooks
Introductory Letter to Parents and Players
Example Team Rules, Expectations, and Consequences
And other materials for youth coaches
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Agenda
Introductions What is the GFA Coaching
Committee and why are we here?
Youth Football Strategic Planning
Spring
Summer
Fall
Regular Season
Playoffs / Post Season

Winter
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Introductions
Who are we? GFA Coaching Committee

Rob Michael Coordinator

Jim Weybrecht
Terry Mahan
Howard McMurphy
Gary McCulley

What are we doing? Recruit, interview, assist,

and mentor GFA coaches
Why are we doing this? To optimize the overall
quality of the program and to prepare kids for High
School Football
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Advanced Planning
Why do it?
Success thrives with advanced planning
Prepare to be successful

Avoid crisis management later on

Brian Kelly example
Coach Kelly plans the entire year - to the minute
Including walking to practice field, using the restroom, etc.

Plan your work, work your plan

Everything should have a purpose
Dont do something just because
Practice like you want to play
Huddle dynamics
Conditioning vs 2 minute drill
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Spring Planning
Jan May

Spring (Jan May)

Jan - March: Prepare for Head Coach interviews

March - May: HC candidates to be interviewed
March -June: Head Coaches selected
Once selected as a head coach
Head Coach to interview, select, propose and agree on roles
and responsibilities for assistant coaches and business
manager(s) see next slide
Entire staff to discuss and agree upon philosophies (offensive,
defensive, who will coach coachs sons, etc.)
Decide on how to get offensive plays in the game
Wristband, hand signals, messengers, etc. buy early

HC should arrange pre-season scrimmages for mid to late

August vs. quality opponents (suggest picking last years
champion and/or runners up ideally 2 scrimmages before the
regular season starts this will be the forcing function to get
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your team prepared for the regular season)

Select / Recruit Assistants

Best if done early, prior to
registration(March-April)
Clearly establish responsibilities
Offense, defense, play calling, special teams,
etc.

Establish team rules together

Establish team philosophy

Select / Recruit Assistants

Establish/Discuss Offense and Defense
Suggestions
Pick an offense and defense that plays to your
players strengths
Difficult to do prior to being assigned a team

Talk with High School coaches in the area

Pick an offense that kids will see when they attend high
school
If most of the kids on your team will attend WFHS
E.g. Talk with Coach Campbell - Implement
Blackhawk offense/defense (adjust for youth
kids)
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Offensive Play Call Format

When selecting an offense, select an offense that kids can easily
and quickly learn play call should speak to every position
Example Pass Play: PRO - FLANK LAKE VEGAS
PRO: Back formation: Tells Running backs where to line up
FLANK: Receiver Formation: Tells Receivers (X, Y, Z) where to line up
LAKE: O-line Pass Protection Scheme: Tells Offensive Lineman which
protection
VEGAS: Route Package: tells Receivers which routes to run

Example Run Play: GUN FLANKER 26 POWER

GUN: Back formation: Tells Running backs where to line up
FLANKER: Receiver Formation: Tells Receivers (X, Y, Z) where to line
up
26 POWER: TELLS BACKS/RECIVERS/O-LINE WHERE BALL IS
GOING AND WHATAT TO DO
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PRO - FLANK LAKE - VEGAS

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Instruction: 3 step drop - QB reads SS - He cant be two places at once

If SS goes with Y, hit Z

IF SS goes with Z, hit Y

Must be bang-bang ball needs to be airborne in less than 3 sec.

m
a
x
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FS

CB

SS

LOS

QB

Vegas Route Package

X and Z run 5 yard posts
Y runs 2 yard arrow

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Spring: Jan May (cont.)

Get to know Players (March-July)
Stay within the rules (i.e. draft, boundaries, etc.)
Attend baseball, basketball games, other football
leagues
Do not over promise / over commit
All players will be evaluated fairly no favorites
Everyone plays, but the best players play the most

Once parents begin coming to you

My son plays QB Ive watched you coach QBs and I want
him to play on your team
Thats great he will be given every chance to play QB, just
like the other 2 QBs that played for us last year.
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Summer Planning
This is the most active planning
phase: May Late July

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Summer: May - July

Plan/Hold Informal working sessions with previous & prospective
players to go over offense and defensive concepts, formations,
QB/WR/RB timing, etc.
Advise players of summer football camps that are offered in the area
Youth Speed camps / strength / conditioning offered by High Schools in
the area
Premier Camp and Combine weeks of 6/11 and 6/18 (M thru Thurs.)
Passing leagues
ASU/UA camp(s)

Be an ambassador of the GFA where appropriate

Talk to parents, potential players
Business cards? (see thefootballacademy-llc.com)

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Example June Schedule

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May-July (continued)
Begin preparing introductory packet that will be
sent to the team (once team is finalized)
Items to include
Tentative practice August practice schedule (including
2 scrimmages vs. quality opponents, once scheduled)
Tentative regular season practice schedule (M-W-F, or
Tu-Th-F, or Tu-Th, etc.)
Fundraising commitments
Poker night, t-shirts, etc.

Team rules and expectation

Consequences if rules are broken
Playbooks (if appropriate)

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Dates to Remember

3/24/12: Future Pro Camp @ Mountain Pointe High School

3/27/12:
CHS night camps (every Tuesday thru May 1st)

5/11/12: TFA Youth Camp 6p-9:30p @ WFHS (TBD)

6/5-6/8: ASU Youth camp

6/11 6/21: TFA Premier Camp and Combine @ Gilbert

High (TBD)
Mon thru Thurs over two weeks
Combine: speed, agility, player evaluations

7/28/12:
7/30/12
8/2/12
8/6/12
8/7/12
8/8/12

Saturday:
Team Fundraiser: Poker Night @ HC house
Monday:
First Day of AYF Practice helmets only
Thursday:
Thurs: shells
Monday:
full pads - no contact
Tuesday
full pads - live on dummies
Wednesday full pads, full contact
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May July (cont.)

Formalize month of August schedule this is
important significant potential to get ahead of
the curve if you plan ahead and plan smart
Think through Pre-season Practice Milestones
1st Day of practice have a very crisp practice plan for this
day: start slow, dont try and install your entire offense on
this day go slow, explain your offensive and defensive
philosophies, start with the basics, etc.
1st Day of pads - Think through 1st day of pads have a very
crisp practice plan for this day: start slow, work up to full
speed contact keep distances close

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May July (cont.)

Think Through Pre-season August milestones (cont.)
Get tough practice to determine what you have:
Have a signature get tough drill

Oklahoma drills
3 cone drill
Etc.
typically late in the 1st week of pads or early in the 2nd - this may vary team to
team head coach should know team and know when to have this keep it
close

1st Scrimmage
Plan on having at least 50% of your 1st game offense and 75% of your 1st
game defense installed by the time you have your first scrimmage

2nd Scrimmage
Usually the last week of August Suggest scheduling on a Thursday before
1st game week, give the team Friday off.
Plan to have the majority of your offense and defense installed at this point.

These are the forcing functions to get your team prepared

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Importance of Down Days

Plan down days after the 2nd or 3rd
week of full pads
Examples
schedule a walk through in shells
hold barbecue and/or hold dodge ball game in lieu
of practice, etc.
even consider canceling practice if team needs a
break

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Example August Schedule

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Buy Equipment Early

Football Equipment hits stores in May/June
Wristbands for QB
Water bottles
Pads
Etc.

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Late July
Once assigned a team,
Send introductory email to team with packet info
described previously
Ideal if you schedule informal ice breaker for team,
(e.g. barbecue, dodge ball at Freestone Rec center,
etc.) work with Team Mom(s)
Decide on any apparel preferences so parents can
buy before sold out
Seek Uniformity in Game and Practice Uniforms
Black socks, mid calf?

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Once players are assigned to

you (continued)
Once players are assigned to you
Send letters addressed to players and parents
Set expectations

Encourage summer football camp/summer

league/summer conditioning (attend if possible take
notes)
Passing leagues
Implement passing game

Encourage Development camps

Encourage College camps
ASU, UA, NAU

Encourage High School Camp attendance

Send out playbook? send electronically to players if

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possible (once registered see example next slide)

PRO - FLANK LAKE - VEGAS

e
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p

Instruction: 3 step drop - QB reads SS - He cant be two places at once

If SS goes with Y, hit Z

IF SS goes with Z, hit Y

Must be bang-bang ball needs to be airborne in less than 3 sec.

m
a
x
E
FS

CB

SS

LOS

QB

Vegas
X and Z run 5 yard posts
Y runs 2 yard arrow

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Once Team Has Been Selected (cont.)

Fundraising
Hold fundraising even once team has been
selected but prior to first game
Everyone hates fundraising try and have fun
Suggestions
Have it the Saturday night before practice begins
Parents only no football talk
Poker night, etc.

Parents only
Great way to meet the parents in non-football
environment
Food/drink/poker
Bowling

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Late July, Early August

Pre-Season Practice
Always Prepare and have well defined practice
plans
Have a lesson plan for each and every practice
Prepare practice plans the weekend before

Plan down to the minute, but allow for flexibility

OK to deviate from practice plan, but have to have
one to start
Early season practice will look different than late
season / playoff practice plan appropriately
Be organized have a strategy for each opponent
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First Week of Practice

Get to know / Assess the team (pre-season,
if possible)
Be honest and impartial
Have a tryout day if required
Use measurables to help
40 yd dash, pro agility, catching, throwing, hitting",
previous tackle history
Keep a record (for parents..)

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Role of HC
Lead Assistants by example
Coach the coaches if warranted

Establish Offense and Defense (with staff input)

Be the interface to parents and league
Be a good steward with equipment
Spokesperson for fund raising
Set expectations early

Settle disputes
Lead by example be selfless, own your
mistakes, and move on
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Role of HC (continued)
Not a dictatorship, but HC has final say
Value everyones opinion, say thanks
allot
Set good behavior examples (especially
when things go bad in a game)
Solicit their staff input let them do their
job
Always set a good example
Dont lose control maintain composure,
always
NO CURSING IN FRONT OF THE KIDS
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(tough to do)

Avoid Parent Issues by setting

expectations
Set clear expectations from the start
Fund raising
Player evaluations
Playing Time

Be honest regarding their sons

Talent
Work ethic
Attitude
.All of which will give a good indication of playing time

Open Line of communication

If there is a problem, come talk to me lets work it
out
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HCs relationship with kids

Plan, plan, plan kids can recognize when you know
what your are doing compared to faking it
Earn their trust, win their hearts
Keep it positive, upbeat, up tempo
Have well defined practice plans
No standing around in practice (2 drills vs. 1 drill once technique is
established max reps)

Coach by the Golden Rule

Be honest and fair, in all circumstances

Have patience, especially with low/medium talent kids

Do not favor, over coach, etc., your own kid(s)
Give written tests extend learning time see next
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slide

Example Test Problem

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Regular Season

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Game Week Preparation

Sunday
WATCH GAME FILM FROM SATURDAY IF YOU HAVE IT
EVALAUATE THE GOOD/BAD/UGLY

WATCH UPCOMING OPPONENTS FILM (IF YOU HAVE

ACCESS)
IDENTIFY OPPONENTS DEFENSIVE FRONTS/SECONDARY
PUT TOGETHER YOUR GAME PLAN BASED ON IDENTIFIED
OPPONENT WEAKNESSES AND YOUR TEAMS
STRENGTHS
Create NEW PLAY/GADGET, if desired

Game Week Preparation

Offensive Practice Plan
PRE PRACTICE-SKILL (PASS GAME): 15 minutes
GROUP FUNDAMENTALS: 20 MINUTES
PASS GAME FUNDAMENTALS: 20 MINUTES
OL PASS PRO FRONTS
SKILL ROUTES

IMPORTANT: SCRIPT PLAYS (WRIST BAND FOR QB)

9 0N 9 INSIDE RUN VS ALL FRONTS (NO WRSCORNERS/CARDS): 10 MINUTES/12 PLAYS
9 ON 9 OUTSIDE RUN VS ALL FRONTS (NO WRSCORNERS/CARDS): 10) MINUTES/12 PLAYS
11 ON 11 PASS (BLITZ/CARDS): 15 MINUTES/ 12 PLAYS

See next slides for example level of detail

Sample Offensive Practice Plan

TIME

PERIOD

ACTIVITY

NOTES

6:15 6:30
(15)

Pre-practice
Skill players
O-line

QB-Receivers:
formations from the
huddle
O-Line: practice
handwork and footwork

QBs/receivers: huddle
break (flanker, flank,
slotter, slot, x-flanker,
x-flank, spread)
O-Line: work on river,
lake, L step, Power L
step vs. air

6:30-6:45
(15)

Warm-ups

Dynamic and static

stretch

organized, upbeat &

efficient

6:45-7:10
(20)

Fundamentals
break into 3
groups
O-Line
Backs
Receivers

Stance, footwork,
handwork
Timing, handoff, ball
security
Stalk block, hand
drills, routes

Emphasize proper
technique
Emphasize proper
depth & exch.
Emphasize blocking &
catching

7:10-7:15
(5)

Water break

7:15-7:30
(15)

Inside Running
Game

PLAY CALL
FLANKER 26 POWER (20)
NEAR FLANKER - 36
POWER (26)
SLOT - 26 POWER (4)
SLOTTER - 24 BLAST(5)

D
F
1
8
3
5
2
4

Run inside running

plays that you plan on
running vs. this weeks
opponent DEFENSIVE
FORMATIONS
Run vs. opponent
defensive sets

Sample Offensive Practice Plan (cont.)

TIME

PERIOD

7:30
7:35

water

7:357:50
(15)

Outside Run
Game

ACTIVITY

NOTES

PLAY CALL

DF

FLANKER 28 PITCH (8)

FLANK 29 PITCH (7)

1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6

SLOT 28 PITCH (2)

SLOTTER 29 PITCH (1)
DEALER 28 PITCH (10)
DEAL 29 PITCH (11)
FLANKER 28 PITCH (8)
FLANK 29 PITCH (7)
SLOT 28 PITCH (2)
SLOTTER 29 PITCH (1)
DEALER 28 PITCH (10)
DEAL 29 PITCH (11)

WORK OUTSIDE PLAYS

THAT YOU PLAN ON
RUNNING VS
UPCOMING OPPONENT
DEFENSIVE
FORMATIONS
RUN VS ODD/EVEN
FRONTS OF YOUR
OPPONENT.

Sample Offensive Practice Plan (cont.)

TIME

PERIOD

7:508:10
(20)

Pass Game

ACTIVITY
PLAY CALL
X FLANKER FIRE RIVER CUT
(22)
X FLANK FLASH LAKE CUT
(21)
SLOTTER RIVER VEGAS
(24)
PRO SLOT LAKE VEGAS
(23)
DEALER RIVER VEGAS
(30)
DEAL LAKE VEGAS
(31)
FAR FLANK 34 PWR PASS
(13)
SLOTTER 24 LAKE Y CK ME
(19)
SPREAD FLANK RIVER WHEEL
(31)
FLANKER FIRE
RIVER CUT
(22)
X FLANK FLASH LAKE CUT
(21)
SLOTTER RIVER VEGAS
(24)
PRO SLOT LAKE VEGAS
(23)
DEALER RIVER VEGAS
(30)
DEAL LAKE VEGAS
(31)
FAR FLANK 34 PWR PASS
(13)

NOTES
DF
8
7
6
5
10
11
12
6
9
8
7
6
5
10
11
12
6
9

Run plays that you

plan on running in the
game vs. opponents
Defensive Formations

Game Week Preparation

Friday Practice Plan Suggestions (if
scheduled)
SCRIPT FIRST 10 PLAYS
FORMATIONS/RUN GAME/PASS GAME
LETS YOU SEE HOW DEFENSE ADJUST TO YOUR FORMATIONS WITH FRONTS
& SECONDARY
After 10 plays, call plays based on what the defense is showing
Think at least 1 play ahead

QUICKLY THINK ABOUT:

DEFENSE, DOWN, DISTANCE, & FIELD POSITION
GET PLAY INTO QB QUICKLY
GIVE HIM ENOUGH TIME TO CALMLY CALL THE PLAY TWICE IN HUDDLE
THINK ABOUT THE NEXT PLAY
IF THIS PLAY IS SUCCESSFUL, WHAT SHOULD WE CALL NEXT
IF THIS PLAY IS UNSUCCESSFUL, WHAT SHOULD WE CALL NEXT

Game Day Ideas/Strategies

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Game Days
Have a game day schedule minute by
minute, just like in practice.
You dont want to be late or in a hurry
before a game (warm-ups, offense,
defense, specials, sub packages, etc.)

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Game Week Preparation

GAME DAY
COACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
ASSIGN POINT OF ATTACK RESPONSIBILITIES TO STAFF

IMPORTANT: CANT HAVE ALL EYES ON THE

BALL!!!!
WR COACH-SECONDARY
RB COACH-DEPTH OF BACKS/BLOCKING ASSIGNMENT
OL COACH- DEFENSIVE FRONT/ BACKSIDE

OC-POINT OF ATTACK
NOTE: FIND THE FREE SAFETY
HE WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO ATTACK ACCORDING TO YOUR
FORMATIONS

Sub Package Strategies

You may not have the luxury to have all
the best kids on the field at the same time
Red Squad:
6 - #1s, 5 -#2s
White Squad: 5 - #1s, 6 - #2s

Once everyone has their plays:

Gold Squad: 11 - #1s best players on the
field
See www.thefootballacademy-llc.com for sub
package templates
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PLAY CALLING 101

1. HAVE ONLY 1 PLAY CALLER!!!!
A. CANT HAVE TOO MANY CHEFS IN THE KITCHEN IF OC IS NOT THE HC,
REMEMBER, YOU WORK FOR HIM

2. USE FORMATIONS THAT BALANCE YOU TO RUN BOTH TO AND AWAY

FROM A TE
A. SLOTTER/ACE FORMATIONS: 4 PLAYS/8 FORMATIONS/MOTIONS (PITCH OUT
OF FLKR & DLR)

3. ALWAYS ATTACK A 3 MAN SIDE OPEN SIDE LEAD/POWER

A. YOU HAVE A NUMERICAL ADVANTAGE 4 GUYS TO BLOCK 3

4. HAVE A PLAY PASS FOR EACH POWER RUN PLAY (ISO/POWER/LEAD)

A. EXAMPLE
SLOTTER F 24 LAKE Y CK ME

PLAY CALLING 101 (cont.)

5. EARLY PASSING GAME SUCCESS OPENS UP RUNNING GAME

6. CALL PLAYS THAT PUT YOUR TEAM IN POSITION TO WIN THE GAME

7. SCRIPT
8. ID WHAT PLAYS GET YOUR OFFENSE OFF THE BALL WHEN HAVING A
TOUGH TIME

EACH YEAR IS DIFFERENT

9. KEEP CALLING WHAT THEY CANT DEFEND, IF YOU WANT TO WIN

DP/SD/JEFF TEDFORD

COULD BE A 3 PLAY GAME

10. PLAY PASS ON 1ST / 2ND DOWN

11. HAVE A FORCEFULL O-LINE ON 1 SIDE / 2ND UNIT ON OTHER SIDE/TOP
RBS WITH BACKUPS

HAVE A GO TO SIDE OF THE LINE WHEN YOU NEED TO GET 3 YARDS

GAME WEEK PLANNING SUMMARY

Game week planning: Have a plan for the week
Be organized: think through every day of the week
Prepare an offensive and defensive practice plan
Share with assistants at least 1 day before practice
Script out first 10 plays of the game, based on tendencies

Prepare for Game Day

Script out pre-game activities to the minute, just like practice never be caught off guard
stay cool, calm on game day do not blow-up on game day

Play calling
One play caller play caller should have studied opponents defense
Prepare a QB wrist band and a coaches play sheet
Utilize a Balanced attack/formation
Practice the plays you will call in the game
Attack weakness
Know your go to plays dont be afraid to call them consecutively

Playoffs / Post Season

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Post Season (cont.)

Eliminate plays that have not been successful, install
plays that play to your strengths (not too many new
plays)
Playoff logistics
If you get to travel
Enlist help of parents
May have to hold supplemental fundraiser(s) to cover costs of travel

Hold end of year team dinner/banquet after last game

Enlist help of parents
Charge a nominal fee to cover costs
Make it nice, with structure and organization not just a Chucky
Cheese party
Collared shirts, respect, well behaved
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Off Season

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Off Season (December-February)

Rest
Re-assess
What worked, what didnt?

Talk to other coaches

Encourage participation in other sports
Jeff Tedford / Mike Belloti
Attend other sporting events (win their hearts)

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Dates to Remember

3/24/12: Future Pro Camp @ Mountain Pointe High School

3/27/12:
CHS night camps (every Tuesday thru May 1st)

5/11/12: TFA Youth Camp 6p-9:30p @ WFHS (TBD)

6/5-6/8: ASU Youth camp

6/11 6/21: TFA Premier Camp and Combine @ Gilbert

High (TBD)
Mon thru Thurs over two weeks
Combine: speed, agility, player evaluations

7/30/12
8/2/12
8/6/12
8/7/12
8/8/12

Monday:
Thursday:
Monday:
Tuesday
Wednesday

First Day of AYF Practice helmets only

Thurs: shells
full pads - no contact
full pads - live on dummies
full pads, full contact
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Summary
Plan Ahead
Success is a cruel master

Think Through everything you will do

Does it prepare your team to do well?
If not, eliminate it

Practice like you want to play

E.G. During team phase, dont walk to the huddle and tell the QB
which play to call stand away from huddle and give plays like you
would in the game

If you dont know, ask!

No one knows everything (Urban Meyer, Chip Kelly, etc.)

The best coaches are always learning and asking

Best Wishes for a Productive Season

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