A Line Call System You Can Live With by Coach Calande  4/4/08 This Tip is more for advanced double wingers at the varsity level (or very skilled youth coaches)      Line calls are used to eliminate doubt and confusion among offensive linemates. The more a group of linemen can communicate in code using short simple words or numbers, then the more likely it is that there will be near perfect execution on a given play.      There is no right or wrong when it comes to creating a line call system provided your kids understand it and your opponent does not.  I am going to provide you with a simple offensive line call system for your examination and you will want to tweak it to fit your kids and your system.     System is the key word. You must be systematic in your application of line calls. Personally, I prefer to teach a system that I understand rather than use someone elses (Ie , Tom Herman has a line call system that I simply didnt understand when I viewed his tape, that however works very well for him and his kids. Given time and some discussion with Coach Herman I am sure that I would get it. Similarly, Creehan has line calls for his wing- t and IM sure Coach Murphy has line calls for his kids. IN fact, I recall him saying that his kids make up their own calls.) Now,  Line calls can be as simple as colors, words, numbers, names...whatever.  You can have the kids yell out the names of "hot chicks" in their school or "hot actresses" or " cool cars" and each could mean something TO THE KIDS. I on the other hand want to use a system that means something to me first so I can make suggestions on what calls to use for given schemes. First, here is a very workable number system to try. Lets give all one on one blocks an ODD number and give all forms of double team blocks EVEN numbers. odd= one on one even= double team of some kind Now, you know we number our players. Keeping that in mind, our players can then communicate to each other by first calling out the number of the player they are talking to and second calling out the type of block. For example, the center might say "TWENTY ONE! TWENTY ONE!"  and that would mean he is speaking to the two man and requesting a ONE block. (whatever that means that year- and its not a bad idea to mix it up if you feel that folks are catching on) Now, heres a sample of what might work for you: 1-  Fold block 3- cross block 5- Fan 7- Domino/cover for me 9- Dummy call, youre free to speak to the next man out. 2- Inside chip double team 4- "4 eyes/4 hands" combination block 6- Outside chip double team 8- Lets take this guy off the film double team. or perhaps you are working with young kids: RED- domino down YELLOW- help me some (dynamite) GREEN- Im good, do your thing. Yet another system might just be words where the players make up whatever they want for each type of block. I personally am not a fan of that.   Line calls can be used to adjust the blocking at the line of scrimmage. They can be used to create new angles,  move double teams, change the type of double team etc. Line calls are so valuable and effective that I have had kids who had joined the team late and were not quite ready and up to speed with all of the blocking rules execute very well as part of the unit due to the calls. IN fact, my right tackle last year missed a bunch of classroom and on the field teaching time due to being in the training room but was often able to get his assignment by using the guards communication on a given play. Here is an example of how a varsity offensive line (or a very well coached youth/jr high oline) might communicate on a given power play. Lets suppose the offense was running "Ray 34 Power" versus a 43 defense. Now, using the line calls I gave as examples above we can change the blocking up front ever so slightly to create a different effect while still running the same play. ----S--------------F C----W---M----S----C ----E--T-----T---E ---O-O-O-X-O-O-O -O--------O---------O -----------O The diagram should show a pair of TIGHT 3 tech defensive tackles, a pair of 7 tech des and linebackers at 00 and 40 tech spots. The rules for "Ray 34 Power" are: center- man on/man away- domino if both rg- gap/on/down rt- gap/on/outside gap/down rte- gap/down/backer rw- first backer inside fb- kick first past the C gap qb- toss, lead inside out kicking out second level bsw- motion on "ready" and catch the ball, plant and get downhill NOW! bsg- pull, lead backer to safety. bst- pull, lead, seal inside bste- cut to cutoff (b to c gap) now, BY RULE the blocks would look like this: The center will block the backside 3 tech The psg will block the 3 tech The pst will block the 3 tech if his hat is in the gap/the 7 tech otherwise (maybe hes confused?) The pste will block the 7 tech if his hats in the gap or release to backer if its ON him. (maybe hes confused?) The wing will go to the first backer inside (sam) The qb will go inside out and kick the corner The bsg will pull and clock the safety The bst will pull and block the first ugly coming from the inside (backer or safety) The bste will cut the 3 tech ? or will he cut the 7 tech? (maybe hes confused) hes not sure what the center is doing? Now, you can see that this defense could give a poorly coached teams some issues? is that guy on me? is he in the gap? And this is where offensive line communication comes into play. now, if we had taught the kids to communicate... Center makes his call first " 99" he has made a dummy call. Both guards make their calls - The left guard has called "17" communicating to the center, while the playside guard calls " dynamite" telling the offensive tackle that he needs a bit of help with the 3 tech. The Tackle declares that his outside gap is threatened by the 7 tech and communicates to the te " 64" (6 man, 4 eyes block) and the te parrots that call . So, the kids have cleared up confusion, the playside 3 tech and 7 tech are both double teamed with no hesitation and we have a play. Now, on the backside things could get messy if the center and te dont communicate. Each thinks hes got the 3 tech. One way to ease that is to simply have the guard on the backside ask for the proper coverage. ie if he says " 77" - he is asking the 7 man to cover for him to allow him to pull..that would mean the dt was wide enough for the te to cut him. If he asked for the center to cover for him, meaning the dt was too tight to be cut by the te hed say " 17" (1 man cover me)- IN any case, when there is a backside dt, and an even front, either the te or the center has to block him when the guard and tackle are pulling. Its a very good idea to make sure that BOTH do not block him or you will have a chop blocking penalty and your drive will die. Its interesting to note too some of the other calls that might have taken place: The playside guard might have called the playside tackle to " 41" ( 4 man fold) so he could fold to the mike backer! This would have called off a double team by the tackle and the te for instance. Again, this is advanced stuff here. But its a heck of a lot of fun. If you want to discuss offensive line calls, things we have done in the past please do not hesitate to contact me. www.coachcalande.com

Sample Practice Plan from Coach Calande     Example of a 2 HOUR PRACTICE PLAN (OFFENSE DAYS- 2 per week min) * two coaches* Goal- perfect execution, sound fundamentals, complete understanding of assignments and concepts. Develop confidence in the double wing offense. Instructions- plan practice in 5 minute periods. You can work on any skill or play for more than one period. Here is a sample plan, do not hesitate to modify it to fit your teams needs. period------skills/drills-----------------------comments   1- Roll call/Warmups- Take roll, kids are in squads with squad leader (captain) in front facing squad mates. Squad leaders report missing or late members to coach. Suggest military precision in spacing, helmets off set to ground to captains left and each players right. face masks forward. Look like a team. Warm up/ stretching routine. Keep this brief.(kids are flexible) 2-12 .- Oline Equipment needs, water bottles, cones, bags, shields. white board. Offensive line separates from backs. Work on pulling and pancake, pull and trap, shoulder blocking skills, king of boards, sled (one period), x blocking, double teaming, fronts and stunts, bird dogs, fit and freeze, eyes inside drills, cut blocking, any line calls (domino, dynamite), defeating froggers, combo blocks, chalk talk. call plays, rep schemes. Center should get work on making calls, cutting playside, snap and step. additionally, qb and center(backups too) should meet before practice to get in 50 snaps. Tight ends can spend pulling period working on pass routes. *water bottles available at any time.* 2-12 - Backfield - Equipment needs, water bottles, cones, shields. white board. Offensive backs work on backfield schematics, footwork, timing, motion, ball security, tough running, stiff arm, spin move, extra yard, pass patterns ( 2 periods max), blocking assignments and techniques, qb footwork, fb kickout blocks, reach blocks by wings, down blocks and double teams by wings (can work with oline for that period), many many reps with focus on execution and carrying out every fake. chalk talk as needed. *water bottles available at any time* 13-End of first hour, water break, coaching report (1 period max) 14-16- Slow motion reps - Equipment needs, water bottles, cones, shields. white board. during these 3 periods its recommended that the backs and oline come together to slow motion walk thru the various plays against several fronts(bags and shields or cones). This gives the backs and linemen an opportunity to learn how the plays develop and unfold against fronts. backs learn to run inside kickouts and appreciate their linemen. Great opportunity for coaches to work on hat placement, fit and freeze, rewind and correct and perfect every play. Meshing timing is important to prevent collisions and impatience by backs. 17-19 - Full speed versus bag and shield holders- Equipment needs, water bottles, shields. white board. video camera recommended. during these 3 periods, full speed reps are performed with no tackling but live blocking on the bags and shields. Defenders should be encouraged to attack but not swing bags or dodge blockers with bags. “give us a look!” Good time to add blitzes to test linemen on eyes inside. Additional work on fit and freeze whenever needed. 20-22- Live “thud’ practice period - Equipment needs, water bottles, video camera recommended. white board.  Pinnies or skull caps. “Thud” is live blocking but only hit and wrap tackling. Backs are not taken to the ground to save time wasted un-piling and to reduce injury. No bags or shields. It is not recommended that teams practice live until 5 plays are mastered. Build confidence, dont destroy it! 23-24- Pride period - Conditioning can be sprints on defensive days but on offensive days I suggest running nothing but the powers from the 3 yard line as if scoring 2 point conversions. Live. 25- End of practice- final word (brief) and team cheer. “CHAMPIONS!!!”- qbs put away cones, balls, oline puts bags shields in shed, backs clean up trash, water bottles.

Using a Wrist Coach to Help Linemen with Rule Blocking WRIST COACH SUGGESTION FOR RULE BLOCKING some of you are missing kids due to vacation, baseball or whatever... if you are near panic over teaching rules or whatever due to falling behind IN YOUR TEACHING due to low numbers...consider putting a wrist coach on your linemen with the hole number and blocking rule right there...ie, my left guards wrist coach might look like this for my first scrimmage... 1 hole trap= gdb 3 hole trap=good 5 hole power or counter= god 7 hole power= god 9 hole sweep= pull, lead, look inside 0 hole trap= right shoulder kickout 2 hole trap= right shoulder kickout 4 hole power= pull, lead look for bs 4 hole counter= pull, kickout 6 hole power= pull lead look for bs 8 hole sweep= pull lead look inside brown pass protection- hinge black pass protection- run block 18 boot pass= pull get depth look inside 19 boot pass= pull, get depth log/hook de

COACH CALANDE'S G.O.O.D. - G.O.D. CHEAT SHEET I had suggested to some of my GOOD/GOD coaches that they make "cheat sheets" for their assistant coaches : I took the time to make this up, feel free to use it for your practices. COACHES CHEAT SHEET RAY 34 POWER c- moma lg- pull - lead for bs lt- pull- lead seal inside lte- shoeshing b to c rg- god rt- good rte- gdb *eyes inside lw- motion on “ready” downhill run. fb- banana rt shoulder kickout on de qb- full pivot, kickout corner rw- seal lber LEE 25 POWER c- moma lg- god lt- good lte- gdb rg- pull- lead for bs rt- pull- lead seal inside rte- shoeshine b to c lw- seal lber fb- banana left shoulder kickout on de qb- full pivot, kickout corrner rw- deep motion, downhill run. RAY 25 COUNTER c- moma lg- god lt- good lte- gdb rg- pull kickout de rt- pull, lead, look inside rte- shoeshine b to c lw- motion great fake fb- jab backside, lead to corner. qb- full pivot, inside handoff, block backside. rw- drop step, inside handoff, downhill run. LEE 34 COUNTER c- moma lg- pull, kickout de lt- pull, lead look inside lte- shoeshine b to c rg- god rt- good rte- gdb lw- drop step , inside handoff, down hill run. fb- jab backside, lead to corner qb- full pivot, inside handoff, block backside. rw- motion, great fake. RAY 325 COUNTER CRISS CROSS c- moma lg- god lt- good lte- gdb rg- pull- lead for bs rt- pull- lead seal inside rte- shoeshine b to c lw- motion, catch toss, inside handoff, carry out fake fb- jab backside, lead to corner qb- toss, kickout 1/2 de rw- drop step, take inside handoff run downhill LEE 234 COUNTER CRISS CROSS c- moma lg- pull, kickout de lt- pull, lead look inside lte- shoeshine b to c rg- god rt- good rte- gdb lw- drop step, take inside handoff run downhill fb- jab backside, lead to corner qb- toss, kickout 1/2 defensive end rw- motion, catch toss, inside handoff, carry out fake RAY 35 COUNTER CUTBACK c- moma lg- god lt- good lte- gdb rg- pull- lead for bs rt- pull- lead seal inside rte- shoeshine b to c lw- motion, catch toss, plant an d cut back run downhill. fb- jab backside, lead to corner qb- toss kickout 1/2 defensive end rw- sprint to lead to safety LEE 24 COUNTER CUTBACK c- moma lg- pull, kickout de lt- pull, lead look inside lte- shoeshine b to c rg- god rt- good rte- gdb lw- sprint to lead to safety fb- jab backside lead to corner qb- toss kickout 1/2 de rw- motion, catch toss, plant and cutback, run downhill. RAY 36 POWER c- moma lg- pull, lead for bs lt- pull, look inside lte- shoeshine b to c rg- god rt- god rte- good lw- motion , catch toss, down hill run fb- banana, right shoulder kickout on de qb- full pivot, toss, inside out on corner rw- gdb LEE 27 POWER c- moma lg- god lt- god lte- good rg- pull lead for bs rt- pull, lead, look inside rte- cut b to c lw- gdb fb- banana left shoulder kickout on de qb- full pivot, toss, inside out on corner rw- deep motion, catch toss, run downhill RAY 40 QUICK TRAP c- moma lg- pull kickout lt- lead, first ugly lte- cut b to c rg- gdb rt- fbi rte- fbi rw- bs lw- motion, great fake, pitch relationship downfield qb- no look handoff, carry out off tackle fake fb- left step, sit, plant and go. LEE 41 QUICK TRAP c- moma lg- gdb lt- fbi lte- fbi lw- bs rg- pull kickout rt- lead first ugly rte- cut b to c fb- step right, sit plant and go rw- motion, great fake, pitch relationship downfield qb- no look handoff, carry out off tackle fake RAY 42 QUICK TRAP c- moma lg- pull kickout lt- lead, first ugly lte- cut b to c rg- good rt- gdb rte- fbi rw- bs lw- motion, great fake, pitch relationship downfield qb- no look handoff, carry out off tackle fake fb- left step, sit, plant and go. LEE 43 QUICK TRAP c- moma lg- good lt- gdb lte- fbi lw- bs rg- pull kickout rt- lead first ugly rte- cut b to c fb- step right, sit plant and go rw- motion, great fake, pitch relationship downfield qb- no look handoff, carry out off tackle fake RAY 43 COUNTER TRAP c- moma lg- good lt- gdb lte- fbi lw- motion, fake catching toss, fake inside handoff, carry out fake. rg- pull kickout rt- lead first ugly rte- cut b to c fb- jab backside, plant, inside handoff and follow tackle rw- drop step, fake xx, sprint relationship downfield qb- step behind playside guard, inside handoff, block backside. LEE 42 COUNTER TRAP c- moma lg- pull kickout lt- lead first ugly lte- cut b to c rg- good rt- gdb rte- fbi lw- drop step, fake getting inside handoff for xx sprint relationship downfield fb- jab backside, plant, inside handoff and follow tackle qb- step behind playside guard, inside give, block backside rw- motion fake, inside handoff, carry out fake RAY 32 BLAST c- moma lg- pull , lead for bs lt- pull, look inside (optional) lte- cut b to c rg- bob rt- bob tre- bob the de lw- deep motion catch toss, run downhill fb- jab to playside, blast lber qb- toss, lead thru, look outside for 2nd level ko. rw- sprint thru b gap , first ugly LEE 23 BLAST c- moma lg- bob lt- bog lte- bob de rg- pull, lead for bs rt- pull, look inside (optional) rte- cut b to c lw- sprint thru b gap, first ugly fb- jab playside, blast lber qb- toss., lead and kickout second level rw- deep motion, catch toss, run downhill. RAY 38 SWEEP c- moma lg- pull for backer lt- cut b to c lte- pizza block rg- pull for backer rt- block #1 playside lineman rte- block #2 playside lineman lw- deep motion, catch toss, read fbs block fb- kickout/log corner qb- toss, gain depth, lead thru alley for safety rw- hook de(olber in 40) LEE 29 SWEEP c- moma lg- pull for backer lt- block #1 playside lineman lte- block #2 playside lineman rg- pull for backer rt- cut b to c rte- pizza block lw- hook de (olber in 40) fb- kickout/log corner qb- toss, gain depth, lead thru alley for safety rw- deep motion, catch toss, read fbs block

The Essential "46 Gambler Bermuda Triangle Drill" THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE AND ITS COUSIN THE DIAMOND DRILL : Purpose- These drill introduce and reinforce the essential elements of team defense including pursuit and the concept of trapping the ball.  Offensive Objectives- *though this is a defensive drill, there is plenty to teach the offensive players.  The offensive lead blocker will learn "kickout" and "log" blocking The ball carrier will learn hard running in traffic and gain ability to read blockers and defensive flow. The center will learn the reach block on the nose. The ball carrier will learn to protect the football despite stripping attempts by defenders The ball carrier and blocker will learn the concept of "counter" and "cutback" runs. Defensive Objectives -* the drill is designed specficially by me for my 46 Gambler coaches Defenders will learn and apply the concept of "outside arm free" Defenders will learn and apply concept of "attack" and pursuit Defenders will learn to trust team mates and maintain the integrity of the defensive design. Defenders will tackle with head across to "bite the ball" Defenders will learn to keep shoulders square and hips open to the outside on contact Defenders will learn to gang tackle and strip the ball seeking to score on defense The nose guard will learn to "hit and hunt" and "cross face" to get playside arm free. the Linebackers will learn and apply knowledge of their relationship to the nose guard The linebackers will understand "force" and "cutback" responsibility The free backer will gain ability to read both flow and the block on the nose The free backer will shuffle to flow and attack filling the window and strip the ball. EQUIPMENT NEEDS * water bottles so thirsty athletes can drink! One football. 3 markers,( can be pinnies, cones or other.) If you are not wearing full pads you can do this with the lead blocker carrying a blocking schield and the drill done at half speed. Coach should have a whistle to stop play. Proceedure : using the 3 markers make a triangle with the apex 8-10 yards from the base. The base of the triangle should be 8 yards wide as well. *you can adjust this, we usually dont measure it* THE DRILL : the blocker and runner and center, from the apex,  will communicate to decide to attack either of the cones at the base. Each of the base cones are guarded by a linebacker. The linebackers are instructed to align approx 1/3 of the way from their base cone. why? ah, this is the first phase in their training to be monsters in the middle of the 46 Gambler. The 46 is designed to keep the linebackers unblocked and flowing freely so that the backside backer can be the cutback player or "hit man" on all plays away. We appropriately name the trio of our Mike, Will and Fred "THE HIT SQUAD". These players must live up to the nickname.   the BERMUDA TRIANGLE SHOULD LOOK LIKE THIS... ----------------------------------------------T(ball carrier) ----------------------------------------------F(you might choose to add a second) ----------------------------------------------C(hook nose away from play) -----------------------------------------------x ----------------------------------------------N(cross face to playside) --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------x----------M-------------------------W------------x(mike and will read and attack) -----------------------------------------------------F(fill window- force fumble)   *he drill starts on the centers movement. he will attempt to step to playside and reach/hook the nose away from the play. The nose must obviously try to knock him back while fighting to playside. The idea is to strip the runner of his lead block by forcing a quick cutback to the backside backer.  The tighter a play hits to the nose, the more the backside backer must respect his backside A gap role on flow away. * Each of the linebackers is trained to read and react according to the near backs foot. Later they will be introduced to "reading thru the line" to their back key, but thats another drill. *Each backer steps in the direction of the fullback, if he comes to you, you go to him and blow his ass up by running your shoulder and flipper thru his outside number.  The  backer must strive to keep his outside arm free to make the tackle and to force the cutback. Many kids will at first try to dodge the blocker and get kicked out our sealed in easily. we start this drill with walk thrus not live full contact. teach HOW AND WHY before going live just as you would your offensive plays. now, upon contact, ideally the linebacker has his numbers square, inside leg up, outside leg back. this keeps hip open should the runner spill outside. We want to give the runner only one way to go, inside to our hit squad. The runners must try to cross directly over a marker. *If the lead back goes away then that linebacker must step with the lead back and be aware of his backside A gap responsibility then attack taking away runners cutback lane. Shoulders should stay square and he too must seek to trap the ball at the line of scrimmage. We constantly tell our kids that the longest runs in football break back behind the backside backer. Over pursuit is a bad thing. Attacking the runners near hip is important on cutback.  When we tackle we do place head across the bow and BITE THE BALL seeking to force a fumble. If the runner is stacked up even momentarily the free backer will decleat him completely. The free backer is told to "slobberknocker" the ball carrier. *This drill is not designed for 4 studs to take on 4 duds. Be aware that this is a physical drill but you have the responsibility to match up your athletes wisely. Remember, remind the athletes to "see what you hit" and use a quick whistle. You will get more teaching time with slow motion and half speed stuff, but eventually you need to separate the men from the boys. The kids will beg for this drill. Its a good idea, after teaching linebackers their 46 Gambler reads and reactions that you vary the backfield to include split backs, wishbone, stack I, power I. This is not a level I training drill. You must progress to this. For more drills, you will want to consider my 46 Gambler manual and dvd set. - Coach Calande

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 ©2008 Steve Calande All rights reserved.