JR RAIDER FOOTBALL INTRODUCTION

Our Key to success will be determined by the quality of coaching, players and tools we have in the program. We will operate the same base playbook from 3rd grade to 8th grade so that the players and coaches all grow together year over year. This results in players and coaches not having to start fresh each year learning / teaching a new system from scratch. They pick up where they left off continuing to grow providing more effective use of time in mastering practice and game planning. Our playbook offers evrything a team needs to be successful. However a playbook will not guarantee success.

Teaching the fundamental techniques needed to be a good football player is the key to building a successful team. Working hard together mastering these techniques and building towards a common goal develops the winning attitude a team needs to be successful. Therefore our focus is a step by step process that evolves as the season moves along. Building confidence in each player that they have all the tools to be successful along withthe knowledge of how to properly use each tool is the foundation. This will lead to a stronger more confident team that will make less mental errors by slowly developing each player to succeed. We use three step progression - individual drills vs air, control mode vs opponent holding pad then advance to live phase of game. A program that skips the base steps and rushes to live play during practice will struggle. Our job as coaches is to have a keen eye on the details starting with the stance and start. Our players stance and first step is the most important step and this is where we star the development process.

Our goal is to build a offensive playbook with each team from a base few plays. In order to be successful we must master the base plays before moving on to additional plays. Mastery involves the proper techniques needed at each position, understanding the attack point and assignments versus a variety of defensive formations. Defense will be based on sound responsibility up front, attack the ball and . Each coach must identify the strengths and weaknesses within our team. Practice plan preparation will concentrate on improving weaknesses. Every set of players is different and spending time with your players that need the most help is the key. Players that are prepared well, integrated into a team effort and cut down on mistakes have great chance to succeed.

Most important in the playbook is the language coaches must speak that is consistent through all levels. We want to use the same terminology so that we all can talk and understand each other. We dont want to teach new language and new plays each year. Less is more with the players and single word commands carry more weight than lengthy over worded lectures.

The Jr Raiders have a long history of success from the start in 1992. We want to carry that history and build on it so that our players enter high school with a solid football background founded in fundamentals and winning attitude.

1 JR RAIDERS OFFENSE

PHILOSOPHY - The first phase is to establish a base running game that will attack the defense in many ways. Before adding additional plays the base running game must be perfected at all positions. Only then additional plays will be added that will look different but the base philosophy, language and fundamentals will be the same. The next phase will be to add plays that will counter defenses over playing base plays. These plays will include traps, counters and play action passes. At the advanced level (skylands & Patriot Varsity) once base plays are perfected then we will add different personell groups that will allow us to use the same or similar plays from multiple sets. The most important aspect of offense is to install the fundamentals, techniques, language and teamwork with the offensive line. As players grow through divisions the playbook will expand and coaches will be allowed to expand beyond the base package.

Most important is the Attitude and Effort Level players learn. A player thet has the effort and attitude is more valuable than a player this jus highly skilled. This is driven by coaches who require high level of effort and attitude from his players.

Quarterback - Must be a leader willing and able to communicate and command the offense as a unit. This individual must know the most about all aspects of the offense. This individual must also have a great understanding of the philosophy and situational play needed to operate during the game.

PERSONNEL GROUPS: The personnel groups identify which group of players is in the huddle: 1. Power - 3 Backs, 2 Tight Ends 2. Pair - 2 Backs, 2 Tight Ends, 1 3. Pro - 2 Backs, 1 Tight End, 2 Wide Receivers 4. Ace - 1 Back, 1 Tight End, 3 Wide Receivers

PLAY CALLS: The play call will have 2 - 3 stages. First is Personnel Group, Second formation and motion / shift if any, Third is the play, Fourth is the pass protection. QB Must pause at each stage for clarity. Each position gets its alignment and assignment from different phase of call. For example O-Line only listens for the play or protection. RB's Needs formation, play or protection.

Examples: 1. Pair (personnel) / Right Brown (formation) / 44 Lead (play). 2. Power / Left / 23 Dive. 3. Pair / Right Blue / 345 Bootleg Right Advanced: 3. Pro / Slot Right Weak Zoom / 49 Sweep 4. Ace / Flood Left / Smash T-7 / Max

2 JR RAIDERS OFFENSE (CONT'D)

CADENCE Patriot Pee Wee and JV ON ONE - SET - DOWN - HUT ON TWO - SET - DOWN - HUT - HUT ON THREE - SET - DOWN - HUT HUT - HUT

ADVANCED - Patriot Varsity and Skylands ON COLOR - DOWN - BLUE (ANY COLOR) ON ONE - DOWN - COLOR NUMBER (BLUE 80) - COLOR NUMBER HUT ON TWO - DOWN COLOR NUMBER - COLOR NUMBER HUT HUT ON RAIDER ( ON FIRST SOUND AFTER ANY INDICATOR) - DOWN - GO GO - RED - 15 - HUT - RAIDER - HUT

QB WILL CALL PLAY AND SNAP COUNT TWICE IN HUDDLE - AFTER FIRST CALL CENTER AND RECEIVERS CAN LEAVE HUDDLE AFTER SECOND CALL QB WILL SAY "READY" AND ALL WILL SAY "BREAK' WITH CLAP OF HANDS AND MOVE QUICKLY TO .

HUDDLE : CENTER WILL CALL HUDDLE 8 YARDS FROM BALL FACING BALL, LINEMAN IN FRONT HANDS ON KNEES, BACKS IN MIDDLE BEHIND LINE, WR AND TE ON END BEHIND LINE. QB IN FRONT FACING AWAY FROM BALL.

PASS PROTECTION: THE BASE PROTECTION IS MAX PROTECTION. THIS SHOUD BE USED AT ALL LEVELS FOR 3 STEP DROP QUICK THROWS. IN ADDITION MAX WILL BE USED FROM SHOTGUN AT ALL LEVELS. WE DO NOT USE A 5 STEP PASS DROP WITH OUR .

1. MAX PROTECTION - ALL LINEMAN STEP TOWARDS CENTER. THIS IS GAP PROTECTION NOT MAN PROTECTION. 2. SPRINT PROTECTION - SAME AS MAX EXCEPT EVERYONE STEPS TOWARDS SRPINT DIRECTION. 3. PLAY ACTION - 300 SERIES ARE BOOTLEG PASSES (EXAMPLE 344 BOOTLEG LEFT). 100 SERIES ARE PLAY ACTION TO THE SIDE OF THE FAKE (EXAMPLE 147 BLAST PASS) 4. Bear Protection - Two backs in protection TE releases into route. 5. Tiger Protection - 1 back and TE in 3 WR release into Route 6. Empty Protection - Only interior line in protection.

SITUATIONS TO BE PRACTICED:

1. 2 MINUTE - NO HUDDLE - GET OUT OF BOUNDS IF POSSIBLE 2. NO TIME OUTS - NO HUDDLE - TWO PLAYS CALLED IN HUDDLE OR PLAY CALLED AT LINE. 3. KILL THE CLOCK - NO HUDDLE SPIKE THE BALL - STAY IN BOUNDS KEEP CLOCK RUNNING. 4. VICTORY FORMATION (POWER PERSONNEL) WITH BACKS BEHIND GUARDS AND TB DEEP) - QB TAKES A KNEE TO RUN OUT CLOCK.

WE RECOMMEND THE USE OF QB WRISTBANDS TO GET THE PLAY S IN QUICKER.

3 OFFENSIVE BASICS AND PERSONNEL GROUPS

Hole and Back POWER Numbering. Eligible 4 ALL DIVISIONS Receiver Identification 2 3

1

X Y

8 6 4 2 1 3 5 7 9

5

10

15

20

PAIR 4 Patriot Pee Wee & JV 2

1 Z

X Y

5

10

15

20

4 OFFENSIVE BASICS (CONT'D)

PRO Patriot JV & Varsity 4

2

Z 1

Y X

5

10

15

20

ACE Patriot Varsity

1 3

T Z

Y X

5

10

15

20

5 OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD SETS

4 4

2 3 3 2

1 1

X Y Y X

Power Right Power Left

4 4

2 2

1 Z Z 1

X Y Y X

Left Right

4 4

2 2

Z 1 Z 1

X Y Y X

Blue Brown

4 2 2 4

Z Z 1 1

Y X Y X

Strong Weak

6 BACKFIELD SETS (CONT'D)

2 4 H F 1

Z Z

X Y X Y

Split Split Gun

1 1 3 3

T Z T Z

Y X Y X

Ace Flood Ace Bunch

4 4

1 2 2 1

Z Z

Y X X Y

Gun Blue Gun Brown

1 1 3 3

T Z T Z

Y X Y X

Ace Right Ace Strong Right

7 JR RAIDER OFFENSIVE LINE COACHING TECHNIQUE

STANCE – Three Point Parallel 1. Start with your feet shoulder width. 2. Weight Balanced 3. Drop elbows down on knees. 4A. Stagger your feet. A. Toe to Heel B. Toes up field C. Squeeze your knees (do not allow feet to turn in) D. Weight – on insteps of feet. 5A. Five Finger Bridge A. In front of your post foot (one closest to the QB) should be on a line. B. Slightly set outside of the eye. 6A. Check For The Z in the knee. A. Knees over toes and under armpits B. Hips over ankles C. Knees stay in line with feet and hips.

7. Head up A. Look through your eyebrows.

THE START / DRIVE BLOCK 1. Eyes lead the block. – Landmarks A. DL – Chin to middle numbers. B. LB – Bottom of number / get close enuff to step on his toes. 2. From stance – explode out – not up. 3. Take a quick 4-6 inch step with your post foot. (PICK IT UP & PUT IT DOWN) 4. Chest on knees, knees over toes. 5. Load hands in preparation for the punch. Arms back. Think of a gun fighter reaching for his holster. 6. Punch hands – w/ thumbs up – punch through aiming point of defender. 7. Second step into the ground asap. Punch will come on the second step. 8. Shoulders and hips should hit at same level – keep back . 9. On contact snap face (find his eyes) to create an arch = forming a triangle with hands.. 10A. Roll hips into block ON CONTACT – not before. A. Climb up and through the man. B. Keep stepping on toes. C. Maintain base. D. Short choppy steps. E. If opponent turns = BURY HIM. F. Drive at same level you made contact.

THE REACH BLOCK 1. Eyes lead the block – Landmarks A. DL – playside number – frontside armpit. B1. LB – bottom of playside number. 2A. Take off at wider angle – flatter step. A. Lead step – should be w/ playside foot – foot should get to outside hip. B. Second step should be down the mid-line of the defender – step into crotch. C. Third step – get face to landmark. 3A. Follow Punch and Hip rules. A. Inside hand punches inside breast plate B. Outside arm on outside breast plate

THE REACH BLOCK – WIDE DEFENDER 1. If defender takes an extremely wide split – drop and cross technique. 2. Take a short drop step with playside foot. 3. Cross over with opposite foot. 4. All other parts remain the same. 8 OFFENSIVE LINE COACHING (CONT'D)

THE REACH BLOCK – WIDE DEFENDER

1. If defender takes an extremely wide split – drop and cross technique. 2. Take a short drop step with playside foot. 3. Cross over with opposite foot. 4. All other parts remain the same.

THE DRILLS

1. Stance (BIRD DOG)

2. Stance and Start (1st step, 2nd Step - Right and Left Foot. (BIRD DOG) 3. Stance and 2 step to a fit vs. defender or wall. A. Check proper drive blocking or contact position. B. Shoulders and hips should be at same level. C. On contact elbow should be in and your thumbs up. D. Check for triangle.

4. Duck Walk Demeanor Drill

5. Fit and ((1) walk (2) drive) A. Walk or drive down line or use ground bag. B. Drive at level you make your hit. C. Keep your face up and your eyes open. D. Check for triangle. E. Maintain base. F. Defender gives resistance. G. Whistle for stop – (Bird Dog) check to see if maintained fit position.

6. Bags – work all blocks on boards. VS AIR DL or LB A. Concentrate on keeping good base. B. Use different defensive alignments. A. First Step to Hole B. Aim Point on Defender C Work feet to point butt to hole.

7. Chutes – VS AIR DL or LB A. Work both drive and reach blocks. B. Use different defensive alignments. C. Concentrate on snap count and exploding out together. D. Add second effort by having defender react after initial block.

***See Jr Riaders Blocking Guide for Calls on Specific Blocks.

Lineman must be taught to communicate with each other on every play as they get set on line of scrimmage. They must make the blocking calls required to execute the play vs the defensive front presented. Have them call out block from start of season in every drill.

9 PASS ROUTE TREE

9 - Fly 8 - Post Corner 20 7- Post 15 5 - DIG

4 - out 10 3 -Curl

1 - Quick Slant 5 2 - Quick Out

PASS ROUT TREE IDENTIFIES A NUMBER FOR EACH ROUTE. THE YARDAGES FOR THE ROUTES CAN VARY DEPENDING ON THE ARM STRENGTH OF AND SPEED OF WIDE RECEIVERS. SOMETIMES YOU MAY ADD OR REMOVE A FEW YARDS TO THE LISTED YARDAGES SO THAT THE ROUTE IS EFFECTIVE FOR YOUR PLAYERS.

WE USE THE NUMBERS LISTED FOR EACH ROUTE IN PLAY CALLING. EACH FORMATION WE GENERALLY HAVE THREE RECEIVERS RUNNING ROUTES. 3 NUMBERS ARE ASSIGNED TO A PLAY TO DESIGNATE ROUTES. BEGINNING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THE ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS ARE ASSIGNED A NUMBER.

EXAMPLE: PRO RIGHT 292 - THE MOST LEFT RECEIVER RUNS 2 ROUTE, MIDDLE RECEIVER RUNS 9 ROUTE AND RIGHT RECEIVER RUNS 2 ROUTE.

CAN ALSO ADD A SPECIAL ROUTE WHICH IDENTIFIES THAT RECEIVER BY NAME AND THE OTHER TWO RECEIVERS RUN NUMBERS.

EXAMPLE: PAIR RIGHT 33 Y-FLAT - THE MOST LEFT RECEIVER RUNS 3 ROUTE, THE RIGHT RECEIVER RUNS 3 ROUTE AND Y (TE) RUNS .

THE THIRD WAY TO CALL A PASS PLAY IS USING ROUTE COMBINATIONS AND A DESIGNATED POSITION NUMBER. EXAMPLE: PRO SLOT LEFT SMASH Y-4 - THE X AND Z RECEIVER RUN SMASH AND Y(TE) RUNS 4 ROUTE.

10 ROUTE COMBINATIONS AND SPECIAL ROUTES

4 2 4 2 1 1

Z Z

X Y X Y

SMASH ROUTE - READ - Z RUN CORNER ON X. CORNER FLAT OFF X THEN UP. UP THROW Z CORNER BACK THROW X

4 2 4 2

1 1 Z Z

X Y X Y

X QUICK - Z BLOCKS NEAREST DEFENDER Z BUBBLE - X BLOCKS IF BOTH CORNERS UP NEAREST DEFENDER CHECK TO WHEEL IF BOTH CORNERS UP CHECK TO WHEEL

4 2 4 2 1 1

Z Z

X Y X Y

X SEAM - X JAB STEP OUT THEN CUTS INSIDE BEHIND Z AND UP SEAM RIP - BACK TO RIGHT RUNS FLARE ROUTE.

4

4 2 1 1 2

Z Z

X Y X Y

LIZ - BACK TO LEFT RUNS FB FLY - BACK RUNS FLARE ROUTE. WHEEL ROUTE

11 SPECIAL ROUTES AND MOTIONS

4 4

1 2 2 1

Z Z

X Y Y X

Y FLAT FADE ROUTE X CROSS Y CROSS

4 2 4 2

Z 1 Z 1

Y X Y X

ZIN MOTION - Z MOTIONS IN TO 2 ZOOM MOTION - Z OVER MIDDLE YARDS OUTSIDE TE. RUN IN PLACE AT TO SLOT. Z MUST WATCH X TO 2 YARD TILL BALL SNAPPED MOVE BEFORE TURNING UPFIELD.

4

2 1 3

Z T 1 Y

X Y X Z

YO MOTION - T-ORBIT - Z-ORBIT - Y OVER TO HIP T MOTIONS TO Z MOTIONS TO OF LAST MAN BACKFIELD BACKFIELD ON LINE BECOMES 4 BACK BECOMES 4 BACK

12 OFFENSIVE BLOCKING CALLS

BULLY - BASE STEP WITH PLAYSIDE FOOT DALLAS - DOUBLE TEAM

N T E T N T E B B B

COMBO - STARTS AS DOUBLE TEAM ON GAP LINEMAN , ONELineman RELEASES GUT - GUARD UNDER TACKLE TO LB WHEN LB MOVES R OR L.

N T E N T E B B B B

TUG - TACKLE UNDER GUARD TUT - TE UNDER TACKLE

N T E N T B B B B B

13 OFFENSIVE BLOCKING CALLS (CONT'D)

DOG - GUARD PULLS TO LEAD ON SWEEP GUARD,TACKLE AND TE IDENTIFY OR TO TRAP PLAYER TO BE TRAP BLOCKED - call him TITAN

T E N N T E B B B B TITAN

DOC - CENTER PULLS TO LEAD ON SWEEP OR TO TRAP

NT E

B B

14 JR RAIDERS DEFENSE

PHILOSOPHY - To attack the offense by taking on and defeating blocking scheme. Running to the ball. with proper pursuit angles. Use alignments and assignments to shrink the field and the offenses ability to run in space. Eliminate the big play. This starts with the front line where we want to cover as many offensive lineman as possible by alignment. Each DL AND LB has a gap responsibility and must control that gap vs all blocking schemes. The defensive line must re-establish the line of scrimmage one yard behind the ball and separate from the blocker. Defensive ends can never lose contain and must keep outside arm free. The LB must fill the point of attack to take on lead blocker and stuff the hole or meet the runner in the hole at line of scrimmage - do not wait for play to come to them. The secondary's first job is to make sure a pass receiver never gets behind them. Secondary job is to support the run defense. DEFENSIVE ENDS COVER ANY BACK THAT RUN FLARE ROUTE OUT OF BACKFIELD. The defense must be technically and fundamentally sound in taking on a blocker, separating from blocker, pursuit angles and tackling.

Our defensive scheme will advance as players advance through program. Tackling will be the most important skill practiced and perfected in our system.

Jr Raiders Defense Alignments:

5-2 BORO Cover 2 - Our base defense will be a 5 man front with two and 4 secondary players. Cover 2 indicates zone coverage with 2 safeties covering deep half of field, 2 corners covering flat and linebackers covering middle vs pass. Everyone plays run first except safeties who play pass first. This defense is strong agianst run and short passing game.

5-3 WARRIOR OR BULLY Cover 3, Cover 4, Cover 1 or Cover 0 - This will place and additional in the defensive front. With this front we can stack linebackers behind defensive lineman to make it more difficult to be blocked by offensive lineman. The secondary will have 3 players covering deep thirds of field never allowing any offensive player behind them in their zone. Linebackers Jack and Raider will be responsible for flat coverage. Versus 1 back multi reciever offense the Jack and Raider will woalk out over slot receivers. At advanced levels we can also play Man Free (Cover 1) and Man to Man (Cover 0) if blitzing Linebackers or . Everyone plays run first except secondary who will play pass first.

6-2 HAMMER Cover 0 or cover 3 - This defense will add a defensive lineman to our front. There are two middle linebackers and 3 secondary players. Coverage is man to man since we are attacking with the front to stop run in short yardage or goal line situations. Its possible to use cover umbrella coverage with each secondary player taking the deepest player in their zone. Everyone playing run first except secondary players.

STRENGTH CALLS: MUST BE CALLED ON EVERY PLAY

At Division 1 & 2 level we will set the defense to the strength of the offense based on formation or field position. Most of time strength is called to TE or vs 2 TE called to 2 Reciever or Power backfield side. You may want to call strength to wide side of field at times regardless of formation. We can have strong side players and weak side players if a coach wishes to align players to the offensive strength by position. However this requires players switching sides as offense sets formation.

Strong Side Defensive End is identified as SAM Weak side defensive end is identified as WILL Strongside Linebacker is RAIDER (Always with SAM) Weak Side is JACK (Always with WILL) The Middle Linebacker in 5-3 or 4-4 is called MIKE.

15 RAIDERS DEFENSE (CONT'D)

.There are times a defensive call may need to be changed based on offensive formation. We call these automatic checks. For example if we are in a run defense and offense shows a 4 wide receiver formation the defense would check to a defensive formation that is better vs a passing set (JV 5-2 COVER 2 vs. A DEEP PASSING TEAM 5-3 Cover 3) .

HUDDLE - The defensive huddle has the defensive line in front with Linebackers and Safety in middle behind line three yards off ball. Corners on end behind line. Signal Caller is in front facing defense.

Cadence: Call can be in 2-4 phases. Front / Alignment / Coverage / Blitz

Examples: 1. 5-2 Boro / Cover 2 2. 5-3 / Bully Cover 1 / RAM (Raider and Mike blitz A gap) 3. 5-3 / Warrior (alignment) / Cover 3 4. 6-2 Hammer / Cover 0 / Jack Go (Jack Blitz)

Blitzes 1. Raider Go 2. Jack Go 3. Mike Go 4. RAM - RAIDER and MIKE A gap (Skylands Only) 5. BAM - Raider and Mike B

Stunts 1. Slant Strong - Division 1-2 &7 Skylands Only. 2. Slant Weak - Division 1-2 & Skylands Only 3. Pinch - All slant towards Center - Divison 1-2 and Skylands Only. 4. Texas - Defensive End Shoots C Gap first Defensive Tackle engages then loops around DT to outside and maintaims contain responsibility.

16 DEFENSIVE BASICS - D-LINE ALIGNMENTS

4

2

Z 1

X Y

5

10

15

20

DEFENSIVE LINE ALIGNMENTS

0 Technique - Head Up Center 1 Technique - Shade Center 2 Technique - Head Up Guard 2i Technique - Inside Shade Guard 3 Technique - Outside Shade Guard 4 Technique - Head Up Guard 4i Technique - Inside Shade Tackle 5 Technique - Outside Shade Tackle 6 Technique - Head Up Tight End 7 Technique - Inside Shade Tight End 9 Technique - Outside Shade Tight end

17 DEFENSIVE BASICS CONTINUED

4

2

Z 1

X Y

C B A AB C 5 Weak Side Strong Side

10

15

20

LINEBACKER GAP ASSIGNMENTS

MIKE - Middle Linebacker

SAM - Strongside Linebacker

WILL - Weakside Linebacker

18