tkerch

Thanks db.  We run a 53 and 44.  We normally only use only 1 safety.  But this year we were discussing going with a 43 or 34 and using two safeties.  Any recommendations?

man coverage can become a challenge ILB's, especially if the tight end flys.   Also, if the wide out, cuts inside, wouldn't that put your corner right in the mix with the LBs? i think that could spell disaster, especially if the opposing OC sees you are in man.

consider zone coverage.  i personally think that is easier to teach to kids and they know were they are suppose to be.  with 3 Dbacks, each has deep thirds.  OLB's have flats and ILB's have curls or ins. For LB's, if someone passes through your zone, stay with them, until they leave your zone, then let the DB take them. The only time this needs adjustments, is if you face a spread offence, with 5 wide recievers and a QB with a cannon for an arm.

In almost every 2 hour practice, we work on drills, positions, technique and execution.  We spend about 30 minutes on scrimmage, against ourselves.  We have NEVER scrimmaged another team.  NEVER.  I think that a coach should be able to put together two even teams of some starters and some backup players.  I am not suggesting that the starting offence never practices together, but that time should be limited.  then, put some starting o across from starting d.  Use starting line, in front of backup linebackers.  Once the teams have gotten used to contact, i think 30 minutes is too long.  

We have our offence run "skeletons" which entails running the play, against noone, but where all coaches are watching a particular position or players, so they can be assured that everyone understands and executes their responsibility.  Making sure the lineman stay low and fire out.  Down blocks are executed.  Pulling guards actually pull, stay low and explode through the would be blocker.  Make sure that every snap is clean, that hand offs are secure and the backs know their holes and practice staying low.  

is this boring?  not really, because we stop and correct and explain and re-due and add plays or fakes or check footwork and generally speaking the kids enjoy it, learn from it, but don't get beat up.  

Another thought on this.  If you are trying to install a new play, and the defense keeps blowing it up, is anyone learning.

Sorry, i missed that part of the question.
4 guys on the 49, one,in the middle at the 44, two at the hash on the 38, 2 outside the hash at about the 32, then two deep men at the 25.  this is four 8th graders.

I teach my returners to reach for the ball, over their heads, and bring the ball into a basket of their arms and body.  I stress to not let the ball fall directly into the basket, but to bring it in.
By doing this, they can more visually see the ball coming into their hands, instread of just watching come past their head.  

seem to have good success, or just talented kids.

Towards the end of our football season, we have the wrestling coach and the basketball coach stop in for a few minutes to talk about their programs and to encourage participation in one of those sports.  

They talk about the conditioning and strengthening programs that they do and how it will help them in football, if that is their main interest.  They talk about the success that the youth wrestling federation has had and how it has helped our hs wrestling program.  Coach also points out that our hs starting defense only has two non-wresters and one of them used to wrestle.

We also encourage that the kids find the weight room and get serious about it.  We point out that the HS varsity is all started by kids who are ripped, becasue they spend the time to get strong.  None of them are naturally as strong as they are now.  The kids who don't start, don't lift.

It's a tough situation.  Once they walk off my football practice field, they are on their own to make their own decesions.