Coaching Youth Football Tips @ Coach Parker Youth Football Coaching Tips

How to Coach Winning Football Book

2013-01-28T17:53:00.002-06:00

Yep, just got a few more old football books in today. I like to find them on Amazon in the used books for less than $10. You can find some good info in these old football books. This afternoon, I skimmed through How to Coach Winning Football by Otto D. Unruh published in 1960. Great book. I wish some of the top NFL coaches would write some coaching books. I read Rex Ryan's 46 defense book and loved it.

I am really psyched because I am coaching offense this Spring football season and was developing a multiple offense and Coach Otto has the same formations I am planning to use; Double Wing, Single Wing and a Wing T which is similar to the offset I am planning on using. He has several plays which i have never seen before and now plan on using. Coach Otto also uses a multiple defense similar to my 70 / 6-1 / 6-2 Multiple defense I run. It's always nice to find confirmation evidence of your plans. Thanks Coach Otto.

I'll write up a more detailed review over the next few weeks.

Thanks,
Coach Parker
Keller, TX / Fort Worth, Texas

Book - Coaching Football and the Split T Formation

2013-01-23T16:08:00.000-06:00

Just received the book Coaching Football and the Split T Formation by James M Tatum and Warren K. Giese published in 1953. I really love these old football books. I read the first few chapters which are related to the history of football, coach's responsibilities and common injuries with taping instructions. I am about to start the Chapter on the Single Wing.

I will post a full review in a couple of weeks. I know I am going to love this new football book, because these old books have many gems for running game strategies which are perfect for youth football.

Thanks,
Coach Parker
Keller, Texas / DFW / Ft. Worth TX

John McKay USC Football on Defense

2011-06-08T08:31:00.001-05:00

"It is not where you line up, it is where you wind up." John McKay USC Football Coach in his book Football Coaching talking about defense alignment.

Football is a game of Legs

2011-06-07T18:49:00.001-05:00

I've been reading USC's Coach John McKay's book, Football Coaching. He says that he believes that football is a game of legs and the primary excercise should be running. I tend to agreee. If you have strong legs and a strong base then football is easier for that player. This off-season my youngest son is playing soccer and he is already getting faster and quicker for this fall.

Twitter Tweet Coaching Youth Football

2011-02-03T17:41:00.001-06:00

Twitter and Tweet yourself and find some cool information about coaching youth football. Plus you will learn like minded football coaches on Twitter. Twitter is nothing more than a real time headline / subject feed from real people. Its a great source of niche information on your interest subject matter. And for youth football coaches, there is a ton of good info.

Ok, so I am an Internet Marketer in my real life, but to be honest I finally really using Twitter September 2010 after reading The Twitter Book by Tim O'Reilly and Sarah Milstein.

The biggest mistake I was making was trying to use Twiiter like Facebook. They are two different animals. On Twitter try to find everyone in your niche interest group and follow them. You can follow me here http://twitter.com/#!/coachparker_org and find a ton of football coaches, sportswriters and players from my following list. This is how I got started. I found a several youth football coaches and started following them and their follow lists. Soon I was following close to 300 people. It sounds like a ton but it is not.

Increase the people you follow was the main point the book taught me. Follow more than just your freinds and professional acquaintances. Choose credible people to follow by looking:

Who is following them
How many tweets
Subject of Tweets
Recent activity of Tweets (at least that week)
How many people are following them
Are they listed and how many

Try to follow at least 200 people to get a feel of what is going on. You can always add, delete and change your follows. Don't be scared. Jump in and get started. You will be glad you did. I am so happy I started tweeting because I have picked up some very good information.

I highly recommend The Twitter Book.

Handbook of Winning Football by Coach George Allen

2011-01-29T09:35:00.001-06:00

Last night I finished reading Handbook of Winning Football by Hall of Fame Coach George Allen. About 450 pages of football wisdom. It was published in 1975 but once you read it, you will realize why Coach Allen is a Hall of Fame football coach. Also if you are a Washington Redskins fan from that era you will love all the pictures.

For all new youth football coaches that think they may not be good football coaches because they lack football knowledge, "Organization is the foundation of all successful football coaching. This is just as true in the handling of high school and college teams as it is in coaching play for pay professional squads. Organization is the basis for the whole game." Get your self organized find some good assistant coaches and have fun coaching youth football.

Play for Fun and Winning is Funner!

Bear Bryant Autobiography - Greatest College Football Coach

2011-01-13T07:39:00.000-06:00

I just finished reading Bear: the Hard Life and Good Times of Alabama's Coach Bryant, the autobiography of one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. I enjoyed the book. Bear is pretty cocky but his southern charm come through. He is definitely old school and from a different generation.

It was interesting to learn he coached Joe Namath at Alabama and actually suspended Namath. He also was one of the first coaches to embrace Darrell Royal's Wishbone.

Ok, I recommend Bear: the Hard Life and Good Times of Alabama's Coach Bryant if your wanting to read great coach's autobiographies otherwise I preferred Tom Landry's book.

Tom Landry and Autobiography - Football Dallas Cowboys

2010-12-31T01:59:00.000-06:00

I just finished Tom Landry: An Autobiography and it was excellent. I must admit I have always been a Dallas Cowboys fan since growing up in Texas and from the Dallas / Fort Worth area as a young child. I also coach youth football and I love this book. I am definitely a Landry guy!

..."if you want a football team to improve, you need to identify the areas in which you aren't as good and practice those." Tom Landry

After finishing the Paterno autobiography last week, this autobiography is a little different in that its less about coaching and more about Coach's life but a more enjoyable read, probably for a Cowboy fan. I highly recommend Tom Landry: An Autobiography. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Paterno by the Book by Joe Paterno & Bernard Asbell

2010-12-28T14:16:00.001-06:00

Just finished Paterno: By The Book, Joe Paterno;s autobiography written in 1989. I read a biography of Vince Lombardi last month which I enjoyed, The Official Vince Lombardi Playbook. So I decided to read about a few more great football coaches. After watching the Joe Paterno Linebacker video,Successful Coaching American Football: Linebackers, I ordered the Paterno Autobiography from Amazon used reseller.

The book is an easy read about Paterno's life and football career. He has a ton of good information for coaches and fans. I was interested in all the coaching information. I especially liked ...the first source of football success is defense, the second is kicking, and the third is offense. A great offense in my experience has to obey one principle above all others; Don't lose the ball in a turnover. Hang onto the football!

I highly recommend this book by Coach Paterno, Paterno by the Book.

Gentleman This is Football Book

2010-12-24T14:34:00.000-06:00

Gentlemen, This Is a Football: Football's Best Quotes and Quips is a great little bathroom book and or gift for your football fan. This has some great one liners from some of the best football players and football coaches to use on your youth football team and parents. Or just increase your football wisdom.

When you win say nothing. When you lose say less. Paul Brown, Cleveland Browns Coach.

A good coach needs a patient wife, a loyal dog and a great quarterback, but not necessarily in that order. Minnesota Vikings Coach Bud Grant.

I highly recommend Gentlemen, This Is a Football: Football's Best Quotes and Quips for any football lover.

Joe Paterno DVD Linebackers- Defense football video

2010-12-06T18:25:00.001-06:00

I watched Successful Coaching Football Instructional Joe Paterno: Linebackers DVD and its was great. The Linebacker video should be called Jerry Sandusky Linebackers because Coach Sandusky conducts the training on the video. But do not let this fool you, this is one of the best coaching videos I've watched, especially on defensive linebacker drills.

I rented the football video from Netflix and after watching the DVD put it on my 2010 Christmas wish list. I would like to get the whole DVD set. I have watch most of the DVDs and all are pretty good. The running back and o-line DVDs are really good too; Successful Coaching American Football: Offensive Line and Frank Solich: Running Backs Successful Football Coaching.

I highly recommend the Successful Coaching American Football: Linebackers DVD.

The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh Football Book

2010-11-19T09:26:00.000-06:00

A few months back, I read The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership by Bill Walsh the great football coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 1979-1989 and the innovator of the West Coast offense. This a must read book for any football coach but also any business professional.

A major theme throughout the book is setting a standard of performance excellence and coaching / managing and teaching and then holding people accountable to the performance standard. I love "Winners act like winner before they are winners."

After reading the book The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership, I do not consider myself a control freak anymore. Walsh would even set a standard of performance for his office staff including the receptionist answering the phone. His expectations of excellence included everyone within in the organization on or off the field of play. As a leader you are only as good as your weakest link.

Fritz Shurmur - Eagle Five-Linebacker Defense Football Book

2010-11-18T15:22:00.000-06:00

I just started reading Frtitz Shurmer's The Eagle Five-Linebacker Defense. This is a must have book simply for the description of outside linebacker / defensive end play. The play of the outside linebacker "starts with a good take off, or explosion, across the line of scrimmage on the snap." They must "sprint across the line of scrimmage and reacting on the run rather than sitting on the line of scrimmage reading."

Too many time the DE or OLB sit and wait and there is no pass rush or the running back has already gotten a head of steam and its over for contain.

I hope you enjoy The Eagle Five-Linebacker Defense.

Youth Football Skill and Drills by Tom Bass

2010-11-03T20:32:00.001-05:00

Tom Bass in his book Youth Football Skills & Drills: A New Coach's Guide says one youth football coach to 6 pee wee football players an ideal ratio of coaches. I must agree with Coach Bass. To really teach the youth football player you need multiple drill stations to keep the young little league football players interested. I like running three drill stations with two coaches each. Ive been happy when I've had 4 to 5 assistant coaches that know football and are not "daddy coaches."

Coach Bass' Youth Football Skills & Drills: A New Coach's Guide is a great addition to your youth football coaching library. It's an easy read and a simple guide to the beginner youth football coach.

Complete Guide to Special Teams by Frank Beamer

2010-10-28T23:38:00.000-05:00

Another great addition to your youth football coaching library is Frank Beamers Complete Guide to Special Teams (American Football Coaches Ass). This is a great book on special teams. My copy is worn, highlighted and notes in different colors along the page edges.

I spend a good amount of time on Special Teams in practice, because Special Teams is an easy way to gain an edge in youth football . Even Coach Vince Lombardi knew that an error on Special Teams was usually the difference in close games.

I highly recommend this book, Complete Guide to Special Teams (American Football Coaches Ass). Remember to play for fun and winning is funner. EMJ69USHHT46

Complete Guide to Installing 44 Split Defense by Joe Roman

2010-10-28T20:31:00.000-05:00

One of the many defensive books in my youth football coaching library is Complete Guide to Installing the 44 Split Defense (Art & Science of Coaching) I am not big on the 44 defense but this book has some very good general defensive coaching information, coverage explanations, communication, linebacker play and a pretty good chapter on the kicking game from a defensive perspective.

I recommend this book. Its not a favorite of mine but a good addition to any coaching library.

Remember, Play for Fun and Winning is Funner. Coach Parker, Keller TX

Vince Lombardi On Football

2010-10-28T06:48:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I received my copy of Vince Lombardi on Football and read the first 25 pages this morning. Absolutely amazing. Coach Lombardi goes into great detail about the Green Bay Packer Sweep by position. I can hear him speaking to me through the pages. Can't wait to read more.

Here's a video so you can hear Coach.

Block to the Pile

2010-10-25T22:32:00.000-05:00

I like John Gruden's coaching point to offensive lineman. I tell my guys the same thing.

Offensive lineman should block to the tackling pile and block / peel tacklers from piling on the your running back. Don't watch the defense pile on your teammate. Help your brother out.

Have Fun and Winning is Funner.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Complete Book of Drills for Winning Football Book by Koehler

2010-10-25T04:42:00.001-05:00

One of my top books I use to help organize my youth football practices is the Complete Book of Drills for Winning Football by Micheal D. Koehler. It has over 350 football drills in offense, defense and special teams; agility, quarterback, running back, receiver, offensive lineman, d-lineman, linebacker, tackling, defensive backs, and team drills.

It has great diagrams of the drills, with coaching points, purpose and detailed explanations of the football drills. I highly recommend Complete Book of Drills for Winning Football.

Play for Fun and Winning is Funner!

Single Wing Offense DVD Youth Football Dave Cisar

2010-10-24T09:49:00.000-05:00

I am a fan of the Single Wing Offense. I like to run the Single Wing and Beast formations on short yardage situations in a multi formation offensive scheme. A couple of years ago, Coach Cisar ask me to review his book and a few of his videos on my blog at CoachParker.org. Coach Cisar's books and videos are great for the youth football coach.

Even if you do not use the Single Wing, the information is Coach Cisar's books and videos will be useful to you in coaching your youth football team and players. Coach Cisar's media is highly recommended.

Helmet Safety article NYT

2010-10-21T13:35:00.001-05:00

NORMAN, Okla. — Moments after her son finished practicing with his fifth-grade tackle football team, Beth Sparks examined his scuffed and battered helmet for what she admitted was the first time. She looked at the polycarbonate shell and felt the foam inside before noticing a small emblem on the back that read, “MEETS NOCSAE STANDARD.”

See more
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/21/sports/football/21helmets.html?_r=1

Play Football the NFL Way by Tom Bass

2010-10-21T12:08:00.001-05:00

Here's another book that I bought back in the 1990's when I first started coaching youth football for Plano Sports Authority just North of Dallas Texas. My copy of this book is worn out. A ton of good pics and Bass is a great author. You can probably find a good used copy for a bargain.

The book outlines the main position areas in football, like QB, RB, LB, etc and explains their techniques in detail and describes practice drills. You can hit the Amazon link on the left and search inside the book for more details.

I hope you enjoy the book!

Playing Outside Linebacker or Defensive End

2010-10-20T17:20:00.000-05:00

Fritz Shurmur's description of how to play the outside linebacker or defensive end whichever you call it, maybe the best I have read yet. I just got his book today The Eagle Five-Linebacker Defense, and was thumbing through it and came across his outside linebacker description. Unbelievable! I can't wait to read more, but need to finish the Lombardi book first. I must be ADD. I've got 15 defensive football books on the coffee table.

Football Coach's Survival Guide Coaching Book

2010-10-20T14:09:00.000-05:00

I bought the Football Coach's Survival Guide back in 1992 when I first starting coaching. You can pick up a used copy pretty cheap. Its not the greatest book but it does have some good information in it for football coaches. It a guide for High School coaches and has good practical applications for youth coaches. I am partial to this book since it was one of the first books in my football coaching library. I hope you enjoy it.

Coaching Youth Football by Coach Reed

2010-10-19T21:29:00.000-05:00

If you are a youth football coach or thinking about coaching a team, you must purchase Coach John T Reeds Coaching Youth Football book. This is a must have book for your youth football coaching library. Coach Reed is a little gruff and gritty, but his common sense no-nonsense approach is great. I personally loved this book, and I know some do not like him. If you are old school and or a very disciplined focused individual, you will love Coach Reeds books. I highly recommend this book to youth football coaches.