Building a championship football team

by Paul W. Bryant

Building a
CHAMPIONSHIP
Football Team

PAUL W. “BEAR” BRYANT

Athletic Director and
Head Football Coach,
University of Alabama

Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
PRENTICE-HALL, INC.

© 1960, BY
PRENTICE-HALL, INC.
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS BOOK
MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM, BY MIMEOGRAPH
OR ANY OTHER MEANS, WITHOUT PERMISSION
IN WRITING FROM THE PUBLISHER.

Library of Congress
Catalogue Card Number: 60-53173

Eighth Printing February, 1968

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

08605—BC

Dedication

To a few close associates who were genuinely dedicated to the game of football. These men were not only great assets to the game; they also exemplified the true American way of life. Had it not been for men like these, many of us would have fallen by the wayside. To them, I am forever grateful.

Robert A. Cowan Fordyce, Arkansas	Herman Hickman Yale University—Sports Illustrated
Frank W. Thomas University of Alabama	Jim Tatum University of North Carolina
W. A. Alexander Georgia Tech	G. A. Huguelett University of Kentucky
H. R. “Red” Sanders U. C. L. A.	Herman L. Heep Texas A & M
Charles Caldwell Princeton University	Rex Enright University of South Carolina

Acknowledgment

This book would not have been possible had it not been for the untiring efforts of Eugene Stallings, co-captain Texas A & M 1956, All Conference SWC End, and assistant football coach, University of Alabama. “Bebes” Stallings exemplifies the true meaning of football, both as a player and as a coach.

A Real Competitor

“Fight on, my men,” Sir Andrew says,

“A little I’me hurt, but yett not slaine;

“I’le but lye downe and bleede awhile,

“And then I’le rise and fight againe.”

“Sir Andrew Barton,” Part 2, St. 16
(PERCY’S RELIQUES, Series II, Book II)

If Sir Andrew were coaching football today, he would be accused of teaching “hard-nosed football,” for his battlecry “I’ll rise and fight again” is that of Paul “Bear” Bryant, author of this book and self-acknowledged teacher of hard-nosed or all-out football.

Paul Bryant is one of the ablest, most colorful, most controversial mentors. Fans either love Bear Bryant or despise him—which makes him excellent box office.

Competitive fires flame high in Coach Bryant. Legend has it he once played an entire game with a broken leg, believable when one considers the all-out effort he demands of himself and his players. Deep down, he is a sentimentalist who leaves a heavy imprint on his players. John David Crow, All-American back and Heisman Trophy winner under Bryant at Texas A & M, and now a National Football League star, says, “Coach Paul Bryant is the greatest coach in America. He made a man out of me.”

Paul Bryant is a builder. When he came to Texas A & M in 1954, Aggie fortunes were at a low ebb. In four years, Bryant’s Aggies won 25, lost 14, tied 2, and nine of those losses were in his first year.

As a sports writer and television commentator, this observer has watched Southwest Conference football since 1915, the first year a grid champion was crowned. The conference’s best job of coaching was Bryant’s, beginning in 1954. His outstanding player walked out of the Junction, Texas training camp, and Bryant would not let him return. In their first game, the Aggies lost to Texas Tech 9 to 41. The Aggies dropped all six conference games, but only Baylor was able to achieve a two-touchdown margin. In 1956, Bryant built an unbeaten team, with “my Junction boys” the nucleus.

There was something almost mystical about Bryant’s story of why he was leaving Texas A & M for his alma mater, the University of Alabama: “As a small boy, I sometimes would play until after dark, and then, from afar off, I’d hear my beloved mother calling, ‘Paul, come home.’ I’d run as fast as my legs would carry me.”

Some cynics sneer at Paul Bryant’s explanation. But the many sportsmen who hold for him lasting respect and affection know this warm-hearted man is telling the truth.

Lloyd Gregory
Houston, Texas

Table of Contents

Chapter		Page
1.	Why Football?	[1]
2.	The Theory of Winning Football	[8]
3.	Making the Most of the Coaching Staff	[18]
4.	Defense—Our Kind of Football	[24]
5.	Pass Defense—Objectives and Tactics	[62]
6.	Our Kicking Game Techniques	[111]
7.	Our Offensive Running Game	[140]
8.	Our Offensive Passing Game Techniques	[176]
9.	Training the Quarterback	[186]
10.	Planning for a Game	[203]
11.	Our Drills	[215]
12.	Those Who Stay Will Be Champions	[231]
	Index	[235]

Building a
CHAMPIONSHIP
Football Team

CHAPTER 1
Why Football?

Have you ever wondered about football? Why it’s only a game which is as fundamental as a ball and a helmet. But the sport is a game of great importance. If you take all of the ingredients that go into making up the game of football and put them into a jar, shake well and pour out, you’ve got a well-proportioned phase of the American way of life.