Building a championship football team - Paul W. Bryant

It’s all in a state of mind....

Index

A & M wave drill, [222-223]
Action pass:
coverage of, [75-77]
from broken backfield, [78-79]
from flanker set, 4-spoke coverage versus, [96-97]
from floater set, 4-spoke coverage versus, [98-99]
4-spoke pass defense against, [92-93]
Africa, [16]
Against the grain, [143]
Aggies, [232], [233]
Agility drills, [209]
Alabama wave drill, [226-227]
Ant plan, [16-17]
Assistant coach, [203], [204], [212]
group work, [21]
responsibility, [22]
specialist, [21-22]
type of man, [18-20]
Automatics, [151-152]
faking, [152]
Backs:
flanked out, defense adjustments versus, [56-57]
in victory defense, [47]
Bad play, [141]
Ball carrying techniques, [155-157]
mental attitude and, [157]
open field running, [156-157]
Baltimore Colts, [3]
Baseball terminology, [214]
Berry, Ray, [3]
Best defensive player, in victory defense, [47-48]
“Big plays,” [214]
Big tip drill, [218-219]
Blocked kicks, [114], [115]
Blocking techniques, [157-166]
blocking linebackers, [159-160]
crack back block, [164-165]
downfield, [160-161]
drive block, [157-158]
junction block, [165]
pass protection, [163-164]
post-lead block, [161-162]
reverse shoulder block, [158-159]
roll block, [165-166]
trap block, [162-163]
Box defense, [143], [190]
Bucker drill, [228]
Butt ball drill, [222]
Butt block, [120]
Center, [114]
extra point and field goal blocking rules, [137]
in goal line defense, [49-50]
offensive stance for, [145]
in quick kick formation, [125]
spread punt blocking rules, [119]
Champions, [231-234]
Chop block, [143]
Church, [20]
Circle drill, [224-225]
Clemson College, [16]
Climb block, [143]
Club, [142-143]
Coach:
assistant (see [Assistant coach])
backfield, [187], [195-196]
dedication, [10]
defensive, [21-22], [208], [212]
head (see [Head coach])
high school, [22]
long term contract, [9-10]
mental toughness, [10]
necessity of a plan, [11]
offensive, [21-22], [205], [208], [212]
qualifications, [10]
quarterback, [194]
staff, [11]
and winning team, [9-11]
Coaching:
division of duties, [21-23]
over-coaching kickers, [112]
rewards of, [232]
teaching and, [23]
(see also [Planning for a game])
Color, [143]
Conerly, Charlie, [2]
Corner man:
defensive stance, [43]
left, defensive:
4-spoke pass defense versus action pass, [93]
from flanker set, [96-97]
from floater set, [99]
4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, [91]
from flanker set, [95]
from floater set, [98]
4-spoke pass defense versus roll-out pass, [95]
right, defensive:
4-spoke pass defense versus action pass, [92]
from flanker set, [97]
from floater set, [99]
4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, [91]
from flanker set, [96]
from floater set, [97-98]
4-spoke pass defense versus roll-out pass, [94]
Cotton Bowl, [3]
Courage, example of, [4-7]
Covered, [142]
Covering third-and-fourths drill, [216-217]
Crack back, [143]
Crack back block, [164-165]
Cross-body block, [120]
Crow, John, [141]
Cutchin, Phil, [195]
Cut off, [142]
Dedication:
coach, [10]
players, [12]
Defenders, pass defense by, [85]
Defense, [24-61]
axioms, [27]
errors, [26]
gang tackling, [28]
goal line, [48-51]
importance of belief in, [61]
limiting offense, [26]
numbering system, [28-34]
advantages of, [34]
objectives, [24-27]
offensive-minded, [25]
pass (see [Pass defense])
personal challenge, [26-27]
philosophy of, [26]
reaction football, [26]
scoring, [25], [26]
signal callers, [33], [34]
6-2 alignment, [53-56]
split-T, [51-55]
stance, [41-43]
surprise, [44-46]
team proposition, [27-28]
techniques, playing of, [34-41]
versus backs and ends flanked, [56-57]
versus single wing offense, [57-61]
versus unbalanced line, [56]
victory, [46-48]
Defensive alignment:
attacking, [171]
even, [190]
numbering, [166-171]
odd, [190]
Defensive bucker drill, [228], [230]
Defensive coach, [21-22], [208], [212]
Defensive cuts drill, [215]
Defensive ends, drills for, [220-221]
Defensive football (see [Defense])
Defensive interior linemen, drills for, [222-228]
Defensive reaction drill, [226]
Defensive secondary:
drills for, [215-220]
stunting in, [105-110]
Desire to excel, [13]
Dietzel, Paul, [2]
Dog fight, [25]
Dog fight drill, [217]
for safety man, [218]
Downfield blocking, [160-161]
Drills, [215-230]
for defensive ends, [220-221]
for defensive interior linemen, [222-228]
defensive, for team, [230]
functional, [230]
for linebackers, [228-230]
for secondary, [215-220]
(see also under Name of Drill)
Drive block, [143], [157-158]
Drive man, [143]
Eagle, [144]
“Easy” touchdown, [24], [25], [27], [61]
8-man front, [143]
recognizing and attacking, [190-192]
8 technique, [40]
Ends:
blocking rules:
extra point and field goal, [137-138]
spread punt, [119]
tight punt formation, [123]
defense versus single wing offense, [58]
defensive stance, [42]
in 5-spoke defense, [70]
flanked out, defense adjustments versus, [56-57]
goal line defense, [49]
left, in punt return, [127-128]
left, defensive:
coverage of action pass from broken backfield, [78]
coverage of straight drop back pass, [75]
from broken backfield, [78]
pass defense by, [81-82]
in quick kick formation, [125]
right, in punt return, [128]
right, defensive:
coverage of action pass, [76]
from broken backfield, [79]
coverage of straight drop back pass, [75]
from broken backfield, [77]
6-2 alignment, [53-54]
in split-T defense, [52]
in victory defense, [47]
Errors, [24], [26]
Even defense, [143]
Explode drills, [225-226]
Extra-point, blocking rules, [137-138]
Eye-closer drill, [229]
Eye-opener drill, [229]
Far back, [142]
Field goal:
blocking rules, [137-138]
defending against attempt, [139]
Field position, [187-190]
Fighting spirit, [186]
Fill, [143]
Films, of game, [203], [204], [206], [212]
grading, [213-214]
First down zone, [189]
5-spoke defense, [31], [32], [33], [66-73]
(see also [5-spoke pass defense])
5-spoke pass defense:
advantages of, [85-86]
dividing the areas, [71-73]
principle of, [87]
5 technique, [38]
Flanker set:
4-spoke coverage versus straight drop back pass from, [95-96]
4-spoke coverage versus action pass from, [96-97]
Flare, [143]
Flooding an area, [179-181]
Flow, [142]
Football:
American way of life, [3-4]
intrinsic values of, [4-7]
winning, theory of, [8-17]
Four Horsemen, [1]
4-on-1 drill, [222]
4-spoke defense, [30-31]
(see also [4-spoke pass defense])
4-spoke pass defense:
advantages of, [87-89]
alignment, [89-90]
in 40 series, [99]
principle of, [87]
versus action pass, [92-93]
from flanker set, [96-97]
from floater set, [98-99]
versus flanker set, [95-97]
versus floater set, [97-99]
versus roll-out pass, [93-95]
versus straight drop back pass, [90-92]
from floater set, [97-98]
4 technique, [35], [37]
Free wheeling zone, [189]
Fullback:
in goal line defense, [50-51]
offensive stance for, [146]
in quick kick formation, [125]
Fumbling, [27], [28]
Gain, Bob, [112]
“Gangster,” [108-109]
Gang tackling, [28]
Gap, [143]
Gap 8 alignment, [32]
Gauntlet drill, [227-228], [230]
Gilmer, Harry, [2]
Gipp, George, [3]
Goal line defense, [48-51]
challenge of, [48]
Goehring, Dennis, [233]
Going wide, [171-174]
change-off for blockers, [174]
quarterback option, [172-173]
run-pass option, [172]
three-way option, [173-174]
Grange, Red, [1]
Groin block, [143]
Guards:
blocking rules:
for extra point and field goal, [137-138]
for spread punt, [119]
defense versus single wing offense, [58]
defensive stance, [42]
goal line defense, [49]
middle:
in punt return, [127]
in split-T defense, [52]
in quick kick formation, [125]
right, in punt return, [128]
6-2 alignment, [53]
versus single wing offense, [59]
Gut zone, [189]
Hale, Lloyd, [233]
Halfbacks:
defensive, pass defense by, [83-84]
defensive stance, [43]
in 5-spoke defense, [70]
left:
4-spoke coverage versus action pass from floater set, [99]
in goal line defense, [51]
in quick kick formation, [125-126]
left, defensive:
coverage of action pass, [76]
from broken backfield, [79]
coverage of straight drop back pass, [75]
from broken backfield, [77]
4-spoke pass defense versus action pass, [93]
from flanker set, [97]
4-spoke pass defense versus roll-out pass, [94]
4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, [91]
from flanker set, [95-96]
from floater set, [98]
offensive stance for, [146]
in punt return, [128]
right:
4-spoke coverage versus action pass from floater set, [99]
in goal line defense, [50-51]
in quick kick formation, [125]
right, defensive:
coverage of action pass, [76]
from broken backfield, [79]
coverage of straight drop back pass, [75]
from broken backfield, [77]
4-spoke pass defense versus action pass, [91-92]
from flanker set, [97]
4-spoke pass defense versus roll-out pass, [94]
4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, [91]
from floater set, [96], [98]
6-2 alignment, [54]
in victory defense, [47]
Head coach, [18], [23]
delegation of responsibility, [22], [23]
example, [19]
group work, [21]
(see also [Coach])
Head on, [144]
Henderson, Gene, [114]
High school coach, plan for, [22]
Holder, in extra point and field goal attempt, [138]
Howard, Frank, [16]
Huddle, offensive, [152-153]
Ice, [143]
Inspiration, [232]
Intercept drill, [215-216]
Intercepting passes, [27], [62], [66], [105]
“It’s All in a State of Mind,” [231-232]
Junction block, [165]
Keith, Bob, [233]
Kicker:
blocking rules for tight punt formation, [124]
over-coaching, [112]
in quick kick formation, [125-126]
Kicking, in defensive football, [24-25]
Kicking game techniques, [111-139]
extra point blocking rules, [137-138]
field goal attempt:
blocking rules, [137]
defense against, [139]
kick-off, and its coverage, [130-137]
kick-off return, [132-134]
on side (short) kick, [134-136]
defending against, [136-137]
place kicking formation, [138]
punting, [111-116]
punt return, [126-130]
quick kick formation, [124-126]
spread punt formation, [116-122], [126]
tight punt formation, [122-124]
Kick-off, [27], [130-137]
coverage, [130]
types, [130-132]
Kick-off return, [27], [132-134]
middle, [133]
right, [132]
L.B., [142]
LeBaron, Eddie, [2]
Left end (see under [Ends])
Left halfback (see under [Halfbacks])
Left tackle (see under [Tackles])
Leverage drill, [225]
Lewis, Tommy, [3]
“Lightning,” [109-110]
Linebackers:
blocking by offense, [159-160]
defensive:
4-spoke defense versus action pass, [93]
4-spoke pass coverage versus straight drop back pass, [91-92]
pass defense by, [182-183]
defensive stance, [42-43]
drills for, [228-230]
in 5-spoke defense, [70]
4-spoke coverage versus straight drop back pass from flanker set, [96]
inside, in goal line defense, [50-51]
left, in punt return, [128]
left, defensive:
coverage of action pass, [76-77]
from broken backfield, [78-79]
coverage of straight drop back pass, [75]
from broken backfield, [78]
middle:
in goal line defense, [49-50]
defense versus single wing offense, [58]
outside, in goal line defense, [51]
right, in punt return, [128]
right, defensive:
coverage of action pass, [76]
from broken backfield, [79]
coverage of straight drop back pass, [75]
from broken backfield, [77]
6-2 alignment, [54]
in split-T defense, [52]
strong side, defense versus single wing offense, [59]
in victory defense, [47]
weak side, defense versus single wing offense, [58]
Linemen:
blocking techniques, [157]
defensive interior, drills for, [222-228]
interior, blocking rules for tight punt formation, [122]
middle, in victory defense, [47]
offensive stance for, [144-145]
spread punt blocking principle for, [119]
warm up time, [212]
Line splits, [146-150]
basic rules, [147-150]
pre-shift position, [147]
Lipscomb, Gene “Big Daddy,” [2]
Lockett, Bobby, [234]
Long term contract, value of, [9-10]
L.O.S., [142]
McKenzie, Jim, [26]
Man on L.O.S., [142]
Meals, pre-game, [211], [212]
Michigan State University, [113]
Middle drill, [223-224], [230]
M.L.B., [142]
Moore, “Scrappy,” [117]
Morale:
coaching squad, [21]
for defense, [25], [26]
squad, [21]
team, [186]
Motion, [143]
“Must” zone, [188-189]
Nagurski, Bronco, [2]
Near back, [142]
New York Giants, [2], [15]
9-man front, [143]
recognizing and attacking, [192-194]
9 technique, [41]
Notre Dame University, [3]
N/T, [142]
Numbering system for defense, [28-34]
advantages of, [34]
O’Brien, Davy, [2]
Odd defense, [143]
Off-back, [142]
Offense:
advantages over defense, [150]
assignment football, [26]
main requirements of, [140]
mistakes, [25]
objective, [140]
primary principles of, [140]
sound, [141-142]
Offensive coach, [21-22], [205], [208], [212]
Offensive football (see [Offense])
Offensive-minded defense, [25]
Offensive passing game techniques, [176-185]
passer, [176-179]
pass receiving, [183-185]
pass routes, [179-182]
Offensive running game, [140-175]
attacking defensive alignment, [171]
ball carrying techniques, [155-157]
basic principles of, [140]
blocking techniques, [157-166]
going wide, [171-174]
huddle, [152-153]
line splits, [146-150]
numbering defensive alignments, [166-171]
quarterback’s techniques, [153-155]
requirements of, [140]
snap count, [150-152]
stance, [144-146]
terminology, [142-144]
Off-side, [142]
On-back, [142]
One-six formation, [121]
1 technique, [35-36]
On linebacker, [143]
On-side, [142]
On-side (short) kick, [134-136]
defending against, [136-137]
Organization, in building winning team, [15-17]
Osborne, Roddie, [141]
O technique, [35]
“Out-mean,” [13], [17]
Outside drill, [218]
Over, [142]
Owens, Jim, [2]
Pardee, Jack, [6], [57], [141], [233]
Parella, Babe, [114]
Parilli, Vito “Babe,” [176]
Pass coverage, [73-81]
of action pass, [75-77]
from broken backfield, [78-79]
of end out, [79]
of flanked back and split end out to opposite sides, [80-81]
of straight drop back pass, [74-75]
from broken backfield, [77-78]
zone coverage, [74]
Pass cuts, [181-182]
Pass defense, [62-110]
coaching point, [62]
5-spoke, or 3-deep, [66-73]
advantages of, [85-86]
4-spoke pass defense, [87-89] (see also [4-spoke pass defense])
individual effort in, [62]
objectives, [62-66]
pass coverage, [73-81] (see also [Pass coverage])
phases:
covering areas, [63], [66]
holding up the receivers, [63], [64-65]
rushing the passer, [63-64]
by positions, [81-85]
predetermined rotation, [99-104]
principles of, [110]
stunting in the defensive secondary, [105-110]
versus action pass with broken backfield, [78-79]
versus broken backfield, [77-78]
Passer, [176-179]
footwork, [178]
grip, [176-177]
passing principles and techniques, [178-179]
release and delivery, [177-178]
rushing of, [63-64]
warm up time, [212]
Passes (see under Name)
Passing, principles and techniques, [178-179]
(see also [Passer])
Passing game:
essentials of, [176]
primary objectives, [179]
(see also [Offensive passing game techniques])
Pass protection, [163-164]
Pass receiving, [183-185]
Pass routes, [179-182]
flooding an area, [179-181]
offensive pass cuts, [181-182]
Pass rush, [64]
Peel-off drill, [220-221], [230]
Penalties, piling on, [28]
Personal protector:
spread punt blocking rules, [119], [120]
tight punt formation blocking rules, [123-124]
Phillips, O. A. “Bum,” [29]
Piling on, penalty for, [28]
Place kick, blocking, [139]
Place kicking formation, [138]
Planning, [16]
Planning for a game, [203-214]
grading game film, [213-214]
in-season planning, [204-212]
out-of-season planning, [203-204]
week preceding game, [204-212]
Players:
dedication, [12]
desire to excel, [13]
leaders, [14]
physical condition, [13]
“solid citizens,” [10], [14], [231]
traits necessary, [12]
type, [11]
Point of attack, [142]
Position, [144]
Position ball, [143]
Position lateral, [142]
Post-lead block, [161-162]
Post man, [143]
Powell, Dee, [234]
Practice, [206], [207-209], [210], [211]
time essential, [214]
Punt (see under [Kicking game techniques])
Punter, [112-114]
timing of, [114-116]
Punting, [111-116]
Punt return, [126-130]
left, [126-128]
middle, [128-130]
Pursuer, [143]
Pursuit drill, [230]
Quarterback:
characteristics of, [187]
faking, [155]
field position, [187-190]
in goal line defense, [51]
greatest asset, [186]
guide for, [196-202]
in huddle, [152-153]
making the exchange, [154-155]
offensive stance for, [145-146]
option, [172-173]
passing, [105]
playing game on blackboard, [194-196]
in quick kick formation, [125]
after receiving snap, [154]
recognizing and attacking defenses, [190-196]
stance, [153]
taking snap-back, [153-154]
team confidence in, [186]
techniques, [153-155]
tips for, [201-202]
training of, [186-202]
types of, [186-187]
Quick kick formation, [124-126]
surprise element, [126]
RBI, [214]
“Reading” drill, [221]
Receivers, holding up, [64-65]
Reverse shoulder block, [158-159]
Rice Institute, [3], [5], [6], [113], [135]
Right end (see under [Ends])
Right guard (see under [Guards])
Right halfback (see under [Halfbacks])
Right tackle (see under [Tackles])
“Robber,” [107-108]
Robinson, Jackie, [72]
Rockne, Knute, [1]
Roll back, [144]
Roll block, [165-166]
Roll-out pass, 4-spoke pass defense against, [93-95]
Rose Bowl, [1]
Rotation, predetermined, [99-104]
Running game (see [Offensive running game])
Running the line drill, [216]
Run-pass option, [172]
Rushing the passer drill, [227]
Safety man:
defensive:
coverage of action pass, [76]
from broken backfield, [79]
coverage of straight drop back pass, [75]
from broken backfield, [77]
pass defense by, [84-85]
defensive stance, [43]
in 5-spoke defense, [70]
in punt return, [128]
6-2 alignment, [54]
in victory defense, [47]
Scoring, on defense, [25]
Scoring zone, [189]
Scout, [204], [207]
(see also [Coaching])
Scout report, [207]
Scrimmages, [230]
Secondary:
alignments, [190]
defensive, drills for, [215-220]
6-2 alignment, [54]
in split-T defense, [52-53], [54]
3-deep, defense versus single wing offense, [59]
Secondary rotation, defensive calls for, [100-104]
Self-scoring zone, [189-190]
Set, [142]
“7,” [142]
Seven Blocks of Granite, [1]
7-man spin-out drill, [224]
7 technique, [39]
Shoot out, [143]
Signal callers, [34], [35]
in adjustments versus backs and ends flanked, [57]
Signal calling, automatic versus non-automatic, [151-152]
Single wing offense, defense versus, [57-61]
“6,” [142]
6 technique, [38-39]
6-2 alignment, [53-56]
versus single wing offense, [59], [Fig. 37]
Slam, [142]
Snap count, [150-152]
Sooners, [2], [26]
Southern Methodist University, [116]
Southwest Conference Championship, [232], [233]
Split, [6], [32]
Split-T defense, [51-55]
Spread punt formation, [116-122], [126]
advantages, [117]
blocking rules, [118-120]
coverage, [120-122]
line splits, [117-118]
Staff meetings, [22], [23]
(see also [Planning for a game])
Stagg, Amos Alonzo, [2]
Stallings, Gene, [6], [233]
Stance:
defensive, [41-43]
(see also under [Offensive running game])
Straight drop back pass:
coverage of, [74-75]
from broken backfield, [77-78]
from flanker set, 4-spoke coverage versus, [95-96]
from floater set, 4-spoke coverage versus, [97-98]
4-spoke pass coverage versus, [90-92]
Strategy, planning of, [205]
Sugar Bowl, [15], [26]
“Surprise defense,” [44-46]
Tackles:
defense versus single wing offense, [58]
defensive stance, [42]
extra point and field goal blocking rules, [137-138]
goal line defense, [49]
left, in punt return, [127]
right, in punt return, [128]
6-2 alignment, [53]
in split-T defense, [52]
spread punt blocking rules, [119]
in victory defense, [47]
Tackling drill in the secondary, [219-220]
Tackling, gang, [28]
Taylor, Lloyd, [6], [141]
Teaching, coaching and, [23]
Team:
drills, [208]
defensive, [230]
“learning,” [208]
unity, [14]
Teamwork, defense and, [27-28]
Texas A & M, [29], [57], [87], [113], [114], [141], [232]
1955 football team, [5-6]
3-deep defense, [143]
Three down zone, [189]
3-on-3 drill, [223]
3 technique, [36-37]
Three-way option, [173-174]
“Thunder,” [51], [106-107]
Tight punt formation, [122-124]
blocking rules for, [122-124]
kicking from, [122]
Time schedules, pre-game, [211-212]
Timing:
centers, [114]
for extra point, [138]
for field goal attempt, [138]
punters, [114-116]
Tip drill, [216]
Touchdowns:
“easy,” [24], [25], [27], [61]
interceptions and, [27]
Trail junction blocker, [143]
Trap block, [162-163]
Tulane University, [116]
“Twelfth man,” [219]
2-deep defense (see [4-spoke pass defense])
Two-on-one block (see [Post-lead block])
Two-platoon football, [111]
2 technique, [34], [36]
Unbalanced line, defense versus, [56]
Unity, feeling of, [14]
University of Alabama, [87]
University of Chattanooga, [117]
University of Cincinnati, [136]
University of Georgia, [114], [194]
University of Houston, [195], [196]
University of Kentucky, [14], [112], [113], [114], [116], [136], [176]
University of Mississippi, [116]
University of Oklahoma, [15], [26], [141]
University of Tennessee, [115], [116]
University of Texas, [232], [233]
Up-backs:
extra point and field goal blocking rules, [137-138]
spread punt blocking rules, [119-120]
tight punt formation blocking rules, [123]
U. S. Navy, [16]
Vanderbilt University, [116]
“Victory defense,” [46-48]
Watson, Don, [6], [233]
Wave drill, [230]
Webb, Clayton, [112]
Wide tackle, [32]
Wilkinson, Bud, [2], [141]
Winning:
intrinsic value of, [4]
theory of, [8-17]
Wintle, Walter D., [231]
Woodard, Woody, [116]
Wright, Jimmy, [6]
Zone coverage, [74]
Zones, [187-190]