In this COOL Clinic segment, Glen Elarbee explains how the Vols are successful in the run game, the context within what they do, and why it works for them.
Listen On:
Glen Elarbee is the offensive line coach at the University of Tennessee. The Vols led the nation in multiple offensive categories in 2022 with a unit built on explosiveness, an incredibly fast tempo, and receiver splits with extreme width.
Prior to landing in Tennessee, Elarbee enjoyed successful stints as offensive line coach at UCF, Missouri, Arkansas State, Houston, and Middle Tennessee, among others in his 20-year career.
In this segment from the COOL Clinic, Coach Elarbee shares important points applicable to both sides of the ball and all positions to help improve your coaching and thought processes. The entire talk details plenty of drill work and game film to illustrate how the Vols get it done.
Follow Glen Elarbee on Twitter @Gelarbee.
Show Notes:
>Josh Heupel and the Staff
>Why Inside Zone Footwork
>Mission to Get Vertical
>Four Types of Blocks
>Hammer Footwork
>Big Bite Footwork
>Shuffle Footwork
>Pulls
Watch Glen Elarbee’s Entire Presentation (preview clips below):
Why Inside Footwork with Tempo and Spreading the Field
Related Episode:
The Details of Coaching OL in an Uptempo Offense
Additional Coach Elarbee Presentation from Lauren’s First and Goal:
Tempo Offense and the Counter Play
Video Clips from Coach Elarbee’s COOL Clinic Presentation:
Winning Edge Takeaways and Ideas for Implementation:
Gain Clarity on Why You Do Things and How Everything Fits Together in the Big Picture
Coach Elarbee explains that the main mission is to get the ball vertical in the run game. The way Tennessee uses their receivers allows them to clean up the box so that vertical runs are most effective. The footwork and technique fit precisely into their system as well, making that system of plays work together within the offense.
Too often, we forget that football is an 11-man game played within the context of time, field position, and score. The big picture view allows all positions to work together to make every play an 11-man play in which everyone does their job.
Simplify What You Do Down to a Few Main Things
For Coach Elarbee and the offensive line, their focus is to get the ball vertical in the run game, and therefore, he only teaches four main blocks that they use. This simplicity allows for repetition in practice, high-level execution and adjustments, as well as the capability to play at the pace that they do.
Appreciate the People Around You
Coach Elarbee started off the presentation by talking about the people he works with. The success of the Vols offense results from a tight-knit group that works well together and appreciates each other. This affection then comes through in how the players work together as well. When your players see that closeness from their coaches, they have a great example to follow.
