keithgrabowski

Using Film Grading and Game Goals to Improve and Stay Process-Oriented

Hall of Fame Coach Bill Walsh was known for his process-oriented approach to the game. He once said, “The score takes care of itself if you take care of the process. It’s not about playing for the scoreboard, but about preparing in a way that will lead to success.” It’s a sound approach that allows…

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The Shift from Play Caller to Game Manager

With back-to-back state championships, Kyle Schmitt, the head coach at Archbishop Spalding High School in Maryland, has proven that effective game management is as important as the talent on the field. Like all coaches, he valued his role as a player caller, but a shift in perspective as a head coach, he recognized the need…

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National Coach of the Week – Kyle Schmitt, Head Coach, Archbishop Spalding High School (MD)

Kyle Schmitt, head coach of Archbishop Spalding High School, is our Coach and Coordinator Podcast Coach of the Week, presented by Modern Football Technology.  Coach Schmitt is in his fifth year at Spalding and holds a record of 32-4 with back-t-back MIAA state championships in 2023 and 2024. He was named the Baltimore Ravens High…

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The Drill Catalog – A Powerful Player Development Tool

Developing and using a drill catalog is a powerful tool to ensure a team is well-prepared for the season. The catalog is more than just a collection of drills; it’s a strategic resource that aligns practice activities with the specific needs of your team and the challenges posed by upcoming opponents. Here’s a breakdown of…

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The 8 Stressors That Equalize a Defense: Insights from Brad Glenn

Offenses continually seek ways to challenge and destabilize defenses. Brad Glenn, Offensive Coordinator of the University of Cincinnati, shared valuable insights on eight key stressors that can equalize a defense, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and strategic combination of these elements. 1. Tempo Tempo is a powerful tool that keeps defenses off balance by accelerating…

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Mastering the Art of Self-Scouting: A Guide for Defensive Coordinators

As a defensive coordinator, your primary goal is to build a relentless, disciplined, and adaptable defense. One of the most powerful tools to achieve this is the self-scout process. While it’s often overlooked or treated as a routine, a well-executed self-scout can be the difference between a defense that merely competes and one that dominates….

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Connectivity of Plays: Using the Mini Series for More Effective Play Calling

Homer Smith’s Philosophy on Creating Mini-Series for Offensive Success Homer Smith, one of football’s great offensive minds, shared his philosophy on effective play-calling during a 1995 clinic presentation. He highlighted how the single-wing and wing-T formations used beautifully tied-together plays to mislead and outmaneuver defenses. These systems forced defenders to remain vigilant against multiple threats,…

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Cut the Face: Better Pursuit, Better Tackling

The smart coach knows the importance of limiting big hits in practice to preserve player health, but they still need to prepare their teams for the game’s physical demands. To address this, as a collective, we’ve gone to “thud” and “tag” in practice to limit those hits that take a toll over the course of…

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Perfect Effort, Physicality, and Cut the Face Tackling – Jess Loepp, Defensive Coordinator, UTSA

In this episode of Coach and Coordinator presented by Vertical Raise, Jess Loepp, the defensive coordinator at UTSA, discusses the importance of aligning with head coach Jeff Traylor’s philosophy of emphasizing perfect effort and physicality on defense. Coach Loepp emphasizes simplifying the game plan to allow players to perform with speed and confidence. He explains…

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Overused Words and Underused Actions – Brian Kight

In today’s episode from our archives, host Keith Grabowski is joined by Brian Kight,  known for his expertise in building strong team cultures and leadership development. Together, they delve into the critical theme of ‘Overused Words and Underused Actions in Coaching.’ Brian Kight’s insights on how the flood of communication in today’s environment can dilute…

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