Winning close games often comes down to situations you can prepare for long before they happen.
In this episode of Game Planning Tips from Lauren’s First and Goal, three coaches share how they prepare their teams for critical moments on offense, defense, and special teams.
Chris Reisert, Offensive Coordinator at the University of Toledo, breaks down four-minute offense and the decisions that go into finishing a game with the ball. He discusses ball security, managing risk, communicating whether a ball carrier should score or get down, controlling the clock, and preparing answers for the pressure looks defenses will bring late in the game.
Phil Kleckler, Head Coach at Lindsey Wilson University, explains the development of the Rabbit Package, a third-down defensive system designed to give players familiarity while allowing the staff to customize the plan each week. Kleckler shares how Lindsey Wilson uses personnel, coverage, line games, and simple terminology to attack specific protections without rebuilding the third-down defense every week.
Todd Goebbel, Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at NC State, details how his special teams fundamental circuit prepares every player for squib kicks, sky kicks, onsides, and sideline decisions. His approach emphasizes feet, eyes, hands, ball security, and coaching the uncommon situations before they become game-changing moments. The common thread across all three phases: if a situation can decide the game, it deserves to be part of the game plan.
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