The Coaching 101 Podcast Kenny Simpson and Daniel Chamberlain

Maximizing Special Teams Strategy in Coaching

This episode of the Coaching 101 podcast, hosted by Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson, delves into the nuances of coaching special teams in football. They address the recent tornado devastation in Sulphur, OK, expressing condolences before transitioning into a comprehensive discussion on special teams. Emphasizing the importance of special teams, they explore strategies for organizing and prioritizing special teams practice, the decision-making process in coaching, and the effective utilization of drills. Additionally, they share insights on adapting special teams' strategies to available resources, such as personnel and time, and highlight the importance of knowing detailed rules relevant to special teams. The episode also integrates discussions on resources and tools available to coaches, including books and websites, to further their understanding and effectiveness in coaching special teams, all while advocating for its essential role in winning football games.

00:00 Welcome to Coaching 101
01:27 Diving Into Football
02:30 Special Teams Strategy: Coaching Decisions and Practice Insights
03:00 Maximizing Practice Time and Special Teams Efficiency
03:34 Exploring Unique Coaching Philosophies and Their Impact
04:09 Simplifying Football: Resources and Strategies for Coaches
08:13 Special Teams Organization: A Deep Dive into Strategy and Execution
22:07 Demystifying the Role of Special Teams Coordinators
22:49 The Importance of Special Teams in Practice
25:33 Prioritizing Special Teams: Strategy and Time Allocation
29:16 Innovative Practice Techniques for Special Teams
33:37 Drills and Situational Awareness in Special Teams
40:21 Coaching Philosophy: Focusing on What Matters
42:48 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Acknowledgments

In this episode of the Coaching 101 podcast, Coach Chambo and Coach Kenny Simpson delve into the concept of using 'tags' in coaching to simplify complex plays and strategies for players. The conversation highlights how tags can make a big impact by slightly altering plays, without overcomplicating the learning process for athletes. The discussion covers both offensive and defensive plays, stressing the importance of adapting coaching methods to the players' abilities and keeping the strategy simple yet effective. The episode also emphasizes that successful coaching is not about the quantity of knowledge a coach possesses but about what they can effectively impart to their athletes. Additionally, it touches on the importance of strategic adjustments in coaching, the role of different positions in a team, and how to leverage tags for creating versatile and dynamic game plans.
00:00 Welcome to Coaching 101: Meet the Coaches00:14 Life as a Coach: Allergies, Family, and Military Service00:30 The Journey of Parenting and Coaching00:51 Navigating Life's Milestones and the Empty Nest Syndrome03:31 The Essence of Coaching: Simplifying Complexity16:02 Deep Dive into Offensive Strategies and Tagging24:07 The Art of Simplification in Coaching26:41 Mastering Football Formations: The Art of Tagging27:32 Shifting Dynamics: Utilizing Motions and Shifts in Gameplay28:40 Innovative Play Design: Exploring the Versatility of the H Back31:31 Defensive Strategies: Tags and Adjustments38:40 Simplifying Complexity: Coaching Philosophy on Tags45:44 Coaching Wisdom: What Not to Do

This comprehensive episode of the Coaching 101 podcast, hosted by Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson, features an insightful discussion Coach Morgan Cruz on the multifaceted challenges of high school football coaching, development, and recruitment. The conversation highlights the importance of spring football, strategies for player development, and the crucial role of high school coaches in navigating the recruiting process to maximize athletes' potential. Coach Cruz shares his experience in running back coaching, emphasizing the need for effective drills, skills evaluation, and the pivotal role of communication and networking. The episode also addresses the importance of leveraging social media, creating highlight tapes, and fostering transparent relationships between coaches, athletes, and parents to secure promising college opportunities. A special note underscores the value of high school coaches' efforts in the recruiting landscape, inviting open communication and offering resources for coaching insights through the 'Coaching 101 Podcast,' while encouraging perseverance among listeners.





00:00 Welcome to the Coaching 101 Podcast



00:14 Spring Ball Insights and Personal Updates from Coach Simpson



00:57 The Challenges and Strategies of Spring Football



03:44 Coach Morgan Cruz's Football Journey and Philosophy



10:21 The Art of Selecting and Coaching Running Backs



26:30 Drill Selection and Techniques for Running Backs



28:43 Unlocking Running Back Potential: Drills and Techniques



28:59 Evolving Practice Drills: Maximizing Efficiency



29:51 Pass Protection: A Critical Skill for Running Backs



31:00 Adapting Drills for Specific Needs and Progression



32:06 The Importance of Ball Security in Every Drill



39:10 Scheme-Specific Drills: Zone vs. Gap



45:19 Recruiting Insights: Getting Athletes Noticed



57:43 The Role of Relationships in Recruiting and Coaching



Social MediaMorgan Cruce:@coachcruceDaniel@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comKenny@FBCoachSimpsonFBCoachSimpson@gmail.comPodcast@Coaching101Pod

In this episode of the 'Coaching 101' podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss strategies and insights for spring football installations and seven on seven (7v7) tournaments. Daniel shares his experience as a National Guard member and new offensive coordinator, while Kenny, with his extensive coaching background, provides advice on installing core plays and concepts for both offensive and defensive coordinators. They emphasize the importance of limiting the playbook to manageable core concepts that can be expanded upon, rather than overwhelming players with too many plays. Additionally, they cover the significance of teaching football fundamentals over scheme complexity and discuss the value of seven on seven tournaments as tools for practice and competition. The conversation also includes tips on fundraising and resources for coaches, plus advice on teaching football concepts more effectively.

00:00 Welcome to the Coaching 101 Podcast
00:17 A Busy Weekend and Upcoming Plans
01:07 Diving Into Spring Install and Seven on Seven Strategies
01:55 Simplifying Football: Tips and Tools
03:14 Early Season Install Strategies for New and Experienced Coaches
04:27 Building a Playbook: Core Plays and Installation Plans
10:01 Teaching and Adapting: The Art of Football Coaching
22:39 Seven on Seven: Preparing for the Season
22:56 Maximizing Seven on Seven: Strategies and Mindsets
23:45 The Value of Competition and Diverse Sports Participation
24:36 Seven on Seven: Goals, Playbooks, and Practical Advice
26:09 Tactical Play and Coaching Philosophy in Seven on Seven
27:50 Effective Practice and Playbook Management
36:12 Coaching Wisdom: Teaching Concepts Over Specific Plays
39:29 Closing Thoughts and Resources for Coaches

In this insightful coaching podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson share their expertise on the diverse challenges and responsibilities of coaching, from fostering team unity and personal growth to handling non-cooperative team members and administrative obstacles. They discuss the importance of Easter and uncommercialized holidays in promoting family bonding and personal reflection, and the journey from assistant to head coach, facing the complexities of adult management, decision-making, and diversity. The conversation covers the effective strategies for ensuring coaching staff alignment with team goals, the significance of removing discordant elements, and the necessity of adhering to personal coaching principles despite external pressures. Additionally, the hosts talk about navigating the difficulties presented by uncooperative athletes and the intricacies of interacting with administrative bodies to ensure program compatibility and preemptive problem-solving. The podcast concludes by inviting guest appearances and mentions of sponsors, making it a comprehensive guide for coaches navigating their careers.

00:00 Welcome to the Coaching One on One Podcast: Easter Reflections and Unashamed Faith
01:31 Navigating the Challenges of Coaching: From Sticky Situations to Career Defining Moments
03:42 Unlocking the Secrets to Simplifying Football for Your Team
06:39 The Journey from Assistant to Head Coach: Skills, Decisions, and Diversity
21:47 Tackling Talent Deficiencies and Maximizing Player Effort
42:24 Addressing Parental Issues in Coaching
42:38 Understanding the Unique Backgrounds of Young Athletes
43:38 Navigating the Complex World of Parental Involvement in Sports
44:38 Strategies for Building Positive Relationships with Parents
47:11 Dealing with Different Types of Parents: From Supportive to Neglectful
49:23 The Impact of Family Situations on Athletes' Success
52:39 Creating a Supportive Environment for Athletes Without Parental Support
53:45 Managing Team Dynamics and Making Tough Decisions
56:36 Navigating the Challenges of Coaching: From Scheme to Administration
01:06:14 Building a Successful Coaching Career: Lessons and Strategies
01:16:45 Final Thoughts: Staying True to Your Coaching Philosophy

In this episode of the Coaching 101 podcast, Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson dive into the nitty-gritty of defensive football strategies, specifically focusing on the 4-2-5 defensive formation. Joined by first-year head coach Brady Bradbury, they discuss the evolution of Bradbury's coaching career, transitioning from player to coach, and his recent shift to embracing the 4-2-5 defense at his school. The discussion further delves into the simplicity and flexibility of the 4-2-5 system, comparing it with the 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, and how it allows for easier adjustment to multiple offensive formations while keeping defensive principles straightforward. The episode emphasizes the importance of adapting coaching strategies to the team's available personnel and keeping coaching methods simple for effective teaching and execution.


00:00 Welcome to the Coaching 101 Podcast
00:23 Introducing First-Year Head Coach Brady Bradbury
02:18 Coach Simpson's European Adventure with Family
05:30 Simplifying Coaching and Upcoming Projects
08:41 Diving Deep into 4-2-5 Defense Strategy
19:21 Decoding Football Strategies: The Power of Personnel and Formations
19:52 The Tactical Debate: 3-4 vs. 4-2-5 Defensive Formations
20:56 Adapting to Offensive Trends: The Return of Tight Ends and Fullbacks
23:19 Simplifying Defense: The Philosophy Behind Choosing a Formation
25:08 Handling Multiple Formations: Strategies for Defensive Flexibility
35:10 Closing Thoughts: Keeping It Simple in Coaching



To watch the video from this episode or others like it, check out the YouTube pages of Kenny and Daniel.



What is the major difference between the 4-2-5 and the 4-3 defenses?


4-2-5 is the old 4-4, but for most teams, the overhangs are now DB type players4-3 makes adjustments with the LBs, where the 4-2-5 makes adjustments with the backendStrong E plays a 6 in the 4-2-5 vs a 9 in the 4-3


Why choose even front over the 3-4?


Simplified 1-gap footballPersonnel dictated what defense to useSeeing a lot of 11 personnel on your schedule, you’ll be in a 4 front anyways


How do you handle multiple formations teams?


Adjust with the back 5Keep the box the box


What NOT to do as a Coach


Today’s Lesson:


Social Media


Brady Bradburybradybradbury@gmail.comDanielTwitter: @CoachChamboOKEmail: chamberlainfootballconsulting@gmail.comKennyTwitter: @FBCoachSimpsonEmail: FBCoachSimpson@gmail.comCoaching 101 PodcastTwitter: @Coaching101Pod