Rutgers Football: Drills and Techniques Series

with Chris Ash,
Rutgers University Head Coach;
former Ohio State University Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach (2014 National Champions;
first-ever College Football Playoff Champions);
former University of Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach (2010 Big Ten Co-champions)

Many young coaches believe the scheme is the most important aspect of building a championship team and do not understand the importance of handling people within the program. In this video, Coach Chris Ash discusses his complete outline for building and running a championship football culture.

A Philosophy in Action

Coach Ash lays the groundwork for establishing a championship culture through constant communication, education and motivation of everyone involved in the program. He believes in a "relentless strain" to win games, not schemes. He focuses on competitive excellence as well as the process, not the goal.

Coach Ash begins by addressing his well-thought out mission statement, which underlies the very essence of coaching with a purpose. From there, you will learn:

• How to establish program goals
• How to emphasize and visualize the key components in a plan to consistently win games
• The 11 steps required to build a championship culture

How to Build It

The core of this video is in the 11 key elements Coach Ash has planned and devised to build a championship-caliber program at Rutgers. Within this video, Coach Ash goes into detail how to carry out these key elements, including:

• Finding and recruiting the right people to include in your organization
• Developing player leadership through a "Leadership Council"
• How to create dynamic, competitive, and effective practice sessions

You'll also find practice footage of the Rutgers football team applying many of these key elements as they look to improve their program and compete at a high level of football.

Coach Ash lays out everything you need to know about changing the culture of your program. You will learn how to foster your players' competitive nature, how to prepare young people for success after football, and how to use a system of punishments and rewards that clearly communicates to the players the benefits of a championship program.

44 minutes. 2017.

with Drew Mehringer,
University of Texas Pass Game Coordinator & Wide Receivers Coach;
former Rutgers University Offensive Coordinator
was Wide Receivers Coach at Houston under head coach Tom Herman and also coached with Herman and Rutgers Head Coach Chris Ash at Ohio State and Iowa State University

Shotgun spread offenses have become the mainstream offensive attack in collegiate and high school football. The quarterback position, now more than ever, requires not only raw athletic ability, but also sound mechanics and techniques to allow the spread offense attack to be lethal to opposing defenses.

Using practice video from spring drills at Rutgers, Coach Mehringer shows the you the plan in action that he utilizes to develop quarterbacks into effective scoring machines. In this video, you'll see four unique elements of training that you can begin implementing right away from spring practice or even mid-season. You'll be provided with detailed outlines and practice and scrimmage footage that demonstrate the techniques in action.

Quarterback Drills

Currently, conventional quarterback warm-ups serve only the limited benefit of getting a player's arm "warm." With the warm-up drills offered by Coach Mehringer, you'll be able to improve a quarterback's skill in what would otherwise be "time-consuming" drills during individual periods. These drills look how to correct balance imperfections and movement inefficiencies while in the pocket. Get key coaching points that work on quarterbacks' skill set for proper bubble screen mechanics, RPO reads, and drop-back pass footwork.

Ladder drills warm the body temperature of the players and train them to keep their hip and eye level in balance. Arm isolation drills make the quarterback focus on the release and finish of each throw before progressing to drop back drills, such as the drift back and crossover, which are designed to allow the quarterback to throw for accuracy while focusing on the release.

Bag drills are shown and are designed to reinforce footwork while moving within the pocket. Coach Mehringer puts a rush on the quarterback, making him move while reading the free safety and throwing away from his movement.

Create "Game-Like Stimuli"

Get your quarterback used to thinking on his feet. In a spread offense, the player you can least afford to have waste practice is your quarterback. Coach Mehringer demonstrates how to create "reactionary drill work" for your QB. This means your drills will have game-like stimuli, such as proper key reads, which will force your player to think in a game-like mindset. These drills can be adjusted to add elements as you see fit, based on your particular opponent and/or game plan.

With this video, you'll learn the crucial elements to an effective practice session that will allow you to develop phenomenal spread offense quarterbacks!

42 minutes. 2017.

with Zak Kuhr,
Texas State University Co-Offensive Coordinator;
former Rutgers University Assistant Coach/Running Backs,
coached running backs at Ohio State University for 2 years as an intern under Urban Meyer

The spread tempo offense is on the rise, and the need to develop the running back in all facets of the game is paramount.

Zak Kuhr takes you through a teaching progression incorporating drills that teach the skill set needed by a running back in the spread offense. Backs must learn blocking, running downhill, and how to make decisive cuts and moves with the ball while being physical.

Running Back Drills

Using practice and scout team video, Coach Kuhr sets out his development plan in an orderly fashion. The drills begin with mesh security, then advance to reaction drills that teach running backs how to respond to openings that will occur along the line. His methods teach the running back to be as quick and decisive as possible, preaching low pad level, one step or jump cuts and ball security.

Coach Kuhr works drills that teach the running back to `puncture' the line vertically. He reps the four different holes that the Inside Zone Run can open. You'll get drills for `low drive' running, developing power angles, breaking down the triple move and coiling the spring. Coach Kuhr uses six unique drills that work on protecting the ball and teach how to finish the run.

Inside Zone and Power Game

Preaching `inside out' philosophy for power, Coach Kuhr believes in having "guidelines" for the back, not in setting rules that limit the back in live action. Backs are taught to read angles and work inside-out in both the running and passing game. The inside zone is taught up front with a dominating double team at the point of attack, allowing the back to attack downhill from A gap to A gap.

The Power Game works hand in hand with the Inside Zone in the Rutgers offense. Using a pulling guard at the point of attack, the Power is still a downhill demeanor for the running back, and physicality is emphasized just as it is in the Zone running game.

Passing Game

The other half of the spread offense is the passing game. The quarterback needs extra time to take shots down the field, which will help the running game even more. Coach Kuhr teaches backs the technique for striking a defender in pass protection and the importance of staying inside-out to the launch point of the quarterback. You'll see four drills that focus on footwork and firing of the hands.

If you're looking to build complete running backs for the spread offense, Coach Kuhr's instruction is second to none!

76 minutes. 2017.

with Jafar Williams,
Rutgers University Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers;
former Assistant coach at Purdue, Kent State and Northwestern

In the spread offense, it's critical for your receivers to understand how to get off of press coverage, get open and catch the ball. Jafar Williams helps you learn to teach these concepts, as he covers everything it takes to play and excel at wide receiver.

Coach Williams takes you from the stance and start to:

• Press release & second level release techniques
• Route running & break points
• Catching the ball
• Blocking

Loaded Stance

Williams begins by demonstrating the stance and alignment that is taught at Rutgers. Using a loaded stance, Williams explains how he teaches his wide receivers to defeat press cornerbacks with several release techniques. He also demonstrates how he teaches his receivers to attack underneath defenders by attacking their leverage before using one of five different releases to get into the route. Each drill shown is reinforced with key coaching points that help you understand the technique.

Break Points

Coach Williams describes the "pressure step" concept, which allows his players to change directions in order to get in and out of their breaks in a fast and effective manner. You'll learn several drills that teach and reinforce proper deceleration and acceleration fundamentals to get players in and out of route breaks, along with technique for defeating defenders at those break points. Williams also describes several drills that incorporate catching and footwork fundamentals.

Wide Receiver Blocking Techniques

Blocking for receivers is 90% effort and 10% technique. Williams describes the approach to contact, hand placement, and how he teaches players to finish blocks. He uses practice footage to demonstrate a variety of drills that he utilizes with his receivers.

Coach Williams does an excellent job in this thorough video demonstrating techniques and the Rutgers coaching progression for developing wide receivers. Overall, this is an excellent video and would be a great investment for any football coach looking to improve their wide receivers.

76 minutes. 2017.

with Vince Okruch,
Rutgers University Assistant Coach/Tight Ends;
with 35+ years of coaching experience, Okruch has worked with some of the legendary names in college football, including Lou Holtz, Bill McCartney, Gary Barnett and Urban Meyer.

The spread offense has evolved over the past decade, and one of the most important developments is the use of the tight end position. The tight end must possess a unique skill set, and more importantly, must be well coached in order to help the offense succeed.

In this video, Vince Okruch solves the problem of what a modern era tight end needs to know in the spread offense run scheme. Using diagrams, game film and practice film, Coach Okruch defines the "Eight Musts" of a tight end:

• Alignment
• Assignment
• Get off
• Hand Placement
• Face Placement
• On the Run Adjustments
• Sustain
• Finish

He then breaks down each `Must' to give you the tools to fully execute the technique according to different situations.

Laws of Combat

Coach Vince Okruch begins the video by explaining the "Laws of Combat" that are taught to each player at Rutgers. These "Laws" are points of emphasis that the coaching staff at Rutgers believe are important to winning football, and include key elements of posture, stance, movement, toughness, ball security, and what is called "The Difference" at Rutgers. Coach Okruch explains how "The Difference" forms the framework for coaching, making contact for all positions, and shows practice drill footage of the techniques that make up "The Difference."

Alignment and Assignments

Coach Okruch explains the different alignments and motions that tight ends use in the Rutgers spread offense. These alignments include being split out wide, being in a slot or "Y off" position, and also in a traditional tight end alignment. There are several variations of each alignment that are used and explained by Coach Okruch. Next, he gives a detailed explanation of each individual block that the tight ends are asked to execute at Rutgers.

Blocking Technique

Coach Okruch guides you through more than 10 styles of blocks necessary for tight ends. These blocks include: base, cut off, reach, mini arc, sift, slice, slip, insert, and the sting and dog combination blocks. Coach Okruch explains the technique of each block and uses practice footage to illustrate key points of emphasis that will help you use your tight ends more effectively in the spread run game. He also explains the technique and key coaching points of the perimeter blocks tight ends will use when they are split out wide. These blocks are the stalk block and the crack block.

The tight end position has changed the spread offense dramatically, and this excellent video will help you take advantage of these advancements in the spread run game. If you have a superior athlete who is football smart, incorporating Coach Okruch's tight end techniques will give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares!

70 minutes. 2017.

with AJ Blazek;
Rutgers University Assistant Coach/Offensive Line;
former Western Illinois Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator for Western Illinois;
Graduate Assistant at the University of Iowa (where he was a 2x All-Big Ten Lineman)

The traditional way of running an offense has changed; it's a lot of no-huddle, fast pace and signaling-in plays. Getting each position group to play at this tempo can be difficult. If you want an offense that can push the pace and wear a defense down, your offensive linemen have to be sharp and in shape. See how AJ Blazek gets his offensive lineman ready, both mentally and physically, to play and practice at an up-tempo pace.

Blazek explains what he implements during the off-season and preseason to help build for the regular season. Using video, he illustrates how he conditions his players without making it seem like conditioning. He uses competitions and different ways to move the body to get his players into the required shape for top-notch performance. You'll see 12 drills, including the mat drills that teach toughness, competitiveness, and the mental approach to the game.

Why Run Up-Tempo Offense?

You will learn the benefits of playing up-tempo offense as opposed to a traditional offensive system. Benefits include:

• Keeps your opponent in a base defense
• Allows you to get plays off quicker
• Everyone on your team gets signaled the plays

Good Lineman Technique - The Difference

Coach Blazek talks about "the difference" and how he can tell if an offensive lineman has good technique or not. You will see how having thumbs up, elbows in and wrists together is such an important part of developing your offensive line skills. Additionally, Coach Blazek discusses:

• How using a 2x4 piece of wood can help teach "the difference"
• How to progress to various teaching tools to teach "the difference"
• On-field game footage and practice footage of how to correct players not using "the difference"

Drills and Mentality

Coach Blazek gives you 12 drills that create offensive lineman who use their hands well and utilize drive techniques while playing up-tempo. He builds on all the key elements for an offensive lineman, starting with stance, hands, and drive. You'll see:

• The Plus 2 finish to get players to play through the whistle
• How to incorporate injured players into practice so they don't lose their edge
• How to create competition in drills, such as tug of war and bone dummy drill, to teach the mental and physical part of the game
• How to execute a base block, wide reach and tight reach block

Once linemen have the blocking basics learned, Coach Blazek covers the different types of runs they use.

Coach Blazek gives you the tools you need to make sure your offensive line is mentally and physically able to play in an up-tempo offense. Whether it be by using the difference mat or bag drills, everything shown will help you develop your offensive line into an elite group!

68 minutes. 2017.

with Jay Niemann,
Rutgers University Defensive Coordinator;
former Northern Illinois Defensive Coordinator

Football offenses today have become scoring machines based on spreading out defenses and forcing defenders to tackle in open space. Traditional tackling techniques have been ineffective and even dangerous as the game becomes faster and quicker than ever before.

Using a variety of recognizable tackling drills, modified to use open-field shoulder tackling, Jay Niemann gives you numerous drills to teach you the latest tackling techniques you need to shut down opponents on game day.

Rugby-Style Tackling

The most effective way to tackle in the open field, rugby style tackling, is a safer technique that keeps the head out of contact. Through a variety of drills and stations that can be used by all defensive units on a team, Niemann shows you how to build confidence in players and become dominant rugby-style tacklers. Drills include:

• Fit Drill
• Left/Right Tackling Drill
• Box Rugby Tackle Drill
• Crash Pad Tackle Drill
• Angle Tackle Drill
• Wrap & Roll Drill
• Track Tackle Drill

The Drills

Using video footage of live drills and practices, Coach Niemann gives you all the coaching points and drills needed to train your players to be better tacklers. This includes emphasizing the target area, proper leverage, and leg drive to bring even the toughest opponents to the ground.

These drills can be used by all defensive units, including defensive backs, lineman, and linebackers. Niemann will help you teach your defenders how to:

• Be in the best leverage position to stop a ball carrier
• Wrap and roll as necessary to bring open field opponents to the ground
• Track speedy opponents attempting to escape to the perimeter
• Avoid unnecessary ejections by emphasizing the "strike zone" on defenseless players

Along with drills and video footage, Coach Niemann uses white board diagrams to teach you the necessary coaching points to get the most out of your drills.

The game is evolving, offenses are getting faster and defenses are getting creative. Don't be left behind by teaching outdated and unsafe tackling. By using these proven drills and techniques from Coach Niemann, you will have aggressive and confident players ready to shut down even the most athletic opponents.

58 minutes. 2017.

with Shane Burnham,
Rutgers University Assistant Coach/Defensive Line;
former Iowa State University Assistant Coach

Learn how to develop a skill set in the off-season that will teach your linemen how to explode through contact and dominate the line of scrimmage.

Shane Burnham knows the dedication and devotion teams need in the off-season to build their players' technique. Coach Burnham takes you through non-padded off-season drills you can use in the months of January through August leading up to the season. Coach Burnham shows you drills and the role of the coach in order to build a strong defensive line unit.

Using practice and game film, Coach Burnham explains the techniques and drills necessary to develop average players into explosive defenders that uses violent hands, violent feet, and violent hips to strike and escape offensive linemen. These skills can be worked on by the defensive line year-round in small groups or on an individual basis. Drills include:

• Agility drills with stunt footwork
• Re-direct drills for getting linemen to the ball
• "The Difference" - Teaching proper blow delivery using a small piece of wood such as a two-by-four
• Sled drills for violent hands
• Escape drills that teach the strike and snag technique

Your players will learn how to "set the edge" of the defender they're aligned on and develop the ability to attack the weak link of the offensive lineman to escape the block and get to the football to make plays.

Today's offenses play fast and use finesse to destroy the defense. The best way to beat a finesse team is with physical play; Coach Burnham shows you how to get your players to play in a violent manner that will destroy any finesse spread offense.

109 minutes. 2017.

with Bill Busch,
Rutgers University Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs;
former Assistant Coach at Ohio State,Wisconsin, Nebraska and Utah

With the popularity of the spread offense, the defensive back is forced to have a multiple skill set to defend and tackle in space while having good footwork in the passing game. Learning and teaching the skills to combat the spread offense is a must. Bill Busch shows you how to develop the total defensive back through a series of 12 drills that create proper use of hands and feet.

Defensive Back Drills

Skill work is sometimes overlooked to work on schemes. Coach Busch shows you how to incorporate everyday drills that your players can move through quickly as they improve their skills on a daily basis. A defensive back has to engage blockers and shed them to help the stop the run game, and also be able to maintain position while covering the pass game.

The cushion and leverage drill teaches players about breaking down, turning the hips, and getting to the hip to stop the dreadful deep ball pass. Other drills include single- and double-line footwork drills using the pedal box, speed turns, and ball drills that teach high pointing the football

Tackling Drills

There will be a point in a game where a defensive back will have to make the tackle that stops the other team from scoring. Coach Busch uses safe and proper form tackling every day and puts his players in situations they'll see in a game. This creates faster reactions and decision making to seek and destroy the ball carrier. Rugby-style tackling drills include knee tackling, the crash mat, and wrap & roll. The 6 Cone Drill is an exciting drill for getting your defensive backs to adjust their angles to get the ball carrier to the ground.

Having a drill sequence that emphasizes the fundamentals for success is the only way to compete against quality opponents. Coach Busch uses practice video from Rutgers as well as game video to show you how to develop championship skills in your players.

Plug in these drills from Coach Busch into your daily routines and build your players from the off-season straight through the regular season!

66 minutes. 2017.

with Aaron Henry,
Rutgers University Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs;
Secondary Graduate assistant at Arkansas;
played at Wisconsin for Chris Ash (3x Rose Bowl, 2x All-Big Ten)

The spread offense presents problems to defenses with its tempo and multiple formations. However, now the defense can fight back by appearing to play press coverage before every snap, confusing the quarterback and making him throw into coverage with the bait and bail technique or the cover 2 hinge technique. Rutgers defensive back coach Aaron Henry teaches you these techniques and more in this video.

Press Technique

Train your cornerbacks to dictate angles for the wide receiver to take. Coach Henry explains the press technique that is specific to Rutgers and how it differs from the way press is taught by most other coaches. Using simple, everyday drills, he shows you his teaching progression for the press technique that begins with the proper alignment and stance, and focuses on eye progression and footwork for the corner

Coach Henry believes in pressing with the feet by staying in front of the receiver as long as possible before using a kick step to go with any vertical release. In his footwork progression, Henry covers the:

• Mirror step
• Kick step
• Switchback
• Off hand jam

After teaching footwork, Henry shows how to coach the corner in playing the route by the receiver. Using the Fly-by and Stutter drills, you will see how to coach the corner to be in phase with the receiver and lean and locate the ball. When out-of-phase, the corner is taught to go chest to chest and play through the receiver to the ball. Coach Henry then shows how the hands are used as a bonus in press coverage, and explains how focusing on the hands too much is a major flaw in many cornerbacks that play press coverage.

The Finish

Coach Henry stresses that defensive backs must be able to make plays. He describes the techniques for the defensive back to use whether he is in phase or out of phase with the receiver. Using practice footage, Coach Henry shows how the finish should be coached against a fade route and against short and intermediate routes. You'll see the Hook & Swat drill that is used at Rutgers to knock the ball loose from the receiver while securing the tackle with the off hand. Using Coach Henry's techniques and drill progression, you will be able to teach your players to make plays and breakup passes no matter if they are in perfect position or not.

Bait and Bail Technique

Coach Henry concludes the video by showing you how the corner can appear to press, but in reality is dropping into zone coverage. See how the bait and bail techniques should be used to counter offenses that use deep routes to attack press coverage. Also, an explanation of the catch technique is included. The catch technique is typically used in the red zone where the defensive back must not allow a receiver to catch the ball in front of him.

Cornerback play is essential in the modern game. Coach Henry's coaching points and drill progression will enable coaches to teach their cornerbacks to dominate the competition.

51 minutes. 2017.