FOOTBALL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

And kickoff! Start the season by getting to know your instructor, doing some general housekeeping, and going over your upcoming assignments. 

• Instructor introduction
• General housekeeping
• Assignment overview

Let’s begin! Class 1 will introduce you to the principles and philosophies of player development, identifying individual needs, and help you develop your own philosophies.

• Player development principles & philosophies: core beliefs & success intangibles
• Identifying individual needs
• Setting realistic goals
• Discussion: Defining and developing your player development philosophy

You can’t evaluate a player without metrics. Explore critical physical attributes, such as arm length, height, weight, and hand size, and how to implement them into effective drills and training sessions.

• Building a solid foundation
• Case study: Evaluating players on skill & attributes (WR case study)
• Using evaluations to plan drills & training sessions
• Style drills & metrics 
• Demo: Conducting player evaluations

The first rule of strength training? GO SLOW. This class will guide you through designing a basic strength program, including weight training, plyometrics and explosive training, as well as agility drills and footwork. 

• Weight training techniques & program design
• Plyometrics & explosiveness training
• Agility drills & footwork training
• Change of direction drills
• Demo: Strength and conditioning training program
• Biomechanics & body movement 
• Case study: Special consideration for differences among athletes 

Meet the star of the show! Learn how to enhance the QB’s performance with drills in a practical workshop, and put what you’ve learned into action for your first assignment.

• Throwing mechanics & drills
• Footwork & pocket presence
• Reading defenses & making pre-snap adjustments
• Base & sub-defenses: identifying fronts, coverages & basic blitzes
• Workshop: Design quarterback drills in groups based on a video of a player

Assignment #1: Put together a strength and conditioning plan for a mobile quarterback who needs to put on weight in the off-season. Be specific and detailed.

Class 5 is all about receiver play. Deep dive into wide receiver skills like route running, catching techniques, and understanding coverages, as well as tight end roles like blocking, route running, and mismatch exploitation.

• Wide receiver skills: route running, catching techniques, and understanding coverages
• Skill development for running backs: vision, agility, and pass-catching
• Tight end roles: blocking, route running, and mismatch exploitation
• Demo: Creating versatile drills for receivers, backs, and tight ends

Good linemen are essential to a game. Understand the techniques and tactics of offensive and defensive linemen, and learn how to identify areas for improvement in a practical workshop.

• Offensive linemen techniques: blocking schemes, leverage and coordination
• Defensive linemen tactics: pass rush moves, gap responsibilities, and run-stopping
• Workshop: Video analysis of line play from NFL and NCAA games & identifying areas for improvement
• Coverage identification & recognizing offensive plays

Assignment #2: Wide Receiver, Tight End, and Offensive Linemen development questions. Pick one of these three positions and write a short description of what components are most critical to your selected position.

Heads up: understanding safe tackling is a MUST. This class will teach you proper tackling techniques and drills to prioritize player safety and how to recognize signs of unsafe training.

• Proper tackling technique & drills
• Heads up tackling & avoiding injuries
• Reading run plays & gap discipline 
• Linebackers' roles: tackling, coverage, and blitzing
• Case study: Game examples of excellent tackles, e.g. NFL application of fundamentals: positive & negative examples
• Workshop: Recognizing signs and symptoms of unsafe training

Assignment #3: Design a tackling circuit that is safe and efficient. Be detailed and use examples.

Secondary positions: what are they, and what skills do they need? Dive into coverage skills for DBs, special teams play strategies, and discuss training kickers, punters, and returns specialists.

• Coverage skills for defensive backs: man, zone, and ball skills
• Special teams coach education
• Understanding kicking schedules & maintenance
• Strategy for special teams plays: field position, fake plays, and pressure moments
• Discussion: Training kickers, punters, and return specialists

Assignment #4: Submit an outline of your final project for instructor feedback

Football is a high-pressure game, and composure is vital. Discover how to train players to make quick decisions and adapt in the heat of the game and how to run plays effectively under pressure. 

• Developing football IQ: game film & play analysis
• Reading the field, making quick decisions, & adapting during games
• Running plays effectively under pressure
• Workshop: Play calling and adjustments using sample game scenarios 

Explore the pros and cons of new technologies and how to implement them in, from assisting player development to scouting and talent evaluation.

• Technology-assisted development 
• Building confidence 
• Technology in scouting & talent evaluation
• Considerations when integrating new technologies (e.g. AI)
• Discussion: Using VR - the upsides, downsides, and being flexible
• Demo: Using Visio

Psychology is just as important as physicality in football. In this class, we will delve into coaching styles and feedback methods to support your players, as well as get a first-hand perspective from a guest speaker.

• Core values
• Coaching styles
• The mental game & sports psychology
• Giving feedback 
• Fostering resilience 
• Guest speaker: Motivation techniques & player support systems
• Case study: Importance of player mental health in the Buffalo Bills

A healthy athlete is a successful athlete. Learn about holistic well-being and healthy developmental patterns, from nutrition, emotional support, and mental health, to recovery and rest.

• Guest speaker: Nutrition for performance & biohacking
• Emotional support & recognizing mental health issues in athletes
• Common supplements & substances: effects, risks & alternatives
• Recovery & rest: sleep hygiene, active recovery, and rest days
• Discussion: Role-playing athlete mental support scenarios

In Class 13, we will explore developing a positive team culture through coach-player communication, fostering a positive team environment, and encouraging leadership amongst players.

• Coach and player communication
• Fostering a positive team environment
• Player leadership development 
• Guest speaker: Psychological aspects of playing different roles 

Assignment #5: Write a short plan to develop a 5th-round QB from an FCS college. What tools would you use? 

We’re in the end zone! Navigate making modifications based on age and skill level as we dive into nurturing young talent, developing a growth mindset in players, and building long-term training plans.

• Identifying & nurturing young talent
• Transitioning from college to the NFL
• Developing a growth mindset 
• Building long-term training plans
• Managing priorities
• Career development beyond the playing field
• Discussion: Reflect on your growth as a coach

Final Project: Player Development Plan
Design a comprehensive development plan for an individual or team from a sports management perspective. Choose your role - coach, athletic director, or trainer - each with unique responsibilities. Your plan should cover risk management, insurance, sustainability, and an implementation strategy, whether it’s just you or a team effort. Justify why your plan works, how it ties into course topics, and why it’s the best approach. Include a timeline and relevant visuals.