Analysts love to dissect Oregon’s many packaged schemes and option runs, offensive plays designed to take advantage of whatever the defense throws at them, with an answer for just about anything and everything. There is, however, another part of any offense that is just as crucial, sometimes referred to as constraint plays. Constraint plays force a defense to hesitate, to think a little …
What if it were possible to detect with nearly 100% certainty whether or not the defense is bringing pressure before the ball is snapped? How exactly would you find something like that out? The answer is simple, yet complicated at the same time. You would just need to find what’s called a “blitz key.” A blitz key is a pretty general …
My FishDuck Friends–a reader wanted to know why the Cowboys ran so well against us last fall so guest analyst, Coach Alex Kirby, examines those plays with the experience of a coach who competed against Coach Bohl in prior games. Note also that these plays work well because of the superb threat of the Wyoming Fly Sweep covered by FishDuck.com opponent analyst, …
The late, great Bill Walsh, former head coach during the glory days of the 49ers with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, made a living showing opponents something they hadn’t seen on tape in the days leading up to the game. Oregon is no different. As a staff, Oregon coaches love to talk about how simple their scheme is, and how …
(Note from Principal: Before some of you howl, we ARE going to break down what Ohio State did well in the National Championship Game to defeat Oregon. I need a bit more time as I am having several consultation coaches helping me, but in the meantime let’s return to the purpose of the site–and that is to learn. Let’s enjoy …
Sometimes life can be pretty good. The unfortunate thing about real life: we don’t always get a storybook ending. Life goes on. For Oregon, that’s a good thing, because the best days of this football program are still ahead. I know Monday night was painful, Oregon fans. But I’m here to reassure you of one thing: the Ducks aren’t going anywhere. …
For coaches, watching football broadcasts can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, we all love football, and enjoy watching the best of the best compete against one another. On the other, the guys doing the game on TV often are misinformed about what’s really going on down there on the field when it comes to the X’s and O’s. …
Florida State defensive coordinator Charles Kelly has quite a task in front of him in the upcoming playoff game. First off, he’s got to prepare for a somewhat unusual offense from Oregon; a high-speed, relentless attack that, oh by the way, happens to be led by Heisman Trophy winner, Marcus Mariota. It may be the offense that gets most of …
Note from Principal: Instead of the usual analysis I provide, I felt that Coach/Analyst Alex Kirby did a superb job explaining a blitz strategy never covered on FishDuck.com before, and would be something to watch for against Florida State. Enjoy learning as I did! Charles Fischer ————————————————————————————- There’s an oft-repeated maxim, especially among today’s football color commentators, that says, “Blitzing …
The release of the first playoff rankings for 2014 saw three of the top four spots being taken — not surprisingly — by SEC West teams, and the other by the unbeaten defending national champion Florida State Seminoles. It also saw its fair share of fan conspiracy theories, especially from those fan bases whose team is currently on the outside …
Athletic directors at major schools all over the country are paid handsomely to know what makes a great college football coach, yet time and time again we see coaches fail — sometimes spectacularly — to bring success and a winning attitude to campus. So what’s the answer? Is it recruiting ability, X’s and O’s, enthusiasm, or something else? Some coaches …
A tough year for the NCAA just got worse. In a historic decision released on Friday, Judge Claudia Wilken of the Northern District of California ruled that the NCAA could not stop its member institutions from paying student-athletes and that schools could also grant athletic scholarships that covered the full cost of attendance without fear of breaking NCAA rules. The …