Hope he follows up with you and there's something in his offer you'd like to do.

--Dave

Posted by: @32wedge

This year is the first season I have not coached football in some capacity in 18 seasons.  I resigned my middle school position a couple years ago when my wife got sick.  Was OC for a 12U travel team last season.  This year, I didn't knock on any doors and the only message I got was from a local rec league asking me to coach but I had already made plans for my road trip with my son by then. 

Watching from the sidelines has been tough.  I still have the itch bad.

Last night was the final game of a tough season for Patrick County High.  I went to the game to support the seniors who had played for me in middle school.  I stood behind the parents after the game as the players came off the field, a few crying when it hit them that their football playing days were over.  One kid noticed me and said there's Coach Nathan and then I received a half dozen or so bear hugs and posed for a few pictures with them.  Those guys happy to see me made the season for me and I got a little emotional.

Then Coach Morrison, the Varsity HC, saw me and asked what I had been doing with myself.  He was very surprised when I told him I wasn't coaching anywhere.  He started hinting around about whether I was available next year and I told him I would be interested if he had an open position.  He said to be looking for a call soon so I might be back in the business next season.

I hope to see this happen. I know the "Nuts and Bolts" presentation really helped me, especially teaching the pullers! It'd be great to see that knowledge passed on!

@terrypjohnson 

You can thank Dave and Ryan for that.  They complained that there wasn't any "nuts and bolts" at the Single Wing Conclave and I went home and made that presentation.

Posted by: @32wedge

You can thank Dave and Ryan for that.  They complained that there wasn't any "nuts and bolts" at the Single Wing Conclave and I went home and made that presentation.

I should've just driven to your house instead of all the way to Pennsylvania.

--Dave

@32wedge 

Our 9U team ran the single wing for the first year this year but I found your "nuts and bolts" presentation a little too late to actually implement some of your variations.  I learned a lot about teaching the offense this year, but ran into some limitations I would like some advice on: In particular, our wedge struggled and we became very "right handed." If you are willing to coach a coach, I would like to talk to you further about coaching points you have learned over the years of teaching this offense after I go through the presentation in a little more detail. If you contact info from the presentation is still good, I can contact you there if you are willing since the forum seems to be closing.  Also, I live in VA about 4.5 hours north of you -- I could always drive down your way!  

Thanks -- Chris

Posted by: @olderdog

@32wedge 

In particular, our wedge struggled

I use my wedge as a dive play.  I like to run it at empty gaps in the defensive line and get out of the backfield now.  I don't stress about a lot of details when installing it.  I place my line in a good wedge fit position and work on getting them off the line into that position as fast as possible.  If they are stumbling over each other or have some other problems getting into the wedge fit, I will back up and troubleshoot footwork and hand/shoulder placement but I never waste time stressing it.  I stress getting in to the wedge with speed and getting the ball carrier into the wedge and through the line yesterday.  Faster, faster, faster.  I spend about 15 minutes installing wedge at the beginning of the season and 5 minutes per practice every practice.  Getting from hand on the ground to instantly fit wedge and sprinting to the end zone in wedge formation is all worry about.  I think I get as many big plays out of my wedge as anyone.  We are known for running the wedge.  No one on our schedule likes defending it. 

Posted by: @olderdog

we became very "right handed." 

Nothing wrong with being right handed especially at 9U.  You can be right handed and still have 2-3 strong plays to the left and be very effective.  We are primarily right handed all the way up to 8th graders.  Some teams we get more formations installed and flip but most of the time we don't.

Posted by: @olderdog

If you are willing to coach a coach, I would like to talk to you further about coaching points you have learned over the years of teaching this offense after I go through the presentation in a little more detail. If you contact info from the presentation is still good, I can contact you there if you are willing

I am willing to help anyway I can.  The contact info is good. 

Posted by: @olderdog

Also, I live in VA about 4.5 hours north of you -- I could always drive down your way!  

Thanks -- Chris

I love talking about football.  Can meet you in the middle.  Will be flying out of Dulles in Jan and might be able to stop by then.

Thanks,

Nathan