Lesson 1 – Baseline Evaluation & Foundation
Objective: Establish athletic baseline, teach core football movements.
Evaluation Tests:
Speed/Explosiveness:
10-yard sprint (acceleration).
Vertical jump.
Agility: 5-10-5 shuttle.
Conditioning: 300-yard shuttle (6 x 50-yard runs).
Strength:
Push-ups (form & reps).
Plank hold.
Bodyweight squat form.
Football Skills:
Stance check (2-point, 3-point).
Backpedal mechanics.
Ball-handling drill (carry in both arms, switch).
What to Look For:
Form breakdowns (knees collapsing, hips too high in squat, elbows flaring in push-ups).
Explosive vs slow movers off the line.
Conditioning level (fatigue tolerance).
Basic coordination (footwork, ball security).
Workout (Light Teaching):
Dynamic warm-up + sprint mechanics.
Bodyweight circuit: squat, push-up, plank.
Intro stance drills (2-point, 3-point stance holds, 5-yd bursts).
Agility ladder (basic in & out footwork).
Lessons 11+ – Performance & Position Pathway
Objective: Advance training, introduce position-specific elements while keeping universal foundation.
Workout Template:
Strength:
Squat / Deadlift variations.
Bench / Push variations.
Pull-ups or heavy rows.
Core stability.
Speed & Agility:
Sprint work (10, 20, 40 yds, flying sprints).
Advanced COD drills (reaction-based with cues).
Football Skills:
Universal: Ball protection, tackling form (bag/contact shield), blocking leverage.
Position-Specific Add-Ons:
Linemen: Hand placement, punch drill, mirror drill.
Skill (RB/WR/DB): Route running, backpedal transitions, catching under pressure.
QB: Dropbacks, throwing footwork, accuracy drills.
LB: Shuffle → downhill break, block shed basics.
Conditioning:
Game-specific conditioning (shuttles, pursuit drill, 6-sec sprints w/ short rest).
Evaluations (Every 4 Weeks):
Repeat Lesson 1 baseline (10 yd, shuttle, push-ups, plank, squat).
Track progress in speed, agility, and football skills.
Growth noted in:
Physical: Strength, speed, endurance.
Football IQ: Reaction to cues, recognition of drill purpose.
Confidence: More explosive & aggressive movement.
Summary of What You’re Looking For as a Coach
Lesson 1: How raw are they? Coordination, fitness, football stance basics.
Lessons 2–3: Can they absorb fundamentals? Quickness, ball security, body control.
Lessons 4–10: Strength/speed gains, sharper agility, improved endurance, basic football IQ.
Lessons 11+: Performance rise, position-specific growth, confidence on field.
Lessons 4–10 – Development Phase (Strength, Speed, Football IQ)
Objective: Build work capacity, strength, and football-specific agility.
Workout Template (Repeat w/ Progression):
Warm-Up: Sprint mechanics, skips, mobility.
Strength (2x per week focus):
Goblet squat → RDL → Push-up → Band row → Core (plank, dead bug).
Intro to barbell lifts if technique allows (bodyweight → goblet → barbell progression).
Speed & Agility:
Sprint starts (10–20 yds).
Pro agility shuttle.
Ladder footwork (1-in, 2-in, lateral).
Cone drills: L-drill, W-drill (cuts & COD).
Football Skills:
Ball handling every session (carry in traffic, secure after contact).
Stance + burst reps.
Catching from different angles.
Backpedal → break forward drill.
Conditioning:
Tempo runs (60–80% sprint, 40 yds, walk back).
Competition-style relays.
What to Look For:
Strength progression (cleaner reps, more control).
Faster reaction times in agility drills.
Smooth acceleration/deceleration.
Confident stance and transitions.
Better endurance (less fatigue between sets).
Lessons 2 & 3 – Movement Foundations + Football Basics
Objective: Build strength, introduce universal football skills (agility, ball control, footwork).
Workout:
Warm-Up: Dynamic mobility + sprint mechanics.
Strength (Bodyweight Emphasis):
Squat → push-up → band row → plank circuit.
Farmer’s carry (grip/shoulder strength).
Agility:
Cone drills (Zig-Zag 5 yds apart).
Backpedal to sprint transitions.
Football Fundamentals:
Ball security circuit (switch hands while running, protect at contact).
Stance → 5-yard burst (forward/backpedal/shuffle).
Catching basics (soft hands, tuck ball).
What to Look For:
Low pad level (hips bent, not just back).
Quick first step.
Ball security (no swinging arms).
Agility transitions (hips drop when changing direction).
Lesson 1 – Advanced Evaluation & Foundation Reset
Objective: Assess power, speed, and skill at a higher level.
Evaluation Tests:
Speed/Explosiveness:
10-yard split + 40-yard dash (timed electronically if possible).
Broad jump & vertical jump.
Agility: Pro agility shuttle (5-10-5) & L-drill (3-cone).
Strength:
Max reps at 225 bench (or % bodyweight for lighter athletes).
Trap bar deadlift 3RM.
Pull-up test.
Conditioning: 300-yard shuttle (standard football test).
Football Skills:
Stance/burst with competition (vs. partner).
Route running or mirror drill.
Ball security in contact drill.
What to Look For:
Explosiveness off first step.
Clean, powerful mechanics in sprint and lifts.
Game-level conditioning (short burst recovery).
Fluid hips & balance during football skills.
Workout (Light Teaching):
Dynamic warm-up → sprint mechanics.
Speed contrast work (resisted sprints + free sprints).
Mobility & activation circuit.
Lessons 11+ – Performance & Position Mastery
Objective: Game-ready conditioning, advanced football IQ, position-specific sharpening.
Workout Template:
Strength (Maintenance / Explosive):
Heavy lifts maintained at 80–90% (lower volume).
Power-focused (cleans, jumps, med ball throws).
Speed & Agility:
Combine-style testing refinement.
Position-specific reaction drills (WR breaks, OL pass pro sets, DB backpedal reads).
Football Skills (Position Focus):
Linemen: Punch + recover, 1v1 mirror, double-team leverage.
RB/WR/DB: Full route tree, catching contested balls, 1v1 coverage.
QB: Throwing on move, pressure pocket drills.
LB: Block shed → pursuit, zone drops, coverage.
Conditioning:
Game simulation intervals (15-play drives, 6–8s bursts w/ 20s rest).
Competitive team-style conditioning (relays, pursuit angles, turnover circuits).
Evaluations (Every 4 Weeks):
Retest Lesson 1 combine metrics.
Position-specific testing (route sharpness, blocking hand speed, throw accuracy).
Growth noted in:
Physical: Stronger, faster, more powerful.
Football IQ: Reads, timing, awareness.
Leadership/Confidence: Demanding pace, finishing drills strong.
Coach’s Eye – What You’re Looking For
Lesson 1: Elite vs average athleticism, base strength, and conditioning level.
Lessons 2–3: Explosiveness, form under higher load, skill in competition drills.
Lessons 4–10: Noticeable speed/power gains, efficient football movement, sharper game endurance.
Lessons 11+: Position mastery, consistency, leadership, game-ready execution.
Lessons 4–10 – Development Phase (High-Performance Training)
Objective: Maximize physical development + game-ready football skills.
Workout Template:
Warm-Up: Sprint mechanics + plyometric prep.
Strength (3-Day Rotation Example):
Lower: Front squat, RDL, step-ups, core.
Upper: Bench, pull-ups, overhead press, rows.
Explosive/Hybrid: Cleans/snatches, jump squats, med ball throws.
Speed & Agility:
Max-velocity sprints (flying 30s, resisted sprints).
COD with reaction cues (partner/random signals).
Plyometrics: Depth jumps, broad jump to sprint.
Football Skill Work:
Ball security under contact.
Route running (cuts, breaks, top-speed catches).
OL/DL: Pass rush vs. mirror, block shedding, leverage.
DB/LB: Backpedal → break, shuffle → plant & drive.
Conditioning:
Football-tempo circuits (6s sprint, 25s rest, repeat 12x).
Pursuit drill (angles, chase down).
What to Look For:
Increased max power (jumps, lifts, bar speed).
Speed endurance (holding sprint times deep into reps).
Smooth football mechanics under fatigue.
Competitive mindset in drills.
Lessons 2–3 – Strength & Football Movement Foundations
Objective: Reinforce athletic base with intensity, add explosive football skills.
Workout:
Warm-Up: Acceleration drills, plyometric skips, mobility.
Strength (Explosive Focus):
Olympic lift variation (power clean / hang clean).
Front squat or trap bar deadlift.
Bench press or explosive push-up.
Weighted pull-ups.
Speed & Agility:
Flying 20s (build-up sprint, hit top speed).
Cone reaction drills (coach points left/right).
Football Fundamentals:
Contact ball-security circuit (partner strips).
WR/DB: Route tree basics + break timing.
OL/DL: Hand placement, punch drill, mirror drill.
Conditioning: Repeated sprint ability (8 x 40 yd, 30s rest).
What to Look For:
Power transfer (hips driving bar, sprint, jump).
Explosiveness under fatigue.
Technique under competition (ball security, routes, blocking).