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US Sports Football - 5 Tips to Improve Your Football Game Plan and Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints Game Highlights Presented On US Sports by YETI

 

• By Andrew Dohre

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One of the most important pieces of advice I ever received came from my high school coach: "Give me players, not plays." This sentiment has stuck with me throughout my career, and I think it resonates with many coaches at every level of football. A great player can make us look like geniuses as coaches, but those players depend on us to have a solid plan in place that sets them up for success.

But what does a truly great game plan look like? The value of an excellent game plan goes far beyond simply calling the right plays at the right time. It’s the difference between crossing your fingers and hoping that the next play works and knowing that you will be successful because you and your staff have put the work in and set your players up for success.

Presented on US Sports by YETI.

The process of game planning might differ based on the team, level of play, or situation, but there are key principles that apply at all levels. Here are five essential tips that can make a huge difference in your football game planning process.

1. Understand how much Time you Have

One of the biggest challenges of game day prep is the limited amount of time available. Coaches not only have to worry about the time on the clock once the game starts, but have to maximize the time in the week leading up to game day to ensure a good football game plan. This includes balancing practice time to get players familiar with the plays, time for film for players and coaches to be able to recognize and react to situations for game day, and time for recovery so players are physically and ready for game day. Implementing time management to balance all of these situations coaches go through on a weekly basis is crucial in ensuring you get the most out of your practice sessions and that you’re adequately prepared for the game.

As Andy Kotelnicki, the offensive coordinator at Penn State, has pointed out, the key to a successful game plan starts with time management. Whether you have a week or just a few days to prepare, you need to be intentional with the time you have.Start by assessing your available time and then break down how you’ll break it up into different parts of your preparation process. Focus on the areas that will have the most impact on your performance first, but don't neglect the little things that add up. Time spent on film study, reviewing past games, or even a quick chat with your players can all add value to the preparation process.

Effective time management will allow you to maximize your team’s potential and ensure that you are doing everything necessary to put your players in a good position to win on game day.

2. Divide and Conquer

Game planning is a massive task, and trying to do it all yourself can quickly become overwhelming. Whether you have a large coaching staff or you’re flying solo, splitting the work up is an essential part of the process. A strong coaching staff works together to bring different skills and perspectives to the table.

Successful teams at all levels use the divide and conquer method with their staffing responsibilities. Even if your staff is small, dividing responsibilities ensures that each area of the game plan gets the attention it deserves. 

Take a page from six-time state champion coach Jason Mohns’ playbook, where he implements this strategy saying how his team at Saguaro High School divides up the work. Each coach takes ownership of a segment of the game plan, whether it’s offense, defense, special teams, or specific positions.

This allows coaches to hone in on their areas of expertise and ensures that no aspect of the game is neglected. It also helps foster collaboration and communication within your staff, which is essential for ensuring that all parts of your game plan align.

3. Evaluate and Adjust

What looks great on paper might not always translate to success on the field. And that’s okay—game planning is not a one-time event, it’s a fluid and ever changing process. When implementing your plan, you need to continuously evaluate and adjust it based on how things are working during practice.

Jim Collins, former offensive coordinator at the University of Dayton and current head coach of Wittenberg University, emphasizes the importance of tracking efficiency throughout the week. By grading practices, calculating success rates, and analyzing player performance, you can identify what’s working and what’s not. Are certain plays consistently producing positive results? Are there areas of your game plan that aren’t translating well during practice? 

Evaluating throughout the week also allows you to adjust your game plan for unforeseen circumstances. If you have injuries, weather concerns, or an opponent whose tactics differ from what you expected, adjusting the game plan on the fly is crucial for ensuring your team is always prepared for any situation.

4. Make Sure Players are Getting Touches

Putting players in a position to succeed is the most important thing for a coach, and it starts by making sure players get the ball enough to make things happen. A game plan is only as good as the players executing it, so one of the best things you can do as a coach is to ensure that your key players get the opportunities they need to make an impact on the field.

Exemplifying this, Mississippi State running backs coach Eric Mele, who works within Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, explains how the offense is designed to make sure playmakers are getting the touches they need to make a difference. 

Mike Leach’s Offense may have a pass-heavy structure, but the goal is always to put the players in a position to succeed—whether that means passing to a wide receiver or handing the ball to a running back. Tracking and planning how much you get your playmakers the ball will make an immediate difference in your program.

A great game plan doesn’t just focus on plays—it focuses on players. Giving them the touches they need to shine is what will set you apart on game day.

5. Set Parameters

The idea of putting parameters on your game plan might seem restrictive at first, but it can actually be one of the most effective strategies for ensuring a focused and efficient approach. By setting clear boundaries around how much offense (or defense) you’re going to carry into a game, you’re forcing yourself and your coaching staff to make better decisions.

Brian Billick, former NFL head coach, advocates for this kind of structured discipline in his book on game planning. When you limit the number of plays, formations, and schemes you’re using, you avoid overwhelming your team with too much information. Coach Keith Grabowski, host of the Coach and Coordinator Podcast, goes on to talk about this strategy in his course.

To help with this, use technology to simplify the process. Many coaching tools allow you to quickly script and organize your plays, which saves time and minimizes the chance of confusion. With everything laid out, you can quickly see how each part of your game plan fits together.

By focusing on quality over quantity, you’ll be able to deliver a well-rehearsed game plan that your players can execute with confidence and precision.

Overview

As football coaches know, a winning game plan is the result of hard work, collaboration, and careful consideration. By using these five tips—understanding your time constraints, dividing the work among your staff, continuously evaluating and adjusting, making sure your players get the touches they need, and setting clear parameters—you’ll be able to craft a game plan that positions your team for success.

Remember, the key to success isn’t just in executing plays—it’s in putting your players in the best possible position to win. With a well-thought-out game plan, you’ll be ready to take on any challenge that comes your way.

All kids deserve a chance to play #YouthSports – regardless of their ability. Help expand inclusive programs as part of the National Youth Sports Strategy from @HealthGov: https://bit.ly/2lQ85f6

US Sports Football: Chris Ash teaches Longhorn Tackling and CFB Texas Vs Tennessee Highlights Presented on US Sports by XTERRA Fitness

 

• By Coach Grabowski

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As Vince Lombardi once said, the game is pretty simple:

“Some people try to find things in this game that do not exist, but football is only two things - blocking and tackling” - Vince Lombardi

 “Texas Tackling Situations”

Teaching tackling has become a hot topic over the last several years.  The typical tackle drills and old technique  have been replaced with methods that better simulate game day situations. 

Of course what used to be simple can be made unnecessarily complex, and cause confusion for a coach learning what he should teach, and certainly a player learning what to apply.

Chris Ash, defensive coordinator at Texas believes in staying on the cutting edge of teaching and practice methods, but he still keeps it fairly simple by identifying a small set of tackling situations that every defense will face:

1. Frontal

2. Profile

3. Sideline

4. Phone Booth

5. One Arm Restricted

6. Last Man

He explains in this video

Ash also keeps the techniques that the Longhorns used to a limited set.

1. Eyes to the Thigh

2. Wrap & Roll

3. Track Tackle

4. Strike ZOne

5. Pec Tackle

6. Click the Heels

He gives an overview here:

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Ash puts those situations together with the techniques.  He shares how he does that in drills with the frontal tackle and eyes to the thigh in this video:

1 Knee tackle drill on bags 

1 Knee tackle drill on bodies

Game clips illustrating the technique on defense on special teams

In a world where we can get inundated with information, it’s refreshing to have someone break it down and explain it in a simpler  way.

Ash’s methods are effective and his teaching progression from drill to game film is repeated for all of the techniques and situations in his clinic “Texas Tackling Situations.”

Everyone has a role to play in the National #YouthSports Strategy! Learn more about the strategy and ways to get involved from @HealthGov: https://bit.ly/2lQ85f6

US Sports Tennis - Four Tips to Turn Your Tennis Forehand Into a Weapon And Vacherot Battles Harris; Davidovich Fokina, Hurkacz & More Highlights 🤩

 

• By Grant Young

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Every player acknowledges the tennis forehand as a fundamental shot, yet surprisingly few transform it into a genuine weapon. The secret? It doesn't require years of training—just a handful of focused adjustments can dramatically elevate your forehand from basic to devastating.

But before these game-changing tips, players must first understand the basics of a decent forehand. First, grip matters immensely. The slight rotation from an eastern to a semi-western grip allows for more topspin generation while maintaining control. This small adjustment creates heavier balls that push opponents back and open the court.

Footwork serves as the foundation. Positioning yourself with shoulders turned and weight loaded on your back foot creates potential energy. The simple act of stepping into your shot transfers this energy through the ball, instantly adding power without additional effort.

The follow-through often gets overlooked. Finishing high and across your body—what coaches call "closing the door"—ensures proper rotation and spin. This single adjustment can add depth and consistency overnight.

Contact point is critical. Meeting the ball slightly in front of your body and at the peak of its bounce maximizes control. This seemingly minor positioning change creates clean contact and prevents the common error of hitting behind yourself.

Finally, visualization transforms mechanics into muscle memory. Before each shot, picture the ball traveling deep and heavy into your target zone. This mental practice aligns your body mechanics with your intention.

The beauty of these adjustments lies in their simplicity. They don't require rebuilding your stroke—just refining existing mechanics. Within weeks of implementing these focused changes, your forehand can evolve from merely consistent to a genuine threat that opponents fear.

The forehand weapon you've always wanted isn't years away—it's waiting to be unleashed through deliberate attention to these fundamental elements. And while all of these tips will serve as a basis, the tips that USPTR Pro Performance Tennis Coach Jan Metelka details in his ‘Turn Your Forehand Into A Weapon: Effortless Tennis Forehand Blueprint’ clinic will teach you everything you need to know in order to turn your forehand into a weapon and start dominating in your tennis matches.

We have pulled four of Coach Metelka’s lessons and have included them below.

 

Stance & Balance

Coach Metelka explains that the player wants to keep their body weight forward while hitting the forehand.

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And depending on whether you’re a left-handed or right-handed player, they will want to make sure their non-racket hand is dropping a bit lower than their racket hand when preparing to hit the forehand. This also requires the belly to go backward a bit while the hips tilt forward. 

When it’s time to hit the ball, the back hip should be the first thing to release from its coil, which will spring the rest of the body into motion and deliver energy and power through the ball. 

Coach Metelka also conveys that the big toe of the back leg should always be pointed straight at the fence opposite it, and not anywhere closer to the net. This will ensure that your hips don’t get blocked from a full rotation, which would limit power and output. 

Dealing With Higher Bouncing Balls

The mechanics involved with hitting the forehand of a higher bouncing ball are significantly different because of how the center of gravity shifts. Coach Metelka addresses this by saying that a player must stay on top of the ball, to the point where they will be hitting the ball while off the ground. 

Of course, this is going to mean that it’s more difficult to generate power with the forehand on a high ball. Coach Metelka solves this by advising that the player get into something of a squatted position while preparing to hit the ball, coiling their legs so that they can spring forward and upward when it’s time to actually hit the ball. 

When thinking of doing this, start by feeling yourself bending your knees and then springing upwards like a body weight squat (while remaining well balanced). 

Forehand Fitness Drills - Side Leg Squats

Speaking of squats, Coach Melelka also discusses some drills and exercises that are great for improving the forehand’s strength. One is what he calls a side leg squad, which will start with the player holding a medicine ball that’s approximately between 8 to 10 pounds, but this will depend on the player.

From there, the player will do a side squat to the left side while placing the medicine ball over their left thigh. And when that left leg comes up from this squat/lunge position, the medicine ball will create added weight and tension to work with. 

The athlete can either do consecutive reps on one leg (ideally 8 to 10) or alternate legs, making for about 20 reps total for each set. 

The player’s weight must remain in their thighs, hips, and rear rather than having too much pressure pile up on the knee. 

Forehand Fitness Drills - Attacking Forehand Practice On The Tennis Wall

Another drill that Coach Metelka discusses involves finding a wall that you can hit tennis balls repeatedly at.

With each hit, you will want to alternate how hard you’re hitting the ball so that it comes to you at different speeds. With each hit, you’ll want to ensure that your footwork is correct so that each hit is indeed a forehand. 

This is a great opportunity to practice all of the other mechanical tips you’ve learned to this point. 

Want to help kids find sports they love? Sign up to be a coach or volunteer in a local youth sports program. Learn more ways to support youth sports in the National Youth Sports Strategy: https://bit.ly/2lIHPUc

US Sports Lacrosse - Where Legends Train: Why Wall Ball Matters in Lacrosse And USA vs Canada HIGHLIGHTS - Gold Medal Game Presented on US Sports by Victoria's Secret

 

• By Avery Hixson

“Hit the wall!” - an annoying but true phrase burned into the minds of every lacrosse player. Wallball is the simplest but most effective way to take your stick skills to a higher level. Wallball can help you consistently catch passes, dodge while passing, try unique shooting methods, and more. It might seem mundane, but once you start seeing results from wallball, you won’t want to stop. Here are some important steps to perfect your skills with wallball.

Coach Jamie Munro is a former lacrosse player for Brown University and has collegiate coaching experience for both men's and women's lacrosse teams. One thing in common between men's and women's lacrosse is the importance and accessibility of wallball. Coach Munro’s Lacrosse Wall-Ball Drills course expresses the need for wallball for developing players and shows how to do it effectively.

Big-Picture Ways to Improve with Wallball

1. Fluidity of Switching Hands

Every style of passing used while playing wallball can be done with both hands, which will significantly improve your fluidity between hands so that you can be more versatile of a player on the field.

2. Throwing at Different Angles

Once you’ve nailed the basics of catching and throwing in wallball, the next step is to push yourself beyond routine play. Experiment with different angles, speeds, and passing styles to challenge your reflexes and accuracy. Wallball offers endless ways to keep your game sharp.

Improves Two-Handedness: Switch Hand Quick Sticks

As previously mentioned, varying your passing style is a crucial way to become more of an asset as a player. One way to improve your reflexes is by practicing quick sticks. Coach Munro’s course has several segments about conquering quick sticks. Here’s what one of them covers.

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Quick sticking is a style of passing characterized by quick, powerful passes without a full follow through. The pass allows the ball to bounce quickly back off the wall and helps with receiving short yet powerful passes; a crucial skill for high-pressure moments on the field. Switch hand quick sticks are where you switch the hand your stick is in between passes, which merges the benefits of quick passes with switching hands.

The player featured by Coach Munro in the course displays the usefulness of quick sticks for “two-handedness” and switching hands.  

Throwing at Different Angles with Wristers

Wristers are a passing style often mentioned by Coach Munro that is characterized by hard, powerful passes towards the bottom of a wall from a farther distance away. Coach Munro explains in his wallball course how these implement a different passing style and are a great practice for improving players.

With wristers you can practice a variety of different passing styles such as overhand, three quarters, sidearm, and underhand. All of these different angles of throwing have real-world value on the field and are a great way to improve your skillset using wallball.

Taking Wallball to the Next Level: Implementing the Face Dodge

Once you master the basics of wallball, it can be difficult to progress further. However, by practicing dodges while doing wallball you can improve at a more advanced level. Coach Munro's wallball course teaches one example of this. The extra steps of the pass increase the difficulty which will up a player's game to the next level.

The face dodge is a well known lacrosse concept best described as when a player dodges a defender by planting their foot and stepping to their offhand side while simultaneously cradling their stick over to the offhand side, mimicking a hand switch or a direction change, and then swiftly switching back to the leading foot and dominant hand.

Bringing the face dodge to wallball is somewhat simple. Facing the wall, players should do a full face dodge and as they finish the motion, release the ball and pass it to the wall. This mimics real game situations like passing under pressure of a defender, and can be a real game changer for more advanced players.

Hit the Wall!

Ultimately, wallball isn’t just a warm-up drill, it’s one of the most powerful tools for sharpening your lacrosse game. From building two-handed confidence with quick sticks to mastering wristers at multiple angles, the skills you develop translate directly to better performance on the field. The beauty of wallball lies in its simplicity and accessibility. Any player, anywhere, can pick up a stick, find a wall, and get better. So the next time you “hit the wall,” remember that every rep is an investment in your speed, accuracy, and versatility. Keep at it, and you’ll see your game reach new heights.

Sports help kids #GetActive and learn new skills – but don’t forget about fun! Learn about @HealthGov’s National Youth Sports Strategy and help make fun the top priority in #YouthSports: https://bit.ly/2lIHPUc