Matthew F.

I started coaching while in high school at the Peewee division for the Orland Park Pioneers, primarily the quarterbacks and wide receivers between the ages of 8-14. I also helped run a summer camp for Carl Sandburg High School in 2007 and 2008. During my time at the University of Iowa, I studied training techniques used by the football program regarding form running as well as the Olympic style strength and conditioning program. After graduation from Iowa, I was offered a Quarterbacks coach position at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School by Head Coach Mike Fahey as well as offensive coordinator at the JV level for Carl Sandburg High School by Head Coach Dave Wierzal.

I have 10+ years experience playing football reaching multiple athletic scholarship offers from Division III programs. I made the final cuts for University of Iowa football program as a Walk-on.

In a typical 90 minute session for the ages of 9-14, my main focus will be footwork and technique.

(10-15 min) For every athlete, I will warm up with dynamic stretching. This involves movements that are proven to be more effective than static stretching (sitting and reaching). I will do some "band leaders" for the hamstrings, "butt-kickers" for the quads, "In-n-Out's" for the hip flexors, "high knees" for the calves, followed by some forwards and backwards form-running.

(20 min) Speed and Agility drills, a few examples of these are the three cone drill, the L cone drill, the long jump, 10 yard and 40 yard dash, finished with a positional explosion drill. For linemen, this would involve launching out of a 3 point stance. For running backs, it would be a directional movement from a 2 point stance.

(45 min) Position Specific: I can create a plan for any specific position. I will provide an example for quarterback on offense and linebacker on defense.

Quarterback - Start off by warming up arm from distances of 5,10,15, and 20 yards.
After this, I will start with stationary throws at different body angles to simulate in game throws. This is involves hip rotation movements to generate the maximum force on a throw.
Next will be dropbacks and drop steps for handoffs/pitches. All of these will be from the pocket. 3-step, 5-step, 7-step drop back and throw, and bucket step, veer step, for handoffs and pitch toss.
Route Tree- This is loosely based on all the potential routes a quarterback will learn to throw to. A couple examples are a hitch, out, fade, and hitch and go
Last, I will finish with 4-5 throws from what I determine to be max distance from a drop back throw. This is a marker to use each session and build upon.
Overall, the goal is to reach 80-100 throws during this session.

Linebacker
I will start off with lateral movement drills designed to prepare the athlete for in game movements. An example would be a shuffle drill where the athlete has to follow the ball in a directional pattern from the snap.
Form Tackling- on a dummy, in an effort to teach the best way to tackle. *This is the most important thing a young athlete can learn to avoid injury. I will not have the option to simulate live tackling, so slow and deliberate form dummy tackling is the best option available.*
Play reading drills- Simulation of running back and quarterback scenarios and how to defend them properly.

I will always end the session with a fun drill to teach periphery skills such as how to pick up a fumble, how to strip a running back of the football, catching punts/kickoffs, lateral tosses, etc. It is good to burn the last energy at the end :)