If you caught it Tuesday night, good for you..... but Tony Franklin busted out the old "Ninja" formation from the Kentucky air raid days (and used quite a bit by Mike Leach at Texas Tech). Though Leach credits Amherst College as running it in the early 80's, it didin't really catch on until being popularized in the early 90's by Florida (under Spurrier) and Evangel Christian Academy.
The formation is used much like the "swinging gate" series; to force defenses to waste precious time preparing for such an untraditional look. This unconventional approach can force defenders to process new information, hestitate, and have the offense easily exploiting any mental error.
Typically, the alignment has the widest receivers just inside the numbers with the tackle just inside of them. The slot receiver to either side will apex behind these two players. Everything else is handled just like regular Ace formation, nothing changes from the usual offense (save the split of the tackle).
The plays typically run out of Ninja are:
42/52 flash screens to the slot receiver
Shovel pass or QB run
Verticals (with F angle)
The less, the better. The less time spent "coaching" in Ninja, the more efficient it will be for the offense as it will be used as a game planning gimmick.
On the second play of their second series against Boise State, Franklin used a trips version of Ninja, to zone flash and let QB Ross Jenkins exploit the opening in the middle of the defense to gain a quick 7 yards (making it managable 3rd and 3).
Though they never went back to it, it wasn't necessary; Franklin's frantic attack against the Boise defense through tempo, formations, and personnel allowed LTU to fend off (keep off balance) the contending National Champions.
A formal statement came out from St James Park tonight regarding Chris Houghton's future at Newcastle United. Newcastle confirmed that Chris Houghton will remain in place as manager of the magpies until the end of the season and that his contract would be re-negotiated at this point.
But then...
Ashley sacks Houghton ?!?! This has to be the worst board decision in the history of the premier league...see my latest article
Chris Houghton - you will be rewarded by a good club with a clever chairman, hopefully with a club that will help send your old club down!
A glamour tie for the Geordies this evening as Arsenal made the trek to St James Park in the Carling Cup fourth round.
Wenger selected a decent team - one that you could see in the Premier League which I found refreshing. Why not - it's a day at Wembley for the fans...it potentially silverware that the Arsenal trophy cabinet could do with!
Arsenal assumed their normal fresh, one touch passing system in the first half as the home team managed to maintain rigidity in midfield and defence. Arsenal piled on quite a bit of pressure prior to the half time break and managed to put a corner in resulting in a goalkeeping blunder from rookie Tim Krul, who spilt a catch into his own net. Cruel, it could be said in the 45th minute but this seemed a fair reflection in the 1st half.
In the second half, Arsenal started brightly and managed to double their lead when Theo Walcott found himself in lots of space behind the back four with Nickolas Bendtner scampering out of the way from an offside position. Bendtner collided with one of the Newcastle central defenders and Walcott coolly slotted home past Krul for his 5th goal of the season. Fabio - get this lad back in our England 1st eleven!
Newcastle then brought on Andy Carroll and Enrique and this resulted in a decent spell of pressure lasting 10-15 minutes for the home side. They plugged away but Arsenal defended very well.
Fabregas came on towards the conclusion of this tie for run out but this proved completely academic. Bendtner too advantage of a Guthrie error and went on to smash a third in - great finish...worth a look on the highlights or Youtube. In the 85th minute, Ryan Taylor hit a great free kick stretching Szczesny to his absolute limit.
Walcott grabbed a second goal to make it 0-4 - flattering given the mid game spell that Newcastle United had but the Gunners took their chances well, with great on the break style away tactics.
As predicted this one did not dissapoint.. with no National Trophy race on and this event being a category A race so big points on offer the field was strong.
Dave (Ramsay) again was kind enough to support and this time friends Rich and Rob were racing too to sample the pain that is cross.
Pulling into the sports centre car park the Hope motorhome and Scott van gave a hint as to the quality of riders that were there.. the first rider we saw was Nick Craig.. a hard day was on the cards for sure.
The course was longer than the previous weeks but definately a more traditional cross feel to it.. alot of muddy grass with off camber stuff and necessary boards to dismount and jump.. not only that but the race was the full hour plus a lap.. a mere ten minutes more than I have been racing.
After the cold start to the day a few laps and I was down to short sleeves... first mistake of the day was leaving my waterbottle in the car so no mid race drinking for me:(
The start was gridded so there was already 2 lines of very fast riders in front of me before the usual scrabble for position... as the race started the rider in front of me managed to snap his chain on the first big push of the pedals meaning I was a little held up before I could start battling for position in the long sprint down the length of the main field before we dived onto the course.
The field was quite deep at around 90 riders... the first lap as always was a mess of ducking in and out of riders and fallers and making my way up the field... as the course looped around it was possible to see the lead riders come through after completing a short loop I was about to enter.. Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Team) had already after half a lap opened a sizeable gap.
The first lap saw a rider 4 or 5 places ahead of me slide out and putting down a hand promptly broke his wrist.. or I assume by the screaming that was the least he had done :(
This race was super tough.. as well as the wheel sucking grassy muddy sections there was towards the back of the course a horrendous headwind that made pedalling even downhill a big drain..
As always I was stuck in battle with a few riders and we swapped places as the race went on.. some riders were easier to drop than others... I saw Rich as he was riding in the opposite direction and he looked like he was enjoying himself as we exchanged encouragement.
Cyclocross is still very new to me so I am still getting to grips with bike set up and I was struggling on the off camber sections as my tyre pressure was way too high.. I had to pick a very careful line though these sections... I am getting better at handling the bike but I still have alot to learn.
The race unfortunately had lap boards so unlike usual I couldnt just bury myself till the last lap bell I actually new how many laps I had to ride.. with 2 laps to go I started to feel the pangs of hunger.. no energy drink and no food available there was no option to play a little safe and although I had was currently ahead of the 2 riders I had been battling with I had to leave it till the last straights before giving it all to secure the place.
I ended up with 20th .. the field was strong but I was still a little dissapointed.. I now realise the importance even in these short races of drinking and a gel before start.. bike set up needs to be spot on and my starting and handling needs alot of work.
I'm keen to progress in this discipline so will be working hard at it :)
No scheme or strategy will impact your program and team (next fall) than this "play" below, the clean.
Building core strength and explosive transfer of power (through ground-based movements) is the single-most important process in program building.
At a previous program, we brought in Palmer Chiropractic instructor and former Olympic Team coach, Dave Juehring, to properly train our athletes (and clinic our staff). It was probably one of the best things we ever did and allowed us to see dramatic athletic improvements in our players.
After enjoying the last round of the CXNE Cyclocross series I didn't need much persuading to attend the next round.
A local round this time at Whickham Thorns allowed us to enjoy a much more leisurely start to getting over there, as before Dave (Ramsay) was the means of transport and race support while I was there.
The course was great... another departure from the typical 'race around a field' style events I had come to associate with cyclocross.. a gravelly track took us to a sharp S bend into a few turns around some assault course obstacles then up and onto the bmx track.. fired off this into a field section with a few turns.. then an off camber slippy straight which saw you fishtailing your way down this... some steepish grassy descents.. a few flatout sections then the climb/run back to the top of the course.. tough but interesting enough.
The race start was temporarily delayed as the first and only casualty of the day.. an unlucky fall in practice... was scraped up off the bmx track and unfortunately sent to hospital... this led to a section of the track being removed but it didnt detratct from the appeal of the course.
The start was a typical flat our sprint down a field to a turn then back on ourselves before joining the course... I as before didn't get a great start and was back in the 20's by the time we entered the course.
I capitalised on every opportunity to jump a few places and snuck my way back up when any flat or climbing section allowed... Dave was doing well with the motivation and handing up my bottle everytime I needed it... makes a big difference.
One of the race favourites .. Steven Ward.. unluckily had snapped his lever on the first lap and I had seen him standing next to the track so it was a surprise when mid race he came barreling past me in full flight... really a league apart and showing me what I have to build to if I ever want to master this discipline.. He came past just as we got to where Dave was standing and although I was encouraged to hold Ward's wheel without the aid of a rope and grappling hook I had to let him go ( to eventually finish 3rd!!!).
I had settled nicely into the race and was involved in my own little battles... Dave letting me know I was holding good place and steadily creeping forward... Just as I though it must be nearly 50 minutes of racing I was caught by the race leader Tony Fawcett literally 20m before the line so although it then meant it was the bell/final lap and he had saved me an extra time round I really want to stay on the same lap as the leaders.
All in I managed to get a 10th place... a considerable improvement on the last outing and I know where I need to improve for the next.. the course was tough and saw 19 bikes retiring with snapped rear mechs/hangars.
Next is South Shields on Sunday with the promise that the Hope Factory team are turning up to school us should be an interesting day... I'm already eyeing up spare bikes and Dugast cross tubs.. Loving this Racing :)
More deatils on the results and the series are here CXNE
Champions League October 20th: Inter Milan vs Tottenham
The last time I was at the San Siro in a Spurs top it was during the dark days of Juande Ramos' reign and I was heckled by some fellow British tourists for languishing in the relegation zone. This evening it is a very different story as we take on Inter equal on points in the Champions League table. All the Lilywhites who have made the journey to this great stadium can wear their strips with pride as we are riding high in the Premiership and have shown great spirit and form in recent fixtures, particularly in our outing to Craven Cottage last weekend when we came from behind to claim all three points.
It is a shame that van der Vaart is suspended as he has proved to be a great signing for us and unfortunately Ledley King is injured and joins Defoe, Dawson, O'Hara and Woodgate in the sickbay. Hopefully Gallas and Kaboul will be available however. Additionally to give the game some extra spice both Crouchy and former Inter player Keano are both available to start and both have some personal demons to fight in the shape of demonstrating to Benitez how he hunder-rated them during their spells under him at Liverpool, which should play in Spurs' favour. Inter are also missing one of their strongest players - striker Diego Milito - but unfortunately for the away fans Samual Eto'o is likely to start and having already put 16 in the back of the net this season, he is at the top of his form and is to be feared.
Spurs fans are quick to point out that they were victorious in their last away encounter with a Benitez-managed team (2:1 last season at Anfield) but Inter fans would be just as eager to argue that Inter are just too strong at home for Spurs to pose a serious threat. Their last home defeat in this competition came in November 2008.
Contrary to popular belief Spurs have played in the San Siro before though, although we've never played against Inter. We managed a draw against AC Milan in the 1972 UEFA Cup semi-final, which got us through to the final against Wolves due to having won the home leg with 2 Steve Perryman goals. Carlo Cudicini's father actually played in goal for A.C!
Personally just as in 1972 I'd settle for an away draw and then we'll thrash them at White Hart fortress.
It's an amazing stadium, it's an amazing fixture ... COYS ... COYS
Chelsea are unstoppable and showed flexed their champions league muscle in Moscow tonight with a 2 nil win. Anelka bagged his 50th Chelsea goal and Carlo Ancelotti's side were not put off by the artificial surface. John Terry also got a chance to put the past in it's place as the last time they visited Moscow they were beaten by Manchster United in the final. Chelsea now top their group with 9 points.
Arsenal beat Shaktar Donetsk 5-1 at the Emirates stadium. Wenger will have been delighted that they could go in at half time 2-0 up with Song and Nasri on the goal sheet. Fabregas, Welshere and Chamakh all scored for the Gunners in the 2nd half with ex-Arsenal player Da Silva getting the consolation goal.
Just an update and example of Louisiana Tech under Sonny Dykes and Tony Franklin. Though struggling early in the season, they are getting in a rhythm with conference play and shouldn't be too terrible versus THE Boise State in their primetime Tuesday night (26 Oct) appearance on "The Deuce".
Running the 'Wild Dawg' out of various personnel sets, Franklin has done a nice job of late keeping the offensive momentum moving and defenses guessing, allowing QB Ross Jenkins some breathing room to run the offense.
Racing for me this year has been pretty hit and miss... after a mad start to the year i've just kind of mooched around.. occasionally making a vague attempt at training.. even less frequently putting a number on my bike.
I hadn't fallen out of love with riding.. in fact the exact opposite.. I got back to just riding for ridings sake.. when the weather was good i'd just spin down the local woods.. when friends were free we'd pack up and go a bit further.
Well this time away from training has really given me a renewed enthusiasm to get back on it 100%.
This mindset has coincided with the start of the cyclocross season, delivery of a new bike and the arrival of some pretty fancy race kit from Ryan at AYUP Lights.
First of all lets deal with the kit...
Ay Up lights were the first 'real' lights I rode and raced on over 3 years ago now.. they are exceptionally light (no pun intended) and really well made... I am really happy that they are going to be supporting me for 2011 as its a product I love.. If you spot me at a race come say hello.
The bike... taking full advantage of the Cycle 2 Work scheme I decided to build myself somethinf for the winter.. a Kinesis Decade Tripster.. a cross bike/fast tourer I built it up as the former with a good mix of 105 and Hope, added bonus with this bike is the disc brakes which should fare alot better when the cross season really gets muddy..
It needs a few tweaks but has already been in action.
Sunday saw the 3rd round of the North East Cyclo Cross races.. and the start of my Cyclo cross season attempt. As a self proclaimed endurance racer Cyclocross racing is as far removed from what I do as possible.. the racing is over an hour at best.. the starts rival a road race sprint finish and the courses are super short and favour big power riders... what is great about it is its low key... you turn up, you chat, you race, you taste blood, you finish .. I love it.. and every week I hope to be putting on a number and creeping up to the top 10.
The best addition to my Kinesis so far is courtesy of Jason Mahokey and XXC mag and I think sums up cross racing in a simple sentence...
Busy week this week...
Been asked to look at a new challenge for next year so training is being modified, meeting the Bearded Man in the Lake District friday to scout a route for an event organiser, hill climb saturday and then another stab at cross racing sunday..
Last year, we covered Nick Saban’s 1-high defensive principles, so its only fitting we review his 2-high concepts now. The bulk of understanding Saban’s philosophy resolves around digesting his vocabulary. This ‘vocabulary’ provides a comprehensive communication method for technique or concept that remains universal though his different sets.
With the propensity of 1-back attacks, and as illustrated with the 3-deep coverage series, a defense has to have a competent answer to the threat of 4-receiver vertical stretch (2x2 or 3x1 formations). This is why we see most every defense basing out of a 2-high coverage shell. This provides a comfort zone for defenses to match 2x2 formations and will illustrate why the 3-4 becomes a choice to achieve this balance (can adjust to two detached receivers to a side while keeping a 2-high coverage shell).
nothing wrong with being 2-deep
The easiest way to immerse yourself in his 2-high concepts is to start with Saban’s do-everything Cover 7. Cover 7 is man-to-man match quarters; 4-on-3 strongside / 3-on-2 weakside. At its most basic application, it is just a standard quarters defense. Each side will match according to the split of the formation and game plan. Because it can be adjusted in so many ways, the consistent 2-high shell can give a myriad of looks but remain constant before the snap.
TRIANGLE
To help digest this, its best to think of this in terms similar to the TCU coverage concept (with the exception of MOFO safeties). Away from the passing strength, you will have one receiver split, and at the most, two. This is referred to as the ‘triangle’ side, for the 3-on-2 apex the defense has (safety, corner, backer against a receiver and back). Typically, the dominant receiver will align as the passing strength (X).
With Cover 7, he can easily be accounted for in a few ways;
aggressive man-to-man with corner (“MEG”) or
double-coverage bracket between the corner and safety (“CONE”)
A “MEG” (technique) call will be made that declares the corner will man up with the #1 receiver wherever he goes (#1 will be matched by the corner).
A “CONE” call will double the single receiver much like how traditional quarters is played to the single-receiver side (if X is shallow, corner gains depth to his ¼ and safety constricts his deep middle ¼ ).
This leaves the #2 receiver or back-out as the only threat to be matched by the safety and backer (Will). The Will matches the fourth receiver (X,Y,Z are accounted for – so whoever becomes the 2nd receiver away from strength) or the 1st crosser (coming from the passing strength).
If second receiver aligns (outside the box) the Will adjusts and walks out to split the difference. Typically, if a second receiver shows to the ‘triangle side’, any “MEG” call would be adjusted to “MOD”, which simply has the corner playing off-man on the first receiver.
The “MOD” call declares that the corner will not take #1 on anything under 5 yards and will be anticipating some kind of 2-man China/Hi-Low concept from these two receivers (Will would now match #1 receiver short / corner would now match #2 receiver high). These adjustments can be called / declared by the safety, but more often used per game plan.
STRONG / PASSING NUMBERS
Believe it or not, that was actually the ‘hard part’. Quarters into the passing strength is actually quite simple, as it really is just standard quarters rules. With two receivers to the passing strength, you have the vertical stem of #2 being controlled by the deep safety, and any vertical by #1 being handled by the corner (unless in “MEG”). The SLB / Nickel will take the first receiver to the flat, the Mike will match the final #3. This should sound extremely similar to how pattern match coverage is introduced and used in 3-deep zone and fire-zone pressures.
The “MEG” / “MOD” adjustment is available to use on this side, as well. Why would you use this? Why wouldn’t you just hang back in standard quarters? Because the common weakness of quarters in the perimeter distance for the OLB to respond to. By modifying how the #1 receiver is played, you can remain in the same coverage with a minor tweak on the (standard) routes that will be used to attack quarters coverage (underneath). With a corner locking down the #1 receiver, it will become a 2-on-1 match between the OLB and deep safety.
A ton of examples of Cover 7 (with and with out meg/double meg)
*first clip features nickel sub with "leach" tag on the slot
Vs 3x1 Cover 7 can adjust to all formations, but what happens when faced with trips, as is common with most ‘spread’ or 1-back formations? The answer is, “ZEKE”, which is just a banjo matchup for the linebackers. We’ve seen this before with the Rip/Liz post on 3x1. It is essentially saying the outside linebacker takes the first out route, the inside linebacker will take the second out route.
The inside linebacker will take the first inside route, the outside linebacker will take the second inside route.
Away from trips, “MEG” will be played against any single receiver The Will matches man-to-man on any back release as the 4th receiver releases.
If the #4 receiver aligns as a slot (now a 2-man receiver threat is present), the “MEG” is off and adjusted to “MOD” technique by the corner.
If the #4 receiver flow strong (to the trips), then they will be playing ‘3 Buzz Mable’, which is just man-match banjo with the safety dropping into the hook area (and Will expanding as force player). This rule also applies to 2-back flow (both backs release to the strong side) action.
This post has been in the works for a while, but possibly more apropos after the Arkansas game where there was considerable controversy of ‘blown assignments’ regarding the Razorback’s first score. On paper, it actually wasn’t an impossible matchup; 2x2 matched with an even Cover 7 coverage, the field corner is man-to-man in MEG. It really became a 3 receiver flood, so the Will would've matched first outside (F), Mike would cut the crosser (Y) and with #2 shallow and away, the Sam would've dropped into the dig.
With having given a basic overview of Saban’s quarters coverage, it will provide context in which to gain understanding in how he handles slot formations (where the real tweaks in the scheme come from). I hope to be able to provide an addendum to this by going over Saban’s Cover 2 package, as well as other slot adjustments from 2-high.
Possibly, in the future we will explore his other coverages, but in the meantime, here are how he defines other zone coverages….
Cover 4 - is a 5 under / 2 deep (corner & free safety) against slot formations. Cover 2 – is 2 deep (free and strong safety) 5 underneath Cover 6 – is 3 deep 4 underneath with a weakside rotation Cover 8 – is quarter halves matched (strong side plays quarters / weak side plays cover 2) *cover 5 (man under 2 deep) *leach – 4 under 2 deep where the star (nickel) is man-to-man on the slot receiver
