Category: Midline

Football Motivation: A Master Example

Navy Football team running on to the field carrying american flags. Football motivation at its best.
The service academies are steeped in college football tradition and it is still an awesome sight to see the Navy football team storm the field carrying American Flags. Photo from the U.S. Navy Flickr feed.

Football motivation. The idea is pervasive in football culture. There are videos, quotes, posters, and over 30 million results for the Google search. It’s also big on Twitter. There are also scholarly articles written on motivation and sport psychology.

Motivation is an integral aspect of any endeavor requiring hard work. This is especially true in the off-season. Players and coaches must be motivated to put in the work necessary to get better. This involves study and a great deal of training. It involves breaking down game film, learning from past mistakes and implementing new ideas. It involves hours in the weight room building strength and power. Then it requires many more hours on the track or in the gym to improve flexibility, speed and agility. All of this requires discipline and motivation.

Then there is also the emotional aspects of the game. Football and emotion are deeply entwined . We see this emotion on so many levels. It manifests itself in the passion of fans, in the joy of victory, and in the agony of defeat. We also see it at the close of each season, often with tears. Tears of joy after claiming  a title, or tears of grief when falling short of the goal. As such, it is possible to motivate by invoking emotion and inspiration. This is often done with music and narrative. Most of us have heard the great motivational speeches of Vince Lombardi and Knute Rockne. Many of us have also witnessed the effect of the music and voice overs in an NFL Films production.

So I want to showcase some of the best football motivational work I’ve seen. In my mind, the 2012 motivational campaign implemented by Navy’s football program is one of the most cohesive and effective I’ve seen. Plus they run the Flexbone, so as a coach of an option offense it is even more meaningful.  Navy released the following videos last spring and throughout the 2012 season. I’ve posted a few of them before, but wanted get them all up. The list includes a video entitled “The Journey,” a motivational video for each game, and a 15 minute highlight video for the 2012 season. Check them out and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Football Motivation Videos

Navy Football “The Journey” from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

2012 Friday Night Motivational vs Notre Dame from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

2012 Friday Night Motivational vs VMI from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

2012 Navy Football Motivational vs San Jose State from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

Navy Football Motivational 2012 vs Air Force from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

2012 Navy Football Motivational vs Central Michigan from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

Navy Football Motivational 2012 vs Indiana from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

Navy Football Motivational 2012 vs ECU from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

Navy Football Motivational 2012 vs FAU from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

2012 Friday Night Motivational vs Troy from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

2012 Friday Night Motivational vs Troy from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

2012 Navy Football Motivational vs Army from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

2012 Navy Football Motivational – ASU from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

2012 Navy Football Highlights from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

Option Quarterback: 10 Key Coaching Points

The option quarterback is the key component to an option football offensive scheme. His ability to make decisions within the context of the play directly affects the offenses ability to move the ball.  If the quarterback is unable to do this consistently, the offense will struggle to maintain any sustainability. Continue reading Option Quarterback: 10 Key Coaching Points

Option Football Mini Round Up…Motivation…GT to Big 10?

Three of the most notable option football teams in college football posted W’s yesterday while #2 Oregon lost, bringing its nation leading 13 game winning streak to an end.

Navy defeated Texas St. 21-10, GT was all over Duke 42-24, and Air Force knocked off Hawaii 21-7. Not a bad weekend for some of college football’s most popular option football teams.

Weekly Navy Motivational

And if you haven’t seen it yet, here is last weeks edition of the Navy Friday Night Motivational Video. I think I might start producing something like this for my teams using Hudl. I will look into doing a few practice runs in the off-season and post them.

2012 Friday Night Motivational vs Troy from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

Georgia Tech Rumor

I read an article today indicating a rumor that the Big 10 is eyeing GT. I’m still not sure what my opinion is on all the moving around lately within conferences, however, I can see why the Big 10 is interested in new teams.

So what are your thoughts on the Oregon loss and a world with Georgia Tech in the Big 10? Should I produce a Thursday Night Motivational video in prep for a weekly run next year?

Let me know what you think in the comments and as always, feel free to sign up for updates in the form on the right or by clicking here.

Option Football 2012!

College football camps across the country opened up this week and needless to say I’m excited. We also start fall camp at the high school level next week. Ready to do some work!

Anyway, I will be spending a lot of time watching and breaking down option football teams this fall. Be sure to check back regularly for updates.

Oregon Spring 2012

 

 

Welcome to the Optionfootball.net Blog

 

This is the beginning of a blog where football matters. Where option football is considered the best way to chew up yardage and score points. And where coaches and fans of the game share their thoughts and opinions.

I hope to provide a place where we can discuss the game of football, the option philosophy, and hopefully build a community where all feel welcome. With that in mind, here is a video from the Georgia Tech Football Blog that should help to build some excitement for the upcoming season and the great things I hope to do with this blog.

Featured Image by West Point Public Affairs