I love the Wing-T Offense. So here's what I think about it.

I'll tell you a basic overview of how I view the Wing-T Offense. It's incredibly versatile, but there are some basic rules.

Then I'm going to give what I see as the advantages and disadvantages of running this type of scheme. 

If you're a Wing-T Guru, maybe you'll hear some things you agree with and some things you don't. 

For coaches who may not know a whole lot about the Wing-T, I hope this will spark you to learn a little more. 

There's a lot of myths about tackling. But the truth of coaching better tackling is much simpler.

I always hear coaches talking about violence. There's some misguided idea that if you don't lay the lumber you can't play defense. In reality, the whole goal of tackling is to get the man with the football on to the ground. 

He doesn't need to be hurt. We don't need cracked ribs, or snot bubbles (yes, a The Program reference). We just need him down on the ground, not gaining any more yards.

How do you make that happen? It's not some special sauce. You don't need to hire some tackling guru. I do like what I've seen of USA Football by the way, I just don't believe that alone could fix your tackling woes. 

The key to better tackling is to coach specifically what you want from your kids in a tackle. Build confidence in their own abilities to make a tackle. And then get some help for them. 

1 on 1 tackling is always going to be a tough job. The kids who carry the football are usually the best athletes on the field. If they weren't... well, they'd play more defense. But 3 on 1 is always good odds. 

By pursuing to the football, defeating blocks, and getting better with our reads and keys, tackling will automatically improve. More guys to the football means more chances to finish the tackle. 

It's a huge Mail Bag episode today! Plus a short interview with Coach Ricky Coon from Southeast Missouri State. 

Here's what's on the menu...

Big mailbag show. Dive in and find some good stuff. 

Are you getting all you can out of your practice time? Practices need to be geared toward winning football games.

Not looking at your practices that way? You're leaving something on the field. 

Listen to Episode 125 to find out...

And you'll learn about the latest Live Web Clinic from Joe Daniel Football! 

Coach Rob Patterson sat in with me for The Football Coaching Podcast in this episode. He's currently the JV Coach for Southern Lee High School in Sanford, NC. 

Coach Patterson has been on a path a lot of coaches want to know how to follow. He started coaching youth football when his son was playing. And he fell in love with it.

After many years of coaching, he's moved to the Middle School and now High School coaching ranks. And he's winning.

Rob is a Joe Daniel Football Insider member as well as a member of the 4-3 Defense eCourse. His youth team won their Pop Warner championship. He took his defense to the Middle School level and allowed just 8 ppg. 

Currently, he is coaching with the Junior Varsity at Southern Lee and also working in the box and as Quality Control for the Linebackers on the Varsity. 

Special Bonus: How To Build A Whiteboard, or... Why I Cannot Drive My Truck Right Now.