Watching NFL coaches film can be a great way to gain valuable insights about what’s happening on the football field. To understand the strategies, plays and rules of the game, studying coaches film can be the key to acquiring higher level knowledge. You can’t learn what’s happening during a game by just looking at the box score. To gain a deeper understanding, consider investing the time to watch NFL coaches film.
First, you need a platform on which to watch the films. The most popular platforms are NFL Game Pass or Youtube. You can easily access coaches film for the current season at both of these sites. YouTube also offers a great selection of film from archived seasons. You will need to have an internet connection and electronic device, like a laptop or computer, to watch the film.
Next, it’s important to understand how to identify important aspects of the game. Some of the key metrics you should be looking for include game and play calling, penalties, personnel, opponent tendencies, schemes, formations, play trends, directional tendencies and other analysis. Knowing the terminology will also help. For example, recognizing offensive plays like zone blocking schemes, vertical passing routes or understanding defensive play calls such as Cover 2 or 4, will give you a better understanding of what the coach is doing.
Once you’ve identified important aspects of the game, it’s time to watch the films. To make watching the coaches film more productive, watch several coaches film on the same team, over a period of time. Try to watch all of the coaches film back to back on the same team to recognize patterns. Focus on the small details within the plays and look for certain things, like if a defender is late in his reaction time, or if a receiver is struggling to get separation.
One of the great benefits of watching coaches film is the ability to recognize on-field situations in real time. Once you’ve watched enough plays, you’ll be able to recognize key indicators that tell you how a play will develop, even before the ball is snapped! Analyzing the small details within the film allows you to anticipate what the players on the field are about to do, giving you an advantage when watching the game live.
Another benefit of watching coaches film is the ability to break down the habits of players and teams. From pre-snap motion to the decisions of the quarterback, film can show you if there are particular habits or tendencies, allowing you to understand the flow of the game better. Maybe you’ll notice that a defensive linemen prefers to rush outside of the blockers, or that the wide receiver always takes the inside route on a go route. Knowing these details can help you recognize potential mismatches.
Finally, watching coaches film can teach you a thing or two about the history of the game. Watching film from decades ago can provide insight into how tactics have changed over time. Maybe you’ll notice modifications to pass protection schemes, or shifts in defensive terminology. Comparing and contrasting different coaching styles adds an interesting layer to the game. Plus, it’s just entertaining to watch some of the great coaches of the past.
Studying coaches film is an invaluable tool for anyone wishing to take their knowledge of the game to the next level. Whether you’re a fan, coach, player or a scout, watching NFL coaches film can benefit you greatly. So if you’re looking to gain insight on the game like the pros do, it may be time to break out the popcorn and immerse yourself in some coaches film.