Below are some of the common coaching positions and terms.
Head Coach:The main coach of the team and responsible for all football functions. Many times the head coach oversees the assistant coaches and their duties as they coach each part of the team.
Assistant Coach:A coach that aides the head coach. There are many different assistant coaches on a team. Depending on what level the team is (High School, College or Pro) there are more coaches.
Offensive Coordinator:The coach that runs the offense. He usually calls the plays for the offense.
Defensive Coordinator:The coach that runs the defense. He has to know all the defensive positions and work with the other defensive coaches. He usually calls the defensive signals and formations.
Offensive Line Coach:The coach that works with the offensive linemen. He watches these players to see if they are blocking the right players.
Defensive Line Coach:The coach that works with the defensive linemen. He watches them to see if they are in the right places and trying to tackle properly.
Secondary Coach:This coach works with defensive backs. He watches for pass coverage and what the offensive receivers are trying to do.
Offensive Backs Coach:This coach works with the all the runningbacks. He makes sure they are in the right place and running the right plays.
Receivers Coach: This coach works with the wide receivers and tight ends. He helps them run the right patterns and block the secondary people.
Quarterback Coach:The coach that works with the quarterbacks. He sometimes is the offensive coordinator or backs coach too. He tells the quarterback how to throw, use his feet and read defenses.
Line Backer Coach:A coach that works with the linebackers. He has to work with them on stopping the run and pass.
Special Teams Coach:The coach that works with the kickers, punters, coverage teams and return teams.
Coach's Box:This is where some of the assistant coaches watch the game from. They have telephones to talk to the bench and the other coaches.
Two-a-day's:This is the term for two practices a day. Teams do this early in the first two or three weeks of the season to get ready.
Skeleton Drill: A drill that is used to practice the passing game. There are no linemen involved, just offensive and defensive backs and receivers.
Half Line Drill:A drill using only half of the offensive line, either the right or left. Teams practice plays to that side of the field.
Scrimmage:A full speed, full pad practice in gamelike conditions. This is a way to see how the offense and defense are doing.
Scouting:Watching the opponent and what offenses and defenses they run. Coaches prepare to play another team by scouting them either on tape or watching them play live.
Film Session:Coaches use film to check on performance and to scout opponents.
Full Pads:Practice with all the required pads. Once the season is going along, coaches don't practice with full pads all the time. They may go two days a week. This saves on the physical condition of the players.
Spring Practice:This is a practice colleges use in the spring to work on plays, check out new players and get ready for the fall. There is usually a spring game against each other at the end of spring practice.
Spring Game:The game that colleges play against each other or intrasquad at the end of spring drills. Coaches play first team against second team. They can check on the progress of young players and work on all aspects to the game.
Recruiting:The process college coaches use to enroll new players to their school and team. Coaches evaluate high school players on their talent and try to get them to play for their school.