Usa Football Coach And Coordinator Podcast

In this episode of Game Planning Tips, presented by Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation, Coach Keith Grabowski highlights three key areas that shape every successful game plan: Offense: How to script your openers and plan your “firsts” for key moments. Defense: How to build a smarter pressure plan using self-scouting and sequencing. Special Teams: How mission clarity and innovative teaching tools drive execution and energy. Through insights from top coaches — Brian Michalowski (Oregon) and Ben Kotwica (Los Angeles Rams) — this episode gives you a framework for preparing your team with intent and precision. 1. Openers and Firsts – Keith Grabowski The first 10–15 plays are more than a start. They’re an opportunity to gather defensive information, establish rhythm, and make pressure-free decisions. Keith explains how scripting and preplanning key “firsts” (like first-and-five or first after a turnover) create consistency and confidence on game day. 2. Creating a Pressure Plan – Brian Michal