O Line Skills

One of our assistant coaches recently reviewed our training camp practice schedule and suggested shortening two of our 10-minute receiving periods that focus on body positioning before and after the catch. His thought was simple: reduce each period to five minutes and use the extra time for another drill.

First, I’ve worked hard to create an environment where every coach has ownership and feels comfortable offering ideas. I’ve seen staffs where intimidating leadership stifles initiative, and as a result, great perspectives never get shared. Second, his question was a good one. There is, however, a deliberate reason those periods remain exactly as they are.

Repetition can feel mundane, even redundant. But if we expect players to execute a technique instinctively on Friday nights, they must perform it enough times in practice that it becomes second nature. Muscle memory is not built through constant variety; it is built through purposeful repetition. Once fundamental movement patterns become automatic, we can layer on additional techniques, decision-making, and game-like variables.

As Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.” That progression applies directly to football. Players cannot be expected to make difficult, split-second plays under pressure if they have not first mastered the underlying fundamentals through disciplined repetition.

OTAs and training camp are our teaching seasons. This is when we install techniques, establish habits, and build the muscle memory that allows players to perform confidently at game speed. Once the season begins, practice time shifts toward preparing for a specific opponent, leaving far less opportunity for fundamental instruction.

Our objective during camp is not simply to expose players to as many drills as possible. It is to ensure they master the techniques that will consistently show up on Friday nights. That requires intentional repetition—even when it feels repetitive.

My Marine Corps friends tell me they think of training as a way to create a natural reaction to a given set of circumstances, and education serves as a process for thinking and making decisions when new conditions or circumstances present. The best teams don’t execute fundamentals because they’re thinking about them. They execute fundamentals because they’ve practiced them so many times that they no longer have to.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time! 

We wrap up Week 5 of our OTAs with just two weeks remaining before our 7-on-7 Tournament, Strongman Competition, and Offensive Line Challenge.

Over the past five weeks, I missed two OTA sessions—one for a family wedding and another while recovering from knee replacement surgery. At first glance, a head coach being absent from training might seem like a leadership void. Instead, those absences created opportunities for other leaders to step forward.

We often talk to our players about having a “next man up” mentality when a teammate is sidelined by injury. The same principle applies to coaches. When one person is unavailable, someone else has the opportunity—and the responsibility—to lead.

As I continue my recovery, simply moving from the field for speed and agility work, to the weight room for strength training, and back to the field for football drills has been more exhausting than I expected. As a result, I’ve spent more time observing than directing. That perspective has allowed me to watch our coaches teach, encourage, and connect with our players in ways I might have otherwise missed. It has been rewarding to see each of them grow in confidence, embrace greater responsibility, and take ownership of our program.

Leadership is not about one person filling every role. Strong programs are built when many people are prepared to lead. Sometimes what first appears to be a void is actually an opportunity—for others to step forward, for a team to grow, and for everyone to become stronger together.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time! 

Consistency is one of the cornerstones of our program. Every workout, every practice, and every opportunity to improve matters. Progress is built through repeated effort over time. But just as consistency matters, so does perspective.

This year, we’ve decided not to hold a training session on Friday, July 3, allowing our athletes and their families to enjoy an extended holiday weekend celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

One workout, while valuable, will not determine an athlete’s physical development or the overall progress of our team. Strength, conditioning, skill, and chemistry are built over weeks and months of disciplined, consistent work—not in a single session. Our success comes from the habits we establish together over time, not from any one isolated practice.

In fact, taking a day off at this point in our offseason may be exactly what our athletes need. We’re roughly halfway through our summer training schedule, making this an ideal opportunity to recharge both physically and mentally. Recovery is an essential part of improvement. Muscles adapt during rest. Minds reset when given the chance to step away. Athletes often return with renewed energy, sharper focus, and a greater appreciation for the work still ahead.

Just as importantly, this decision recognizes something bigger than football. Our athletes have families who make tremendous sacrifices throughout the year—adjusting schedules, providing transportation, attending practices and games, and offering constant encouragement. Holidays give us an opportunity to slow down, spend time together, and create memories that will last far longer than any single workout ever could.

The values we strive to develop in our program—commitment, discipline, teamwork, and character—extend well beyond the football field. Taking time to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday with family and friends reflects those values as much as any workout does. Football is important, but it should never come at the expense of appreciating the people and principles that make the game worthwhile.

When we return after the holiday weekend, we’ll get right back to work with the same focus, energy, and intensity that have defined our offseason. One day away won’t set us back. If anything, it will remind us why we’re so eager to come back together on Monday.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time! 

Football is not for everyone, and that is okay.

Football is hard. It requires a level of commitment that most other sports do not, and tests each of us in surprising ways. One example is summer workouts; while they may come with the expectation of physical challenges, they also pose mental/emotional ones. One expectation comes from the realization that your teammates depend on you. ESPN and Hollywood movies provide countless examples of team dynamics and teammates’ expectations, yet in many ways, our own ideal of what we could be at our very best is the most daunting example of all. Integrity, discipline, accountability, and a willingness to do the right, often hard thing, when the easy is in reach, and no one is watching.

For those who choose football, however, it’s the very challenge that is often so rewarding. The lessons learned through adversity, teamwork, perseverance, and commitment extend far beyond the playing field.

A football program should never apologize for being demanding. The standards should be high. Over four decades of playing and coaching, I’ve found teams rise to meet high standards time and again. At the same time, coaches are often challenged to balance between building a competitive program and keeping the door open for multi-sport athletes and families who wish to take vacations during the summer months.

The reality is that successful football teams are usually built through consistent offseason development. Strength, speed, and football-specific skills improve dramatically when athletes train year-round. At the same time, if participation requires too much commitment too early, some potential players may decide not to play at all.

The opportunities are available for those who want to maximize their development, but we welcome all athletes. We would rather have a student play football and attend some workouts than not play football because they feel they cannot attend every workout. Such a philosophy is part of our culture, and I’d like to think it’s played a role in our long term success.

For high school programs, especially in smaller communities, participation numbers matter. Coaches must create an environment where the most dedicated athletes can pursue excellence while ensuring that new players do not feel excluded because they cannot commit to every offseason activity.

The goal should be to make football accessible while making improvement available. Those are not always the same thing, but the best programs find a way to accomplish both.

As is anything of value… Football is hard. That is precisely why it has the power to change lives.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time! 

In a world of material abundance, thoughtful gifts create emotional richness.

During graduation weekend, one of our international students and football players stopped by my office with his mother, whom I had met once before on Senior Day during the football season. As we visited, she presented me with a beautifully wrapped gift. Inside was one of the most thoughtful presents I have ever received.

It was a traditional Chinese dough figurine crafted in my likeness.

Made from a mixture of flour, glutinous rice flour, and natural pigments, dough figurine making is a folk art that master craftsmen once practiced throughout the Hutong neighborhoods of China. Today, this centuries-old tradition is rarely seen outside of temple fairs and cultural exhibitions, making the gift even more meaningful.

The process itself is remarkably intricate. The artist shapes the dough through a combination of rubbing, pinching, and pressing around a small stick. Using simple tools such as a knife, thread, and toothpick, every detail is carefully refined until the figure comes to life. Accompanying the figurine was the original photograph from which it was created, along with a card explaining the rich history and cultural significance of the art form.

What made the gift so special, however, was not simply the craftsmanship. It was what the figurine represented.

It was a beautiful blend of personal memory and cultural heritage. It captured a joyful moment shared with a young man who arrived at our school having never played football. Despite his lack of experience, he made a tremendous impact on our program through his selflessness, relentless work ethic, and consistently positive attitude.

As educators and coaches, we hope the lessons we teach leave a lasting impression on our students. Every now and then, however, a student leaves an equally lasting impression on us.

This gift serves as a daily reminder of the relationships that make our profession so rewarding and of the unique perspectives students from around the world bring to our community. It is a reminder that growth is never a one-way exchange. While coaches and teachers help shape the lives of their students, our students often shape us as well.

Receiving such a gift reinforces a simple truth: the best presents are not measured by their cost or rarity, but by the meaning they carry. They speak without words and continue telling their story long after the moment of giving has passed.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time! 

We had more than 100 people on the turf at St. Johnsbury Academy this past Sunday for the Vermont Alercio O-Line Clinic. Throughout the morning, we had a lively combination of players participating and high school and college coaches observing.

Two of those coaches, Collin Quinn from Minnesota and Drew Pearson from Arizona, contacted me earlier in the week to ask if they could fly in and observe the clinic. I am very glad they did.

After the four-hour clinic concluded, we made plans to meet later that day in my office. During our 2½-hour conversation, Collin mentioned how impressed he was with the communication displayed by our St. Johnsbury Academy offensive line before the snap. Specifically, he noted the way our players consistently communicate protections, fronts, and assignments at the line of scrimmage.

Collin compared what he observed to a concept James Clear discusses in his book Atomic Habits. In Chapter 4, Clear references the Japanese railway system’s “Pointing-and-Calling” safety technique to illustrate the power of making unconscious habits conscious.

Train operators and platform staff perform a deliberate routine in which they physically point to important objects and verbally state their observations aloud.

Approaching a signal: The operator points at it and says, “Signal is green.”

Pulling into a station: The operator points at the speedometer and calls out the exact speed.

Departure: The operator points at the timetable and calls out the time.

On the platform: Staff point along the edge of the platform and declare, “All clear!”

According to Clear, this simple ritual is remarkably effective for three reasons:

Conscious Awareness: It elevates routine actions from an automatic habit to a conscious decision.

Brain Engagement: It forces the brain to process information more deeply by engaging multiple senses simultaneously—vision, hearing, speech, and physical movement.

Fewer Mistakes: By anchoring behavior to a vocal cue, the railway system reduced operator errors by 85 percent and train mishaps by 30 percent.

Collin’s observation was that our offensive line operates in a very similar manner. By constantly identifying fronts, declaring calls, confirming assignments, and communicating adjustments before the snap, our players are doing more than simply talking. They are actively processing information, creating accountability, and ensuring that all five players see the same picture. In many ways, they are using football’s version of Pointing-and-Calling.

As coaches, we often focus on physical technique, but Sunday’s conversation was a reminder that elite execution begins with communication. The more our players verbalize what they see and what they are responsible for, the more likely they are to play fast, play confidently, and avoid costly mistakes.

What struck me most was that this observation came from coaches who had just spent four hours watching our players work. Of all the techniques, drills, and schemes they could have discussed, they kept coming back to communication. That speaks volumes about the growth, maturity, and attention to detail demonstrated by our offensive line.

As we wrapped up our time together, Collin and Drew had one final question:

“Can we pray for you and your family?”

We concluded our session in prayer. It was a fitting end to a day that had begun with football and coaching but evolved into something much more meaningful.

While I appreciated their observations about offensive line play and communication, I was even more grateful for the opportunity to spend time with two men who share a commitment to developing young people, building relationships, and living out their faith.

Sunday’s clinic reinforced a lesson that extends far beyond football. When people come together with a shared purpose, meaningful conversations often follow. And sometimes, those conversations become lasting friendships.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time! 

When my friend, former player, and host of our South Jersey O-Line Clinic, shared my post about the upcoming Alercio O-Line Clinic, he wrote, “The cost is ridiculously inexpensive for some of the best instruction you will get at a clinic.” It was a sentiment my wife wholeheartedly agreed with. She often reminds me that most one-day clinics cost twice what we charge.

Many years ago, I had the privilege of hearing motivational speaker Zig Ziglar speak. One of the principles he shared has stayed with me ever since: “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

That philosophy has helped shape our approach to this clinic. By keeping the cost affordable, we can make quality instruction accessible to more players and families. In doing so, we create opportunities to help young athletes develop their skills, build confidence, and move closer to achieving their goals both on and off the field.

That’s what the Alercio O-Line Clinic has been about for the past 25 years. It has never been about profits or publicity. It has always been about sharing knowledge, serving others, and creating opportunities for players to become the best version of themselves. Along the way, we have been fortunate to impact the lives of thousands of athletes, coaches, and families.

The final clinic of our 2026 season will be held this Sunday, June 7, at St. Johnsbury Academy from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

If you are a player who wants to improve your technique, gain confidence, and learn from coaches who are passionate about teaching the game, we would love to have you join us. If you are a coach, come learn alongside us. Every clinic teaches us something new, and coaches (whether they bring players or not) always attend for free!

Whether you are preparing for next season, competing for a starting position, or simply looking to become a better football player, opportunities to learn are everywhere—but they only matter if you take advantage of them. Invest in yourself. Invest in your Team!

We hope to see you on Sunday.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time! 

While most students spent Spring break week relaxing, St. Johnsbury Academy’s Grady Davis spent his serving others halfway around the world.

A two-way starting offensive and defensive lineman, Grady traveled to the Ayisatu Owen School in Techiman, Ghana, where he introduced 35 sixth-grade students to the game he loves: football.

Originally scheduled to teach from 8:00–10:00 a.m. to avoid the intense heat, Grady was given just three days to prepare the students for a flag football game. What began as a short introduction quickly became something much bigger.

The kids had so much fun that a fourth day was added. By then, the excitement had spread throughout the school, drawing teachers out of their classrooms to watch and cheer. On the fifth day, some teachers even joined in to play.

Grady left Ghana exhausted, but proud of what had been accomplished in less than a week. Many of the students had never even seen a football before, yet by the end of the week, they were learning, competing, and fully embracing the game. Teachers shared plans to continue the activity and even use YouTube videos to help the students keep learning.

Grady made a lasting impact on that community, not because of how different he may have appeared, but because by sharing and serving, he gave those kids an experience they otherwise never would have had: the opportunity to hold a football, learn the game, and be part of something entirely new.

Outstanding work representing St. Johnsbury Academy both on and off the field, Grady.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time! 

Every April, around the time of the NFL Draft, our coaching staff takes part in an exercise that has become a tradition within our program.

We put on our General Manager hats and conduct our own team draft.

This year was no different.

Coaches were handed the roster in alphabetical order and asked one simple question:

“If you had to draft your own team, who would you take first?”

Then came the next pick. And the next. And the next — until every player on the roster had been selected, including the final pick, who we certainly do not refer to as “Mr. Irrelevant.” Brock Purdy taught the football world an important lesson there.

What makes this exercise valuable is how quickly it exposes the true state of your roster.

Faster than combine numbers, offseason workouts, or even depth chart meetings, you discover something important: coaches do not simply draft the most talented players first.

They draft the players they trust most to help win games.

For me, I want players who practice and play with energy, effort, and enthusiasm while consistently demonstrating intelligence, toughness, and a strong work ethic. Talent may get a player noticed, but those other traits are what get players drafted early.

Your first 10–15 selections usually reveal the culture of your team.

Those are often your experienced players, projected starters, and the athletes who best represent your program. They possess both the measurable and immeasurable qualities every coach covets.

The next 10–15 players typically reveal your depth.

These are developing players who may be called upon at any moment. Most are fully bought into the culture, but may still be growing physically, technically, or mentally.

The remainder of the roster generally falls into one of two categories: prospects or problems.

The prospects are players who are still developing — new to the culture, the game, or the weight room.

The problems are players who have not yet fully committed to the standards and expectations of the program.

That is where difficult conversations sometimes begin.

Coaches cannot continue investing in players who refuse to invest in the team.

I often remind our staff not to focus on what they think, feel, or hope about a player, but rather on what they consistently witness.

Deal in certainty, not potential.

Interestingly, while we do not draft by position, positional value naturally reveals itself during the exercise. Quarterbacks tend to rise because the offense runs through them and they touch the football on every play. Offensive and defensive linemen climb draft boards because games are still won in the trenches.

We never reveal the results of the draft to the players, but it is important they understand the philosophy behind how they are evaluated. Ultimately, those same principles will shape the first depth chart posted at the conclusion of Week One of Training Camp.

The ultimate goal is to build a roster where coaches struggle to separate players because so many possess the measurable and immeasurable traits that winning programs are built upon.

Football is not simply about collecting talent.

It is about building a team full of players every coach would confidently draft.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time! 

Another trip to New Jersey and another outstanding clinic.

As we were setting up for this Sunday’s Alercio O-Line Clinic at West Orange High School, I noticed New Jersey Hall of Fame Coach and 2003 National Coach of the Year, Don Smolyn, leaning quietly against the fence.

And I found myself thinking: Why would a retired Hall of Fame coach—with 348 wins across 45 seasons—spend a Sunday morning standing at an offensive line clinic in May?

Then the answer became obvious.

Maybe that’s exactly why he became a Hall of Fame coach in the first place.

While others might believe they’ve seen enough, learned enough, or accomplished enough, Coach Smolyn was still searching for more. Still listening. Still studying. Still learning.

As I addressed the players gathered in the bleachers, I glanced toward the top row and saw him there—locked in, taking notes, capturing details.

Once we moved onto the field, I invited him down to join us. He politely declined and explained that he preferred staying high in the stands so he could better see and hear everything from his vantage point above the field.

Think about that for a moment.

After decades of success, recognition, and achievement… he still approached the game as a student.

That’s the lesson.

Greatness is rarely built on talent alone. Talent may open doors, but sustained success is built on humility, curiosity, and the willingness to keep learning long after others stop.

The best coaches I’ve been around all seem to share that trait. They never arrive at the point where they believe they have everything figured out. They continue asking questions. They continue observing. They continue searching for better ways to teach, communicate, and develop young athletes.

Football constantly evolves. Techniques evolve. Defensive structures evolve. Training methods evolve. The coaches who continue to grow are usually the ones willing to remain uncomfortable enough to keep learning.

That mindset extends far beyond football.

Whether you’re coaching offensive line play, leading a business, teaching in a classroom, or raising a family, the willingness to stay curious matters. The moment we believe we already know everything is often the moment growth begins to slow.

Sunday’s clinic was another reminder that the true masters of any craft are often the ones humble enough to remain students of it.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!