ACADEMIES

An Academy is a 4-week clinic designed to improve the football fundamentals of tackle football players during the offseason. Each academy is carefully designed to benefit specific positions on the field. Perfect for beginners who are entering their first year of tackle this fall, or experienced athletes who are preparing for the next level. Detailed descriptions of each academy are below. Still have questions? Please read our Academy FAQs. If you have questions about what academy is best for your athlete after reviewing the descriptions below, please email us at bufleague@gmail.com. Private lessons are available.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN. SPACE IS LIMITED.

FOOTBALL FUNDAMENTALS

Ages 5-7
Built for our younger athletes to teach them the correct way to play the game. Essential football fundamentals includes the core skill and techniques that every player should master to perform effectively on the field. A broad view of the offensive and defensive side of the ball will be presented.
- 2 and 3 point stance
- Tackling Techniques
- Blocking
- Running Back and Wide Receiver
Ages 5-7
Continuing the education from Football Fundamentals Academy, this Academy is built for our younger athletes of all skill levels designed to equip them with the fundamental techniques and knowledge required to excel on the football field. This Academy will focus on core skills such as footwork, tackling, blocking, ball handling, and football IQ, ensuring that participants have a solid foundation for success in the game.
- Football IQ; understanding the game through play recognition, defensive strategies & offensive formations
- Skill Development; passing, receiving, blocking, and tackling techniques
- Footwork & Agility; speed, agility, and balance drills
- Conditioning; build strength, endurance & flexibility while having fun
Ages 8-11
Built specifically for our younger female athletes to teach core skill and techniques that ever player should master to perform effectively on the field. A broad view of the offensive and defensive side of the ball will be presented.
- QB mechanics
- Route running
- Running Back footwork
- Flag Pull Drills

ACADEMY OF
SPEED

Ages 7-10
Led by certified trainers from Absolute Performance, this academy is designed for athletes that are looking to get a step up on their competition. Athletes will focus on enhancing athletic performance through specialized training in speed, quickness and agility.
- Acceleration
- Deceleration
- Change of Direction
- Reaction Time
- Coordination
- Plyometrics
Ages 11-15
Led by certified trainers from Absolute Performance, this academy is designed for athletes that are looking to get a step up on their competition. Athletes will focus on enhancing athletic performance through specialized training in speed, quickness and agility.
- Acceleration
- Deceleration
- Change of Direction
- Reaction Time
- Coordination
- Plyometrics

LINEMAN ACADEMIES

Ages 7-11
Focusing on teaching the foundational skills and techniques necessary for both offensive and defensive lineman.
- Offensive line stance Pass Vs. Run
- Defensive line stance Pass Vs. Run
- Hand Striking placement
- Rush techniques & shedding blocks
- Drills to improve lateral movement, quickness and overall footwork
Ages 12-15
Molded for offensive and defensive lineman who want to elevate their game to the next level. Athletes will hone their skills and technique while performing conditioning drills designed to increase their power, strength and stamina.
- Offensive line stance Pass Vs. Run
- Defensive line stance Pass Vs. Run
- Hand Striking placement
- Footwork
- Rush techniques & shedding blocks
- Explosive exercises including sled pushing/pulling, working with med balls and bands
Ages 7-10
Continuing the teachings of Trench Tactics, this Academy focuses on learning the essential skills and tactics of the offensive and defensive lines. This Academy focuses on the foundations of playing in the trenches, with an emphasis on proper technique.
- Offensive line techniques; stance, hand placement, run blocking, pass protection fundamentals
- Defensive line fundamentals; explosion off ball, tackling techniques, disengaging from blockers
- Drills to improve lateral movement, quickness and overall footwork
- Strategy; understanding the role of the line & developing the mentality necessary to grow into a successful lineman and dominate the trenches
Ages 11-15
Continuing the teachings of Elite Trench Tactics, this Academy focuses on mastering the essential skills and tactics of the offensive and defensive lines. This Academy will focus on the mental and physical aspects of playing in the trenches, with an emphasis on strength, technique and football IQ.
- Offensive line techniques;
  - stance & alignment, hand placement & strike techniques
  - run blocking schemes & drive blocking
  - pass protection fundamentals, footwork for quick movement & balance
- Defensive line fundamentals:
  - stance & explosion off the ball, disengaging from the blockers & rushing the passer
  - tackling techniques, gap control & defensive scheme awareness
  - key moves; swim, rip & bull rush
- Strength & conditioning
  - sled pushing/pulling, working with med balls and bands
- Mental toughness & strategy
  - reading offensive & defensive line shifts & understanding blocking schemes
  - developing a warrior mentality for competition in the trenches

DEFENSE ACADEMIES

Ages 11-15
Designed for linebackers & defensive backs looking to enhance performance at their position through advanced position-specific drills and footwork.
- Stance
- Reads
- Angles of pursuit
- Pass drop responsibilities
- Fundamentals of tackling
- Rush techniques
- Block destruction
Ages 11-15
Building off of Session One’s Elite Defense Academy, this Academy is designed for linebackers & defensive backs looking to enhance performance at their position through advanced position-specific drills and footwork.
- Defensive Alignment; Review defensive formations (4-3, 3-4, Nickel, Dime)
- Tackling fundamentals; head up, wrap up, tackle angles, tracking ball carrier
- Tackling drills; tackle dummies, ball carrier resistance, forcing fumbles
- Awareness & reaction; reading the offense, tackling in open space, turnovers
- Forced fumbles; strip tackles, rip moves, punch
- Lateral movement exercises & change of direction movements
- Reads & Block destruction
- Stance
Ages 7-10
Designed for athletes looking to improve their defensive skills through perfecting defensive footwork & tackling techniques. By focusing on head & shoulder placement, in addition to a proper power step, athletes will be well equipped with the knowledge to safely elevate their defensive game.
- Progressive tackling mechanics; including different types of tackles
- Thorough explanation about the importance of tackling safely through drills & repetition
- Lateral movement exercises & change of direction movements
- Footwork with speed ladders
Ages 7-10
Building off of Session One’s Defense & Tackling Academy, this Academy continues to focus on safe tackling while adding in situation awareness and progressive drills to elevate their defensive game.
- Keys to successful defense; discipline, communication, effort
- Tackling fundamentals; head up, wrap up, tackle angles, tracking ball carrier
- Tackling drills; tackle dummies, ball carrier resistance, forcing fumbles
- Awareness & reaction; reading the offense, tackling in open space, turnovers
- Safety; focusing on avoiding helmet-to-helmet contact and injuries
- Lateral movement exercises & change of direction movements
- Footwork with speed ladders
Ages 12-16
Built specifically for our female athletes looking to develop skills specifically for defensive in flag football. Linebackers & defensive backs looking to enhance performance at their position through advanced position-specific drills and footwork.
- Stance
- Reads
- Angles of pursuit
- Pass Drop Responsibilities
- Flag Pull Drills

OFFENSE ACADEMIES

Ages 6-10
Building off of Session One’s Offensive Skill Position Academy, the goal of this Academy is to keep things simple and engaging while focusing on the offensive fundamental skills of the game.
- Position, hole and gap identification
- Ball security; Proper ball grip, transition security drills, grip strength, ball security after catch
- Defense recognition; Introduce basic concepts of reading the defense for holes, lanes and cut scenarios
- Running game fundamentals: Importance of vision & following blocks
- Pass catching fundamentals; Proper hand placement and catching mechanics
- Teamwork & communication; Emphasize that offensive success relies on all positions working together
- Agility work; Lateral movement exercises & change of direction movements to improve upon footwork and athleticism
Ages 8-11
Focusing on developing the abilities of running backs and tight ends through a series of drills designed to teach the fundamentals necessary to succeed.
- Ball security drills
- Footwork & agility
- Route running
- Blocking techniques
- Catching techniques
- Versatility training
Ages 12-16
Designed for experienced running backs and tight ends. Focusing on skill development and game strategy through a series of position-specific drills designed to give your athlete a competitive advantage.
- Ball security drills
- Cutting & agility
- Route running; option routes, swing routes
- Blocking techniques; run and pass protection
- Catching techniques; high, low, contested
Ages 12-16
Designed for experienced running backs. Focusing on skill development and game strategy through a series of position-specific drills designed to give your athlete a competitive advantage.
- Mindset
- Ball security drills
- Cutting & agility
- Jump cut
- Stiff arm
Ages 12-16
Designed for experienced tight ends. Focusing on skill development and game strategy through a series of position-specific drills designed to give your athlete a competitive advantage. Led by University at Buffalo Tight-End standout Coach C.
- Route running; option routes, swing routes
- Blocking techniques; run and pass protection
- Catching techniques; high, low, contested

QUARTERBACK
ACADEMIES

Ages 7-11
A specialized training program designed to develop the skills and knowledge of aspiring quarterbacks. Created to build a foundation of quarterback fundamentals with in-depth coaching and a variety drills. Run simultaneously with our Wide Receiver Academy, athletes will have the opportunity to take live reps during each session.
- Throwing mechanics
- Ball handling and Grip
- Proper Footwork
Ages 12-15
Designed for our older quarterbacks who already have a foundation of quarterback fundamentals. This class will take an extensive look at the QB position through more detailed drills and coaching. Run simultaneously with our Elite Wide Receiver Academy, athletes will increase their vision and accuracy by taking live reps through game-like situational drills.
- Throwing mechanics
- Ball handling and Grip Strength
- Proper Footwork
- Coverage Identification
Ages 12-18
A specialized training program designed to empower female athletes who want to excel in the quarterback position. . Athletes will refine their skills through targeted drills, while increasing their confidence through live reps with quarterbacks from our Girls Quarterback Academy.
- Throwing mechanics
- Ball handling and Grip Strength
- Proper Footwork
- Coverage Identification

WIDE RECEIVER ACADEMIES

Ages 7-11
Designed to teach your athlete the skills necessary to reach their potential at the wide receiver position through repetition and detailed instruction. Run simultaneously with the Quarterback Academy, athletes will have the opportunity to take live reps during each session
- Ball Skills
- Footwork
- Release Techniques
- Stalk Blocking
Ages 12-15
Designed for experienced wide receivers to enhance your athlete’s performance while preparing them for higher levels of competition. Athletes will refine their skills through targeted drills, while increasing their confidence through live reps with quarterbacks from our Quarterback Academy.
- Ball Skills
- Route Mechanics
- Release Techniques
- Stalk Blocking
Ages 12-18
Designed to teach your athlete the skills necessary to reach their potential at the wide receiver position through repetition and detailed instruction.
- Ball Skills
- Route Mechanics
- Release Techniques
- Flag Football Blocking