A Big Kiwi Learns the Ropes!

(A Letter from a member of our Football Family in New Zealand)

Hello Dirk and Brian,

Here is a letter from William in relation to the Combine he also wanted to talk about the O-Line Camp ... I have some photos I'll e-mail them to you.

Dad please pass this on to Dirk ...

In December 2006 my Dad and I went to compete in the U.S Army All American Combine in San Antonio Texas. The best way for me to describe my experience there well, for a Kiwi this was like eating at Dairy Queen for the first time, it was just breath-taking. I mean the Alamo Dome was HUGE, and the atmosphere occupying it was phenomenal.

The Coaches there were awesome and the drills they setup were just as great, it was really "dog-eat-dog" out there. The seminars really helped me and gave me an idea on what I had to do if I ever wanted to take football even further. To hear what people were saying about College life, goal setting, weight training, health and nutrition as well as how to achieve and stay focused in the classroom, really helped to put things in perspective. I always knew that I had to work hard to succeed, my parents have always taught me that, but now I know HOW MUCH work I have to do.

I believe there were 600 boys participating at the Combine, we went from 1 on 1 drills to blocking techniques to footwork drills and eventually we got to the actual Combine Testing. Like I said earlier it was "dog eat dog" and to be honest if it wasn't for Coach Brian Derby and Coach Dirk Knudsen and the Brian Derby Offensive Lineman Camp that I attended in Oregon late July I would not of competed as well as I did.

The Brian Derby Offensive Lineman Camp was awesome, from the drills to the coaches "its all good". I really owe it to Coach Brian Derby and his coaching staff, they teach you what it's all about to be a linemen from run blocking to pass blocking they really drill it into you. And when Coach Derby teaches you, had better listen I learned this first hand.

Even though the Brain Derby Offensive Linemen Camp went for 5 days, they taught me more then enough, as I said, I really owe them one, hopefully I will be back there this July.

2006 was a great year for me, after meeting awesome people like Coach Derby and Coach Knudsen, and then going on to San Antonio a lot of "doors have opened". I just want to thank Coach Brian Derby, Coach Dirk Knudsen, as well as Chris Fetters from scout.com and definitely the LORD for making this all happen.

William Hodgman

(To our readers: William is a 6'5" 290 pound 16 year old Linemen of Samoan and Fijian Heritage that is making a big name for himself and a hard worker. We thank him for his kind comments)

--
Dirk T Knudsen
President
Re\Max Hall of Fame
503-799-8383 (Cell)
http://www.theknudsens.com
www.derbycamp.com

Zone Blocking Derby Style

Discussion of Zone Blocking Techniques with Coach Brian Derby:

Attached is a great article by Bob Davie about Zone Blocking.

Back in the early 80's we started to zone block in Hawaii when nobody else was doing it. The techniques we used back than are widely used today. I reviewed the article that Dirk sent me written by Bob Davie. It is right on.. He uses the term Tracks. That is our term! The Linemens feet get on tracks and work up field with a proper steps and technique. We also would always use the audible which allowed us to adjust to a defense that would load thinks up or stack things up on us. Zone blocking is effective in almost any offense. It is its own technique and not tied to any offense such as the Spread.

In my explanation ZONE blocking is 2 offensive linemen firing off the ball in unison creating movement on #1 the Down linemen, getting tremendous push up to #2 the LB. The linemen must be square, with short power steps and balance so you can come off to the LB with control. The personm that comes of to numbner two is the OL where the LB shows up. Remember! Movement on #1 is first and foremost. If you get tremendous movement and never block the LB, the double team(DL) will block him.

Here is the article by Bob Davie:

Football 101: Zone blocking http://espn.go.com/ncf/columns/davie/1440703.html



There are several keys to this technique:
1. The linemen stay hip to hip.
2. The linemen keep their shoulders square.
3. Most importantly, all four of their eyes are on the linebacker.
4. Knowing when and who takes over the defensive lineman and who leaves to block the linebacker. submitted by Dirk Knudsen

Training for Greatness: meet Bears All pro center Olin Kreutz and how he made it

This is a great article about Oahu native Olin Kreutz who anchors that super dominate Chicago Bears Offensive Line. Olin trains harder than almost anyone and has made himself into an All Pro Center through hard work and determination. Coach Derby had this to say about Olin and his training regimen which started with his modest family home gym:

"You don't go there to look at yourself in the mirror or you'll get your butt kicked," said Brian Derby, a former Hawaii coach who runs lineman clinics on the island and around the world. "If you want to be a pretty boy, put on your Speedo and go to the beach. Society is missing what George (Olin's Grandfather) instills. It's about discipline. You respect yourself because you're there to be the best you can. He teaches you to be a responsible, respectful person, but to not take [junk] from anyone and be one tough son of a [gun]."

Read more about this terrific player and what help make him what he is today:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060910/ai_n16722349

Granny throws to develop Explosive Power with Matt James

The Granny Throw with a medicine training ball is one of my favorite drills for linemen. Good for all athletes but this drill works the core like a Power lift but at the same time develops the ankles, Knees, and Hips. Getting those hips to release is crucial for linemen on both sides but especially O linemen. There is a great video of this at http://sparqtraining.com/videos/?p=601 and I have seen this work to develop players here in the NW. Pictured is Myles Wade, future Oregon Duck, at the Nike Combine at Eugene in 2006. Various weights of medicine balls can be used. A great drill to be done in three sets of ten.

Line Of Scrimmage Camp a Great One

For Those of you wanting a Camp for O'line and D'Line you will not find a better camp than the Line of Scrimmage Camp at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon. Coaches form a Dozen Colleges will be at this Camp and the opportunity to work with this group of talented bunch is almost without equal! Tim Bowman and Staff at Western Oregon run a tight ship, supply great food and rooms, and lay the instruction out perfectly. It is also a great thing that they get the boys get seen by multiple coaches who will get to know them on a first name basis!

Our Boys Konner Knudsen and Zach Kaahanui went to this Camp and have both said they "would not miss this camp under any circumstances!"

Follow this Link for More info. Do not miss this camp. Go to: http://www.wou.edu/~bowmant/los.htm#comments

JC Schools are a great option if you want to go Big!

If you are coming to the end of your High School experience and those big schools have shown interest but just can not commit to you; or if your grades or academics are holding you back you have a few options left.

You can sure go to a D2 or D3 school and if they are willing to pay for your schooling that might be your #1 option. Getting your education paid for in the end should be the #1 priority after actually getting your education. So if that is an option you should strongly recommend that. But if you still think you have what it takes and if qualified people out there are telling you that you should get your shot than you might want to consider a Junior College Program. This is a great way to get your education started and will prepare you for a 4 year College or University academically. This is also a great way to extend your football playing experience and learning. Junior Colleges are all over the country but the California and Arizona Leagues appear to be the most highly recruited. A Junior College can be a great place to get noticed and elevate your game. These leagues however are loaded with talent and not for everyone. Before you walk on to a big school or walk out on your football Career...look a good JC over. Here is a link to the list of all JC's in the US and their websites:

www.JCfootball.com

Willis Brock recommends Derby Camp

March 21, 2006

Dear Coach,

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Willie Brock. I was an All State offensive lineman at Jesuit High School in 1972. I was the Junior College All- American Center at Mt. Hood Community College in 1973. I played Guard and Center at The University of Colorado from 1974-1978. I played in the Astro Blue Bonnet Bowl and the Orange Bowl while in college. I was a draft selection in 1978 to the Kansas City Chiefs and played that season for the Detroit Lions.

I have been involved in a number of football camps over the years. I have never been more excited or impressed with the camp that has been brought to our area. It is the Brian Derby Offensive Line Camp. I worked with Brian last year at the inaugural camp. I was very impressed with the way Brian worked with the kids and his teaching philosophy. This camp would be very beneficial to you and your football team this year and for the years to come. I believe that the core of any football team starts with the play of the offensive line. This camp is a perfect fit for your offensive line to learn and have proper techniques reemphasized early in the summer so they can work on them throughout the summer and be prepared for the start of your camps and the season. I would strongly recommend this camp to your entire offensive line.

I will be working this camp again this summer with Brian and his staff. I hope to see your players participate in this year's camp and benefit from Brian's years of experience working with offensive lineman, exclusively. I wish each of you the best of luck in the upcoming season and hope you all achieve what you strive for.

The Growing Buzz about New Zealand's Will Hodgeman

A Year ago in the Spring of 2006 I got a call from a guy far away with a thick accent that said he was the dad of a young kid that was really something special. He was from New Zealand of all places. Ok so we talked about the usual. He was 15, 6'5" and 255 pounds... big for sure. The dad, Geoff, told me how young Will played on a team with his mates in New Zealand where there is a lot of Samoan and Fijian blood. He said that he was raw but that he was playing on a team with young men up to age 20-21. He was also the national champion in Judo. Well now you know my ears perk up because that can be a great combination for a linemen as it teaches balance and strength and great discipline.

So he wants to know if Will can come and stay with us and spend a week or so with us at the Oregon Derby Camps. So I say yes...kind of... "let me get back to you" was what I said. Brian and I talked and we agreed that we could spread the love and teachings and have him come up! So a few months later after hearing all about him from his pops we got a look. Well Will is deceptively heavy. he appears thin up top but no doubt those size 16's had some huge stumps on them. Will is 15 in this picture and is at least 2 inches above Brian who is still 6'2.5" anyway. So we teach him and he is raw for sure but he listens and learns fast. His feet are good and get off the ball really well. By the end of the week he is really improved and gets a Most Improved Camp Award. My Son Konner Knudsen tells me that Will's Punch on the O'line Pass Blocking Drills is awesome. "He stoned me so hard dad my ribs have bruisers in the shape of his palm!" There is that Judo Training!

Will went on to compete at the All Poly Combine in Utah and play at Hunter High School in Utah for a short stint of the 2006 season and earned a starting spot amongst some pretty tough kids. The coaches were sad to see him leave after his time ran out in Utah. But during our camp we introduced Will to Chris Fetters of Scout.com and Chris likes what he saw. This past month in Jan. 2006 Chris got Will invited to the Army All American Combine and he did very well and impressed a lot of Coaches in the one on one drills. By the way Will is now 290 pounds and is weight training almost every day. Next year Will is going to be a Junior and will likely come to Oregon as an exchange student. if he come he will no doubt find a great fit as a Student and an athlete. Oregon State University is now looking at him.

Will is a superb student, trains hard, loves to eat American Food, and is very respectful. But he does like to hit and enjoys finishing blocks. The fact that his dad reached out, that we were able to help, and that he got exposure for all of his attributes will help him to have success in HS and beyond. This as of now is a story in Mid Stream and we do not know the outcome but fair to say there are good examples here for parents and players alike. Be active, Network, train, learn from the best, use the gifts you have. Will is on a path that has been shaped by him, his family, and the network of people around him. If he continues on this road it will lead him where he wants to go and that is going to be the greatest reward for those that helped along the way! Best of Luck Will!

Hosei University Wins 2006 Koshien Bowl Championship

Coach Brian Derby, Michael Beazley, and Al Beaver travelled to Japan again in Late 2006 to prepare the Hosei University Team for another run at the National Championship. Their hard work paid off in a Game that saw them come out on top of Kwansei University in a Battle of wills. The Final Score was 45-43 in favor of Hosei giving them back to back championships! Coach Derby survived rain and a shot of lighting as well which went through his umbrella as well. The game was played before a screaming crowd of 60,000 Fans. Brian is pictured here with his Linemen from the 2005 Championship. These players have been coached by Brian and his fellow coaches now for 4 years and have really come into their own. Brian feels it may be possible that we will see an NFL PLayer or two come from Japan in the very near future. Best wishes to our players and friends in Japan!!

Myles Wade Plays in The Army All American 2006

Myles received and Offer to Play football for the Floriday Gators right after his appearance at the Army All American Game 2006. Myles has verballed to the Oregon Ducks and seems to be sticking to that decision. Myles was an outstanding Oregon Linemen this year and played for Central Catholic in Portland. That was a big honor Myles! We had a great time with you at the Camp in 2006 and will wish you well all the Way to Autzen Stadium. Remember...Pay it Forward!

Training European Style for Max results!! Something different.

Dude,

My name is Mark Mclaughlin and I own and operate Performance Training
Center www.ptconline.net in Beaverton, Oregon. I specialize in
preparing athletes for speed/strength sports like football,track and
field, basketball etc. Some athletes I have worked with over the past
three years include:

Eliot Vinzant WOU (Best athlete in the state of oregon hands down:
his current numbers are: 39VJ, 410BP, 550SQ, 28reps on 225lbs,
10'8"STLJ, box jump of 57.5" all at a bodyweight of 220lbs, he also
runs a 4.41 40yd electric)
Kevin Boss WOU
Jon Apgar WOU (he just signed with the LA Avengers in the Arena 1)
Owen Marecic
Dan Wagner

I had members of the Swedish World Cup and Olympic Bobsleigh team
come and spend a month with me last summer. In March I will be
hosting a seminar with three of the top coaches in the World, you can
find the details of it on the website.

You can e-mail me at ptc@integraonline.com

I look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,
Mark McLaughlin
Performance Training Center
503.351.1914

Antonio Danek

Antonio Danek; the hard working 6'6 inch 280 pounder from Portland's Central Catholic just committed to Northern Arizona University and also had offers from Weber State and Portland State. He worked very hard this year and we had a chance to work with him at Derby Camp 2006 and are very happy for him. Best of Luck in Flagstaff and get that engineering degree!