Jay Norvell - Complete Wide Receiver

Jay Norvell

Human Kinetics

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Norvell, Jay, 1963

Complete wide receiver / Jay Norvell.

p. cm.

1. Wide receivers (Football)--Training of. 2. Football--Offense. I. Title.

GV951.25.N67 2012

796.3322--dc23

2012021306

ISBN-10: 1-4504-2455-4 (print)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4504-2455-4 (print)

Copyright 2013 by Jay Norvell

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Acquisitions Editor: Justin Klug

Developmental Editor: Cynthia McEntire

Assistant Editor: Elizabeth Evans

Copyeditor: Pat Connolly

Permissions Manager: Martha Gullo

Graphic Designer: Nancy Rasmus

Graphic Artist: Julie Denzer

Cover Designer: Keith Blomberg

Photograph (cover): John Sommers/Icon SMI

Photographs (interior): Neil Bernstein

Visual Production Assistant: Joyce Brumfield

Photo Production Manager: Jason Allen

Art Manager: Kelly Hendren

Associate Art Manager: Alan L. Wilborn

Illustrations: Tammy Page

Printer: United Graphics

Human Kinetics books are available at special discounts for bulk purchase. Special editions or book excerpts can also be created to specification. For details, contact the Special Sales Manager at Human Kinetics.

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The paper in this book is certified under a sustainable forestry program.

Human Kinetics

Website: www.HumanKinetics.com

United States: Human Kinetics

P.O. Box 5076

Champaign, IL 61825-5076

800-747-4457

e-mail: humank@hkusa.com

Canada: Human Kinetics

475 Devonshire Road Unit 100

Windsor, ON N8Y 2L5

800-465-7301 (in Canada only)

e-mail: info@hkcanada.com

Europe: Human Kinetics

107 Bradford Road

Stanningley

Leeds LS28 6AT, United Kingdom

+44 (0) 113 255 5665

e-mail: hk@hkeurope.com

Australia: Human Kinetics

57A Price Avenue

Lower Mitcham, South Australia 5062

08 8372 0999

e-mail: info@hkaustralia.com

New Zealand: Human Kinetics

P.O. Box 80

Torrens Park, South Australia 5062

0800 222 062

e-mail: info@hknewzealand.com

E5675

Complete Wide Receiver

Jay Norvell

During my four seasons as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, from 1998 to 2001,

I had the pleasure of working with Jay Norvell, who did a great job of coaching our wide receivers. I did not know Jay before we hired him, but he was very impressive in his interview and his recommendations were outstanding. We drafted Peyton Manning in 1998, and with the input of offensive coordinator Tom Moore, Jay Norvell, the other offensive coaches, and some good players, we were able to develop one of the most prolific passing attacks in the NFL.

Jay has extensive experience coaching wide receivers at both the college and NFL levels. At Indianapolis he coached future Hall-of-Famers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Both were 6 feet tall but Harrison was slightly built weighing about 180 and very fast, running a 4.31 in the 40-yard dash. Wayne weighed 20 pounds more than Marvin and ran the 40 in 4.6. Although they were physically different in stature and speed, under the coaching of Jay and through a lot of hard work both have had fabulous careers and are headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Like the title of his book Complete Wide Receiver, Jay is the complete wide receiver coach. A lot goes into being a complete wide receiver, but to break it down into simple terms it involves three areas: getting open, catching the ball, and blocking for running plays. All three areas are discussed in detail in the book. Not only is Jay very knowledgeable about football, the passing game, and wide receiver play, he is also familiar with defensive strategy and how to attack it by throwing the football. As a coach, he is organized, has a terrific work ethic, and is very demanding of his players.

This book is more valuable today than a few years ago because the passing game has become more a part of offensive strategy then it used to be. The NFL is now a passing league, and you cannot win unless you have great success passing the football. In college games, you will see the quarterback more often in shotgun position than under center with three, four, and sometimes five receivers spread out from sideline to sideline. This puts stress on the defense, and the offense can be more effective passing the football. It also means more wide receivers are involved and their quality of play becomes more important.

In Complete Wide Receiver, Jay explains what it takes to be a great wide receiver and more important how to get there. Not only does he thoroughly cover the physical aspects of success but also the required intangibles. Among other things, he writes about work ethic, preparation, toughness, playing smart, concentration, and adjustments to different game situations.

This is the best and most complete book about wide receiver play that I have ever read. It is all you will ever need to play or coach the position and play or coach it the right way.

Jim Mora

The influences that had a direct effect on the content of this book have also shaped my life as a coach, husband, father, and man. To all the coaches I played for all the way back to Jim Kotoski and the Meadowood Monsters in Madison, Wisconsin, to Frank Zuerner, Gary Kolpin, and Wally Schoessow at Memorial High School, to Hayden Fry at the University of Iowa, to Dan Reeves at the Denver Broncos, and Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears. These men taught me how to play the game the right way.

To the head coaches I have worked for at the college and professional levels: Hayden Fry, Lou Holtz, Terry Allen, Barry Alvarez, Dan McCarney, Jim Mora Sr., Bill Callahan, Karl Dorrell, and Bob Stoops. Not only have these men become great mentors and examples to me, but they have also become lifelong friends.

To the great assistant coaches with whom I spent so many hours in meeting rooms in Cedar Falls, Iowa; Madison, Wisconsin; Ames, Iowa; Indianapolis, Indiana; Oakland, California; Lincoln, Nebraska; Westwood, California; and Norman, Oklahoma. These assistant coaches are the lifeblood of football. Its staggering to think about the thousands of lives these men have affected in such life-changing ways. Thank you for your dedication and what you do for the players you coach and for this great game.

To all the great players I have coached, it has been my privilege to teach you and see you develop. I have always loved my guys, and there isnt a thing in the world I wouldnt do for any of you. It hasnt mattered to me if you were an all-American, a first-round draft choice, or a walk-on or free agent; if you respected the game and you laid it on the line for your teammates and coaches, you were one of my guys, and I would do anything for you. Its been my privilege and honor to coach each and every one of you.

To my father and mother, Merritt and Cynthia Norvell, all the great values that I know come from growing up under your roof. To Mom, thank you for always supporting me and being there for me through all the weekend games and late-night dinners. You were always there for me and my brother. Your love showed Aaron and me so much about loyalty and consistency. Dad, you always were the greatest example of leadership and sacrifice. You always showed me by your actions that the family and your obligations came first. My favorite memories are of you coaching my Little League baseball team. To this day you are my favorite coach. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always being there for me and making my years growing up so special.