Bostad bringing new tricks to Badgers ILB group

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When the announcement was made that Bob Bostad was being hired to replace Justin Wilcox as inside linebackers coach, plenty of people raised an eyebrow or two. That likely included the players most directly impacted by his hire — the inside linebackers. Given the veteran nature of this group, with T.J. Edwards, Jack Cichy and Chris Orr having so much experience, what could Bostad really bring to...

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Interesting article, and it exposes one of the key elements of coaching defenses, and offenses. Being able to read the body language and position of the players on the opposite side of the ball. On Saturday and Sunday, listening to the announcers, you hear they are trying to "read" the opponent.

Regardless of what they say, most coaches like to use "read" as a catch all, but it isn't. It's a specific function, and it serves a team well when your personnel really can read the opposition. It can often allow a less talented, slower, and even smaller player to make plays against guys that should overpower them.

While you can teach people what to read, having someone like Bostad, who understands reads from the opposite side of the ball, he can help you to read what the offense will do, and disguise your body language and body position to fool the offense into believing you're going to do other than what they think. If it turns a handful of plays into a wash out, or loss, that could convert into forcing them to punt one or two times during a game, where they may have well gotten a first down, and scored.

As well as the Badgers linebackers have played over the years, this is should add better reads on angles of attack to control inside, from tackle to tackle.

Bostad has already proven himself as a coach, and I think he'll bring a lot to the team on defense. I'm anxious to see how it plays out on the field.
 
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