Talking Cutups<br>Breaking Down Game Tape

Before the 2002 season, Purdue University Defensive Coordinator Brock Spack and his staff created a dozen tutorial tapes on various aspects of the defense. “We don’t cover everything,” says Spack, “just the most basic things, like fronts and covers, and the most complicated things, like blitz packages.” Players check out the tapes and watch them in the football offices. “These babies don’t leave the office. No take-home copies.” If and when players watch the tutorial tapes, which tapes they watch, and how long they watch for is up to the players. It is non-contact time, yet still has more instructional depth and value then players just watching game tapes or cutups. Video Coordinator Jason Barker helps Spack and the other defensive coaches make the “talking cutups,” as the Purdue staff calls tutorial tapes. “The coaches give me a list of plays. I make a cutup of