Tom Allen Runs the Run
6/8/2017 4:59:00 PM | Football
By: Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football coach Tom Allen doesn't just talk the talk. He doesn't just walk the walk. He runs the run.
One of Allen's stated goals is for Indiana's defense to come up with three takeaways per practice. And the Hoosier defenders run a "gasser" – a 200-yard sprint, up and back down the full length of the football field -- for each takeaway they don't get.
And if the defense allows the offense to score a TD during practice, that negates a takeaway.
"So if you don't get any takeaways and they score a couple of touchdowns, that's five whole gassers," Allen explained May 31 at Huber Farms. "Which isn't a lot of fun."
Allen should know. He runs the gassers with his players. So does the entire Indiana defensive coaching staff. It's about accountability, and more.
"If we don't get what we want, there is going to be a penalty, and we'll use that to get in great shape, so it's a win-win." Allen said. "And I believe in being right there with those guys. So part of that whole process is that I run with them."
At age 47, Allen runs year-round to prepare himself for that.
"And in between the gassers, I love that time," Allen said, "because it gives me the opportunity to reinforce what I'm trying to get across regarding the mentality of our football team.
"If I'm going to be doing all this talking in-between the gassers, I've got to be in some sort of shape … I have to train for this. Every year, those gassers get harder and harder. I run every single day."
Allen's entire approach, gassers included, reinforces the idea that the Hoosier defense might bend, but it won't break, no matter the circumstances. Or the opponent.
"I was a wrestler," Allen said. "And wrestlers have this unwritten rule: 'Nothing can break you.' No situation. No opponent. No weather conditions. Nothing can break us. Because if I can break them – which I try to do, mentally – if I can break you, Michigan can break you. Ohio State can break you. Michigan State can break you."
Such are the rigors of competing in the rugged Big Ten East.
But Allen wants his men ready to run with anybody.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football coach Tom Allen doesn't just talk the talk. He doesn't just walk the walk. He runs the run.
One of Allen's stated goals is for Indiana's defense to come up with three takeaways per practice. And the Hoosier defenders run a "gasser" – a 200-yard sprint, up and back down the full length of the football field -- for each takeaway they don't get.
And if the defense allows the offense to score a TD during practice, that negates a takeaway.
"So if you don't get any takeaways and they score a couple of touchdowns, that's five whole gassers," Allen explained May 31 at Huber Farms. "Which isn't a lot of fun."
Allen should know. He runs the gassers with his players. So does the entire Indiana defensive coaching staff. It's about accountability, and more.
"If we don't get what we want, there is going to be a penalty, and we'll use that to get in great shape, so it's a win-win." Allen said. "And I believe in being right there with those guys. So part of that whole process is that I run with them."
At age 47, Allen runs year-round to prepare himself for that.
"And in between the gassers, I love that time," Allen said, "because it gives me the opportunity to reinforce what I'm trying to get across regarding the mentality of our football team.
"If I'm going to be doing all this talking in-between the gassers, I've got to be in some sort of shape … I have to train for this. Every year, those gassers get harder and harder. I run every single day."
Allen's entire approach, gassers included, reinforces the idea that the Hoosier defense might bend, but it won't break, no matter the circumstances. Or the opponent.
"I was a wrestler," Allen said. "And wrestlers have this unwritten rule: 'Nothing can break you.' No situation. No opponent. No weather conditions. Nothing can break us. Because if I can break them – which I try to do, mentally – if I can break you, Michigan can break you. Ohio State can break you. Michigan State can break you."
Such are the rigors of competing in the rugged Big Ten East.
But Allen wants his men ready to run with anybody.
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