Monday Morning Quarterback had a brilliant article about Bill Belichick's football library, gifted to the United States Naval Academy. I didn't spend much time there during my Navy career at Bethesday Naval Hospital, just a little 'temporary additional duty'. But Annapolis is a special place.
First, "the difference between who we are now and whom we will become in the next five years is the people we meet and the books we read." Steve Forbes reads at least fifty pages a day. I try to read a book a week.
MMQB reviewed some of the historic books in the Belichick collection and presented some quotes from a handful. I'll share a few of the excerpts I found meaningful.
T Formation from A-Z (1952), Forrest W. England
Football is not satisfied with the average man. The average man is just that. Football seeks the championship or thoroughbred man. When you call on a thoroughbred he gives you all the heart and sinew he has. When you call on a jackass he kicks.
Walter Camp’s Book of Football (1910)
...make use of a play, if possible, for which the opponents are the least prepared. This may be accomplished in two distinct ways. It may be done by masking or disguising the play, or it may be done by making the move and getting the ball in motion quickly before the opponents are ready for any play at all.
Coaching (1925), Knute Rockne
There is always a doubt in the minds of coaches as to which is the more important, offense or defense. Both are important, but I do believe it wise for a team to pay more attention to offense...(after a turnover) the score would then stand seven to nothing against you and the thing you would have to call upon under these conditions would be the offense. If you have only defense you would now be helpless. For that reason I always pay a little more attention to offense than defense, as it is more difficult to get results. Offense involves more finesse in timing, judgment and more complex team play.