Few names in football carry the same weight as Vince Lombardi. His legacy as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, where he won five championships, including the first two Super Bowls, made him synonymous with leadership, discipline, and success. Vince Lombardi on Football is as close as we’ll get to stepping inside his mind. Published posthumously in 1973, this two-volume set draws on Lombardi’s teaching tapes to distil his philosophy on the game, breaking it down with the precision and intensity that defined his coaching career.
This isn’t a book about Lombardi’s career or a collection of motivational speeches, though there’s plenty of wisdom to be found. Vince Lombardi on Football is a detailed instructional guide to the game, covering his insights into offensive and defensive strategies. Lombardi takes readers through the fundamentals, with a detailed breakdown of where players should line up, how to execute specific plays, and combining plays to make them more effective.
It’s a methodical book that will appeal to those who want to dig into football strategy. Lombardi left nothing to chance and that comes through as he explains the mechanics of his system. He wasn’t a coach who relied on talent; he demanded perfection in the smallest details, as is clear from his breakdown of the Packers sweep – one of the most famous and effective plays in NFL history.
Title: Vince Lombardi on Football
Author: Vince Lombardi
First published: Galahad Books, 1973
Buy the Book: Out of print, available secondhand
RELATED
Top Five: Packers
Review: Instant Replay
Review: The Gamemakers
For all the technical breakdowns, the heart of Vince Lombardi on Football is in its philosophy. Football has changed a lot since Lombardi’s era, but this book still holds up remarkably well. While the X’s and O’s may feel dated in some respects – modern offenses are more complex, and defensive schemes have evolved – his core principles remain timeless.
For football strategy buffs, Vince Lombardi on Football is essential reading. It’s a rare chance to learn the game from one of its greatest minds, and it serves as a reminder of why Lombardi’s influence endures. Whether you’re a coach, a student of the game, or just a fan who wants to understand football at a deeper level, this book belongs on your shelf.
THE AUTHOR
Vince Lombardi (1913-70) is widely considered one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time. A Championship-winning offensive coordinator with the New York Giants, he became head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1959. Over nine seasons with the Packers he led them to five Championships, including three consecutive titles from 1965-67 – the last two being wins in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II. The subject of many books, Lombardi wrote two himself – Run to Daylight (1963) and the posthumous Vince Lombardi on Football (1973).
REVIEWS
Culled from a series of videos Lombardi created on his system and philosophies that helped shape the league, in his own words. There’s some great stuff in here, including diagrams and specific coaching points on his plays. If you want to see the inner-workings of Lombardi’s offense, this is a great place to start.
Dusty Evely
Rating? Absolutely a classic. It reads simply, which is a testament to the man regarded as the best teacher of football the professional game has known.
Code and Football
BUY THE BOOK
Out of print, available secondhand
I like the packers and want to learn more.