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Post by coachinghopeful on Dec 30, 2008 22:35:22 GMT -6
Well, I still don't have my first coaching job lined up yet, but I'm hoping to have something in place soon. I've been spending a lot of my free (and even not-so-free) time on this board soaking up as much as I can. Thanks to everyone for being so helpful and encouraging.
I'm about to order some books and stuff off Amazon. Now, as a beginning coach who has yet to line up a position as a volunteer/non-faculty assistant, I wonder whether it would be better to spread my education wide and thin so that I can be a versatile addition to whatever staff takes me on, or if I should go ahead and try to become an expert in one specialized, important area and use that as a platform to build my career.
Keep in mind I have no idea what the HC I'm working for will ask me to do, but I'll try to do whatever it is to the best of my ability. Even if it's just the lost art of clipboard holding, doing laundry, and keeping my mouth shut (though I would prefer a little more responsibility than that).
Basically, my #1 long-term career goal is to eventually become a successful HC who builds young men of strong character, but is also an expert at developing players at one of 3 specific, extremely important positions (QB, OL, or DL). I am especially interested in getting very good at developing and coaching QBs. Once I become a HC, I plan to delegate the other responsibilities to my assistants as much as possible so we can all focus on being very good within our specific areas of expertise. Yet I know that in order to be a good HC or coordinator, I have to build up a wide knowledge base of every position's fundamentals, film study, organization, management, Xs and Os, and the offseason weights/speed/agility program.
So guys... as a total rookie, where do you think I should focus my education right now BEFORE I land that coaching job (which will hopefully be in the next few weeks)? Should I order a couple of more generalized AFCA books and wait to see where I'm needed, or should I go ahead and invest my time and money into Andrew Coverdale and Darin Slack (which I'm very excited about) and start studying QB play now, then learn about whatever specific tasks my HC asks of me side by side with it? Or is there another option I'm overlooking here? I consider myself a smart guy who likes to learn, but I don't want to overload and confuse myself by taking on too much at once.
Feedback, as always, is much appreciated.
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Post by phantom on Dec 30, 2008 22:48:58 GMT -6
Generalize. You've said yourself that you don't know what you're going to do so learn as much as you can about coaching football in general.
Even if you do become an offensive coach learning basic defensive theory can only help so a great book like Shurmurs "Coaching Team Defense" is a must.
You say that you want to coach QBs but good OL coaches are worth their weight in gold. If you don't become an OL coach a basic understanding of OL play can only help you understand the overall scheme of things.
At this stage of your career you can't afford to specialize.
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Post by khalfie on Dec 30, 2008 23:21:01 GMT -6
Specialize... No one wants to coach the O and D lines... read up on the fundamentals... learn the edd's.. master the techniques, footwork, hand movements. Learn the terminology, the schemes, the rules. O-line coaches always need help... they usually get the "non talented" kids, and a lot of them. If you get on with a bad team, they'll probably have their worst coach there, and that will be a great opportunity for you to prove your worth. Forget about the QB's... everyone wants to coach the best players... IMHO... of course...  |
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Post by coachweav88 on Dec 31, 2008 1:20:24 GMT -6
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Post by superpower on Dec 31, 2008 7:52:24 GMT -6
I think it depends on what size of school you will be coaching at. At small schools, you will have to be able to coach a variety of positions, so you need to be generalized. At a larger school, you would probably be able to specialize because there will likely be a larger coaching staff to share the coaching load.
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Post by dacoachmo on Dec 31, 2008 8:48:54 GMT -6
Do a search for books on this site.
Learn as much as you can about the game and pay close attention to the area that interests you.
As the saying goes "So goes the LINE, so goes the TEAM". The best position to start focusing on is the OL. Teams are always looking for OL coaches!!!
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 31, 2008 9:43:08 GMT -6
I think it depends on your baseline level of coaching, as well as what you consider "generalization or specialization".
Based on reading your posts, you have an obvious grasp of football, so I would consider spending some money on the QB stuff (because you seem interested in that) and then waiting a bit to get something that fits into whatever situation you find with your first job. That might make you feel a bit more comfortable in it.
I really recommend the Fritz Shurmur book, because it is a good general primary on defensive THEORY, not on a "defense".
What I think can be a waste of time (right now) is spending time generalizing on x's or o's or schemes. Chances are that you won't be part of the decision making process regarding the scheme. I would concentrate on learning HOW the parts do something, rather than what the parts are told to do.
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Post by coachtut on Dec 31, 2008 10:46:24 GMT -6
I would say generalize in the things you are truly intrested in. When you speak with a head coach and you get hired he will tell you what positions you will be coaching. Then you can really focus in on those positions.
I too am learning to coach as many positions as possible. I hope that I get an opportunity to coach each position individually before I am asked to be a HC.
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Post by brophy on Dec 31, 2008 10:56:42 GMT -6
So guys... as a total rookie, where do you think I should focus my education right now BEFORE I land that coaching job (which will hopefully be in the next few weeks)? learn defensive coverages and how offenses attack coverages. GENERALIZE until you are given a postion. Once you get a (job) position to coach, SPECIALIZE in everything about that position and how it fits your system. Doing this ensures you get a big-picture view of football and how it all comes together. Worrying about minutiae that is dependent on a variety of other factors isn't going to help you |
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Post by goldenbear76 on Dec 31, 2008 11:20:18 GMT -6
Since your aiming to get your foot in the door, you must have an idea what you want to coach, so obviously, you have to be a specialist at something. Focus on that first, then you can learn as you go the other aspects of the game. Brophy gives good advice too. Remember nobody starts out as a head coach or coordinator....well most don't. lol.
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newhc
Sophomore Member
Posts: 209
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Post by newhc on Dec 31, 2008 11:55:49 GMT -6
I would say Generalize. Until you given a position then specialize. WHen looking for a job being someone with a great general scheme is going to be great. During your interview I look for people who are knowledge hungry. Those will be the guys that will go off and specialize and the nuts and bolts of my scheme, and that position. Also be willing to share your information with the others.
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Post by brophy on Dec 31, 2008 12:34:40 GMT -6
just an example, I could learn everything there is to know about double-wing angle blocking....be a geniac with it.
Problem is....
1) there are a plethora of line coaches out there
2) what if the team you want to help isn't a DW team? Now you're gonna have to invest the same amount of time understanding the nuances of whatever system you are working for. While you can probably apply many of the principles, you still will be investing quite a bit of time learning what is applicable for your new staff.
3) what if you become the ST coach?
4) what if the only opening they have is a QB coach or a DB coach? [see issue #2]
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Post by DLine06 on Dec 31, 2008 12:57:35 GMT -6
Generalize. Personally I would start with the line play because the
Once you have an idea what side of the ball you would like to focus on then specialize
Jon Gruden's father was telling him in Do You Love Football to study quarterbacks intensely because Jon already knew he wanted to coach football and focus on offensive side. His father wanted young Jon to go further than he did in his career.
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Post by coachinghopeful on Dec 31, 2008 17:22:39 GMT -6
Thanks guys. I'm definitely going to pick up a copy of "Coaching Team Defense" as soon as I can find one that doesn't require me to take out a loan signed in blood to afford it. Is there any book that is equally as good for the offensive side of the ball?
The biggest weaknesses in my knoweldge base right now as a coach are these:
1. A lack of the basic, fundamental techniques at each position--I know absolutely nothing about WR or DB play, for example.
As I work my way up the ladder to become OC/DC or HC in a few years I'd like to be able to coach each kid 1-on-1 from time to time (without stepping on my fellow coaches, that is). As a former OL/DL, I always hated playing for HCs who never acknowledged our existence unless it was to yell at us for screwing up things we didn't understand but were busting our tails to execute. It was easy for our HC and OC to tell us to "stay low," "get off the block," and "stay on him!" It was a totally different thing to teach us how to actually do it. Those things don't come naturally.
2. I need to learn more about weights and speed/agility training as well. This is a major weakness in many of our local programs, and a place where I believe a new assistant coach can quickly make a major impact.
3. The reason I'm interested in working with QBs isn't because it's a "glamor" position. First off, I just find it an interesting position to coach and believe that you have to be multidimensional on offense if you're going to ever win consistently. Second, while everyone wants to coach QBs, there is a major shortage of GOOD qb coaches where I live. This is also a problem with OL and DL coaches, but it doesn't seem to be quite as bad. Around here, most coaches just focus on teaching their kids WHERE to throw the ball but not HOW to throw it there. It's the equivalent of putting a monster of a kid at OT and really drilling him on who to block, only to watch him get whipped because he doesn't know anything about footwork, pad level, and hand placement.
Needless to say, watching these teams try to pass is ugly, so the only time they ever win is when they just plain have superior athletes or get lucky. Our part of the state has become a laughingstock because of its inability to do much come playoff time. Once these teams finish playing each other in the first couple of rounds, they always get shellacked by someone with better execution or better athletes.
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Post by buck42 on Dec 31, 2008 20:24:28 GMT -6
I think that if you think that you will want to be a head coach some day you need to have a general and functional knowledge of EVERY position on the field. Down the road find a great coach to fill you weakness...but that is another convo for later.
So start with a general knowledge of techniques and alginments, assignment and general rules of positions...when you get some more direction from your head coach learn as much as possible from him and then add to it from books and clinics. When you go to clinics go to LEARN, not to socialize like so many tend to do!!
IMO, at the HS level coaching WR and RB's are pretty simple, just need to work with the OC to get terminology and details. It would be a good place to start a young coach so that they can learn the details of the offense and how things function and work together (RB I think would be a better experience because of blocking schemes and blitz pick-ups) OL IMO is the most important position to coach on the team because it is the most responsible for the success. Therefore, I do not think that you would be coaching that position...Do not worry about coaching the QB early on, the OC or the HC or someone else is probably going to want to focus on him...that is offense...
If you are on the defensive side of the ball it gets interesting...many times coaches stick coaches at the DB position because they are the best athletes and at the HS level technique is not usually stressed as much as possible....DL is very important because just like the OL it is crucial to the overall success of the defense. LB's are a little tricky because of the run fits and the adjustments...so if I had to guess they may partner you up with at DL coach or maybe let you coach the secondary...
Now I am generalizing what I have seen in the coaching field around my state, I am sure that it is different across the country, but if I had to guess you would be a RB or WR coach on "O" or partner up with a DL or a DB coach on the defensive side of the ball...
I am bored...sorry...LSU is killing GT and I am not going out for New Years so I figured I would find some lonely soles here:)
Happy New Year...is it really 2009 already?!?!
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20x
Junior Member
Posts: 380
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Post by 20x on Jan 1, 2009 1:16:15 GMT -6
A great resource that no one has brought up is Bill Williams FCPGA. I think for about 200 bucks you can become a member. You'll be able to get a great general picture of everything and once you get a job you can focus on your position and schemes.
In six years I went from not playing college football, to coaching at the NAIA level and I think my studying from FCPGA and all those resources has really paid off.
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Post by 19delta on Jan 1, 2009 5:53:09 GMT -6
At this point, you should be trying to learn basic individual techniques for each position.
Xs and Os are overrated...EVERYONE knows Xs and Os. The biggest difference between great coaches and good coaches, good coaches and average coaches, and average coaches and poor coaches is attention to detail.
Be a technician first...Xs and Os are easy. Don't be one of those "guru" types who can win a game of "who holds the chalk last" but doesn't really know anything about the individual technique needed to be successful.
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Post by dsqa on Jan 1, 2009 9:26:26 GMT -6
Spend some time in the staff of coaches who know their stuff. You can learn a great deal just by being around quality coaches doing their thing. You may also find out which position you feel drawn to more specifically.
Nothing fancy, just my two cents.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2009 14:10:47 GMT -6
i would generalize...i'm pretty much in the same boat, but all my playing experience was on the defensive side of the ball, spent last season mainly helping out with the offense trying to pick up what i could. I feel like you can become a better defensive coach if you understand how offenses work as well.
also did a lot of the video work, if you're a young guy this can be helpful, since a lot of the older coaches have no clue about the technology stuff and you can pick up a lot by working with film stuff.
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Post by endersgame on Jan 1, 2009 14:57:16 GMT -6
What would the video stuff entail? I've heard of a lot of young coaches getting their start in film work, but I've never broken down film before and thus my skills in that area would be lacking. Is it just technical stuff (i.e. get on the highest row in the bleachers and then just film the game)?
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Post by khalfie on Jan 1, 2009 17:54:21 GMT -6
Specialize... "Coach, my name is blah blah, and I'm real interested in volunteering and becoming a member of the program... do you have any openings available?" "Son... I sure do, could always use an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands. What's your history, what type of experience do you have, where do you feel comfortable coaching?" How you answer this question, positions you as an asset, or a potential asset. If you generalize... you say something like? "Whatever you need coach, I'm willing to do whatever needs to get done... I've been learning a little about every position, nothing specific though, so where ever you want me, I'm willing to learn and get the job done." Good answer, but now, as a volunteer assistant, you've positioned yourself as a possible asset, but more so a student that needs teaching... a step above the players that need teaching. If you specialize... you say something like... "Whatever you need coach, I'm willing to do whatever needs to get done... I've been studying everything I can about the offensive line. Stance, 2pt to 3pt, crowding the LOS to backing off as far as legally possible. Pulling and trapping techniques, getting square vs shuffling down the line... the advantages and disadvantages of blocking with hands vs blocking with fins. Olines my passion coach... though I've yet to actually coach it... I'm ready to get my hands dirty and get started. I understand you guys are a Zone blocking team... do you work covered / uncovered, or are you a near ear team riding tracks to the LB's? Either way, I'm ready to go, but to be honest coach, I've found rule blocking to be the most efficient... Wing T concepts with their spacing, as well as Double wing concepts without spacing interest me the most. So how can I be of assistance coach?" This conversation has completely positioned you as an asset... You tell me... which guy the coach is going to be more interested in working with? But again... I'm not sayin'... I'm just saying. |
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Post by fbdoc on Jan 1, 2009 18:14:21 GMT -6
Best advice so far is from DSQA and khalfie. Go to a staff (or a local head coach) and share your goals and ask to volunteer. Videos and books are good but as supplemental materials. You need to coach under the direction of GOOD coaches.
And my 2 cents is study defense as your specialty. As a high school QB and a college WR, my early years in coaching were not as productive as they could have been because I didn't bother to learn the rest of the game. I truly believe that a strong "knowledge" of defense will help you on both sides of the ball. If you can't bring yourself to learn the Dark Side, then focus on O-line. Good Luck!
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coachpost
Freshmen Member
"I need more cowbell, baby!"
Posts: 38
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Post by coachpost on Jan 1, 2009 22:48:28 GMT -6
Some guy named Walsh wrote a pretty good book (Finding the Winning Edge), but you may only be able to get it through an interlibrary loan (or loan signed in blood). Among the other suggestions, order a rules book. Don't be that new coach on the sideline yelling at (I mean talking nicely to) the referee about a certain call only to have him ridicule you by telling you that's a college/pro rule that does not apply to high school (okay that was me). One of the other post's mentioned working under someone you can learn from. I had three different positions I was very happy to have before I worked for someone that I truly learned from. Being on this board has already elevated you past that point. A lot of coaches, unknowingly spit out their offense/defense and expect you to understand the why's and why not's. There are some very helpful people here if that first job doesn't fulfill that need. Regardless of scheme, IMHO, I would suggest that once you figure out which position you will coach is to focus on technique. Critique good and bad technique from your players. Break them down and lift them up. Make them defend their decisions. Never accept excuses for a player not executing each rep. Within your own knowledge limitations, be the most demanding of all the coaches. I had a coach who tried this when I was in high school and would yell and scream about everything, but he didn't know what he was talking about - just yelling to yell. Make a fuss, make it important, be demanding on those points you are sure about and expand your knowledge. When you find one of your players missing a catch/block/read/etc. during a game and they drop to do push-ups for the mistake - you're headed in the right direction.  |
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Post by shamespiral on Jan 1, 2009 23:32:52 GMT -6
Strength & Conditioning : Boyd Epley
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Post by dal9000 on Jan 2, 2009 7:07:34 GMT -6
On almost any staff, you'll find SOMEONE who has more knowledge than the other coaches and is a much, much better teacher to boot. Find this person early on and latch on to him. He's your mentor. You'll have many, MANY questions for him. Ask them! He'll answer, and you'll be a much better coach for it.
Re. picking a position: if at all possible, try to be an assistant position coach for your first year. Being able to ease yourself into your responsibilities while an experienced coach does all the heavy lifting is ideal; you'll also get a sense, /right away/, for how another guy approaches coaching your position. That's a valuable thing to have.
As for actual coaching advice, mostly what I'd say is this: your personality should dictate how you coach. If you're a cerebral, think-before-you-act kind of guy, then that's how you're gonna have to relate to your players. If you're a very energetic, rah-rah kind of guy, then THAT'S the face you're gonna have to show the kids. rying to pretend you're something you're NOT, however, is pretty much always a bad idea.
You're still gonna be TERRIBLE in your first year, by the way. You're going to be really, REALLY bad. Don't sweat it. Any HC who takes you on does so because he thinks you have a chance to be good down the road -- which is a hell of a compliment, ain't it? Besides, the boss will keep some training wheels on you so you can't hurt the program too badly. You're mostly there to learn -- so watch, listen, and ASK QUESTIONS... and enjoy the ride! It's a hell of a good time.
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Post by dal9000 on Jan 2, 2009 7:28:44 GMT -6
Oh, snap! I forgot the most important advice of /all/: use LOTS of sunscreen during two-a-days, and slather it /all over/. Forgetting your calves is a rookie mistake, and if you make it you'll be /miserable/. Miiiii-s-er-a-ble. This is the kind of hard-won coaching knowledge you just can't get elsewhere on the Internet, kid.* Take notes.**
* DISCLAIMER: I'm probably younger than you.
** NON-DISCLAIMER: taking notes is another very good thing to do. Get a little notebook and a pen and take /copious/ notes during staff meetings. Also during long private conversations with your mentor. Also ALSO when you're watching film. Go back and review your old notes once or twice a week; you'll find a LOT of useful information in there, and by the end of the season you can flip the notebook to any random page and find a little piece of knowledge you'd forgotten.
Of course, if you were /me/ and you tried the random-page approach just /now/, you might instead find little doodles of stick-figure people doin' it in various positions. BUT LISTEN I WAS BORED AND THINKING NAUGHTY THOUGHTS DURING A STAFF MEETING, OKAY? It happens. DON'T MAKE ME SHOUT SOME MORE.
... oh, and on that note, when you meet your players' parents, NEVER ask the moms: "Whose MILF are you?" That's, uh... that's another rookie misstep to avoid.
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Post by Coach N on Jan 2, 2009 11:12:42 GMT -6
Generalize first, learn as much about the game as possible. As a head coach I am always looking for good teachers/good people. I can teach you my schemes and philosophies but I can't necessarily make you a better communicator and teacher. A good HC is going to hire good people who fit in well with the current staff. Staff chemistry is as important as team chemistry. (unless of course the job you are applying for is for a specific position group - then show your expertise there)
If I'm looking for a DB coach and you come off as an expert in the OL I may keep looking. Network! Go to as many coaching clinics as you can - meet coaches in your area, join state associations etc... I met a good volunteer coach at a clinic, when I took my staff to a bar for lunch. You just never know.
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Post by mainstream180 on Jan 21, 2009 13:17:33 GMT -6
So what everyone so far essentially agrees on though, is that it is far better to know (on a general level at least) the techniques and responsibilities of each position on offense and defence. Especially since at an early stage in ones coaching career they aren’t going to be an offensive/ defensive coordinator and will instead be working in someone else’s scheme, thus making your understanding of the X and O’s of football subsidiary to theirs.
To reiterate; its far better to know how to teach a WR how to run routes properly than to
know what passing concepts you would use against cover 2?... In other words it is better to know how to play a position properly than the reasoning behind the X of O's of different schemes?
Cheers
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Post by phantom on Jan 21, 2009 14:09:42 GMT -6
So what everyone so far essentially agrees on though, is that it is far better to know (on a general level at least) the techniques and responsibilities of each position on offense and defence. Especially since at an early stage in ones coaching career they aren’t going to be an offensive/ defensive coordinator and will instead be working in someone else’s scheme, thus making your understanding of the X and O’s of football subsidiary to theirs. To reiterate; its far better to know how to teach a WR how to run routes properly than to know what passing concepts you would use against cover 2?... In other words it is better to know how to play a position properly than the reasoning behind the X of O's of different schemes? Cheers Yes. As an entry-level coach you'll be coaching a position and that requires technique. They already have somebody handling the Xs and Os. |
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Post by dal9000 on Jan 22, 2009 13:51:39 GMT -6
Yes. As an entry-level coach you'll be coaching a position and that requires technique. They already have somebody handling the Xs and Os. Phantom is right! And this goes double if you're coaching at the freshman or JV level, which you almost certainly will be. There's almost no film work or X's-and-O's involved in freshman football; your job is just to teach technique. |
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