|
|
Post by husky44 on May 17, 2009 16:08:01 GMT -6
Coaches,
We have are entering year three at a school with very little football tradition. Things have gotten better but need to continue to improve. We have finally convinced the school district to offer a summer school strength and conditioning course that will be staffed by football coaches. We have really encouraged the kids to participate and the head coach has said that participationg in this class is basically mandatory.
Obviously some kids don't want to commit. What types of things would you do to encourage this commitment? One of the suggestions made was to post the kids names of those who are on the football team but are not committed to attending the summer school class and post it in the weightroom? Is this a good idea? It singles out the kids who are not working, is this good for the team?
|
|
|
|
Post by touchdownmaker on May 17, 2009 16:26:50 GMT -6
Why not recognize those that ARE WORKING AND ATTENDING? Publish their accomplishments, name them starters, give them the program gear.
|
|
|
|
Post by fbdoc on May 17, 2009 16:44:29 GMT -6
This one is a no-brainer. Recognize the kids who are working out. Show the others the value in participating. T-shirts, hats, starting positions. It might take awhile but kids will decide they either want to participate or not.
|
|
|
|
Post by coachwilley on May 17, 2009 22:14:59 GMT -6
I try to send at least two newsletters out during the summer to all the parents. I post the entire teams attendance. There's always a couple freshman that get caught because they tell their parents they're going to the weight room and end up going to Suzy's...
|
|
|
|
Post by Coach Bennett on May 18, 2009 7:11:00 GMT -6
I've done both. We've had rosters where half the team didn't show and there was a blank next to their name for every lifting session we had.
We've also let kids write their own name in and then coaches initial the box for the particular day throughout the summer. This worked well because we didn't ostracize those that didn't show but also were able hold those that did make it accountable.
When we let kids initial their own name under each lifting day, some kids couldn't help with initializing (is that a word?) days they didn't make it...that's why we have a coach survey the room and sign for kids now.
Like others, we let the kids that have been dedicated get first dibs at new equipment, lockers, t's, etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by chuge325 on May 18, 2009 7:50:50 GMT -6
We have a new-ish program as well. And we just got a gym and a weight room this spring. What we have done is start with the concept that we will coach who shows up. And the better they get, the more they play. Those who don't show, fall behind.
With the weight room, I have a summer minumum that they must make. This being the first year, we expect about half. In other words we have nine weeks of summer, 3 workouts a week is 27 opportunites. So we have set the minimum at 12. The player cannot hit until he has 12 workouts. I have sold the parents on this as injury prevention. If a kid is out of town for the summer - (divorce, etc.) he must provide me with the workout sheets and will be tested upon his return.
But we prefer to reward the positive behavior. We have a helmet sticker for making all 24 (assuming 1 week vacation). And the get shirts for lifting club levels. No lifitng - no reward.
|
|
|
|
Post by schultbear74 on May 18, 2009 8:31:34 GMT -6
We work out in the summer We make allowances for kids who play baseball or basketball. If a kid shows up for the first day of practice with a physical, he can play: JV or Freshman ball. Seniors who show up like that can play: with the practice squad.
|
|
|
|
Post by Coach Goodnight on May 18, 2009 11:31:51 GMT -6
I know that the coach here fed them a steak dinner if they made at least 85% of the workouts. They start at 6:30 in the AM until 9:00. That basically gives them all day to do other things such as work, etc.
I dont know that I would publish the names of the kids, couldnt that get into the whole privacy thing? Thats just me, its right there on the line and I would just feel better not taking that chance.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigm0073 on May 18, 2009 11:53:36 GMT -6
We have been working out since December 1st every week (4 days).
The varsity goes in the AM in the summer (9:00 - 11:30)
9th grade / JV Evening.
They do not lift they are SO far behind they can not keep up. Be direct with the players, do not sugar coat things - Clearly define your expectations for them and their parents. This has always worked for me.
Now if you have older kids that just do not buy into what you do - GET RID of them and move on. The younger ones will adapt to the culture. Old dogs that have bad habits may buck your system. I have done this at TWO schools and have had a ton of succees with it.
If you have kids who can not make 12 workouts in the summer, well you will not be able to count on them when it gets tough.
|
|
|
|
Post by schultbear74 on May 18, 2009 12:17:12 GMT -6
The fewer and the simpler the rules the better- even if it hurts.
|
|
|
|
Post by fbdoc on May 18, 2009 12:45:36 GMT -6
I think you have to balance what you desire (100% participation) with the reality of your setting - Big School with lots of kids vs small school with limited numbers. I'm not saying to toss accountability and team building out the window, but setting reasonably goals and expectations applies to working with your players as well as establishing the parameters of your program. IF Billy says his goal is to start every game you will no doubt counsel him if that is an unattainable goal. Likewise you should be able to counsel yourself if having every player attend every summer workout is simply unattainable (at this point in your program's history). What makes the most sense for YOUR team? Choose your battles wisely!
|
|
|
|
Post by Coach Goodnight on May 18, 2009 15:42:35 GMT -6
I know that the coach here fed them a steak dinner if they made at least 85% of the workouts. They start at 6:30 in the AM until 9:00. That basically gives them all day to do other things such as work, etc.
I dont know that I would publish the names of the kids, couldnt that get into the whole privacy thing? Thats just me, its right there on the line and I would just feel better not taking that chance.
|
|
|
|
Post by fbdoc on May 18, 2009 15:46:13 GMT -6
I'm must be seeing double - post #12 looks very much like post #8  |
|
|
|
Post by chadp56 on May 18, 2009 15:55:23 GMT -6
I like the charts where they check off their name. That way everyone can see who is coming and who is not coming. We also do a "champions club." If they make 75% or more of the summer stuff they get a dinner, t-shirt, and equipment first. You also get one of our 3 morning runs off when we start camp. That extra 15 minutes of sleep and mile and a half less running is another strong motivator.
|
|
|
|
Post by deepball on May 18, 2009 16:30:22 GMT -6
We do "Dawn Patrol". We tell kids they must make 18 of 21 workouts in the summer...if they do not, then they must participate in "Dawn Patrol" which is extra conditioning during pre-season practice. They must complete each workout for one week at 7am...we have a coach designated to do "Dawn Patrol" each morning before practice starts.
We make it hell so that it sends a message to the kids...it's better to be in the weight room than endure this. This also does not paint you into a corner with certain kids who are reluctant. We justify it because it is a safety issue...we can't put kids on the field who are not in top physical condition. So we tell the kids before the summer that EVERY player has "Dawn Patrol" BUT you can be exempt IF you make at least 18 workouts...has worked well...we have 90%+ attendance since implementing it a few years ago. We also give awards to kids who make it 90% or more (T-shirt & first to check out equipment, etc.) We also have a pre-season BBQ at our inter-squad...those that get 90% + get steak, the rest get dogs/burgers.
|
|
|
|
Post by touchdownmaker on May 18, 2009 16:37:42 GMT -6
I just sent out my second newsletter of this off season. It basically praises the hard workers and talks about the great things they are doing, updates the parents on our staff and happenings in the community (community service opportunities etc) and includes our "published" point totals. Everyone can see whos earning and who isnt.
|
|
|
|
Post by coachsky on May 18, 2009 17:54:34 GMT -6
We are in year three. Here's how we changed it;
1. We have a chart to show who's attending. Show Jan 1 through June 15. New Chart for June 15th - Aug 15th.
2. We give away 3 different t-shirts based on attendance goals. The third one is Camo and the coolest.
3. We have a BBQ for kids with the top attendance 2 times over the summer.
4. Kids have clear examples of 2 or 3 kids who start because they are stronger and have outworked another athlete.
5. MOST important. All Seniors to be, in good standing, are assigned a group of underclassmen. They have their cell phone numbers and call them when their attendance slips.
Over the past three years we have created a new culture.
In 2006 we were lucky to have 20 regulars working consistently. Last week we counted 62 kids are averaging over 3 days per week. We will only have 85 for suited for Varsity/JV. We have about a 8 kids who are Basketball and Baseball first athletes who travel all summer. We don't sweat them. As long as they are ready to go August 15th.
In 2006 we had maybe two kids that could Bench 300, Squat 400, and Clean 250. This year will have a dozen kids, maybe 15 hit those numbers. Our stud RB/LB is now B-400,SQ-560,Cl 325. Same kid won our liftathon as a Freshman in 2006.
It's been an unbelievable transformation. Our best athletes bought in. We also started winning! Won our league last year for only the second time and will be favored again in 2009.
|
|
|
|
Post by touchdownmaker on May 18, 2009 18:38:31 GMT -6
Ever have a cancer try to stop young kids from buying in? we seem to have a pair of kids who think they can bully and intimidate the freshman and keep them from showing them up. Man, I am going to handle my business tomorrow.
|
|
