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Post by 19delta on Oct 10, 2009 17:12:01 GMT -6
Situation...we are currently 3-4 and coming off a nice win. Our last two games are against two of the top teams in the conference. Both schools have over 70 juniors and seniors (we have 28) .
These two teams have been smoking people...the team we have this week runs the Wing-T and they have been averaging over 300 yards on the ground per game (6-1 record). Team we have the week after runs a lot of spread and Wing-t (also 6-1) and probably has the 2nd best athletes in the conference (after the big Catholic school that hasn't lost a conference game in 4 years).
Anyway, we have taken some steps in the right direction this year (my first). However, I'm fearful that 2 lopsided and humiliating losses at the end of the year (our 3 varsity wins are the school's most since 2001 and our sophomores are currently 3-4 after being 0-9 as freshmen a year ago). What can we do to avoid embarrassing beat-downs the next two weeks?
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Post by fbdoc on Oct 10, 2009 17:21:29 GMT -6
Keep doing what you are doing! Coach them up and focus on what you can control - don't focus on the opponent!
Your season, your kids, and your coaching ability is not defined by one (or two) games. Set goals like no turnovers, positive plays, and bend don't break. Speak to the younger kids about building on this year's success and taking the team further. Keep on Coaching!
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Post by touchdownmaker on Oct 10, 2009 17:25:35 GMT -6
Emphasis on performance:
set performance goals- no penalties, no turnovers, 3 takeaways, 5 big plays over 20 yards, no blocked punts or kicks, block a punt or kick
try to control ball and clock. use timeouts quickly if your kids seem unnerved.
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Post by coachguy83 on Oct 10, 2009 17:56:31 GMT -6
You have 3 wins this season. Remind your kids that they need to do what it took to win those game. Do whatever it takes to keep your kids heads up, focus on the things that you do well, and be positive about the areas you need to improve. You are playing two teams that are at least partially wing-t based so you are going to see a lot of fakes, tell your defense to be agressive. Beat into their heads that you will not eat their lunch if they screw up as long as they do it agressively. Control the ball on offense so they can't rake up huge chunks yards on you. Even if you lose focus on the small victories and focus on winning your underclassmen. You are obviously making huge progress in your first year, let them remember where they were a year ago compared to now. Remind them of how they felt when they won those games and let them know that if they stick with the program they have a chance to feel that way every game next year. It sucks that your seniors have to go out with two loses, but five years from now they will remember the good times and forget about the bad.
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Post by coachd5085 on Oct 10, 2009 21:27:16 GMT -6
Milk the clock. Snap at the last second possible. Don't put yourself in desperate situations if possible. Emphasize the importance of the kids DOING THEIR JOBS... not only is it smart football, but it also helps keep up morale as long as you can prevent finger pointing (hey, its ok, I am doing my job...can't get too down...etc.)
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Post by bouncingboredom on Oct 11, 2009 5:04:29 GMT -6
Low risk, ball control.
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mkirby
Probationary Member
Posts: 6
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Post by mkirby on Oct 13, 2009 19:42:20 GMT -6
I disagree with bouncingboredom. Before I explain, let me say this. The tone of your post suggests you've already lost. I'd work hard to revamp that outlook quickly. There will probably be hundreds of upsets in the next few weeks....why not your team?
Ok, playing it safe does several things that are bad. First, it communicates to your team that your program is about being safe, and that is antithetical to all that is inside a boy. If you are coaching high school boys, then most assuredly they are wild at heart and want to be champions. They want to pull off the big win. They want to pour their guts out on the field. They didn't sign up to play football to play it safe. Tell them they have what it takes by coaching a tough game.
Secondly, statistically speaking, you are way more likely to succeed if you attempt big plays. Prevent defense and "safe" offense prevents winning. I believe there is some real statistical analysis to back this up on smartfootball.com.
I'm not saying you should coach a wild game. You've got to set your big plays up, and you've got to play with great fundamentals. You've got to focus on goal setting (some great ones mentioned above). You should absolutely focus on what earned you the wins you have.
But for goodness sake, you light a fire in a young man when you tell him he has what it takes, and you back that up by calling game that shows you mean it. Go prepare to win the first game. Then prepare to win the second.
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