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Post by 19delta on Oct 10, 2010 19:56:15 GMT -6
...and if swearing is what you need to do to "teach" or "meet that goal" and it stays inline with the long term program goals then dog-cuss the $#!+ out of 'em. I think you are overanalyzing this...the VAST MAJORITY of guys who swear do so because they are angry or frustrated because the kids either aren't doing what the coach wants them to do or they aren't doing it the way the coach wants it done. There is no "teachable moment" linked to the swearing...it is simply an immediate emotional reaction that instantly but temporarily relieves the coach of responsibility when something "bad" happens. For example, I was at a game this past Friday night. 4th and Goal from the 15, 6 seconds left before halftime...everyone in the place knows it is going to be a pass. Defense breaks the huddle and, unbelievably, is lined up in Cover 0...no safeties over the top. Sure enough, offense runs a pass play and the receiver beats the outside linebacker's (halfway decent) man coverage for a TD. As I was close enough to the sideline, I immediately heard several coaches on the sideline drop a bunch of "F*cks!", "Goddammits", and I hear one guy say "F*cking _____! (kid's name)". That had NOTHING to do with a "teachable" moment. Instead, it had everything to do with the coaches trying to cover their ass for making a terrible defensive call. And, in my experience, that's why most guys cuss.
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Post by Coach Huey on Oct 10, 2010 20:03:17 GMT -6
...and if swearing is what you need to do to "teach" or "meet that goal" and it stays inline with the long term program goals then dog-cuss the $#!+ out of 'em. I think you are overanalyzing this...the VAST MAJORITY of guys who swear do so because they are angry or frustrated because the kids either aren't doing what the coach wants them to do or they aren't doing it the way the coach wants it done. There is no "teachable moment" linked to the swearing...it is simply an immediate emotional reaction that instantly but temporarily relieves the coach of responsibility when something "bad" happens. For example, I was at a game this past Friday night. 4th and Goal from the 15, 6 seconds left before halftime...everyone in the place knows it is going to be a pass. Defense breaks the huddle and, unbelievably, is lined up in Cover 0...no safeties over the top. Sure enough, offense runs a pass play and the receiver beats the outside linebacker's (halfway decent) man coverage for a TD. As I was close enough to the sideline, I immediately heard several coaches on the sideline drop a bunch of "F*cks!", "Goddammits", and I hear one guy say "F*cking _____! (kid's name)". That had NOTHING to do with a "teachable" moment. Instead, it had everything to do with the coaches trying to cover their {censored} for making a terrible defensive call. And, in my experience, that's why most guys cuss. i get it ... it happens .... i've been guilty a time or 2 myself .... but my point is that in a normal setting such as practice - yeah, practice is a teachable moment - then what is the point of using profanity? does "you need to f------ block the 3-tech" a better teaching tool than "block the 3-tech"? if telling the WR to "catch the G-- D---- ball" helps him catch it, then get after it.... but, thank you for pointing out the obvious --- people do get caught up in emotions at highly emotional times.
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Post by shocktroop34 on Oct 10, 2010 20:08:19 GMT -6
I appreciate this topic a great deal. Funny thing is, is this was on my mind so much that I almost started this post a couple of weeks ago.
I coached for the first 4 years of my career without cussing. On my last staff I even had a no cursing policy for the coaches. They honored it whole-heartedly.
I moved to a more urban environment and I cuss more than the drill instructor in Full Metal Jacket.
I have felt embarrased at times of my language. I even asked my wife (who is not in the stands, but stands on the track to watch the games) if she can hear me. She said that no one can hear me-there is too much going on: band, crowd noise, etc.
The problem that I have with myself is that I will often tell stories from the bible or discuss biblical principles with players and then when the game comes, I will cuss freely. I've sent them a mixed message and given them a poor example of leadership.
Tomorrow I am going to ask an assistant coach to hold me accountable for my language. He cusses too, but he is also man enough to remind me that I asked him to do this task.
Thank you again for this post.
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Post by 19delta on Oct 10, 2010 20:19:40 GMT -6
but my point is that in a normal setting such as practice - yeah, practice is a teachable moment - then what is the point of using profanity? does "you need to f------ block the 3-tech" a better teaching tool than "block the 3-tech"? but, thank you for pointing out the obvious --- people do get caught up in emotions at highly emotional times. I don't know what your experiences have been, but in that scenario, it has almost ALWAYS been younger coaches whom I have seen swear like that ("you need to f#cking block the 3-tech"). For some reason, many younger coaches seem to feel that yelling and cursing is necessary to get the message across...maybe they have seen too many movies and that is what they think coaches do? I have seldom seen older veteran coaches use salty language as a matter of routine. And speaking of swearing, you really are one sarcastic motherf*cker!
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Post by dvo45 on Oct 10, 2010 20:24:10 GMT -6
I think I'm bass-ackwards...I swear more in casual conversation then I do on the field....
Every time I do swear on the field Jiminy Cricket tugs on my ear...
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Post by gdoggwr on Oct 11, 2010 9:47:32 GMT -6
I try not to cuss, especially in front of the kids... to be honest I {censored} suck at not swearing. ;D I'm getting better, but its a long road.
I agree, most of the time it doesn't serve a real purpose at all, its just an added exclamation point to the sentence.
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Post by blb on Oct 11, 2010 10:32:40 GMT -6
The Good Lord allows each team only so much swearing and I use up our entire quota (never "F" word, mostly "Dammit" when really frustrated).
So kids are not allowed to be potty mouths.
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lrader
Sophomore Member
Posts: 143
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Post by lrader on Oct 11, 2010 12:38:46 GMT -6
10 push ups for every letter in the word. Kids struggled at first not to cuss, after a little bit the other players started enforcing the rule to their own team mates b/c they thought it was funny to see them do the push ups. The kids don't cuss very much anymore (which is a huge improvement) around me.
Coaches are included this. So if we get wound up and cuss, we do the push ups later, once everything is over the point has been made. That goes along with the "i'll never ask you to do anything I wouldn't do" that we always tell them.
My feeling is more that when the kids cuss it breeds a feeling of negativity. And we have enough negative things going on without adding to it.
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Post by dacoordinator on Oct 12, 2010 8:51:24 GMT -6
Two good reason to swear, while they are never really any good reasons to swear. This could be a good one for this instant.
Anytime excitement, frustration, passion, triumph, adversity, and heart-ache are found in one place it brings out emotion. And one way we as humans show that we are all of the adjectives i use earlier is to swear. The game of football is a game of changes. That's why the ball is shaped the way it is. never bounces one way unless hit perfectly. Swearing comes along with football, I think person that created football was cursing when he created it.
Another reason is sometimes you can't really grasp a kids attention like you can when you use a subtle curse word. Because in the kids mind, they are thinking that they're parents dont really curse to or at them unless they are angry and what them to really understand the severity of a situation.
Again swearing isn't really acceptable in any setting but sometimes it just comes with the territory....atleast I think.
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Post by spos21ram on Oct 12, 2010 9:20:08 GMT -6
I think this thread is more about swearing AT a player. I would never swear at a player out of frustration, but I have used swear words in regular conversation from time to time, which doesn't reflect my kowledge or lack of self control.
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CoachDP
Sophomore Member
Posts: 240
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Post by CoachDP on Oct 12, 2010 9:30:40 GMT -6
It's interesting the number of coaches here who either justify their swearing or minimize their responsibility in it. ("I only say it when I'm mad." "I don't say it TO the kid." "I say ****, but not ****") Not surprising, but interesting.
--Dave
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Post by blb on Oct 12, 2010 9:45:12 GMT -6
It's interesting the number of coaches here who either justify their swearing or minimize their responsibility in it. ("I only say it when I'm mad." "I don't say it TO the kid." "I say ****, but not ****") Not surprising, but interesting. --Dave What's your point, what do you find so "interesting"?
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Post by bucksweepdotcom on Oct 12, 2010 10:01:40 GMT -6
Whether it is right or wrong swearing like a lot of things in coaching is regional. If I said damn in class I do not think one kid would raise in eyebrow and I teach 8th grade.
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Post by wingt74 on Oct 12, 2010 10:23:17 GMT -6
It's interesting the number of coaches here who either justify their swearing or minimize their responsibility in it. ("I only say it when I'm mad." "I don't say it TO the kid." "I say ****, but not ****") Not surprising, but interesting. --Dave What's your point, what do you find so "interesting"? He's saying he disagrees...then he's being condescending by saying he's not surprised. To each their own. A good coach is not defined entirely by how often he cusses. My kids play hard for me, love playing football, are taught how to play safe, and are learning the game. I let our a dam or sh** about once a week and usually apologize after. Big deal...
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Post by spos21ram on Oct 12, 2010 10:25:27 GMT -6
My All-Star coach my senior year of High School swore like a construction worker, not so much at playerss, but just in his casual speech. He was one of my favorite coach's I ever had. He's one of the most successful all-time coaches in RI.
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Post by blb on Oct 12, 2010 10:32:38 GMT -6
What's your point, what do you find so "interesting"? He's saying he disagrees...then he's being condescending by saying he's not surprised. I know, the question was rhetorical. Just wanted him to elaborate on his "holier than thou" attitude.
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