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Post by coachplaa on May 3, 2011 11:12:45 GMT -6
When our staff visited the University of Oregon spring practice this year, one of the things that stood out to us was the way they used their managers. They had 4-5 cameramen filming practice, 4-5 guys that served as ball spotters, chain crew, pass rushers during 7 on 7 with shields to distract the QB, etc. They also had 4-5 "water girls" who walked around with water bottles to keep them hydrated. The organization of the whole thing was great. At the high school level, we are looking to recruit a team of kids, boys and girls, that will work off of the practice schedule, and do things like listed above, just on a much smaller scale. I can't give them much. I can give them PE credit for being on the football team (since they'll be at practice and games). I can give them practice clothing that the football team wears. I can also give them a unique, cool name for their group. Maybe even make their own shirts with the name on it. Like an acronym or a code name that refers to them. I have to guard against our team looking at them as "dorks" or "geeks." From my perspective, they will be vitally important, but that needs to be portrayed to our team. I'm just thinking a name for them will be key in doing that. We can go the acronym route like calling them our "SABRE" team. Sounds like a semi-tough word, and could be an acronym for Student.Assistant...........etc. I always get great ideas from the coaches on here, so any names you can think of would be very helpful! |
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Post by amikell on May 3, 2011 11:19:03 GMT -6
I'm taking charge of our managing team this year, so this thread can be useful to me too.
Here's a quick one off the top of my head. FAST: Football Assistance and Support Team
You could also make an analogy to the heart, lungs and skeleton of the body, b/c w/o these things what is visible on the surface (games, players) wouldn't be possible.
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Post by ehartman on May 3, 2011 11:32:19 GMT -6
I'm really interested in ideas for how to encourage students to come out as managers. Where I'm student teaching, we've got 1 kid who is pretty into it; he's not much for playing the game, but really wants to coach. It's easy to get kids like that to come out, but how do you get more bodies on the field to help out?
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Post by John Knight on May 3, 2011 11:45:32 GMT -6
Most colleges have what is called the football support staff. I like that for all the managers and helpers needed at high school practice and games.
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Post by coachplaa on May 3, 2011 11:46:06 GMT -6
I think if it is seen as an important job, and not a job for the wimps, then it makes it easier for kids to come out. The kids we have in mind are the ones that can't play due to an injury or parental concerns, but still want to be "on the team" and also the kids that are smaller but love football. I think having a few girls out there for water isn't a bad idea as long as there are ground rules with interaction and distraction.
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Post by John Knight on May 3, 2011 11:50:19 GMT -6
and dress!
We have a parent group called SWAT, supporters of waverly athletic teams.
The help the kids by feeding them after games and raising funds for special things.
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Post by RENO6 on May 3, 2011 17:58:29 GMT -6
You said it already "vitally important" proponent- VIP...
Then maybe a saying underneath that says the little things are the most important..
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Post by coachbdud on May 3, 2011 21:20:21 GMT -6
they can also get community service credit for it
you need to adopt them as part of the family, tony franklin spoke about getting those kids that the jocks might pick on normally, and get them into your family, then your kids treat them right and the student assistants benefit by becoming popular by association.
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Post by fasterthanthefly on May 3, 2011 22:32:54 GMT -6
"Special Ops"
On-field
Player
Support
Make a cool t-shirt with a Special Ops type badge on it. Google Special Ops Badge and click on images and it will give examples of different badges. We have never done this before but now you have me thinking about it.
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Post by coachplaa on May 3, 2011 23:50:41 GMT -6
Man, I freaking love it. This is why I love CoachHuey.com
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Post by John Knight on May 4, 2011 8:37:52 GMT -6
How about SWAT Team
Support
Water
Assistance and
Towels
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on May 4, 2011 11:03:35 GMT -6
The last 2 suggestions are sweet...
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Post by tothehouse on May 4, 2011 13:20:03 GMT -6
2 years ago our best filmer was a sophomore girl. She set up, filmed, and tore down...OUR ENDZONE SYSTEM...ON HER OWN. She is going to be a senior next year and is jacked to help out this year. I have to think that part of her reason to stay is that I give the filmers polo shirts with "film crew" on them. Nobody else has those shirts. I have given them rain proof jackets before. And the big thing?  SERIOUS RECOGNITION at the year end banquet...including handing them another gift...such as a key chain. All of the filmers that have gotten a key chain?...still have the chain as part of their key chain ensemble. Also, two years ago we won a championship....the players purchased rings, etc. I extended the opportunity to the film crew as well. The girls bought necklace pendants instead of rings. The name idea...is a good one! |
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Post by coachplaa on May 4, 2011 13:53:14 GMT -6
This is really great stuff. I know to some coaches on here it might seem like a luxury, but we have tried this type of thing in the past and failed, which I take responsibility for. The cool names, clothing, goodies, being brought into the team, selling them to the team as part of the team, etc., is huge. Recognition to their importance is also crucial.
I really like the Special Ops name.
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Post by oguru on May 4, 2011 21:22:47 GMT -6
At the college level there are four groups of support staff the video staff who film practice, the athletic trainers who handle taping injuries and water distrubution,the managers who set up drills for coaches and help them with drills,and then the equipment managers who handle the equipment issues doing laundry and what not.
They are all vital to the success of the program at Florida the trainers are called the orange army.
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Post by airman on May 4, 2011 21:40:40 GMT -6
the SSS
Student
Support
Staff
they have their own little locker room.
we have usually 10 of them one per coach. they set up practice, players take down practice.
they set up drills for coaches ahead of time each has a coach they help.
Players who disrespect them get punished. They are not water boys. We have student trainers for that.
they each get 1000 dollars out of my pocket for their time, a varsity letter, all the clothes they want, a free meal with the coaches every week.
They are very helpful
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Post by amikell on May 5, 2011 6:50:20 GMT -6
the SSS they each get 1000 dollars out of my pocket for their time, a varsity letter, all the clothes they want, a free meal with the coaches every week. WOW!!!! I'm not one to complain about teaching salaries, but you are CLEARLY not teaching as your main job. That's awesome. Good for you. Do the kids have to apply to be part of the SSS? What is that process like? |
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Post by coachsticks on May 5, 2011 11:30:11 GMT -6
We struggle to find ONE student willing to film practice for us. I envy those of you who have student support.
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