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Post by tractor on Jan 17, 2012 10:28:54 GMT -6
There seems to be a divide on how to prepare for the “BIG GAME”, whether it be a rivalry, playoff, or championship game.
1. Prepare the same as you always do. Basically, dance with the girl that brung ya, (or something along this line of thought). What got you there obviously works, don’t think you have to put in anything special. Plus, once the game starts you won't think about it any differently than any other game, so why should you beforehand?
2. Acknowledge that this one is different and change your preparation (extra effort, extra time, extra physical or mental prep of some sort).
My thoughts: Don’t lie about it, it really is a big game. The fans know it, you know it, and most of all, your players know it. Players and coaches might spend hours trying to convince themselves that it’s just another game, but internally they experience excess anxiety because they really do feel that this one is different. Best to prepare mental strategies to deal with these excess emotions.
But....these mental strategies are skills that should be practiced and employed from day 1. The degree of anxiety may increase for the big game, but the techniques associated with alleviating the excess stress remain the same.
Wondering where you guys stand on this topic, and if you do believe that the big game might require some attention to mental skills, do you wait until championship week to introduce these concepts?
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Post by JVD on Jan 17, 2012 10:37:00 GMT -6
Work has to be done to be mentally prepared.
There are 2 teams we play every year that usually put a hurting on us. The kids know it. The trick is to prevent them from being beat before they step on the field.
Example #1: Played a team week 2 who did not have a week 1 game (forfeit). We had some scrimmage film on them. Showed the kids checks, reads, etc. and they mentally were prepared. Get to the field and the Varsity and JV (they didn't have a game on Thurs, so they dressed for Friday) was out there. Instead of looking at the other end of the field and seeing 20 guys...like us....they saw 50. Mentally destroyed before opening kickoff.
Example #2: Play a team that is VERY tough. They run I-Formation Option. ALL WEEK my DE's are doing the right thing....forcing the pitch. Get to the game....mentaly destroyed. They run option at our left DE and he follows the pitch fake.
How do you DO that mental prep....that's my question.
JVD
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Post by fantom on Jan 17, 2012 11:54:57 GMT -6
As far as the kids are concerned we don't do anything different. The coaches may spend a little more time preparing but nothing changes for the kids: the weekly schedule, the daily practice schedule, game plan routine, etc. are all the same. In talking to them we acknowledge that it's a big game but we don't change how we do business.
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Post by coachfd on Jan 17, 2012 12:19:52 GMT -6
I think it goes back to your foundational beliefs and how you do things in general.
I have always believed in striving to always bring your a-game... Every single time you step on the field, you are trying to play at your absolute highest level. Coaches will worry about running up the score, etc. But we talk with our kids all the time about always giving their best--having a perfect attitude and giving a perfect effort. If they always do that, then they won't ever feel pressure. Because, they will know that their performance will depend upon themselves (their attitude, and their effort) and not upon the circumstances. They will be the same prime-time performers as always. The only thing that will change is the circumstances.
That being said... I think you have to acknowledge the change in circumstances. But once again, reiterate the same message of always giving a perfect attitude and perfect effort. Let the other team be affected by the circumstances. You and your team go out and "do what you always do." After all... if you could have been doing it better in the past, then you should have been doing it better in the first place.
Rely on your foundation. That's why you built with it as the foundation in the first place.
Stress the importance of playing with your best attitude and your best effort:
"It's about what WE do, and HOW WELL we do it."
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Post by coachwoodall on Jan 17, 2012 13:06:02 GMT -6
Just chop wood.
Our weekly schedule, planning, etc... remains the same. Do we dance around the issue that it is a big game? No. But we don't get all worked and make big speeches, etc.. about it either.
Monday of the week of our title game, I didn't think we had a good day of practice. After the team call up at the end of practice, we always meet in position groups for last minute wrap ups, etc.....
I asked the kid to really think about these 2 questions. "Did I coach any different today than I have for the last 14 Mondays?" All around the players replied, "No." Then I asked, "Has anything about today's practice been any different than the last 14 Monday practices?" "No."
I then went on very quickly, that they should have given the same effort, focus, etc... they have given for the last 14 Mondays and that I expected them to give us what we expect for a Tuesday practice (big implementation day/rep day). THIS IS WHAT WE DO.
That was the last time I really said anything near to mentioning the title game.
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Post by TMGPG on Jan 17, 2012 14:55:22 GMT -6
I think that it is important to try and keep things as normal as possible for the players in prep for a big game. The coaches on the other hand need to spend a little extra time or what have you to put those players in the best situations possible. You guys are right that the player know its a big game but I think that there is some confidence in doing the things that got you there as a player standpoint. If I'm a player and we change up a bunch on how we prepare for someone, I think I would be a little more nervous than I would if we stuck to the routine. Just my opinion though
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Post by realdawg on Jan 17, 2012 16:56:49 GMT -6
Like many have mentioned I think you keep the players weekly schedule the same. As coaches, we may put in a little more prep time, often I feel just to burn nervous energy. We acknowledge with the kids that it is a big game and talk to them about staying focused and not getting to high or too low. We tell them all the time, it's a big game but they are still gonna flip the coin and at 730 they are still gonna kick the ball off just like every other game.
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