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Post by fantom on Mar 29, 2012 17:18:43 GMT -6
How much pressure do you guys feel in any given game? I've coached in big games and hear about the pressure but never felt it. Is a big game really any different that any other?
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Post by blb on Mar 29, 2012 17:35:19 GMT -6
Maybe it's my advanced age but I don't feel any more pressure in a "big" game than any other.
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Post by fantom on Mar 29, 2012 18:13:27 GMT -6
Maybe it's my advanced age but I don't feel any more pressure in a "big" game than any other. Maybe that's why we're doing this at our advanced age.
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Post by amikell on Mar 29, 2012 20:10:24 GMT -6
I think part of that also has to do with how many "big" games you've been in. If you have never "been there before" it is truly hard to "act like you've been there before".
I was fortunate enough to coach 2 kids in state wrestling championships this year. First time ever. I think I was more nervous than they were. That being said, I believe in sticking with the routine, pretty much regardless of what game you are heading into. The routine allows you to go be able to move past your own personal nerves and do the job.
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Post by jgordon1 on Mar 29, 2012 20:40:34 GMT -6
I think I feel more pressure in the days leading up to the game than in the game....also, I sleep like a baby the night before a game but can never sleep after a game win or lose...the one thing I have noticed over the years is that I don't dwell on a bad loss like I used to...not that I don't care, but just drining on toward the next game
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z
Junior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by z on Mar 29, 2012 20:44:37 GMT -6
Have had the chance to coach in a number of "big" games, but to me, all of them are big games. When the stakes are higher, you know that every opportunity could be the difference in the game. Had the opportunity to coach in a state semifinal game in which my team, nor the other team punted. The difference was a turnover that we got (through our kids on the special team busting their a*& to get down the field). The only difference in that game was the extra posession that we got, and were able to convert.
All games are big! You've invested a week of hard work, sweat, heart, and some tears into preparing your kids. If you have done that, as a coach, you have done all that you can do. Trust your kids, and trust the work that you've put in!
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Post by fantom on Mar 29, 2012 21:15:55 GMT -6
Have had the chance to coach in a number of "big" games, but to me, all of them are big games. When the stakes are higher, you know that every opportunity could be the difference in the game. Had the opportunity to coach in a state semifinal game in which my team, nor the other team punted. The difference was a turnover that we got (through our kids on the special team busting their a*& to get down the field). The only difference in that game was the extra posession that we got, and were able to convert. All games are big! You've invested a week of hard work, sweat, heart, and some tears into preparing your kids. If you have done that, as a coach, you have done all that you can do. Trust your kids, and trust the work that you've put in! Maybe that's it. They're all big. You do your job then you go home. What did Woody Hays say? The hay's in the barn.
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Post by 42falcon on Mar 29, 2012 22:35:37 GMT -6
I am a younger guy (atleast that is what I keep telling myself at 32) and I don't think I feel pressure for me or my family or my reputation. When I first started coaching sure I tottaly did but as I have started to understand why I do this I have come to the realization is not even remotely about ME.
Now when we get the big game or close to the big one my stress level goes up for the kids because I remember what it was like to win the big one or get to the big one as a player and I want to make sure our kids get that same chance. For example this past year we had a chance to get to a City Championship with a brand new school/program & man was I feeling the stress for these kids. All us coaches kept saying "Let's just get these kids a shot at it" and when we got to the City Final we were cool as cucumbers in terms of stress. But again these was a very focused, directed level of energy to the fact that we want this for our kids because they earned it.
I could care less about the W's personaly I love coaching the kids, the back and forth with the coaches, watching kids develop personaly and as players and obviously the X's & O's. As long as the kids are having fun (usually the W's make that happen for them) we do it the right way and all of our boys get to play I am happy.
My wife might say I care more than I let on...
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Post by 44dlcoach on Mar 30, 2012 2:04:35 GMT -6
I used to feel a lot of pressure early in my career, but looking back I think it was just nervousness and a lack of self-confidence. I was constantly concerned about not wanting my group to get outplayed and not being the one that let the program down or didn't have his guys ready to play.
As the years have gone on a little bit and I've been able to establish my own philosophy and get more comfortable with how we teach what we do, I really don't feel much pressure, now it's just a matter of trusting the process and the teaching progression and trusting that the kids will do what you've trained them to. I know that by the time that ball is kicked off, I've done probably about 90% or more of what I can do to impact the outcome of the game, so why freak out about it.
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Post by jgordon1 on Mar 30, 2012 6:41:05 GMT -6
Is feeling pressure negative?..I know I work better when I am being pushed...Is that pressure?
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Post by newhope on Mar 30, 2012 7:04:44 GMT -6
I've been doing this nearly 40 years. I still throw up before the game almost every Friday night. Hell of a way to make a living....but I guess when I stop throwing up, it will be time to give it up.
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Post by fantom on Mar 30, 2012 7:08:19 GMT -6
Is feeling pressure negative?..I know I work better when I am competing...Is that pressure? I don't think that it is.
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Post by jgordon1 on Mar 30, 2012 7:09:41 GMT -6
Is feeling pressure negative?..I know I work better when I am competing...Is that pressure? I don't think that it is. so how do we define pressure?
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Post by coachwoodall on Mar 30, 2012 7:27:24 GMT -6
Interesting topic. What is pressure? Is it stress, nerves, competition, excitement, fear, worry, or a combination of all of theses?
Personally, I feel pressure. I feel the pressure of the coming season right now. Part is the expectations of the coming season from the fans/community. Part is the expectations of my boss. Part is from myself. Of course there are many issues that we are working on right now to prepare, grades of players, finding the right new starters, training, and finding what we will do the best.
When the season rolls around, I feel it early in the week. Having to come up with the right game plan and diagnose the plan of that week's opponent.
The biggest part that I think related to this is nerves about the outcome (and how it is played out). So far as how I feel about the game on Friday, I am calm as a cucumber. All I do is watch a game from the box.
I place no aspersions that I will make a great suggestion/call in the course of the game that determine the outcome. I guess I fall into the 'hay is in the barn' group when game time rolls around. The only time I ever feel the 'pressure' before the game is if I think that we (coaches) didn't do a good job of getting the kids ready that week.
I don't throw up before a game. I don't pace around, fidget, etc... Now yes, people have commented to me that I have my 'game face' on, but usually it is just my personality. I am not a rah-rah guy. I focus on the task at hand. Usually I may seem distant, but that is just me going through the game plan in my head to make sure that I am confident that I will be able to see what I need to see from the booth.
I with phantom, this game is the game we are playing. It is just like the others, we do/did what we do. And trying to psyche yourself up/out before hand is counter productive.
If you feel pressure before a game, maybe you need to reassess how your are preparing the kids during the week, and possibly during the off season.
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tekart
Junior Member
Posts: 298
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Post by tekart on Mar 30, 2012 7:36:02 GMT -6
Game-day I am anxious and excited. I am more stressed during the week. Generally I feel prepared and I am ready to hit the field. I don't really feel the pressure of winning and losing. Game-day is supposed to be fun! If we go and play our best things usually work out for themselves. I feel more pressure to make sure that all the water boys are there and the headsets are charged.
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Post by fantom on Mar 30, 2012 7:39:49 GMT -6
I don't think that it is. so how do we define pressure? Good question. To me real pressure would be a military commander, who makes actual life and death decisions. That, to me, is real pressure. Football is just a game. Won some, lost some. I remember reading that the Bowdens hated playing against each other. That didn't make sense to me. It's a game. You play games with your friends, right?
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Post by blb on Mar 30, 2012 8:11:02 GMT -6
It's not that I am unaware of pressure, just don't "feel" it during game because I'm too busy and it's not any different regardless of how "big" the game is.
I disagree with statement "hay's in the barn." One must be a good "game coach" - communicating with other coaches and players, making intelligent and well-timed calls, adjustments - to be successful in this business.
Bear Bryant said, "Football, more than any other, is a coach's game."
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Post by jgordon1 on Mar 30, 2012 8:19:52 GMT -6
Yes, I think I feel the most pressure (anxiety/dread) not sure of the term, during the late spring and early summer..when I don't have as much contact w/ the kids..once rel practices begin i feel much better blb...my college coach always used to say the hay was in the barn...but then he would have us watch film on Friday night for an hour...It was everything I could do to keeep my eyes from shutting..I personally believe the hay is not in the barn..I will sometimes go to a group of guys and tell them about an adjustment I am thinking about that just popped into my head and not to be alarmed as if we are panicing
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Post by tothehouse on Mar 30, 2012 9:20:45 GMT -6
Never really felt pressure. Piece the week together from your initial thoughts to the initial plan for the other team. Feel good about it...then coach the {censored} out of your players that week. I never felt I went into a game worried about much. Even if the other team had a lot of better players than our team.
Anxiety? Probably more than pressure. I knew that if I called something there was usually a reason behind it and could live with the results...either poor execution or a flat out bad call by me. Same for when things went right. Part of the weeks preparation. The pressure was making sure the whole week went right before the game.
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ko49
Sophomore Member
Posts: 117
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Post by ko49 on Mar 30, 2012 9:37:42 GMT -6
Very interesting topic. As some others have indicated, I regard pressure as relative to the situation. The pressure to put food on the table for someone having trouble finding work in a depressed market is certainly different than the pressure of winning football games. I have a neighbor who has a child with Down's Syndrome. The pressure to be that parent, to be patient and nurturing and not give in to frustration, seems immense to me. Still, that doesn't make the pressure coaches feel inconsequential. I feel pressure, especially now that I'm an HC. I want to be successful for myself, my fellow coaches and my players. That feels like more pressure than anything I feel from the community. I've learned to ignore what the community thinks, which helps. I've coached state championship teams and teams that went 2-8 and the naysayers were just as loud in both instances. To me, pressure doesn't feel like something that comes out of a need to please the community. I just don't want to disappoint the guys I work with and the kids that rely on me to prepare them and make the right decisons on game night. In that regard I think pressure is good because it keeps you driving. When I stop feeling it I'll know to get out.
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Post by spos21ram on Mar 30, 2012 9:40:40 GMT -6
I think the pressure in big games would only come if your job is on the line. I can see having a little anxiety or being nervous because you don't want to lose and you want your players to succeed and win as often as possible.
The definition of pressure is getting "pressed" on by someone or a group. In our cases principals, AD's, parents, etc. So unless your job isn't safe or they'll be some sort of backlash if you lose a big game then there is no reason to feel pressure.
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Post by mitch on Mar 30, 2012 11:09:22 GMT -6
Are you guys serious??
You don't feel any different when you're playing the 'weak sister's of the poor' in week 2, as opposed to a buzzsaw in round 3 of the playoffs?
Hell, I like it...make me feel alive.
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Post by blb on Mar 30, 2012 11:21:35 GMT -6
When you have coached at both "Weak Sisters of the Poor" and "Buzzsaw High" you realize each win counts the same - one.
Now afterward you may have a greater sense of accomplishment beating a talented, well-coached team.
But there'll be another "one" waiting for you next week.
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Post by warrior123 on Mar 30, 2012 11:36:19 GMT -6
For me pressure is just Anticipation. I feel personally our practices are more pressure packed and intense than most games. I think that's our job as coaches when it comes to mentally and physically preparing our young men. Routine is a huge must. Unfortunately there are only 24 hours in a day but hell Rome wasn't built in a day either.
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Post by mattharris75 on Mar 30, 2012 11:37:30 GMT -6
Are you guys serious?? You don't feel any different when you're playing the 'weak sister's of the poor' in week 2, as opposed to a buzzsaw in round 3 of the playoffs? Before the game? Yeah, I feel different. When we're playing a team I know our backups would beat by 40 points, I'm definitely more relaxed. Looser. But I do my best to act outwardly the same, for the sake of our players. Once the game starts, it's all pretty much the same, regardless of opponent. Too many things going on that are actually important to the outcome of the game for me to think about or worry about the 'pressure' of the situation.
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Post by tothehouse on Mar 30, 2012 11:44:30 GMT -6
mitch - not pressure. Anxiety. 2009 - 1st round of playoffs...walked into the stadium. Saw the other team warming up. They looked like they wanted to get back on the bus. Knew that we'd put it to them. And did. 2nd round - walked into the stadium. Same thing as week 1, but maybe even more. It was 21-0 us, 3 minutes into the game. 3rd round - walked into the stadium. Saw something different. A team that was going about it's business. Looking like they wanted to come in and take it from us. Looked prepared. Had that "look". A late fumble by them as they were driving for the winning score gave us the victory. Champioship game - By Monday of the week I knew we'd win. Watching film, knowing the plan, knowing our players, knowing the other team better than they knew themselves..... That isn't pressure. That was preparation. Anxious? Sure. Defensively we pitched a shut out in the championship game (they got 2 points on a safety). I honestly didn't feel pressure to do anything. After all...why show any kind of negative vibe to the players. We were all antsy, but confidence was gushing.
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Post by gdoggwr on Mar 30, 2012 11:57:36 GMT -6
I don't know if its 'pressure' or anxiety, or what, but I feel like puking before every game. After the first offensive snap (I'm co-OC, so if D is first the nerves are still there), its gone and its just the game. But every game, from week one to the state championship game, its there until we get started.
I think I agree with ko49, when thats gone, then something in me has changed.
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Post by mitch on Mar 30, 2012 12:08:51 GMT -6
When you have coached at both "Weak Sisters of the Poor" and "Buzzsaw High" you realize each win counts the same - one. Now afterward you may have a greater sense of accomplishment beating a talented, well-coached team. But there'll be another "one" waiting for you next week. I have coached at both, haha. I guess I'll have to be different and say I get different feelings throughout the week and even through the game depending on what type of team we are playing. I'm not debating the feeling of 'pressure'. I never said the word. But there is a different intensity level depending on opponents for me, at least. For instance, last season -- I am the OC and we played an inner-city school in Week 3 that was just TERRIBLE. I could close my eyes and point to the playsheet to get a call and we were going to score in 2-3 plays, no matter what. Week 10 we played a dang good team that we had to beat to improve our chances in the playoffs. The feelings I had during those weeks and games were drastically different.
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Post by gdoggwr on Mar 30, 2012 12:14:28 GMT -6
When you have coached at both "Weak Sisters of the Poor" and "Buzzsaw High" you realize each win counts the same - one. Now afterward you may have a greater sense of accomplishment beating a talented, well-coached team. But there'll be another "one" waiting for you next week. I have coached at both, haha. I guess I'll have to be different and say I get different feelings throughout the week and even through the game depending on what type of team we are playing. I'm not debating the feeling of 'pressure'. I never said the word. But there is a different intensity level depending on opponents for me, at least. For instance, last season -- I am the OC and we played an inner-city school that was just TERRIBLE. I could close my eyes and point to the playsheet to get a call and we were going to score in 2-3 plays, no matter what. Week 10 we played a dang good team that we had to beat to improve our chances in the playoffs. The feelings I had during those weeks and games were drastically different. For me its worse during the week leading up that 'sisters of the poor' game than the buzzsaw. Keeping the players focused, making sure we continue to improve. Sure, sleepwalking through a mediocre win against a chitty opponent is still a win, but it doesn't help you get ready for the quality team you play the next week.
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Post by mitch on Mar 30, 2012 12:16:49 GMT -6
Practice is definitely harder for the weak teams. You have to put on your game face, lest the kids take a week off. No such worries when you're playing the good ones.
I'm just talking about me internally.
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