juice10
Sophomore Member
Posts: 200 
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Post by juice10 on Sept 26, 2006 7:16:29 GMT -6
I just recently took over a program (2nd year) that has not been very good in many, many years. Our kids have a hard time playing for the full game. It has been one of my biggest concerns throughout my brief time here, and it is not changing as fast as I would like it. We have some good athletes here; however, it is very difficult for us to stay in some games when I have players who I think don't know how to play and stay focused for 4 quarters. What am I doing wrong? Do you have any suggestions? Or do I go with "Rome wasn't built over night" philosophy and keep going with what I am doing.
Any help is GREATLY appreciated,
JUICE10
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Post by tog on Sept 26, 2006 7:18:07 GMT -6
stress them more in off season
mentally stress them when they are physically tired as much as possible
get them used to doing things exactly how you want when they least want to do it
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Post by coachcb on Sept 26, 2006 8:20:45 GMT -6
Just keep plugging away and teaching them the fundamentals of the game. Put them in game situations towards the end of practice, when they're exhausted. If anything- condition them for 10 minutes at your 2nd to last period and then finish with a "4th quarter period". Have your starting O or D run various D and D situations against a scout team. If you don't have enough for a scout team, go half line. For example- set up a 1st and 10 on the 10 going in for the offense- if they get the first down/TD then they're in the clear and the scout team has up downs/push ups etc... If they don't get it, then they get the extra conditioning. Rep it until they get their butts in the endzone.
I have had teams filled with "athletes" that don't know how to push themselves when it counts- so you have to teach them how. They'll hate you for it during practice, but they need to learn to be mentally and emotionally strong.
As Tog said, it starts in the off-season. You'll have kids that are babied at home and aren't put in situations where they have to work. You need to get them in weight room and teach them something about work ethic anc achieving a goal.
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Post by dacoachmo on Sept 27, 2006 7:41:43 GMT -6
BUILD IN on two,three etc into conditioning...
when some jumps offsides. make sure teammates are positive!
HARD PRACTICES = EASY GAMES
EASY PRACTICE = HARD GAMES
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Post by groundchuck on Sept 27, 2006 9:41:27 GMT -6
What is the culture of the community? Is losing okay there? That is something you will not change. Now if people there want a winning program then you can build that. You're right that Rome was not built in a day. Plan your work and work your plan. You will need to stress them more in the off-season because that is when championships are won.
But right now we are inseason so here are some thoughts for "right now":
1. How hard are you conditioning them? How many players go both ways? When I coached in a small school with kids going both ways we ran the snot out of them on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We made practice tougher than games.
2. Have a good ones period in practice where you run "20 good ones" on air or on cones. This can be conditioning too if you have them sprint 10-20 yards for each play. Everything must be 100% correct by all 11 players for the play to count.
3. How much are you trying to do? I made the mistake of thinking I had to do alot b/c we were not very good. When I cut out the things we did not need and focussed on running a few plays very well we started getting better. Confidence breeds quickness.
Are they close to winning? Sometimes kids don't win b/c they didn't realize they could have won the game. Keep plugging. Good luck...believe me I have been there.
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juice10
Sophomore Member
Posts: 200
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Post by juice10 on Sept 27, 2006 10:48:55 GMT -6
Coaches thanks for all the help, it is all greatly appreciated.
Tog,
I am planning on enforcing and stressing the importance of getting stronger and faster with a sound weight training program as well as a plyometric program. The problems I face are with the parents more so than the kids a lot of the times.
Ground,
A quick background of where I am at right now. The community is VERY, VERY blue collar, and many of our football kids are at poverty or close to it. Winning is something that the community wants, but they don't understand what it takes to become winners on the football field (speaking of wins/losses on the field), hard work, dedication, effort, etc.
Thanks again for all of your ideas, and keep them coming. I appreciate it!!!
Juice10
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Post by brophy on Sept 27, 2006 10:59:38 GMT -6
focus daily on improvement and not so much the W/L record.......otherwise, you'll kill yourself.
If you improve daily (and remain competitive to get better) the wins will come.
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Post by spartancoach on Sept 27, 2006 11:56:41 GMT -6
We started doing our conditioning (many rapid fire agility drills) before team period rather than at the end of practice, and we also do a couple of 40 yd sprints in the middle of team period. That way we are working the game plan while the kids are exhausted. It seems to have made a difference in our fourth quarter performance.
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Post by coachaaron on Sept 29, 2006 15:20:55 GMT -6
I found that my players were out of shape after running out of gas in one of our early games. I made team period longer, but made it a conditioning scrimmage. I had a huge ammount of injuries then, so I couldn't have them hit much at practice, but I had the O run a play at the 20 coming out, the D would pursue and tag the ball carrier, then everyone runs to the opposite goaline . . . and repeat. We worked on our plays and conditioned at the same time.
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