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Post by tim914790 on Dec 28, 2007 13:24:36 GMT -6
Hey guys I am in a small school and football has been down for a while. This was my first year as head coach and while we made some strides we did not have as much success partly due to the lack of athletes. My school is chock full of talent but they have been convinced by the wrestling, baseball, basketball, or lacrosse coach to only play that sport. This kills the football talent. I have talked to them a bit and they give me the standard "Id never tell a kid not to play" which I dont doubt but I can see them not encouarging a kid to play who is a great athlete. I think the main reason the kids do not play is because football is the only program in the school with off season weight trianing, the rest of the sports either do nothign or just play in rec leagues. Any help would be appreciated.
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Post by theprez98 on Dec 28, 2007 14:53:05 GMT -6
Attempt to sit down with all the coaches and explain that all sports would benefit from allowing kids to play multiple sports.
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Post by ajreaper on Dec 28, 2007 15:08:48 GMT -6
I don't think you compete with other coaches for kids- build a program kids want to participate in and they'll come. Easier said then done? Of course it is- particularly in a place unacustomed to success. You can also be sure you'll lose kids who'd rather not train to improve physically between seasons- it easier to just play a game vs. train hard getting bigger, faster, and stronger- ever see an "open gym" hurting for B-ball players? Of course not. Come, play, for as long as you like as hard as you like then leave. Don't ever lower your expectations to try to attract those "athletes" who'd rather just play then work to compete at a high level. Don't let the tail wag the dog ever.
My advice is to concentrate on middle school and youth football- get them hooked young and you'll be far better off then trying to convince those non-playing "athletes" at your high school to play.
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Post by touchdowng on Dec 28, 2007 15:29:15 GMT -6
good advice
also - do something in your program that highlights the hard work of the off-season football players. We do lots of T-shirts and website recognition with our guys. Some of the winter sport coaches have voiced envy that our weight room is getting more attention than the winter sports. Now, they've started doing stuff like this in their off-season.
Our goal is to make the off-season special since it is hard work and nothing like showing up for pick up games that are all about fun. We take PRIDE is choosing to work and use work as a metaphor in life.
We do what we can to make "work" a good word and not something to be avoided. For kids, there has to be rewards.
So, we reward their time and work habits. We're getting stronger and we are becoming more successful.
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Post by biggroff on Dec 29, 2007 17:20:00 GMT -6
Here is my suggestion..... Get yourself and you assistants on the coaching staffs of the other sports. This way you can: 1) Have contact with the kids year round 2) Have influence on the staffs in terms of in season lifting (off season to you) 3) Let the kids see you and your staff in a different setting 4) Promote cooperation in your athletic department We have 11 coaches on our football staff. 3 of them are on the basketball staff, 2 on the wrestling staff, 3 on the baseball staff, 4 on the track staff, and even one on the swim team staff. If you can't beat them....take them over  !!!! |
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Post by kurtbryan on Dec 29, 2007 17:31:44 GMT -6
Those are real problems you listed and solid suggestions from the coaches above too.
At Piedmont, it is such a vigorous academic school first and foremost, I had to do a few things to combat/overcome that problem such as yours in terms of sharing the talent pool.
1. Ensured the Principal and AD and my staff were on the same page in terms of off-season lifting, etc.
2. I PROMISED all football players that if they worked hard in the off-season and attended all practices during the season then they are Guaranteed to play in Every game, regardless of the score or outcome, on V or JV, etc.
3. I have never broken that promise - so even if a kid only gets to play in 1, 2 or 3 plays a game, it means the world to him, his family, friends and teammates.
4. Explained to the other coaches at Piedmont - that having bigger, stronger more agile athletes via the football program would also help our basketball, baseball, lacrosse teams, etc.
5. Create a Captains Council: Meet with your Varsity Team Captains once every few weeks during the off-season to check the Pulse of your program. And, meet with the Captains Council each Monday before practice during the season to do same thing.
Kurt
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