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Post by edwardslv on Mar 20, 2006 8:54:45 GMT -6
What do some of you guys do to make your OL feel special? They are the most underappreciated players on them team; maybe any team in any sport.
I am entering into my second year as head coach, and for years it seems the mindset at this school has been that players get put on the OL b/c they can't play anywhere else. I really want to change that attitude and implement some sort of brotherhood for them.
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Post by realdawg on Mar 20, 2006 13:29:36 GMT -6
We do several things, first instead of them going out twice a week in the spring like we do the skill people, we hold a linemen camp, where they go out every day for a month during the spring. This builds more togetherness and cohession (sp?) that we feel is needed for our OL group. Second we pay to take them to an OL camp where it is an overnight trip where they can spend time together, have some fun, and learn. Third we get special OL t-shirts made up each year with a little saying on it, and each players number or name. Lastly, we tell them! We repeat over and over how much work is expected of them, but how we know they dont get appreciated. We work them hard every day but at the end, we make sure they know we need and love them too!
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Post by coachjd on Mar 20, 2006 14:06:54 GMT -6
we do a lot of the same things as realdawg. When we go to the team camp at a local university the OL get the big van with AC and CD player. We have Sunday and Wednesday night workouts all summer long and after the workouts we have ice cream, pizza, or some kind of treat that they really enjoy. We talk to them all the time about having pride in their efforts, because they will not have their names or pics in the paper etc.... We also have a area in the lockerroom that has a bank of lockers with more open space, so we put all of the OL in that area.
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Post by mncoach72 on Mar 20, 2006 15:11:11 GMT -6
This last year I made it a point for my OL guys to have pride in what they did. So we changed our name from the generic "hogs" to the "Oxen" our team was called the Lumberjacks, so we played off of that. I told my boys that the oxen were always in front of the wagon leading the charge. Made up little traditions for only the OL, Lead Oxen Award, Oxen Rules, etc. I didn't even get into half of what I wanted to, but last year was the first year and they needed to buy into it themselves before I overwhelmed them.
I found that little traditions that are soley for the OL help them feel special within the team.
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Post by coachveer on Mar 20, 2006 19:05:42 GMT -6
If you dont already have one... find an OL coach that has the pride and passion not just for the x's and o's but for the kids themselves.
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Post by realdawg on Mar 20, 2006 20:26:44 GMT -6
Good suggestion veer! Personally, (I may be biased bc I am a OL coach) but I think the OL coach has to be the hardest working guy on staff.
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Post by CoachBrink on Mar 20, 2006 20:54:43 GMT -6
Great ideas, but as coachveer said, it is the OL coach. The OL will take on his personality. The OL is the key to the offense, and they should be treated as such. I repeat that to my line everyday. Linemen Rule! We are the front line, the oxen, The play doesn't start without a lineman snapping the ball. The most fun I have had coaching is being with my lineman, they are just like me, fat, ugly, and proud of it.
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bighit65
Junior Member
Make a statement without saying a word.
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Post by bighit65 on Mar 20, 2006 22:05:06 GMT -6
i think that purple hit the nail on the head. i teach my lineman to break oline drills with an"I.S.U.F" which stands for "It Starts Up Front". i tell them everyday that even though they dont get the accolades ball carriers will we are the true reason the team is good or the team is bad. that way they take it as a matter of pride. gotta love the hogs
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Post by coachveer on Mar 21, 2006 6:11:35 GMT -6
Darn, I forgot to mention that I'm also an OL coach....ah the devil's in the details.
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Post by realdawg on Mar 21, 2006 6:23:20 GMT -6
Its funny, I am an OL coach in a spread system, I would assume that Coachveer is an OL coach in an option system, but no matter what everyone with any football knowledge knows it doesnt matter what you run if you dont have those boys up front you aint gonna be very good! No matter what your offensive philosophy. Football is a simple game, you gotta BLOCK and tackle.
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Post by tog on Mar 21, 2006 7:37:37 GMT -6
we use a name and that kinda deal, but i think like veer says
it is just being able to show the kids you care about them
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