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Post by coachplaa on Nov 16, 2023 12:46:54 GMT -6
4-5 years ago we heavily invested in the quality of tackling in our program, through Atavus, Hawk Tackling, and the University of Georgia had some great clinic talks on it. It had a dramatic impact on quality tackling in our program.
I'm curious- is there anything similar to that for blocking? A company that specializes in studying it, a college that is great at teaching it (I know many of them are). Looking for any and all ideas to improve blocking across the board in our program.
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Post by coachplaa on Feb 2, 2023 11:30:34 GMT -6
Our school district is looking at purchasing a new scoreboard. What are the best companies that you coaches would recommend?
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Post by coachplaa on Aug 25, 2022 13:51:33 GMT -6
We use them and love them. It works best if you have a manager in charge of getting them turned on and passed out, and then collected and plugged in.
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Post by coachplaa on Jun 15, 2022 14:51:57 GMT -6
So like many schools, the helmet shortage is affecting us. We will be about 30 helmets short at the start of camp. We've been told that Riddell is scheduled to ship our helmets in August but our first scrimmage is August 12th. We have a rule in CA that kids must have 10-14 days in pads before they can hit another opponent. So......we are thinking of sharing helmets for practice. But we are looking for creative ideas to get this done. Nothing sounds grosser than sharing a sweaty helmet in a post-covid era, so I'm looking for ideas.
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Post by coachplaa on Oct 26, 2021 12:16:51 GMT -6
Fellas we went through Hudl Sideline when it came out and got rid of it after 2 years. We went to Sportscope Edge after that and it was better than Hudl but still had major issues. We bought GameStrat this year and it has been incredible. I'd say about 95% efficient and the minor issues we've had were more setup error on my part.
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Post by coachplaa on Sept 17, 2021 10:34:19 GMT -6
We have had ZERO issues with them connecting or interference. I used to have some issues with the previous model, but honestly, I've forgotten about headset issues at all since the new TD900's came out. We have an 11-coach set.
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Post by coachplaa on Apr 14, 2021 11:40:44 GMT -6
Agree we have done the same thing for 10 years now with no issues. I'd make an argument that pullup knee pads are safer than knee pads in practice pants because usually those practice pants have ripped out bottoms that make the knee pads move everywhere.
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 13, 2020 10:39:22 GMT -6
We started doing something we stole from a college practice called "Rush Skelly."
Its basically 7v7 with pass pro vs pass rush, but its not 11 on 11.
The offense can run their entire dropback game.
All 5 O-linemen are out there vs our D-Line but our DL coach (from behind the QB) points at 1 D-Lineman to live rush. The rest of the D-Lineman must still get in a stance and work on their getoff but only go 2-steps to engage the OL.
The OL all think their guy is live and must pass set accordingly, and they don't stop unless the guy in front of them stops.
We do this on Mondays..... on Tuesdays the PassPro/Pass Rush is 3 on 2- we work Left side and then Right side. This gives the DL coach a chance to work loops and stunts and equally allows our OL coach to work on protecting vs that.
Its a great way to manage live reps and it makes our QB uneasy and way more realistic.
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Post by coachplaa on Aug 1, 2019 9:56:46 GMT -6
Its how we do it in CA. I've been coaching for 20+ years and its always been that way here. Freshmen typically play Thursday nights and JV & Varsity play Friday nights.
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Post by coachplaa on Jun 25, 2019 16:09:56 GMT -6
I've never done Saturdays at the large urban school I'm at because I'd have a variety of GOOD reasons why kid couldn't be there. I don't feel like it has ever hurt us.
When I was at a small rural school, I would do Saturdays during playoffs and the kids thought it was something special so I had no issues. And then we'd walk to donuts after so the kids were all about it.
The only time we have done it is when we play a rare Thursday night game the next week and I feel like we need Saturday to fix/flush the game so Monday is truly a clean slate.
I used to believe in Saturdays only during playoffs but I find that more and more by November you are flirting with growing the burnout that is already there with some kids (and coaches).
I'm intrigued with technology now how to deliver game plans more securely and holding kids accountable for knowing the game plan. Whether it be just using Hudl playlists and a google form, or actually using a classroom quiz app and Google slides.
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Post by coachplaa on May 23, 2019 11:02:28 GMT -6
Love the Slamball Burnout! We are adding it! We use Competitions all Summer and call them our Summer Games. We have a theme for each day of the week that kids look forward to. We divide our entire program up into 8 "Families" with captains for each one. The last 15 minutes of the each summer workout is a tourney for something that will create winners and losers. Coaches coach enthusiasm. Mondays: Relays- any type you can come up with Tuesdays: Team Handball (played w/dodgeball and a trashcan on its side at each end of a 40yd long x 20y wide field. 5v5 Wednesdays: Dodgeball- either Gladiator (use the soccer circle in middle of turf field, four teams battle royale last man standing), or Gauntlet (running through a 15-yd wide tunnel with throwers on both sides) Thursdays: Punt Drill- practice punt alignment and punting the ball and downing it near the goalline Fridays; Tug O War- 1on1, 3-way, and 4-way. We loop tug o war ropes through a tire to create 3-team or 4-team tug O war.
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Post by coachplaa on Apr 5, 2019 9:39:31 GMT -6
I don't have a huge problem with the price increase since the price has been the same for so long.
But I do have a problem with our loyalty being punished. I've been a member since 2008 and have all of my game film online, with a pressbox and enzone angle.
Now all of that film is going to count against my total? That just doesn't seem right.
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Post by coachplaa on Apr 4, 2019 13:58:25 GMT -6
I've found the best way to meet if to fill up a car with coaches and go to a nearby Spring college practice. Win on the car-conversation and win at the college practice. Only cost is gas.
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Post by coachplaa on Mar 22, 2019 14:00:24 GMT -6
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Post by coachplaa on Mar 2, 2019 12:55:30 GMT -6
I have a Google Doc labeled "2018 Clinic Notes." I have headings in it like Offense, Defense, ST, Practice Planning, Motivational, Technology, Equipment, etc. As I read something, or go to a clinic, or a spring practice; I add ideas to it with bullet points under each heading. Each December, I copy the Google Doc and title it with the new year. Its a great way to add ideas and not forget them; then usually before Spring ball and before Fall Camp I will go through the notes and find ways to incorporate the ideas that could make us better. Google Doc Clinic Note Example
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Post by coachplaa on Feb 26, 2019 15:09:10 GMT -6
University of Washington April 20 Cal-Berkeley April 5
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 12, 2019 18:58:56 GMT -6
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 11, 2019 22:33:27 GMT -6
Make sure your topic is clearly defined and then stick to it.
Don't talk about yourself for more than a minute at the beginning.
Be prepared for your crowd taking pictures of your slides, or looking at their phones while you are talking- it can throw you off if you aren't prepared.
Give them as much good information as possible, pertaining to the topic. I like to go quick and save 5 min for questions at the end.
Double-check your technology. I had a technology fail one year for Glazier Clinic and I still feel bad, or like one of those unprepared presenters.
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 11, 2019 22:27:49 GMT -6
We actually had the same things happen with our custodians. Couldn't figure out why my cans were disappearing and they actually thought I was taking the cans from them. We buy bright colored cans online, that are easy to stand out. And I take a 1" drill bit and I drill a few holes in the bottom of them so they don't stick together when they are stacked.
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 9, 2019 13:15:08 GMT -6
It’s a different experience. I’ve been going to clinics and spring ball for 20+ years. There is more content specific stuff at those things. The AFCA convention was a great experience but not your typical clinic. I heard 3-4 really great talks and a few that were ok. You don’t get the variety like you do at Glazier. If you are a college football FAN on top of a HS coach, there are lots of celebrity moments with big time coaches. I’m actually typing this in the SA airport now and I have about 10 head coaches and even more assistants around me waiting for the same connecting flight to Dallas. I will most likely be going again just for the experience. If you have the means I’d recommend doing as much as you can, as I think each has its benefits at different times of your coaching career.
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 3, 2018 16:16:41 GMT -6
I've put this on there before but we do two decals.
One for Academics based on weekly grade checks- 3 decals for all A's, 2 for B's and higher, 1 for C's and higher. They run a "green mile" for every D & F on the weekly grade check.
The other is for Practice Player awards. Each coach gives out a practice player award and recognizes the specific effort that earned it, at the end of every practice. Takes about 10 seconds per coach, gets all coaches involved, and kids really like it.
We don't do any game awards, that's just us.
We have a team on our schedule that did awards based on the graphics in Fortnite, and in their team's colors. Probably will be outdated next year, but I thought it was a great idea that their kids seemed to really like.
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Post by coachplaa on Sept 20, 2018 18:38:24 GMT -6
We did a box and people wrote their bid on index cards and dropped them into the sealed box. Created a lot of anxiety but it worked. Online would be better.
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Post by coachplaa on Sept 20, 2018 10:46:25 GMT -6
Thank you Coach! I get way more than I give. This is my GoTo when I'm looking for new ideas!
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Post by coachplaa on Sept 20, 2018 10:05:33 GMT -6
Just want to share an In-Season Fundraiser that is EASY money and the kids have fun with it. drive.google.com/file/d/1DcLvPAxMfhuj8TZJxCSg4ArCK-wVbow4/view?usp=sharingIts a Homecoming Jersey Auction. Our kids are not allowed to let anyone wear their jerseys (except parents), except for on homecoming day. We make an easy 10-20 per player for this. With 150 in our program, we make 1,800-$3,000 each year. No costs. It has done so well for us that one year we used the profit to buy a set of "alternate" jerseys for the varsity that we only wear for homecoming, and then the varsity rents out their home AND away jersey which brought in more money. I wanted to share that first, but am hoping for your ideas on an end-of-season fundraiser. We have an annual post-season awards in our Auditorium. No food, no charge to come. We've tried a Silent Auction on signed helmets, footballs, etc, and that brings in a little money. If there was a way to bid online in real time it would be even better (ideas?). Anyway, does anyone have something they do that generates money at their post-season awards night?
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Post by coachplaa on May 22, 2018 9:08:51 GMT -6
Having a checklist for the entire year is a big first step. I include on it purchase orders to open, fundraisers to document, scheduling opponents, scheduling 7v7, scheduling staff meetings etc.
But one thing that has really helped me, is whatever Cloud file organizaton you use- Dropbox, Google, etc- I setup a folder for each month of the year. That way every document or spreadsheet I create, I save in that month's folder. Then as time passes I can look back and easily find what I did "last year" in the same situation. Things like post-season banquet agendas, or all-league nomination forms, etc.
Then once a year (I do it in January) you can use the files in each folder to update your annual checklist.
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Post by coachplaa on May 3, 2018 10:34:35 GMT -6
A local coach call his scout team the MANIACS. We tried it and it only stuck for our scout teams for special teams.
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Post by coachplaa on Apr 27, 2018 13:57:35 GMT -6
I have the same timer that Coach Durham has above. We use it in spring, summer and fall to keep us on schedule. You can find a dealer on Amazon that usually will save you some money. You can customize the length of each period if you want, you can add break time in between periods if you choose. We plug it in but it has a battery if you need it. We just bought a new one we like the old one so much. The old one lasted us about 8 seasons, totally worth it IMO. You can hear the horn and see the display from 100 yards away.
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Post by coachplaa on Apr 20, 2018 12:15:38 GMT -6
We are in the San-Joaquin section of NorCal and its my understanding we are one of the last sections to approve Juniors playing JV. So we will have Varsity (anyone 15+), JV (Juniors, Sophs, and possibly Frosh) and a Freshmen only team. I understand some leagues have the freedom to go Frosh-Soph with their third team but our new league will be Frosh only.
Since this is new to us, our staff is leaning towards our Varsity being all Seniors and only starting with Juniors and Sophomores that are good enough to start or contribute on Special Teams. We are doing away with any adoration of winning Frosh or JV championships, we don't want our kids thinking we will beef up JV to try to win a JV championship. We are also looking at doing more Varsity & JV staff combination, so that the transition between moving kids from JV to Varsity will be smoother; since we anticipate some of our borderline Varsity kids that start on JV will be moved up once they show they can contribute.
Another thing we are looking at is adding a filter of having the kids Power/Hang Clean their body weight before they can be eligible for Varsity. For kids that weight more than 185, they must clean 185 to meet the requirement. Would appreciate feedback on that....
If there are any coaches that went through the transition, I'm really interested in getting ahead of potential problems rather than learning from mistakes.
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Post by coachplaa on Apr 5, 2018 10:03:31 GMT -6
True/False Bull/Bear Owl/Ostrich Press/Plug Whale/Worm
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Post by coachplaa on Apr 2, 2018 9:37:02 GMT -6
We buy the Riddell Kombines and have heard no complaints. More affordable than the Power but probably won't last as long.
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