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Post by coachplaa on Jan 26, 2011 17:46:10 GMT -6
Best advice I ever got for our lower level teams:
Two Goals for the End of the Season 1) Each kid will say "I had fun playing football this year." 2) Each kid will say "I want to play football again next year."
Fundamentals and everything else is great and important, but a kid that is fundamentally sound, and doesn't play the next year because it wasn't any fun, won't do the varsity team any good anyway.
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 26, 2011 17:43:29 GMT -6
Stay away coach. They call the Athletic Dept at our school every month trying to get us to sign up. It is a big box approach, and their profit is not very good. We make our own discount cards now, but have made a 70% profit in the past using "Raiser's Edge." I think you can google them.
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 19, 2011 14:31:46 GMT -6
We do similar stuff. 3 1/2 hours before kickoff is ideal for the food to be doing them the most good and taking the least amount of their bodies energy to digest it. We try to follow a 70% carb, 15% protein, 15% fat model. That usually means for us sandwiches, moderate pasta (not too much) with ground turkey or chicken, marinated grilled chicken, etc. We have a parent group that comes in and feeds our kids, and our boosters give us $100 a week to pay for each meal. It works out great for us.
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 17, 2011 23:22:35 GMT -6
There is a new program out from a very good coach who has specialized in this area, Phil Willenbrock. sharedteamleadership.com/
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 13, 2011 18:17:47 GMT -6
You can obviously practice all of the fundamental drills together, but for team, what if you had the Varsity offense going east vs a varsity scout team, and the JV offense going west vs a jv scout team. Call the same play in the huddle, have the varsity run the play while the jv offense watches from their adjacent huddle, and then have the jv go run the same play. JV players could watch the varsity kids, and then go do it themselves. Just an idea...
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 9, 2011 16:02:48 GMT -6
It looks like ProLook Sports is making some of Riddell's game jerseys this year.
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 7, 2011 8:50:03 GMT -6
I think the USA Football grant is very easy. It prompts you with questions, and you have to do some typed responses. When you are all done, there are 10-12 packages you can choose from.
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Post by coachplaa on Jan 6, 2011 17:33:41 GMT -6
USA Football does equipment grants every year. Very easy to apply for. I think we've gotten two sets of helmets from them, and one set of shoulder pads, for three years in a row. www.usafootball.com
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 30, 2010 9:47:00 GMT -6
Here you go Coach. I started using these things this year. I bought a $30 9x12 laminator a few years ago, and this year my staff started to use these things. They are perfect. Fairly cheap, the cord length has plenty, and they are small enough to clip on your belt or pocket and forget about it. The snaps are adequate unless you are hard on your playsheet. If that is the case, a small piece of athletic tape finishes the job. www.staples.com/Avery-Name-Badge-Reel-Clips-Assorted-5-Pack/product_511099?cmArea=SC1:CG24:DP1520:CL140965
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 28, 2010 9:48:26 GMT -6
I've never hosted one of the Casino nights, but I have considered it. I have been to one, where basically you buy casino chips with cash, when you walk in. At the end of the event, 2-3 hours later, chips are turned in for raffle tickets. Say for every $20 in chips you turn in you get 1 raffle ticket. Then any/all donated items are given away via a drawing. www.valleyvegasnites.com/party.html
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 25, 2010 10:14:56 GMT -6
What exactly is this? It seems like a secret society because even on their website it doesn't say exactly how you make $$.
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 21, 2010 17:34:36 GMT -6
Just my two cents:
Russell has always made quality, comfortable cloth. But they were getting pretty pricey.
We bought Underarmour uniforms this year. We didn't pay the extra $10 per jersey for the stretch material. The kids didn't like the way the jerseys fit. Another local team DID pay the extra money for the stretch material, and I understand they were happy with them. However, our kids LOVED the game pants. They were worth every penny. I feel like the jerseys were just the logo.
We bought Pro Look jerseys two years ago, and the kids like them so much- look and wear- that we are buying them again this year. Their pants look like a quality product too, but we've just never purchased them.
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 21, 2010 9:13:42 GMT -6
I have learned that administrators are only interested in documentation. I have an upcoming senior that causes me constant, annoying, little problems. His attitude sucks, and he's gotten very good at fooling his rich daddy- who causes a scene at every little "injustice" placed on his son. So this year, I'm keeping a list. I'm going to make SURE I document everything he does, so I have ammunition for my administration if he chooses not to be a team player.
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 8, 2010 17:19:56 GMT -6
They had better call or text before practice, not during or after practice. And telling their buddy to tell the coach they are going to miss is not acceptable. We started using the "last one in" policy for kids that miss a practice, about 6 years ago. And to be honest, we have had VERY little of these problems since then. The message I keep sending the kids is if you want to play on Friday, you'd better be here the entire week of practice.
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 7, 2010 22:41:53 GMT -6
Our message to the kids is if you come to practice, you will play in front of kids that miss practice. It works for us. Kids that miss practice aren't as prepared as lesser kids that miss a day of practice. If they miss two days of practice, they definitely won't be ready. I don't care how good they are. And if you play a kid that misses a day of practice, you send the absolute wrong message to the 95% of the team that is doing everything correctly and looking up to you as a coach.
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 3, 2010 19:09:26 GMT -6
The hardest part is trying to wrap up last season, reflect and learn from things done well and also mistakes; and at the same time trying to plan the next season. ADD I guess.
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 3, 2010 19:07:34 GMT -6
I think something that works really well is just doing one "conversation" per day as soon as the season is over. I've done the forms but have lost them, not read them, etc. Having a conversation and letting them do 90% of the talking has worked very well. The kids always walk away knowing the coach listened and made them feel important. It gives me a chance to hear any problems, and also what to improve on. Don't get me wrong, I love the form idea though, I just haven't been very good at it. The best opening line I use: "Tell me in your own words what you thought of this season, and please DO NOT just tell me what I want to hear."
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 3, 2010 15:04:17 GMT -6
We have a local team that swears by using a small amount of shaving cream and rubbing it in like you would with a baseball mitt. I've never tried it with a football, but I know it does make a baseball mitt tacky. Check your local rules book though, because it does say in ours that you cannot apply any substance to a game ball. Probably why you just want to use a little to "clean up" the ball.
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 2, 2010 7:45:00 GMT -6
Since I have to "assign" my coaching stipends in August, before our actual season starts; I assign them to the coaches that were the most dedicated over the summer workouts. I also agree that now or January is a great time to sit down with the entire staff and layout what kind of time is expected to be given in the off-season.
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Post by coachplaa on Nov 30, 2010 15:24:58 GMT -6
We are two platoon, and the biggest challenge we have is going against a quality scout team. Therefore, like mentioned above, we service one another. One thing to add to the above posts, that I really like....is we will go our first defense vs two offensive scout teams. Each offensive scout team is ran by two offensive coaches. The "A" scout team is most of our first team offensive starters. That groups run some of the more elaborate plays. Our "B" scout team is our second team offense, and they run the easier, core plays. Each scout team lines up on a hash, so A might have the left hash, and B has the right hash. As soon as one play is over, the other offense has gotten done getting their assignment from the scout card, and they are forcing our defense to hustle over and align correctly. We slow it down on Monday, are a little forgiving on Tuesday, and by Wednesday, it better be great. This has been great for our reps. We can get 20 reps in a 10 minute period, and we always blow a quick whistle.
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Post by coachplaa on Nov 29, 2010 7:19:49 GMT -6
We do the same thing with the injured kids. They have to show up (if they can) and be a part of the team.
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Post by coachplaa on Nov 28, 2010 12:02:28 GMT -6
Great posts. It was touched on, but coaching continuity is a big part of this "culture" as well. Our coaching staff is great about reflecting on what we did well and what we didn't, and making changes and learning from mistakes. I feel like every year, we have a starting point that was further along than the year before. WE are far from being an elite program, but I think we are on our way. And we don't have all the answers, but I feel like our staff is 3-4 years closer to being where it needs to be.
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Post by coachplaa on Nov 28, 2010 10:19:17 GMT -6
Let me add what we did, it worked well. We don't give them out for game achievements, we only gave them out for "practice players of the day." Every coach would give out one, each day. We give them out in the off-season and in-season. The kid that puts forth the best effort is awarded one at the end of each practice, and its a great way to end practice. We also give them for good grades and good comments. We grade-check each week, and if the grade check is good, they get a decal. Also, if I get a good e-mail or comment from a teacher, they get one, and the note is passed on to the team.
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Post by coachplaa on Nov 23, 2010 11:11:49 GMT -6
Clinic Notes are transcripts of high school coaches at Nike Clinics. Clinic Manuals are transcripts of college/pro coaches at Nike Clinics. Both are great, and both are beneficial. I personally find about 1/2 of the Clinic manual that I can use in my high school program, and also about 1/2 of the Clinic Notes that I find useful. I was able to meet Earl Browning and his son last year, and they do a GREAT job of recording clinic transcripts, publishing diagrams, charts, etc.
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Post by coachplaa on Nov 18, 2010 0:36:34 GMT -6
If you have no other coaching books, the Nike COY manuals are the best IMO. I have them dating back to 1996, and I too frequent them often. Great ideas, lots of innovation, and the ability to go back and read it 4-5 times since my comprehension could use some work.
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Post by coachplaa on Nov 17, 2010 18:26:48 GMT -6
Another thing we kicked around, but haven't done yet....in regards to playing time....since we don't "play any games" in the off-season; we DO play 7on7 and such. We have talked about the top pride pointers at each position get the start in 7 on 7. It's a LITTLE thing, but kids notice.
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Post by coachplaa on Nov 16, 2010 23:18:26 GMT -6
One of my favorites, I haven't used it in 8 years, but I think we're bringing it back this year: "No Distractions, Just Destruction" I coach in urban area with lots of distractions, poor economy, partying issues, unrealistic parents, etc....and I'm hoping this slogan will sum up what it means to play team football.
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Post by coachplaa on Nov 16, 2010 23:16:04 GMT -6
This is our fourth season of doing this, and let me tell you, they buy in quick. The idea of the top point earners getting first crack at new equipment, jersey number selection, etc., has been huge. A couple of suggestions as we continue to evolve our points system.... 1) Instead of keeping track on an Excel spreadsheet that you have to carry around with you all the time, and upload to a website (if you want your kids to view it online); use Google Docs and their basic spreadsheet. Make the setting so only the coach can edit, but anyone can view it. Then, everytime you need to update it, you log in to Google, make your changes, hit save, and it is always current and updated. 2) Let the kids have a lot of say in how the pride points are earned. Guide them of course, but let them take ownership. Last year, our kids wanted more emphasis put on summer workouts, because they felt like the year before too many kids slacked on committment during the summer. So we weighted it more this year, and it paid off. We also added another great feature this year. We tested their Power Clean at the beginning of summer, and then at the end of summer. For every pound they went up in the Power Clean, they got 1 for 1 in pride points.
And I've said this before on here, but my advice for kids/parents that don't buy in....see you later. It will take one kid to test the system, but if you can sell it to your principal/AD as 1) a safety concern for kids that don't train over the summer, and 2) a way for attitude problems to cut themselves; then you'll have a great system.
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Post by coachplaa on Sept 24, 2010 16:44:17 GMT -6
I had a kid that quit this year after the first game because he didn't get to play. He expected me to beg him to stay on the team. We've won three games in a row since he's left. My smile says it all when I pass him in the hallway...
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Post by coachplaa on Sept 24, 2010 16:41:24 GMT -6
We used to use just a standard laminate pouch, and make sure the seal was about 1/8" all the way around the play card. Honestly, we went away from wristbands two years ago, and now just signal everything in. We have one live signaler and three dummy guys signalling. We have different ways of determining who is "hot." I can't tell you what a time saver it has been in terms of not printing and laminating play cards. Total freedom now.
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