|
Post by bleefb on Dec 22, 2009 0:51:20 GMT -6
I know I mentioned this in a thread some months ago, But "Best of Times" with Kurt Russell and Robin Williams is my favorite football movie. Even though it's a comedy, we can all relate to yearning for or hanging on to "past glory." You gotta love Reno Hightower.
"He's wearing his white shoes!!"
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Dec 22, 2009 0:41:08 GMT -6
I watched the Bellarmine and DeLaSalle games. In the 1st one, I was surprised that Bellarmine never ran any misdirection (Counter Criss-Cross?) plays. That one always gives us fits if we don't stay disciplined. In the DeLA Salle game it was pretty obvious that Crenshaw was built around their stud running back. When he went down, they had no solution. I don't think DLS "settled down" they just got to face slower running backs.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Nov 12, 2009 15:37:19 GMT -6
Most administrators are on a year to year contract and if they weren't in the classroom in their current district they don't have tenure. Therefore, especially in the current economy, they are scared to death for their jobs, and will usually throw their own mother under the bus in order to keep that job. Just like parents, always remember that, deep down, they have a different priority than you do.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Nov 10, 2009 21:57:48 GMT -6
Often more true than we would like to think.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Nov 10, 2009 15:39:31 GMT -6
Ask these questions to ten coaches
1) Where all have you coached? California
2) How long have you coached? 27 years
3) Why do you coach? Competition, enjoyment of the sport, working with athl;etes
4) In your opinion, what is the toughest part of coaching? Parents, attracting and keeping athletes (small school) fundraising
5) In your opinion, what is the most rewarding part of coaching? Seeing kids “get it” teamwork clicking, winning, of course
6) How many hours per week during the season do you spend involved with anything coaching related? 30-40
7) How many hours per week during the off-season (not summer) do you spend involved with anything coaching related? Varies, depends if I’m coaching baseball. If not, at least 10 hours
8) How many hours per week during the summer do you spend involved with anything coaching related? 9 hours with kids, probably 2-3 without kids
9) In brief, what is your offensive philosophy? We are a Wing-T team. We have to establish the fullback. We also do enough pro-set to be able to pass. We are typically 2000 yards rushing, 1000 yards passing. This year we are doing well so we are at around 2500 and 1200
10) In brief, what is your defensive philosophy? Stop the big play, play fundamental football. We are bigger on alignment and assignment then we are on blitzing.
11) In brief, what is your special-teams philosophy? KISS. We are a small roster so we need to keep it simple, but we spend time on S-Teams every day of the week
12) In brief, what is your strength & conditioning philosophy? We try to follow BFS. Difficult because our athletes play 3 sports and I’m off-campus so they don’t lift as much as I like
13) What advice would you give a young coach? If you’re not willing to make the time commitment, don’t bother to get involved. Nothing worse then a “door hit them in the ass coach.” Also, understand that you will never please everyone. Someone will always be upset, win or lose.
14) What would be your dream coaching job? At this point in my career, I like where I am. I just wish we had a few more players.
15) What are the keys to success when dealing with other sports? You just try to work with people
16) What are the keys to success when dealing with parents? There’s no good formula because parents have absolutely no sense of reality when it comes to their child. All you can do is be honest, have clear cut guidelines, put everything in writing that you can (It doesn’t matter to them, but Admin needs it) Document any problems with their child!!
17) What are the keys to success when dealing with boosters? See above. Don’t let them think they are indispensable.
18) What are the keys to success when dealing with administration? Be honest and open. Be organized, and keep them apprised of any situations that might be coming their way. They don’t like surprises. Understand that most of them only have your back to a point. “Trust, but verify.”
19) What are the keys to success when dealing with other faculty? Let them know you appreciate the demands THEY have on their time. Try to communicate. Offer to help them with any discipline problems they have with your players. Don’t “bigtime” them. Some are jealous of the attention football gets and can feel under-appreciated. Don’t feed in to that.
20) What are the keys to success when balancing coaching and family? I’m fortunate that I married late and her daughter was grown, so I never had to deal with the kid demand. I see more and more coaches getting out because of spousal demands. My wife is pretty understanding. I think you have to set some time aside to spend with them and stick to it. I seldom watch an NFL game these days because that is when we do things together, even if it’s shopping for curtains or some other exciting activity. If you’re unhappy at home, you won’t last too long because of the heartbreak coaching can give when things aren’t going well. You need something positive in your life.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Nov 6, 2009 14:33:48 GMT -6
I work at a small school (260 kids) and one of the nicest things is MOST of my kids don't think they are playing for the full ride to USC, they just like to play. (Their parents, on the other hand..)
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Nov 4, 2009 23:46:05 GMT -6
One thing we do during our Thursday script is "Crisis Control," where we practice what to do in case a fight breaks out on the field. (We have the whole team squad up immediately on the sideline around the Head Coach.) It does four things. One, they have a specific direction on what to do and where to go if something breaks out. Two, it gets them off the field so the other team doesn't have anyone to fight. Three, we make it clear to them that there will be serious consequences if they don't comply. Finally, it covers your a** when your principal asks what your "action plan" was. It has saved us from a serious incident on more than one occasion over the years.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Oct 30, 2009 10:18:54 GMT -6
My wife is also the Athletic Director, which makes for some interesting arguments at times. Overall, though I can't complain at all. She's very supportive and only occasionally feels left out. She coached before so she has some idea of what we go through and gives me some space to vent. She's not thrilled with film study, but understands that is part of the job and who I am. I'm pretty lucky.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Aug 24, 2009 23:59:55 GMT -6
We would typically go 60% 1st team, /40% second team. By the way, it never bothered me if the other guy didn't sub at the same time. Sometimes your 2nd team guy will surprise, and if he doesn't you have film showing him why he's 2nd team. I felt differently if you got to 3rd teamers, though. Then someone could get hurt.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Aug 17, 2009 23:08:25 GMT -6
My only concern would be if you used the message board to try to stir up trouble for the coach by posing as a disgruntled parent or something to that effect. Other than that, I agree with the idea that public domain is fair game.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Apr 7, 2009 0:48:59 GMT -6
"I've never understood doing football and baseball. To me it seems like your working against yourself. Wouldn't you rather have your kids out for track building better athletic skill sets and learning a little bit of work ethic and toughness." There is a method to my madness. We are a small school and most of my athletes play 3 sports. This is how I make sure my baseball/football players lift.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Apr 5, 2009 20:43:57 GMT -6
I had a similar situation a few years ago(I don't know if I feel better or worse to see how many people have had a similar situation) except the kid had a total of one tackle as a Junior. He started dogging when we moved an All-City linebacker into "his" spot. Before it was done, the Dad came to my house to fight me, my principal tried to get me to take him back AND apologize to the Dad, and it went all the way to the Superintendent before it was over. Ahh, good times.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Apr 4, 2009 22:31:46 GMT -6
Head Varsity Football, Head Varsity Baseball. Done both sports in various capacities for many years. Did take a fairly long break from baseball but am back this year.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Mar 23, 2009 13:24:53 GMT -6
Ours is based on League finish. The First place team gets 7 players, 2nd place 6, etc. After that there are a few "At-Large" spots available. We also vote on Offensive Player and Defensive Player separately. My previous league also had a minimum lineman requirement to make sure they weren't overlooked. I like the format, if for no other reason is you don't have marathon meetings that end up with screaming or fisticuffs. (I've seen both over the years)
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Mar 7, 2009 1:49:28 GMT -6
I'm always amazed at such a vehemently different range of opinions people have on different topics, no matter what it is. Not taking sides on this question, just commenting on the level of response. Different sets of eyes see different things, I guess!
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Mar 2, 2009 10:24:04 GMT -6
All good advice, but it will depend on the strength, or lack thereof, of your administration, and eventually, your Superintendent.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 21, 2009 22:47:59 GMT -6
I believe Coach Plaa on this site runs this program.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 17, 2009 16:05:19 GMT -6
(one of our 'smartest' players (on the board, in meetings, etc.) has the most busts during a game. it's frustrating because he appears to get it but the results don't show it. somewhat like a student in class that does well on daily assignments, class discussions, etc. then bombs the test.)
We call this "analysis/paralysis" and have dealt with it many times. The super smart kid often can't just react and play the game. Give me a team full of "B" students!!
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 14, 2009 10:16:46 GMT -6
Envy is a terrible thing, Phantom, but after reading that..I HAVE IT!!! 53 in June, would retire at 55 except for this little thing called a house payment.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 14, 2009 10:13:42 GMT -6
My "daddy" this year was a senior, but the girl was a freshman.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 14, 2009 10:12:20 GMT -6
I inherited 13, but probably won't replace it. I don't care, but some kids do, and I don't always have extra jerseys. I don't like single digits, just me, so I'm phasing them out. No 69 for the same reasons as everyone else. Won't issue a #1.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 13, 2009 1:05:33 GMT -6
edit
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 13, 2009 1:04:34 GMT -6
As mentioned above, keep in mind how many times the clock stops in High School, especially 1st downs. You can do a lot of things because of that. The hardest problem is to settle down asst coaches and others who are screaming "Time-Out" every second because they watch TV on Sunday and listen to announcers hyperventilate about the clock. (Sometimes I think the pros are the worst at the end of a game. They usually score TOO fast and give the other team a chance. Ask Arizona!) We aren't no huddle, but we are uptempo and usually have to wait for the refs to set the ball after a 1st down, so we don't use up much time
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 11, 2009 23:49:19 GMT -6
California hasgone to this. Ours is supposed to be good for life, a one-time only kind of thing. (One of our women's soccer unpaid volunteers is a board member. Boy, was she P.O.ed when she found out she had to take it), Of course that's what they said about my "lifetime-clear" teaching credential before they made me go back to school to get CLAD certified. On the other hand, I'm the certified instructor for the coaching class in our district, and get paid $50 per student. Damn, I wish we had more coaches!
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 11, 2009 23:32:32 GMT -6
I think with parents the line is "Trust...but verify." I saw both ends of the spectrum growing up. My Aunt and Uncle were the worst little league parents in the world. They were known to EVERYONE and made my cousins life miserable. My Mom, on the other hand, was the perfect parent in my eyes. She worked the snack bar when asked, came to the games, knew nothing about football, fed me after the game was over, and NO ONE KNEW SHE WAS MY MOM. After watching my cousin almost have a nervous breakdown, I am eternally grateful for that. Most players are embarrassed by their parents' actions. Now dealing with them as adults, I think the watchword is to be professional. Be polite, cordial, but realize they will NEVER see things from your perspective. If you think they are your friend, and in some cases they may have been prior to coaching their child, just remember that blood is thicker than water. Hey, we aren't any different. I've watched many a coach berate a coach in a different sport from the stands, saying the same things they ridicule parents for saying to them. They can't help it, and probably don't even realize what they sound like. Whether we like it or not, it's not going to get better. Websites, message boards,and the cost of college just adds fuel to their fire. It's part of the job, just like bad officiating. (Oops, another topic!) ;D
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 11, 2009 23:13:41 GMT -6
Try Eco-Phones. Collect old cell phones, turn in for cash. I know there are other groups that do similar things as well. Best part is no inventory.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 7, 2009 3:05:45 GMT -6
1.Don't assume that people you've worked with in the past will automatically work for you when you get the head job. 2. Don't have the "retired" previous coach still on campus decide he wants the job back and works with Booster Club behind the scenes to make it happen.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Feb 6, 2009 10:36:40 GMT -6
FFA practically runs our school and we are very small (22 players) and I have to deal with it quite a bit. I've compromised on an occasional practice for State Fair. The only game issue that came up was when my senior captain missed a game for National Competition, and I OK'ed that because of the nature of the event. I've had other kids who wanted to go for fun. I didn't kick them off, but let them know that someone else would be playing in their spot. They didn't go.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Jan 29, 2009 15:57:05 GMT -6
I was going through a pretty ugly time a few years ago with parents, etc when I got a letter in the mail from a kid I coached in a 16-18 year old summer baseball league way back in 1978, telling me to hang in there and how much he appreciated having me as his coach. I hadn't heard from this kid in 25 years and the letter just showed up out of the blue. Boy, It came at a great time and just shows that you never know the impact you're having on players.
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Jan 27, 2009 0:09:05 GMT -6
I finished playing in Junior College and was planning on going into Physical Therapy when I transferred to the 4 year school. I even worked as an assistant trainer at my JC the year after I was done playing there. After one semester of Anatomy, Physiology, etc I realized that was not the major for me so I re-assesed, switched to History and decided to teach. I always liked coaching. I had done youth baseball even when I was still in high school and now football was open. I went to my High School Alma Mater and asked the HC if he had any openings. (I never played for him. My HC was fired my Senior year) Fortunately they were opening a new school and he had lost most of his staff to it, so the next thing I know I'm the JV Line coach and the Frosh OC. 32 years later I'm still coaching. Retired twice and came back both times, although now at a different school. Many highs and some lows along the way, but it does get in your blood. Al Pacino said it best: "Just when I was out, it pulls me back in." ;D
|
|