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Post by Wingtman on Apr 13, 2016 10:16:03 GMT -6
My first 3 years I was the worst coach in America. I tried to get by on what I knew, instead of learning. My second year, at my second job, I was a junior high head coach, we had success, but I was an arrogent jerk. I alienated kids, parents, all of it. It took being fired from that job, and being humbled and working with the guy who gave me my first job to become a better coach. So basically I wasted 5 years.
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Post by Wingtman on Feb 11, 2016 15:04:50 GMT -6
We do 3.5 hour practices instead of two-a-days. 90 minutes of O, break, then 90 minutes of D. Works out well for us.
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Post by Wingtman on Jan 13, 2016 9:33:33 GMT -6
My high school head coach is like a father to me, I've known him 20 years. I still call him coach. Always will. The other guys who are on "equal footing with me" on staff, we go by first names. Around the kids, others are always addressed as coach. I went to the YMCA the other day to work out, and a former player was in there working out. "Hey coach, hows it going?" I felt a huge sense of pride. I don't know why, just did.
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Post by Wingtman on Dec 23, 2015 9:33:47 GMT -6
Lets say Santa (or whomever you believe brings gifts to you this season) says you can have one thing for next season. Nothing is off limits. What would you ask for to improve your team? Me? Im asking Santa for a change in our attitude. Working hard to fix that now, but I'd have him crinkle his nose, and POOF, all of sudden I have 50 kids who want to run thru a wall and bust their butt every play, every day, every way. Currently I have like 7, so if someone wanted to slide that under the tree, that would be great.
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Post by Wingtman on Dec 23, 2015 9:15:33 GMT -6
If you get pre practice time, one day a week (Monday/Tuesday) pull those guys to the side and have them run the plays on air for 10 minutes. It'll help, I promise. Also, make a scout O depth chart. Don't post it, you keep it. Have the best avaliable bodies ready and able so you're not screaming for guys for 5 minutes (that irks me as an OC, waiting for 5 minutes to find guys to play scout.) Also, if you have a "depth chart" you wont have a Fresman WR playing Center.
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Post by Wingtman on Nov 19, 2015 10:36:27 GMT -6
I'd love to be able to time it out to use music as segment timer. Not smart enough. Mostly I just hook up my IPOD and let it go with a play list I've made.
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Post by Wingtman on Nov 12, 2015 13:50:42 GMT -6
Coaches, We are thinking about starting our first 7 on 7 tournament this summer. What problems have you run into? What outside cost should I think of? What fee do you charge the schools coming in? What do you pay the officials (if you have them)? My thought regarding officials is to have "pool play" in the morning, then seed for the tournament in the afternoon, and bring in refs for that part, not pool play. Kind of going in blind here, so any help would be great. There is no one else in our area that does 7 on 7 tourney, and we have about 30 schools within an hour of us. If we can get half that, we should have a great turn out. Any help would be great.
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Post by Wingtman on Oct 19, 2015 13:48:59 GMT -6
As you know its been a rough go. 1-7. Took a tough loss Friday night, and after, we had a brawl in our locker room. We were going to boot 5 kids off the team, which would have put our numbers down to 15. Of those 15, 6 have no business being on a field. In the interest of our players saftey, we cancelled the game vs the number one seed in our district. Breaks my heart for our seniors (3 of them) who thought they had one more game. Told our under classman to take it to heart you never know when your last play is. Anyone ever have this happen? How do you tell them to compete and yet cancell a game?
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Post by Wingtman on Oct 8, 2015 13:23:21 GMT -6
They've pretty much just given up. We are down to 20 bodies, and other then 4 kids, they just don't care anymore. We are 1-5 (and in my wildest imagination about this season, I thought we would be 3-3 at this point, maybe 4-2). We couldn't run an offensive play to save our life during practice yesterday. We had 21 plays, ran 1 correctly. ONE. We stopped offense and moved over to D. As the OC I couldn't see straight I was so frustrated. They just don't seem to care if they get beat or not. They don't seem to care if things are going well or not. I've been a jerk, I've been a nice guy, they don't respond to anything. One rumor I heard from a player is they don't like the HC, who is a screamer, and don't wanna play for him anymore. This week we have a game by all accounts if we show up, we should win, however, I thought that twice, and we got rolled. I can't make the offense any more simple, I've teached it every way known to man to adjust to their learning style, yet nothing. Im just tired of spending what little free time I have watching film and game planning for them not to care. Any ideas what to do at this point? 3 games to go. Sounds like the season we going through. Kids dont care if they get embarrassed or not. Ours say all the right things but actions speak a lot louder than words Agree! They don't care if they get embarrassed, and that's what is sad. They too say a lot. Today when its my time to speak to them, I'm only going to say that talk is cheap, actions speak louder.
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Post by Wingtman on Oct 8, 2015 7:12:07 GMT -6
It was 21 snaps, not 21 plays. And execution? I'm all for it
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Post by Wingtman on Oct 7, 2015 7:18:04 GMT -6
They've pretty much just given up. We are down to 20 bodies, and other then 4 kids, they just don't care anymore. We are 1-5 (and in my wildest imagination about this season, I thought we would be 3-3 at this point, maybe 4-2). We couldn't run an offensive play to save our life during practice yesterday. We had 21 plays, ran 1 correctly. ONE. We stopped offense and moved over to D. As the OC I couldn't see straight I was so frustrated. They just don't seem to care if they get beat or not. They don't seem to care if things are going well or not. I've been a jerk, I've been a nice guy, they don't respond to anything. One rumor I heard from a player is they don't like the HC, who is a screamer, and don't wanna play for him anymore. This week we have a game by all accounts if we show up, we should win, however, I thought that twice, and we got rolled. I can't make the offense any more simple, I've teached it every way known to man to adjust to their learning style, yet nothing. Im just tired of spending what little free time I have watching film and game planning for them not to care. Any ideas what to do at this point? 3 games to go.
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Post by Wingtman on Oct 1, 2015 10:15:40 GMT -6
So heres my whacky idea... We are down to 22 kids for various reasons. To get a good look, we've kicked around the idea of letting one of our coaches put on a helmet and play Scout Safety and Scout RB. Anyone ever done this to get a much better look? I assume the first time coach lays out some kid its an issue and we are all going to get fired. I remember back in high school (the dark ages of the 90s) that two coaches dressed out in uppers and played OLB so we could get a look for our biggest game. Anyone ever done this?
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 30, 2015 13:58:16 GMT -6
We just got practice moved till 7 pm tonight. FML.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 30, 2015 7:02:48 GMT -6
We've talked, you know Im in the same boat you are. 85% of my kids have never played ball before, and we speak 4 different languages on our team. Its tough. Explain why you are doing what you're doing. That may help.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 25, 2015 7:40:44 GMT -6
We lose practice time so our boys can drill and work on parade stuff (Military school). Last year was our first Homecomming win in, well, ever. When I was at a public school, it wasn't that big of a deal. We were pretty focused, lost JV practice on Thursday so we could go to the parade.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 22, 2015 8:59:45 GMT -6
Agree. My QB was a stud all week in practice. Made great reads, called great check with me's. Game day? Laid an egg. Couldnt get out of his own way. Made terrible choices. He's a junior, who's made 8 varsity starts at that point. We go as he goes.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 22, 2015 8:54:43 GMT -6
I feel ya. Our kids just don't seem to care. We got rolled Saturday by a team that shouldn't hold our jock, because we just don't care. Its a military school(as I've mentioned) and they just seemed happy to be off campus for a day, not about winning. This week is another game we could win. However, we kicked them out of practice yesterday because they just didn't care to be there. What Im struggling with, is why should I leave my job early every day (and have to take half hour personal time)when they don't care? Why should I watch 8 hours of film, when they dont care? I have 10000 other interest and things I could be doing from 4-6 every day and every Friday night. I don't have it in me to quit on them, but man, after the last two days...its been tough.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 17, 2015 8:02:43 GMT -6
If the game is close, within an hour drive, we send someone. Got an "old timer" who just wants to help out hanging around, so he goes and watches for things you can't pick up on film. Helps a little, but not great.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 11, 2015 13:55:11 GMT -6
The last social gathering you had was at your head coaches house to watch 30 minutes of the second quarter of some low level college game before starting work.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 9, 2015 13:51:38 GMT -6
If you have the time, try speaking to each of them personally. Invite them to the game, and give each a small item if you have it (bumper sticker, whatever). Make sure that they know you have their support in the classroom, and grades are a priority for your program. Check with your AD and see if district employees and their families get in free to games (most districts do), and mention that. The ones who are super excited, invite them to practice, let them see what its all about.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 9, 2015 13:45:59 GMT -6
My wife is 7 months pregnant with our first. Shes in the living room acting as the wing back as I'm going thru the QBs foot work to decide how I want it to look. The babys room? All her and my mother in law, I just paid for it. Ouch. November due date? Thats rough. Everyone knows you gotta stay protected from November-February December 8th, just under the gun!
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 9, 2015 11:19:32 GMT -6
10 G a month? See you later 9-5 job. Im sleeping in every day, playing video games till its time to go to my volunteer job as a football coach. From Thanksgiving to April I'll be in the islands, forward my mail.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 9, 2015 11:12:20 GMT -6
Those kids win in life. Good for him.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 9, 2015 11:08:37 GMT -6
My wife is 7 months pregnant with our first. Shes in the living room acting as the wing back as I'm going thru the QBs foot work to decide how I want it to look. The babys room? All her and my mother in law, I just paid for it.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 8, 2015 7:48:41 GMT -6
When you're sitting in church and trying to decide if you want to open with ISO or a play action pass.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 4, 2015 7:42:56 GMT -6
Our best lineman quit yesterday, during WALK THRU. He told our QB to shut his (making love) mouth when he tried to tell him to pick up the pace (Our QB is a junior, but the heart of our squad, and the most respected member of our team by both players and coaches). He said "I quit", dropped multiple F bombs on the way off the field, and one assistant coach tried to talk to him, called him a MF. We held a meeting with the captains, and they don't want him back at all. They said each problem we have, they deem him the root. Went from having a 6'0 260 RG who's a senior to a 5'7 165 soph starting at guard tonight. However, this kid will work his tail off. Addition by subtraction for us.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 4, 2015 7:37:24 GMT -6
You treat her like everyone else. Period. Anything less opens you, and the district to a lawyer looking to make a name for himself. Give her a place to change, monitor the situation, and evaluate her like everyone else.
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Post by Wingtman on Sept 1, 2015 8:23:09 GMT -6
Our first game was Friday night. We were down 8-0 at half, driving early second, had first and goal from the 9, ended being 4th and goal from the 27 (of course we didnt score). Lost 40-0. Background:
Private boarding (Military) school. 26 bodies out for football, because of the multiplier we play Class 3 football. We dressed 16 for the game Friday night. 10 kids played iron man ball. We've been a loser since the early 80s. Last year we won our first two games in 3 years. The kids who returned plus the new ones, worked hard, had some ability and were coachable. We were feeling really good going into this game, in fact, we felt we had a slight edge. We ran out of gas, as you can tell.
Yesterday during film/walk thru, some of the old habits were starting to show. Im afraid a season that we as coaches felt should should be our next step (strong junior class, a few sophs who were ready for primetime, and a two seniors who were leaders), may crumble. This week's game is going to be a bear. Its a tough matchup with a class 4 school that will dress 65 kids. They are bigger, faster, stronger and have had all summer to do stuff (we don't have a summer program). That being said, the next 3 are very winnable, and the next 5/7 are winnable. We felt WORSE CASE, we would be 5-4 this season, with a best case of 7-2, 6-3. Now staring down the gun of 0-2 (again) this season could hit a tail spin, which we may not come out of, just because of the "once a loser, always a loser" culture we have been fighting to change.
In situations like this, what have you guys done, to help combat this?
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Post by Wingtman on Aug 25, 2015 11:17:38 GMT -6
I have a one sided excel sheet. It has game script on it, Wrist Band Calls, and two minute drill calls on it. I also have reminders on it to myself. About half way thru the game, I never use it, other then the wrist band calls, so I dont have to run anyone in with the play.
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Post by Wingtman on Aug 20, 2015 10:07:47 GMT -6
Does he/did he show up all summer? Is he a good kid in the classroom? As a senior if the answer is yes, we find a spot somewhere for that kid. That spot may be on KR or Punt team, but we get the kid on the field. I fully believe the best 11 play 95% of the time, but "program kids" (kids who buy in, do everything thats asked) find their way on the field some how. He showed up when it was convenient during the summer and is a average to poor student. I don't really get into playing kids who are better in the classroom, because we don't have very many smart kids. I know he is the holder for PAT and FG, but I think that's just about the only place where he is #1. He's made it an easy choice, because he hasn't outworked anyone at all. I should have included that in my original post, and that's my bad for not. But yeah, if he didn't have to be there, he didn't put in a huge effort to make it there. Well then, you play him when its convenient for you. I should add, by good in the classroom, I dont care if a kid gets A's or C's. Is he respectful to teachers, not a behavior problem.
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