|
Post by mariner42 on Apr 8, 2024 22:44:41 GMT -6
Why's different need to be a matter of schematics?
I think tempo is a way to be different that is independent of scheme. You can go fast, you can go slow, you can go fast and then slow... It only takes coaching and effort. Or, use a sugar huddle and go slow and then fast.
Similarly, shifting is another way to be different that can be schematically independent. Stemming, too, on defense.
There's lots of ways to skin a cat, imo, skin it in the way that is most annoying for your opponents.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Apr 8, 2024 6:31:12 GMT -6
A lot of times when I hear people talk about keeping things simple, I feel like I'm really hearing "I have low expectations for my kids"
IMO, simplicity comes from carrying only what you need, from being mindful that you cannot have everything, and from finding ways to recycle techniques. You'll have some dumb f***ing kids, no doubt, but if you teach to them as the ceiling, you're hamstringing your program.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Mar 30, 2024 9:44:26 GMT -6
Ok, so we've got quite the setup going here... We have Varsity, JV, and Frosh FB lifting classes, 2x Athletic Training classes, 2x Gen Pop Weights.
Our class size is limited by union contracts, which read "45, no more than 50", which works out fairly nicely since we have 12 stations to train at in the weight room, so it equals out to about 4 kids per station.
Football players only in the football classes, any who quit are removed as soon as feasible. Athletes classes are 95% athletes, kids who aren't athletes don't want to do what we're doing in there. Gen Pop is just whoever signs up. I get a fair amount of say in who is in the athletes classes, but guidance counselors still have the final say.
Some random thoughts: 1 - Get in good w/ your guidance staff, you'll need them to see the vision and understand the big picture. Thank them profusely and unendingly. 2 - Look at your state standards for PE and actually attempt to address them at some point, don't rob the kids of an education because you're too focused on football. 3 - Communicate standards, expectations, and grading well ahead of time to stakeholders. This is kinda common sense in any situation, but for weights it's REALLY important because there's A LOT of parents/guidance counselors who don't 'get it'. You're going to have parents who are upset that little Jaxtynn somehow doesn't have an A+, you need to prepare for that. 4 - If you're going to have high numbers, embrace supersets and exercises that kids can't screw up like planks, band pull aparts, db curls, etc, so that they're constantly moving and never really standing around. This is a classroom management strategy as much as a fitness thing. 5 - Auditory processing is dead. Use videos, pictures, physical demonstration, and external cues as much as possible. 6 - We use the NFHS Learn website to deliver mini-projects once a quarter, it's a nice break to catch up on grades and just relax, the weight room is tiring to teach day after day. 7 - We use Teambuildr, but Rack seems dope, too. 8 - True 1rm maxing isn't really necessary. Just have them do an RPE 9 set every so often and use that to gauge progress/adjust maxes. 9 - You probably don't need as many lifts as you think you do. 10 - Warm up variety seems to be a good thing. 11 - For real, auditory processing is dead. 12 - The boys will want to go heavier than they should, the girls will want to be technique perfectionists and need encouraging to actually train heavy. 13 - Weights are dope, but do athletic things, too. Jump, skip, hop, bound, sprint.
Honestly, I could probably do this all day.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Mar 10, 2024 19:23:30 GMT -6
Hold on. Just realized that everyone might using this thing wrong in the videos. You might should have to tackle it by straddling through one of the bags on the ground instead of tackling through the open space which just encourages leaving your feet.. This could actually force you into a better position and then force you to drive your legs. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me though. Would need to see a video of players tackling like I am talking about. Sure as sh!t isn't happening in the video above, not that you don't make a good point about forcing a wider base.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Mar 1, 2024 23:51:17 GMT -6
Talked our HC into one, it's a little different model but looks a bit more sturdy (Hedgehog). Yeah, I'm a bit worried about kids leaving their feet like you guys mentioned, but we will just have to make that a focus as coaches, just like we do with the wheels. What I do like is the amount of reps with the aiming point constantly changing! I'll try to remember to hop back on here and give an update this spring. F***, that's a conditioning tool, too. Man this is tempting.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Feb 23, 2024 17:18:55 GMT -6
Tell you one thing about the speed of the break/snap: this year the goal is for us to be even faster. We're going to be f***ing obnoxious about it. Clarifying something: I don't coach for LH, although I've visited and those guys are great! Just someone with a similar kink.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Feb 21, 2024 22:59:53 GMT -6
Tell you one thing about the speed of the break/snap: this year the goal is for us to be even faster.
We're going to be f***ing obnoxious about it.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Feb 20, 2024 23:53:32 GMT -6
I somewhat regret playing D3 ball. I accumulated A LOT of debt in order to play ball, which I was glad to do at the time, but it's 20 years later and I'm still on the hook for some of it. What caused you to accumulate debt? College expenses at a school whose only benefit to you was playing football? Time you could've been working? Or some other reason? Was football with an independent amateur club not an option, or not attractive for some reason? I took out loans to attend a school that was $30k a year because I wanted to keep playing football and also get a great education. In hindsight, playing JC and then xferring somewhere would've been a better financial decision.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Feb 19, 2024 23:25:56 GMT -6
If you want to see CFB played by real student-athletes, go to games at your local D-III school. I somewhat regret playing D3 ball. I accumulated A LOT of debt in order to play ball, which I was glad to do at the time, but it's 20 years later and I'm still on the hook for some of it.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Feb 12, 2024 9:26:06 GMT -6
More is not better.
Doesn't matter how talented the team is or how smart you are as a coach, if they're burned out before September, you're f***ed. Make sure they're looking forward to football. If they're disappointed when summer practice is over, you're on the right track.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Feb 4, 2024 9:58:54 GMT -6
Offense - Is there a coherent plan or are they just... doing things?
Defense - How 'sound' are they vs the more nuanced stuff like Wing-T, triple option, etc?
Specials - What's the effort like?
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Feb 3, 2024 10:19:04 GMT -6
It looks great. The only thing I don’t like is that it looks difficult to drive your feet after contact. Yeah it seems like it would promote leaving your feet and launching, plus not enough straining through contact. But... whew... think about all the reps you could get...
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Feb 1, 2024 8:05:50 GMT -6
Honestly lots of stuff, your imagination is the limit.
There's a book on sandbag training called DVRT that has a bunch of great stuff.
If you have a large enough sandbag, squats while bear hugging them are great.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Jan 16, 2024 20:28:52 GMT -6
Basically describing the last week of my life. I was recently made the HC of my alma mater, following a man with 314 wins, 9 section championships, and a legacy as one of the best Wing-T minds in the country. We're going to keep some parts of what's made us successful, but I am also going to be making plenty of changes over time. You have to know yourself and be authentic, anything else is suicide. Recognize what's helped make the place successful, find a way to make those systems work for you, and then move things in the direction you want as well as you can. I've also had some experience doing this in a T&F setting and I'm basically describing the same blue print that I used there. If you try to be 100% the same as your predecessor, it's not going to work, you're not the same person. You have to be able to adapt what's been established to your personality and your overall vision for the program. Congrats! Thanks brother, it's been a hell of a week...
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Jan 16, 2024 20:26:22 GMT -6
Basically describing the last week of my life. I was recently made the HC of my alma mater, following a man with 314 wins, 9 section championships, and a legacy as one of the best Wing-T minds in the country. We're going to keep some parts of what's made us successful, but I am also going to be making plenty of changes over time. You have to know yourself and be authentic, anything else is suicide. Recognize what's helped make the place successful, find a way to make those systems work for you, and then move things in the direction you want as well as you can. I've also had some experience doing this in a T&F setting and I'm basically describing the same blue print that I used there. If you try to be 100% the same as your predecessor, it's not going to work, you're not the same person. You have to be able to adapt what's been established to your personality and your overall vision for the program. What things have you identified as "key success factors" and what things are you planning to evolve to be authentic? Re: Success #1 - Weight Room makes the whole thing go #2 - More is not better, make them excited for football when it's coming, don't do too much in your summer preparation #3 - What you do isn't as important as HOW you do it (scheme is overrrated) #4 - Run the Wing-T Re: Authenticity I haven't really thought of it as evolving things as much as just understanding that he and I are very different people and it would be wrong to try to be him. I'm going to have his voice in the back of my head for the rest of my career, but there's no way that I would be able to coach like him. It's kinda like the Patricia/McDaniels/Belichick thing, I can't just roll into the job and start doing things the way that I was mentored, recipe for failure.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Jan 15, 2024 7:40:45 GMT -6
Basically describing the last week of my life. I was recently made the HC of my alma mater, following a man with 314 wins, 9 section championships, and a legacy as one of the best Wing-T minds in the country.
We're going to keep some parts of what's made us successful, but I am also going to be making plenty of changes over time. You have to know yourself and be authentic, anything else is suicide. Recognize what's helped make the place successful, find a way to make those systems work for you, and then move things in the direction you want as well as you can.
I've also had some experience doing this in a T&F setting and I'm basically describing the same blue print that I used there. If you try to be 100% the same as your predecessor, it's not going to work, you're not the same person. You have to be able to adapt what's been established to your personality and your overall vision for the program.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Jan 13, 2024 7:45:52 GMT -6
Honestly, I'm not that worried about this one. I've been pretty vocal that I don't think tackle is necessary until Jr High, this more or less does that.
A lot of the youth football players that we see do become pretty good high school players, but we also see just as many youth players that peak earlier and get caught up by late developers.
I'd love to see some kind of progression that starts with flag, goes on to rugby, then finally tackle around jr high.
I just don't see why it's necessary to have little bobbleheads running around hitting each other poorly.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Jan 10, 2024 7:53:52 GMT -6
You better get someone to talk for you! I cant remember the last time I heard of a coach getting hired bc he had a good resume or interviewed well. It is all about who you know and what you have done and who you have done it with. NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK!!!!! just my 2 cents! I generally agree w/ this advice because it's been very consistent in my career. Haven't yet gotten a teaching or coaching job where there weren't pre-existing relationships in the building.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Jan 10, 2024 5:28:33 GMT -6
We're already full, otherwise I'd be all about having you come to the beach!
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Dec 26, 2023 7:31:47 GMT -6
I was told that a resume gets you the interview and the interview gets you the job, so make sure your resume presents you in the best light and then focus on the other stuff. It actually helped settle my nerves a bit because I was obsessing over the resume and realized it was good enough for the interview, thus allowing me to mentally move on.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Dec 20, 2023 6:47:39 GMT -6
Coach Gladnick is a stand up guy, does things the right way and puts his athletes first. This news when it broke was a total shock in the coaching community in San Diego County. Agreed, I've met Ron several times and he's a good dude through and through. I'm sure he'll be just fine, but what a mess.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Dec 17, 2023 22:41:58 GMT -6
I told our Sub-Varsity coaches these are the plays and formations you are to run. Vertical Continuity in teaching OUR system was vital to Program Development. Like Defcord if they wanted to add a Gadget (HB Pass for ex.) I didn't have a problem with that. If a Sub-Varsity coach was running something other than what they were told to that would amount to Insubordination and grounds for termination. This has been my life as a JV HC the last 8 years. Vertical continuity from Frosh-JV-Var is critical, especially if you're at a place like us where most of your freshmen have never played tackle football before. If I had gone too far off the reservation, our HC would relieved me of my duties eventually, no doubt about it. And I'd have deserved it, imo.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Nov 30, 2023 7:47:49 GMT -6
Correct the coach w/o being a d!ck.
If you've got any kind of trust/rapport, it's not a big deal. It's as simple as "Coach, we want him to fill that gap when he sees that block" and you move on.
If it's a philosophical difference or they didn't know better, you need to work that out another time, ideally before the season/spring ball/whatever. If that couldn't happen for some reason, well, just let them know you'll steer them in the right direction when you see something that's incorrect and it's always done with good intentions. And don't be a d!ck.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Nov 29, 2023 7:42:09 GMT -6
I'm a Feed The Green Wave man myself. When in doubt, ask Kurt Hester what to do. Uncle Kurt has LOTS of useful info for athlete preparation. Giving a lot of thought to trying to visit Tulane at some point this spring.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Nov 29, 2023 7:32:15 GMT -6
I'd 1000% rather visit a good HS staff than go to a Glazier. Visited a Slot-T team in April, absolutely awesome.
I've heard nothing but good stuff regarding Harding University's clinic if you're a Wings N Things type offense.
Bama's spring clinic is neat but the S&C staff was by far the most actionable info I got from it.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Nov 20, 2023 6:51:16 GMT -6
"Toughness" isn't be calloused enough that you can take physical punishment. "Toughness" that we're after is MENTAL TOUGHNESS to be committed to a lofty objective, bigger than your immediate personal achievement. This is only evidenced in the milieu of tremendous adversity when everything around you is telling you to give up. Its more than not giving up, its more than having a strong desire to 'win'. *its about knowingly sacrificing yourself to obtain the rare knowledge of success. Success is a habit. That habit is the WEIGHT ROOM. * whether its Jacob wrestling with God or Odin gouging out his own eye, there is a PRICE to be paid for what you desire. Get +11 kids to do that and you have a TEAM, regardless of atheleticism (though it really helps) THE MAN! Now we just need to get DCOhio and Vass back and we can have a ~2007 reunion.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Nov 20, 2023 6:50:03 GMT -6
We had 2 really really good back to back seasons. This past season was not very good. We were inexperienced at spots but overall we felt we were not as mentally or physically tough as years past. Just trying to generate ideas to develop toughness this off-season (goal is always to have kids in other sports) for those not in sports. I know Twitter gurus blow up about the word “toughness” but I believe football will always require it. Define it with a concrete example where you felt your team was lacking. My point with this is pretty simple: when football coaches talk about toughness, it's often vague, non-specific, and/or poorly defined, so there's no real objective to work backwards from. For some it's about getting the sh!t beat out of you, for others it's about mentally persevering, others it's something else entirely. You can talk about it all you want, but until you define it in a way that actually identifies what it is you're looking for, it's all just hot air. As with many topics, I'm with silkyice, btw.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Oct 29, 2023 15:16:48 GMT -6
We had 2 really really good back to back seasons. This past season was not very good. We were inexperienced at spots but overall we felt we were not as mentally or physically tough as years past. Just trying to generate ideas to develop toughness this off-season (goal is always to have kids in other sports) for those not in sports. I know Twitter gurus blow up about the word “toughness” but I believe football will always require it. Define it with a concrete example where you felt your team was lacking.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Sept 23, 2023 8:58:47 GMT -6
We had one last year and the admin had to stop the game to talk to the girls about being to rough…it was awesome They were taking out a years worth of grudges Our last powderpuff game was my senior year after 3 ejections and a week of escalating shenanigans, coupled with the usual injuries to important spring sports athletes. I don't see any way it comes back to our campus, especially since CA has flag now.
|
|
|
Post by mariner42 on Aug 10, 2023 21:40:49 GMT -6
Don’t risk 40 years of a bad back for one football season, coach. My thoughts as well. My mentor has had a hell of a life after messing up his back, I don't want that for a moment.
|
|