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Post by coachks on Dec 18, 2011 20:20:00 GMT -6
I usually watch the defense. I usually center on the LBs, since they typically take you to the ball.
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Post by coachks on Dec 13, 2011 11:55:00 GMT -6
Last year I began giving my position group cheat sheets on either Wednesday or Thursday. Just one page with one or two pictures and maybe 3 bullet points. Something you could look at in about 30 seconds.
I told them to look at before the walk-through on Thursday while they get changed. After Thursday practice, I told them to take their sheets, walk over to their school locker once they are changed and hang it from the inside of their locker. Just give it a glance between classes. Then take a quick look at it while you get dressed for the game.
There was notable improvement in their ability to spit information back at me if I asked them a question. It helped a little bit in the confidence department in terms of knowing their alignment/assignment. A few kids who were struggling to pick things up got up to speed.
The sheets took me about 3 minutes to make, 2 minutes to make copies, and a 2 or 3 minutes to pass out.
It wasn't a god-send or anything like that. But for about 10 minutes a week it was a good return on investment. The players took away as much from the cheat sheets as they did from the Monday scout meetings.
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Post by coachks on Dec 5, 2011 8:52:23 GMT -6
Were some pretty good games that's for sure. Shawnee played Mooney better than anyone thought they would. Kenton goes down to a very impressive Norwayne team in a great game. Trotwood's RB was unreal as was Iggy's. and one of the highlights of the weekend - The Tilted Kilt in Belden Village!! The tilted kilt was a fantastic place to watch the second half of the D6 blood-bath.
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Post by coachks on Nov 28, 2011 10:19:48 GMT -6
Its their decision, especially in the NFL - they are adults who can make their own calculated risk I wouldn't be surprised to see the NFL pass a rule mandating that they cover their knees. It has nothing to do with knee injuries. It's because of the emphasis on preventing concussions. Hitting your head on an unpadded leg hurts a lot more than a padded one. What bothers me more than knee pads is the NFL guys wearing properly fitted helmets. It used to be that you rarely saw a helmet come off but now it happens several times a game. Well-fitted helmets do not come off that easily. Be that as it may whatever the pro players do it's up to us coaches to make sure that our HS kids wear their stuff properly. Not to mention the type of helmet that those teams can afford. There is no excuse for an NFL player to ever lose a helmet. They can afford the best of the best. No need for little clip-on chin straps, those things should have heavy duty bolts. Te entire illusion of "safety first" in the NFL, when they have guys wearing undersized pads (or, paper thin ones), improperly fitted helmets and no mouthpiece.
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Post by coachks on Oct 28, 2011 15:01:41 GMT -6
To continue, a large standard deviation on power, for example, implies inconsistency. Maybe the kickout guy is trying to hard to murder the end, and misses, or one WR doesn't block nearly as well. Right, but don't you coach these points anyway? Between seeing it on film (look at our FB whiff on the end...) and teaching it in practice, how does knowing the standard deviation help you teach the kickout block? I can see the merit in seeing how productive a play is (Trap gains 5 a play, Belly is only gaining 3), but that is a far cry from what is going on in this thread. Just curious how this stuff can be converted to an asset on the field.
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Post by coachks on Oct 28, 2011 9:14:48 GMT -6
Serious question, and this same thought applies when I read Smartfootball, FootballOutsiders, Phil Steele and anything else that jumps into the stats....
How does this help a coach. Knowing you average x ypp, your median is y ect... What is this helping coaching wise. I understand how it's useful for predicative purposes, but how can this be transfered onto the practice field?
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Post by coachks on Oct 28, 2011 9:11:15 GMT -6
if they are actually competing and not doing it as a grab butt activity I like it more than basketball. Obviously the pro's have been talked about, losing weight for the big guys, working leverage, better feet, aggressiveness, not being able to hide. Obviously I would love to have them lifting as well but if they are doing something then more power to them, especially if it is well organized. The only issue I have is what KS was talking about, the kids in the middle weights who would really benefit from putting on some good weight but keep it off for wrestling. Just quick food for thought though, a lot of us complain/combat specialization, how would saying kids need to be in the weight room instead of wrestling any different then the basketball or baseball coach saying that they need to be playing year round? Saying you "can't wrestle" is different than saying we don't want you cutting weight to stay in your weight class. The real issue is the kids who want to stay in the same weight class from sophomore year to senior year. If they wanted to wrestle in the 140s as Sophmores, 150s as Juniors and 160s as Seniors, that's would be great. It when they think they can win more by dropping from the 160s into the 140s after their junior year that it becomes a problem. Let alone if the kids start trying to cut weight before football ends.
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Post by coachks on Oct 27, 2011 20:39:13 GMT -6
It's great for younger kids to teach aggressiveness, get them over fear of contact, build toughness ect... It's great for the over-weight kids as cardio.
It's a real issue for the 150 lb types (you get the idea) that are trying to wrestle in the 140s. We want them at 170. Losing 2 pounds isn't the issue, it's the not gaining 20.
Not a ton you can do with a 150 pound kid who isn't quick enough to play in the secondary. You can take the same kid at 170 and look at him as a RB/LB or even on the lines if he's a strong/tough kid.
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Post by coachks on Oct 18, 2011 22:05:39 GMT -6
Not sure why a high school player should look professional. He's precisely the opposite of a professional. He's an unpaid amateur.
If all the time and effort placed into developing and enforcing dress codes was used towards useful endeveaurs (such as raising funds for schools, planning student activities, looking at curriculum ect...) schools would have higher morale and be more productive.
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Post by coachks on Oct 5, 2011 17:23:54 GMT -6
Lots of coaches have told us that they have a hard time applying things the upper level college coaches and NFL coaches teach. Although those speakers typically draw and score well, we’re going to try a clinic taught be all high school and small college coaches. The 150 stands for the number of sessions the clinic will offer (most clinics are typically 100-120 sessions). There will be ten topics covered for 15 sessions each. Spread, wing-and-things, veer and option, pistol, 1 and 2 back, 4 down lineman, 3 down lineman, special teams, strength and conditioning, and youth and position-specific fundamentals. Excellent addition.
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Post by coachks on Oct 4, 2011 9:35:14 GMT -6
I took it as he put his arm around him to calm him down. Kid threw a punch. Coach warned him to never do it again. He gets punched in the face.
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Post by coachks on Sept 22, 2011 9:11:44 GMT -6
Either your sarcasm detector (or mine) is off....
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Post by coachks on Sept 22, 2011 9:03:13 GMT -6
Absolutely no doubt about it-kids, parents, families and society is different now than it was when I started. It's silly to try and expect them to be the same as us. AND, it's nothing different-things change. I knew they were different as a young coach when I started out then they were when I was a kid in the 60's-the 70's saw to that. And things are much different now than they were with my 1st team in 1979. As to the point though. My last assignment, I didn't expect kids to be ready for the Florida heat. I had to make an effort to "climatize" the kids. It's only smart to do so. I did a number of things that I wouldn't have even considered doing back then-but you have to do them now. Well if you want to coach, that is. I could lament that they are all inside playing video games when I lived outside on my bike and in the woods building forts as a kid. And it's true. But hey, my Dad had to wake up an hoe the field BEFORE he went to school in barefeet. Most all southerners are from that stock. I'm sure my Dad could have lamented about how "soft" we were, no-he was happy me and my brothers had it better than he did. Of course you know we heard all the stories that we love to tell about "walking 5 miles, up hill to school everyday and back in the snow even in August." Gotta' do it. If you don't take into consideration that kids stay inside now and play video games and don't go outside as much as we did, you might make a mistake that could cost you. Things to consider. A lot of kids today get driven to school. I rode a bus. My Dad walked. His Dad got a job. Which, to your point, means what exactly in terms of "toughness." Is walking 2 miles to school going to make you more likely to stick your nose in the gut of a ball carrier? More likely to finish a block? I moved a lot when I was young, so I walked, rode a bus, was driven and drove myself at various points. My toughness level naturaly corresponded to how I got to school.
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Post by coachks on Sept 8, 2011 9:41:26 GMT -6
No need to conditiong before the season. Ifyou start in April, no need to condition until March. Just go hard during practice. Conditioning can be gained/lost in a short amount of time.
I would do heavy-technique work. Especially the physical stuff (Oklahoma drills, tackling drills) as the majority of practice. Don't just line up and bash each other, teach stance, footwork, pad level, hand placement. Make it useful.
Then introduce a new play, or two, a week. Lots of slow mental reps.
If you have 4 months of pre-season, no need for long practices. Use the time you have.
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Post by coachks on Sept 8, 2011 9:15:17 GMT -6
What are the injuries? Lots of different types of injuries.
You get your catastrophic variety... torn ligaments, broken bones. The stuff that can't be avoided. A lot of this stuff (knees especially) can be caused during a walk-thru just as easily as going full-bore. No reason to get concerned, because there is nothing you can do.
Then you have the wear and tear injuries. If you are getting a lot of pulls, sprains and strains (and, assuming you stretch properly) these are probably the result of workload/intensity of workload...often from over-conditioning. The more you work a muscle under fatigue, the more likely it is to strain (Especially hamstrings and groins).
Then you have the contact-injuries. Shoulders are obviously the biggy, a rash of shoulder injuries means a little too much live hitting. Hips get this as well. Same with real deep bruising.
So it's really a matter of "what injury is it?" If it's a leg-injury (Hammies, ankles, ect...) it's probably a matter of too much running at high intensity. If it's shoulders and hips, it's too much high-intensity contact.
If it's a hodge-podge of everything, it's bad luck and/or a toughness issue.
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Post by coachks on Aug 23, 2011 16:22:39 GMT -6
I just don't understand two platoon. I know a team who's best tackler is also a QB...and he only plays QB while their defense is getting torched. Put your best 11 on the field. A better football player practicing part time on a position is going to outperform a lesser athlete/player practicing full time. To me, it's coaches going against the theory that Jimmy and Joe's win football games, not X's and O's. Is your 9th player that much better than 13? Is your 11th that much better than your 12th? What about 17, 18, 19, 20? Major seperation? I think most "platoon" teams have the best 4...5...6, whatever the number of true "studs" is play both ways. It's those players a step below the studs that get the extra practice at just one position .
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Post by coachks on Aug 23, 2011 10:55:55 GMT -6
That's pretty natural, and good (IMO), before games get going. Once there is a common opponent (and scout teams ect...) everyone should get pulling in the same direction.
However, it's important that the header work with both sides (no favoritism) and emphasis the "one team" concept during camp.
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Post by coachks on Aug 23, 2011 10:51:34 GMT -6
Like most players (In our area, and our school size) ours have a little "bracing" action when it comes to open field contact. Such as Iso blocks, tackles going down on a middle backer, LB's against crack blocks ect. Instead of running through the contact (Be it blocker or blockee) they slow down a hair before contact, and stop their feet after the first strike.
We aren't soft. We're good tacklers. But, like most high school kids they don't have the wrecking-ball attitude when they are going full speed.
We do our Oklahoma (hoot and holler drill, however you name it) and a couple of blockers and defenders are nose to nose and they go at it with a ball carrier.
What are ways to incorporate "in space" blocks into these. Offensively we run a lot of traps and sweeps with pulling lineman that hit in space. We downblock backers in space. Obviously the back 7 defensively all deal with taking on blocks on the move. There just isn't a lot of nose to nose base blocking. Most impact comes with both players moving.
Rather than the nose to nose blocks, how do people set up these second level blocks during an "Oklahoma" drill. Obviously we could setup to OL, with 2 shaded DL, 2 backs and a LB and run an ISO drill, but I was wondering if anybody had anything better.
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Post by coachks on Aug 21, 2011 19:34:33 GMT -6
We do a little thing called "Five Live from the five." Offense has 5 plays Five yardline Totally Live Starting O must score all 5 times or they do up downs. We then flip it around and put the starting D out there. They have to stop the scouts from scoring 5x in a row. This gets competitive even though we can't go best on best. If the scout team stops them they have less sprints, or those kids can get in line first for the team meal on Thursdays. Etc. I like this.
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Post by coachks on Aug 21, 2011 19:33:15 GMT -6
I'd setup a movie room and, or, have a kid/coach bring in an Xbox/PS3. (Preferably Madden/NCAA). Give tem something fun. You could also set up film of your opponent, but I wouldn't make that the only option.
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Post by coachks on Jul 30, 2011 19:16:35 GMT -6
It's really not in his control.
Mass generalization to follow
I think too often coaches hold things against kids when the kid is being put int a tough spot. A lot of times a kid is forced to choose between football, and disapointing the people responsible for feeding and sheltering them.
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Post by coachks on Jul 22, 2011 21:22:56 GMT -6
Depends on what you call a fight. A couple of guys go facemask to facemask and threaten to kick each other's ass? Good. A little shoving? Good.
It's hot, your on hour 3, day 9 of doubles. Felt like you get hit a little dirty (be it low, late, teammate is rubbing it in ect) and let him hear about it?
That's the type of situation that bonds teammates. You call him out, he tells you to shove it. It builds respect. Nobody wants to line up next to the "wuss." The idea that your teammate is willing to fight for you, have your back ect.. is the backbone of trust.
That's different than you get your ass kicked so you punch him in the back of the helmet. Or you get some 240 pound tackle picking on a 3rd string corner.
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Post by coachks on Jul 22, 2011 20:57:22 GMT -6
What does a knee pad protect? A patellar crack? That's it. What other possible knee injury could it prevent? Can't think of one. The pros don't use them. The vast majority of colleges go without them. And I've only been a part of one program that wore them on a regular basis. I would think the guy taking a knee to the head would have appreciated an inch of padding between his head and the knee. With all the concussion concerns, it's pretty tough to defend a player who received one via a knee, if his teammate wasn't wearing a knee pad.
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Post by coachks on Jul 9, 2011 9:02:22 GMT -6
We have a lot of people on vaction at this time of year, so our data compiling is slow. It will be another week or two before I respond. There are many suggestions on better content- Can you be more specific? Please write out actual detailed topic titles you would like to see at a clinic. Thanks again. Chris More topics like Tim Murphy and his DW stuff. You get the macro-view of the offense (The Toss series, Outside compliments, inside compliments), but then you have sessions such as "Blocking progression in the DW offense." "RB fundamentals in the DW offense." We see the whole philosophy and concept, then we show how it's implemented on a positional basis. The same would apply to every position. Something such as: "LB Play in the 4-3 defense." That would encompass a macro-view of the LB (personality, physical attributes to look for, overview of their role)" "LB Skills in the 4-3 defense" where you go over footwork, block shedding, reads, tackling ect. "LB installation and gameplanning in the 4-3 defense" where a coach goes over his entire installation schedule (from March, to pre-season, to 7 on 7 into camp) and then how he gameplans against opponents (This is what we read vs Wing-T, this is what we read vs spread, this is what we read vs I-backs). The first session would give the macro-view, the second session shows the individual skills and the third session shows to to put the 2nd session into the 1st session.
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Post by coachks on Jun 23, 2011 20:08:54 GMT -6
Just some general thoughts here: Visited Detroit and Grand Rapids this year.
1) A lot of Speakers have been in rotation for several years now. They are good speakers (usually), but I've already heard them speak and have their notes. Ron Vanderlinden is one, great speaker, but I've heard him twice already. Several former coaches (NFL and college) also fit in this bill. As someone who has attended multiple clinics each of the past 4 years, the variety is running out.
2) Too many NFL speakers. With the notable exception of Jim Herman (NYG), I've gained very little from any NFL speakers. What they do has limited application to what we can do. It doesn't mean they don't give a good talk, but I'm not teaching our DE's 3 pass rush moves when they see the pass 10 times a game.
3) More speakers from small schools. Obviously there is a strong college emphasis in the speaker selection, which is natual, but most of the high school speakers are from the big school ranks. Again, what happens at a 1400 student or larger high school is not always applicable to a 500 student school...which isn't always applicable to a 300 student school.
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Post by coachks on Jun 21, 2011 18:37:41 GMT -6
I can't think of many better ways to destroy enthusiasm than those marathon session 4-ways and tournaments. They're long (hours), they invovle dead time, their hot and by the end everyone just wants to go home.
In my opinion, burnout is usually due to long-duration events that are a grind to get through, not a nice and tidy hour long scrimmage.
Nobody likes wasted time, not even kids. Don't bring them out and have them wait for opponents, stand on the sideline, lollygag, take 5 water breaks ect. and log about 30 plays in an hour. It's boring.
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Post by coachks on Jun 8, 2011 22:31:21 GMT -6
From a personal standpoint, I think most warmups are a giant waste of time. From a team standpoint, it's a giant goof-off session (by and large) and takes entirely too long.
The best way to get loose is to perform the activity (run, change direction, jump, have contact). Start it slow and build up to full speed. Offensively, run perfect play starting at a jog and a little thud with some defenders, up the speed until your moving full speed.
Combined with individual, pre-practice stuff that is plenty to get warmed up. Stretching afterwards is important.
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Post by coachks on May 25, 2011 11:02:48 GMT -6
We do it similar to bigm. We split the roster up and the 6-9 "no practice" kids play both ways (with 2-3 starting).
No practice kids being the instinctive kids, high football IQ types that understand concepts without needing a lot of practice. Usually these are 2nd year varsity players who've started their whole football career.
I think any discussion on platooning has to have a bit of a common sense factor. If you are a 700 kid school and have a D1 athlete, he's going to play every snap whether the rest of the team platoons or not.
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Post by coachks on Apr 20, 2011 8:35:24 GMT -6
I attended a clinic last off-season and heard an absolutely awful speaker. He was an NFL guy, but had just completed his first season as an assistant position coach (previously some sort of manager/assistant/intern thing). Did not play college ball. I don't usually judge based on experience one way or the other, but I feel it's relevant as background.
He opened his presentation by stating that at every level football is a passing game. EVERY level, pee wee, middle school, high school to college and pro. Football is always a passing game. His words, not mine.
The rest of his presentation, which covered his coaching style was filled with soundbites and cliche's. He reminds every new corner he gets that "You aint Deion." Following this, he pointed out the neccessity of some 7 man sled that has pivoting pads they use and about 5 drills they use it for. Teaching DB's is a futile exercise without it.
He was extremely charasmatic and well spoken during the presentation.
No big deal, you hear a few poor speakers every year.
Until I was browsing around Footballscoop and saw he had just been hired as a Special Teams coordinator at a BCS University.
-No playing experience -No coaching experience -Limited understanding of the game
But, he had great connections (guys like Marvin Lewis and Ray Edwards) and is probably going to be a great recruiter. He seemed highly intellegent and I have no doubt he'll be a good coach one day.
But there are 1,000s of more qualified coaches at the high school level that will never get a shot.
It's just a strange profession at times.
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Post by coachks on Mar 1, 2011 11:59:51 GMT -6
If you coach at a school where deep playoff runs are expected, I'd say the semi-finals game. Too easy to look ahead at the big game, especially if you have guys on the team with brothers/neighbors/dads ect that have been re-telling the glory day stories.
If you coach at a school where it's a new experience, probably the finals game, just because of the distractions.
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