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Post by jsk002 on Jan 6, 2015 20:09:57 GMT -6
And yet I still see letters to the newspaper and stuff on Facebook about the "All-powerful Teachers' Union". I hear it all the time here in Virginia, where collective bargaining by public employees is illegal. In Wisconsin they have made teachers unions illegal. Tenure/experience doesn't mean anything in teaching anymore, nor does a masters degree. None of that will get you a raise in Wisconsin anymore or doesn't have to, administration can if they choose to, but don't have to. Personally I think they are trying to get rid of as much money in state education as they can and privatize it. There is too much money sitting there for private interests not to touch. This isn't true. State Unions are still legal in Wisconsin. They simply can't collectively bargain for wages and you don't have to pay dues if you don't want to. Certainly the unions now have much less power but they are still legal.
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Post by jsk002 on Jan 6, 2015 20:04:00 GMT -6
We have some counties around me that are school of choice and for athletics it's an absolute nightmare. We literally have kids play football at 1 school, basketball at another school then track at a third school (I sh!t you not)all in the same calendar school year. It's rampant b/c our athletic association does 0 to stop it. Duece In wisconsin you can't transfer after your freshmen year without sitting out. It is a good common sense rule
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Post by jsk002 on Jan 6, 2015 20:02:13 GMT -6
I see this as one of the long term answers to the "bad" school issue. When a school begins to see that they have to compete for the student (tax dollar) they will improve. As the model is now, they just have to set back and get the tax money and do what they have always done. This in turn would take away from the individual concept of grading a teacher to grading their performance as an entire unit. So with this new model of school choice, if you start to see parents turning away from school district and turning to another one, the administration would be forced to find ways to improve and retain and gain students each year. If that meant getting rid of bad teachers, they would have to do it immediately or the system, due to the increased competition, would fail. This would put a premium on the "good teacher" being in demand....and getting paid! This would in fact create a supply and demand situation for the service of the school, and the ability of the teacher. The fallacy in both of these lines of thought is that they imply that the "process" the schools are using is the source of its low status. I would say for the most part, this is simply not true. Low performing schools are generally schools attended by low achieving students, whose parents were low achieving, whose grandparents were low achieving..etc. etc. So the problem when you propose school choice, and school competition and the like is that "those kids" HAVE to go somewhere. And in the educational game, the deep dark secret is that the schools where those kids DON'T GO are going to score pretty well regardless of the educational processes implemented by admin and teachers, while the schools that enroll those students are going to be low performing regardless of the educational process in place. To use a football analogy: A team of players who don't really like football, who don't value football, who see football as something they just have to get through,who don't go to practice, who don't work hard when they DO go to practice, who don't lift in the offseason, who come from parents who didn't really like football, who don't stress football, who don't see a value in football, who don't care if their kids go to practice, who don't really care if they kids don't work hard at practice, who don't make the kids lift in offseason...is going to suck regardless of what "facemelter" offense the coach runs. That's what all of the "reforms" and "new programs" are in education. "Facemelters" This is a social problem though - the problem isn't with school choice it is with parents who don't care. For this reason I agree that student test scores aren't a good way to judge a teacher but that I think is a separate issue then choice schools.
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Post by jsk002 on Jan 6, 2015 19:57:39 GMT -6
We have had "Schools of Choice" (SOC) in our state for almost twenty years.
The result has been that city-urban districts are barely on life support. They have been eliminating positions, cutting salaries and benefits, closing schools at an alarming rate.
Isn't this the way free market competition is supposed to be? I mean as Coaches we let our kids compete and play the best. No different here.
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 27, 2014 6:48:15 GMT -6
All at once?! Wow! Call the cops, cause that's probably going to be a kick a$$ party!!! Lol. Yes, they would be cool to chug a "road soda" with (learned me a new term for beer this week!). Duece Just started using that term this weekend. Think my wife got annoyed by it........ She'll get used to it My wife definitely get annoyed with that ha!
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 26, 2014 7:28:16 GMT -6
They don't work in the building. Even the one who does leaves right away. It can work with coaches being outside the building. Being outside the building doesn't necessarily mean that they don't care or they aren't committed. I think kids can understand why theses coaches aren't there if explained to them. I do think being visible in the off-season is important though. If you feel one of the problems is that the coaches aren't there then perhaps you can spend some time convincing the staff to be there together one day a week. Every situation is different - but I am the head coach and I don't teach and I am not in the building. I also can't be there everyday after school. It works because the kids trust us and our staff. We have never had a offseason where every coach is in the training session after school. I guess my point is this is a hurdle you can overcome. I think the bottom line is you need keep instilling in them your expectations, explain to them why they are what they are, and demonstrate that success will come. Overall continue to develop trust. It is a process for sure. How does your HC feel about the situation?
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 25, 2014 22:24:31 GMT -6
One thing that helps in changing the culture is just bringing your positive energy as a coach into everything. We try to. I think part of the problem is that the staff isn't present. I am there, the HC is there, and the speed/strength coach is there, and that's it. I feel like it's hard to get kids to buy into you if you aren't visible, right? We do bring in that positive energy and the kids just kind of mock it. They think we're crazy for making them do little things like log their lifts because the old HC didn't make them. He also didn't have a real offseason program in place. What is the circumstance for the staff not being present?
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 25, 2014 22:16:35 GMT -6
I'm as old school as they come. Been at it for 40 years now. Nowadays you just can't get away with what we could 20 years ago. We're dealing with a different breed of cat (both players AND parents!). You have to find the right approach for the environment you're in. It's part of being a coach today. It was that way even back then, but not anywhere near the scope it is today. In the old days it was Army discipline. Why? Because most of us were brought up by dads, and coaches, who were in the military. That approach was accepted by most. Society has changed since those days. Now…you not only have to be the coach, but you also have to the parent in many cases. You also have to be the brother, the minister, and even the dang psychiatrist! Not to mention learn how to be politically savvy. But if there is one thing I have learned over the years…it is how to CARE for your kids. If you can show them you truly CARE for them, they will will not only CARE for you, they will TRUST you. Once you have that CARE and TRUST, they will jump through fire for you. Perfect
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 19, 2014 10:45:42 GMT -6
How about showing excitement when something goes well? You need to show you are invested. I got that part down, its not like Im a dead man walking or mute all the time... I think he wants me to be more of a hoot and holler type and I am not that guy and he has known me for a long time and knows this about me! I do get excited when good things happen, and I do show emotion when things go bad... Im just not the type to run around all crazy and yelling. As a matter of fact, I had one of my OL tell me that "its kind of weird to see you hooting and yelling." If that is the case - You need to coach within your personality. Hopefully your header can understand that.
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 18, 2014 11:34:33 GMT -6
anybody went with wilson lately??? Wilson has always held up well for me. We replace our uniforms every 5 to 6 years. I think I last ordered them in 09 or 10.
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 18, 2014 11:29:58 GMT -6
I feel I prepare well and I am very calm and collected on the sidelines. I have a hard time critiquing my coaches. I don't let things slide but is difficult for me. As an assistant coach, I want a HC to critique or offer some insight to what they want done differently. The worst thing for me as an assistant is guessing whether or not that is what the HC wanted done, or if we are on the same page. If your assistants are guys who take the profession seriously, it is incumbent on you to guide them. No top notch company or organization can succeed at a high level without strong leadership, that is a skill set that you MUST have if you're the HC. Don't worry about feelings, if they can't take it you don't need them. This is a "thick skinned" job. I hear you - I think we are all on the same page and I do communicate to my staff - being critical just doesn't come natural to me. I've definitely improved but if I am analyzing things this is one of the things that I need to get more comfortable with.
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 18, 2014 11:23:04 GMT -6
According to my head coach I am an excellent OL coach and run game coordinator... he also says that I lack enthusiasm! I am going to be honest, I am not a yeller never have been and I doubt that I ever will be. I do agree that I could be more enthusiastic, even as a player in HS and college I did not enjoy a coach yelling, it was not motivational at all. I do believe that some may respond to that type of coaching... But I once heard an opposing coach make a comment that has struck with me since I started coaching, he said "coaches normally yell at kids because they failed to prepare them! If the kid was prepared he is less likely to be yelling at the kid." If any one has any ideas on how to be more enthusiastic without being a coach that yells I am all ears. How about showing excitement when something goes well? You need to show you are invested.
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 17, 2014 21:40:49 GMT -6
I feel I prepare well and I am very calm and collected on the sidelines.
I have a hard time critiquing my coaches. I don't let things slide but is difficult for me.
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Post by jsk002 on Dec 8, 2014 19:02:23 GMT -6
Congrats! Well deserved
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Post by jsk002 on Oct 15, 2014 13:43:29 GMT -6
Are your kids being challenged enough in practice? Beyond that - I think jlenwood's comments are spot on. How do you challenge them? Put them in adverse situations see how they overcome. Be demanding but positive. I also think kids now a days don't take what coaches say as gospel. You have to explain the process to them.
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Post by jsk002 on Oct 13, 2014 7:14:40 GMT -6
Are your kids being challenged enough in practice? Beyond that - I think jlenwood's comments are spot on.
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Post by jsk002 on Oct 8, 2014 6:13:15 GMT -6
I think the problem is sometimes with low numbers those scout guys aren't any good. So it is difficult to get any sort of tempo. This is what I battle. We have cards, a script and our O-Coordinator running the scout. We also have a practice player of the week and we talk a lot about the importance of their jobs and how that relates to us winning a game. All this said - we do not get a very good look.
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Post by jsk002 on Oct 3, 2014 11:47:02 GMT -6
You have to coach from your own personality. If you're not a hot head firey type guy and you try to be it just comes across as fake and not genuine. I am too much the other way, I feel like I am too hot headed sometimes over little things that set me off, but I feel like that is off set by our defensive position coaches, who are not firey type guys. I'm going to give you some advice here coach and you can take it or leave it, but I think this has really helped us. I stole this from 5 Dysfunctions of a Team and we do it every year, players and coaches included. I think it has bound us together as unit/family more than anything else I have ever done. It requires 2 things, it requires that the person being talked about not take things personally and it requires the teammates giving assessments to be honest. Coaches always go first. One by one every member of our defense will stand in front of his teammates (again, coaches included...including the HC) and the players are to give 2 positive and 1 negative comments about that player/coach. It's honest feed back and how your teammates see you as a player or coach. It takes a little bit and you kind of need to lead it at first when you start doing it. Also, they don't stick to the 2/1 ratio. Sometimes there are more positives or more negatives. But in the end, it is the perception of how others see you. My feed back was: Sometimes they feel like I go off and yell and no one really knows why I yell, what went wrong, etc. My positives were everyone is equal, no one gets special treatment, no one wonders where they stand with me and I'm always on my "chit" defensively (they always feel prepared). So I took that and this year I've tried to be more specific when I get bent out of shape. To be perfectly honest, I only really get bent out of shape in practice over effort or mental lapses...like we are in cover 3 and for some reason the CB is in man...that will send me off the deep end every time. My CB coach was told: Sometimes its difficult to tell whether he's a player or a coach sometimes. It's a really good thing and the kids call each other out on some stuff, we have a BCS defensive lineman and he's obviously our best player but he took a lot of criticism. The players told him that he's a great emotional leader but he lacks consistent effort and they think if he just worked at it as hard as he could he would be unstoppable. Anyway - that's my advice. I am a yeller type guy but it matches the intensity of my personality. I don't yell yell, but my voice is very loud and carries very well and sometimes I've been accused of yelling when really I'm just trying to speak loudly and clearly and I'm not even upset. And on a side note - did I read sitting on their butts on the sideline during practice? Are you f*&^ing serious?? Coach, practice time is not funzies time. I ride my kids hard during the week. I am unforgiving and a real difficult coach to play for because I am on top of any little lack of effort or fundamental mistake. It's not always a barrel of laughs Monday - Thursday, those are my days, those are coaching days. Fridays - those are for the players and I don't yell at the players on friday...because what we see is what we have coached at that point. Sitting on the sideline during practice - I've never even heard of such... At what point in the season do you do this. I think it is a great idea.
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Post by jsk002 on Sept 25, 2014 11:39:06 GMT -6
You also get personal days for work you get to take off if needed. I don't punish kids for excused misses. I would consider a DR's appointment an excused miss. Like any work place, if this was abused then we would have to deal with it.
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Post by jsk002 on Sept 25, 2014 11:37:59 GMT -6
Would you stick to those policies if the team had 30 or so guys and you might have to go through a game with only 15-16 guys? If you let kids skip practice once or twice a week - you aren't running a program that will have any success at all. If you need to win games this year to keep your job, then you are already too far gone. If you want to turn things around then you need to change that behavior - even if it costs you a game or two or the season.
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Post by jsk002 on Sept 24, 2014 12:29:14 GMT -6
I was in the same spot - coming off an 1 - 8, 0 -9 (including 5 or 6 forfeits) and a 3-6 season. We simply started anyone who did not attend the workouts in the offseason and put them at the bottom of the depth chart. We made them work their way up. Any unexcused absence in the week would equal not playing in the game. It helped. These are our same policies today. This year was the first year in many where I had to sit a kid because of an un-excused absence.
Whatever the policy - put it in writing, distribute it and stick to it no matter what. If you let what has been continue to happen, then you will never change.
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Post by jsk002 on Sept 24, 2014 7:34:29 GMT -6
In my experience... this is usually the sequence of events if you have low numbers: 1) Kids know that there are only 20 kids who are gonna go in, and usually its easy to know who the best 11 kids are... 2) I know I will play because I'm by far the best ___ on the team, so I'll not go to weights, not REALLY study the playbook, or just kinda do what I want instead of what I'm told 3) Complacency - I'm the best player on my team so why do I need to get any better? Numbers tend to fix those problems above because if there are triple the bodies, there are triple the athletes, which means that you may have the #2 guy who is the same type of athlete as you take your job if you don't do what you need to do, or get better at what you do. If you don't know the plays, then you won't play either. Competition within the program leads to more competition with other programs... (not good enough to just beat kids on my team, I wanna beat the #1's and #2's on ______, or ______ team) It is much more complex than "low numbers" but I totally understand that it is a huge factor in most cases. Spot on and this is definitely something you need to overcome. I'm dealing with it right now - the only kid I have with any size is the biggest dog you will ever see. I'm at the point now where I just am not going to play him because he isn't working at practice. Sometimes you have to give a little (not play him) to get a little (kids need to understand that its not a free ride). We have to do this every 4 or 5 years.
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Helmets
Sept 22, 2014 8:49:59 GMT -6
Post by jsk002 on Sept 22, 2014 8:49:59 GMT -6
We had 3 concussions in 2012, we had 2 concussions in 2013 and we have had no concussions thus far this year. Most of my team is equipped with the Riddell Revo Speeds and Riddell Revolutions. We have a few Schutt DNA type helmets. I like the Riddell helmets and think they have helped but as blb points out - no help can prevent all concussions. We've have also lessened the amount of hitting we've done in practice to help reduce these numbers. I typically have 35 - 40 kids program wide each year.
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Post by jsk002 on Sept 17, 2014 12:42:59 GMT -6
Coach - just have an open conversation with your HC. If it's going to work you guys need to be able to be on the same page. If he isn't being direct with you then that's on him however, you guys still need to be on the same page. So step up and have a direct open conversation.
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Post by jsk002 on Sept 12, 2014 11:13:33 GMT -6
This entire thread is worrying about things that don't matter. It doesn't matter what position you play. What matters is that you learn the valuable life lessen's that football teaches, how to work hard, how to work as a member of the team etc.
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Post by jsk002 on Sept 12, 2014 11:06:09 GMT -6
We haven't done Oklahoma drill for a lot of years. We went back to it this year because we were young and needed to learn how to compete and be physical. So we did this 1 or 2 times a week once we could go full contact leading up to the first game.
In season I am doing just 1 OL versus 1 DL - who can win that battle about twice a week. Each kid gets about 1 or 2 reps. I'm doing it to continue to develop competitiveness and physicality. This is the most contact I've done in years. Last year, we didn't even use practice pants - this year we do a little full contact 2 to 3 times a week (10 minutes a period or so).
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Post by jsk002 on Sept 5, 2014 6:48:15 GMT -6
I spend a lot of time talking about adversity. I always make sure they understand that adversity will happen and it is how they respond that will make the difference. I really focus on the fact that their response needs to be to come together as a team, play the next down hard etc. A big part of this is building trust with their teammates. The offseason plays a big role in this.
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Post by jsk002 on Aug 28, 2014 9:36:33 GMT -6
dcohio - why do you make me feel like I am defending myself ;-)
In all seriousness, I agree with your philosophy. We play our best and we set expectations. In this instance - I just wanted to hear about alternative ways to motivate because replacing players isn't always an option in my circumstance. We did end-up replacing some of those guys, but we had to move our two best RBs down to OL to do it. But I think the message was sent and received. We have no RBs anymore - but that's a different problem.
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Post by jsk002 on Aug 28, 2014 9:26:56 GMT -6
We don't have any of that on my staff. Thankfully.
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Post by jsk002 on Aug 27, 2014 21:03:32 GMT -6
Thanks Guys, all really good suggestions - I think we have the situation addressed. Effort was better today. We filmed some practice, I had some individual conversations, a team conversation and we moved our two RBs to OL. We got at least five guys there now that want / know how to work. Like I said, we are young, so hopefully the younger guys learn from these kids. Had a few bad apples that I think we have addressed.
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