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Post by coachorm on Oct 26, 2023 9:20:44 GMT -6
We started incorporating the Junior High 3 years ago. Basically High School practice runs 3-5pm. Junior High runs 4:30-6:30pm, all at the same practice field. Junior High ride the bus to the high school or parents drive them. Junior High only practices usually 2-3 days a week because games are either Tuesday or Thursday. So High School coaches can coach High School and Junior High coaches can help until 4:30. Then when High School practices ends, High School Coaches can go help Junior High. I feel like it has paid off a lot especially in participation. 2021 and 2022 we went 0-10 both seasons but participation still increased 2021(28 kids), 2022(34 kids), 2023(45 kids). I expect 2024 to be in the 40s again. 45 is about the max number we have ever seen at our school due to school size (375 kids total 9-12). This season so far 4-5 with one regular season game left and at least one playoff game.
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Post by coachorm on May 23, 2022 9:20:56 GMT -6
Back in the 90s I started umpiring little league baseball (I know I'm a young'un some of you where divorcing your third wife by that point). Anyway my dad gave me the following advice... Let the situation play out, make the best call you can, and don't change it unless the other umpire had a better view and is willing to say he had a better view. What the kids or parents at the game think is irrelevant and second guessing yourself will get you in trouble.
With that said I would tell you stick with your call unless the guys on your trusted coaching staff come to you and feel like you need to reconsider a decision. I say trusted staff because I hope you have the same situation I do where I trust my coaches and know when they come to me they have only the best interest of the team in mind.
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Post by coachorm on May 5, 2022 12:02:57 GMT -6
What is install? We install in pre-season. For us install is going over the game plan for that week. Reviewing the stuff from our playbook we plan to focus on that week. Possibly adding in a new offensive tag or defensive stunt/blitz if we feel that it would be an absolute game changer. Install is probably the wrong word to use but its just what we have called it forever. Maybe Mental Monday would be better for us but that might also give a bad impression of what we are doing.
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Post by coachorm on May 3, 2022 11:21:14 GMT -6
We do theme days: Monday film and install. JV game is scheduled. Tuesday Defense Wednesday Offense Thursday Pre-Game
For us if you only play one side of the ball that means you are a scout team player the other day. So a kid that only plays DT for us will be Scout DT on offense day. We have very few that fit this category, but when we do its great because it becomes a #1 kid vs a #1 kid in scout team.
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Post by coachorm on Mar 1, 2022 11:33:46 GMT -6
Competitions are always fun and usually you can find a way to incorporate balance, speed/agility, strength into it. Just make sure you do different activities so its not just races that benefit the fast kids. Examples of stuff we did... 1. Throwing contest. 2. Long Snapping Contest for distance. 3. Striding contest.. set up bags and they run through with only one foot allowed to land between bag. expand bag distance each round. 4. Ultimate Football/Frisbee 5. Med Ball Volleyball with goal post as net.
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Post by coachorm on Jan 26, 2022 12:30:52 GMT -6
You need decent weather or an indoor facility that can handle water, but a dunk tank if you can rent one for a day. Put coaches or other faculty in it. Even put players in it with a waiver signed. $1 for a ball $5 for 6 balls
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Post by coachorm on Sept 2, 2021 11:07:13 GMT -6
Tennessee Week 1: Not sure if any games where cancelled. Week 2: 30+ games around the state cancelled. Week 3: So far we are around 24 this week and the number seems to climb daily. Week 3: Now up to 34 games cancelled.
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Post by coachorm on Sept 1, 2021 11:18:59 GMT -6
Tennessee
Week 1: Not sure if any games where cancelled. Week 2: 30+ games around the state cancelled. Week 3: So far we are around 24 this week and the number seems to climb daily.
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Post by coachorm on Aug 25, 2021 8:44:01 GMT -6
I cannot say this is definite all the way across the board, but my experience had been that D3 seems to often have higher academic standards for recruits to be considered. Most D3 schools that send emails looking for kids want a 3.3 or higher GPA and a 25 or higher on the ACT. The NAIA schools overall have not had as high of an academic standard requirement.
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Post by coachorm on Aug 20, 2021 9:08:59 GMT -6
Take the time one day to send yourself or an assistant coach up there to start the film and show them how close you want the zoom to be. Giving a bunch of rules may still lead to confusion that can be cleared up by just taking 5-15 minutes to go actually show them what you want.
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Post by coachorm on Dec 5, 2019 8:34:54 GMT -6
Tennessee: Starts today. Private Schools are today Public School 1A, 3A, 5A Friday Public School 2A, 4A, 6A Saturday.
This rotates every year. So next year the Thursday games from this year move to Saturday, Friday to Thursday, and Saturday to Friday.
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Post by coachorm on Oct 17, 2019 7:40:34 GMT -6
One game early this season though we had a defensive end get held bad by the offensive tackle. We are all screaming "hold" hoping it would help but get no call. This was about a minute before halftime. When the horn sounds to end the half we are headed in and the white hat approaches me and says, "Coach there was a hold on that play but it was away from the play so I didn't call it because it didn't effect the play." I was not happy. Asked him if that meant I can tell my players you are allowed to commit penalties away from the play as long as it isn't impacting the play it won't be called. He didn't like that response and stormed off. I'm sorry that you weren't happy, but he was just telling you the truth in the hopes of building some rapport while at the same time telling you "don't worry... I saw that and will get that when it impacts the play". Officials are coached to call safety fouls anywhere on the field, but limit advantage/advantage fouls (such as holding) to the point of attack when they have an impact on the play.
The ability to do that is what first starts to separate good officials from the bad. How'd you feel the last time an official took one of your TDs off the board on a sweep to the left side for a hold by a WR on the right, 40 yards from the play? The bold/highlighted part. I am totally okay with that but maybe it is something that needs to be made a very public thing. To be honest this is the first I have been told that officials are trained to limit advantage fouls to the POA. Maybe I live under a rock or just haven't paid attention. Maybe I am just so use to getting those crews that have the guys that call penalties 40 yards from the play. I get what you are saying about this officials POV. Maybe the lines of communication between coaches and officials is already so strained that all of us are on the defensive from the get go instead of looking to work together for the benefit of the student-athletes. Thanks for your POV on this and hopefully it helps someone else reading it take a different approach.
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Post by coachorm on Oct 15, 2019 10:19:20 GMT -6
I realize these guys are under a lot of stress and I try my best to always be polite with them and even sometimes joke around about stuff just to help them feel comfortable on our sideline. I can understand a missed call, even a bad miss from time to time. One game early this season though we had a defensive end get held bad by the offensive tackle. We are all screaming "hold" hoping it would help but get no call. This was about a minute before halftime. When the horn sounds to end the half we are headed in and the white hat approaches me and says, "Coach there was a hold on that play but it was away from the play so I didn't call it because it didn't effect the play." I was not happy. Asked him if that meant I can tell my players you are allowed to commit penalties away from the play as long as it isn't impacting the play it won't be called. He didn't like that response and stormed off.
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Post by coachorm on Aug 15, 2019 7:34:55 GMT -6
We wash game uniforms and then every weekend we wash practice jerseys. Players are responsible for practice pants and girdles.
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Post by coachorm on Dec 3, 2018 11:15:24 GMT -6
Monday - Film, Lift, Walk-thru of this weeks opponent with formation recognition and top plays. Intro any new wrinkles we are doing. Tuesday - Lift, Defense practice full pads Wednesday - Offense practice full pads Thursday - Walk-thru in uppers so we can still get good handwork and footwork with everything being blown dead quickly. Friday - Play Specials gets worked on Monday and Thursday. If we have an issue we feel needs more addressing we will also work it into the end of Tues and Wed practices. Conditioning wise we condition monday - wed. Dialing it back as we get closer to game day. Also as we go through the year we dial it back. What do you do Saturday and Sunday coach? I do not see the value in what we do on Sundays because as a small school our Mondays are essentially just a walk through because half our team is playing JV. Coach on Saturday and Sunday we give the players the day off. Two years ago I did a lift and film day on Saturday. I found that policing attendance was almost impossible because we have so many kids who have family that believe this year is the year for the Tennessee Vols and they have to be at every game. So I dropped that this year and now on Sunday me and the other coaches will just meet for a couple of hours to talk over the game plan for the next opponent and what we need to improve on from the previous week.
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Post by coachorm on Nov 30, 2018 8:31:30 GMT -6
Monday - Film, Lift, Walk-thru of this weeks opponent with formation recognition and top plays. Intro any new wrinkles we are doing.
Tuesday - Lift, Defense practice full pads
Wednesday - Offense practice full pads
Thursday - Walk-thru in uppers so we can still get good handwork and footwork with everything being blown dead quickly.
Friday - Play
Specials gets worked on Monday and Thursday. If we have an issue we feel needs more addressing we will also work it into the end of Tues and Wed practices.
Conditioning wise we condition monday - wed. Dialing it back as we get closer to game day. Also as we go through the year we dial it back.
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Post by coachorm on Oct 31, 2018 11:05:26 GMT -6
Do simple fun stuff.... For instance yesterday I had them have a Fortnite dance contest with the winning team getting some conditioning taken off. They loved it. I think today we may do a lineman punt return contest. Kids want to enjoy what they do and the more fun we can infuse into the practice grind the more likely they are to stay excited.
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Post by coachorm on Oct 31, 2018 10:59:01 GMT -6
TN, besides the above mentioned you may want to also check out Huntingdon High School and Union City High School.
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Post by coachorm on Sept 25, 2018 9:35:34 GMT -6
Just want to share an In-Season Fundraiser that is EASY money and the kids have fun with it. drive.google.com/file/d/1DcLvPAxMfhuj8TZJxCSg4ArCK-wVbow4/view?usp=sharingIts a Homecoming Jersey Auction. Our kids are not allowed to let anyone wear their jerseys (except parents), except for on homecoming day. We make an easy 10-20 per player for this. With 150 in our program, we make 1,800-$3,000 each year. No costs. It has done so well for us that one year we used the profit to buy a set of "alternate" jerseys for the varsity that we only wear for homecoming, and then the varsity rents out their home AND away jersey which brought in more money. I wanted to share that first, but am hoping for your ideas on an end-of-season fundraiser. We have an annual post-season awards in our Auditorium. No food, no charge to come. We've tried a Silent Auction on signed helmets, footballs, etc, and that brings in a little money. If there was a way to bid online in real time it would be even better (ideas?). Anyway, does anyone have something they do that generates money at their post-season awards night? Awesome Idea Coach. Consider it stolen!
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Post by coachorm on Apr 21, 2018 10:00:07 GMT -6
In TN we don't have a rule about who can and can't play JV based on grade. About the closest thing we have is the 8 qtrs rule. Any kid can play a max of 8qtrs of football in a week. Personally what I do is any player that does not start or play quality reps in Varsity and is a junior or below plays JV. Those kids need the time playing and enjoying the game. They also have the potential to play Varsity the next season. Seniors never play JV because most don't want to and it does nothing to help build the program. The only exceptions I ever make to this would be like last year when I had a kid that rotated at varsity receiver but was also in the running for starting qb this season so he played a half of jv qb each week to get game reps.
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Post by coachorm on Feb 26, 2018 13:10:20 GMT -6
Two things:
1. We have a summer camp for young kids to get to know them and let them use our facilities so they can keep dreaming those big dreams of friday night lights.
2. Visit the middle school during the offseason and start treating those kids like they are already part of the program. Much easier for a kid to join when he feels he is a part.
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Post by coachorm on May 11, 2017 7:30:10 GMT -6
Couple of good quitting stories...
First one is during a game against one of our biggest rivals. One of our starters breaks his helmet and we need another for him. So we find a kid that doesnt start who has the exact same size and style helmet. Assistant coach ask for his helmet so the starter can get back on the field. Kid refuses. Coach then tells him to give him the helmet. KId explodes and throws all his equipment off and goes to the other side of the field and cheers for the opponent.
Second happened recently.. A kid comes in the first day of spring practice and tells the HC he is quitting because quote: Football is pretty f'ing gay!
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Post by coachorm on Nov 4, 2016 8:58:37 GMT -6
Hit Someone Get a Pass Rush Wrap Up
This thread has me thinking about renaming my offense to... BLOCK SOMEONE. Only because that is maybe my favorite thing I hear Bleacher coaches yell.
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Post by coachorm on Oct 3, 2016 22:19:58 GMT -6
Man I thought for sure when I clicked this it was gonna be about a kid that wears his knee pads like shin guards. Oh well.
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Post by coachorm on Sept 29, 2016 13:35:15 GMT -6
I almost feel like maybe we coach some of the same kids.
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Post by coachorm on Sept 16, 2016 11:07:46 GMT -6
My favorite is trying to get a kid to line up at Wing... they never get it right and look at you like you created a new position that very moment. Even when you tell them one yard behind and one yard outside the OT.
Maybe that's because a Wing lines up 1x1 off a TE, not OT.
He might know it's a SLOT that lines up 1x1 off OT.
You're confusing the poor kid.
Maybe that's just a regional difference in terminology. We call it a wing if he is 1x1 off the TE or OT. we call it a slot when he splits out. But I can see your point.
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Post by coachorm on Sept 16, 2016 10:22:50 GMT -6
My favorite is trying to get a kid to line up at Wing... they never get it right and look at you like you created a new position that very moment. Even when you tell them one yard behind and one yard outside the OT.
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Post by coachorm on Sept 6, 2016 13:33:05 GMT -6
The score is not the issue here. The issue is the classless act of putting yourself on the same level as the opposing coach and taking the picture with the scoreboard as payback. Regardless of the level of your team (MS or HS) you owe it to your players to set a good example of how to act after a loss as well as after a win. Just the fact this post was created shows you at least have some regret for your actions. Best you can do is apologize to your team and set a better example the next time.
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Post by coachorm on Aug 18, 2016 22:28:25 GMT -6
A few years ago when my oldest was this age I helped coach his team. First like many suggested get someone to help. Parent, friend, family member. Just someone you trust to help you and not try to install what they think is best.
We had myself and one other coach that was their enough to count as coaching. Every practice we would start with stretching and some agility warm ups. Next we would do a couple of controlled tackling drills. Controlled because we made sure their were no unfair matchups and that kids that are players went against each other. Otherwise it was full speed hitting. Make sure to really praise good technique and correct bad technique. Don't make a kid rep it 15 times until he gets it. 2-3 chances at the most before you go to next two kids.
Afer that we would spend time doing half line offense vs halfline defense. Get half the starting offense and the best we had left on defense. After both sides of offense have gone do the same with defense. During this a lot of the time I would actually play scout qb to make sure handoffs and passes could actually happen.
Finish with some conditioning and go home.
We usually practiced 3 nights a week and would finish usually in an hour and half.
The only thing we did different is the ast practice of the week we would go over special teams and then just line up in offense an defense.
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Post by coachorm on Aug 11, 2016 10:54:07 GMT -6
I would say order more jerseys. However if this is not an option because of budget or other reasons then wear practice jerseys. Heck its middle school. Around here most officials don't even worry about jersey numbers as it relates to position.
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