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Post by sweep26 on May 14, 2024 11:23:48 GMT -6
I'd like to share an example of a gritty performance from this last week as well as hear your folks' stories.
We have a junior who took up discus for the first time this year. I don't know that he'll ever be a high-end thrower but he's a good kid and he's coachable. And, he showed some serious determination this last week at our district meet. He needed to set four new PRs at that meet to break out to the divisional meet. He had to PR by 7 feet just to get into the finals. Then, that round was exceptionally competitive and he needed 3 more PRs in order to finish up at 6th. He just kept found his groove and kept pushing that disc out there; it was impressive. It's been awhile since I've seen a kid compete like that, especially given that he's not pushing for an all-state performance: the kid just friggin' competes.
I love reading about kids like this!!! This is what makes coaching the true joy that it is!!! Effort, Grit, Perseverance...whatever you want to call it. This day and this performance will stick with him for life!!! Thank you for sharing this Coach!!!
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Post by sweep26 on Apr 9, 2024 11:56:34 GMT -6
Work with your Administration and get a commitment from them regarding the dollars that they are willing to commit to helping you get your basic needs. At this point you now know how much money that you are going to have to fundraise.
Write up a short article introducing yourself to the community, along with your plan to develop their football program. In this article, include your Adminstrator's financial commitment, along with a prioritized list (and costs) of what you need in order to implement your plan...have it published in your local Newspaper.
Then you have to go out in the community and introduce yourself and ask for help. When you need help, you have to reach out to a variety of resources.
Open a "Go-fund Me" account; talk to the manager of the Walmart store in your neighboring community, they have grants available for school projects; Banks have always been a good resource for us over the years.
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Post by sweep26 on Apr 1, 2024 8:31:44 GMT -6
Some things I have found over the years to keep it simple without being too simple. Call plays by words like Power, Trap etc. I have not numbered plays in forever. Limit the overall number of concepts in the run and pass game. You probably only need one pass pro (maybe two) in high school. We won a state title (with talent yes) with two run schemes. You either blocked the man on you, or blocked down. On defense simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. You need to line up right and decide who will be your adjusters. I do not like to adjust with the DL or LBs so we go safety over a lot. At the level I coach at we really only need one way to line up vs 3x1 but we carry two that compliment each other. THere are certain things in all three phases of the game that I can coach in detail but don't need to. How do you adjust to a 2-TE, Tackle Over formation? ..E..G..C..G..T..T..E W........Q... ...........F......H
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Post by sweep26 on Mar 15, 2024 11:30:10 GMT -6
As a high school football and track & field athlete, I was selected to coach my old Elementary School's kids in the annual city wide Track Meet. We won that Meet going away...I had never seen so many happy kids in my life.
I was hooked!!! So much so that coaching has been both my career and my hobby. Coming from the background that I came from...I feel so very, very thankful.
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Post by sweep26 on Feb 26, 2024 12:00:12 GMT -6
I am curious...why did you chose Coaching as your profession, and what is your purpose for Coaching?
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Post by sweep26 on Feb 5, 2024 9:54:48 GMT -6
Team Building 101: "Get the right people on the bus, and the wrong people off of the bus."
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Post by sweep26 on Jan 30, 2024 15:20:29 GMT -6
Consistent, precise, enthusiastic execution of fundamentals = Well Coached...it makes no difference: Offense, Defense or Special Teams.
If it is your team...Coach it, Grade it. Often referred to as AAR's (After Action Reviews) Game film and Practice film.
It is all about the details.
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Post by sweep26 on Jan 27, 2024 23:15:02 GMT -6
The situation that senatorblutarsky is facing isn't just happening to him and his program...it is happening in some shape or form in nearly every section of our country. I have been studying this problem for the last 2 years. Trying to figure out why this happens in some schools, and not in others. I may be wrong, but in many instances there seems to be one or more missing links in Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs...two of the big ones are: a genuine sense of "Connection"...and "Self-Confidence/Self-Efficacy" And both of these things are being effected by social media and devices, which leads me to hypothesis that yes, "these kids are different" Regarding rebranding, one thing coaches may have to recognize is that yes, FUN is a factor. While we as middle (or more experienced than middle) aged coaches may feel that associating schemes with fun is silly- it 100% is a thing for some. I guess one has to ask themselves, are you in it to coach kids or to coach the _______ (dbl wing, sbv, flexbone, singlewing, west coast offense, airraid etc) Something I have been wrestling with internally. We are talking about high school football right?? I coached in one community for 14 years, we were ranked in the State's top ten in each of those years...we had great kids ( only 1 was a walk-on at a D-I school, 6 were D-III recruits, and one was a JC recruit). Not great players, but great kids, from great homes...very church oriented community where the adults were always ready to go anywhere to assist in tornado clean-ups, etc. It was a rural community, the kids grew up working, either on their family farm or on other local farms that needed help. Most of the town kids would go work on farms with their friends Those kids learned the importance of doing things the right way...and they valued team work. The Culture was magnificent. In football they understood that their role was important and they valued their role because they knew that the teams success depended on everyone. We did not use the same schemes every year...we adjusted our schemes yearly based on the physical talents that were available. I know, I was very fortunate being in that community. But my point is, we did not have that success every year because of any particular system...it was primarily because of the Culture. Personally, I do not believe that "re-branding" your schemes is the answer. I believe that if we can figure out how to get the kids to trust us, and feel connected socially with their teammates, and establish some shared beliefs and values, it would be a great start.
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Post by sweep26 on Jan 26, 2024 11:43:50 GMT -6
The situation that senatorblutarsky is facing isn't just happening to him and his program...it is happening in some shape or form in nearly every section of our country. I have been studying this problem for the last 2 years. Trying to figure out why this happens in some schools, and not in others. I may be wrong, but in many instances there seems to be one or more missing links in Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs...two of the big ones are: a genuine sense of "Connection"...and "Self-Confidence/Self-Efficacy"
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Post by sweep26 on Jan 24, 2024 22:49:11 GMT -6
WOW!! I feel bad for you...you have been doing this for 34 years so you obviously have had a great deal of success or you would not have stayed in coaching for so many years...and now you feel this way about your community/fans. Stay in it long enough and you will too. Things are great when you're winning, but they'll turn on you as fast as they can when things go south. Look at Belichick and Saban. I began my career as a high school teacher and head football coach in 1964...it has been a long, and enjoyable career. It has been both my career and my hobby. I love it!!
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Post by sweep26 on Jan 24, 2024 21:29:12 GMT -6
In reality, isn't coaching just like any other business...if you are the CEO and your business fails because your strategic plan for success fails...you will become very unpopular...and in all likelihood you will be asked to stepdown. Winning = success and enjoyment: your business flourishes. Losing = failure and sadness: your business shrivels up and...
Coaching is not like other businesses.
In a business- if you make money for your company and shareholders, you are a success.
What is success in high school coaching?
Winning a championship every year? We are all failures then. (I'll amend that if there are any IMG coaches on here).
Doing the best you have with what you have? Maybe we are all successful then… but parents, fans, boosters… sometimes administrators won’t necessarily see it that way.
Here is what I have learned in 34 years of coaching high school football- You are a success if: - You win every game (but not by too much to be unsportsmanlike) - You play every kid in your program - You run an offense that fans see on Sunday… or at least Saturday. - You run a lot of trick plays/formations (it's fun for the kids...“The Annexation of Puerto Rico!!”) - You run an offense/defense that will get a hard nosed, tough 5’6 235# lineman recruited as a scholarship player to a Big 10 (or SEC, or Big 12… depending on where you live) school - You never yell at players but still make them tough physically and mentally like we all were in the “old days” - Etc…
In 2020, we lost the state title game by a FG, which they made with 10 seconds left in the game. We played a team with 4x our roster size, who by 2022 was (rightfully) playing two classes above us (and has been competitive).
Even though we made more uncharacteristic mistakes in the last 2 minutes on defense, according to some (those yahoos who like to talk and don't know whether a football is filled with air or stuffed) we lost because “we didn’t have a good enough passing game”.
2020 was then a "failure" in the eyes of some... and I disagree with that.
WOW!! I feel bad for you...you have been doing this for 34 years so you obviously have had a great deal of success or you would not have stayed in coaching for so many years...and now you feel this way about your community/fans.
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Post by sweep26 on Jan 24, 2024 13:54:29 GMT -6
In reality, isn't coaching just like any other business...if you are the CEO and your business fails because your strategic plan for success fails...you will become very unpopular...and in all likelihood you will be asked to stepdown.
Winning = success and enjoyment: your business flourishes.
Losing = failure and sadness: your business shrivels up and...
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Post by sweep26 on Dec 11, 2023 12:36:31 GMT -6
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Post by sweep26 on Nov 1, 2023 10:13:56 GMT -6
One of ours is we run 400 meters for time during the summer. Starts off as two 400s under the time. We work up to 4-5 of them depending on the time frame for summers and the team we have. Don't think this is the best way to train football players at all, especially lineman. I do like that you up front and honest here and if it works for you, it works. Personally, I think 44dlcoach has a great approach...he is preparing his kids for life by coaching more than just football toughness.
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Post by sweep26 on Oct 20, 2023 7:50:36 GMT -6
I guess my question for this kind of offenses is this- But why? Why not just run DW? Is it because you're trying to market "your brand"? The one that really gets me is Gun I with an offset FB next to the QB. So dumb... Probably trying to keep the philosophy while appeasing coaches up in the stands. No Guts...No Glory!!!
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Post by sweep26 on Oct 19, 2023 20:11:32 GMT -6
Has anyone seen the Fyffe High School (AL) Offense?
They appear to be running a version of the Direct Snap DTDW...utilizing some unique O-Line concepts that feature 4-Man surfaces on either one side or both sides.
Saw one of their tapes on youtube...I loved watching them.
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Post by sweep26 on Oct 15, 2023 17:15:34 GMT -6
I've seen 16 HS games this season. Not a single team has primarily anything other than shotgun spread. Some have dabbled in other stuff, but no one has been more than 40% anything other than gun spread. But coach- gun spread is not an offense. It is a formation. I can say with confidence that many if not most state championship teams in most states are probably aligning in gun spread. A QB just running around is a bad offense. A TB just running toss wide to a boxing end is bad offense. Aligning with 2 wide and 2 wings (flexbone) without a plan to attack an overloaded box is bad offense. Hmmm...
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Post by sweep26 on Aug 31, 2023 10:32:24 GMT -6
Years ago I watched Coach John Gagliardi's Saint John's University play Central College in an NCAA D-III Play-off game. Coach Gagliardi's pre-game warm-up was a sight to behold...Never had seen anything like it!!
Talk about unique...it was the epitome of uniqueness. The one thing that still stands out in my memory banks is the way they concluded their warm-up...the entire team was spread out over their half of the field, aligning as if they were going to do some static stretch or cals and on the command of one of their Captains...they all flopped down on the ground, flat on their backs staring up into the sky and yelled, "Have a Great Day!"
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Post by sweep26 on Jul 27, 2023 7:16:32 GMT -6
We are testing your theory and TBH I have no idea how it will end up but I do have some data points.... Took over a school that had struggled to win many games the last 10 years. The previous HC was here for 2 years had played in the NFL, ran a spread offense that was very open and had 2 qbs transfer in each of his two years one of which came from Oregon (we are in Michigan, he had come from Oregon..... Ironically...) we are in Metro Detroit just west of the city in a lower social economic area. Many Football players have been transferring out of our District (2 HS) for some time to some of the more successful programs in the state... Anyhow, we have installed the Power T/Double Wing and this is what we will be doing here during my tenure.... When I first met the kids I joked that I had 49 WR, 1 OL, 2 QBs, and 1 RB when I asked what position they want to play. Although that isn't completely accurate it is close... I had kids with OL bodies telling me they wanted to be a WR and almost all the current RBs had the same view.... Our approach was we are gonna focus on making you the best football player we can, this means tackling, coverage, fitting, ball carrying techniques, catching, throwing, blocking ect. We are heading into our second year, our numbers are very good better then they have been in a long time, our retention has been good as we have been fortunate to not have kids transfer out (also nobody has transferred in either) since we got here (that might change tomorrow... Never know in this area as their is heavy movement on all fronts)..... The local youth program that goes up through 8th grade has asked to implement our schemes and work with us learning them... We have lots of guys that want to be running backs and tight ends..... I do think much of this is we have some really good men and mentors coaching in our program, and a district that is working hard to make sure kids needs are met, the district is ensuring there are meals after practice and transportation home if needed..... I'm certain we have some kids who wish we spread it out and I know we have some dads that feel that way, I have no idea how that will end however, the one thing I do know is the vast majority of the kids in our program are wanting to learn how to be BETTER football players, improve their skills, and play for each other and really don't talk much about our scheme or position much on either side of the ball... Excellent post Coach!! Good luck to you and your squad this year!!
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Post by sweep26 on Jul 26, 2023 13:08:23 GMT -6
Both the NIL and the Transfer Portal are a mess, but...please do not allow the D.C. politicians to attempt to fix this mess!!
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Post by sweep26 on Jun 4, 2023 14:20:10 GMT -6
Talk to one of your local lawn-care professional...ask one of them to come and take a look at it.
You might be surprised how much advice they are willing to provide FREE OF COST!!!
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Post by sweep26 on May 20, 2023 13:57:33 GMT -6
10dencyofdeception In the off-season... Question #1...How many 7 on 7 competitions do you schedule for your "Skilled" kids?? Question #2...How many OL/DL competitions do you schedule for your "Big" kids??
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Post by sweep26 on May 16, 2023 13:50:12 GMT -6
NEED HELP!! All lineman are quitting, what can we do to retain the big guys? We're not loaded with depth so the lineman we have left aren't giving us anything real on the LOS. (Spring Ball) Skills seem to be loving it by the way. Give those guys up front some authority...blocking calls, etc. Autonomy allows them to have an integral role in the team's success of failure.
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Post by sweep26 on May 13, 2023 6:36:29 GMT -6
bcoachk You are to be commended for recognizing this potential problem...Be direct with your team and point out your concerns. If the two classes continue their singular class loyalty at the expense of team success, I would predict that you a destined for a season of mediocrity. As the old saying goes, "teamwork makes the team work"...
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Post by sweep26 on Apr 20, 2023 21:29:36 GMT -6
I also believe that it does depend on the player...as larrymoe says. Each player's self-efficacy determines his belief/confidence in his ability to succeed in a particular situation. If he has been particularly skilled/successful in executing a specific skill or technique in the past...he probably will not require as many reps as a guy who is new to this position or assignment. If you can get your guys to perform at an unconscious level and they have no doubt about how to execute their skills/techniques, you are on the high road to success.
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Post by sweep26 on Apr 18, 2023 21:04:43 GMT -6
CB, do most of your meets have three throws and then finals or three throws total for the event? All of our children were throwers and they were blessed with an incredible coach. He did the same thing with all of them. They were power until they could progress. In fact my youngest is currently at a really good D3 program and the coach had them throw power in the discus for the first meet.
Most meets, we get four throws without finals. District and divisional meets have three throws and then three more if you make finals. So, given that we have four throws, I don't mind letting them do one-two full throws as long as their power throws have been quality. I want them to get a feel for full throws in different rings and a competition setting. But, they'll only take power position throws if they can't get into a groove and pop off a good throw from the front of the ring.
Every single one of them set a new PR from the power position on their first meet. And, they've just continued to progress. One girl has out thrown her power position from a rotation once. It was a decent spin but she only pushed it out four more feet, over her power position throw.
It sounds like you have done a terrific job teaching technique to these kids...you have obviously developed a great physical foundation for your throwers!! Now might be a good time to begin working on their confidence...instead of dwelling on the things that they are doing wrong, start looking for the good things that they are doing and compliment the heck out of those things...build on their strengths. I know that you said in an earlier post that you use your 'Tablet' a lot in practice...review their throws with them and allow them to to self-evaluate as well. They need to believe in themselves...in order for that to happen...they need to know that you are proud of them and that you truly do believe in them. It sounds like nearly all of your throwers want to "Spin/Glide" etc. so give them a short, segmented warm-up routine that is a process that they understand that ties all elements of the necessary skills that they need to achieve success (whatever that might be: (PR's, School Records, Meet Records, etc.)
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Post by sweep26 on Apr 17, 2023 12:54:26 GMT -6
My answer was always VIDEOS...
Professionally done Training Videos to illustrate the correct techniques. Then video taping your throwers' practice throws from different angles.
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Post by sweep26 on Apr 12, 2023 11:04:01 GMT -6
Leaving/Retirement is doubly difficult when your profession is your hobby!
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Post by sweep26 on Mar 11, 2023 12:13:02 GMT -6
Situation substitutions...Down and Distance, etc.
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Post by sweep26 on Mar 10, 2023 7:43:18 GMT -6
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