What are some positive words you use when a kid...

If the player is giving the correct effort and is not lacking the proper metal intensity, I don't really even address him in a general way. I coach him in correcting the technique or help him develop the level of consistency needed to perform at his best. Many of our players can perform their needed assignments periodically, but they lack the consistency needed to be a great player. We work hard on getting them to develop a mental plan after they have received the call and before the ball is snapped. We really stress that their body can only do what their brain tells it to do. We have found that our consistency issues occur when they lose their discipline in using their mental plan.

If the player is lacking effort or is mentally lazy then we quickly and forcefully encourage them to change that behavior. Sometimes it is a negative response and sometimes it is a positive encouragement. It really depends on the player and how they are best motivated. We do not do the "always be positive" thing. We tell them truthfully how they are performing and don't try to put a positive spin on something that is not positive. I know that is not "PC" in today's world, but we treat our Varsity players as the young adults they are. I should say that we are just as liberal with praise when assignments are carried out correctly. Every player is different and will need different methods to get more from them than they think they can give.

I think I picked this up from a Speckman presentation. We use the term "We can we with that" or "We can't win with that".

We've tied it. It seems to resonate with the players.

The key is to "Coach" them. As already stated, don't talk about the obvious ("You gotta block!" or "C'mon, catch the ball!") - give him something to take with him for the next play(s)! We try to be like 19Delta and give an encouragement and then follow up with a technique to focus on which could be anything like punch, footwork, concentration, or ANYTHING that will help them do a better job next time. Be quick, be positive, and be focused. Don't turn the field into a classroom and don't get them a laundry list that more than likely will cause their head to explode. Give them one thing to get them through the next play. Remember, Its not about YOU - its about helping them so they can help the team. And coachsky - we've used that same phrase for several years and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if I did pick it up from Speckman.

I yell more at the scout team coach for screwing up the cards. The guy always seems to grab two cards at once

i always fine some thing good to say first and then I instruct and i usually say I know you can do this I have faith in you.

so it will say

johnny i like the effort you are giving but you really need to keep you but down and gain leverage when drive blocking. I know you can do this and I have faith in you.

I have given him some thing positive and instructed him.

it is call the sandwich method. say some thing nice, then correct the mistake and leave them with some thing positive.

I also never yell at a kid directly in front of his peer. I will call him over and I will have a talking to and if he chooses to share what we talked about that is his choice. bud grant did this with the minnesota vikings. he said a man never should be berated in front of his peers. he will see you as making him look bad. correct in private.

Kids are pretty honest with you when they are 1-on-1 with you. They will tell you exactly how good they are and how good they think they can be and normally they are dead on. I always try to leave the kid the goal of where they want to be.

"You're better than that. Let's go."
"Pretty good, but this time..."
"Better! Give me a little more..."
"I want to see you do it like you did against Team X last year."
"This ain't (pick crappy school in your region), let's pick this up!"
Mental mistake: "This is important. I need you to focus!"
"We can't do that and win football games."
"That's not good enough to beat (pick best team you play). Pick it up."
"You're a better athlete than that. Make sure you..."

Positive coaching will go a long way. Pretty much, try to criticize the technique and not the person. When you do yell about something, it should be important and severe. Kids tend to tune out the coaches that yell all the time.

good one, I need to do a better job here.