|
Post by coachnorm on Sept 21, 2008 21:32:00 GMT -6
I took over a team that I knew going in was in a bad place. They hadn't won a game in 2 seasons and the talent level was dropping not getting better. I knew we would take some lumps but decided to build from the bottom up. we have had success at the lower levels youth programs are winning, Jr High is winning, JV was 7-1 last year and is 2-0 this year with wins of 52-0 and 42-8 over a pair of schools from the leagues big school division. But, here we are at the varsity level with a 40 game losing streak and not only can we not win, we're not even competitive.
I've always tried to stay positive with the kids but it is getting harder and harder to stay positive myself.
I know some of you have to have ridden out thin times. What are some of the things you've done to breathe some life into a team that doesn't seem to know what it takes to win?
I haven't questioned my own coaching ability much in the past, but even my confidence is shaken.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Sept 21, 2008 22:00:58 GMT -6
inch by inch it's a cinch
break the rock---keep bashin away at it and eventually it will break
hold out until the good kids move up dont give up
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on Sept 21, 2008 22:02:15 GMT -6
become extremely analytical. "WHY" must become your new buzzword. WHY aren't you being competitive? Are you still weaker than other teams? Slower? Misaligned? Bad pad level? Just not competing?
|
|
|
Post by liberalhater on Sept 21, 2008 22:16:19 GMT -6
you have to have to the vision to know whats on the other side of the mountain. is it worth getting to the other side?
|
|
|
Post by coachorr on Sept 21, 2008 22:46:30 GMT -6
I ask myself that question everyday of my life.
|
|
|
Post by cltblkhscoach on Sept 22, 2008 4:20:35 GMT -6
At least you have some youth to look forward to.....I'm a first year OC on a team with no JV, 30 kids, and 12 of them being seniors. We took over in May, the kids had no offseason lifting, and there isn't a true feeder school or major community support. These kids fight hard, but we just don't have what it takes to win on a consistent basis right now.
That being said, we're 0-4 right now but staying positive and telling the kids beginning conference this week is a fresh start with everyone being 0-0. I've questioned my ability, the HC has questioned his, but we knew going in it was going to be like this early on, so you just take things one day at a time, stay positive, try to do something competitive and fun in practice to keep things from getting stale, and ride it out. Trust me, I was at a place for 9 years and when we got to 7-5 and lost in the 1st round in the playoffs that was the peak, so I know how it is to be in a rough place.
|
|
|
Post by kylem56 on Sept 22, 2008 7:32:21 GMT -6
I'm in a similar situation right now. Even if you sometimes doubt yourself, the players cannot know it. Don't preach moral victories but start with trying to get good at a few things and work from there. Another thing we did this past off season was step back and analyze everything we did. Ie; why do we drill this way, why do we practice x amount on this and not that. Another thing during tough times is to emphasize every single day to finish everything and demand their best effort in everything from film study to special teams and everything in between. Feel free to pm me
|
|
|
Post by touchdownmaker on Sept 22, 2008 8:39:45 GMT -6
Breaking down game film is the first place to start. Find out why things are not going well and make a plan to fix what ails you.
Morale is a huge issue at any program and finding ways to keep morale high is critical to a teams energy and effort.
|
|
|
Post by coachnorm on Sept 22, 2008 9:54:17 GMT -6
Thanks for the input coaches. I think I was having a little pity party for my self and I just need to cowboy up. We are in the middle of a serious youth movement we start 7 sophomores, 1 freshman, and no seniors, and I know the future should be bright but I also never thought we'd go this long without winning a game.
|
|
|
Post by rip60zgo on Sept 22, 2008 11:38:27 GMT -6
I don't think it's always a hard and fast rule that you bring the young kids up when times are tough. Sometimes, leaving them together on the JV when they are having success can be just as valuable. Guys touched on morale, and I am a big believer in team chemistry and confidence. We had a situation in 2006 (my first year at this school) where the atmosphere at the varsity level was just toxic. The JV was winning ball games and the kids loved football. The upperclassmen were not very gifted and had poor attitudes to boot. There were some sophomores that could have helped us. We didn't win a game until week 5, and limped to a 4-6 finish. Having shielded the younger kids from the attitudes and malaise at the varsity level allowed us to build on what the younger kids had done while hammering away at the environment that had previously been created with the older kids. Obviously, I don't have hard and fast evidence to prove this out, but I feel that in our case, we made a good decision to not bring the young kids up.
|
|
|
Post by ajreaper on Sept 22, 2008 20:53:43 GMT -6
You may already be doing this but film everyday in practice- it's really important for younger players to see themselves on tape both doing it wrong and doing it right. I think it's the best teaching tool out there and doubley so for younger players.
|
|
|
Post by coachorr on Sept 22, 2008 21:07:20 GMT -6
"I think order to be a good coach you have to question your own ability everyday. When you "walk out that door" you have to feel like you have something to prove, even if it is to yourself."
Coach DCOhio, thanks for the advice, this is how I take it everyday and sometimes I have questioned that motive in myself.
|
|
|
Post by jgordon1 on Sept 23, 2008 8:02:40 GMT -6
questioned myself yesterday. threw out a couple of "cute" alignments right in the middle of practice. kids were getting a little confused, i said F this, we are running base and we are going to kick their arse. i wasn't really that mad because we throw out stuff every week, but made a big deal of it during practice, got the kids refocused on what we do best
|
|
|
Post by coachcb on Sept 23, 2008 8:59:10 GMT -6
1. Focus on the positives that the program has going right now. It will help keep you focused and upbeat with respect to your varsity kids.
2. Be as analytical as possible with the varsity squad, as coach d said, keep asking yourself WHY. And don't just focus on the skills and schemes; make sure that there's solid sports pyschology going on in the program. If the varsity team is losing in the games, the last the you want to do is create a negative environment in practice.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2008 19:15:36 GMT -6
Coach I question it every day and strive to learn somthing new every day. Every coach questions themselves, it's part of being a coach. The day they stop is the day start heading toward retirement. It's ok to do so, Over the years I have BOMBARDED coaches from other forums (assk Ted Seay) with questions, the result...until this one was making the playoffs every year I coached with 2 back to back ships in the middle
|
|
|
Post by dsqa on Sept 24, 2008 7:18:10 GMT -6
For what its worth,
Might be good to talk to your captains alone, and find out what they think is happening. Make sure they are off the record, and that there will be no recourse on their opinion or what they say, so they can feel free to be honest. As a father of 5, I have found that when the family isn't firing on all cylinders, or I am not getting it done as a Dad, it helps to get the kids involved in their perspective. Found that to be true as a Head coach as well when things aren't where they need to be. Not suggesting they run the program, but their perspective is invaluable, if for nothing else than drawing out where they are, and what they are feeling.
just my opinion.
|
|
|
Post by bulldogoption on Sept 24, 2008 7:24:06 GMT -6
I took over a team that I knew going in was in a bad place. They hadn't won a game in 2 seasons and the talent level was dropping not getting better. I knew we would take some lumps but decided to build from the bottom up. we have had success at the lower levels youth programs are winning, Jr High is winning, JV was 7-1 last year and is 2-0 this year with wins of 52-0 and 42-8 over a pair of schools from the leagues big school division. But, here we are at the varsity level with a 40 game losing streak and not only can we not win, we're not even competitive. I've always tried to stay positive with the kids but it is getting harder and harder to stay positive myself. I know some of you have to have ridden out thin times. What are some of the things you've done to breathe some life into a team that doesn't seem to know what it takes to win? I haven't questioned my own coaching ability much in the past, but even my confidence is shaken. Coach--- First know that there are plenty of coaches in the same boat you are. Varsity sports are REAL. There are winners and losers. Because you lose a game doesn't mean you aren't trying to make your kids better. Secondly yes, I question my ability everytime something goes wrong. Failing is not aweful. Quitting because you don't want to fail is. At the very least you have to push thru this season and stay positive. I try to tell kids that they have failed as a team during a football game AND preparing for a football game. They haven't failed at anything else. The lesson to be gained from these seasons is that success is NOT easy and quitting in the middle of things is NOT an option.
|
|
|
Post by jpdaley25 on Sept 30, 2008 10:28:06 GMT -6
With some teams winning is just not possible no matter who the coach is or what he does. So, you have to redefine success for yourself and your kids. A couple years ago we got hammered 53-0 (coulda been as bad as they wanted to make it) but going into the game our goal on defense was to take everything on with the correct shoulder. We achieved that goal. We had something to praise them for and something we could feel good about as coaches. We were successfull. We talked a lot about respect and winning respect. I showed them the fight seen from "Cool Hand Luke" and tried to teach them that you could still win even if you lose, as long as you don't quit. We were 0-10 that year and I had three seniors who stuck it out all the way to the end out of 12. I made them the heros at the banquet. All three were standing up there holding many awards and I said to the crowd, "these young men went 0-10 their senior year, but they are walking out of here tonight winners." Then I looked at our team full of many young, promising athletes and said "what did they win?" " RESPECT!" they all shouted back together. It was really hard, and really frustrating, but we were able to turn a miserable, gut wrenching season into a positive experience for our boys. Find a way to turn a negative into a positive.
|
|
|
Post by coachorr on Sept 30, 2008 11:43:01 GMT -6
Wow, JP this is a great post, thanks for the ideas and the comments.
|
|
jlt
Junior Member
Posts: 313
|
Post by jlt on Oct 1, 2008 2:46:32 GMT -6
I often question my ability. Every session.
But then I end up walking on the field and taking control for the training. And questioning myself at the right times away from the team.
For those that dont know, I left college at 22 and went straight into my first coaching job as head coach of a small college. The last 2 years have been bringing them up to scratch ready for their first season. Well now that season is upon us I do question everything I do.
I have a staff of 4. Out of those 4 only 1 of them has ever coached before. The other 3 are players who wanted to try their hand at coaching. the 4th guy has unusual tactics that I dont agree with as a Head Coach but is a great coordinator.
So as you can see a head coach in his mid 20s without any experience and no experienced coaches to call upon to help. With a team of 25 going into their first season, it is hard NOT to question yourself. In my first ever game as a coach one of my players got injured. Not my fault. He was a QB and he got sacked, and his boot got stuck int he mud and he tore his ligaments. Though I still blame myself as the oline was like a sieve and I kept asking myself if I was up to the task and whether I was going to injure people pretending to be a coach. But my girlfriend sat me down and told me that we played one of the best teams in the country, our QB got injured and our MLB broke his shoulder. One was due to his boot getting stuck and the other was landing awkwardly after making a tackle (made the tackle and landed on his elbow how you would start an arm wrestling match). She said that with only 14 players who had never even seen a football before they started playing for me, we held the other side to 38 points.
She inspried me. That I had to not focus on the negatives and realise what I had done. Yes the oline couldnt pass block. They could barely run block, but those same guys played dline too. The same dline that sacked their QB twice. So from then on Ive tried to take the positives from everything. Last year we had 3 games and everybody came home from every game smiling and walking which was a nice feeling. Despite the fact we were 0-3.
Now we are entering into the Lions den facing teams that regularly only lose 1/2 games a season, I tell myself is that:
"Nobody else is here to do it. You know the rules, you have a very good playbook, you've had 2 years of scrimmages to feel out the position. All of your guys know safe technique. So long as they all have fun thats what matters"
But it is human nature to question yourself. I just think I question myself more than others. With no experience and nobody to call upon for advice it's just hard not to listen to the demons.
Coach J
|
|
mce86
Junior Member
Posts: 281
|
Post by mce86 on Oct 1, 2008 8:34:54 GMT -6
Have you ever been in that situation before? I think finding teams, situations to build off of... Ive been part of 3 0-9 teams at various points in my playing/coaching career..and in each situation, we've been able to turn it around! It does take time and dedication..and alot of it is in the off-season and keeping your numbers up on the lower levels! Find dedication in good kids and coaches, continue to believe, and continue to work toward your goal! Celebrate small victories, including getting beat by less, or a closer second half! Recognize being in position to make the play, and they will be ready to make it next! Keep your head up and keep working toward your eventual success! BELIEVE!
|
|
|
Post by silkyice on Oct 1, 2008 9:04:12 GMT -6
With some teams winning is just not possible no matter who the coach is or what he does. So, you have to redefine success for yourself and your kids. A couple years ago we got hammered 53-0 (coulda been as bad as they wanted to make it) but going into the game our goal on defense was to take everything on with the correct shoulder. We achieved that goal. We had something to praise them for and something we could feel good about as coaches. We were successfull. We talked a lot about respect and winning respect. I showed them the fight seen from "Cool Hand Luke" and tried to teach them that you could still win even if you lose, as long as you don't quit. We were 0-10 that year and I had three seniors who stuck it out all the way to the end out of 12. I made them the heros at the banquet. All three were standing up there holding many awards and I said to the crowd, "these young men went 0-10 their senior year, but they are walking out of here tonight winners." Then I looked at our team full of many young, promising athletes and said "what did they win?" " RESPECT!" they all shouted back together. It was really hard, and really frustrating, but we were able to turn a miserable, gut wrenching season into a positive experience for our boys. Find a way to turn a negative into a positive. POST OF THE YEAR!
|
|
|
Post by splitricky5 on Oct 1, 2008 9:12:01 GMT -6
With some teams winning is just not possible no matter who the coach is or what he does. So, you have to redefine success for yourself and your kids. A couple years ago we got hammered 53-0 (coulda been as bad as they wanted to make it) but going into the game our goal on defense was to take everything on with the correct shoulder. We achieved that goal. We had something to praise them for and something we could feel good about as coaches. We were successfull. We talked a lot about respect and winning respect. I showed them the fight seen from "Cool Hand Luke" and tried to teach them that you could still win even if you lose, as long as you don't quit. We were 0-10 that year and I had three seniors who stuck it out all the way to the end out of 12. I made them the heros at the banquet. All three were standing up there holding many awards and I said to the crowd, "these young men went 0-10 their senior year, but they are walking out of here tonight winners." Then I looked at our team full of many young, promising athletes and said "what did they win?" " RESPECT!" they all shouted back together. It was really hard, and really frustrating, but we were able to turn a miserable, gut wrenching season into a positive experience for our boys. Find a way to turn a negative into a positive. The idea of going into a game with one thing in mind (the shoulder idea) is fantastic. If you face an opponent you can't beat, then find another way to motivate. That's better than anything I heard in a clinic this past year, I can tell you that. Thanks Coach
|
|
|
Post by coachdawhip on Oct 2, 2008 21:25:09 GMT -6
Coach in the same boat
we haven't won a game in 15 tries. We have 2 seniors, 1 junior and 7 sophomores starting. The top 4 teams in our region are all ranked. Our closet game this year has been 33-6.
I have all about lost my fight on a daily basis, but I smile at practice and coach hard and try to improve, because trying to break the rock even when all I have is a shoe, is the only thing I know how to do.
Keep fighting at the end of the year, if you can't see the light then move on. But try, try and try your best to finish strong.
|
|
|
Post by btincup on Oct 3, 2008 11:59:11 GMT -6
Not suggesting you don't know what your doing and I always question my coaching abilities. Solving the riddle each week prior to game time is one of the things I really love about coaching.
About 3 years ago I picked up a team that had not gotten a first down in 6 years. I actually had one of the kids show up to the first day of pads with just his girdle on.
I went down to bare bones. BASIC BASIC BASIC. We ran 6 plays only and ran the 5-3 with I think one blitz package. We focused on getting our tacklers as close to the ball as possible. We only won 2 games that year but man what a difference in the kids once they won.
|
|
|
Post by coachbdud on Oct 4, 2008 18:03:07 GMT -6
you have to feel this way. every coach i have seen who is cocky and sure of himself, has been an A$$hole and not nearly as good as he thinks he is. I have seen JV coaches like this who sit back and talk about the var coaches like they could do a better job.
you have to feel somewhat inadequate, that is why we are on this site, and attend clinics, buy DVDs, etc.
|
|
|
Post by coachnorm on Oct 11, 2008 14:14:29 GMT -6
This doesn't mean that I don't still question my ability but we did finally snap our school's 42 game losing streak with a 20-13 win Friday.
Thanks coaches for the support and advice!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2008 18:53:14 GMT -6
We're on a losing streak right now, we havent scored a point in 5 games. No matter what we do something always seems to go wrong. I'm questioning myself regularly
|
|
|
Post by eickst on Oct 13, 2008 14:09:06 GMT -6
I am questionong myself big time after this weekend. I called a QB keeper play and our QB ended up tearing his ACL. Can't have the surgery for another 6-8 months, which means he will not only miss the rest of this season, but his freshman year of high school ball as well. I feel like such a tool right now.
|
|
|
Post by coachnorm on Oct 13, 2008 19:13:46 GMT -6
There is no way that you can hold yourself responsible for an injury in that circumstance. Otherwise you're saying that you can't let the QB run at all. You can't wrap the kids in bubble wrap. Injuries are a part of the game, and most kids know that and still don't care.
|
|