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Post by Coach JR on Nov 5, 2008 12:43:21 GMT -6
Just finished my first year as a volunteer for the local 6th, 7th, and 8th grade team. The way it works here is I may be back doing that again next year, or they may even need my help with varsity, just depends. What can I do to better myself as a coach in the off season?
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Post by bulldogoption on Nov 5, 2008 12:58:04 GMT -6
By trying to learn more you are already a step in the right direction. I.e. by realizing there's something to this other than yelling "hit someone" at kids and giving pregame speeches you are headed in the right direction.
I suggest these:
1. Go with your HS staff to clinics. That will really speed up your process of learning the lingo.
2. Ask as many questions as possible on here.
3. Try to learn as much as you can about your HS's schemes. That will help you understand what is important for your kids to learn.
4. Pick out something you want to learn about and do it. For example....Our staff really needs to get better defensively. So my plan is to have us break down all of our games from this season drawing and charting what our opponents ran against us. Then we will pick a certain scheme (4-3, 3-3, 4-2-5) and research/learn it. Then have whiteboard discussions on how that particular scheme would work against certain opponents.
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Post by levydisciple on Nov 5, 2008 13:22:44 GMT -6
As a 16 year-old who spends his afternoons learning the game, I can relate to the situation you're in. I've found that focusing in on a topic till you have it mastered helps. That way you're not trying to juggle learning sixty different things at once. You won't be overwhelmed, essentially. For example, I chose this summer to learn about defense. Now, I naturally understand defense, angles, and leverage. I don't know why, but I do. However, I DID have to learn the terminology, etc. I learned force calls, coverages, stunts and fronts over the summer, and now I'm working on learning fire zones. I find this method of breaking subjects down one by one a hell of a lot easier than trying to cram a million different things into my skull at once. Remember, do a few things, and do them well! This leads to success. I would recommend writing a list of all the things you want to learn about football- even the smallest things. And carry that list with you when you go to games, watch games on TV, etc. Tackle the things you want to know one matter at a time.
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Post by midlineqb on Nov 5, 2008 13:27:39 GMT -6
Make as many contacts with coaches and pick their brains. Being around coaches and talking football is one of the best methods of becoming a better coach. Going to clinics as frequently as possible is another great way to learn. Going to colleges and talking to their coaching staffs, they are always willing to share in the off-season. Like has already been stated, ask questions of this website and you'll gain a wealth of information.
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Post by cmow5 on Nov 5, 2008 14:17:32 GMT -6
I am in the same boat Auburn. My problem is I HATE not knowing something so I have tried to learn EVERYTHING and it just confused me. Also did not help that I had no set position to coach last year I was oline,dline, DB's WR almost all ST and many others so I could not really (Or did not want to) focus on One. So like everybody else said focus on one thing at a time.
2 things that has helped me the most
1. This site. I get embarrassed to ask some questions on the thread part sometimes so I just send PM's. EVERYONE Has been more then willing to help. One thing about football coaches theyu LOVE to share knowledge
2. My school gets a season pass to the Glazier Clinics. We attended 2 of them last year and I learned a lot, but I learned even more by watching the videos on the site. If you get a season pass you can watch all the videos on the site and I watch them ALL. Thats one time I feel I have benefited from trying to learn everything because I can watch a video on the 3-3 stack and then watch a coach talk about the Jet Sweep within 5 minutes. So you should check out the season pass it is really not that bad on price. I believe 650 dollars (Paid for by the school) and EVERYONE on your staff can go to ANY clinic at no extra cost and you get access to the videos and a bunch of downloads.
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Post by CoachCP on Nov 5, 2008 14:38:21 GMT -6
Read coaching books, then find people around who run similar schemes and talk to them. That way you get past the basics and into advanced methodology.
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Post by CoachCP on Nov 5, 2008 14:39:28 GMT -6
BTW, Coaching books can include philosophy as well. Its always good to talk about that.
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Post by Coach JR on Nov 5, 2008 15:39:21 GMT -6
I read a lot of AFCA books...keep them by my toilet! ;D But, my initial interests in football lead me to buy books on Offense and Defense schemes...which includes some philosophy of course, but I need to start at the other end now and learn some fundametals of blocking and tackling. I guess tackling is tackling, but blocking has changed a lot since I played 25 years ago. And like one above said, I'm likley to have to coach just about any position on the field except maybe QB.
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Post by Coach JR on Nov 5, 2008 15:40:12 GMT -6
And thanks for the advice so far, much appreciated!
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Post by cmow5 on Nov 5, 2008 16:12:32 GMT -6
I guess tackling is tackling, . You really need to look into this. There are many ways to teach tackling wrong and right. I thought that to, but trust me Tackling is not tackling. I am in the process of getting Hugh Wyatts tape on safer and surer tackling because I have read a lot of good things about it I will let you know how it is. Heres an example. The frosh Coach before me was teaching the kids " Look at the belt buckle until the last second then look at the ball, wrap up and then punch them in the Kidneys,pick them up and slam them down,then drive your shoulder into there chest" dont forget to keep your feet moving the whole time. I have yet seen a freshmen pick someone up hit there kidneys drive shoulder into thier chest and keep their feet moving all at the same time. |
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Post by Coach JR on Nov 5, 2008 17:02:15 GMT -6
I guess tackling is tackling, . You really need to look into this. There are many ways to teach tackling wrong and right. I thought that to, but trust me Tackling is not tackling. I am in the process of getting Hugh Wyatts tape on safer and surer tackling because I have read a lot of good things about it I will let you know how it is. Heres an example. The frosh Coach before me was teaching the kids " Look at the belt buckle until the last second then look at the ball, wrap up and then punch them in the Kidneys,pick them up and slam them down,then drive your shoulder into there chest" dont forget to keep your feet moving the whole time. I have yet seen a freshmen pick someone up hit there kidneys drive shoulder into thier chest and keep their feet moving all at the same time. Note I said "I guess...". I am willing to learn different ways. I was taught form tackling this way: bend your knees, back straight, good base, 'put the Riddell (or other name brand on the top of the facemask) in right in his chest" and explode through and wrap up, drive through with your feet, and never go down before the ball carrier, keep driving them back. My single biggest coaching point after all that, or rather through all that this year was to NEVER hit with the top of the helmet. This was strongly stressed and corrected EVERY time it was done. The watching the belt buckle thing was really not part of form tackling per se, so much as just a reminder during all tackling that the ball carrier can't go anywhere that belt buckle doesn't go, so you can't get faked by that. |
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Post by coachivie75 on Nov 6, 2008 9:07:16 GMT -6
Auburn
Start from the bottom up become a great position coach, the X's and O's don't mean much if you can't coach the Jimmys and the Joes.
I highly suggest picking up the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic Manuals. They are great because you get a mixture of everything in them; position play, offensive, defensive, and special teams schemes, as well as character and program building articles.
Another good series of books is Coaching _____ By the Experts. The blank could be defensive line, running backs, passing game etc. Similar to the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic books it wont go into much detail but it will let you see how other people are doing things and how you might be able to incorporate those schemes into what you and your team are doing.
Don't be afraid to ask guestions!
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Post by gunrun on Nov 6, 2008 16:40:35 GMT -6
Ditto on Coach Huey's site and the resource of all the coaches on here, as well as the Nike COY books, going to clinics, writing down everything you can, and visiting other places to ask Q's and watch film. Watch and record games on TV and video and draw up what is going on with everyone on both sides of the ball.
Also, Coaching Team Defense by Fritz Shurmur is great and anything by Andrew Coverdale is super with the passing game. Click on my site under Recommended Books for reviews of other football books if you are interested.
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Post by splitricky5 on Nov 6, 2008 21:31:23 GMT -6
Boys, you are all in the greatest fraternity known to man. Any coach worth his salt will do anything he can to help you for no other reason than because he was once in your shoes, wondering about the same things you are wondering about. I will never forget sitting down as a 19 year old who did not play college ball with the DC of a national championship team for an hour one-on-one firing questions at him. Just remember someday when you know more than all of us other coaches to answer our questions when we ask.  |
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Post by coachd5085 on Nov 7, 2008 6:36:21 GMT -6
I have to echo the "coaching Team Defense" book by Coach Shurmur. It is a great treatment on how defense is "played", since all successful defenses have similar elements.
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Post by Coach JR on Nov 7, 2008 9:19:06 GMT -6
Thank you all!
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Post by joe83843 on Nov 8, 2008 23:40:25 GMT -6
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2008 0:24:44 GMT -6
that's a really great blog if you want to learn about passing offense, concepts, etc - probably what i know the least about so i try to check in every once in awhile to chris's site and see what he has to say. |
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Post by Coach JR on Nov 10, 2008 9:59:40 GMT -6
I do read that, and it's very good stuff. |
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mce86
Junior Member
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Post by mce86 on Nov 10, 2008 15:22:24 GMT -6
Going to clinics is awesome! So many topics, and so many clinics! Finding one at the college level in the spring is good too,,,usually there is a practice after that is great to watch!
Finding videos with demonstrations on them is a good tool! You can review it again, and again and learn lots of drills that way!
Drill videos are very good too and will give you such a good bag of tools to use when coaching different positions!
Pick a side of the ball you want to focus on and go from there....ive been an offensive guy and have coached O-line, QB, and WR...maybe i should do RB's next to get more rounded!
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