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Post by drewdawg265 on Mar 9, 2009 10:02:15 GMT -6
You better be thick skinned if you are calling offense or defense. My philosophy is that good plays are usually caused by a combination of a good play call and good execution or at least one or the other.
I always explain my thinking behind a play call to anyone that asks. 90% of the time I have a particular reason for calling a play and that is easy to explain. 10% I just may have a gut feeling and if that is the case and it didn't I just say...bad call. I will never place blame on a kid when a play doesn't work out.
The truth is you are going to hit some and miss on some for a variety of reasons. You can not take personally what people think or say in the heat of the moment because this is an emotional game. When things are good the coaches will usually get a lot of the credit. When things are bad they will always get all of the blame.
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Post by touchdownmaker on Mar 9, 2009 10:12:06 GMT -6
ah, there is NO STINKING WAY that any fan knows what I am looking at or even what they are looking at when it comes to play calling. No way. Not one fan in the stands can tell you the techniques (alignments) being played by the defense on any given down. Not one fan can tell you the favorable matchups on the field, the coverage or the tendencies. Feeling sensitive about a fan or players comments about play calling is like having your kid try and tell you how to be a parent.
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splitbacks
Probationary Member
OL/DL coach
Posts: 10
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Post by splitbacks on Mar 9, 2009 10:32:24 GMT -6
If some arm chair son of a bit ch gives me crap for a call that I have about 20 seconds to make that may decide the game if not the season, I will gladly hand him the playbook and say "here ya go"
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Mar 9, 2009 10:47:00 GMT -6
Do you bother explaining your playcalling?
Only to people who sign my paychecks...and my wife (she loves to bust my ball$ about that stuff)
If someone wants to question what I do, I tend to ignore them- the way I see it is if I have to explain myself then I'm not doing a good enough job coaching during the week.
Someone mentioned above- there is definitely an art to play-calling, but just like all art- it doesn't look good to everybody.
Picasso was a "genius" in most people's eyes, but his work looks like crap in mine...you can't please everyone...
I think the real "ART" of being an effective OC happens during before and after the game- any tard that has ever played madden has an idea of how play calling should be- the game prep, meetings, drill work is what seperates us from the tool-bags in the stands who always scream "what was that...a screen on first down...RUN THE BALL!" [into a cov 0 blitz]
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Post by thakatalyst on Mar 9, 2009 11:44:31 GMT -6
This a quote by from the movie "The Ghosts and the Darkness:" "I could tell you that with the smell of flesh and blood in here, this makes for an inviting target. I could tell you that I just saw fresh paw prints outside, which makes me think that they are already thinking of feasting in here. But I don't want to explain myself to you 'cause that would mean that I don't know what I'm doing!" I'm a former Marine, and I had the honor of listening to a colonel speak about ego and accountability as a leader. This is the quote he used to start his presentation. Obviously, there's a difference between being a leader in the Marines and a coach. But...there is one fundamental similarity between the two, and that is leading people to do something that ordinary people don't, can't, or won't do. If football was easy, everyONE would be doing participating. We are all accountable to somebody. I don't mind telling people why I called a play. If you want people to not believe in you or stop believing in you and your abilities, go ahead and blow them off at then end of a game when they ask you a question. Answer tactfully. If you've done your homework and your prep work, quick easy answers should be easy. "We got the ball to our best player with one of our best plays. It didn't work out for us this time. They played good defense and made the play." |
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Post by coachcb on Mar 9, 2009 11:52:43 GMT -6
The last time I had a parent question my playcalling, I smiled, handed them a clipboard and said;
"There's coaching positions open at all levels right now; I'll get your started with this clipboard, good luck."
I turned and walked away and didn't hear from him again. Needless to say, he didn't become a coach.
The last time I had a fellow assistant question our DCs playcalling, I told him to keep his mouth shut until Sunday meetings. He continued to rant in front of kids, so I told him to SHUT-THE-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-UP.
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Post by thakatalyst on Mar 9, 2009 11:56:57 GMT -6
So after you told him to shut the bleep up, what happened? As far as parents go, I hope you don't ask that person to give you money. I guess we're aren't making the Original Poster's decisions any easier  Whatever you decide to do, make sure it's nothing you regret in the long run. |
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Post by coachcb on Mar 9, 2009 12:33:31 GMT -6
The parent never addressed the situation again.
The assistant did shut his trap, for a little while. He's no longer with the program.
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Post by khalfie on Mar 9, 2009 16:47:40 GMT -6
This a quote by from the movie "The Ghosts and the Darkness:" "I could tell you that with the smell of flesh and blood in here, this makes for an inviting target. I could tell you that I just saw fresh paw prints outside, which makes me think that they are already thinking of feasting in here. But I don't want to explain myself to you 'cause that would mean that I don't know what I'm doing!" I'm a former Marine, and I had the honor of listening to a colonel speak about ego and accountability as a leader. This is the quote he used to start his presentation. Obviously, there's a difference between being a leader in the Marines and a coach. But...there is one fundamental similarity between the two, and that is leading people to do something that ordinary people don't, can't, or won't do. If football was easy, everyONE would be doing participating. We are all accountable to somebody. I don't mind telling people why I called a play. If you want people to not believe in you or stop believing in you and your abilities, go ahead and blow them off at then end of a game when they ask you a question. Answer tactfully. If you've done your homework and your prep work, quick easy answers should be easy. "We got the ball to our best player with one of our best plays. It didn't work out for us this time. They played good defense and made the play." I'm not shocked you don't mind thakat... you seem like a standup guy... However, there's a serious disconnect between what the original post asked, and your willingness to answer. At the end of a game, you just lost, and people want to question, the "WHY", you called what you called.... THAT IS NOT A FACT FINDING MISSION... that is blatant finger pointing. There's no learning taking place, there's no sincererity in the befuddlement of why, "you the coach", would call a run play, when IT WAS SO OBVIOUS, you should have passed. You can have all the legitimacy you want, within your answer, provide diagrams, tendencies, roster, it doesn't matter... That question at that time, is the predecessor of an argument. THat question, at that moment, is the instigation of a fight you can't win... you will inevitably be arguing opinion... you can't win arguments on opinion... The fact that they are questioning your decision... after the fact, demonstrates their lack of faith and belief in your abilities... no answer you can conjure is going to garner their faith... If you didn't get it from the week of preparation... you're not going to get it. To entertain, such aggression, is to invite even more dissonance. I have no problem discussing anything with my coaching staff... have no problems discussing anything with a parent or fan, the following day after a game has occured... But if emotions have not been checked, and we are in the heat of the moment, or right after the heat... I will not dignify such disrespect with a response. ""Coach, why did you run that last play?"" ""Well, we've noticed on three weeks of scout tape, that when they see third and long, they bring the house, but they always blitz up the middle... we thought we could beat them outside with a quick toss... we were wrong..." "" you're demn right you were wrong... that's a stupid call... everyone knows you screen into the blitz... you should be fired for such a dumb call... I can't believe these kids still play for you... and for that matter, why doesn't my kid get more playing time? You coaches don't know what the hell you are doing!"" |
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Post by thakatalyst on Mar 9, 2009 21:14:31 GMT -6
Khalifie, you make great points and I'm not arguing with you here, but the OP said that he heard criticism from players and fans. They didn't get in his face and talk trash. He heard criticism from players and fans. I interpreted the original post as just people talking crap after a loss. He never said someone came up to him right after the game to discuss his playcalling.
With the internet, blogs, message boards, and increased interest in high school football, it's not just the good ol boys talking at the bar after the game, it's any one...and they can do it anonymously. There was such a big issue with it, our local paper shut down its public message board.
With that said, I'm not trying to be an SOB, but I appreciate the kind comment, Khalfie. I guess I should have added a disclaimer saying that it depends on the situation. If his players are acting the way they are, he needs to make them understand his playcalling philosophy. Those are the front line guys and the guys that need to believe in that philosophy. They're the ones that execute the playcalls. If you don't know why you're doing what you're doing, if you don't believe in what you're doing, how can you play fast and well? Just my honest opinion.
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Whatever you decide to do, make sure it's nothing you regret in the long run.