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Post by coachcomet on Oct 4, 2010 8:42:31 GMT -6
We have lost the last two games. This one was not as bad as the last one, but now we start playing for the division and we need to turn this around. I know we are a better team than we are playing. I just need some help figuring out what I’m doing wrong.
Our Wedge is not moving down the field as it did in the first four games. To tell you the truth none of the plays are moving down field.
I called a good friend of mine last night and asked him what he thought was going on. He is a High School coach in south Texas.
He said that not all of the kids really care about winning and that they may need something to look forward to.
Game four this year was a big game for the coaches and the players. We played one of our own teams from our town. After the game we had a big party I told them that week leading up to the game that we would have a party if we won the game. The kids were ready to play and we were flying around. The other team is probably an all around better team, more talent, faster, but our kids played their hearts out, holding them to one TD and controlling the ball the whole game. But since that game we have been flat not firing off the ball jumping off side six times in Saturday’s game. Just Flat
All I know is the first four games we were the aggressor and know we are getting our butts kicked on the LOS.
I know it’s not the kids that are the problem it's me and I'm not doing something right or I have changed something and I'm not getting the same response out of my team
Any help would be greatly appreciated coaches
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Post by daveinsarasota on Oct 4, 2010 9:10:10 GMT -6
We have lost the last two games. This one was not as bad as the last one, but now we start playing for the division and we need to turn this around. I know we are a better team than we are playing. I just need some help figuring out what I’m doing wrong. Our Wedge is not moving down the field as it did in the first four games. To tell you the truth none of the plays are moving down field. I called a good friend of mine last night and asked him what he thought was going on. He is a High School coach in south Texas. He said that not all of the kids really care about winning and that they may need something to look forward to. Game four this year was a big game for the coaches and the players. We played one of our own teams from our town. After the game we had a big party I told them that week leading up to the game that we would have a party if we won the game. The kids were ready to play and we were flying around. The other team is probably an all around better team, more talent, faster, but our kids played their hearts out, holding them to one TD and controlling the ball the whole game. But since that game we have been flat not firing off the ball jumping off side six times in Saturday’s game. Just Flat All I know is the first four games we were the aggressor and know we are getting our butts kicked on the LOS. I know it’s not the kids that are the problem it's me and I'm not doing something right or I have changed something and I'm not getting the same response out of my team Any help would be greatly appreciated coaches I feel your pain. I left my old organization in the suburbs to come to an organization in the inner city.... Most of the players don't care about team success. Most only care about their individual accomplishments. The parents are the same way...they are happier in a loss, as long as their son scored a TD, but if the team won and their kid didn't carry the ball, there is a 60% chance that they will pull their kid. That is...if the parents even show up. I have a handful of good kids on the team...ones that care about winning. The rest...say 13 of them, don't care at all. It is not a talent thing...it is just that the kids simply don't care, and I cant undo 12 or 13 years of "parental" apathy...or 12 or 13 years of life in a communitiy where mediocrity is expected... The best thing is to try and increase the fun factor. Make practice fun...have them be loose...as your firend said, perhaps dangle some carrot... I really hope that you find a way to get success form them...if you do, please share what you did to turn it around... |
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Post by davecisar on Oct 4, 2010 9:20:23 GMT -6
I started a program in the inner city- adjacent to the largest and most dangerous public housing project in the area- drug alley- open air markets, observer shot 5 times and killed during one of our practices etc Jerry Springer parents, lots of parents, didnt attend a SINGLE game in 5 years of playing
YES the older kids- many of them are already ruined, some not
That's why we started with one age 8-10 team and added an age group every year until we were up to age 14
Start em early, set high standards, build your team with a 100% concept of selflessness- you get that problem solved on the field at least. But you HAVE to be prepared to sit the kids not buying in no matter how good they are and you HAVE to make it a priority. That means Character Development and Developing team Chemistry are priorities 1 and 2, NOT Xs and Os
We were very successful during my run there, once we went to the current methodology and approach 51-1 last 5 seasons there.
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Post by mhcoach on Oct 4, 2010 10:10:18 GMT -6
Comet
Did you try being more upbeat during the game. I always think my team is a reflection of me. When they aren't motivated or just flat I try to find something to inspire them. Teams are funny sometimes a team can look flat & play like a house on fire, other times they can look motivated & play flat. Usually when I see a team making mistakes it's due to over trying or fear of failure. That is when I simplify things, do what I know they can do well & try to make it fun.
DC
You know we agree on team chemistry. I think getting everyone involved is the best way to promote it. We work hard on spreading the ball around & keeping every player involved. Inner city players are no different then country players. The only difference is the wall they put up as a defense mechanism. I always get them break that wall early, usually done aside from the team on a 1 on 1 basis. Once I have broken that wall they really wind up caring just like everyone else. There is nothing wrong with love'm up a little too. I always say some days they need a kick in the pants & some days a pat on the back. I try to make sure they get just what they when they need it. I also never do what they think I am going to do. Gotta keep things edgy & fresh.
Joe
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Post by daveinsarasota on Oct 4, 2010 10:58:23 GMT -6
I started a program in the inner city- adjacent to the largest and most dangerous public housing project in the area- drug alley- open air markets, observer shot 5 times and killed during one of our practices etc Jerry Springer parents, lots of parents, didnt attend a SINGLE game in 5 years of playing YES the older kids- many of them are already ruined, some not That's why we started with one age 8-10 team and added an age group every year until we were up to age 14 Start em early, set high standards, build your team with a 100% concept of selflessness- you get that problem solved on the field at least. But you HAVE to be prepared to sit the kids not buying in no matter how good they are and you HAVE to make it a priority. That means Character Development and Developing team Chemistry are priorities 1 and 2, NOT Xs and Os We were very successful during my run there, once we went to the current methodology and approach 51-1 last 5 seasons there. 100% accurate. It has to be all about character and chemistry first...the x's and o's are worthless without it. You need to start young and work your way up. |
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Post by bobgoodman on Oct 4, 2010 11:40:50 GMT -6
We have lost the last two games. This one was not as bad as the last one, but now we start playing for the division and we need to turn this around. I know we are a better team than we are playing. I just need some help figuring out what I’m doing wrong. Our Wedge is not moving down the field as it did in the first four games. To tell you the truth none of the plays are moving down field. I called a good friend of mine last night and asked him what he thought was going on. He is a High School coach in south Texas. He said that not all of the kids really care about winning and that they may need something to look forward to. Game four this year was a big game for the coaches and the players. We played one of our own teams from our town. After the game we had a big party I told them that week leading up to the game that we would have a party if we won the game. The kids were ready to play and we were flying around. The other team is probably an all around better team, more talent, faster, but our kids played their hearts out, holding them to one TD and controlling the ball the whole game. But since that game we have been flat not firing off the ball jumping off side six times in Saturday’s game. Just Flat All I know is the first four games we were the aggressor and know we are getting our butts kicked on the LOS. I know it’s not the kids that are the problem it's me and I'm not doing something right or I have changed something and I'm not getting the same response out of my team Only one motivator left: cold hard cash! You'll need to cut some key players in on the big bets you're laying on the division crown. But seriously, folks, how old are they? Could they possibly be jaded at that age? Usually the wedge is its own psychologic motivator -- the kids in the line love plowing over the opponents, and if they're not succeeding with it early in the game they're eager to get the opponents worn down to where they do. What some coaches say works to make the players more eager is installing some new plays, but then if you don't run them that act gets old fast. Have you tried asking them? One at a time in private? |
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Post by coachcomet on Oct 4, 2010 13:13:44 GMT -6
I'm a first year head coach running DC SW and 6-2 D
During our first two preseason and first four games I was in aw
I would have told you no team in our league could have played with us. I coached D last year for a team that moved up this year to Majors. I saw firsthand what the other team could do and the potential for those teams. This team is 3rd and 4th graders with a 70-30 split most of them being in the 4th. We have stayed true to DC book and DVD's. We came out of the gate and played a team that was not very good, but they were very good at picking up fumbles and returning them for TD. We gave up 3 defensive TD in that game. Every one of them was on long drives 55+ yards killing our drives. After that game I pulled my QB to the side and asked him if he knew why we lost. He told me that it was because he did not take care of the ball. I could not of asked for a better kid, this kid plays football better than some of the guys I played High School ball with.
As for the inter city kids, this is a team of country kids with Red Neck parents.
It seems something has changed, when we started playing at first we were hitting the holes a lot harder and hitting the RB’s in the back field. Now are Offense looks like crap and the Defense is getting their tails kicked on the LOS.
Have you had a team that game out of the gate fast and hard and hit a wall and nothing seems to be going right? Last Saturdays game on the 25th of September my wife asked me at half time why I was not getting after the kids very much. She said I was cool and calm coach. I have never up to that point yelled at the players, I may have gotten loud at practice or yelled to watch for X on a play but never yelled at my team. So the second half I got after a couple kids that I didn’t think would take it personally or thought Mommy would be down on the field with me because I just ate out little Johnny. To my surprise we give up 32 points in that half after going in to the half down 6-0. So it did not go as planned, but I did have several parents come and talk to me Monday at practice and say that there kid needed more butt chewing’s to get them motivated.
So I’m stuck in that place where I don’t have the experience of knowing what needs to be done to get these kids going. I don’t want to end this season the way we are playing right now when I know we are 10 time better than this. It would not bother me if we were not that good and I did not have good players on my team.
This has to be one of the most frustrating things I have ever done. I give you guys all the respect for doing it more than one year, because I know firsthand what it means now to get a team going week after week.
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Post by coachbrek on Oct 4, 2010 14:25:08 GMT -6
I had a group of kids in 2004, extremely talented bunch as long as things were easy they kept the pedal to the floor, when things were tough they absolutely quit. When I drafted that group of kids I was coming off an undefeated team the year before.
This group had way more size, talent and speed, I felt we would undefeated again that year.
Until we played a tough team and we got spanked like 36-6, then we lost the next game too.
I was blindsided I did not know kids would quit like that, I am still peeved about it on Friday nights this fall when I watch them put up 40 in a quarter against a bad team then don't score a point the next week.
That group of kids are seniors now, they still play football the same way, they will put 50 on anyone weak in a heartbeat but refuse to play hard in big games I don't know what the deal is with that group.
They have size, speed, talent at all positions, fairly good leadership in the class, but they fold under any type of pressure I wish I could put a finger on it.
I guess it's simply a phenom like when average teams win year after year and find ways to win the big games. These guys are defeated before any big game starts.
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shawnm
Freshmen Member
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Post by shawnm on Oct 4, 2010 21:49:02 GMT -6
I'm not sure what to think about motivation. Seems they are all different but I do have several kids that are hot / cold. I do know Ice Cream for wins works well for 8-9 year olds. I had pretty low talent last year and promised ice cream after our first win.
Its interesting watching some kids especially when related to contact. I had one kid who was a great chest plate tackler and big enough to get away with it. He took a big hit under the chin by a big RB and hasn't been the same since. He is now an alligator arm tackler. I had to move him from LB to DE.
Had another kid who was a big hitter somehow chip a tooth during practice (After I saw his mouth piece I could see why, He told me the dog chewed it up LOL) He was worthless for next two weeks. I had a talk with him tonight that seemed to work. I talked to him about being one of the toughest players on the team and how the team benefited when he was a big hitter and not worried about his tooth. He really stepped it up in open field tackling eveybody said "He's back"
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Post by coachcomet on Oct 5, 2010 6:43:25 GMT -6
Before practice started last night I pulled my Captains to the side and told them that the rest of the team looks up to them. If they are not giving 100% in practice the rest of the team is not going to give 100%.
About 45 min in to practice I pulled the team together and told them if we win this weekend we could all go to Going Apes. It an old building that has 15 to 20 bounce houses put up in it. Pretty cool place, party for 20 kids with pizza 3 hours $220.00, so will see if bribing them will work.
Practice went very well last night. The Captains were keeping the rest of the team focused and under control.
We have gotten away from playing games at the end of practice, so I let the boys play the towel game. Everyone had to pick sides even the coaches with the losers having to due 5 up/downs. The kids like to see the coaches out on the field doing up/downs more than anything, but it was fun and for the past three weeks we ended with the team having some fun.
If any of you are Entrepreneur the bounce house deal is a pretty good money maker.
The guy that owns it bought out a couple individuals that had bounce houses for rent. He rented out an old building I would say is about 25K square feet and set up the houses inside. He put up a couple rooms for parties and charges $7 per kid or you can rent a party room out. Cool place and my kids love going there
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Post by coachmsl on Oct 5, 2010 8:22:09 GMT -6
Kids can be funny. We played a recent game pretty flat. Us coaches have challanged them not to be fake. Talked about the being real or being a fake. The difference between just being there (practice and games) and WANTING to be there. Just suiting up, or suiting up WANTING to knock someone down. Every other sport is different. This sport is geared to give victory to the team that knocks the other team down. Both sides of the ball. The desire, the appetite to KNOCK SOMEONE DOWN EVERY CHANCE THEY GET. Being real during sprints. Being real during indy. Being real during tackling drills.... Setting the minds eye. Showing up with the attitude. Having fun, KNOCKING SOMEONE DOWN, over and over and over. And if we happen to get knocked down? We will get up and fight the next play. We never quit. This team fights together. We,,,, are going,,,,, to KNOCK THEM DOWN!!!My point is that sometimes the least common denomator needs to be recognized and repeated. The will is a powerful thing. If you can tap the will, the rest of the stuff has a chance.  |
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Post by utchuckd on Oct 5, 2010 8:29:00 GMT -6
msl- Very nice post. I like it.
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Post by coachbrek on Oct 5, 2010 9:08:52 GMT -6
msl- Very nice post. I like it. I agree nice post |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2010 12:56:01 GMT -6
We have lost the last two games. This one was not as bad as the last one, but now we start playing for the division and we need to turn this around. I know we are a better team than we are playing. I just need some help figuring out what I’m doing wrong. Our Wedge is not moving down the field as it did in the first four games. To tell you the truth none of the plays are moving down field. I called a good friend of mine last night and asked him what he thought was going on. He is a High School coach in south Texas. He said that not all of the kids really care about winning and that they may need something to look forward to. Game four this year was a big game for the coaches and the players. We played one of our own teams from our town. After the game we had a big party I told them that week leading up to the game that we would have a party if we won the game. The kids were ready to play and we were flying around. The other team is probably an all around better team, more talent, faster, but our kids played their hearts out, holding them to one TD and controlling the ball the whole game. But since that game we have been flat not firing off the ball jumping off side six times in Saturday’s game. Just Flat All I know is the first four games we were the aggressor and know we are getting our butts kicked on the LOS. I know it’s not the kids that are the problem it's me and I'm not doing something right or I have changed something and I'm not getting the same response out of my team Any help would be greatly appreciated coaches In my experience coach I've seen the wege fail for one of 4 reasons usally 1) The center is standing straight up after the snap 2) The Center is firing out before the wedge can form 3) The Defense is submarining the OL 4) The Ol is slow to come together to form the wedge. These were the most common problems we experienced in our years running wedge plays. On the other hand your friend may be right, it may be the kids, who knows , only you know your team, there is no cure all to every situation and you may have to custom tailor a solution. |
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Post by coachcomet on Oct 10, 2010 11:18:06 GMT -6
We did not win but the boys played very good. We lost 8-0.
The same team put it on us two weeks back 38-6.
Defense played very well Offense had its moments got down to there 10 three times and could not capitalize.
We took them to play after the game. Win or loose they played much better than they have in the last two weeks.
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Post by mhcoach on Oct 10, 2010 13:39:28 GMT -6
Comet
Good job keep your chin up.
Joe
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Post by bobgoodman on Oct 10, 2010 20:45:39 GMT -6
We did not win but the boys played very good. We lost 8-0. The same team put it on us two weeks back 38-6. Defense played very well Offense had its moments got down to there 10 three times and could not capitalize. We took them to play after the game. Win or loose they played much better than they have in the last two weeks. How was the wedge? |
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Post by coachcomet on Oct 12, 2010 7:00:52 GMT -6
We did not win but the boys played very good. We lost 8-0. The same team put it on us two weeks back 38-6. Defense played very well Offense had its moments got down to there 10 three times and could not capitalize. We took them to play after the game. Win or loose they played much better than they have in the last two weeks. How was the wedge? Not good They defended it very well. They had Bear-crawlers on both sides of the RG. I think we had three for more than 5 yards. It's funny, I talked with a couple coaches after our game and they said that the teams that have film on us use the same Bear-crawler to defend our Wedge. It’s easy to see when we play a team that has not seen film our Wedge looks unstoppable. I'm coming to realize that all the teams in this league film the other teams. I have seen film on just one team  May need to change something on my end |
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Post by davecisar on Oct 12, 2010 7:29:55 GMT -6
When they sell out to stop the wedge, there are other soft spots to exploit
There are games we dont wedge a single down- we dont mess around with BCs
Nearly every team we play has game film and even my book and DVDs etc
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Post by coachcomet on Oct 12, 2010 8:14:40 GMT -6
When they sell out to stop the wedge, there are other soft spots to exploit There are games we dont wedge a single down- we dont mess around with BCs Nearly every team we play has game film and even my book and DVDs etc But you’re the MAN, I'm just a country boy trying to get the boys to have a good time and win some games. I know you have heard the old saying. “You have forgotten more than I know about youth football”. I understand this is my first year and I still have a lot to learn. Like what is the best play to call when the Defense does X. Just not there yet, but maybe it won’t take too long You 20+ year’s experience Me 75+ day’s experience |
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Post by davecisar on Oct 12, 2010 15:54:06 GMT -6
No problem
We dont bother running wedge vs LEGIT consistent BCs
Most teams are neither
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Post by coachcomet on Oct 13, 2010 8:58:12 GMT -6
So what would it take for you to do a Coaching Clinic in Dallas this year? I would bet that there is more than just my team running your system in the North Texas area and would love to attend.
I will have this group of kids for two more years. My core is 4th graders and the Coaches and I will move up to majors next year and play two more seasons.
Last year I saw that you did most of your clinics up north. That’s hard on us poor guys. I would have to miss a house payment to go up there and attend. Momma would not be too happy if we get kicked out of the Trailer Park. LMAO ;D
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Post by davecisar on Oct 13, 2010 11:52:46 GMT -6
Probably not Dallas- we have to pay for flights, meeting rooms etc we go where we know we can pay for the trip- Dallas has not been a real good trip for us in the past- we know we can fill up rooms at other locales
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Post by coachcomet on Oct 13, 2010 11:56:18 GMT -6
When do you start scheduling your clinics?
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Post by davecisar on Oct 13, 2010 12:25:46 GMT -6
Nov- Dec- we will not be doing a public one in Dallas- that is for sure
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Post by coachcomet on Oct 13, 2010 13:31:54 GMT -6
Nov- Dec- we will not be doing a public one in Dallas- that is for sure Sounds Good Gives me time to save my money LOL |
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kevind
Freshmen Member
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Post by kevind on Oct 15, 2010 14:17:25 GMT -6
DC doing any clinics in Michagin, Ohio, or Western NY
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2010 4:32:01 GMT -6
Not good They defended it very well. They had Bear-crawlers on both sides of the RG. I think we had three for more than 5 yards. It's funny, I talked with a couple coaches after our game and they said that the teams that have film on us use the same Bear-crawler to defend our Wedge. It’s easy to see when we play a team that has not seen film our Wedge looks unstoppable. I'm coming to realize that all the teams in this league film the other teams. I have seen film on just one team May need to change something on my end Wedge counter time coach |
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Post by davecisar on Oct 16, 2010 19:14:53 GMT -6
DC doing any clinics in Michagin, Ohio, or Western NY We usually do a private one in Rochester We always do 2 in Ohio We wont be going to Michigan- but we always are in Chicago |
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Post by coachcomet on Oct 17, 2010 17:44:20 GMT -6
OK guys
Our second divisional game we won 6-0 in double overtime.
We did not give up any first downs in the first half and did not allow more than one first down in the second half.
This team is a faster team than ours, so we controlled the clock, taking the play clock down on every play.
What gets me is, that we blank a team as good as this one and then we play a not so good team and let them score.
Have you guys ever had a team that plays better early in the morning and not so good in the afternoon?
It is day and night difference with this team. We did not offer any special gifts if we won, so that idea was shot down. This game was at 8:00 Saturday morning just as all the other games we have own this year. One of the mothers brought this up to me after the game, she said “Coach we just need to play in the morning, because we have not won in games in the afternoon”. So as we were watching the next game I was thinking about what she had said. I pulled up our games and she was right all the games we won were in the morning.
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May need to change something on my end