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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2007 8:18:56 GMT -6
Another coach and myself were talking about a game (actually a week) we had last fall and we got talking about coaches being "in the zone." Yes, ideally we think we're there all the time, but do you have weeks that lead into games where everything you planned went right regardless of the opponent? Have you had those weeks where you had a gameplan, were able to stick with it completely, make adjustments in the game on the fly and have it work? Where your players were at their peak and so were you? We got talking about this "coaching zone."
We tried to talk about how it originates, and I honestly said that I think it comes from our own preparation and confidence. We've won a lot of games in the past few seasons-some we were much more dominant than our zone game last year and others were more dramatic with more big plays.
But we had a game last year where the gameplan set itself. Our kids came in that week with such focus and it seems like we got better every single rep. Our script was great in practice, we made big plays in practice, got to the game and made great plays, great adjustments, and gave the opponent fits. Not everything was a great call, but we had the foresight to stick to the plan, and we were all on the same page. I've coached in 4 championships (won 2 of them) and this playoff game last fall was the most satisfying game of them all.
I always give (and believe in it) the lion's share of the credit to the kids, but do you ever feel like you're in the zone in a certain week and game? Where it becomes effortless for you? Where everything plays out as you drew it up? When you say you're going to do something and it actually goes that way?
I'd love to hear thoughts on this.
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Post by coachcb on May 8, 2007 9:03:39 GMT -6
What're you talking about irsh; you guys are always in the "zone", kicking people's a$$es every single week.
You guys just run a great program; that's all there is to it.
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Post by kboyd on May 8, 2007 9:05:46 GMT -6
I definitely give credit to the kids, but we as coaches have to put them in the proper place to succeed. I strongly believe that if we are well-prepared we are more confident and controlled and I believe that the kids can (maybe subconsciously) read this and it adds to their performance.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2007 9:22:12 GMT -6
Thanks, cb. But as you know, sometimes you get the Bear, sometimes the Bear gets you (i.e. 2004 playoffs vs. your boys--still a stinger for us).
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Post by coachcb on May 8, 2007 9:25:17 GMT -6
Hehehehehe; great playoff win for us. Course, you came back and beat the heck out of us the next fall.
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Post by coachcb on May 8, 2007 9:25:44 GMT -6
That was the worst loss I have ever had as a coach
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Post by brophy on May 8, 2007 9:28:44 GMT -6
YES.....generally, I believe it is dumb luck.
There have been games were we "called" the perfect game for a half or so...just nailing it...and our opponents are dumbfounded. The credit goes to the kids for executing it, though...but IMO (for me) it comes from watching hours of game film of your opponent, then being IN THE BOX....pretty much getting deja vu from what you watched...also, from a defensive standpoint, I like to call the coverage based on field position & boundary, but work the fronts / stunts in series (going in and out of various looks) or like a combination in boxing (complimenting a stunt you just ran with a different one).
I would have to say that the job becomes "easier" when you can communicate the calls efficiently (wrist coaches) so you don't waste any time getting the "right play" called (there is no hurry, no pressure, no rushed calls).
Preparation generally tips the scales of "luck".
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2007 9:36:20 GMT -6
I agree with your last statement, Brophy, and I think that sums it up very well.
Yeah, CB, that playoff win of yours was a hard pill to swallow. The first game of the next season was good (has to be when you score 1st play of the season on defense) but it never, NEVER erases that playoff loss. You guys were that good. Your guys played better than ours and we STILL had a chance to win. That's why you play the game. It made it that much worse when you all got beat the next week to the team we beat the week before our playoff game w you.
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Post by coachcb on May 8, 2007 10:10:11 GMT -6
That group really turned it at about mid season. They played great football through those last 5-6 games.
Losing that next week was not easy to take, we did not play very aggressive football that game.
But, either way, you guys have a great thing going down there. The program itself has a great attitude all around; you guys always play for all the marbles game in and game out. You guys may have numbers and talent, but it wouldn't be worth a sh-t if the kids didn't play with the same attitude.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2007 10:26:59 GMT -6
Thanks again for the comments. We are extemely fortunate with the talent we've had. And just darn good kids too. You feel pretty good when your team goes undefeated but it all kicks in when your school has 3 valedictorians and all 3 were starters on your football team (and 2 were all-staters).
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Post by coachcb on May 8, 2007 10:54:41 GMT -6
No problem, just telling the truth. I almost idealize the job you guys do year in and year out. And this coming from a guy that played ball at Senior!
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Post by coachjim on May 11, 2007 23:20:42 GMT -6
I don't get in a "zone", it's usually more like a perpetual "groan." Kids are too unpredictable at youth level, performance-wise. A good 95 yard TD after a missed tackle usually shatters my self righteous "zone" into a thousand tiny pieces and then I go into what's called, the "moan." Back and forth, from the "moan" to the "groan."
What I wouldn't give to know what the hell i'm doing out there, for a change. (Only third year so I have time thankfully.) I would think it would take years of experience and as Broph said, preperation to even get a taste of that feeling. And talent. Maybe someday, with luck.
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Post by coachveer on May 12, 2007 6:19:54 GMT -6
I think the "zone" for our staff is when we are all the same page on Friday Night. When we find that everyone is just talking about "solutions". There is no whining or bitching on the headphones or getting angry at each for what ever reason.
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Post by lionhart on May 12, 2007 17:50:56 GMT -6
had one game last year where we were 20 pt underdogs coming in. we came out in a new formation that we ahd worked on (tight bunch look) and just ran our base ploays from it. their defense had no adjustment and we basically controlled the entire game. we outflanked them on stretch, and forced them out of position upfront and ran inside zone perfectly. they finally over-adjusted to the bunch side and i REALLY licked my lips then... because we hit them with speed option backside and had them outnumbered. they were clearly better than we were and the game went to ot, where we pulled it off. my head coach complimented me on orchestrating such a huge upset..... he kept saying what a great game i called. i guess i did a good job, but like everyone else says, it was the kids who won the game. we executed well and caught the other guys off-guard. i firmly believe we did out-coach them..... but that makes no difference if your kids dont execute.
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Post by tvt50 on May 12, 2007 17:58:24 GMT -6
Its all in the state of mind
- Bear Bryant
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Post by fbairattack on May 12, 2007 19:13:41 GMT -6
As a player I got into the 'zone' when I felt extremely well prepared. The game would slow down and I felt like I could see things before they happened. Early on as a coach I tried to take that same idea of preparedness (is that a word??) and get into the 'zone' but it just isn't the same.  So many variables come into play as a coach that it is hard for me to get that feeling. I have had games that I felt we were very well prepared and played like crap and I probably called a bad game too. Now I am trying to get the kids to have that feeling of the game slowing down and finding all the chinks in the armor of the opponent. If they can get it then I feel successful. |
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Post by brophy on May 12, 2007 20:42:22 GMT -6
As a player I got into the 'zone' when I felt extremely well prepared. The game would slow down and I felt like I could see things before they happened. Early on as a coach I tried to take that same idea of preparedness (is that a word??) and get into the 'zone' but it just isn't the same. So many variables come into play as a coach that it is hard for me to get that feeling. I have had games that I felt we were very well prepared and played like crap and I probably called a bad game too. Now I am trying to get the kids to have that feeling of the game slowing down and finding all the chinks in the armor of the opponent. If they can get it then I feel successful. thats what coaching is about. how can we serve up the grand feast of Friday night amongst the Mon - Thurs meals? How can we get them to digest it all? Piece by piece....bit by bit.....don't throw the whole trough at them at once.....gorging them to the point of being bloated. How we compartmentalize / schedule / teach / role play what they WILL see on Friday night is what its about. Have respect for the cognative process. The more we condition their minds to see the repeated events and fostering the confidence and ability to effectively deal with those situation. |
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So many variables come into play as a coach that it is hard for me to get that feeling. I have had games that I felt we were very well prepared and played like crap and I probably called a bad game too.