Post by khalfie on Feb 5, 2007 14:19:51 GMT -6
Let me preface this conversation, by stating the following isn't anything new or special... most of you guys are probably doing it... I just put a name on it, so that I can brain wash my kids with the importance of us having 60+ players.
Background:
Just got the HC gig at a school that's had historical issues with being competitive. We've had 2 winning seasons in the past 14 years, and the majority of our seasons have been 1 to 2 victories per year, with many seasons being 0 victories.
With that type of history, the school was desparate for a new HC, and hence I was able to sneak up on a job.
60+:
Last year the team started with 35 in the entire program, and ended with 25. I would say that's about the norm for most struggling programs. Many of the better athletes at the school would rather work, do drugs, or simply refuse to be a member of a losing program.
To effect change, I have to get the right kids on the bus... therefore, this offseason, the coaching staff and myself are treating the off-season like a collegiate recruiting mission... We will visit, text message, and email kids this off-season, until we receive 60 letters of commitment.
I have 4 coaches on staff, including myself, and we are all responsible for recruiting 15 kids and having them sign our letter of intent. Not an impossible task, being our Co-Op is comprised of two schools, one with 170+ kids and another with 140+ kids... This makes us the second largest group in our conference. All we need is 8 kids per class from each school.
Now recognizing kids will be kids, and that the thrill for playing for our school is gone, in my initial team meeting, it is my job to ignite the fire. To do such, I have to redefine who we are and what we will be about.
With that in mind, my conversation with the boys is about MANHOOD, what it means, how its defined, and the expectations of such. I have to get passionate about being a MAN, and more so a man's obligation to right the wrongs that he percieves. More so, I will emphaisize the need to have other men on the team, and how anything less will not be tolerated.
To often, unsuccessful programs become focused on things they can't control. winning, losing, how many points scored, yards gained, or tackles made. It is my objective refocus the teams energies on the things we can control. When you focus on things you can't control, you create an undue strees, that inturn creates pressure, creating a hostile environment, in which it becomes very tough to be successful.
So, with that being said, my staff will be responsible for emphasizing the things we can control, and constantly reiterating our team mission. Our team's mission, will be "to be the best MEN to stand on the football field". Not necesserily the strongest or the fastest, though that would be nice... but more importantly, the "Best Men". If we can become accountable and responsible, that can occur, and winning will take care of itself.
To be the best men, we have to focus on what we can control, and change our habits... We can control our Desire, Persistence, Courage, Commitment and Confidence. The staff and I will define those attributes for the players. To change our habits, we will do what everyone does to change their habits... create new ones.
Our off-season will be a practical application of 7 Habits of highly effective people, implemented within the realm of football.
In shor... to make a long story, even longer... I wlll bring the tangible aspects of self-awareness, personal improvement, bond it with the team ideologies of football, in hopes to garner 60+ players.
And then I will proceed to teach football.
Background:
Just got the HC gig at a school that's had historical issues with being competitive. We've had 2 winning seasons in the past 14 years, and the majority of our seasons have been 1 to 2 victories per year, with many seasons being 0 victories.
With that type of history, the school was desparate for a new HC, and hence I was able to sneak up on a job.
60+:
Last year the team started with 35 in the entire program, and ended with 25. I would say that's about the norm for most struggling programs. Many of the better athletes at the school would rather work, do drugs, or simply refuse to be a member of a losing program.
To effect change, I have to get the right kids on the bus... therefore, this offseason, the coaching staff and myself are treating the off-season like a collegiate recruiting mission... We will visit, text message, and email kids this off-season, until we receive 60 letters of commitment.
I have 4 coaches on staff, including myself, and we are all responsible for recruiting 15 kids and having them sign our letter of intent. Not an impossible task, being our Co-Op is comprised of two schools, one with 170+ kids and another with 140+ kids... This makes us the second largest group in our conference. All we need is 8 kids per class from each school.
Now recognizing kids will be kids, and that the thrill for playing for our school is gone, in my initial team meeting, it is my job to ignite the fire. To do such, I have to redefine who we are and what we will be about.
With that in mind, my conversation with the boys is about MANHOOD, what it means, how its defined, and the expectations of such. I have to get passionate about being a MAN, and more so a man's obligation to right the wrongs that he percieves. More so, I will emphaisize the need to have other men on the team, and how anything less will not be tolerated.
To often, unsuccessful programs become focused on things they can't control. winning, losing, how many points scored, yards gained, or tackles made. It is my objective refocus the teams energies on the things we can control. When you focus on things you can't control, you create an undue strees, that inturn creates pressure, creating a hostile environment, in which it becomes very tough to be successful.
So, with that being said, my staff will be responsible for emphasizing the things we can control, and constantly reiterating our team mission. Our team's mission, will be "to be the best MEN to stand on the football field". Not necesserily the strongest or the fastest, though that would be nice... but more importantly, the "Best Men". If we can become accountable and responsible, that can occur, and winning will take care of itself.
To be the best men, we have to focus on what we can control, and change our habits... We can control our Desire, Persistence, Courage, Commitment and Confidence. The staff and I will define those attributes for the players. To change our habits, we will do what everyone does to change their habits... create new ones.
Our off-season will be a practical application of 7 Habits of highly effective people, implemented within the realm of football.
In shor... to make a long story, even longer... I wlll bring the tangible aspects of self-awareness, personal improvement, bond it with the team ideologies of football, in hopes to garner 60+ players.
And then I will proceed to teach football.
