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Post by Coach Goodnight on Feb 24, 2008 0:22:07 GMT -6
I know that some of you have talked about having a program manual ans some have actually written their own. My question is, What should be in it, how long should it be and what format should it be in (paragraph form, outline form, bullet form, etc?
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Post by rideanddecide on Feb 24, 2008 8:04:30 GMT -6
I would say it depends on the purpose of your manual. Is it for documentation in case anyone questions the program or what you stand for? Is it for educating your coaches? Is it for general organization?
Those scenarios would all require a different level of detail and focus.
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Post by tcm57 on Feb 24, 2008 8:34:12 GMT -6
beardc is correct. I put together a "Head Coach Manual" when I applied for the job 8 years ago, a "Staff Manual" that goes to every one of my assistants (and our AD), and a "Parent/Player Manual" that we hand out at our annual pre-season parents meeting.
What do you want it to be? In the above 3 cases, there are some overlap of topics, etc.
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Post by Coach Goodnight on Feb 24, 2008 9:48:47 GMT -6
well I want one that would cover that stuff overall, one big "Program" manual that I could then "break into peices" and distribute the peices to those necessary. I already have some parent/player stuff that people on here have so generously shared. I would love to have some other manuals such as the asst. coaches stuff and the general organization stuff as well. I want to have as much information as possible so when I do take my first head job Ill have the stuff to put together a program manual. I have found that others stuff serve as an excellent guideline/ road map for a new coach. If you have stuff you would like to share, please PM me.
Anyway, since we are talking about it what would you think would be good to include in each? There might be someone developing one now and might like to know what to put in there.
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Post by gschwender on Feb 24, 2008 9:59:13 GMT -6
I have it in 6 parts: Part 1: -mission statement -things to remember for a successful program -program goals -team rules -monthly responsibilities -sample year long calender -HC expectations -assistant expectations -ms expectations -player expectations Part 2: -camp/2 a days expectations (coaches/kids) -camp/2 a day itinerary Part 3: -in season sample practice schedule -game schedule -game day itinerary (home/ away) -individual award system -weekly itinerary -equipment price list -film breakdown itinerary -scouting composite schedule -scouting expectations -scouting questionare Part 4: -off-season weight training expectations -weight room safety regulations -weight room expectations Part 5: -nutrition plan Part 6: -Parent cover letter -preseason parent outline -parent pointers -parent/coach communication (chain of command protocall) -parent expectations -determination of playing time
I tried to include everything I could think of that needed to be addressed.
If anyone has any ideas of other things I need to include let me know. If anyone wants to see any part of what I have email me at: gschwens@louisiana.k12.mo.us and I will forward it to you
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Post by Coach Goodnight on Feb 24, 2008 13:04:44 GMT -6
Do you really need to put EVERYTHING in it you plan to do? I dont think that is possible because those may change from time to time. I think that putting what you think are the major points of running your program. I mean if you put everything in it then you might end up with a lot if little useless details that admins, etc might not even really care that much about. Now if you had that information available for request then I can understand that but the whole tamale, then it may seem to become more rambling to those who dont even know what you are talking about. I would think that you might end up sounding like the teacher on Charlie Brown to that Audience "blah, blah, blah, blah...."
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Post by gschwender on Feb 24, 2008 19:31:27 GMT -6
I put everything in it to use mainly for me as a resource--the things i beleive in- i may only select things to give to my assistants so they know what to expect or give parents the parts they need to know etc. The player expectations can be relayed verbally b/c the truth is they probably will not read it if it is only a page--I did mine so that parents cannot come and question descisions, but in just putting it together, it made me think about things that i have not really paid much mind to that can come up in a season. I will have it for an administrator to look at if he/she wants to--which shows you are extremely prepared, but the main purpose for me is to give myself a baseline to go off of--(have worked with coaches who r not organized lately). I do not beleive in being overly organized
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Post by gschwender on Feb 24, 2008 19:38:41 GMT -6
if anyone wants a copy of mine pm me or email me and i will forward it to you on the condition that you critique it and tell me if you would change anything or add anything. I want to leave no stone unturned!
gschwens@louisiana.k12.mo.us
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Post by Coach Goodnight on Feb 24, 2008 22:38:24 GMT -6
Have seen Coach Gschwens manual and read a bit of it and so far pretty good information overall. Nice stuff!
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Post by gschwender on Feb 25, 2008 6:09:07 GMT -6
had a couple of coaches mention to have a part on fundraising/philosophy on advancement of assistant coaches--am working on it. I was also going to include a coahes eval sheet as well. I had one ask about duties for film breakdown, but since coaches change so much I would cover that in the preseason coaches meeting when we go over coaching assignments etc.
Thanks for all your help fellas!!
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Post by gschwender on Feb 25, 2008 9:54:09 GMT -6
I have sent out many copies of my manual, I did not include however the contents page as it is above in the thread or the cover pages for each section. the game schedule/scouting composite schedule are not in there dur to the fact that our AD has not given them to us yet as he is trying to get with other schools after district reassignment. I have the manual saved on my "drafts" folder of my email so it is very easy for me to forward it out--would love to hear what those of you who have received it think i need to include.
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Post by Coach Goodnight on Feb 25, 2008 18:46:29 GMT -6
what about including the consequences for getting into trouble, missed practices, being late, getting into trouble in the classroom, etc...
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Post by gschwender on Feb 26, 2008 6:12:46 GMT -6
i have that in the team rules/player expectations
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Post by gschwender on Feb 26, 2008 16:43:48 GMT -6
manual is still available if there are any takers--i figure the more people i have critiquing it the better it can be. you guys can take what you need!!!!
shoot me an email at;
gschwens@louisiana.k12.mo.us
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coachmpope
Sophomore Member
"QUIT TALKIN...LET'S PLAY BALL!"
Posts: 145
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Post by coachmpope on Feb 26, 2008 18:15:12 GMT -6
I HAVE FOR THE MOST PART ALWAYS DID A PROGRAM MANUAL AND CALLED IT THE (WHAT EVER SCHOOL) PLAN. THE LAST TEN YEARS I HAVE DONE IT AS A POWERPOINT. THIS REALLY GETS THE ATTENTION OF THE INTERVIEW COMMITTEES BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A VISUAL WORLD. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT .....IT IS ON MY HAWG TUFF! OLINE CAMP WEBSITE.....www.hawgtuff.net AND I HAVE A FEW MANUALS ON THERE TOO.
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Post by Coach Goodnight on Feb 27, 2008 19:53:41 GMT -6
Does anyone have anything to add? I know there are a few of you out there that have them, mind sharing what you have put in yours? Have any of you turned one in during an interview and been told that it helped you get the job you applied for?
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Post by gschwender on Feb 28, 2008 6:33:04 GMT -6
I have given out about 20 copies of mine to various people. Would like to hear some feedback if anyone has it!!
gschwens@louisiana.k12.mo.us
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Post by scoresalot on Feb 29, 2008 7:47:13 GMT -6
I turned one in for a position that I did not get. I was down to the final two. He had many more years experience than me and probably on paper deserved the job based on where he had been and what he had done. I was told afterward that originally I wouldn't have had much of a shot, but because of my manual, they had to take a very serious look at me.
My manual included pretty much the same stuff that most people have mentioned. I like Coach Pope had an abbreviated version in Powerpoint form that I used during the interview, then I gave them the full version to read. Actually, I gave them the full version a few days before the interview to give them a chance to look through it. It could be overwhelming to get a large manual at the interview. They might be looking through it and not focusing on what you have to say. What your manual says isn't the important thing. Most coaches know what to say. It is how you say it and how you make those in charge of decision making believe in you. I've been on both sides of the coin. A coach trying to get the job and an athletic administrator hiring someone for the job. Enthusiasm and how you say something always tells more about you than what you say, in my experience. Everyone knows what to say. Can you DELIVER the message?
Good luck!
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Post by Coach Goodnight on Feb 29, 2008 9:38:12 GMT -6
That's a pretty good way to look at it scoresalot, Can you deliver the message?
The question is how well do are you able to guage the audience before delivering your message? I have found that interveiws are kind of like a football game, you have to be able to adapt and do it on the move, talk to your audience breifly, get a feel and implement your game plan right then and there.
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Post by scoresalot on Feb 29, 2008 11:02:10 GMT -6
That is a great analogy Coach Goodnight. The ones who can analyze and adapt quickly do much better.
The best advice I can give is to make sure you are a great communicator. Coaches are typically pretty good communicators, but the ones who can communicate clearly, effectively, and to a wide array of people are usually the most successful. Usually on a hiring committee, there are people from all walks of life (teachers, administrators, parents, district office personnel, students etc.) You need to be able to communicate to all of them effectively and with passion and enthusiasm.
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Post by Coach Goodnight on Mar 1, 2008 21:59:43 GMT -6
Wouldnt it be great to get into the great football minds and see how they process things....
If you look at football teams and the people around them they have to communicate to such a variety of people, from the Admins who are wondering what they are doing, to moms and dads who want to know why little johnny arent getting the amount of playing time they think he should, to the people in the stands coaching for them, to the players and their personalities. A coach has to be able to effectively communicate on so many levels that it is not even funny and still maintain a sense of sanity through it all.
Maybe someone could post a manual about being a HC, what to expect, how to adapt on the move and how to effectively communicate to all, and being able to tie it all together while building a sucessful program.
Hmmm can we say Football novel...!!!!
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Post by gschwender on Mar 2, 2008 9:53:02 GMT -6
I think being a good communicator is the key which is why so many coaches are producing program manuals. They offer a form of communication to those within/outside the program. All great leaders in history are great communicators--I think if you have trouble communicating to others, whether it is the kids/assistants/admin/parents/community etc etc then you will not be effective.
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Post by gschwender on Mar 4, 2008 18:09:48 GMT -6
I HAVE JUST COMPLETED A POWER POINT PRESENTATION TO GO WITH MY PROGRAM MANUAL-TO BE USED IN A PRESEASON PARENT MEETING. THE BIG ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED IN IT ALONG WITH SOME OTHER STUFF THAT IS JUST OUTLINED. EMAIL ME IF ANYONE WANTS TO TAKE A PEEK AND GIVE A CRITIQUE.
gschwens@louisiana.k12.mo.us
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Post by dubber on Mar 4, 2008 18:27:57 GMT -6
FINDING THE WINNING EDGE by Walsh is the best "coaching manual" I have ever seen. Big 10-4 on that. Absolutely essential for every coach, imo
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Post by gschwender on Mar 5, 2008 6:42:06 GMT -6
i've gotten a lot of good feedback on my manual--keep it coming!! In my hard copy i have sectioned out each part with cover pages and tabs so that a part that i need can be easily pulled out. Thanks for all of the feedback!
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CoachBehr
Sophomore Member
QB/Specialists Coach @ Lackawanna College
Posts: 105
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Post by CoachBehr on Mar 5, 2008 6:48:15 GMT -6
Coach:
Your manual is outstanding. Work, well done!!!!!
Coach Behr
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Post by gschwender on Mar 5, 2008 7:11:34 GMT -6
thanks i put together a power point that goes with it for preseason parent meeting if anyone wants it. The manual/pwr pt go hand in hand though as stated earlier in one of my posts. email me if anyone wants it.
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Post by gschwender on Mar 7, 2008 6:27:56 GMT -6
JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE THAT PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON MY MANUAL AND THE POWER POINT. HEARD SOME VERY GOOD SUGGESTIONS AND WILL BE TWEEKING IT.
THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!
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Post by gschwender on Mar 10, 2008 18:02:46 GMT -6
I have sent out many copies of my manual, I did not include however the contents page as it is above in the thread or the cover pages for each section. the game schedule/scouting composite schedule are not in there dur to the fact that our AD has not given them to us yet as he is trying to get with other schools after district reassignment. I have the manual saved on my "drafts" folder of my email so it is very easy for me to forward it out--would love to hear what those of you who have received it think i need to include.
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Post by gschwender on Mar 12, 2008 5:24:07 GMT -6
I have sent out many copies of my manual, I did not include however the contents page as it is above in the thread or the cover pages for each section. the game schedule/scouting composite schedule are not in there dur to the fact that our AD has not given them to us yet as he is trying to get with other schools after district reassignment. I have the manual saved on my "drafts" folder of my email so it is very easy for me to forward it out--would love to hear what those of you who have received it think i need to include. MANY PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN ME SOME GOOD SUGGESTIONS ON MY MANUAL. WOULD LIKE SOME MORE THOUGH. THE ONE I HAVE SENT OUT IS A FIRST DRAFT AND I WANT IT TO BE THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE. I AM HAPPY TO SEND IT OUT TO YOU BUT WOULD ONLY LIKE SOME MORE FEEDBACK IN RETURN. THANKS!!
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