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Post by 19delta on Jun 17, 2015 18:28:09 GMT -6
Pretty vague.
What do you mean by coaching character? My high school coaches never specifically "coached" character. They didn't have to. They simply demonstrated it by who they were as people. And they were really good football coaches. My head coach won a couple state titles in the largest classification and is a member of the state high school football HOF.
I think the whole "coaching character" think is vastly overrated. What it comes down to is just don't be a malevolent d1ck. Be honest with kids. Reward great effort. Hold kids accountable regardless of their ability. Give all kids an equal chance to compete. Don't waste kids' time at practice or in the weightroom. Understand that they have a life outside of football. That's how my high school coaches did it and I consider all of them men of high character.
Seriously...if you do those things, you already are coaching character.
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Post by brophy on Jun 17, 2015 18:31:21 GMT -6
not interested...no one cares about players
/s
save the ridiculous headline for Facebook
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Post by caddofox on Jun 17, 2015 18:36:20 GMT -6
Thanks for the thought men.
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Post by fantom on Jun 17, 2015 18:41:31 GMT -6
Thanks for the thought men. So, do you want to get more specific? Like Delta, my coaches never sat us down to teach us character but I learned a lot from them. So, what do you mean? BTW, if you're wondering about the semi-hostile tone from some guys, it mey be unintentional but you came across as really condescending. |
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Post by caddofox on Jun 17, 2015 19:00:28 GMT -6
The negativity of the responses is fine, and I understand because not everyone will agree. Just like who holds the chalk last. If 1 person with a similar philosophy or not much of a philosophy , reads it takes from it, then it's done its job. If you completely disagree, then hey at least you know where you stand. Different folks, different strokes.
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Post by coachd5085 on Jun 17, 2015 19:31:09 GMT -6
The negativity of the responses is fine, and I understand because not everyone will agree. Just like who holds the chalk last. If 1 person with a similar philosophy or not much of a philosophy , reads it takes from it, then it's done its job. If you completely disagree, then hey at least you know where you stand. Different folks, different strokes. I don't think anyone is being negative to the message. I think they are saying there is precious little one is able to take from the writing, and you make it sound as if "coaching character" (a very vague phrase and unexplained phrase in your essay, as others have alluded to in this thread) is mutually exclusive of coaching competitive football. Essentially coach, your essay is the equivalent of the "hit somebody" shout one hears at many games. Sure, "hitting somebody" is a great idea...but who should one hit, how should they hit them, where on the field should the hit be made etc etc..... that is what is important. This essay fits in perfectly with all of the recent presidential race announcements. A whole lot of people spouting out ideas and plans that nobody really can disagree with without actually explaining how they plan to accomplish anything. |
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Post by fantom on Jun 17, 2015 19:42:22 GMT -6
The negativity of the responses is fine, and I understand because not everyone will agree. Just like who holds the chalk last. If 1 person with a similar philosophy or not much of a philosophy , reads it takes from it, then it's done its job. If you completely disagree, then hey at least you know where you stand. Different folks, different strokes. You didn't answer the question. |
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Post by blb on Jun 18, 2015 7:14:51 GMT -6
caddo, I agree that writing is a great way to organize your thoughts. Publishing them is a great way to get feedback, including constructive criticism.
We "taught character" in the following ways in our program, although frankly most of the kids we got had high character before we began coaching them:
We taught Self-Discipline (punctuality is big with me, for ex.) and Accountability
We taught them to compete
We taught them to take care of their bodies, including nutrition, and how to get into-maintain physical condition
We taught importance of priorities, including school
We taught them the importance of doing what's right on and off field
We taught them how to deal appropriately with success AND adversity (sportsmanship)
We taught them how to make and follow through on commitments, to "Be the Best You Can Be"
We taught them to treat others as they would like to be treated, the importance of being a good teammate
We taught them the importance of class and integrity
We did not have to have classes, speakers, breakfast meetings, seminars, read books, etc. to do it (although those things may work very well for others). They were everyday values we preached and practiced.
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Post by coachphillip on Jun 18, 2015 8:07:43 GMT -6
I don't think anyone here is arguing that developing our players into contributing members of society isn't one of our overarching goals. I think many just believe they already do that by exemplifying the characteristics for their players and by coaching the game the way it ought to be played. If you were to give some insights into your methodology behind coaching character, it would be easier for guys to pick things up from you and your writing. For example, you could tell us about a team community project, a leadership council, etc. Those would be things we could all look at and discern the value in it.
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Post by funkfriss on Jun 18, 2015 8:54:27 GMT -6
I agree with what others are saying as far as coaching character through example and individual accountability. I believe 95% of your players will pick up the attitudes and habits of your coaches. It might not be you, but whichever coach the player connects with or identifies with the most.
The only thing I go out of my way to do is bring up an issue that has been buzzing around school or the media and talk about it as a team for 5 minutes or so at the end of practice (a peer suicide, busted party, Ray Rice, etc.).
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Post by caddofox on Jun 18, 2015 11:27:46 GMT -6
Thanks for the input and I agree to what many of you are saying. This wasn't written to give coaches ideas on character development and strategies as I feel often those are very unique to the kids you have, and the coach that you are.. For example kids at a school from a great neighborhood vs kids from poor neighborhoods, is the way in which you will best connect with the kids different? I wrote this from the standpoint of coaches who "talk" to their kids, and do everything they can for the kids, both on and off the field vs coaches who don't do as much. I've often seen and been around coaches who ultimately treat their kids as players only; are they seeing their kids as Zach and Jacob , or x and y? How many interactions a day are you having with your kids where you aren't merely treating them as pawns in your chess game, vs having personal interactions? That stuff matters to your players. This was merely a comparison staying that we as coaches should not coach scheme only, and we should some amount of time throughout the week "talking to/ teaching our kids about things that will help them off the field.. Name someone that's 80 that still plays football... It don't last forever boys.
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