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Post by coachorr on Nov 22, 2007 15:09:09 GMT -6
After watching the Green Bay/Lions game today, they talked about players having fun.
How many of you make your practices and atmosphere fun? And, how many of you do that in such a way that the kids have fun, but do not have too much fun?
In this day and age, I think the Bear Bryant days of old are long gone, and if you are too disciplined and business like then maybe kids will not want to play football. Maybe, you don't want those kids who are not motivated by a "tough" atmosphere. Perhaps, what you really want is 11 to 18 kids who want to be tough, disciplined and physical.
I think I worry, that if you have too much fun, then your players will become silly and your team will become complacent. However, if you have too much business, kids won't play to their potential.
Is there a happy medium?
I would also be very interested in any ideas that help keep it fun without too much lack of focus.
I strongly believe that discipline is the cornerstone of a successful program.
Thoughts.............
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Post by brophy on Nov 22, 2007 16:59:01 GMT -6
Good question (?).......
Two Nationally televised games, and while there were two different matchups........Green Bay's "fun" and Dallas' "fun" looked different.
Green Bay was a content, saundering to make a couple of big plays and be done with it. Dallas was an "enjoy-the-view" as we get there approach (focussed).
THAT, and I'm a big Kelly Clarkson fan......
Point is.....even in the corporate world, they try to juggle this dynamic and even were so bold to suggest it is a great business model, citing Pike's Fish Market (FISH philosophy)
Thing is, it is basically premised on enjoying your role / process.......WITH A PURPOSE I've been with some companies that have adopted the "FISH" concept, but never had a clear direction. So it was premised on trying to "have fun", but not having a clear directed path to what you were enjoying. Completely different world.
My point is, in the first model (GB) you saw guys getting a lead, and taking the foot off the gas, content with the gaining the advantage and calling the dogs off. Detroit had a lot of opportunities to come back and actually beat Green Bay.
The latter example, Dallas (and NE) is putting the performance and execution ahead of personal pride/comfort.....but on the immediate execution.
What is the point of this rambling? ...........Having "fun" or "working" is a mind-set. If you KNOW where you are going....what the FINAL product is, you just aren't out there doing 'stuff', you are taking steps toward excellence. Each play, each step matters.....it isn't just about the scoreboard, it is about integrity and
I guess my point is...........there is a difference in being a SD (clinic speak = slapdick) and enjoying your performance.
In the model you presented (Bear Bryant / Drill Instructor role)...."fear" had become a cheap and ignorant commodity. Thankfully, we are raising more intelligent (?) citizens, even though for the lot of us, we were brought up in this heavy-handed mentoring. I can fear the coach and his disapproval, but does it really affect what I do, or has it just conditioned me to fall-in-line? That, and the past couple of decades have shown us justifiable cause to mistrust authority figures.
Now, I don't know there is ONE method that is a sure-fire way to be successful, but I believe if you are going to be consistently successful, you have to have BUY-IN from the populace.
Which is why SO MUCH of program-building today has to do with Character-Development. It is not just about wins or losses, but improving a MAN on and off the field.
Now, I probably should've just answered this with a "Yes" or something and be done with it, but.......
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Post by goldenbear76 on Nov 22, 2007 17:08:37 GMT -6
I think like all things in coaching..you do what you do. Don't be a different person, just cause someone else does it different. I'm a pretty laid back coach, I am not a 'get in your face' type. In fact the only time I get mad is when I see kids not hustling. If they are hustling and make a mistake..I correct it, by showing them. I like to have our kids relaxed and only thinking of execution and having fun. I just don't think we're a "hit'em till they toughen up" type of coaching staff.
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Post by wingt74 on Nov 22, 2007 17:14:56 GMT -6
Winning is fun
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Post by fbdoc on Nov 22, 2007 18:09:55 GMT -6
We have a saying in our program -
Football is FUN - Winning is More Fun!
What we mean is that Football - the running, the hitting, the heat, the updowns, ALL of that is FUN! But we are going to do the things that it takes to be winners (in life and on the scoreboard.)
We work hard, but we have fun ... because Football is Fun!
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Post by coachweav88 on Nov 22, 2007 18:25:02 GMT -6
What about someone like John Gagliardi at St. John's in Minnesota? NCAA record for wins, very relaxed atmosphere.
just throwing it out there for discussion
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Post by dsqa on Nov 22, 2007 22:21:59 GMT -6
thought about this one a bit...thought I might take a shot at it...
Fun is cultivated in the program in & through the hearts of the athletes and staff, by psychologically establishing an atmosphere that rewards and positively reinforces the right things, while maintaining a strong peer pressure to "do your part" to keep it going. Every man does better in an atmosphere where they feel they are contributing and are wanted in the mix of the big picture. They understand the role they play, the value of their effort is communicated to them by the leadership, and it is supported by their peers.
A three-fold cord is not quickly broken - You need a bold, audacious vision, with monitored and achieveable short term milestones/goals;(Focus) a meaningful role given to each person that is verbally encouraged, and supported by quality leadership; (Unity) and an organic peer-to-peer relationship & morale structure that brings the necessary peer pressure to sustain the passion and discipline needed to remain at the highest level.(Nexus-"A connected group")
Focus Unity Nexus
A big outworking of these component parts working in concert is quite the opposite of what you would expect - you get a relaxed, often humor filled, environment that can be mistaken for distraction and overt looseness, when you are really observing supreme confidence in the parts. How else could you be so "loose," in such a pressure cooker, unless you were so sure of what you have to do, who you are doing it with, and more importantly "why."
Teams that lack this balance, often suffer in one of these three things, and quite frankly it falls to the leadership to identify and develop what is lacking.
In established programs, like Gagliardi's, it is much easier to maintain because you have had time to get everyone on board and its a proven process, and the pressure to conform is at its peak. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, I most admire the coaches who can go into a new situation and change the "weather" in a program in a short time, through their leadership, and create the "FUN" necessary to win.
The problem I see for those coaches who have a challenge with goof offs who call that "fun," are like some parents who are afraid to lead their children, because they lack the character, and genuine resolve, in themselves to sustain the fortitude/discipline needed to control their emotions, make good decisions, and operate in the "tough love" necessary to remove the wrong mix, and instill the right mix.
This isn't so much about blaming their knowledge of the game, it goes to the heart of the coach and the genuineness of their passion. Passion is willing to do whatever it takes, and that just isn't present in all leadership. If it were, there wouldn't be the few great ones who consistently show us, that they have what it takes, to do what it takes. You know what it funny about that, they make it look easy because they appear so laid back, and often have a great sense of humor. Well, it is because they are supremely confident of where they are going, who they are going with, and "why." I think the players reflect, on some level, the leadership they are receiving. Most coaches don't have FUN, because they are still unsure of where they are going, whether or not they can trust anyone on the way, and "why" they are doing it.
I have found in my short life of 42 years, that this gift of leadership in coaches, or any man for that matter, that is framed by humor, and the best kind of FUN, is found most readily present in the hearts of those who are: very wise, very friendly, and very humble.
While I can't seem to fully "crack the code" on those concepts in my life, I desperately hope to - for my athletes yes, but mostly for my wife & children's sake.
Just my take...FUN to talk about FUN.
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Post by PSS on Nov 22, 2007 22:53:35 GMT -6
fbdoc, ds; those are great responses. They relate well to high school athletics. In fact ds I would like a copy of that.
But what I would like to point out is this: the example that was brought up was about NFL teams. Yes those guys are going to have fun at what they do. You need to remember one thing, they are grown men just like you and I.
They have few restrictions / rules to guide, why should they, they are grown men. Also they get paid to entertain us.
I posted on another post about the importance of a structured focused practice. I believe the same as fbdoc.
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Post by dsqa on Nov 22, 2007 23:01:53 GMT -6
....."How many of you make your practices and atmosphere fun? And, how many of you do that in such a way that the kids have fun, but do not have too much fun?"
Thought they were talking about our experience with HS kids out of the comment about the NFL teams, sorry I missed that.
However, on the NFL level it is all the more reason for effective leadership that gets the right kind of "buy-in" to the process. You can't legislate FUN. Grown men appreciate the same things, but you have to be able to get them to "want" to be great for themselves, and more importantly the team. You get a coach that can do that, you pay him.
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Post by cmow5 on Nov 22, 2007 23:02:21 GMT -6
Just a quick story that I think falls in this category. Earlier this year I had to run the practice by my self for the first time. It was the day after our second win of the year(2-2) the HC had to go solve a murder (CSI Detective) and the DC had a funeral to go to (not related to the murder). For the first time the kids were pumped up and throwing up. When they hit they hit hard and then helped each other up, they hustled from drill to drill and even got out of the locker room in ten minutes (team rule). The next day I was the first one to practice like usual and about 10 out of the 18 kids said to me: Kids: " coach are you going to be the only one here today" Me: " No the other two will be here" Kids: " Man we had alot of fun yesterday" Me: " We did what we usually do, what made it so fun?" Kids: " I don't know?" I went home that night thinking what did I do to make them think they were having fun, but working harder then ever. Then I realized I gave them choices. After warm ups I got them together and said guys we are two and two and we have two choices 1.we could be satisfied with two wins, mess around the rest of practice and not win another game or 2. we could bust our buts everyday for the rest of the year and not lose another game, the choice is yours. Before I could say anything else all of them took off to the dummies faster then they ever have. Half way through the practice I asked them you have two choices 1. We can stop and get some water now our we could finish up this drill then get water and hustle to the next one, they choose to finish the drill. And at the end of practice after we got done with some death Vally's once again I said two choices ens practice now and go home or lets do some rail roads to make sure we are ready for the next game against a team that had about 40-50 kids on it and wont get tired. they choose to run. So, I guess I am saying they can have fun and work harder then ever.
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Post by dsqa on Nov 22, 2007 23:09:53 GMT -6
Meaningful ownership in decisions at critical points is always helpful, as well as the variety of experience created by your approach.
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smu92
Junior Member
Posts: 415
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Post by smu92 on Nov 22, 2007 23:37:41 GMT -6
Just finished reading Dungy's book, and I can't remember exactly who he was quoting in the book (left my book in the office), but he was talking to a baseball player that played for the Pittsburgh Pirates while Dungy was playing for the Steelers. They were talking about this very thing. Dungy was commenting on the laid back atmosphere in the baseball clubhouse before the game and how he didn't understand it. The baseball player responded by talking about how quiet and somber it was in the Steelers loker room before a game. He said something along the lines of "I don't understand you football guys. Every time I go out to a baseball game the umpire always yells 'PLAY ball!' He never yells 'WORK ball!'" That's a very loose quote. I probably tore it up completely, but you get the point. It's a game! It's not work. It's supposed to be fun! I just thought about this when I was reading this post. I thought it was fitting.
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Post by coachorr on Nov 23, 2007 2:55:42 GMT -6
Coaches, very good comments thank you. I think I gained a lot from everyone here. Coach Sack, you simply personified or perhaps identified in a very real way of what I was thinking about. I too am a laid back guy who works with the needs of the players. I feel it is up to me to "facilitate" their learning and development.
I always show up with a plan, but many times I will ask them to tell me what it is they need to work on and explain to me why. I have been around coaches who were way too passive and I have been around coaches who were way too nagging. All coaches are very very good coaches, but I have noticed that both ends of the spectrum do not work.
The DC who I coach with now, helped me get a scholarship, brought me into coaching and has basically been a very good friend to me for the last seventeen years says this: "I want you to run to the football, not because I am going to mark you down for a loaf and make you run extra on Mondays (which we do not do). I want you to run to the football because you WANT to." And then he will go on to talk about the benefit of pursuit is to a defense and how the guy who has first contact isn't the guy who always makes the tackle nor the best hit.
Anyway, tapping into the player's innate ability to WANT to play the game is what I am concerned with here. I think with kids, you have to fight the battles that are important so that you have the best chance of winning the war. If you can get 11 teammates on the field all working for the good of the team and all sacrificing for the guy next to them, then our chances of winning are greater.
Same coach always says this, "I've learned a lesson in life, the more I stop worrying about myself and try giving to others, the better everything seems to go in life."
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Post by goldenbear76 on Nov 23, 2007 3:48:39 GMT -6
You know ..I thought about this after awhile...a few hours after my last post lol. Anyway, I've only been coaching at this school for 3 years now. So in the grand scheme of things, I know nothing. But, each year was different, and each year was better. My first year, I brought in a new blocking scheme, kids didn't have strong fundamentals. So, I probably worked that first group a lot harder than each group that followed. After the first season, the running game became established, our pass protection became established. Kids came into camp the following year, nothing was new. So comraderie started to develop between myself and my players more, because honestly, time permitted. I didn't have to spend sooo much time on the little things. I could coach in a more schematic approach, while still working fundamentals. The kids are having fun, and honestly I do too. Once you get to a point where you can joke around with your kids, its fun.
Having said that...I have not coached on a team that's had a losing season yet, so ....I am probably very lucky up to this point as well.
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Post by PSS on Nov 23, 2007 10:37:17 GMT -6
To follow up on my post last night:
I have a friend who works in the front office for the Houston Texans. He says that on the practice field it is just like a hs and college practice. Players are focused on their assignments and learning the schemes for the week. Not to count the hours of film that they spend watching both as a team and on their own. They have to, it's their jobs, their salaries depend on the performance. True, the practices are not as strenuous as a hs practice, but their bodies take a lot more abuse every gameday.
Come game time it is a release for them. They have built up emotions and energy all week long and come game time they release it for the benefit of their teammates and the fans.
Yes my friend has been around football. He was a hs coach for 10 years before taking the job. He said the hardest thing to realize was that they were grown men playing the game that you and I coach to teenagers. Other than that, there wasn't much difference.
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Post by coachcb on Nov 23, 2007 10:51:09 GMT -6
I establish an environment based around intensity and hard work before I start using the term "fun" with the kids. Once I see the kids flying around, banging heads and developing a work ethic, then I start tossing out "fun". This way, the kids understand that playing hard and getting a win supersedes them enjoying themselves all practice.
I used to really emphasize that the kids have fun, but it bit me in the a$$. It took a chip off of some of the kids shoulders, but it detracted from some of the other kids focus. Essentially, by emphasizing fun, it compounded the bs message some of them were getting it home- "Winning doesn't matter, it's just a game, go out and enjoy yourself".
This year, I took the approach fbdoc described; footballs fun, but winning is much more fun. Our practices were balls-to-the-walls intense; an atmosphere based on high energy and high work ethic; not much fun. But we won games and really emphasized the "fun" that goes with winning and the "lack of fun" that goes with losing.
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elkabong
Freshmen Member
El Kabong Rides Again!
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Post by elkabong on Nov 23, 2007 10:54:49 GMT -6
how much "fun" do coaches project in practices? Are the coaches excited and optimistic or are they Debbie Downers?
I think THAT leadership really determines more of what is perceived as "fun" more than 'appeasing' players beliefs.
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Post by PSS on Nov 23, 2007 11:01:56 GMT -6
I establish an environment based around intensity and hard work before I start using the term "fun" with the kids. Once I see the kids flying around, banging heads and developing a work ethic, then I start tossing out "fun". This way, the kids understand that playing hard and getting a win supersedes them enjoying themselves all practice. I used to really emphasize that the kids have fun, but it bit me in the a$$. It took a chip off of some of the kids shoulders, but it detracted from some of the other kids focus. Essentially, by emphasizing fun, it compounded the bs message some of them were getting it home- "Winning doesn't matter, it's just a game, go out and enjoy yourself". This year, I took the approach fbdoc described; footballs fun, but winning is much more fun. Our practices were balls-to-the-walls intense; an atmosphere based on high energy and high work ethic; not much fun. But we one games and really emphasized the "fun" that goes with winning and the "lack of fun" that goes with losing. That is an awesome post. That is what it's all about. Can't describe it much better. Coaches make it more fun in practice by making it an up tempo practice, coaching on the run, pushing kids to work to their highest level, and praising when they show improvement or master a skill. A coach's enthusiasm will do wonder's in making a practice run smooth. Coach, thanks for the post.
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Post by coachorr on Nov 23, 2007 15:30:14 GMT -6
Off topic but on and this may or may not help some of you. I correct kids in the effort of making them better. I never use the word "but" in a conversation when I am correcting a player nor do I usually correct them in front of the group (unless it is a small technical issue).
Anyway, there are two general approaches I use when striving for improvement in a player. First of all I say "Hey Dumb A, what the Freak were you thinking" (sarcasm). No, really when correcting a player I always begin with a positive observation then finish with what is the desired outcome using "we" and "our" statements. EG: "Way to get off the ball "now" we want to work our way up to the first inside linebacker, get our hips turned and seal or kick". "Do you see what I am saying?"
Now if that doesn't fix the problem, there are one of two issues at hand. Lack of communication on my part (which can be clearly communicated through specific drills, individual communication with the player, or chalk talk). Or, the player cannot perform the desired task, which it is up to me the coach to replace the player if I cannot replace him or I can: it is up to me to continue to improve the player by giving him honest critique and postive reinforcement.
The other technique I use, especially with seasoned players, is to just take a moment to pull the player aside and ask him what happened, then listen to the response. Once the response is given, I then ask, "What would you do to fix it?" Or "What do we normally do to keep that from happening?"
One more thing, I believe in coaching on the run and not slowing things down to explain every little issue. One thing that has helped me to do this is through teaching vocabulary and I do this through drill. Drill teaches the vocabulary I use while the player is using his muscles and brain to carry out the desired task.
I don't think I have ever used the "F" word in a practice, but I think when the kids see the screaming maniac (not yelling at the kids but enjoying it with them) in practice, they really get fired up. Now, this is not all the time, but I like to be enthusiastic in the success of the players and celebrate in their efforts and success and correct their "mistakes" (for lack of a better word) so that they can have maximum results to reach their full potential.
Then, when game time comes I am cool as a cucumber and I am a business like person when I am on the sidelines of a game, they find a quiet and powerful calm in that and play at a level of quiet confidence and when I have to I get them pumped up, but I sincerely believe that emotions when too low or too high can have a negative impact on performance.
Sorry for the rant.
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Post by coachorr on Nov 23, 2007 15:31:38 GMT -6
I guess what I am saying is that we have fun through my example, it really doesn't have to be commented on. I never tell my wife how much fun we need to have in the bedroom, it's just intrinsic.
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Post by davecisar on Nov 23, 2007 15:55:04 GMT -6
Off topic but on and this may or may not help some of you. I correct kids in the effort of making them better. I never use the word "but" in a conversation when I am correcting a player nor do I usually correct them in front of the group (unless it is a small technical issue). Anyway, there are two general approaches I use when striving for improvement in a player. First of all I say "Hey Dumb A, what the Freak were you thinking" (sarcasm). No, really when correcting a player I always begin with a positive observation then finish with what is the desired outcome using "we" and "our" statements. EG: "Way to get off the ball "now" we want to work our way up to the first inside linebacker, get our hips turned and seal or kick". "Do you see what I am saying?" Now if that doesn't fix the problem, there are one of two issues at hand. Lack of communication on my part (which can be clearly communicated through specific drills, individual communication with the player, or chalk talk). Or, the player cannot perform the desired task, which it is up to me the coach to replace the player if I cannot replace him or I can: it is up to me to continue to improve the player by giving him honest critique and postive reinforcement. The other technique I use, especially with seasoned players, is to just take a moment to pull the player aside and ask him what happened, then listen to the response. Once the response is given, I then ask, "What would you do to fix it?" Or "What do we normally do to keep that from happening?" One more thing, I believe in coaching on the run and not slowing things down to explain every little issue. One thing that has helped me to do this is through teaching vocabulary and I do this through drill. Drill teaches the vocabulary I use while the player is using his muscles and brain to carry out the desired task. I don't think I have ever used the "F" word in a practice, but I think when the kids see the screaming maniac (not yelling at the kids but enjoying it with them) in practice, they really get fired up. Now, this is not all the time, but I like to be enthusiastic in the success of the players and celebrate in their efforts and success and correct their "mistakes" (for lack of a better word) so that they can have maximum results to reach their full potential. Then, when game time comes I am cool as a cucumber and I am a business like person when I am on the sidelines of a game, they find a quiet and powerful calm in that and play at a level of quiet confidence and when I have to I get them pumped up, but I sincerely believe that emotions when too low or too high can have a negative impact on performance. Sorry for the rant. Great post. Use similar technique as you speak of above, hard to do sometimes, takes lots of prayer and focus for me to do it anyway. Certainly most of us would hope we could "encourage and correct" in a similar fashion, cant say I always do, and needs improvement. IMHO probably one of things most youth coaches do poorly, they either just "let it go", punish or embarrass, and probably why so many youth players never go on to play HS ball. I completely agree with your last paragraph, thats me always.
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smu92
Junior Member
Posts: 415
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Post by smu92 on Nov 23, 2007 23:26:44 GMT -6
I agree with several of the other posters here...
Leadership makes all of the difference. I had a great coach in college that always ran around yelling "false enthusiasm is better than no enthusiasm." How true is that for us? Kids feed off of their coaches. They way your team is lead and the relationships that your coaches have with their players will determine the amount of "fun" that is had.
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Post by Yash on Nov 23, 2007 23:55:41 GMT -6
Overall don't you play the game for fun? I mean yes you want to win, and yes i"m as competitive as anyone, but in the beginning you started playing because it was fun and in the end you play the game because you enjoy it. You gotta have discipline, and you have to have structure, but you have to be able to relax and have some fun also. Lets face it, there are only a handful of teams who are going to win their last game each year. And while I'm going to prepare my guys to be that team as much as I can, it still has to be fun. You can't judger your success soley on wins and losses by your program. If thats the only measure of success, you need to reevaluate why you are coaching.
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smu92
Junior Member
Posts: 415
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Post by smu92 on Nov 24, 2007 0:06:49 GMT -6
Word.
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Post by coachorr on Nov 24, 2007 0:52:41 GMT -6
Yash, i always say, if winning is everything, then what do you have when you lose?
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Post by spartancoach on Nov 24, 2007 7:40:11 GMT -6
Probably just saying what others have already said, but when coach have (and project) fun coaching, players usually have fun getting coached.
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Post by phantom on Nov 24, 2007 8:54:34 GMT -6
Probably just saying what others have already said, but when coach have (and project) fun coaching, players usually have fun getting coached. I think that this and SMU's thoughts about enthusiasm are the key. As leaders we don't have the luxury of moods. We have to be into every rep of every drill of every practice. If the coach enjoys his job and coaches with enthusiasm, if he acts like a real person, then you can get your work done and still have fun. We don't pogram fun into our practice schedule but I have fun and I think the kids do, too.
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Post by coachcb on Nov 24, 2007 11:25:53 GMT -6
Overall don't you play the game for fun? I mean yes you want to win, and yes i"m as competitive as anyone, but in the beginning you started playing because it was fun and in the end you play the game because you enjoy it. You gotta have discipline, and you have to have structure, but you have to be able to relax and have some fun also. Lets face it, there are only a handful of teams who are going to win their last game each year. And while I'm going to prepare my guys to be that team as much as I can, it still has to be fun. You can't judger your success soley on wins and losses by your program. If thats the only measure of success, you need to reevaluate why you are coaching. The kids that I coach do enjoy the game and enjoy themselves. I pride myself on my ability to bring a high level of positive, yet competitive energy to practices. I focus on teaching the kids that winning games consistently means learning to work hard and to work with intensity and pride. Unfortunately, I have found that, with our kids, we have to emphasize strong work ethic and intensity before we work on having fun. I would love to be able to go out from day 1 and preach to the kids the value of having fun in athletics; but its just not going to happen. Its due to the fact that a kid's general idea of fun doesn't involve much more than playing video games or watching "Scrubs" these days. "Fun" has nothing to do with being active and physical for a lot of these kids; those things are viewed as the antithesis of fun. Winning and losing aren't the sole markers for our success; but at our HS, it's a big part of it for us. We're smart enough to know that we're going to have rough seasons and that we're going to lose games. We also know that we can handle those games and those seasons because we will have prepared the kids to best of our ability. If we don't feel that we've prepared them well enough, we'll learn from it and fix it.
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Post by Yash on Nov 24, 2007 11:36:08 GMT -6
Having fun doesn't mean you can't emphasize a strong work ethic. We coach football to teach. Not just to teach football, but life lessons and a strong work ethic is something you can take with you into the rest of your life. You need to emphasize the hard work and dedication before the fun, but in the end fun has to be a part of it. I'm not saying the first day of practice you throw a picnic and scrap the practice. But after our fall camp here, once two a days end we get out the juggs machine and have a o-line vs d-line punt catch contest. We work hard, and then once we've proven that we deserve a little fun we throw some laughs into the mix.
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Post by kurtbryan on Nov 26, 2007 11:18:15 GMT -6
To our coaching staff, and what we emphasize to our players is fairly simple but it has worked for many years in terms of having fun while getting the most from our team:
1. If a player attends each practice and works hard, he is guaranteed to play in each game, regardless of the score or outcome
2. During practice, it is a bit easier to keep the kids motivated because they know they are going to play Friday night, etc. Our practices are a bit more spirited with this agreement between the coaches and players in place
3. We have played each kid in every game on V & JV
4. Even though a handful of players only get into the game for 1 or 2 plays each week, for them, their parents, the team and coaches it is a rewarding experience.
5. Last but not least, it builds depth as other players get to carry the load in various situations
6. This approach has been fun for all involved in our program
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