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Post by jsucoach79 on Oct 4, 2007 7:09:13 GMT -6
just to vent a little. Anyone have stories or ideas for a head coach with no assistants. As many of you know I took over a program that brought football back 2 years before I arrived. In that time span they did not win a game. The players we have never played little league and this is the first group of seniors that ever even played junior high ball. theWe have won 4 in the 2 years I have been here and have been close in around 4 but my guys were just simply learning how to win. This year we are 2-3 and 1-1 in the district. This purpose of this post is that 1 am the only coach on the staff. I have to do everything you can imagine as well as still try to teach technique and fundamentals to guys who have never played. What I do is i give each group a index card whit sets and reps of drills that should be done during individuals and I just go from group to group. As you know the only group giving max effort is the one I'm standing over. The others ty but kids will be kids. Then we go to special teams.Then for team O and D I script around 60 plays a day based upon film for the scout O and scout d to run to get prepared for team sessions. This is including all the other head coaching responsibilities. We lead our class in scoring with 33 points a game and also in points allowed with 28. One problem I have is nobody in the booth or on the sidelines to offer advice or opinions. WHen the offense comes off the field I cant talk and give advice I have to call the defensive plays and when the defense comes off the field vice versa. Any advice besides leave after the last game will be appreciated. Oh did I tell you that the administration still has winning expectations?
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Post by saintrad on Oct 4, 2007 7:12:31 GMT -6
when you are the only coach you have to teach everything as a whole team since as you have been experiencing indy time is a farce.
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Post by coachcalande on Oct 4, 2007 7:17:28 GMT -6
set up a video camera as you extra set of eyes, i have done this and theres nothing better than having video proof of players off task behavior for when you discipline them.
next suggestion, stagger practice time
first hour, linemen only,
second hour- team
third hour, linemen go home, backs only.
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Post by olinecoach61 on Oct 4, 2007 8:10:40 GMT -6
Seek volunteers, ask around the school to see if any teacher might be interested in coaching as a volunteer, check with local colleges, we got an intern this year who is earning credits while coaching our LB's. That's an awful lot to ask one guy to do, I'm an OC and get overwhelmed sometimes, I can't imagine what you feel like after a game.
What if you get ejected? Does the team forfeit?
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Post by gacoach on Oct 4, 2007 8:16:10 GMT -6
is this a private school? Staggering practice times by position would be the way to go.
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Post by dsqa on Oct 4, 2007 8:32:59 GMT -6
I have been where you are. Twice. I started two programs from scratch on a negative budget. Had to coach both teams at least one season by myself.
It is extremely difficult to find qualified people, who know football, who are available at 3:30 in the afternoon. Period.
A couple of suggestions I tried...
Recruit a few guys who know football, they may be Dads, but believe it or not, there are mature fathers who know enough football, and can help. If the schedule is a conflict. Flip flop your practice time to include a required study hall, and film, at 3:30 -5:00, and start practice at 5:30. Reduce the length of practice, you just don't need the longer practice if you are organized, and you know what you want to accomplish. Go 90 minutes with drill coaches who understand what you are looking to do. Get fathers with a loyal spirit, and an even demeanor, that compliment you.
Another way, and the way I did it most, to handle things is if you cannot change practice times, is to start your practice with conditioning, then run through your Offense team practice with a line emphasis for 45 minutes to an hour. Release the line early, keep the backs and receivers, and go over play schemes on air, to tighten up the spacing and timing. Depending on what needs more work(running and passing), release the backs or receivers, and work the running/passing game until the end.
If you need special teams work, we did one/two element(s) per day at the start of practice to bolster conditioning.
On defense days, I relied heavily on the QBs to call plays on the cards, and I would run the defense. Our defense days began with heavy STeams, team tackling( two groups alternating- open field tackling and angle tackling), team pursuit drills, team defense against scout.
Don't be afraid to shorten practice, you get more from the kids. And you can use it as an incentive for hard work. You can always keep them longer if they don't produce, but creating an environment of personal responsibility and incentive on the team ups the ante for everyone.
I did it for years, and while it wasn't easy, I have some great coming of age stories to tell about boys becoming men.
Good Luck.
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Post by jsucoach79 on Oct 4, 2007 9:00:16 GMT -6
Seek volunteers, ask around the school to see if any teacher might be interested in coaching as a volunteer, check with local colleges, we got an intern this year who is earning credits while coaching our LB's. That's an awful lot to ask one guy to do, I'm an OC and get overwhelmed sometimes, I can't imagine what you feel like after a game. Tried to do that school board wants to micromanage everything and wants certified personnel. What if you get ejected? Does the team forfeit? yes |
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Post by jsucoach79 on Oct 4, 2007 9:02:09 GMT -6
is this a private school? Staggering practice times by position would be the way to go. public school in a rural area. Kids live 30 minutes away so leaving and coming back is out of the question and the principal does not want them in the film room,study session or anything without me so that eliminates staggering practice. Did I mention I only have 30 guys 9-12 |
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Post by jsucoach79 on Oct 4, 2007 9:07:18 GMT -6
I have been where you are. Twice. I started two programs from scratch on a negative budget. Had to coach both teams at least one season by myself. It is extremely difficult to find qualified people, who know football, who are available at 3:30 in the afternoon. Period. A couple of suggestions I tried... IRecruit a few guys who know football, they may be Dads, but believe it or not, there are mature fathers who know enough football, and can help. If the schedule is a conflict. Flip flop your practice time to include a required study hall, and film, at 3:30 -5:00, and start practice at 5:30. Reduce the length of practice, you just don't need the longer practice if you are organized, and you know what you want to accomplish. Go 90 minutes with drill coaches who understand what you are looking to do. Get fathers with a loyal spirit, and an even demeanor, that compliment you. Another way, and the way I did it most, to handle things is if you cannot change practice times, is to start your practice with conditioning, then run through your Offense team practice with a line emphasis for 45 minutes to an hour. Release the line early, keep the backs and receivers, and go over play schemes on air, to tighten up the spacing and timing. Depending on what needs more work(running and passing), release the backs or receivers, and work the running/passing game until the end. If you need special teams work, we did one/two element(s) per day at the start of practice to bolster conditioning. On defense days, I relied heavily on the QBs to call plays on the cards, and I would run the defense. Our defense days began with heavy STeams, team tackling( two groups alternating- open field tackling and angle tackling), team pursuit drills, team defense against scout. Don't be afraid to shorten practice, you get more from the kids. And you can use it as an incentive for hard work. You can always keep them longer if they don't produce, but creating an environment of personal responsibility and incentive on the team ups the ante for everyone. I did it for years, and while it wasn't easy, I have some great coming of age stories to tell about boys becoming men. Good Luck. DSQA I have tried it all. the parents all want to coach basketball. I have shortened practice,. We start with conditioning then go individuals then special teams than team. the qb is my scout team coach. I have done all of these things. All is not lost we are only 1 game out of 1st in our division. Its just so frustrating. I'm starting to believe that this job is not for me. |
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Post by wingt74 on Oct 4, 2007 9:15:00 GMT -6
Scrimmage a lot and work on everything at the same time.
I'm in a similar situation. I have assistants, but they are Dads. Talk fast and loud and do your best to minimize any "standing around"
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Post by coachmacplains on Oct 4, 2007 10:21:06 GMT -6
I was in your shoes for 8 seasons. A few things come to mind:
1. Put together a check list for student manager(s). When I first started I realized I couldn't get sidetracked by equipment and minor first aid issues, so get that person or persons organized to do that stuff. That includes game prep things also.
2. Identify the leaders on your team and put them in charge when you are working with another group. It's good if you can find some time somewhere to help develop leadership skills in them; they can go a long way to relieving the load, and learn much in the process.
3. As was mentioned, find help that you can, though I see you've had difficulty there. We have some of the same issues you do it sounds like.
4. Don't lose other priorities in the sea of things to do FB wise. Dot as many i's and cross as many t's as you can, but at times certain things may not get done because your wife needs a night out or your kids need your attention.
5. The blessing in disguise in all this (at least it was for me) can be that you learn to break down virtually every aspect of the game in one way or another. We all tend to be better in one area vs. others, but at least a conception of what has to happen is formed in your mind for each area (talking special teams, offense, defense, etc.). When I'd go to clinics in those years, there was never an unnecessary session for me and I soaked in as much as I could. It is fulfilling to know that though I am not an "expert" (whatever that is) I am conversant in a lot of things that previously I hadn't really given a lot of thought to. I know that probably doesn't sound too thrilling where you are at now, but you may come to appreciate it.
6. As to drilling and scrimmage, some of the drill ideas can be incorporated into scrimmage time if you break things down on the go....a lot of work I know....but I think pays off. And, whatever drills you do use, be SURE they know what application it has to the game. Inexperience players doing drills that don't make sense to them = wasted time.
7. I wish Coach Huey's site had been around in my earlier years....there is some good advice on here.
I don't know how to encourage you, but I admire what you are doing, and remember the young men whose lives you affect.
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Post by jsucoach79 on Oct 4, 2007 11:06:37 GMT -6
thanks coach. I really appreciate your post. I have such a good group of kids that it hits me two fold. Part of me wants to stay because they are a good group and I know a lot of guys would not put up with all of this in order to coach and provide them leadership. The other part of me wants to leave at the end of the season because I can not continue to be a part of a system that is mistreating these kids so bad. Where have you heard of a area with more basketball coaches than football coaches
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juice10
Sophomore Member
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Post by juice10 on Oct 4, 2007 11:10:25 GMT -6
Couldn't have said it better myself. I get overwhelmed with 2 asst coaches, couldn't imagine it by myself. Continue the excellent work because it will pay off in the lives you affect from this experience.
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Post by coachd5085 on Oct 4, 2007 12:14:42 GMT -6
jsucoach---Just an aside...maybe you should invite your principal/ad/administrators to visit some OTHER schools in the spring...to see exactly what other places do....
I know that even in teh football savvy south...many people don't realize that there isn't just "THE FOOTBALL COACH"..but a staff...
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Post by jsucoach79 on Oct 4, 2007 12:24:40 GMT -6
jsucoach---Just an aside...maybe you should invite your principal/ad/administrators to visit some OTHER schools in the spring...to see exactly what other places do.... I know that even in teh football savvy south...many people don't realize that there isn't just "THE FOOTBALL COACH"..but a staff... been there done that was promised to get help last offseason but due to red tape 1 was fired for ethical reasons,1 was forced to resign due to certification problems, 1 was fired by principal for not knowing a " nose guard from a nose bleed" |
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juice10
Sophomore Member
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Post by juice10 on Oct 4, 2007 12:56:57 GMT -6
Any players from previous years still around and willing to help out with the program. ?
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Post by ajreaper on Oct 4, 2007 13:03:56 GMT -6
I cannot even imagine doing it alone- my hat is off to you! There are many great suggestions here for you to try and I cannot suggest any better but I will say if you stick with it and have a great attitude think of how you can grow as a coach? You'll be a much better coach becuse of it- good luck to you.
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Post by dsqa on Oct 4, 2007 14:24:03 GMT -6
One other approach I had to take, and this one was more painful, because of my pride.
I had to lower my expectations of myself and the kids in areas I could afford to.
Much of the pressure I felt in "carrying the load", was self inflicted. The administration was never really unhappy with my effort, I was. Parents were generally happy, and I continually held out a greater expectation on myself, while working with less, and in the end, the only one looking back at me for what wasn't working was me. I wouldn't get to the sleep until late, late after a game, I was so wired in working through all I did, or didnt' do.
Now, I had my critics, but those people didn't know me, and didn't know football. However, I knew both, and I could be relentless on myself.
You ARE the right guy for that program, WHY? Because you are there now. The marriage is done, just the honeymoon is over, and you have to find peace in yourself with what you have now. It is a conscious decision at first to catch yourself going to the dark side, but with practice, and some reasonable self talk, your perspective can change dramatically in no time. Worked for me all the time, once I recognized when I would do it.
Just something to think about. When I stopped trying to be everything in my own mind, was a bit more honest about the challenges we were facing as a team with reduced coaching, and started enjoying the kids more, it created a much different environment.
I got more into their heads with less effort. I got more creative with practices and what we did as a group, those 8 on 8 free scrimmages I came up with were GOLD!...They seemed to respond better to input, because I wasn't being so driven in my communication. I was able to teach more, and yell less. They played better, because they weren't so worried I was going to lose it.
Now, I didn't give up the expectations about effort, etc. Just in what I could accomplish reasonably in the situation I was in. I had to learn to accept that I wasn't going to get everything just the way I wanted it, but if I got it where it was critical, we could still be effective. Only you know what that looks like, but when I cracked the code on that, things looked a little brighter.
I was just a better coach when I chilled out about things I couldn't control...for what it's worth. I may be way off the mark here, but oh well...
Just my experience.
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