Post by coachcalande on Oct 2, 2007 5:59:07 GMT -6
Just some thoughts - sharing my experiences on both levels...
As a head jr high coach I had imput on hiring assistants, providing them with coaching materials and handbooks, ran coaching meetings, scouted, tested the kids, placed them in positions, designed drills, schemes, practice plans, game plans, kept stats, broke down practice footage and game films so we knew what to practice the following week. I had to account for every second of practice time so that none of it was wasted. I had to deal with faculty, admin, parents and varsity staff too while running my team. I had to make sure that discipline and proceedure was all followed nad kept paper work...
...as a varsity assistant I watch a ton of game film, actually not as much of my own as I did as a jr high guy, but more film of the oponnent we see next. I am much more "rushed" when it comes to covering things because I am on someone elses time line. I do not deal with parents or admin or faculty one tiny lil bit. (so far) and I most certainly do not account for every second in practice with the exception of trying to squeeze more oline reps into short periods where the punt team is getting work etc.
I also have a good relationship with the jr high coaching staff and provide them with oline schemes, rules and drills and we chalk and share ideas now and again.
IN comparing the experiences I can say flat out that being a jr high hc makes me a better varsity assistant and a better teacher of the game (afterall, I had to teach all positions at the jr high level) and I think helps me understand the importance of sticking to the practice schedule in a timely fashion..I think too it helps me relate to the frosh and sophs that are on our team and represent out future.
some things I miss include placing players where I think they fit best (though I certainly do that with my oline and make suggestions for the defense)- I miss being in control of how many schemes, plays and reps we give to things and certainly miss play calling (though again, I make suggestions based on observations)...
...bottom line however, I enjoy the friday night lights and the atmosphere of the varsity game and feeling like a bigger part of the wins and losses overshadows any of the things I miss about being a jr high head coach. I enjoy being part of a team of coaches that work hard to put the kids in position to be successful. I dont feel pressure to do it all myself. I feel that the relationships built with the high school kids are similar if not identical to those built with the ms/jr high kids so thats a push.
As a head jr high coach I had imput on hiring assistants, providing them with coaching materials and handbooks, ran coaching meetings, scouted, tested the kids, placed them in positions, designed drills, schemes, practice plans, game plans, kept stats, broke down practice footage and game films so we knew what to practice the following week. I had to account for every second of practice time so that none of it was wasted. I had to deal with faculty, admin, parents and varsity staff too while running my team. I had to make sure that discipline and proceedure was all followed nad kept paper work...
...as a varsity assistant I watch a ton of game film, actually not as much of my own as I did as a jr high guy, but more film of the oponnent we see next. I am much more "rushed" when it comes to covering things because I am on someone elses time line. I do not deal with parents or admin or faculty one tiny lil bit. (so far) and I most certainly do not account for every second in practice with the exception of trying to squeeze more oline reps into short periods where the punt team is getting work etc.
I also have a good relationship with the jr high coaching staff and provide them with oline schemes, rules and drills and we chalk and share ideas now and again.
IN comparing the experiences I can say flat out that being a jr high hc makes me a better varsity assistant and a better teacher of the game (afterall, I had to teach all positions at the jr high level) and I think helps me understand the importance of sticking to the practice schedule in a timely fashion..I think too it helps me relate to the frosh and sophs that are on our team and represent out future.
some things I miss include placing players where I think they fit best (though I certainly do that with my oline and make suggestions for the defense)- I miss being in control of how many schemes, plays and reps we give to things and certainly miss play calling (though again, I make suggestions based on observations)...
...bottom line however, I enjoy the friday night lights and the atmosphere of the varsity game and feeling like a bigger part of the wins and losses overshadows any of the things I miss about being a jr high head coach. I enjoy being part of a team of coaches that work hard to put the kids in position to be successful. I dont feel pressure to do it all myself. I feel that the relationships built with the high school kids are similar if not identical to those built with the ms/jr high kids so thats a push.
