Value of Clinics?

I get a lot of new ideas at clinics. Do I get a helluva lot? Not at this stage of my career. I don't always get something great either. When I was younger it was a great way to learn about all facets of the game. Hell, the NFL OL coaches are worth it even if only for entertainment value.

You just have to pick and choose wisely. I have seen some really good speakers this weekend and some that I just got up and walked out on. All in all I will always learn more on Huey but I have always learned something at a clinic. Plus the school pays for it so what is there to lose 😎

I agree with what a few these guys have already said. Do you get great info? Sometimes. But really it's about validation at this point in my career. But also, it's not about the "what"... but more about the "how". I'm constantly looking for new ways to think about what we're doing and new ways to teach what we're doing. I really enjoy the small phrases that you can pick up that might help your kids learn how to play their position.

I can get more info on-line at a faster rate.... However, I feel I get key phrases, instructional techniques, and ways to teach better from meeting/listening to other coaches. My favorite method is to go meet with a staff but I do enjoy listening to a good presenter. At our state clinic the last few years we have had several staffs that all run the schemes come together and meet and this has been a great clinic within the clinic.

I think I get at least 1 “How” from every speaker...

How to build culture through the weight room...have definite expectations such as truly squatting parallel & insist kids do it.

How to combo better...aim for your teammate instead of the defender.

How to spill better...run the circle (although I’d seen & heard of it here, some film at a clinic completely sold me).

How to get better blocking out of our Slots...have an extra flat & wide arc path which also matches the route they run on PA.

How do you get more reps...pods & half-lines...took the offensive idea & implemented it on the defensive side (better than what I already was trying).

Probably a countless number that I now take for granted.

I get the scheme part of things. Other than diversifying coverages vs Trips, there are few if any schematic additions or changes we’ll make this off-season. However, all these little “how” things are still going to come up either directly from speakers or more often because I’m sitting there & take an idea from a speaker & use it to answer a problem we have.

I think just the fact that you get as much of your staff together thinking, talking and excited about improving the program is a huge benefit! Although I’ve noticed staff discussions at lunch are always remembered better or at least more accurately than dinner or late evening discussions...

I understand your feelings

I feel as though clinics have become a little "watered down"

-feels like every speaker is talking 4-2-5 or spread RPOs

Plus as you learn more you feel you are just hearing the same info said over and over in different ways

When i started coaching clinics were amazing to me, i learned SO MUCH.
the online community, twitter, etc has really helped most of us learn year round not just clinic season

A couple years ago i started looking at clinics differently... you cant learn a new offense or defense at a clinic
i go into each speaker's session trying to learn 1 thing

not 1 play necessarily... one THING
could be a coaching cue
one wrinkle
one adjustment
one drill

heck even one good story

if i learn one thing, then it made me a better coach

getting confirmation of something you are already teaching is helpful as well

I've been to one clinic in 3 years, don't think I've missed out on much.

I would rather go an inch wide and a mile deep at this point and clinics are by nature the opposite.

90% of what I get out of clinics are contacts and relationships with guys doing the same grind that I'm doing. Are any of us really running anything different?

We have our beliefs and why we do what we do, but I'm always looking for a little tweak that is the same thing I'm teaching, but maybe a better way of communicating it with my kids. Most of the clinics I attend now it is mostly to meet guys from this site and have fun with my friends from all over the country.

Just met coach Vint got the 1st time ever in Vegas, gonna meet up with coach Gower in Reno, then I have guys like jgordon1 pvogel Coach Huey and dcohio coming to our clinic we are hosting over st Patrick's day weekend.

You can always walk away with 2-3 things football related, but 100 things non football related in the process. Its kinda like the cafeteria at school... if you just hang with your crew and don't mingle with the guys all around you... you are missing out.

Like the others have said, I try to get at least one thing from each speaker I listen to. I probably got more this weekend at Glazier than I've gotten in the past five years.

I am looking forward to the Reno Glazier clinic for the social aspect of it

i think we are going to get our whole staff up there for some bonding
There are a few guys on this board who i would love to meet while there as well

I am going to view the trip as a fun experience, and if i learn some football there then awesome

Sounds good coach!

My takeaway from clinics isn’t one where I’m redefining what we do on any side of the ball but rather a nugget here or there that’ll help me become a better coach.

For example a few years ago I was watching a clinic on a spread offense that involved quick screens. I didn’t learn any new plays or formations but I learned a coaching point that never occurred to me. Just tell the quarterback “grip it and rip it”. Why does it matter if it’s a perfect spiral?