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Post by tog on Jan 9, 2006 15:49:59 GMT -6
 How do you deal with locals that really don't understand the game or what it takes to win? |
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Post by brophy on Jan 9, 2006 16:01:32 GMT -6
we let them coach with us....  |
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Post by saintrad on Jan 9, 2006 17:31:44 GMT -6
or give them a radio show to blast you on...
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Post by bigdaddyd on Jan 9, 2006 18:15:18 GMT -6
Introduce them to my little friend...  |
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Post by tog on Jan 9, 2006 19:20:58 GMT -6
maybe I shouldn't have added the pic
Really, what do you do?
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Post by dmp225 on Jan 9, 2006 20:18:54 GMT -6
I hold a football 101 class that describes our philosophy and what we are trying to do with the kids....they will still be a pain in your ass, but at least you can see how little they really know about the game
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Post by bigdaddyd on Jan 9, 2006 20:31:44 GMT -6
Sorry tog... I told you- you open Pandora's box when you showed me how to add pictures....
Seriously, If those people are parents. I make sure to have a preseason and post season meeting; I go over all the logistics of the game, and what we do as a program (offensively/defensively) every year. Its a football for dummies class if you will... If its people in the community. I guess you could do the same (never experienced, " the locals") but make sure the police are present....
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Post by brophy on Jan 10, 2006 7:45:16 GMT -6
One thing we did.....that I highly recommend....is team with the boosters (guys that like money) and a local casual restaurant to host a group of 10 - 30 people on the weekend.
We did it at a pizza place and had buffet and charged something like $5 a head...real simple. Got good parent turnout every week.
We showed the game film on a projector after prefacing the game about the plan....watch film, explain plays, draw attention to kids executing well, explain assignments....takes a little over an hour.
Afterwards, we talk about the next opponent, injuries, and anything else we can do to praise the kids.
It's an open forum - anyone can ask questions....and, personally, I love it. Other coaches don't, but if Armchair Dave thinks you ought to just run/pass/blitz more....well, now you have two things working for you;
1) you can calmly explain how the entire football operation works. How you stick with your gameplan and call the plays you do. You could call something else, but (pause the film) "how do you account for this formation / coverage, Dave?" - they shut up real quick and realize they are over their head.
2) Essentially, if they suggest different play calls it's because they marginalize a particular player...a player who's parents are likely in attendance....have fun working the semantics of that.
3) Peer culture reinforces the coaches doing a 'good job'. We've had times where Vince Lombardi was in attendance and he questioned the rationale on every play. The coaches didn't have to say anything, because the PARENTS stood up and said, "hey, I don't think it's that simple...you gotta take into consideration....blah blah blah"
The beauty is....anyone that wants to be a sourpuss HAS THE VENUE to express what THEY'D do differently. If they chose not to utilize it, it goes back on them.
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Post by aznando on Jan 10, 2006 10:41:58 GMT -6
Wow Brophy thats a good idea to deal with people. What day do you normaly schedule this little dinner? We were pretty lucky, we really didn't have to deal with locals very ofton. There i'm sure were a few joe's in the crowed screaming for us to pass less, but i don't remember any of them comming up to us to bitch. Our booster club was realy good, they had functions for the locals. One thing they did that worked out, was we had a "luxury box" when we built our new stadium and they rented that out. It was next to the press box and had leather chairs, and a leather couch, with carpet. Free food and drinks too. It was decent. Alot of company's would rent it out and put thier banner out in front of the press box.
Aznando
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Post by brophy on Jan 10, 2006 10:44:55 GMT -6
Sunday nights usually starting in the middle of the 2nd NFL game.....(only real free block of time during the season)
It created more of a 'family' atmosphere for the parents - coaches.
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Post by amikell on Jan 10, 2006 11:58:12 GMT -6
brophy,
I've seen you talk about this very thing A LOT, and I must say. It might be the BEST idea i've come across on dealing with parents. outstanding.
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Post by brophy on Jan 10, 2006 12:30:17 GMT -6
if it wasn't such a 'relief' I wouldn't endorse it.....it's amazing what a positive peer culture can do to for your program. Sure winning cures all, but what happens when you're not nailing down a ton of victories?
Unfortunately, as you all probably know.....coaching in the community REQUIRES PR moves....
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Post by donaldduck on Jan 10, 2006 13:27:01 GMT -6
tog, I didn't know that your locals watched football...they just sit at starbucks and smoke cigarettes while reading Communist Manifesto.
Ha ha.
We just have to understand that Johnny's daddy doesnt know that much about the game. We are paid to be students of the game and improve our knowledge and understanding. But then again, how many of us haven't second guessed our favorite pro or college fb team? It's natural for people to think they have a better way. Sometimes it is better but usually not. I just say "thanks for the input" and walk away.
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Post by tog on Jan 10, 2006 13:42:09 GMT -6
I don't work exactly IN Austin. So my locals have a different flavor.
Not really looking into this so much for now. Later for hc things you know.
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Post by texasokie on Jan 10, 2006 14:57:00 GMT -6
Brophy...I like the idea. Do you give them free roam? In other words, do you let them ask as many questions as they have, or do you give them a time limit? How do you handle the parents who "don't have time" to show up on Sundays for your community meeting, yet always have time to show up behind the scenes after practices/games when they don't get their way or when they are PO'ed? Do you tell PO'ed parents to save it til Sunday or do you have them set up appointment with admin.?
And lastly, do you ask admin. to show up for the meetings, so that there will never be a he said/you said type scenario? I like the idea of the quick meeting like you have, but the trust issue there must be both ways. Do you allow any and all citizens of the town to attend, or only players parents?
The thing I like the most about it is that you have the proof in front of you to dispute any claims that may be made against you by angry parents. I think it would be a very effective way to quiten the "all-star" parents who can not be realistic with their kids ability level.
I had a parent one time bust into a coaches meeting saying he didn't want his boy playing on that 2 man defense because he was getting double and triple teamed all night, every game. He got P----- when he was asked, "Where you want us to put him, at corner?" We were running a 4-3 defense and the parent didn't even know the def. ends were part of the front. I popped in a tape and showed him his boy getting driven by one guy several times in a row. Kept asking him where the double teams were. By the time he left, you could have fried an egg on his forehead.
If I had had your policy in place from the get-go, I could have quieted that parent the first week. Do you have a rule with your parents that the Sunday meeting is the only time to discuss issues like personnel and game time philosophy? Do you also have them communicate with you by e-mail beforehand so that you can address the issues faster and in a more organized manner? Do you have an "agenda" so o speak of that they may get on, or do you let them shoot from the hip with no topics barred? Was civilness given as a prerequisite? Have you ever had to deny a parent from this group setting? How do you handle parents who go over your head straight to the supt. and/or principals instead of attending your meeting? I know some of these sound a little far fetched, but I've found that the smaller the school, the more these issues present themselves...even though they are in every school to some degree.
I plan on doing this in the future...just seeing what you have used before and what did and did not work well with this format you use.
Thanks in advance for your reply.
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easternkycoach
Freshmen Member
Just a squirrel tryin' to get a nut!
Posts: 92
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Post by easternkycoach on Jan 10, 2006 23:51:12 GMT -6
If you ask people's opinion of themselves, they will tell you there are two things they know everything about and would never make a mistake doing.
1. Making love.
and
2. Coaching football.
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Post by brophy on Jan 11, 2006 7:45:16 GMT -6
Do you give them free roam? In other words, do you let them ask as many questions as they have, or do you give them a time limit? How do you handle the parents who "don't have time" to show up on Sundays for your community meeting, yet always have time to show up behind the scenes after practices/games when they don't get their way or when they are PO'ed The Sunday thing is just like watching a game on your sofa - real laid back. It's not meant to be a Jaworski "Game Analysis" as much as it is to get a second look at the effort of the kids and really highlight plays where kids excelled that they may have missed. It's something when a parent is in the room and you're explaining to everyone how their son just gave a crucial block for a touchdown... They can ask questions as the film plays...typically, they don't. How dumb would you feel if you're watching film with ...let's say...Marvin Lewis, and you question EVERY play in the film?....again, the peer culture. You're right, though - the ones that know everything about everything, probably WON'T show up....but you've given them the venue and chances are they will be in the stands with the parents that did attend, who because they've gone, have a little more resolve/investment in you as a staff. Far fetched? Heck no...we've dealt with 'those' parents every year. The problem is, when it's all said and done, the only legitimate defense you have is that you " are serving the best interest of the T-E-A-M". Anything else, and you're tearing down individual players (public criticism) which we're not in the business of doing. Always defer angry 'fans' to set an appt with the Principal / AD. I guess the song remains the same no matter where you are at; here are a few of our similar stories... coachhuey.proboards42.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1126614037&page=1coachhuey.proboards42.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1126014993&page=1 |
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Post by knighter on Jan 18, 2006 14:51:19 GMT -6
hey, was a petition to fire me in my 1st year at current school because we had lost 1 game. (non-league) we ended the season as league champs and in the playoffs with a final record of 7 and 3 with lesser talent than previous coach had. basically was started by a parent of a senior who was not a starter. same parent confronted me at halftime of a game wanting to know why his son was not playing more as they had relatives drive over 3 hours to come to the game...damn near had to have my AD hold me back as I was going to beat him...
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Post by los on Jan 18, 2006 19:55:14 GMT -6
Usually an educated customer is a better customer in my main line of work and an educated parent/fan should be more understanding of a coach's profession. If you're the one that does the educating, thats even better! (Good ideas Brophy)!
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