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Post by coachchad on Feb 21, 2006 14:37:37 GMT -6
those of you are head coaches and are still calling the plays, what do you guys try to focus on to help you with your play calling. I know personally, that I can see things much clearer from the box, but from the field it is certainly more difficult. Any big things you look for, especially when you are having trouble moving the ball.
Thanks in advance for the suggestions.
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Post by tog on Feb 21, 2006 14:42:30 GMT -6
those of you are head coaches and are still calling the plays, what do you guys try to focus on to help you with your play calling. I know personally, that I can see things much clearer from the box, but from the field it is certainly more difficult. Any big things you look for, especially when you are having trouble moving the ball. Thanks in advance for the suggestions. I hope to be in your shoes one day. I would develop the gameplan with someone I trust, and let them call the plays. With me being able to overide the call. Most of the time when it is a good working relationship, the offensive staffs I have been on have all been of the "same mind" so to speak. Most of the time, we are all thinking the same things play wise, or at least in the same area playcalling wise. |
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Post by tog on Feb 21, 2006 14:46:04 GMT -6
That's just me though, don't know if I answered your question or not. Just how I look at it. It is all a collaborative effort for the most part anyhow. The gameplan saturday and sunday during the days, and all of the groundwork work in the spring and summer that fix what you do against any front/stunt/coverage you see. And then having it down enough to be able to get to that adjustment quickly. Is there someone on staff that can see it? See what is going on?
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Post by coachnicholson on Feb 21, 2006 14:47:14 GMT -6
I have never been a head coach but I know when I do become one I want to call my own plays. Hopefully I will have a coach on staff who I can trust to be my "right hand man" or my "eye in the sky".
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iahc
Freshmen Member
Posts: 78
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Post by iahc on Feb 21, 2006 14:57:08 GMT -6
For me it comes down to the planning process and having the person who is going to be in the box at or a part of those planning sessions. If we see something on tape, I want him to have seen in too and be in on the conversation as to how we plan to attack it.
Tog is right, you must develop that relationship with whoever is in the box. The guy I communicate with seems to think like I do and when I can suggest a play and his reply is "I was just going to say that..." I know things are in the right place. On the same token, you must be open to their suggestions also, if you are always over ruling or shooting down their ideas it isn't going to work, why have 'em on the other end if its going to be like that.
If we are having trouble moving the ball I want to know a couple of things - What is the main reason we are getting stuffed and which of our "bread and butter" plays may give us some success?
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Post by sls on Feb 21, 2006 16:38:35 GMT -6
I have been doing it for 2 years and have used 3 different guys in the box. The last one I used is a young guy, still in college, who was very good at reading the secondery. He needs to do a better job with the run game. I look forward to having someone to use as O.C., especially if I move to a bigger school.
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Post by gpaul62 on Feb 21, 2006 19:12:19 GMT -6
A head coach/offensive coordinator in my opinion is a bad situation to have.
Why? Simple -- if a head coach is his own offensive coordinator then he can not give the attention needed to the other aspects of the football team nor the total program itself.
A head coach must be a leader of the entire team not just the offense or defense.
GP
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jman
Sophomore Member
Posts: 200
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Post by jman on Feb 21, 2006 19:45:47 GMT -6
A head coach/offensive coordinator in my opinion is a bad situation to have. Why? Simple -- if a head coach is his own offensive coordinator then he can not give the attention needed to the other aspects of the football team nor the total program itself. A head coach must be a leader of the entire team not just the offense or defense. GP I dont see how come just because the HC calls the plays somehow means he is not leading the rest of the team. Our head coach calls the Offensive plays, I am the first Asst. and call the Defense and their has never been any lack of leadership from the HC. In fact, we have a very successful "total program." |
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smalls
Sophomore Member
Posts: 127
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Post by smalls on Feb 21, 2006 20:42:06 GMT -6
It must be nice to have such large coaching staffs. I had two paid assistants and one volunteer last year. So, I was the Head coach/ Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks Coach/ D-Line Coach/ Equipment Manager/ Fresh-Soph waterboy. Gotta love small school football!
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iahc
Freshmen Member
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Post by iahc on Feb 21, 2006 20:58:03 GMT -6
Right with smalls here - there are three paid assistant coaches in our program. I'm the head coach/offensive coordinator/QBs coach/DBs coach/along with everything else that needs to be done - equipment, PR, Inventory....etc. It boils down to Organization! If one is organized, has a great passion for the game and a tireless work ethic it all gets done.
I too hope some day to have another coach take some of the duties as OC, but until that time, I'll continue to do it all and love it.
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Post by pegleg on Feb 22, 2006 7:48:46 GMT -6
hc/oc seems to work ok for todd dodge at southlake.
Holla
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Post by coachmacplains on Feb 22, 2006 10:02:20 GMT -6
Ditto to the small school talk...I'm a 9 man coach and all of the above is on the plate and then some. I have one assistant; basically, we divide up so that he is DC, I am OC. In calling plays I ask him to watch certain tendancies on their defense, and he gives me input. I also try to watch the other team early on, but not always easy. We don't have the luxury of someone "upstairs" to see the field as we are both on the sideline. Would be nice at times.
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rooster
Sophomore Member
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Post by rooster on Feb 22, 2006 10:17:23 GMT -6
I am the HC/OC and call plays on game night, simply because we have a smaller staff as well. Due to a relatively young staff, I don't feel comfortable with someone else calling plays just yet - hopefully that will come in the near future.
A few other thoughts:
In the box, I speak with my OL coach, while a JV assistant has specific things to look for (checklist). I don't need anyone telling me what coverage the defense is in because I know that from scouting reports and can see that from the sideline. The last type of person I want in the press box is someone giving me a play-by-play of the game. I "strongly" encourage very little dialogue while we are on offense - mainly because I've got a lot going on in my head. If I have a question, I do expect an immediate answer. In between offensive series, I will have a detailed discussion with the coach in the box.
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Post by gpaul62 on Feb 22, 2006 10:25:34 GMT -6
A head coach/offensive coordinator in my opinion is a bad situation to have. Why? Simple -- if a head coach is his own offensive coordinator then he can not give the attention needed to the other aspects of the football team nor the total program itself. A head coach must be a leader of the entire team not just the offense or defense. GP I dont see how come just because the HC calls the plays somehow means he is not leading the rest of the team. Our head coach calls the Offensive plays, I am the first Asst. and call the Defense and their has never been any lack of leadership from the HC. In fact, we have a very successful "total program." Question 1: If things get crazy on defense, the head coach can reel in the defensive coordinator but who's going to reel in the offensive coordinator if he is the head coach also? The answer is no one!! Now don't tell me you going to argue with the head coach about something he wants to call. What you will do is the same as any of us would do, you will immediately say to yourself it's "HIS TEAM" so you will go with his decision. Question 2: Does the head coach that's an offensive coordinator really care that much about his defensive side of the football? Does he understand or really want to try to understand the defensive system that is in place? GP |
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rooster
Sophomore Member
Posts: 246
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Post by rooster on Feb 22, 2006 10:36:06 GMT -6
GP,
As the HC/OC, I DO care what's going on with the defense during the game. I am a former defensive coordinator, and we run the very same defense now. Therefore, no one on staff knows the defense as well as I do. I have a very good Def. Co. whom I can grust a great deal, but I still occassionaly make suggestions when I see the need, but not very often. I'm very lucky to have a staff that is really defensive minded and we emphasize defense first!
Just my two cents!
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iahc
Freshmen Member
Posts: 78
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Post by iahc on Feb 22, 2006 11:25:36 GMT -6
Its my defense - you bet I care. It is the system I brought in so I'm certainly going to pay attention to what's going on.
To add too that and go with what I said earlier about establishing a working relationship, I'm lucky to have an assistant on staff who was the defensive coordinator for 7 years prior to me taking over the head job. He knows defense. I brought in my defensive system and he has taking over the program. - before I became head coach we were a 4-4 defense, now we are a 4-3 with a strong safety, not that different which has allowed my defensive coordinator to thrive. He is a super coach, who always keeps me informed about what he is thinking. He's been in that spot for the past 11 years now, so I have a lot of trust in him.
Finally, I would hope that I've developed a relationship with my staff that if things are "crazy" on offense and I seem to be having problems calling the game that my assistants could approach me and provide suggestions. I don't think that because I'm the HC and OC that my ego is at a level where I'm beyond appoachability.
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Post by coachaaron on Feb 22, 2006 11:41:34 GMT -6
I am the HC/DC of a semi pro team. On the staff we have position coaches at OL, QBs (also is the OC), RB/WR, DBs, LBs, and I work with the DL as well.
I call all defensive plays and the OC calls the offense. The LBs coach and the WRs are in the box, WRs mainly focus on looking at coverages and the LBs coach relays info on opponent substitutions (how many RBs and TEs) and looks for tendancies by formation.
I am a young HC and had always been a DC before becoming an HC, so I am just not yet comfortable enough to leave the defense to somone else yet, maybe in the future.
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smalls
Sophomore Member
Posts: 127
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Post by smalls on Feb 22, 2006 13:04:59 GMT -6
Question 2: Does the head coach that's an offensive coordinator really care that much about his defensive side of the football? Does he understand or really want to try to understand the defensive system that is in place? GP If the HC doesn't care about the other side of the ball, he won't be a head coach for very long. |
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Post by texasokie on Feb 22, 2006 13:59:53 GMT -6
If I had it to do all over again at the last place I worked, I would have be up in the box, and let the assistants who actually cared about the kids and game enough to show up for everything signal in formations and plays from the sidelines. I just think you can see the whole field and alignment of the defense better from up top. Your eyes see what they see...otherwise you don't know if the assistants are really seeing what they think the see. Since it's your behind that is on the line, it should be your eyes that get to see the big picture. It would also give the assistants a more active role in the game, and help staff morale in my opinion.
Of course, the next time I find myself in that position, I will do just that, and use it with a no-huddle system where we align early, see how the defense adjusts, and call what they give us.
And lastly, I think you have to be defensive minded to call the plays. If yuo don't know how to read coverages, alignments, study defenses, etc...you can't effectively move the ball without alot of luck and talent. Just like a great DC will know all about the different offenses. It is the guy who understands both sides of the ball that puts his kids in the best position to win.
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jman
Sophomore Member
Posts: 200
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Post by jman on Feb 22, 2006 14:28:37 GMT -6
I dont see how come just because the HC calls the plays somehow means he is not leading the rest of the team. Our head coach calls the Offensive plays, I am the first Asst. and call the Defense and their has never been any lack of leadership from the HC. In fact, we have a very successful "total program." Question 1: If things get crazy on defense, the head coach can reel in the defensive coordinator but who's going to reel in the offensive coordinator if he is the head coach also? The answer is no one!! Now don't tell me you going to argue with the head coach about something he wants to call. What you will do is the same as any of us would do, you will immediately say to yourself it's "HIS TEAM" so you will go with his decision. Question 2: Does the head coach that's an offensive coordinator really care that much about his defensive side of the football? Does he understand or really want to try to understand the defensive system that is in place? GP Perhaps I dont understand what it means "if things get crazy". I have never seen things "get crazy" on offense as you suggest. So I dont know why anyone would have to reel him in. The HC does keep a fairly close eye on what I am doing defensively but it is not like he is breathing down my neck all the time. He has entrusted the defense to me enough that he let me switch from his 4-3 to a 3-5-3. Of course, that trust has been earned over the years we have been together. But that certainly does not mean that he doesnt care about the defense. |
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Post by coachchad on Feb 22, 2006 14:49:52 GMT -6
appreciate the responses coaches
I know some people got caught up in the idea of whether it was a good idea or not, but I am really interested in those that, for whatever reason, call the plays from the sideline.
If the other team is doing exactly what you saw on film, then things are a little easier, but I am curious about when things aren't going well, because the def. is mixing it up -- what can you focus on from the sidelines to help you adjust your play-calling.
thanks again for the responses.
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Post by coachdawhip on Feb 22, 2006 16:02:13 GMT -6
a) That's why he's the HC and
b) Our assitants have no problem when telling the Coach this ain't working.
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Post by tog on Feb 22, 2006 17:18:39 GMT -6
the hc that is the oc as well probably knows when something isn't working and will listen to the other guys on staff
this all goes back to the respect and collaborative effort thing
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Post by gpaul62 on Feb 23, 2006 8:56:24 GMT -6
GP, As the HC/OC, I DO care what's going on with the defense during the game. I am a former defensive coordinator, and we run the very same defense now. Therefore, no one on staff knows the defense as well as I do. I have a very good Def. Co. whom I can trust a great deal, but I still occassionaly make suggestions when I see the need, but not very often. I'm very lucky to have a staff that is really defensive minded and we emphasize defense first! Just my two cents! Rooster, As a former defensive coordinator, you situation is a little different. The defense you run is yours. If that's the case, you know everything there is to know about the defense. So your suggestions to the D.C. would be from your previous experiences. But as a new O.F. and head coach, who do you trust to give you those same suggestions for offense that you give to the D.C. at times? GP |
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Post by gpaul62 on Feb 23, 2006 9:08:27 GMT -6
Its my defense - you bet I care. It is the system I brought in so I'm certainly going to pay attention to what's going on. To add too that and go with what I said earlier about establishing a working relationship, I'm lucky to have an assistant on staff who was the defensive coordinator for 7 years prior to me taking over the head job. He knows defense. I brought in my defensive system and he has taking over the program. - before I became head coach we were a 4-4 defense, now we are a 4-3 with a strong safety, not that different which has allowed my defensive coordinator to thrive. He is a super coach, who always keeps me informed about what he is thinking. He's been in that spot for the past 11 years now, so I have a lot of trust in him. Finally, I would hope that I've developed a relationship with my staff that if things are "crazy" on offense and I seem to be having problems calling the game that my assistants could approach me and provide suggestions. I don't think that because I'm the HC and OC that my ego is at a level where I'm beyond appoachability. iahc, That experienced assistant is very valuable indeed. He has in some (many) words allowed you to be able to focus more on the offensive side of the ball. The trust you have in him probably makes him your "right hand man". My question to you is are you preparing another assistant coach to be that same guy for the offensive side of the ball? If so, what goes into that person's preparation? If not, why? GP |
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rooster
Sophomore Member
Posts: 246
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Post by rooster on Feb 23, 2006 9:30:07 GMT -6
GP,
You're correct, my situation is different and a little unique. I'm only in my third year as HC/OC and was fortunate to retain the previous head coach on staff for one year and learn from him. I confided in him often regarding play calling. This past year was a little different as my confidant retired. I had to call plays on my own for the first time and it was a little nerve-racking at first, but it was also very exciting - a great adrenaline rush in anticipation of calling a great play. To answer your question, when I needed some input, I found myself relying on my OL and WR coach in the box. They had a checklist that they were looking at as the game wore on. But in the end, I made the best educated call that I could. Hope that answered your question.
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iahc
Freshmen Member
Posts: 78
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Post by iahc on Feb 23, 2006 9:37:49 GMT -6
I am not currently preparing another person to be the offensive coordinator for these reasons:
- I'm not ready to give up control of the offense at this time. Only been a head coach for 4 years and an offensive coordinator for 5. I love it!
- Given the size and organization of my staff it doesn't lend itself to that situation. We are a staff of 4 paid coaches for a 9-12 program. I am the head varsity coach and OC. I have a varsity assistant who is my DC. My two other assistants are the JV head coach/OC and the JV assistant who is the JV DC. We are all on the field for varsity games, but on Monday nights or Friday nights for the JV games it is just the two of them. We all meet together on Sunday nights to watch film and prepare the game plan for our upcoming opponent. It is quite collaborative from that stand point.
As far as what will go in to the preparation for that guy when the time is right, he needs to have a complete understanding of the system and as well as an understanding of the philosophy for offense that I have as the head coach.
To be honest with you, I don't think I will ever totally give up complete offensive coordinator duties. What I can see happening is giving someone the responsibility of the passing game or running game and then collaboratively creating a game plan and calling the game together.
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Post by mitch on Feb 23, 2006 9:53:00 GMT -6
Almost (not all) every head coach I have ever talked to or listened to at a clinic listed the 3 phases of the game in this order, according to importance:
1. Defense
2. Special Teams
3. Offense
However, the majority of head coaches call the offense (last in importance) and hire someone to do the defense (most important). Does anyone else see the irony in this?
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Post by gpaul62 on Feb 23, 2006 10:09:14 GMT -6
I am the HC/DC of a semi pro team. On the staff we have position coaches at OL, QBs (also is the OC), RB/WR, DBs, LBs, and I work with the DL as well. I call all defensive plays and the OC calls the offense. The LBs coach and the WRs are in the box, WRs mainly focus on looking at coverages and the LBs coach relays info on opponent substitutions (how many RBs and TEs) and looks for tendancies by formation. I am a young HC and had always been a DC before becoming an HC, so I am just not yet comfortable enough to leave the defense to somone else yet, maybe in the future. coachaaron, You said you have always been a D.C. and you were not comfortable in turning over the defense to someone else yet. Are you preparing someone to take over the D.C. duties in the future? GP |
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Post by gpaul62 on Feb 23, 2006 10:11:55 GMT -6
Question 2: Does the head coach that's an offensive coordinator really care that much about his defensive side of the football? Does he understand or really want to try to understand the defensive system that is in place? GP If the HC doesn't care about the other side of the ball, he won't be a head coach for very long. Sounds like Spurrier when he was in Washington!!! GP |
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