Unique Program Ideas...

We are a large school. 50 Freshmen and 90 varsity. I am sure it would a challenge with low numbers but I would be more than happy to tell you some of the things we have learned while doing it.

Mega eye roll.

I assume you don't practice onside kick recovery, two minute drills, stripping the ball, trick plays, etc then?

Nope. I'm good.

I'm going to take it you're not an English teacher?

Nope... didn't know we got a grammatical grade on our posts & not sure how what I teach contributes to the topic or board in general

I apologize for this back and forth  and hijacking the thread and it will be my last response... but if that post and calling someone a 3rd grader is how you help ... I would rather not have it lol... I come here to discuss football not roll my eyes at other peoples posts or stoop to name calling when they disagree with me.  Hope you have a great day and good luck.

Is he talking about grammar again? Lol

I think like most things with our sport, all situations are different. Some places take pride in the "program" aspect and the culture of school, where some places kids just want to play the game and don't care for the community or school cause there is no bond there. I have been a part of both situations. My current school is a small rural area that has LOTS of community pride. Was at a similar situation early in my coaching career and our kids bagged groceries at the local grocery store. They wore their jerseys as they carried the bags out to cars and help the elderly get in their vehicles. We talked about how one day they may be the person on the other side, and that a some of the things that we do right now they may not understand until the get older. This was well before social media was a thing, but think its good to give back to communities like this that support you so much.

I like the idea of recognizing past classes/or veterans at the games when you can, think this also gives players a sense of program pride, maybe not at the moment but they will when its all over for them.

I'm don't really care on the hand holding (although been on plenty that chose to come out holding hands), but I Love the idea of our kids doing a pre game field walk and having their own tradition they like to do. We did this in high school and I still remember those moments.

Another idea we did at a past school was have a mother's luncheon where the kids served their mothers and then we all shared a meal together. Afterwards the HC and coordinators would get up and explain what we did on both sides of the ball. I really enjoyed it cause I could explain to the parents what it should look like and their child should be doing, and how he should be doing it. We just gave a brief description, but the moms loved it, and actually asked great questions.

For the Dads we chose one ball game they got to come into the locker room and go thru the pregame pep talk, and then walk to the field with their player.
Great topic option1, enjoy reading about what others like to do.

How so?

He is not quoting dialogue and omitting non necessary information, or pausing for effect.

Practice and play football. The more I've been exposed to "traditions" the more I've viewed them as a bit hollow. The majority of the kids don't take pride in them; they just view it as another thing they're required to do.

And, it can backfire on you.

We tried to establish a Monday night football tradition; we fed the kids in the cafeteria and watched an NFL game every other Monday night. We made it a voluntary activity and had solid participation early on. But, many of the kids viewed it simply a chore and stopped coming. It created a rift between the kids that showed up and those that didn't.

Big fan of traditions that run themselves!

THAT IS SPOT ON! It is my limited experience that the extra, regardless of what it is, creates problem. Kids dont play football to go to church on Sunday(US) or to listen to pre and post practice and game sermons(us again). They do not play football to watch MNF. I dont understand the obsession HS football, and its not Hs by any means, needing to be about more than what it is.

In most situations, traditions aren't tying people too far back.

We used to do a "Tarpon Walk" before every home game at my last job. I used to think that was an age old tradition. Turns out, it was started by a guy in 2009 who everyone hated and eventually got fired.

The tradition was cool but was hardly rooted deep.

I guess my point is: Traditions are great but sometimes are the product of a cool idea and have no real connection to anything. Nothing wrong with it, but traditions are hard to keep without continuity of leadership.

I think culture is more, IMO it goes beyond everyday mindset while your playing. Traditions is something you do within your program every year that is special(Carry something, chant, pre-game ect). Herd a guy say culture was like being a Marine. Doesn't matter where you served, how old you are, or your rank. When a Marine meets another Marine there is instant respect and a automatic brotherhood attachment as they say "Semper Fi".
To me this is culture: something that is similar to that, the respect that comes from being an Eagle, Tiger, Raider, or whatever your school may be for everyone who has ever put on that uniform. That brotherhood that comes from that no matter what year you graduated, BUT there has to be something that does set them apart from everyone else to get to where you have a culture.
I was an assistant coach for a baseball team for 5 years. We did things that set us apart from everyone. From the way our kids were to act in school, the way we dressed for practice, clean shaven/hair off eyebrows and neck groomed were just a few. We would train harder than most programs (football as well) that I been apart of. Our kids had a sense of pride in themselves, and the student body had a respect for them for they knew it was something special to be a part of, cause of how hard it was to be a member. Past players would come back to see us and there's instant respect for everyone involved for past players and current.

Culture is the light that shines before men, and in this case, in that building. When the team is together, players, coaches, support, what does it look like? Is the star athlete exempt from the rules? Is there cliques? What are coaches saying behind closed doors? Are all the pieces doing their part? I dont believe in the community bull crap, i dont believe the chants, rah rah, any of the other, imo, ime, of course, non-sense.
All that matters is what this team right now is doing. Nobody cares about 5 yrs ago. Nobody wants to hear a 5 yr plan.