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Post by option1 on Apr 25, 2021 15:51:19 GMT -6
Welp, tomorrow starts spring ball and as of right now, this moment I have 8 "dudes" cleared to participate. Yes, "dudes", is in reference to total number of bodies and not 15-17 year old super heroes. We're not going to flinch But I have no idea how to manage this situation. Thoughts?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2021 15:59:08 GMT -6
What is “normal”?
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Post by carookie on Apr 25, 2021 16:17:09 GMT -6
I have been at places where this was our situation come Spring. We basically pester every kid and every family until we get our numbers up- usually to about 15 or so.
Its not an easy go, as you are in a situation where every body counts. And you need to decide right now if you are willing to make concessions on previous hard & fast rules (ie- are you willing to suspend a couple kids who show up late for practice if that means you only have 12 live bodies for the first half....what about 10).
It may not be the traditional situation I think most of us our used to, and it may force you to change the way you coach. But the big thing we did was if they have a pulse we pursued them.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2021 16:32:03 GMT -6
My boss is old school.Hard ass! Hard headed(not a negative). And is being dragged against every fiber, bone in his body into change. This is not 2008, much less 1994. We want kids to come out..it got real with COVID.
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Post by tog on Apr 25, 2021 16:51:50 GMT -6
if you have 8 dudes--you are above the fray
what do you do when you have no dudes?
like at all?
that is the real conundrum
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Post by KYCoach2331 on Apr 25, 2021 18:54:47 GMT -6
Sounds like a lot of Indy time
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Post by realdawg on Apr 26, 2021 3:44:10 GMT -6
What do they have to do to get "cleared" for spring ball?
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Post by newt21 on Apr 26, 2021 5:43:45 GMT -6
Outside of the obvious “recruit the hallways” stuff, half field offense vs half field defense and tell them to bring a buddy with them. Once they realize how much actual football and less conditioning is being done, more should show.
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Post by coachd5085 on Apr 26, 2021 5:45:35 GMT -6
if you have 8 dudes--you are above the fray what do you do when you have no dudes? like at all? that is the real conundrum I did not read the OP as having “dudes” as in 8 good specimens among the rest of the average untalented kids. I read it as he only has 8 kids out for spring football- total. |
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Post by tog on Apr 26, 2021 6:40:21 GMT -6
if you have 8 dudes--you are above the fray what do you do when you have no dudes? like at all? that is the real conundrum I did not read the OP as having “dudes” as in 8 good specimens among the rest of the average untalented kids. I read it as he only has 8 kids out for spring football- total. ahhh good catch that term always meant something else to me duh on my part |
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Post by coachd5085 on Apr 26, 2021 7:49:11 GMT -6
I did not read the OP as having “dudes” as in 8 good specimens among the rest of the average untalented kids. I read it as he only has 8 kids out for spring football- total. ahhh good catch that term always meant something else to me duh on my part Me too. 8 dudes on a team would normally Be a good thing |
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CoachSP
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Post by CoachSP on Apr 26, 2021 7:54:35 GMT -6
Welp, tomorrow starts spring ball and as of right now, this moment I have 8 "dudes" cleared to participate. Yes, "dudes", is in reference to total number of bodies and not 15-17 year old super heroes. We're not going to flinch But I have no idea how to manage this situation. Thoughts? How big is your school? How many guys typically come out for spring? |
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Post by agap on Apr 26, 2021 7:58:12 GMT -6
As much as I would like spring ball as a coach, this would probably be an issue for us every year so part of me is glad we don't have spring practice. They can play baseball now and by the time it's late June-early July, they're ready for football.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2021 9:25:22 GMT -6
This is for 11 man football, right?
Numbers that low can easily turn spring practice into a waste of time for everyone. I’d just get those 8 in the weight room to lift and do a “combine” style of thing one day to see who’s fastest, strongest, etc,
You may be able to do a handful of Indy drills and at least teach alignment, stance, and start with a fun “ultimate football” type of thing to close it out. Use sleds, bags, and even trash cans in lieu of actual bodies to practice against,
Try to get them in and out in 60-90 minutes and emphasize just bonding with these kids and making things fun for them. Make sure they get a t-shirt and first choice of gear in the fall, too.
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Post by option1 on Apr 26, 2021 12:19:46 GMT -6
This is my first full year. Spring was canceled for Covid last year. Numbers have been low for a few years but this 6A Florida school usually carries 75 between JV and varsity. Haven't had a JV team in 2 years. Spring ball is not really an issue here for 95% of teams. Kids know they "need" to, and want to play. The end of 20 practices culminates qith a practice game under the lights. 23 years in this county and I've never seen this. Embarrassing...
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Post by wingtol on Apr 26, 2021 13:21:04 GMT -6
Honestly at this point why waste the time? You can't do much with 8 players. Not sure of the break down but what if it's like 7 wr and 1 ol? Like someone else said open the weightroom and do some conditioning drills. Work to try and get kids out. Not much else you can do.
I know it's tough but lots of places are struggling now. District I work in the HC resigned Dec 17. Still haven't hired anyone. Students just came back for any in person learning 3 weeks ago. Not allowed to open the weightroom. Gonna be real interesting to see how the team ends up this coming season. Just a complete disaster.
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Post by coachd5085 on Apr 26, 2021 13:43:11 GMT -6
Honestly at this point why waste the time? You can't do much with 8 players. Not sure of the break down but what if it's like 7 wr and 1 ol? Like someone else said open the weightroom and do some conditioning drills. Work to try and get kids out. Not much else you can do. I know it's tough but lots of places are struggling now. District I work in the HC resigned Dec 17. Still haven't hired anyone. Students just came back for any in person learning 3 weeks ago. Not allowed to open the weightroom. Gonna be real interesting to see how the team ends up this coming season. Just a complete disaster. I keep forgetting that in some parts- kids have been at home. At the elementary level I have been full-time face-to-face five days a week all year. Our junior high and high school’s had a hybrid model and now full-time after November |
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Post by wingtol on Apr 26, 2021 15:35:16 GMT -6
Honestly at this point why waste the time? You can't do much with 8 players. Not sure of the break down but what if it's like 7 wr and 1 ol? Like someone else said open the weightroom and do some conditioning drills. Work to try and get kids out. Not much else you can do. I know it's tough but lots of places are struggling now. District I work in the HC resigned Dec 17. Still haven't hired anyone. Students just came back for any in person learning 3 weeks ago. Not allowed to open the weightroom. Gonna be real interesting to see how the team ends up this coming season. Just a complete disaster. I keep forgetting that in some parts- kids have been at home. At the elementary level I have been full-time face-to-face five days a week all year. Our junior high and high school’s had a hybrid model and now full-time after November Yeah it's crazy for sure. Out of 2000 kids I think there are less than 500 who returned to in person instruction for the 4th quarter. There have been sports for the kids at least but there is zero connection to the school this year with the way it has been handled. Someone said it has been like 120+ days with out a football HC (that's a story for another post but one that is familiar to many on here....this guy was a pro and the kids will....and now it looks like he's leaving the district high and dry). No off season program to speak of, the private school and other public that are the two main competitors' are of course picking kids off already. So its nuts all over, I just couldn't see trying to do anything in spring with only 8 kids. Build up the numbers then get out there even if you miss some practices. |
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Post by fkaboneyard on Apr 27, 2021 9:44:32 GMT -6
If you decide to continue, I would do everything I could to make it fun (while having a purpose). If it's miserable you will soon find yourself with 4 dudes and then no dudes. If you make it fun they will tell their friends and you could have more dudes.
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Post by carookie on Apr 27, 2021 9:53:54 GMT -6
I will add this, at places I have been at where our spring numbers are less than optimal, cases where we have been between 6 and 15, we get a lot of good work in on both technique and athletic development.
I know its become somewhat passe, especially to a lot of coaches here, but I feel there is something to be said about working on technique in individual time and building a solid ground on fundamentals. You could literally spend an hour of individual time working on positional fundamentals without it getting stagnant. Mix that in with speed and strength training, then line up some bags as dummies to go through whole team stuff.
I am sure you know this, but just trying to be re-assuring and remind you that there is still work to do, even with just a few kids.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2021 9:57:42 GMT -6
A great way to reset program. “ you work hard but it’s over in an hour...” recruiting speech from kids.
“Shorts and helmets”
Eliminate the {censored}... I am the father, Moses, moral coach non sense.
Have peanut butter, bread, chocolate milk for them....
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Post by option1 on Apr 27, 2021 10:24:35 GMT -6
If you decide to continue, I would do everything I could to make it fun (while having a purpose). If it's miserable you will soon find yourself with 4 dudes and then no dudes. If you make it fun they will tell their friends and you could have more dudes. I'm awful at this kind of stuff. Have no idea how to make practice meaningful and fun under these circumstances. |
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Post by mnike23 on Apr 27, 2021 10:51:31 GMT -6
If you decide to continue, I would do everything I could to make it fun (while having a purpose). If it's miserable you will soon find yourself with 4 dudes and then no dudes. If you make it fun they will tell their friends and you could have more dudes. I'm awful at this kind of stuff. Have no idea how to make practice meaningful and fun under these circumstances. terrible situation. I guess I would ask, what are the 8 kids positions? then go from there. do you have a qb and mostly skill kids, do route running and teach those kids make it fun like everyone is saying, could get major major tech work in, for every single kid. alot of 1 on 1 2 on 2 skills and drills. tough man, really tough good luck |
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Post by blb on Apr 27, 2021 11:25:41 GMT -6
Teach them all, regardless of position(s), the Fundamentals of Football.
Football position (Breakdown).
Three-point stance and Start.
Form Tackling.
Form Blocking.
How to make and receive a handoff.
Carrying a football plus cutting-faking.
How to pass and catch a football.
C-QB Exchange.
Using Hands, Forearms, Flipper to ward off blocks (7-man sled).
Agility without making it Conditioning.
How to Punt, Long Snap, Kick-Hold for PATs.
Play "Air Force" or Flag Football.
Finish with something "fun" like Arch Drill or 1-Man Pursuit Drill.
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Post by dblwngr on Apr 28, 2021 12:06:43 GMT -6
We just finished our season April 9th, now it's baseball/track season and then BB/wrestling in the final season. High school & Middle school on hybrid schedule with very low attendance, in fact, my middle school daughter went to school last week and was the only one who showed up to her class.
I honestly have no idea when we will see football again, nobody really knows, our state is opening up....shutting down....opening up again....shutting down....coming up with new rules as they go.
I doubt there will be any summer team camps, maybe for years to come?
I'm just hoping we don't have the insanely low numbers come August. Many programs you wouldn't expect had to fold up shop because of numbers this year, I fear it could become a normal thing for awhile.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2021 7:12:49 GMT -6
If ever there was a time to rethink the year round “grind” culture of modern HS football, it’s now.
Lift in the off-season, show up in July and start practice, play your season, then give kids a break until after Christmas before returning to lifting and let that be it. It’s not been that long since that was the norm: kids played multiple sports and did other activities with little pressure to “specialize” and players seemed to enjoy being teenaged athletes a lot more.
Unfortunately, all the shady “trainers” and non-school affiliated 7 on 7 tournaments would just become even more influential in such a scenario.
My state played in the fall and it was a mess. A few minutes away, VA played in the spring and it was also a mess. One thing I noticed is that the teams who usually dominate by having a bunch of “football specialists” and doing all the constant, intense offseason work seemed to have more competitive games with the teams they usually blow out by 50, which struggle to put all that stuff together.
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Post by coachd5085 on May 1, 2021 8:16:09 GMT -6
My state played in the fall and it was a mess. A few minutes away, VA played in the spring and it was also a mess. One thing I noticed is that the teams who usually dominate by having a bunch of “football specialists” and doing all the constant, intense offseason work seemed to have more competitive games with the teams they usually blow out by 50, which struggle to put all that stuff together. Unfortunately, doesn't that promote the argument for year round specialists and year round sports? |
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Post by cfoott on May 1, 2021 10:02:17 GMT -6
Teach them all, regardless of position(s), the Fundamentals of Football. Football position (Breakdown). Three-point stance and Start. Form Tackling. Form Blocking. How to make and receive a handoff. Carrying a football plus cutting-faking. How to pass and catch a football. C-QB Exchange. Using Hands, Forearms, Flipper to ward off blocks (7-man sled). Agility without making it Conditioning. How to Punt, Long Snap, Kick-Hold for PATs. Play "Air Force" or Flag Football. Finish with something "fun" like Arch Drill or 1-Man Pursuit Drill. I would definitely be doing this on lower levels, regardless of situation. |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2021 10:59:15 GMT -6
My state played in the fall and it was a mess. A few minutes away, VA played in the spring and it was also a mess. One thing I noticed is that the teams who usually dominate by having a bunch of “football specialists” and doing all the constant, intense offseason work seemed to have more competitive games with the teams they usually blow out by 50, which struggle to put all that stuff together. Unfortunately, doesn't that promote the argument for year round specialists and year round sports? It promotes the argument for individual teams, but it can also promote the argument for associations to restrict some of that stuff, rather than adjust rules to expand it, which has been the trend in a lot of places. |
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Post by coachd5085 on May 1, 2021 13:20:04 GMT -6
Unfortunately, doesn't that promote the argument for year round specialists and year round sports? It promotes the argument for individual teams, but it can also promote the argument for associations to restrict some of that stuff, rather than adjust rules to expand it, which has been the trend in a lot of places. I agree with that, but I am not quite sure that restrictions from associations would do the trick. Fairly sure skirting the rules is not uncommon  |
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