Coaching hard heads

Patience young grasshopper... patience...

Rome wasn't built in a day... And Detroit just started making Toyota's...

Knowing what to do is the easy part... getting them to do it... well that's coaching!

And being that I'm still a bad coach, I'll give you some bad advice, another bad coach gave me...

"become the broken record, say it so many times that they hear it in their sleep, say it with a smile, don't allow it to steal your passion, and then one day, right after the end of double sessions... jump down their craw about how you've said the same thing for past 8 weeks and they have yet to do this one simple thing right!"

When that doesn't work... put your smile back on, and become the broken record.

I agree with the above but you will find guys who can only do things one way even when they listen. Then you put them in a spot where they can get away with it. We had a DT who was a good kid but didn't know which way to go half the time. The other DT told him which way to go and where to line up. HOWEVER, once the ball was snapped he tore people up. He now starts at UTAH. He would listen but it never got absorbed. We have another guy like him now. I don't know how you'd play a guy like this on offense. Point is I guess some guys do it wrong but always get the job done.

Always tough coming into a new school, especially when you will be coaching upperclassmen.

The key is just keep showing up every day...don't let the kids drive you away. Heck, they are probably testing you to a certain extent. Chances are good that if you keep showing up and working with these kids, you will eventually build a rapport with them and they will be more willing to accept instruction from you.
But right now, those kids are probably thinking, "Who the heck does this guy think he is?" Give it time and let those kids get to know you and show them that you have their best interests at heart.

Here's some words of wisdom (I think Frosty Westering?) that are really applicable here:

"Kids don't care what you know until they know that you care".

Coach,
Can I ask what you specifically saw them doing wrong, and what you were trying to get them to do?

If you can describe what you see them doing wrong, I can give you some drills that will help them feel what you are looking for. If they can't feel, and see, the difference, they won't change. It really isn't intended to be disrespectful, they just can't feel the separation between what you are describing and what they are doing wrong. We have to drive the wedge of feeling the difference one rep at a time. The key is getting them to believe in the need for change first by what you have said to them, and then identifying a drill or two that might get the process rolling.

I have some that will do the trick, but it would help to know what you are seeing so I can help you get them started. Or, if you post some video here, I can suggest something that can help crack the code for them.

Keep believing the best, it just may take a few more steps to get them to feel what they are doing. If you want my help, I am glad to assist.

If this is too forward, I apologize and no worries if you have a direction you would rather go. Just an offer.

Coach Darin Slack
www.quarterbackacademy.com

^{I verbally explained what I wanted and demonstrated the proper action}

This isn't a slam or smart ass comment, but did you go into "why" you want it done a certain way, and explain the benefits of doing it your way? I'm just asking because in my experience, QB's tend to require more time and more in depth conversations to explain things, particuliarly mechanics.
I also would emphasis not to under estimate the "trust" issue between you and your new QB's. It might take some time for them to develop trust in what your saying. Until you develop this "trust", there will be in an internal conflict between you and their previous staff's way of doing things. I've experienced this and sometimes it's a process to work through. When you do get their interest, their attention, their belief in your system and your way of doing things, then they will listen to every word you say.
Also, I think QB's require a different approach than other positions. I will never "light a QB up" for mechanical or decision making mistakes. The only time I will do this is when it involves hustle or attitude. We address in our QB handout the details of what we look for and expect from the QB position and constantly refer to in our every day teachings.
When there is an issue in mechanics or decision making, we will discuss it in technical terms of "how and why" and then get it fixed. Being able to "discuss" things with the QB takes time in that they must understand the mechanics and decision making process and be mature enough to "coach" themselves. Self analysis at the QB position is important, they must learn to be accountable and critical of their own performance. One of the very best things I've learned to do with QB's is to have them explain things to me, how and why we do things, STEP BY STEP in detail. As they progress, these conversations become written test's and whiteboard sessions. I think through this knowledge, they become confident leaders and decision makers. Hope that there is something here that helps you connect with your QB's. Good luck.