Post by Coach Campbell on Feb 24, 2022 22:52:02 GMT
Expectations of the Head Coach
When taking on the title of Head Coach a community, school and staff will expect the following leadership from their Head Coach:
To be accountable for all actions.
To deal with all situations with honor and integrity.
To run an organized program so that we will be able to function efficiently.
To maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to work.
To listen to suggestions.
To give responsibility and authority.
To work and provide leadership to win.
To treat assistant coaches like a man with dignity and respect.
To be totally concerned about his assistants and their families, regardless of what problems confront them.
To be very loyal to you and do everything a head coach can to help you grow professionally.
To sell you to our players, the community and other coaches.
To let coach on the field within your personality.
To let you know privately when you have been derelict of duties.
What a Head Coach Should Expect from His
Assistant Coaches
To run a successful football program takes a big commitment from your assistant coaches. To maintain a high degree of respect from your assistant coaches make sure you keep them informed and make sure they receive an organizational time line for duties and responsibilities that also includes clinics, out of season coaches meetings, summer 7 on 7, weekly in season practice times and week-end duties during the season. An assistant coach should be held accountable for the following rules:
To be the very best classroom teacher that you can be if applicable.
Never to use profanity and never allow our players to.
Never use tobacco around school at any time.
Don’t worry about what your fellow coaches are doing. Just do your job and do it well.
Don’t keep score (No need to focus on what other coaches aren’t doing that’s the head coaches’ responsibilities).
To be on time for all staff meetings and practices.
To be a positive role model.
To sell and defend the program.
To do everything you can do to develop a winning attitude.
To study and work hard to make yourself a great coach. Educational growth is a must for any coach in order to maintain, sustain and develop new innovative ways of coaching, new teaching techniques, and better ways to improve teaching.
To be professional in attitude, responses, work and personal appearance.
Never involve your spouse in the coaching situation in a negative manner.
To be sincerely interested in the success of your players and other members of the coaching staff.
Never give up on a player. He can always change and likely will if given the chance by you.
To be positive and never doubt that we will be successful.
To be loyal.
To be creative and have the ability to think on your own and apply gained knowledge of the game.
To be on the same page with each other when taking the practice or game field. Never take your disagreements to practice.
Don’t get complacent as the season goes on. Don’t let the little things slide in the discipline of our players. These will lead to bad habits.
Have a plan for everything. Be organized.
Do not choose favorites. Work with every player on the squad.
Never give up on a player. He can always change and likely will if given the chance by you.
Always be optimistic. The glass is half full.
Expectations for Coaching Staff
Coaches are expected to be dressed and in the locker room before players report. Never leave the locker room unsupervised. Coaches have lost their jobs because of this.
Get drills ready – cones, dummies, etc.
Work with every player that comes on the field. Don’t allow players to go unnoticed.
Be properly dressed; look professional, look like a coach.
Do not use foul language, grab or argue with a player, if he is unbearable, send him to the head coach.
If you jump on a player hard verbally, be sure that before he leaves after practice you have talked with him.
After practice make sure you go through the locker room and say something, if not acknowledge each of your position players or any player you felt good about that day.
Don’t allow anything to lie around the athletic area, which includes the locker room.
Don’t run off right after practice, pitch in there’s always something to do.
Don’t expect anything less than perfection in every aspect of the football program.
As a program you and your staff control your own destiny. Whether you win or lose should be determined by you; not by your opponents. As a staff you must spend a great deal of time with fundamentals. Your program must get better every day by working very hard on blocking and tackling. As a staff you should try and cover every situation that might arise in a game and instill in your players the proper way to react with poise and confidence.
One of the most important ingredients necessary to win is to associate yourself with coaches and players who love football and can’t live with losing. If you have players who don’t like football, you will constantly find yourself compromising your beliefs in order to keep them from quitting.
It is the athlete’s responsibility to please the coach and not the coaches’ place to please the players. Our job as coaches is to run a top-flight program that will eventually lead to success. As coaches you have an obligation to run a disciplined program that will be successful in the long run. To do anything else is unfair to the athletes who want to win.
You as a coach have an obligation to place your athletes in a first-class environment and to improve on your facilities each year.
In coaching, you at some point will be faced with adversity; you must be prepared for it. Don’t sit and wallow in self-pity, face it head on.
We believe it’s better to have great coaches than great athletes. You can’t win without athletes, but you can lose with them and this is where coaching becomes a factor.
You shouldn’t care what a good coach is paid; it isn’t enough. Anything a poor coach gets paid is too much.
Enthusiasm is nothing more than being positive. It is impossible to be negative and be enthusiastic.
Everyone associated with the football program needs to feel that they are important to the success of the program players like discipline. They do not like harassment. Discipline breeds success. Harassment breeds contempt.
Championships are decided on the little things. Thus, meticulous attention must be paid to the seemingly “Little” aspects of the program. Simplicity should be one of the greatest guides in helping your selection when it comes to the technical aspects of the game.
What Constitutes a Good Coach
He has thorough knowledge of all fundamental’s techniques employed concerning offense, defense, and kicking game.
A good coach makes a thorough preparation for carrying out his responsibilities at each and every practice session, off-season and in season event. He personally assumes the responsibility for preparing any necessary charts and drill situations to accomplish smoothly and efficiently the teaching expected of him on and off the field.
A good coach is constantly probing his own thinking in order to assure that he is covering effectively all phases of the game for those players over whom he has direct teaching responsibility. Check lists and related forms are essential to carry this out.
A good coach comes to practice field in a great frame of mind, which indicates he really enjoys coaching. This means an attitude, which reflects cheerfulness, and an attitude of patience toward the correction of mistakes made by his players.
A good coach will constantly seek to improve his own teaching methods. A good coach is willing to devote his time tirelessly to all phases of the program, with the realization that winning football results when these items are controlled. A coach realizes that to gain that extra amount of excellence, much time and effort is required, but that herein lays the difference between the champion and second best.
A good coach is willing to personally assume responsibility for thinking out an assignment, and for creatively attacking problems in all phases of the program. The average coach acts only on a direct assignment, waits for an exact spelling out of the assignment and functions only to the extent that an assignment is literally spelled out. A good coach is intensely loyal, honest, and sincere.
Once again, the hiring of a good coaching staff should be built around the following recommendations. The following items can and should be evaluated when choosing your staff.
Is he Loyal?
Is he trustworthy?
Is he a dedicated coach?
Is he dependable?
Is he energetic?
Does he care deeply about the finished product?
Does he have a good sense of direction?
Does he have a good sense of humor?
Football Staff Office Hours
The basic rule is to work long enough, to get the job done. Should not get caught up in busy work, coaches need time to themselves during the season and off-season. A coach needs to be flexible, but understand that this is not an 8 to 5 job, but a profession. Do what it takes to get the job down; don’t shortchange the other coaches and or your players. Very important, if married make sure your spouse is fully aware of the time constraints that coaching puts on you. Your spouse must completely understand this, if not problems with your relationship will possible occur. Must consider your rules for receiving phone calls after hours along with text messages.
Communication through Technology: Athletes/Staff/Parents
One VERY important aspect of being a head coach is communication. This is a very important dynamic that is often overlooked. But, the benefits of an effective communicator more often than not, reduce conflict and the rewards can be tremendous! In today’s society we have a great deal of modes to communicate while still being effective. With time constraints we have to find effective ways without wasting ours and others time! Many of our kids/parents/staff spend more time in front of a cell phone and computer, then they do a human being. So, let’s take advantage of that.
Here are a few examples of ways to communicate with our athletes/parents and staff:
Mass texting. Much of our society is blessed by with a cell phone. It is constantly with them and they check it constantly. Put all of your parents/staff/athlete’s cell phones into your address book and send a mass text for upcoming events and reminders.
Individual texting. Getting a quick note in the middle of a tough school day can pay huge dividends with our students. It is a quick, yet powerful tool.
Blogging. There are several FREE blog websites that you can also use for communication. You can blog from your computer or from your cell phone. Plus, parents/athletes/staff can leave comments as well (however, you can edit the ones you want on there) It is a great way for people to connect & keep updated on events.
Facebook/Twitter/MySpace: You can create groups for your team or booster club. Another very effective way to relay information and allow your “community” to connect is through social networking.
Webpage. You can put calendars, passing tournament & fundraising fliers, workouts, team building activities, pictures, stats…..you name it and there are many free 7 easy to use sites available.
Google Voice. It is a FREE service through Google. You can get a free phone number with your area code and not have to use your own number. BUT, HERE IS THE BEAUTY OF IT……………. If someone calls you on that number you can have it “bounce” to ANY phone that you want to. It can text & e-mail you the message if you decide not to answer it. Plus, it dictates (WRITES OUT) and records every message. So, if some irate parent goes off on the phone…IT TRANSCRIBES EVERY WORD into an e-mail message for documentation.
Media & Public Relations
Whether you enjoy being in the spotlight or not, being a head coach in high school requires dealing with the media. First and foremost, you set the tone for your program. Often it will be your face and your words that represent your football program and school community. Plan in advance what you want to accomplish BEFORE you meet with anyone in the media. Choose your words carefully & wisely. And think about how you say something is often more important then what you say. Remember, things discussed “off the record” are free game for someone to use in print or on a clip on the news. Sometimes you may want to ask someone to repeat to you what you just said to clarify. Very often what you say during an interview gets turned around when they write the article in the newspaper. Are you going to be the only person on your staff that can address the media, or will you allow your assistants to speak, as well? Have a plan. Will you allow your players to talk to the media without your permission or do you want to be present during the interview? Make sure that you have a media policy with your players, when dealing with the media. The last thing that you want is to create BULLETIN BOARD MATERIAL. Do not air you’re your frustrations about staff, administration, or players in the media. Keep private things private. Stay positive, add hope and understand all of your players, parents, school and community are looking to you to lead them.
The “Business” Side of Coaching
Another very important aspect of being a Head coach is the business side of your football program. Your football program is run, in essence, as a small business. Even though it is run as a non-profit educational “business”, money still comes in and goes out each year. So, do you have a plan or know where to start? Do you, as the head coach get to make these decisions or is it an athletic director, booster club president or an administrator? Below are several topics/questions to consider when running the financial component of your football program:
• Fundraising Questions: How much are you responsible for?
• Does you program receive the gate or concession money directly?
• Do you have separate ASB and booster accounts?
• Who is in charge of ordering (equipment, spirit packs, coaching gear, etc)?
• Can you charge for camps, spirit packs, or go to college camps?
• Is there a set date that the accounts books close?
• Does everything have to be ordered by a certain date?
• Can you contact and meet with vendors/sales people?
• How does your school’s PO (purchase order) policy work?
• What you can/cannot accept from a booster club?
• Can you purchase coaching attire/clinic/etc. out of your ASB accounts?
• How does coaching clinics get financed?
• Can you order items during the summer?
• Can you order items prior to a big summer fundraiser?
• Can your student-athletes be involved in the fundraiser?
• What are acceptable or unacceptable fundraisers according to your school’s policy?
Approach to Practice Sessions
Nothing is more important to success than the time you spend on the practice field. The important thing is how you utilize this time. The time you spend preparing for practice is as important as the actual time you spend on the field. The only way you can determine whether your practices are organized or not is by what you accomplish on the field during your allotted time. You win during the week on the practice field, in other words you play like you practice.
During two-a-day practices, you must get your team fundamentally sound. Attempt to prepare yourself to play a game the week prior to the opening season. Compile a “must list” and make certain every situation is covered on it. Conduct a game like scrimmage and do not conclude it until every situation that might arise during the season is covered.
An Approach to Successful on Field Coaching
When taking the field know where you belong, be waiting for your players. Players should not have to wait on their position coach to take the field, sends the wrong message.
Utilize time before and after practice. As a rule of thumb we use the “15 minute rule” if we arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time then I’m on time; if I arrive 10 minutes early then I’m 5 minutes late; if I arrive 5 minutes early then I’m 10 minutes late; and if I arrive on the scheduled time then my players are waiting for me. The 15-minute rule will discipline your athletes to always be on time.
Have something to say after each effort. Remember, this is coaching and “don’t coach out of frustration.” Don’t coach what you don’t know how to fix.
Stay alert for players with injuries or heat problems. Refer to trainer.
Make sure to be aware of the needs of your athletes that require special needs on the field (Inhalers, Diabetics, etc.)
Strive to make your group the best on the field, take pride in your work.
Do not experiment with drills during practice, have your work thought out, and make sure it fits the scheme.
Never lose your poise or confidence, coach those things that you know how to fix.
As coaches expect to be talked to if something avoidable goes wrong.
Your practices must be organized; talk in meetings not on the field, repetition is the most important key, repetition instills learning. Don’t hold clinics on the field.
The players must do everything on the practice field with extreme quickness, hustle is a key ingredient.
Pay strict attention to the scheduled time segments.
Don’t relax during any segment. All segments are very important, or they would not be included.
Breed confidence into your team.
Gain the respect from your players, don’t demand respect; earn it.
If filming certain practices segments have it organized and planned out. Be sure to find someone you can count on to be there.
Coach your players all year long, “talk football”. Encourage them to “hang around” and work on a position specialty skill and to work in the weight room.
Talk the importance of classroom demeanor, doing well in class, staying current on all classroom assignments and homework. Be ready to acknowledge your athlete’s success in the classroom and in the community.
If you get tired through the long haul of the season pray for strength, because as a staff you are only as good or as strong as the weakest link.
Practice Philosophy and Guidelines for Coaches During Actual Practice Sessions
Utilization of practice time is of utmost importance. You must have practice segments organized to the minute. Each segment should last approximately 5 minutes but not longer than 10 minutes in duration. Each segment should be coached to its fullest potential and once the period is over then you must proceed to the next period, no exceptions. By sticking to this routine, it forces coaches to coach hard and too near game like situation.
Coaches are to get as much “talking” done as possible before going onto the field. You do not want to slow down the tempo of practice. Enthusiasm is a vital role in a good practice. By standing around and “talking” to your players will sometimes slow down their intensity. Players need to know that when they step onto the grass they must be a 150% player as well as the coach being a 150% coach to his players. Your practices should be sharp, enthusiastic, with lots of hustle. This can only be possible if you have “A Unified Coaching Staff” demanding the same style of play. Be Positive … Coach up and make your players the best that they can be!
As a staff you must stress to your players the importance of a great work ethic. If your opponent runs 10 – 100-yard sprints then you must run 10 better and harder. It is my belief that if you are going to change the attitude of your players then you must change the attitude for what it takes to win. The little Things Make the Difference, Never Compromise Your Beliefs, and the Way You Practice Is the Way You Will Play on Game day. If you are to win on Friday night, then you must prepare Monday through Thursday as players; and Monday through Sunday as coaches. You must want to practice the basic fundamentals of football every day. You must want to be fundamentally sound, physically and mentally tough.
Approach to Establishing Your Football Drills Both
In-Season and Off-Season
“A good coach makes better players out of border line athletes and often makes good players out of mediocre ones. A good coach emphasizes their abilities – enables them to make the most of the latent talents – gives them the best chance by putting the right player in the right place.”
Robert Zuppke
As a coach we make our greatest contribution in the construction, planning and administering of drills. More important than what system of offense and defense you run, it’s how you teach your style of football.
You must be very selective in the drills that you use. They should:
Cover considerable ground in a short period of time.
Be well planned and administered.
Be known by name to the players so that they do not require re-explanation after the first two or three times the drill has been run.
Most drills should have a secondary movement. Almost all actions in football are based on carrying out a secondary movement, after an initial one.
Do not make drills too elaborate; keep them short, snappy, crisp, and positive.
The preparation for drills must be made in full detail before hitting the practice field. The coach conducting the drill should see that his drills are prepared in advance, including any necessary teaching aids, such as balls, cones, practice bags, etc. Be certain managers are informed in advance of what equipment is needed, and if no managers get to practice early to have your stations set and ready to go.
Basically, There Are Five Types of Drills:
Fundamental Drills – these are to teach all the skills of tackling, blocking, stance, etc.
Reaction Drills – primarily for developing quickness, balance, and agility. These should be included briefly in almost every practice.
Conditioning Drills – once the season has begun these will be almost entirely running drills.
Toughening Drills – the primary purpose here is to develop and encourage the desire and ability to utilize the physical contact aspect of the game of football. These drills should be used only to the extent so as not to dull the desire for further contact.
Fun Drills – used to lighten the practice load late in the season or as a morale booster.
How to Win Football Games:
Don’t get out worked.
Don’t get out hit.
Don’t get out hustled.
Eliminate the turnover.
Eliminate the long run and long pass.
Eliminate missed assignments.
Eliminate foolish penalties.
Have a great kicking game.
Win the battles on the goal line.
Always believe that it can get done.
Make half time adjustments.
Morale is the catalyst that turns offense, defense, kicking game and goal line into victory. It is not something you can buy; it is something that comes from enjoying success, success breeds success. There must be a need on a player’s part to desire success and wish to work for it. This is where the coach plays an important role in determining whether pride will grow and flourish.
Practice and Drill Development Considerations
The following information is basic practice and drill development considerations each coach should remember when installing and developing his position players and for developing general points for establishing a practice plan. Remember, no matter the age or the situation people need to feel important.
• Give each player a chance to succeed and be positive. We’re only as good as the last guy; so how good will that player be? How important will you make him feel?
• Push players to their full maximum efforts.
• Make your “Drill Atmosphere” full speed.
• Teach at the top position skill level, don’t coach down.
• Correct all techniques and assignment and assignment errors “Immediately.”
• Maintain positive discipline – control action – stress execution.
• Teach high percentage repetitions with low percentage group discussion, develop position skills.
• Skills are perfected by “Repetition” – move players fast through drills.
• Begin new practice segments as fast as possible – predict effort.
• We as coaches must continuously teach blocking and tackling, proper pursuit and contain. Emphasis first key reactions.
• Teach the easiest way to complete the assignment – learn from repetition.
• As a position coach stress basic skill techniques, the game is secondary.
• Instill a practice work ethic – force your players to “Practice Hard.”
• Be persistent in demanding that techniques are performed correctly.
• Coach at near game like player reaction.
• Plan and only use position drills that relate to specific position assignments.
• End practice segments on the whistle – start new drill as soon as possible.
• Always bring practice schedule with you to practice.
• When working with other groups (example OL vs. DL) get your group ready quickly – do not wait for the other group – reps most important thing.
• Be sure to set your equipment up prior to practice this helps from wasting time.
• Recognize fatigue and be ready to adjust your drills.
• The most important point to remember is your coaching image can change the football life of your position players.
When taking on the title of Head Coach a community, school and staff will expect the following leadership from their Head Coach:
To be accountable for all actions.
To deal with all situations with honor and integrity.
To run an organized program so that we will be able to function efficiently.
To maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to work.
To listen to suggestions.
To give responsibility and authority.
To work and provide leadership to win.
To treat assistant coaches like a man with dignity and respect.
To be totally concerned about his assistants and their families, regardless of what problems confront them.
To be very loyal to you and do everything a head coach can to help you grow professionally.
To sell you to our players, the community and other coaches.
To let coach on the field within your personality.
To let you know privately when you have been derelict of duties.
What a Head Coach Should Expect from His
Assistant Coaches
To run a successful football program takes a big commitment from your assistant coaches. To maintain a high degree of respect from your assistant coaches make sure you keep them informed and make sure they receive an organizational time line for duties and responsibilities that also includes clinics, out of season coaches meetings, summer 7 on 7, weekly in season practice times and week-end duties during the season. An assistant coach should be held accountable for the following rules:
To be the very best classroom teacher that you can be if applicable.
Never to use profanity and never allow our players to.
Never use tobacco around school at any time.
Don’t worry about what your fellow coaches are doing. Just do your job and do it well.
Don’t keep score (No need to focus on what other coaches aren’t doing that’s the head coaches’ responsibilities).
To be on time for all staff meetings and practices.
To be a positive role model.
To sell and defend the program.
To do everything you can do to develop a winning attitude.
To study and work hard to make yourself a great coach. Educational growth is a must for any coach in order to maintain, sustain and develop new innovative ways of coaching, new teaching techniques, and better ways to improve teaching.
To be professional in attitude, responses, work and personal appearance.
Never involve your spouse in the coaching situation in a negative manner.
To be sincerely interested in the success of your players and other members of the coaching staff.
Never give up on a player. He can always change and likely will if given the chance by you.
To be positive and never doubt that we will be successful.
To be loyal.
To be creative and have the ability to think on your own and apply gained knowledge of the game.
To be on the same page with each other when taking the practice or game field. Never take your disagreements to practice.
Don’t get complacent as the season goes on. Don’t let the little things slide in the discipline of our players. These will lead to bad habits.
Have a plan for everything. Be organized.
Do not choose favorites. Work with every player on the squad.
Never give up on a player. He can always change and likely will if given the chance by you.
Always be optimistic. The glass is half full.
Expectations for Coaching Staff
Coaches are expected to be dressed and in the locker room before players report. Never leave the locker room unsupervised. Coaches have lost their jobs because of this.
Get drills ready – cones, dummies, etc.
Work with every player that comes on the field. Don’t allow players to go unnoticed.
Be properly dressed; look professional, look like a coach.
Do not use foul language, grab or argue with a player, if he is unbearable, send him to the head coach.
If you jump on a player hard verbally, be sure that before he leaves after practice you have talked with him.
After practice make sure you go through the locker room and say something, if not acknowledge each of your position players or any player you felt good about that day.
Don’t allow anything to lie around the athletic area, which includes the locker room.
Don’t run off right after practice, pitch in there’s always something to do.
Don’t expect anything less than perfection in every aspect of the football program.
As a program you and your staff control your own destiny. Whether you win or lose should be determined by you; not by your opponents. As a staff you must spend a great deal of time with fundamentals. Your program must get better every day by working very hard on blocking and tackling. As a staff you should try and cover every situation that might arise in a game and instill in your players the proper way to react with poise and confidence.
One of the most important ingredients necessary to win is to associate yourself with coaches and players who love football and can’t live with losing. If you have players who don’t like football, you will constantly find yourself compromising your beliefs in order to keep them from quitting.
It is the athlete’s responsibility to please the coach and not the coaches’ place to please the players. Our job as coaches is to run a top-flight program that will eventually lead to success. As coaches you have an obligation to run a disciplined program that will be successful in the long run. To do anything else is unfair to the athletes who want to win.
You as a coach have an obligation to place your athletes in a first-class environment and to improve on your facilities each year.
In coaching, you at some point will be faced with adversity; you must be prepared for it. Don’t sit and wallow in self-pity, face it head on.
We believe it’s better to have great coaches than great athletes. You can’t win without athletes, but you can lose with them and this is where coaching becomes a factor.
You shouldn’t care what a good coach is paid; it isn’t enough. Anything a poor coach gets paid is too much.
Enthusiasm is nothing more than being positive. It is impossible to be negative and be enthusiastic.
Everyone associated with the football program needs to feel that they are important to the success of the program players like discipline. They do not like harassment. Discipline breeds success. Harassment breeds contempt.
Championships are decided on the little things. Thus, meticulous attention must be paid to the seemingly “Little” aspects of the program. Simplicity should be one of the greatest guides in helping your selection when it comes to the technical aspects of the game.
What Constitutes a Good Coach
He has thorough knowledge of all fundamental’s techniques employed concerning offense, defense, and kicking game.
A good coach makes a thorough preparation for carrying out his responsibilities at each and every practice session, off-season and in season event. He personally assumes the responsibility for preparing any necessary charts and drill situations to accomplish smoothly and efficiently the teaching expected of him on and off the field.
A good coach is constantly probing his own thinking in order to assure that he is covering effectively all phases of the game for those players over whom he has direct teaching responsibility. Check lists and related forms are essential to carry this out.
A good coach comes to practice field in a great frame of mind, which indicates he really enjoys coaching. This means an attitude, which reflects cheerfulness, and an attitude of patience toward the correction of mistakes made by his players.
A good coach will constantly seek to improve his own teaching methods. A good coach is willing to devote his time tirelessly to all phases of the program, with the realization that winning football results when these items are controlled. A coach realizes that to gain that extra amount of excellence, much time and effort is required, but that herein lays the difference between the champion and second best.
A good coach is willing to personally assume responsibility for thinking out an assignment, and for creatively attacking problems in all phases of the program. The average coach acts only on a direct assignment, waits for an exact spelling out of the assignment and functions only to the extent that an assignment is literally spelled out. A good coach is intensely loyal, honest, and sincere.
Once again, the hiring of a good coaching staff should be built around the following recommendations. The following items can and should be evaluated when choosing your staff.
Is he Loyal?
Is he trustworthy?
Is he a dedicated coach?
Is he dependable?
Is he energetic?
Does he care deeply about the finished product?
Does he have a good sense of direction?
Does he have a good sense of humor?
Football Staff Office Hours
The basic rule is to work long enough, to get the job done. Should not get caught up in busy work, coaches need time to themselves during the season and off-season. A coach needs to be flexible, but understand that this is not an 8 to 5 job, but a profession. Do what it takes to get the job down; don’t shortchange the other coaches and or your players. Very important, if married make sure your spouse is fully aware of the time constraints that coaching puts on you. Your spouse must completely understand this, if not problems with your relationship will possible occur. Must consider your rules for receiving phone calls after hours along with text messages.
Communication through Technology: Athletes/Staff/Parents
One VERY important aspect of being a head coach is communication. This is a very important dynamic that is often overlooked. But, the benefits of an effective communicator more often than not, reduce conflict and the rewards can be tremendous! In today’s society we have a great deal of modes to communicate while still being effective. With time constraints we have to find effective ways without wasting ours and others time! Many of our kids/parents/staff spend more time in front of a cell phone and computer, then they do a human being. So, let’s take advantage of that.
Here are a few examples of ways to communicate with our athletes/parents and staff:
Mass texting. Much of our society is blessed by with a cell phone. It is constantly with them and they check it constantly. Put all of your parents/staff/athlete’s cell phones into your address book and send a mass text for upcoming events and reminders.
Individual texting. Getting a quick note in the middle of a tough school day can pay huge dividends with our students. It is a quick, yet powerful tool.
Blogging. There are several FREE blog websites that you can also use for communication. You can blog from your computer or from your cell phone. Plus, parents/athletes/staff can leave comments as well (however, you can edit the ones you want on there) It is a great way for people to connect & keep updated on events.
Facebook/Twitter/MySpace: You can create groups for your team or booster club. Another very effective way to relay information and allow your “community” to connect is through social networking.
Webpage. You can put calendars, passing tournament & fundraising fliers, workouts, team building activities, pictures, stats…..you name it and there are many free 7 easy to use sites available.
Google Voice. It is a FREE service through Google. You can get a free phone number with your area code and not have to use your own number. BUT, HERE IS THE BEAUTY OF IT……………. If someone calls you on that number you can have it “bounce” to ANY phone that you want to. It can text & e-mail you the message if you decide not to answer it. Plus, it dictates (WRITES OUT) and records every message. So, if some irate parent goes off on the phone…IT TRANSCRIBES EVERY WORD into an e-mail message for documentation.
Media & Public Relations
Whether you enjoy being in the spotlight or not, being a head coach in high school requires dealing with the media. First and foremost, you set the tone for your program. Often it will be your face and your words that represent your football program and school community. Plan in advance what you want to accomplish BEFORE you meet with anyone in the media. Choose your words carefully & wisely. And think about how you say something is often more important then what you say. Remember, things discussed “off the record” are free game for someone to use in print or on a clip on the news. Sometimes you may want to ask someone to repeat to you what you just said to clarify. Very often what you say during an interview gets turned around when they write the article in the newspaper. Are you going to be the only person on your staff that can address the media, or will you allow your assistants to speak, as well? Have a plan. Will you allow your players to talk to the media without your permission or do you want to be present during the interview? Make sure that you have a media policy with your players, when dealing with the media. The last thing that you want is to create BULLETIN BOARD MATERIAL. Do not air you’re your frustrations about staff, administration, or players in the media. Keep private things private. Stay positive, add hope and understand all of your players, parents, school and community are looking to you to lead them.
The “Business” Side of Coaching
Another very important aspect of being a Head coach is the business side of your football program. Your football program is run, in essence, as a small business. Even though it is run as a non-profit educational “business”, money still comes in and goes out each year. So, do you have a plan or know where to start? Do you, as the head coach get to make these decisions or is it an athletic director, booster club president or an administrator? Below are several topics/questions to consider when running the financial component of your football program:
• Fundraising Questions: How much are you responsible for?
• Does you program receive the gate or concession money directly?
• Do you have separate ASB and booster accounts?
• Who is in charge of ordering (equipment, spirit packs, coaching gear, etc)?
• Can you charge for camps, spirit packs, or go to college camps?
• Is there a set date that the accounts books close?
• Does everything have to be ordered by a certain date?
• Can you contact and meet with vendors/sales people?
• How does your school’s PO (purchase order) policy work?
• What you can/cannot accept from a booster club?
• Can you purchase coaching attire/clinic/etc. out of your ASB accounts?
• How does coaching clinics get financed?
• Can you order items during the summer?
• Can you order items prior to a big summer fundraiser?
• Can your student-athletes be involved in the fundraiser?
• What are acceptable or unacceptable fundraisers according to your school’s policy?
Approach to Practice Sessions
Nothing is more important to success than the time you spend on the practice field. The important thing is how you utilize this time. The time you spend preparing for practice is as important as the actual time you spend on the field. The only way you can determine whether your practices are organized or not is by what you accomplish on the field during your allotted time. You win during the week on the practice field, in other words you play like you practice.
During two-a-day practices, you must get your team fundamentally sound. Attempt to prepare yourself to play a game the week prior to the opening season. Compile a “must list” and make certain every situation is covered on it. Conduct a game like scrimmage and do not conclude it until every situation that might arise during the season is covered.
An Approach to Successful on Field Coaching
When taking the field know where you belong, be waiting for your players. Players should not have to wait on their position coach to take the field, sends the wrong message.
Utilize time before and after practice. As a rule of thumb we use the “15 minute rule” if we arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time then I’m on time; if I arrive 10 minutes early then I’m 5 minutes late; if I arrive 5 minutes early then I’m 10 minutes late; and if I arrive on the scheduled time then my players are waiting for me. The 15-minute rule will discipline your athletes to always be on time.
Have something to say after each effort. Remember, this is coaching and “don’t coach out of frustration.” Don’t coach what you don’t know how to fix.
Stay alert for players with injuries or heat problems. Refer to trainer.
Make sure to be aware of the needs of your athletes that require special needs on the field (Inhalers, Diabetics, etc.)
Strive to make your group the best on the field, take pride in your work.
Do not experiment with drills during practice, have your work thought out, and make sure it fits the scheme.
Never lose your poise or confidence, coach those things that you know how to fix.
As coaches expect to be talked to if something avoidable goes wrong.
Your practices must be organized; talk in meetings not on the field, repetition is the most important key, repetition instills learning. Don’t hold clinics on the field.
The players must do everything on the practice field with extreme quickness, hustle is a key ingredient.
Pay strict attention to the scheduled time segments.
Don’t relax during any segment. All segments are very important, or they would not be included.
Breed confidence into your team.
Gain the respect from your players, don’t demand respect; earn it.
If filming certain practices segments have it organized and planned out. Be sure to find someone you can count on to be there.
Coach your players all year long, “talk football”. Encourage them to “hang around” and work on a position specialty skill and to work in the weight room.
Talk the importance of classroom demeanor, doing well in class, staying current on all classroom assignments and homework. Be ready to acknowledge your athlete’s success in the classroom and in the community.
If you get tired through the long haul of the season pray for strength, because as a staff you are only as good or as strong as the weakest link.
Practice Philosophy and Guidelines for Coaches During Actual Practice Sessions
Utilization of practice time is of utmost importance. You must have practice segments organized to the minute. Each segment should last approximately 5 minutes but not longer than 10 minutes in duration. Each segment should be coached to its fullest potential and once the period is over then you must proceed to the next period, no exceptions. By sticking to this routine, it forces coaches to coach hard and too near game like situation.
Coaches are to get as much “talking” done as possible before going onto the field. You do not want to slow down the tempo of practice. Enthusiasm is a vital role in a good practice. By standing around and “talking” to your players will sometimes slow down their intensity. Players need to know that when they step onto the grass they must be a 150% player as well as the coach being a 150% coach to his players. Your practices should be sharp, enthusiastic, with lots of hustle. This can only be possible if you have “A Unified Coaching Staff” demanding the same style of play. Be Positive … Coach up and make your players the best that they can be!
As a staff you must stress to your players the importance of a great work ethic. If your opponent runs 10 – 100-yard sprints then you must run 10 better and harder. It is my belief that if you are going to change the attitude of your players then you must change the attitude for what it takes to win. The little Things Make the Difference, Never Compromise Your Beliefs, and the Way You Practice Is the Way You Will Play on Game day. If you are to win on Friday night, then you must prepare Monday through Thursday as players; and Monday through Sunday as coaches. You must want to practice the basic fundamentals of football every day. You must want to be fundamentally sound, physically and mentally tough.
Approach to Establishing Your Football Drills Both
In-Season and Off-Season
“A good coach makes better players out of border line athletes and often makes good players out of mediocre ones. A good coach emphasizes their abilities – enables them to make the most of the latent talents – gives them the best chance by putting the right player in the right place.”
Robert Zuppke
As a coach we make our greatest contribution in the construction, planning and administering of drills. More important than what system of offense and defense you run, it’s how you teach your style of football.
You must be very selective in the drills that you use. They should:
Cover considerable ground in a short period of time.
Be well planned and administered.
Be known by name to the players so that they do not require re-explanation after the first two or three times the drill has been run.
Most drills should have a secondary movement. Almost all actions in football are based on carrying out a secondary movement, after an initial one.
Do not make drills too elaborate; keep them short, snappy, crisp, and positive.
The preparation for drills must be made in full detail before hitting the practice field. The coach conducting the drill should see that his drills are prepared in advance, including any necessary teaching aids, such as balls, cones, practice bags, etc. Be certain managers are informed in advance of what equipment is needed, and if no managers get to practice early to have your stations set and ready to go.
Basically, There Are Five Types of Drills:
Fundamental Drills – these are to teach all the skills of tackling, blocking, stance, etc.
Reaction Drills – primarily for developing quickness, balance, and agility. These should be included briefly in almost every practice.
Conditioning Drills – once the season has begun these will be almost entirely running drills.
Toughening Drills – the primary purpose here is to develop and encourage the desire and ability to utilize the physical contact aspect of the game of football. These drills should be used only to the extent so as not to dull the desire for further contact.
Fun Drills – used to lighten the practice load late in the season or as a morale booster.
How to Win Football Games:
Don’t get out worked.
Don’t get out hit.
Don’t get out hustled.
Eliminate the turnover.
Eliminate the long run and long pass.
Eliminate missed assignments.
Eliminate foolish penalties.
Have a great kicking game.
Win the battles on the goal line.
Always believe that it can get done.
Make half time adjustments.
Morale is the catalyst that turns offense, defense, kicking game and goal line into victory. It is not something you can buy; it is something that comes from enjoying success, success breeds success. There must be a need on a player’s part to desire success and wish to work for it. This is where the coach plays an important role in determining whether pride will grow and flourish.
Practice and Drill Development Considerations
The following information is basic practice and drill development considerations each coach should remember when installing and developing his position players and for developing general points for establishing a practice plan. Remember, no matter the age or the situation people need to feel important.
• Give each player a chance to succeed and be positive. We’re only as good as the last guy; so how good will that player be? How important will you make him feel?
• Push players to their full maximum efforts.
• Make your “Drill Atmosphere” full speed.
• Teach at the top position skill level, don’t coach down.
• Correct all techniques and assignment and assignment errors “Immediately.”
• Maintain positive discipline – control action – stress execution.
• Teach high percentage repetitions with low percentage group discussion, develop position skills.
• Skills are perfected by “Repetition” – move players fast through drills.
• Begin new practice segments as fast as possible – predict effort.
• We as coaches must continuously teach blocking and tackling, proper pursuit and contain. Emphasis first key reactions.
• Teach the easiest way to complete the assignment – learn from repetition.
• As a position coach stress basic skill techniques, the game is secondary.
• Instill a practice work ethic – force your players to “Practice Hard.”
• Be persistent in demanding that techniques are performed correctly.
• Coach at near game like player reaction.
• Plan and only use position drills that relate to specific position assignments.
• End practice segments on the whistle – start new drill as soon as possible.
• Always bring practice schedule with you to practice.
• When working with other groups (example OL vs. DL) get your group ready quickly – do not wait for the other group – reps most important thing.
• Be sure to set your equipment up prior to practice this helps from wasting time.
• Recognize fatigue and be ready to adjust your drills.
• The most important point to remember is your coaching image can change the football life of your position players.
