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AFM Magazine


Coach to Coach – Summer Session (Part II)

by: Bryon Hamilton
Head Coach, Foothill High School, Palo Cedro (CA)
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Using the summer months to organize and articulate your coaching philosophies and methods.

In part two of using the summer months to organize and articulate your coaching philosophies and methods, I want to share with you a few methods and strategies in developing your game week schedule, practice preparation, organizing your game day,  halftime responsibilities and addressing parent concerns.

Game Week Schedule
and Preparations

At Foothill, we play our games on Friday night. Therefore our week is designed with a Friday game day in mind. I believe that organization and a defined weekly plan is crucial in preparing our players and coaches to be at their very best come game time. The following is a sample weekly game preparation schedule. This formula has been very successful for our program.

Saturday:

1. Game film will be made available on Hudl by 9 am.

2. Position grade sheets must be completed.

3. Opponent game film and position breakdown completed on Hudl and ready for presentation.

4. Coordinators will be required to meet on Saturday afternoon to present the preliminary game plan to head coach.

5. Position coaches will call or email all position players to remind them to watch game on Hudl and to remind them to complete player grade sheets.

Sunday:

1. Coaches report by 1:00 pm for team meeting. Bring all game breakdown information and position grade forms. 1:00-1:40 Coaches Meeting: Head Coach.

2. Weekly game plan installs 1:45-3:45.

3. Practice plan script discussion and weekly practice plan development. 4:00-5:30.

4. Scout card completion / game plan packets copied and ready for Monday. 5:30-6:00 pm.

Monday:

1. Players Report to weight room 6th period.

2. 3:30 – 4:30 film / scouting report / grade sheets.

3. 4:45- 6:00 shell practice / game install.

Tuesday:

1. Players report to team room at 2:30.

2. Player meetings / opponent game film review with position coach: 2:40-3:10.

3. Offensive emphasis early outs: 3:10-3:25.

4. Practice officially starts: 3:30.

5. Special teams: 3:40-4:05.

6. Offense practice 4:10-5:30.

7. Defensive game install review: 5:30 – 6:00.

Wednesday:

1. Players report to team room at 2:30.

2. Player meetings / opponent game film review with position coach: 2:40-3:10.

3. Defensive emphasis early outs: 3:10-3:25.

4. Practice officially starts: 3:30.

5. Special teams: 3:40-4:05.

6. Defensive practice 4:10-5:30.

7. Off-Game script review: 5:30 – 6:00.

8. 6:00-6:35: weight room or optional AM lift 7:30-8:10 with Coach Brown.

Thursday:

1. Players report to team room at 2:30.

2. Player meetings / opponent game film review with head coach: 2:40-3:10.

3. Shell early outs: 3:10-3:25.

4. Practice officially starts: 3:10-5:00 team game script and special teams.

5. 5:15-6:30 team meal.

Friday:

1. Athletes and coaches report to team room for 6th period.

2. 6th period walk through (home games).

3. Report to field house at 5:00 pm.

4. If away game, pack bags, position coaches confirm players bag is OK.

5. Game time.

Halftime Organization

Halftime can be one of the most important phases of the game. The team that can make effective adjustments and execute them properly in the second half will have the advantage over most opponents. The following is an outline of how we organize our halftime.

Four Areas That We Will Address
During Halftime:

1. Players must be given the time to rest and hydrate. Proper space and facilities must be made available for players to sit, rest and take care of personal issues if necessary. When on the road, we may need to be creative when preparing half- time accommodations.

2. All injury and equipment problems must be addressed by trainer and equipment manager/coach.

3. Staff must analyze the first half and make plans for the second half. Position coaches meet to make appropriate adjustments. Coordinators will give head coach a summary of changes being made.

4. Players must be re-motivated to play the final and most important part of the game.

Halftime is divided into four equal periods:

First period
    A.  Coaches meet by positions.
    B.  Team rest and hydrates.
    C. Injury and equipment care.

Second period
- Offense and defense position coaches meet with assigned player groups. Changes and adjustments will be presented and explained to players.

Third period
- Offense and defensive coordinators meet with their entire offense or defensive squads. Any player questions regarding adjustments will be addressed at this time.

Fourth period
    A. Head coach meets with both offense and defense as a team.
    B. Return to field for warm-up.

In order to stay on schedule at halftime, a one coach will keep other coaches informed about remaining clock time and when we should return to the field for the second half.

Period One – Halftime Organization

At this time you should be involved in an analysis of what has taken place during the first half and deciding what your plan of attack will be for the second half. The information that you should consider includes:

1. Offensively

A. Fronts that may be giving us trouble or causing stress in the O-line.
B. Secondary coverages - what coverages are they playing vs. our sets.
C. Short yardage and goal line defenses – stunts.
D. Plays that have been successful and plays that are not working.
E. A breakdown of which players have been involved with the offense and offensive stat breakdown.

2. Defensively

A. Formations that are causing stress.
B. Favorite plays based on down and
distance.
C. Pass routes that are causing problems.
D. Stunts and pressure that has been
successful.

 3.  Kicking Game

A. Has there been any assignment breakdown in any phase of the kicking game.
B. Is the fake punt or special kick return
possible?
C. How is the kick-off coverage and punt coverage?
D. Should you punt, block or return, etc.

4. General

A. Personnel adjustments because of injuries or other reasons.
B.  Any possible playing conditions such as wind, rain, etc., affecting the play.
C.  Concerns to bring to the officials attention prior to start of second half.

Period Two – Halftime Organization

Meet with the players by position. During this period, gather information from your players about what is happening on the field. Open communication with our players is vital during this phase. Team captains and team leaders should be the ones to make suggestions based on what they are hearing from their teammates. Too many voices can lead to confusion and will waist crucial time.

Period Three – Halftime Organization

Position coaches will meet with coordinators to relay the information and get on the same page about adjustments that are going to be made.

Period Four – Halftime Organization

This is the time that the head coach will take control and address the team. Vital points will be touched on and a theme will be established. It is important that the team enters the second half with a concise plan and in a rejuvenated physical condition.

Dealing With Parents

A coach that has coached for any length of time knows that parent relationships are an important part of a successful program. Developing constructive relationships with parents is part of the job description of a successful coach. When dealing with parents, a coach must understand that a parent and a coach will have different points of view. That is natural and not always a point of contention. Although a coach cannot allow a parent to determine how he will coach or who he will play, he can listen to concerns and address issues that may come up in a constructive and professional manner.

Six Rules When Dealing With Parents -

1. Try not to discuss heated topics on the phone or via email or text. It is always best to meet face to face with parents when possible. When dealing with upset parents, always try to make a friend of the program instead of an enemy of a coach.

2. Follow the chain of command when dealing with a parent. The chain of command is as follows – position coach, coordinator, and finally, the head coach. Do not hesitate to refer parents to the head coach, but first try to discuss the situation with the parent if you are the coach who has the insight and information to address the initial problem. When you refer a parent to the head coach, always fully inform the head coach of the situation prior to the meeting. Always inform the head coach anytime that you are meeting with a parent or if you have had a phone conversation with a concerned parent.

3. Never comment negatively about another squad member or coach in front of a parent or visitor.

4. Never get into a “discussion” with a concerned parent immediately following a game. Coach / parent meetings can be scheduled for a later time.

5. Remember that you and the parent will probably not agree on everything. However, showing respect for their view will usually result in a respectful relationship.

6. Never have a meeting with a parent alone. Always have another coach present.

20 Practice and Drill Development Considerations:

The following are key points to consider when developing a practice schedule and strategies for effectively teaching drills. Many of these were shared with me and adopted from Coach Jerry Campbell of Clovis High School.

1. Give each player a chance to succeed and be positive. Try to make each player feel like they have a chance to be successful if they work hard and give maximum effort.

2. Push players to their full maximum effort during team periods. Always teach our three T’s: Tempo – Tenacity – Technique.

3. When it comes to your position players, you are either “coaching it or allowing it”. You are responsible for maximizing the productivity of your players.

4. Make your “drill atmosphere” as near game-like as possible .

5. Teach at the top position skill level in your group - don’t coach down.

6. Correct all techniques and assignment errors immediately. Pay attention to detail.

7. Maintain positive discipline, control the desired results, and stress execution.

8. Teach high percentage repetitions with low group discussion. Repetition develops position skills. Avoid on field clinics.

9. Skills are perfected by “repetition” – move players fast through drills.

10. Begin new practice periods as fast as possible and keep an eye on the segment clocks. Don’t make others wait for your players.

11. Teach the easiest way to complete your desired results for positions drills – repetition continues to be the key.

12. As a position coach, stress basic skill techniques. The game is secondary. The coordinators will provide the direction for the scheme used.

13. Instill in our athletes a positive work ethic built around the 100% factor and giving all they have during our scheduled practice periods. We will play like we practice.

14. Be persistent in demanding that techniques are performed correctly. As an example, if you are responsible for coaching defensive backs then on any given snap, all your position athletes should be observed and corrected. This is called coaching on the run.

15. Coach at near game-like player reaction as possible.

16. Check your practice schedules before taking the field. Let you players know what is on that day’s practice plan.

17. End practice segments on the whistle – start new drill as soon as possible. No standing around. Each coach will be required to take a whistle to practice.

18. Coordinators have practice schedules ready and available prior to practice. Coaches must check with coordinators for practice schedules before taking the field. Call scripts will also be made available.

19. Be sure to set your equipment up prior to the first period on the segment clock starts.

20.  Recognize fatigue and be ready to adjust your drills accordingly. Your position players should be encouraged to drink water when needed.

Lastly, as the summer months roll past and the fall finds us deep in the midst of another season, remember – your coaching image, philosophies and beliefs will impact the lives of your players. Get involved with your players and be concerned about their personal lives. Make your team a family and you will be richly rewarded by this great game. 






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