What are some things that you would tell someone to apply while trying to become a quality coach? I have been in love with the game of football since I was about 4 and have been coaching for almost 2 years now in the youth league and this year will be coaching a 6th grade middle school squad. People have always told me that football is a sport that needs people who have a true "passion" for the game. I am truly one of those, I have watched old taped football games and dissect as best I can each play and why certain things happen and such. I just ordered some basic football videos on how to run certain offenses and line work as well as the defensive side. Basically what I want to do is to become an high school coach or just an assistant some day and I wonder if people on here have some ideas or just support as to what I can do. Thanks for your time and advice guys, take care.

Football is the best sport in the world. I played baseball in college and love it dearly but there is nothing like football. Not to be melodramatic but football is like life. It is all in the effort. You need to develop your own beliefs in regard to offensive or defensive schemes and/or techniques. The fact is you can take the most basic scheme or technique and do it properly and you can succeed. You just need to make your kids believe and work hard, there isn't that big a difference between kids when they're between 13-18 as long as they are going up against kids of they're own age. The difference lies inside, heart, effort, intelligence......That's the difference, that is what you have to be able to convey to your kids.

What are some things that you would tell someone to apply while trying to become a quality coach? I have been in love with the game of football since I was about 4 and have been coaching for almost 2 years now in the youth league and this year will be coaching a 6th grade middle school squad. People have always told me that football is a sport that needs people who have a true "passion" for the game. I am truly one of those, I have watched old taped football games and dissect as best I can each play and why certain things happen and such. I just ordered some basic football videos on how to run certain offenses and line work as well as the defensive side. Basically what I want to do is to become an high school coach or just an assistant some day and I wonder if people on here have some ideas or just support as to what I can do. Thanks for your time and advice guys, take care.

 

 

Nice to hear of those with a passion for the game & want to impart that to others.

 

IMO it's not X's and O's or what scheme a coach runs - it's how he imparts things to his players. Some genuises of the game couldn't coach joe Montana. A coach is a "teacher" . For me an understanding of the age group you are dealing with is very important.

 

If a coach is truely honest they will admit they are a thief. We steal ideas fro those who came before us. Read up on those who came before you. All the so-called genious passing wizards you here about today - owe everything to Sid Gilman. Go watch & study lots of different coaches andhow they go about things - take the best of each and what works for you. If you are normally quiet and analytical, you can't scream & holler at players. take what you have & build on it - no one is strong in every aspect.

 

As a youth coach, my goal was to always find help that was "smarter" than me in some area or aspect of the game or coaching. If I was goin gto asst someone else I needed to bring something to the table that would benefit them/their team (was how I looked at it)

 

Talk to coaches. Talk to coaches. Talk to coaches. ask smart questions !

the good thing I've found is that most coaches LOVE to share & talk about what they love - FOOTBALL. Unless you have a specific connection I would commit yourself to working your way up from lower levels / youth leagues. Offer to hhelp the HS program with scouting maybe, sit in on film sessions maybe, observe various practice stations and coaches for a period of time with each.

 

As you can see, those of us who love the game- often love to talk about it to. Best of luck

 

Wody Jr

Nice to hear of those with a passion for the game & want to impart that to others.

 

IMO it's not X's and O's or what scheme a coach runs - it's how he imparts things to his players. Some genuises of the game couldn't coach joe Montana. A coach is a "teacher" . For me an understanding of the age group you are dealing with is very important.

 

If a coach is truely honest they will admit they are a thief. We steal ideas fro those who came before us. Read up on those who came before you. All the so-called genious passing wizards you here about today - owe everything to Sid Gilman. Go watch & study lots of different coaches andhow they go about things - take the best of each and what works for you. If you are normally quiet and analytical, you can't scream & holler at players. take what you have & build on it - no one is strong in every aspect.

 

As a youth coach, my goal was to always find help that was "smarter" than me in some area or aspect of the game or coaching. If I was goin gto asst someone else I needed to bring something to the table that would benefit them/their team (was how I looked at it)

 

Talk to coaches. Talk to coaches. Talk to coaches. ask smart questions !

the good thing I've found is that most coaches LOVE to share & talk about what they love - FOOTBALL. Unless you have a specific connection I would commit yourself to working your way up from lower levels / youth leagues. Offer to hhelp the HS program with scouting maybe, sit in on film sessions maybe, observe various practice stations and coaches for a period of time with each.

 

As you can see, those of us who love the game- often love to talk about it to. Best of luck

 

Wody Jr

 

 

Thanks for all the support and posts. Last fall I had a team who was really talented and football savy but it some aspects just seemed to lack the confidence or didnt think they were as good than anyone else. I would listen to their questions, answer them and try to explain it to them with direction and physical movements and actually getting down and showing it to them myself. Kinda like a big brother to some of the kids, after the first scrimmage that we lost and a little belief and support our team finished 9-1 and nobody scored on us the last 6 games. All this team needed was a little direction and confidence and I believe I was a part of given that to them. To me, that is what coaching is all about. Football is in my blood and I absolutely love it.

Thanks for all the support and posts. Last fall I had a team who was really talented and football savy but it some aspects just seemed to lack the confidence or didnt think they were as good than anyone else. I would listen to their questions, answer them and try to explain it to them with direction and physical movements and actually getting down and showing it to them myself. Kinda like a big brother to some of the kids, after the first scrimmage that we lost and a little belief and support our team finished 9-1 and nobody scored on us the last 6 games. All this team needed was a little direction and confidence and I believe I was a part of given that to them. To me, that is what coaching is all about. Football is in my blood and I absolutely love it.

 

 

:thumb:

 

Congrats on your results.

I'd like to remind anyone who starts into coaching that if you get too personally invested in the kids or particular kid(s) that you can be setting yourself up for problems. Keep in mind that if you want to get into the coaching profession, that its best to maintain a professional approach to everything - including your players. Believe me, that can be very hard to do.

It's definitely a razors edge that seperates connecting with your players vs. keeping a safe, professional distance. I don't know if I'm presenting this as I intend - but hopefully you get my drift.

 

When they screwup you can't take it personal b/c you have invested so much into it :sssh: It sounds like you have a nice way with the kids so far.

 

Good luck coach

 

P.S. I would suggest you read some history on my namesake. He's much more than some of the stupid sideline outbursts most like to recall

 

Cheers, Woody Jr

What are some things that you would tell someone to apply while trying to become a quality coach? I have been in love with the game of football since I was about 4 and have been coaching for almost 2 years now in the youth league and this year will be coaching a 6th grade middle school squad. People have always told me that football is a sport that needs people who have a true "passion" for the game. I am truly one of those, I have watched old taped football games and dissect as best I can each play and why certain things happen and such. I just ordered some basic football videos on how to run certain offenses and line work as well as the defensive side. Basically what I want to do is to become an high school coach or just an assistant some day and I wonder if people on here have some ideas or just support as to what I can do. Thanks for your time and advice guys, take care.

 

Can you move to Eastern Kentucky? You sound like just the person we're looking for!

 

(Is it the "r-word" if the "r-ing" being done is for COACHES?):devil:

Can you move to Eastern Kentucky? You sound like just the person we're looking for!

 

(Is it the "r-word" if the "r-ing" being done is for COACHES?):devil:

 

 

I am already in Eastern Kentucky and I dont know if the "r" words applies to coaches or not.

I read a book on IMO the greatest college coach of all time Bear Bryant. He always tried to stay flexible on both sides of the ball as far as schemes to fit his personel. When he had Joe Namath and Kenny Stabler at QB of course he threw the ball more. If he had good running backs and a great line he ran the wishbone. Its improtant especially in HS ball to stay flexible with the schemes you run to fit your team the best. If you like running the Power I for example but youre biggest lineman is 5-10 185 with a 200 pound bench press and youre fastest running back is getting out run by the afforementioned lineman, you better try something else. But good luck to you. I too love the game and I beleive it teaches young men lessons that a text book cant (Im not saying football is more important than grades by any means Im just stating a simple fact). I helped out Coach Js Jr high staff a little when they were short handed last year and it was the most fun Id had since my playing days were over. I hope that I taught those kids as much as they taught me.

I am already in Eastern Kentucky and I dont know if the "r" words applies to coaches or not.

Well Im now officially "R" ing you LOL!:lol:

Fan shoot me a PM , I can help you out.

Thanks guys, I have never had anyone try to "r" word me before. Cant wait for my videos to be in, I will be really busy when those things arrive.

What are some things that you would tell someone to apply while trying to become a quality coach? I have been in love with the game of football since I was about 4 and have been coaching for almost 2 years now in the youth league and this year will be coaching a 6th grade middle school squad. People have always told me that football is a sport that needs people who have a true "passion" for the game. I am truly one of those, I have watched old taped football games and dissect as best I can each play and why certain things happen and such. I just ordered some basic football videos on how to run certain offenses and line work as well as the defensive side. Basically what I want to do is to become an high school coach or just an assistant some day and I wonder if people on here have some ideas or just support as to what I can do. Thanks for your time and advice guys, take care.

Woody's post #3 on this thread is some of the best advice I have heard. I would also add that you might want to attend some seminars, talk to coaches that you know and trust and find out which ones that they might recommend. Some of these coaches if you know them and they can see how dedicated/intersted you are may be able to put you on staff as an assistant or at least lend you some valuble help.Youth and Jr. High sports is about the kids, you can have all the X's and O's knowledge in the world and unless that you can relate and teach your knowledge to the kids it is useless imo. A former coach that I know once said "it's not about the X's and O's, it's about the Jimmy's and Joe's". Like I said, Woody pretty much covered all that I was going to recommend and good luck to you. P.S. = (personel choice) forget about all these new passing offense's and throwing the ball all over the field and the like. Like another former coach told me once (joking), run the wishbone, split veer, wing T or power I and pound the ball down their throat.. When all else fails, run the option to the wide side of the field. Play tough "D" and if all else fails, run the option to the wide side of the field :lol: :lol: . (as you can tell, I am old school:D )

Woody's post #3 on this thread is some of the best advice I have heard. I would also add that you might want to attend some seminars, talk to coaches that you know and trust and find out which ones that they might recommend. Some of these coaches if you know them and they can see how dedicated/intersted you are may be able to put you on staff as an assistant or at least lend you some valuble help.Youth and Jr. High sports is about the kids, you can have all the X's and O's knowledge in the world and unless that you can relate and teach your knowledge to the kids it is useless imo. A former coach that I know once said "it's not about the X's and O's, it's about the Jimmy's and Joe's". Like I said, Woody pretty much covered all that I was going to recommend and good luck to you. P.S. = (personel choice) forget about all these new passing offense's and throwing the ball all over the field and the like. Like another former coach told me once (joking), run the wishbone, split veer, wing T or power I and pound the ball down their throat.. When all else fails, run the option to the wide side of the field. Play tough "D" and if all else fails, run the option to the wide side of the field :lol: :lol: . (as you can tell, I am old school:D )

 

 

 

Old school offense is fun Option is a fun offense to run when its ran right and I will take all of this and thanks for the support. I am going to try and attend some clinics and seminars and actually get my hands dirty.

:thumb:

 

I'd like to remind anyone who starts into coaching that if you get too personally invested in the kids or particular kid(s) that you can be setting yourself up for problems. Keep in mind that if you want to get into the coaching profession, that its best to maintain a professional approach to everything - including your players. Believe me, that can be very hard to do.

It's definitely a razors edge that seperates connecting with your players vs. keeping a safe, professional distance. I don't know if I'm presenting this as I intend - but hopefully you get my drift.

 

When they screwup you can't take it personal b/c you have invested so much into it :sssh:

 

I don't disagree with anything Woody said, but I do have a slightly different take on it. I love football, but if it weren't for the kids I'd do something else on friday nights. I feel like you have to be personally invested in the players -not whether they perform just as you instructed them, but in whether they are becoming quality people. I'm as competitive as they come, but at the end of the day, its their team, not yours. When you're my age and realize that they are never going to let you throw another block, that gets easier. I guess what I'm trying to say is - derive your satisfaction as a coach in the long-term success of the players you coach rather than the result each week. Remember they are kids. Coach long enough and you will have a situation where a crucial game was lost because one of them was love sick, or mad at his parents or teammates, or, regretably, hung over. Nevertheless, if you can look back and say you had a positive impact in the life of that young man and he is now a quality person, what can be more sastisfying than that.

 

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. :thumb:

 

OBTW, I love the wishbone too, but you can do a little more out of an I/Power I package. Just my $ .02.

I don't disagree with anything Woody said, but I do have a slightly different take on it. I love football, but if it weren't for the kids I'd do something else on friday nights. I feel like you have to be personally invested in the players -not whether they perform just as you instructed them, but in whether they are becoming quality people. I'm as competitive as they come, but at the end of the day, its their team, not yours. When you're my age and realize that they are never going to let you throw another block, that gets easier. I guess what I'm trying to say is - derive your satisfaction as a coach in the long-term success of the players you coach rather than the result each week. Remember they are kids. Coach long enough and you will have a situation where a crucial game was lost because one of them was love sick, or mad at his parents or teammates, or, regretably, hung over. Nevertheless, if you can look back and say you had a positive impact in the life of that young man and he is now a quality person, what can be more sastisfying than that.

 

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. :thumb:

 

OBTW, I love the wishbone too, but you can do a little more out of an I/Power I package. Just my $ .02.

 

Great post Joe:thumb:

 

If someone ever congratulated me on winning something I always said that you couldnt tally up the results of my job with them until they were older and we could see if they gained something besides how to block & tackle

 

My point about personal involvement was from seeing/experincing coaches blowup on players (often a very good one) because they screwed up. Just because we put 110% into preparing them and they are good enough to do something doesnt mean they won't blow it sometimes. Personally I was very upset with a "star" player and couldnt figure out why I was so mad inside. I came to the conclusion that I felt let down by the kid. Im glad I learned that lesson early on and it changed how I dealt with coaching - actually made me closer and better in tune I believe.

It also led me to go to a Superintendent when a HS coach very openly ridiculed a very good player grabbing his facemask & screaming in front of everyone during a game. I just felt it a bad reaction.

 

Best wishes to all coaches now & later:D

Woody Jr