The 12 Commandments of Coaching- The 12 P’s
Coach Bernie (BigB) Hayes
The Red Zone Show
I just came from a clinic that Frank Glazier hosted in the Baltimore, Maryland area this month. It was good to see some of the friendly faces of coaches that helped my show and lending a helping hand to the coaching fraternity. When you’re at clinics like this it allow you to talk football with some of the greatest minds in the game. It also allows you to hear what problems other coaches are having and why their programs are struggling. After speaking with well over 100 coaches from other areas and some that I have came in contact with over time I see the same issues across the board. Many of them never used or had the 12 Commandments of Coaching-12 P’s. This is the foundation of every coach that coach any sport and have had some success over time. These key points came from many books I read, things I have dealt with during my time of coaching, and what other coaches have passed down to me.
· Passion
I was talking with Coach Jerry Campbell one day. I was dead tired and wonder why he had so much energy. He told me that if you have passion for what you do you never will get tired. That passion is what drove MJ, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice, and a host of other players to the status they achieved when they played. This is what all of the Hall of Fame coaches on every level had as well. In order for you to be a great coach you have to have that fire and drive to be the best you can be. This fire push you to look at extra film, put in that extra time game planning, making adjustments, and whatever is need to get to that level your team need to be. Frank Glazier clinics are free to all youth coaches and the classroom for youth speakers aren’t the most filled rooms. One out of ten coaches will get material on the system they want to run. One out of 20 will even seek a clinic or class to help them improve in the areas there weak in. One out of hundred will never go to a local high school to sit in on practices, speak with the coaching staff, or ask to volunteer to help with their coaching skills. Most won’t research other offensive, defensive, or special team schemes so they can make adjustments or improve in these areas. Coach Donald Davis told me that the area that most coaches never study or you see less of in most clinics is special team arena. Passion is what drives you to work endlessly to be the best you can be for yourself, your team, and your staff.
· Plan
When me and Coach Cisar was talking after his lecture he said something that I know most coaches overlooked. He told me that in anything you do you need to have a plan. Well over 40% of coaches today don’t have a true plan. You need an outline for what you want to do. If you want to add a new system you need to plan how you want to add this new system. You need to outline how you’re going to install components of this system. You need to get your position coaches in line so they can teach the needed techniques, and understand your philosophy so you all can be on the same page. When the season starts you need to game plan for you opponents. Then when it’s halftime make your adjustments for the second half. You need to scout and develop a game plan and how you will attack weakness of the areas your opponent has and cover your own. Each player need to get in the game 6 times you need to have a plan for that. You need to have a plan in place on how you will get your information out to your staff, players, and parents. You need to have a plan what you will do when problems come up. Coach Dave Cisar lost his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd string QB prior to his championship. He made some minor adjustments to prepare for the game with is 4th string QB (OG) and he won the title. This was done because he had a plan in place, made the needed adjustments, and prepared the back up to get ready for the game. We need to make sure that we have a plan with everything we do. If you speak with most coaches you will be surprised how many have no plan or a short term plan. They play much of the program by ear and it can cost you big time when things happen that you didn’t plan for. One season I followed a team. This team was going against the clock to score and win the game. The team lost because the coaching staff didn’t have a 2 minute offensive plan. They miss used time outs, didn’t keep track of the time they had, and only sent in 1-2 plays in at a time. The coaches told the players “We let you down because we never went over or prepared a 2 minute offensive scheme.” You need to have a plan and be flexible with your plan as well.
· Preparation
This is the brother of planning. You need to be prepared for any and everything. Well over 70% of youth teams don’t prepare their players for the season or an upcoming game. Many lean on key players to get them over the hump. You will be surprised on how many teams carry the coaches instead of the coaches carrying the players. You need to prepare your players. You can do this by staying with you plan and work on the necessary things you need to be competitive. You need to work on the basic fundamentals of the game. Make sure your players know their assignments and that the assistant coaches are coaching these guys up to your standards instead of tearing you down behind your back and being spectators. Give them something to do and make sure they teaching the kids what they need to know so won’t waste time re-teaching them. You see it often when coaches are yelling at the kids for mistakes they make and most of them are because the kids won’t properly prepared for that situation. Many of us assume that kids will use common sense and make adjustments. We can’t assume that we need to make sure we prepare them and have them prepared for the task at hand.
· Patience
This is what you need when you work with kids, staff, and parents. You have to be very patience in every way. Things may not go as well as you would like. You have to maintain and stay focus. Make the needed adjustments as these problems come up. You may have players that aren’t developing the way you think they should. Then you maybe adding something new in and the kids don’t seem to get it. This is when you need to exercise patience. If you blow your top the players will be stiff and at times shut you out. You may have to make adjustments to make it easier for your kids to learn the scheme. You may have to find a way to teach them so they can understand what you want. When you’re dealing with kids if you keep blasting them some will be scared to push at 100% because they don’t want to be showcase as a poor player. Then they will play at half speed or even fake injuries to get around making a mistake. I always tell my players that you can make mistakes at practice. This is the place where we work on those issues so during the game you won’t make them. Try to make jokes to break the tension as well. Your players, you, or your staff may have an off day. Do what you can to get what you can in and find a way to take care of these issues in a correct and professional way. When you have parents that are difficult to deal with, you really need to lean on this P because every parent feels their child is the second coming. So you must use tact and have a plan in place to keep you from blowing your top. You may have key penalties you can’t blow up on the ref. You need to maintain and gather your thoughts. When you speak with refs you need to understand they’re human as well. Get to know them prior to the game and learn their names. You need to inform them of what you do and get a feel for them. Then we a questionable call is made you can call him by his 1st name and speak with him about the issue and ask for some clarity. You should state your point and once you state your point and get whatever explanation respect that and keep it moving. You will be surprise that you will get the call your way the next time. If the calls don’t go your way you need to remember that the ref at this game could be the ref at your next game. If you came off wrong with him then you know what to expect the next game. This is a key component when you’re coaching is being patience.
· Praise
When you see someone do something right you praise them. If you want to correct a player on something they did wrong you should do what Coach Dave Cisar do. For every wrong thing they do you must tell them 5 things they did right. This is a tool you should use on an off the field. Too many times we can point out everything a person did wrong. Then it gets to the point that’s all you do. You need to remember that your staff, parents, and kids are giving you 100%. When you constantly tear people down without praise you will get less effort and support over time. Always take time out and praise every player when you spot that they did something well and right. You coaches will fight for you, your parents will fight for you, and your players will almost die for you because you support them for everything they did well.
· Professionalism
At all times you must remain professional. You’re a role model when you’re a coach. We need to be very careful of what we say and do when we’re around our kids, parents, and our program. You will see coaches curse around kids, at kids, and forget that all eyes are on them. You need to be upstanding and lead by example. One day a player on my son’s team cursed a player out. The ref threw a flag and when the player got to the sideline the coach got him. That coach was his father and when you got on his son you knew where he got those words and how to use them in the matter he did. LOL The problem is that this child heard him use these words before and maybe on the field when he felt no one is around. When a child hears something they will do what they see. So in the end the child wasn’t wrong it was the coach. We need to always be on point and stay professional at all times. This falls with dealing with your staff, parents, and players. (Refs as well. lol)
· Purpose
When you coach you must coach with some sort of purpose. Why are you coaching youth football? Many of us love the game and want to give back to the game by working with kids and teaching the basics of the game so they can enjoy the game like we did. Too many people get into youth coaching for the wrong reasons. If you’re going to coach make sure you and your staff attend clinics. Make sure you tune in to my show. (LOL) Make sure you read books or surf the web for any info that cover what you want to do. Also seek out coaches that have the same philosophy you have with a strong track record with their program. Not follow a coach because he win, but follow one that has a solid base. He has all of the P’s and is structured, and organized. A coach that all of his players regardless of talent seem to be very fundamentally sound. I have found since doing my radio show that out of 50 coaches only two has turned away a refuse to lend a hand. This is a great number in relation to not knowing or having any prior relationship with these coaches. I had only spoken with Coach Glenn McNew one time on the phone and he sent me his entire offensive and defensive scheme. He even calls and checks on me from time to time on a weekly basis. Coach Jerry Campbell spoke with me one time and came on my show to drop in on his student Coach Vint. Once he reviewed my guest list and saw I wasn’t out for money, but to really help youth coaching. He opens up his website to me, and sent my well over 4 guides for free. He has also come on the show 3 times. There isn’t a day that goes by that he tells me that whatever I need I got it no questions asked. Coach Dave Cisar saw me one time at an event. My show was very new and raw. He not only came on the show 2-3 times he also sent me his whole collection of items on the singlewing scheme. Coach Campbell of USA Football talked with me one time and sent me 6 guests after being on my show one time. Now this list go on and on and one. The point I’m making is all of my guest send me info and regardless of the time are open to me and willing to help. In the end you need to have some sort of purpose and when you run your practice as well. Too many times coaches don’t keep their sessions high pace. You play the way you practice. If you allow your kids to drag ass during practice how are they going to step it up during a game. Always have your practices with plenty of energy and with an up-tempo flow. Also make your sessions fun. Mix up your routine to keep your kids focus and loose.
· Players
Remember that these kids look up to you. Parents leave their pride and joy in our hands. Make sure you give them everything you have. Make sure when you coach these kids that you teach them what they need to not only play well for you, but for the next level. My son plays for a coach that has been coaching for over 18 years. This coach is one of the worst I have ever come across. He doesn’t teach or develop any of the kids. He refuses to have an assistant and when he has one he always run them away. Then he also shows favoritism with his son over other players. One game a child came during the middle of the 1st quarter. This child never came to practice at all. He instantly put this kid in the game and didn’t get 2 of his players in at all the whole game. This is a very bad sign here. The kids that came to practice every day and gave him all they had to prepare for the game now feel like dirt at this point. The parents are now upset because there kid didn’t get in. Then none of the kids have improved since he has been with them. You may say what this has to do with the players. You’re doing them a terrible injustice when you don’t do what a coach should do. You’re responsible to teach these kids the basics of the game. You have to develop weaker players so they can improve. You don’t throw them in the corner like a pair of shoes that are out dated or 2 sizes small. You also have to understand that kids are very attentive. They pay attention to every little detail. When you disrespect kids in the manner this coach has you lose your players and respect overall in your program. Kids will tune you out because you not showing fairness across the board. You’re hurting these kids more so then helping them. We need to have a standard and stick to it. We need to understand that what we do as coaches can affect these kids for the rest of their lives. Close your eyes and think of the name of your 1st youth football coach. You still remember his name and the times you had with this coach. That coach made an impact on you and this is what we do for our kids.
· Parents
We all have had some good parents and we have some bad parents. The key is that parents can be very useful and not the headache many are if you use them well. On the 1st day of practice make a parent/coach contract. This contract is an outline of what you expect from them and what should expect from you. This contract should have guidelines for the child as well as the parent. This contract show have your team rules and a process on how you intent on communicating with them. This way when a situation comes up you can refer them to the contract. I use my team mom as a rep for the parents and me. When a parent has a complaint or want to see me the contract has the days and times I’m open to speak with parents. This way the parents don’t feel ignored and all of their issues can be addressed. I also use fathers in drills as well. This keep them busy and make them feel they’re a part of the network. When you have an open line of communication you will find that these parents will fight for you. They will deal with a slow start or a poor season. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it will help a great deal than ignoring them.
· Post/Pre Season Evals
This is a tip from Coach Erik Saunders. He do pre season and post season evals. This helps him understand what he needs to work on and how the parents feel about their overall experience working with him that season. He wants their input and uses it to improve on the way he coaches. I also do these evals on my coaching staff as well. This way we are all working towards improving the program. This is also a way to track your progress.
· Posse
You need to select solid assistant coaches. Don’t recruit guys that later will stab you in the back. Coach Hugh Wyatt told me in an interview he is a “lone wolf”. He tends to coach by himself and if he do get an assistant it maybe only one. The reason for this is because of the back stabbing and it’s hard to find someone that knows what being an assistant coach is about. Many teams you will see will have a 6 man staff and many of them are just spectators. Assistant coaches are there to assist you teach these kids what is needed in order for them to perform at a high level. They need to understand and believe in your philosophy. They need to believe in what you’re teaching and be knowledgeable in the area you put them in. If you want to run a zone blocking system and you have an offensive line coach he needs to study and know everything it is to know about zone blocking. He needs to work on stances, hand placement, footwork, and how to execute against different fronts. This way when the assistant coach has work with these kids you can install your plays and make adjustments. You should have regular meetings with the coaches and listen to their input as well. You all are a team and when an assistant coach feels you don’t respect them they will turn on you. They’re giving everything they have and they may see something that you may have missed. Listen to them and evaluated the suggestion. You may find that there is some merit to what is being said. When you do this now your assistant coach feels he’s a part of the network. Let them coach, but if you see they’re not on the same sheet with you and you’re staff you need to make adjustments quickly. Make sure you deal with them one on one and not criticized them in the open or around others. What is done in house stay in house.
· Prayer
You need to get all of the prayer in you can get. This isn’t an easy job at all. The QB Coach for the Raven’s spoke at a clinic for USA in Baltimore last summer. He felt that youth coaching is the hardest job out there. He commends all of us for the work we have done because it make his job easier down the road. You need to be grounded and allow God to guide you, your staff, your kids, and the family members that are a part of your organization. When you look at the end of a game and these two teams tore one another apart they still gather in the middle of the field to pray. Prayers can do wonders for you and your program. It also teaches the kids to get a relationship with our Father.
If you follow these P’s you will find that coaching can be a better experience and your program will always grow. Take care and I will see you on the field.
Coach Hayes (BigB)
The Red Zone Show
Coach Bernie (BigB) Hayes
The Red Zone Show
I just came from a clinic that Frank Glazier hosted in the Baltimore, Maryland area this month. It was good to see some of the friendly faces of coaches that helped my show and lending a helping hand to the coaching fraternity. When you’re at clinics like this it allow you to talk football with some of the greatest minds in the game. It also allows you to hear what problems other coaches are having and why their programs are struggling. After speaking with well over 100 coaches from other areas and some that I have came in contact with over time I see the same issues across the board. Many of them never used or had the 12 Commandments of Coaching-12 P’s. This is the foundation of every coach that coach any sport and have had some success over time. These key points came from many books I read, things I have dealt with during my time of coaching, and what other coaches have passed down to me.
· Passion
I was talking with Coach Jerry Campbell one day. I was dead tired and wonder why he had so much energy. He told me that if you have passion for what you do you never will get tired. That passion is what drove MJ, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice, and a host of other players to the status they achieved when they played. This is what all of the Hall of Fame coaches on every level had as well. In order for you to be a great coach you have to have that fire and drive to be the best you can be. This fire push you to look at extra film, put in that extra time game planning, making adjustments, and whatever is need to get to that level your team need to be. Frank Glazier clinics are free to all youth coaches and the classroom for youth speakers aren’t the most filled rooms. One out of ten coaches will get material on the system they want to run. One out of 20 will even seek a clinic or class to help them improve in the areas there weak in. One out of hundred will never go to a local high school to sit in on practices, speak with the coaching staff, or ask to volunteer to help with their coaching skills. Most won’t research other offensive, defensive, or special team schemes so they can make adjustments or improve in these areas. Coach Donald Davis told me that the area that most coaches never study or you see less of in most clinics is special team arena. Passion is what drives you to work endlessly to be the best you can be for yourself, your team, and your staff.
· Plan
When me and Coach Cisar was talking after his lecture he said something that I know most coaches overlooked. He told me that in anything you do you need to have a plan. Well over 40% of coaches today don’t have a true plan. You need an outline for what you want to do. If you want to add a new system you need to plan how you want to add this new system. You need to outline how you’re going to install components of this system. You need to get your position coaches in line so they can teach the needed techniques, and understand your philosophy so you all can be on the same page. When the season starts you need to game plan for you opponents. Then when it’s halftime make your adjustments for the second half. You need to scout and develop a game plan and how you will attack weakness of the areas your opponent has and cover your own. Each player need to get in the game 6 times you need to have a plan for that. You need to have a plan in place on how you will get your information out to your staff, players, and parents. You need to have a plan what you will do when problems come up. Coach Dave Cisar lost his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd string QB prior to his championship. He made some minor adjustments to prepare for the game with is 4th string QB (OG) and he won the title. This was done because he had a plan in place, made the needed adjustments, and prepared the back up to get ready for the game. We need to make sure that we have a plan with everything we do. If you speak with most coaches you will be surprised how many have no plan or a short term plan. They play much of the program by ear and it can cost you big time when things happen that you didn’t plan for. One season I followed a team. This team was going against the clock to score and win the game. The team lost because the coaching staff didn’t have a 2 minute offensive plan. They miss used time outs, didn’t keep track of the time they had, and only sent in 1-2 plays in at a time. The coaches told the players “We let you down because we never went over or prepared a 2 minute offensive scheme.” You need to have a plan and be flexible with your plan as well.
· Preparation
This is the brother of planning. You need to be prepared for any and everything. Well over 70% of youth teams don’t prepare their players for the season or an upcoming game. Many lean on key players to get them over the hump. You will be surprised on how many teams carry the coaches instead of the coaches carrying the players. You need to prepare your players. You can do this by staying with you plan and work on the necessary things you need to be competitive. You need to work on the basic fundamentals of the game. Make sure your players know their assignments and that the assistant coaches are coaching these guys up to your standards instead of tearing you down behind your back and being spectators. Give them something to do and make sure they teaching the kids what they need to know so won’t waste time re-teaching them. You see it often when coaches are yelling at the kids for mistakes they make and most of them are because the kids won’t properly prepared for that situation. Many of us assume that kids will use common sense and make adjustments. We can’t assume that we need to make sure we prepare them and have them prepared for the task at hand.
· Patience
This is what you need when you work with kids, staff, and parents. You have to be very patience in every way. Things may not go as well as you would like. You have to maintain and stay focus. Make the needed adjustments as these problems come up. You may have players that aren’t developing the way you think they should. Then you maybe adding something new in and the kids don’t seem to get it. This is when you need to exercise patience. If you blow your top the players will be stiff and at times shut you out. You may have to make adjustments to make it easier for your kids to learn the scheme. You may have to find a way to teach them so they can understand what you want. When you’re dealing with kids if you keep blasting them some will be scared to push at 100% because they don’t want to be showcase as a poor player. Then they will play at half speed or even fake injuries to get around making a mistake. I always tell my players that you can make mistakes at practice. This is the place where we work on those issues so during the game you won’t make them. Try to make jokes to break the tension as well. Your players, you, or your staff may have an off day. Do what you can to get what you can in and find a way to take care of these issues in a correct and professional way. When you have parents that are difficult to deal with, you really need to lean on this P because every parent feels their child is the second coming. So you must use tact and have a plan in place to keep you from blowing your top. You may have key penalties you can’t blow up on the ref. You need to maintain and gather your thoughts. When you speak with refs you need to understand they’re human as well. Get to know them prior to the game and learn their names. You need to inform them of what you do and get a feel for them. Then we a questionable call is made you can call him by his 1st name and speak with him about the issue and ask for some clarity. You should state your point and once you state your point and get whatever explanation respect that and keep it moving. You will be surprise that you will get the call your way the next time. If the calls don’t go your way you need to remember that the ref at this game could be the ref at your next game. If you came off wrong with him then you know what to expect the next game. This is a key component when you’re coaching is being patience.
· Praise
When you see someone do something right you praise them. If you want to correct a player on something they did wrong you should do what Coach Dave Cisar do. For every wrong thing they do you must tell them 5 things they did right. This is a tool you should use on an off the field. Too many times we can point out everything a person did wrong. Then it gets to the point that’s all you do. You need to remember that your staff, parents, and kids are giving you 100%. When you constantly tear people down without praise you will get less effort and support over time. Always take time out and praise every player when you spot that they did something well and right. You coaches will fight for you, your parents will fight for you, and your players will almost die for you because you support them for everything they did well.
· Professionalism
At all times you must remain professional. You’re a role model when you’re a coach. We need to be very careful of what we say and do when we’re around our kids, parents, and our program. You will see coaches curse around kids, at kids, and forget that all eyes are on them. You need to be upstanding and lead by example. One day a player on my son’s team cursed a player out. The ref threw a flag and when the player got to the sideline the coach got him. That coach was his father and when you got on his son you knew where he got those words and how to use them in the matter he did. LOL The problem is that this child heard him use these words before and maybe on the field when he felt no one is around. When a child hears something they will do what they see. So in the end the child wasn’t wrong it was the coach. We need to always be on point and stay professional at all times. This falls with dealing with your staff, parents, and players. (Refs as well. lol)
· Purpose
When you coach you must coach with some sort of purpose. Why are you coaching youth football? Many of us love the game and want to give back to the game by working with kids and teaching the basics of the game so they can enjoy the game like we did. Too many people get into youth coaching for the wrong reasons. If you’re going to coach make sure you and your staff attend clinics. Make sure you tune in to my show. (LOL) Make sure you read books or surf the web for any info that cover what you want to do. Also seek out coaches that have the same philosophy you have with a strong track record with their program. Not follow a coach because he win, but follow one that has a solid base. He has all of the P’s and is structured, and organized. A coach that all of his players regardless of talent seem to be very fundamentally sound. I have found since doing my radio show that out of 50 coaches only two has turned away a refuse to lend a hand. This is a great number in relation to not knowing or having any prior relationship with these coaches. I had only spoken with Coach Glenn McNew one time on the phone and he sent me his entire offensive and defensive scheme. He even calls and checks on me from time to time on a weekly basis. Coach Jerry Campbell spoke with me one time and came on my show to drop in on his student Coach Vint. Once he reviewed my guest list and saw I wasn’t out for money, but to really help youth coaching. He opens up his website to me, and sent my well over 4 guides for free. He has also come on the show 3 times. There isn’t a day that goes by that he tells me that whatever I need I got it no questions asked. Coach Dave Cisar saw me one time at an event. My show was very new and raw. He not only came on the show 2-3 times he also sent me his whole collection of items on the singlewing scheme. Coach Campbell of USA Football talked with me one time and sent me 6 guests after being on my show one time. Now this list go on and on and one. The point I’m making is all of my guest send me info and regardless of the time are open to me and willing to help. In the end you need to have some sort of purpose and when you run your practice as well. Too many times coaches don’t keep their sessions high pace. You play the way you practice. If you allow your kids to drag ass during practice how are they going to step it up during a game. Always have your practices with plenty of energy and with an up-tempo flow. Also make your sessions fun. Mix up your routine to keep your kids focus and loose.
· Players
Remember that these kids look up to you. Parents leave their pride and joy in our hands. Make sure you give them everything you have. Make sure when you coach these kids that you teach them what they need to not only play well for you, but for the next level. My son plays for a coach that has been coaching for over 18 years. This coach is one of the worst I have ever come across. He doesn’t teach or develop any of the kids. He refuses to have an assistant and when he has one he always run them away. Then he also shows favoritism with his son over other players. One game a child came during the middle of the 1st quarter. This child never came to practice at all. He instantly put this kid in the game and didn’t get 2 of his players in at all the whole game. This is a very bad sign here. The kids that came to practice every day and gave him all they had to prepare for the game now feel like dirt at this point. The parents are now upset because there kid didn’t get in. Then none of the kids have improved since he has been with them. You may say what this has to do with the players. You’re doing them a terrible injustice when you don’t do what a coach should do. You’re responsible to teach these kids the basics of the game. You have to develop weaker players so they can improve. You don’t throw them in the corner like a pair of shoes that are out dated or 2 sizes small. You also have to understand that kids are very attentive. They pay attention to every little detail. When you disrespect kids in the manner this coach has you lose your players and respect overall in your program. Kids will tune you out because you not showing fairness across the board. You’re hurting these kids more so then helping them. We need to have a standard and stick to it. We need to understand that what we do as coaches can affect these kids for the rest of their lives. Close your eyes and think of the name of your 1st youth football coach. You still remember his name and the times you had with this coach. That coach made an impact on you and this is what we do for our kids.
· Parents
We all have had some good parents and we have some bad parents. The key is that parents can be very useful and not the headache many are if you use them well. On the 1st day of practice make a parent/coach contract. This contract is an outline of what you expect from them and what should expect from you. This contract should have guidelines for the child as well as the parent. This contract show have your team rules and a process on how you intent on communicating with them. This way when a situation comes up you can refer them to the contract. I use my team mom as a rep for the parents and me. When a parent has a complaint or want to see me the contract has the days and times I’m open to speak with parents. This way the parents don’t feel ignored and all of their issues can be addressed. I also use fathers in drills as well. This keep them busy and make them feel they’re a part of the network. When you have an open line of communication you will find that these parents will fight for you. They will deal with a slow start or a poor season. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it will help a great deal than ignoring them.
· Post/Pre Season Evals
This is a tip from Coach Erik Saunders. He do pre season and post season evals. This helps him understand what he needs to work on and how the parents feel about their overall experience working with him that season. He wants their input and uses it to improve on the way he coaches. I also do these evals on my coaching staff as well. This way we are all working towards improving the program. This is also a way to track your progress.
· Posse
You need to select solid assistant coaches. Don’t recruit guys that later will stab you in the back. Coach Hugh Wyatt told me in an interview he is a “lone wolf”. He tends to coach by himself and if he do get an assistant it maybe only one. The reason for this is because of the back stabbing and it’s hard to find someone that knows what being an assistant coach is about. Many teams you will see will have a 6 man staff and many of them are just spectators. Assistant coaches are there to assist you teach these kids what is needed in order for them to perform at a high level. They need to understand and believe in your philosophy. They need to believe in what you’re teaching and be knowledgeable in the area you put them in. If you want to run a zone blocking system and you have an offensive line coach he needs to study and know everything it is to know about zone blocking. He needs to work on stances, hand placement, footwork, and how to execute against different fronts. This way when the assistant coach has work with these kids you can install your plays and make adjustments. You should have regular meetings with the coaches and listen to their input as well. You all are a team and when an assistant coach feels you don’t respect them they will turn on you. They’re giving everything they have and they may see something that you may have missed. Listen to them and evaluated the suggestion. You may find that there is some merit to what is being said. When you do this now your assistant coach feels he’s a part of the network. Let them coach, but if you see they’re not on the same sheet with you and you’re staff you need to make adjustments quickly. Make sure you deal with them one on one and not criticized them in the open or around others. What is done in house stay in house.
· Prayer
You need to get all of the prayer in you can get. This isn’t an easy job at all. The QB Coach for the Raven’s spoke at a clinic for USA in Baltimore last summer. He felt that youth coaching is the hardest job out there. He commends all of us for the work we have done because it make his job easier down the road. You need to be grounded and allow God to guide you, your staff, your kids, and the family members that are a part of your organization. When you look at the end of a game and these two teams tore one another apart they still gather in the middle of the field to pray. Prayers can do wonders for you and your program. It also teaches the kids to get a relationship with our Father.
If you follow these P’s you will find that coaching can be a better experience and your program will always grow. Take care and I will see you on the field.
Coach Hayes (BigB)
The Red Zone Show
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