|
Post by tog on Jun 21, 2005 11:18:34 GMT -6
this came up in another thread, and it sounded like a good topic to discuss
how do you go about being a student of the game?
for me (no particular order)
1. talk football in the office as much as possible, learn what those around you already know, learn your own stuff backwards and forwards (i am still working on the passing game part of our stuff, but getting there)
2. books, i try to buy 3-5 different football books a year, usually pick them up at clinics, but sometimes off the internet a. one bio book about a great coach (currently the bear) b. the rest of the books about some kind of defense or offense i am interested in, or just want to learn about
3. drawing stuff up, just the old legal pad, seeing how things work, against any front, fronts against formations, plays, this is where i really try and think outside the box, if i am drawing stuff up here, sometimes i just draw things that are not traditional in any way to see how they spark other new ideas, if it is stupid or doesn't work, then it is just on my paper, no one has to see it, if in the office with a whiteboard then i just use that
4. drawing stuff up, on the computer, playmaker pro, this is where the good ideas go after the legal pad ideas, the cleaner lines and lack of scribble all over the page makes it clearer to look at and can make you really think about if something would be sound or not
5. practicing-if at home, i get my wife to play a defensive spot, and i practice certain things on her to see how it works, if at school i grab a coach or a kid and just work through it
6. internet, boards like this one are little clinics in and of themselves, obviously i like to join in and post away (my cable modem and laptop help)
7. playbooks-trading playbooks and just seeing how others have it all drawn up and worded and ruled out helps to see how your stuff works and could be adjusted
i can get a litlle obsessive about things
|
|
SlipScreen
Freshmen Member
Just Bring It!
Posts: 85
|
Post by SlipScreen on Jun 21, 2005 12:23:23 GMT -6
Good clinics are also invaluable.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 21, 2005 12:25:36 GMT -6
huh, how did i forget that one???
this is the first year i missed angelo in a few years, wife had certain days off for trip to iowa, it was during that time
make it to 3 clinics a year usually, not counting coaching school with THSCA, that "clinic" is usually a bunch of goo
|
|
SlipScreen
Freshmen Member
Just Bring It!
Posts: 85
|
Post by SlipScreen on Jun 21, 2005 12:28:13 GMT -6
We went to the Cajun Clinic instead of the Angelo Clinic this year. Smaller, more intimate setting (don't get the wrong idea here guys). Fewer speakers, but good quality. Food was incredible and the drive made for some good staff bonding time.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 21, 2005 12:30:28 GMT -6
Hey, have you guys seen a white van?
I love saying that when I walk out of a clinic.
|
|
SlipScreen
Freshmen Member
Just Bring It!
Posts: 85
|
Post by SlipScreen on Jun 21, 2005 12:33:14 GMT -6
especially if its at an establishment! LOL
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 21, 2005 12:33:41 GMT -6
not going to touch that one slip
|
|
SlipScreen
Freshmen Member
Just Bring It!
Posts: 85
|
Post by SlipScreen on Jun 21, 2005 12:36:35 GMT -6
It slipped out before I knew what had happened.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 21, 2005 12:39:16 GMT -6
not going to touch that one either
back on topic
what else do you guys do to learn the game, other than just watch a ton of it on tv or on film?
|
|
SlipScreen
Freshmen Member
Just Bring It!
Posts: 85
|
Post by SlipScreen on Jun 21, 2005 12:42:06 GMT -6
Right now, I have been going over all of last years films again. Not only self scouting, but taking a closer look at what the other team was doing and if we can use it.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 21, 2005 12:43:00 GMT -6
how are you tracking the info?
|
|
SlipScreen
Freshmen Member
Just Bring It!
Posts: 85
|
Post by SlipScreen on Jun 21, 2005 12:46:45 GMT -6
Yellow pad and pencil baby, seriously old school.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 21, 2005 12:47:46 GMT -6
well, what are you writing down really? just putting it into words?
basically, how are you going about it?
|
|
SlipScreen
Freshmen Member
Just Bring It!
Posts: 85
|
Post by SlipScreen on Jun 21, 2005 12:53:31 GMT -6
For our self scout, all the usual- D&D, hash, field position, formation, play, and result.
For the other team, just doing a ton of drawing.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 21, 2005 13:02:34 GMT -6
on your self scout, what kind of tendencies are you finding? no secrets need to be given away here, but how do you plan to use the info?
to be more balanced? get certain kids the ball more, areas to improve? tendency breakers?
|
|
SlipScreen
Freshmen Member
Just Bring It!
Posts: 85
|
Post by SlipScreen on Jun 21, 2005 13:09:34 GMT -6
Tendencies in play calling, sides of the field, into or away from the hash, what our big gain plays were.
|
|
|
Post by scrublydubly on Jun 23, 2005 15:16:10 GMT -6
talk to my dad about the game and what they ran and how they named everything and schemes on both sides of the ball he ran T in HS and Pro Set in College as a guard and ran a 5-3 D in HS not sure in college it's fun to me talking about what worked in the 70's and what thinks will really work today he's still a big fan of T, and my coaches in HS were great dont get me wrong but in comparison they made a lil harder than i think it should have been even though offenses are more complex but still enjoy hearing his views and combine them with mine from what i've learned combining OLD SCHOOL and NU SKOOL is CRUNK
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 23, 2005 19:11:57 GMT -6
what worked then works now, there just might be some adjustments to be made a little, especially on defense with the proliferation of more wide open spread attacks
|
|
|
Post by Coach Huey on Jun 28, 2005 10:49:27 GMT -6
be open minded. don't assume that what you are doing is the best thing out there. listen to others. everything has a purpose and may be of use to you within your system.
don't get caught up is merely the x's & o's of the scheme. learn and understand the philosophy of it. what is the entire package of something (base plays, compliments, adjustments). learn how the scheme is installed and practiced.
find out how others teach their kids. that is what we do. i think of it as getting teaching tips from other guys. drills, practice routines, schedules, installation process, etc.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jul 2, 2005 20:19:35 GMT -6
what was the age when you learned the most?
for me it has been this last year or so
|
|
|
Post by phantom on Jul 2, 2005 22:00:19 GMT -6
When I was young, clinics were invaluable. Lately, though, I find them too general. I think that visits are much more useful. Going to a college, watching film, and talking to the coaches has been the best way of learning the game recently. It doesn't heve to be D.1 schools, either. D.3 coaches know the game and tend to be very accomodating.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jul 2, 2005 22:05:10 GMT -6
i find talking to other high schools with lesser talent does more good that talking to colleges
colleges, even the lower levels, have the ability to recruit who they have to run their stuff,
most of the time in hs, we don't have superior talent, and have to adjust accordingly
|
|
|
Post by coachcalande on Jul 3, 2005 4:30:23 GMT -6
student of the game ideas that i use...
1) get hands on film from coaches around the country that run same philosophy/systems that i employ
2) get hands on film from coaches around the country that run same philosophy/systems that my oponnents run
3) know your enemy...visit discussion boards ie, wing T and option boards to spy on them lol.
4) clinics and video presentations are great (well some are)
5) take pad and paper with me every where my wife drags me..."honey, im just gonna wait in the car"...evil genius scribbles out new killer plays or formations...
6) ask "how do y0u guys do it" to anyone with the time to explain...
7) watch my own film until it breaks
8) evaluate, reevaluate and do it again.
9) read books that interest me and try to get thru one that doesnt, sometimes years later something clicks and that becomes the better book.
10) teach. nothing makes you learn faster than teaching the subject. i have learned more about the dw and 46 by helping others than you can imagine.
|
|
|
Post by Split50 on Jul 3, 2005 8:42:44 GMT -6
In today's times, learn as much as you can about dealing with kids. The kids of today have so many more distractions, problems, etc. than did the kids of my time. Better find out how to reach them. Coaching involves much more psychology today. Everything the others have said is true. I still feel that I can learn from everyone involved in this game. Use your time wisely. I learn a lot about defense by listening to offensive coaches. If you know what they're thinking, it will help you prepare for them. Learn the spread, Wing T, Veer, etc.
|
|
champyun
Junior Member
Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.
Posts: 252
|
Post by champyun on Jul 3, 2005 16:48:46 GMT -6
Split...there you go again, cheating us offensive guys!
|
|
|
Post by phantom on Jul 3, 2005 18:26:48 GMT -6
i find talking to other high schools with lesser talent does more good that talking to colleges colleges, even the lower levels, have the ability to recruit who they have to run their stuff, most of the time in hs, we don't have superior talent, and have to adjust accordingly Colleges are where the cutting-edge stuff is happening, though, (well, the NFL, really, but most of us are not getting in to talk to them) so that's where to go to get the new stuff. You're right that frequently you won't be able to go straight home and use a lot of what you get from a college. Research requires patience. Many times we've seen something that looked intruiging but just didn't fit in, or we didn't completely get it, or we thought that it required too much new teaching, or found other reasons not to use it. Later-and that could be years later- we've doodled, talked to other coaches, looked at film, and found a way to get it in and it becomes an important part of the system. What I'm babbling about is taking the long view with regard to research. You may learn something that won't help immediately but can help out down the road. It doesn't always work. A few years ago I spent a day with a college DC. When the meeting ended, we realized that our defensive systems and philosophies were competely different and that we'd never use any of it. He was a nice fella, though, and I did get a day off from school.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jul 3, 2005 20:55:34 GMT -6
actually, i think the cutting edge stuff happens at the hs level
the colleges steal it
|
|
|
Post by phantom on Jul 3, 2005 21:15:54 GMT -6
There's a lot of truth to that but nowadays, particularly on defense, the colleges are stealing their stuff from the pros.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jul 3, 2005 21:17:44 GMT -6
i really think they are stealing the most stuff from the HS, and the pros are stealing from them
|
|
Oz1
Sophomore Member
Posts: 114
|
Post by Oz1 on Jul 4, 2005 22:02:18 GMT -6
i watch a lot of game film, ours, our opponents, and what ever i can get my hands on.
our dc and i set down and go over his different fronts he wants to run and I draw up plays attacking each fronts weakness
i read different books on football, biography's and motivation books
and I read at least one could novel a summer that nothing to do with football, well it does in some ways. I like to read good spy and military books.
|
|