How to hold your lower levels more accountable

[nltdiego]

Coaches, 

I'm going into my 3rd year coaching. It has become obvious to me that my lower level is not fully bought into my offense and defense philosophy. When my kids get to Varsity they do not know the proper technique of what I want. They know scheme but lack fundamentals and terminology. 

What do you all do too hold lower level accountable? Weekly check-ins? Etc?

[Coach Bennett]

Have you had winter meetings with them?

[Deleted]

Apr 14, 2014 22:51:56 GMT -6 nltdiego said:

Coaches, 

I'm going into my 3rd year coaching. It has become obvious to me that my lower level is not fully bought into my offense and defense philosophy. When my kids get to Varsity they do not know the proper technique of what I want. They know scheme but lack fundamentals and terminology. 

What do you all do too hold lower level accountable? Weekly check-ins? Etc?

If the players know the scheme, is it more practice philosophy they haven't bought into?  Maybe a meeting with the coaches at this level to make sure the fundamentals are emphasized more in practice?

[realdawg]

We dont have seperate JV and varsity staffs. I coach DL period. JV and varsity. While varsity works offense, JV works defense and then we switch. This way your lower level players are getting the same coaching as your varsity players.

[blb]

A good place to start would be referring to them as "we" and "our," not "I" and "my."

[Deleted]

Apr 15, 2014 5:38:52 GMT -6 realdawg said:

We dont have seperate JV and varsity staffs. I coach DL period. JV and varsity. While varsity works offense, JV works defense and then we switch. This way your lower level players are getting the same coaching as your varsity players.

Our freshmen are separate, but our program is set up the same way for sophomore through varsity.  It works pretty well.

[spos21ram]

Our high school staff is all one staff which eleviates this problem entirely. We have 7 coaches who are all varsity coaches. Freshmen through varsity practice at the same time and we do as much together as possible.

Our staff is broken up as far as non varsity duties. Two are the JV game coaches and two are the freshmen game coaches.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using proboards

[larrymoe]

Apr 15, 2014 5:39:17 GMT -6 blb said:

A good place to start would be referring to them as "we" and "our," not "I" and "my."

Concur.

[shocktroop34]

I've dealt with this in the past. Sometimes based on schedules/availability of your coaches, proximity of your practice fields, etc., you are not able to practice in a manner that allows you to closely monitor everything that is going on. So, I will respond to this with the assumption that you have minimal direct oversight of the lower levels and have to "trust" that what you are administering is being accomplished.  Given the OP, we can somewhat assume that what you have directed your lower level coaches to do, is not getting accomplished.

But first, you referred to the coaches not buying in to your philosophy. That statement remains vague as you didn't really elaborate on what your philosophy actually is. In this regard, you may need to evaluate what specific aspects they are not buying into. If you can pinpoint a couple of things, then ask yourself why they haven't bought in and adjust accordingly. If it is a broad and wide disconnect with your philosophy, you may want to step back and look at everything, because it is potentially flawed as a whole. Since you only referred to the L.L coaches, it is unlikely that your whole philosophy is skewed.  

A couple things you might need to ask yourself:
1) How much game planning are they involved in together with the Varsity staff?
2) Have you cultivated an environment where you either expect or invite them to join your planning sessions?
3) How often do you meet with the head lower level coaches throughout the off season and during the season?
4) What was it that initially made you come to the conclusion that they were not buying in?  Start the conversation there...

During this time of year, when I first noticed such a distinct separation in my own program, I brought everyone in. I needed to have a meeting of the minds to simply ask each man, what part of the philosophy they were having difficulty grasping and why. You can either do this individually or open forum group style.

The next thing that I did (in the very next meeting) was to have each position coach, on the varsity level, put together a power point on coaching their position. Have each coach present. I regulated it to about 10 minutes so everyone could get an idea of each style. When completed, we compared/contrasted the information that was presented and decided on what the best approach was.  Above all things, you need to stress the idea of "vertical coaching." Things need to be consistent from top to bottom.

Establish the idea that different fundamentals cannot be tolerated. Guys may want to use different drills, but the end game is that it produces the result you require. Different communication must be explained it terms of what is best for the players. It is simply not fair to set them up for failure by using different terms. It would be as fair as a teacher working with students all week on Spanish, to then give the test in French.

Everyone needs to leave the room in full agreement on what is going to be coached. If someone strays from the path, you have a conversation. If they never seem to get on board, then (at the appropriate time) you release them so they can find a coach that they will agree with more closely.

The lower levels need to be held accountable for preparing players for the varsity. Well how do you hold them accountable? The first strategy is to first set them up for success. Have the coaches and players around your learning/planning sessions as much as possible.  The position power points can also be a good tool for your program in the sense, when you hire a new coach, you can send him the presentation and say, 'this is how we teach it here.'

You also hold them accountable by paying attention. If you see something you don't like, it must be addressed promptly. Email, text, face to face. Takes a few minutes.

During the season, I had my JV and Frosh HC's send me an emailed status report. It was due on a weekly basis in the pre-season, and the day after they played a game. I needed to know everything going on from coaches, players, parents, etc. I would usually receive a half page write up that would take most people about 5-10 min. to complete. This also provided a record of my ability to monitor each program effectively if I was ever called to the carpet for something.  For the most part, I'd read it, and file it away. If there was something that was concerning, we'd talk about it and move on. Surprisingly, they were very good about these reports. I think it made them feel like they were cared about and a part of the overall process of success.

If you have hudl, have the lowers film a segment or two. Maybe they can only film a few minutes of a team session at the end. If you can't see them during the week, you need to at least be able to monitor them during the course of the season.  It only takes a few minutes for you to glance at the film to see what you either like or don't like.
 Again, you are creating a record of your ability to oversee the program.

Basically, my point is that, from your standpoint as a HC, your oversight has to be consistent and the communication must be clear. If there is something that is not coming across clearly, find out what that is. Don't take it personal, just fix it. And just like you would do during a game, evaluate what you see and make adjustments as you go.  Good luck.

[breakerdog]

Sun Tzu’s book The Art of War, earned him an audience with the King of Wu, who said, “I have read your books, may i submit your theory of managing soldiers to a small test?”



Sun Tzu replied “Sir, you may.”



The King of Wu asked “Can the test be applied to women?”



Sun Tzu replied that it could, so arrangements were made to bring 180 beautiful women from the palace. Sun Tzu divided them into two troops with one of the King’s favourite concubines at the head of each. He the made all of them take spears in their hands and spoke to them: “I presume you know the difference between front and back, right and left?”



The women replied, “Yes. Of course”

Sun Tzu continued, “When to the sound of drums I order ‘eyes front,’ look straights ahead. When I order ‘left turn,’ face toward your left. When I order ‘right turn’, face toward your right. When I order turn around, face around to the back.

After the words of command had been explained, the women agreed they understood. He gave them spears so he could begin the drill. To the sound of drums, Sun Tzu ordered ‘right turn.’ In response the women burst out in laughter.



With great patience, Sun Tzu said, “If the instructions and words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame.” He then repeated the explanations several times. This time he ordered the drums to signal ‘left turn,’ and again the women burst into laughter.



Then Sun Tzu said, “If the instructions and words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if the commands are clear and the soldiers disobey, then it is the fault of the officers.” He immediately ordered the women who were at the head of the two troops to be beheaded.



Of course, the King was watching from a raised pavilion, and when he saw that his two favourite concubines were about to be executed, he was alarmed and swiftly sent down a message: “We are now quite satisfied as to the general’s ability to manage troops. Without these concubines, my food and drink will not taste good. It is the King’s wish that they not be beheaded.”



Sun Tzu replied, “Having received the sovereign’s commission to take charge and direct these troops, there are certain orders I cannot accept.” He immediately had the two concubines beheaded as an example and appointed the two next in line as the new leaders.



Now the drums were sounded and the drill began. The women performed all the maneuvers exactly as commanded. They drilled perfectly in precision and did not utter a single sound.



Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King of Wu saying, “Your Majesty, the soldiers are now correctly drilled and perfectly disciplined. As sovereign, you may choose to require them to go through fire and water and they will not disobey.”



The King responded, “Our commander should cease the drill and return to his camp. We do not wish to come down and inspect the troops.”



With great calm, Sun Tzu said, “This King is only fond of words and cannot carry them into deeds.”

[fantom]

Apr 15, 2014 10:13:05 GMT -6 breakerdog said:

Sun Tzu’s book The Art of War, earned him an audience with the King of Wu, who said, “I have read your books, may i submit your theory of managing soldiers to a small test?”



Sun Tzu replied “Sir, you may.”



The King of Wu asked “Can the test be applied to women?”



Sun Tzu replied that it could, so arrangements were made to bring 180 beautiful women from the palace. Sun Tzu divided them into two troops with one of the King’s favourite concubines at the head of each. He the made all of them take spears in their hands and spoke to them: “I presume you know the difference between front and back, right and left?”



The women replied, “Yes. Of course”

Sun Tzu continued, “When to the sound of drums I order ‘eyes front,’ look straights ahead. When I order ‘left turn,’ face toward your left. When I order ‘right turn’, face toward your right. When I order turn around, face around to the back.

After the words of command had been explained, the women agreed they understood. He gave them spears so he could begin the drill. To the sound of drums, Sun Tzu ordered ‘right turn.’ In response the women burst out in laughter.



With great patience, Sun Tzu said, “If the instructions and words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame.” He then repeated the explanations several times. This time he ordered the drums to signal ‘left turn,’ and again the women burst into laughter.



Then Sun Tzu said, “If the instructions and words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if the commands are clear and the soldiers disobey, then it is the fault of the officers.” He immediately ordered the women who were at the head of the two troops to be beheaded.



Of course, the King was watching from a raised pavilion, and when he saw that his two favourite concubines were about to be executed, he was alarmed and swiftly sent down a message: “We are now quite satisfied as to the general’s ability to manage troops. Without these concubines, my food and drink will not taste good. It is the King’s wish that they not be beheaded.”



Sun Tzu replied, “Having received the sovereign’s commission to take charge and direct these troops, there are certain orders I cannot accept.” He immediately had the two concubines beheaded as an example and appointed the two next in line as the new leaders.



Now the drums were sounded and the drill began. The women performed all the maneuvers exactly as commanded. They drilled perfectly in precision and did not utter a single sound.



Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King of Wu saying, “Your Majesty, the soldiers are now correctly drilled and perfectly disciplined. As sovereign, you may choose to require them to go through fire and water and they will not disobey.”



The King responded, “Our commander should cease the drill and return to his camp. We do not wish to come down and inspect the troops.”



With great calm, Sun Tzu said, “This King is only fond of words and cannot carry them into deeds.”

Yeah but they won't let us behead our JV coaches. In union states they're even stricter about that. 

[wingtol]

Not sure what your program is like but I would bet for most schools on the lower levels your not stocked up with a bunch of football guys. I know when I coached in the lower levels it was an entry level type deal. You were starting out and learning to coach. Most of us were young and had no clue or had guys who were just happy to be there and drill runner type guys. Coach your coaches and keep plugin away at them. At least the kids know the scheme and that's half the battle I guess!

[shocktroop34]

I remember when Tommy Tuberville tried to behead one of his assistants.

[coachd5085]

Apr 15, 2014 10:21:12 GMT -6 fantom said:

Apr 15, 2014 10:13:05 GMT -6 breakerdog said:

Waiting on the "come to Texas..it's the best football state" in 3...2...1..

[carookie]

Teach them all the drills you want run, when you want them done, and how they are to teach them. Fully explain them to them, and then have them teach them back to you the right way. After that write out their practice plans, and be very detailed. Leave nothing up to ambiguity; if you do, and they do something you do not like it is your fault not theirs.

If they do not follow they are being insubordinate, and you need to let them go and find new LL assistants.

[larrymoe]

Apr 15, 2014 10:13:05 GMT -6 breakerdog said:

Sun Tzu’s book The Art of War, earned him an audience with the King of Wu, who said, “I have read your books, may i submit your theory of managing soldiers to a small test?”



Sun Tzu replied “Sir, you may.”



The King of Wu asked “Can the test be applied to women?”



Sun Tzu replied that it could, so arrangements were made to bring 180 beautiful women from the palace. Sun Tzu divided them into two troops with one of the King’s favourite concubines at the head of each. He the made all of them take spears in their hands and spoke to them: “I presume you know the difference between front and back, right and left?”



The women replied, “Yes. Of course”

Sun Tzu continued, “When to the sound of drums I order ‘eyes front,’ look straights ahead. When I order ‘left turn,’ face toward your left. When I order ‘right turn’, face toward your right. When I order turn around, face around to the back.

After the words of command had been explained, the women agreed they understood. He gave them spears so he could begin the drill. To the sound of drums, Sun Tzu ordered ‘right turn.’ In response the women burst out in laughter.



With great patience, Sun Tzu said, “If the instructions and words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame.” He then repeated the explanations several times. This time he ordered the drums to signal ‘left turn,’ and again the women burst into laughter.



Then Sun Tzu said, “If the instructions and words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if the commands are clear and the soldiers disobey, then it is the fault of the officers.” He immediately ordered the women who were at the head of the two troops to be beheaded.



Of course, the King was watching from a raised pavilion, and when he saw that his two favourite concubines were about to be executed, he was alarmed and swiftly sent down a message: “We are now quite satisfied as to the general’s ability to manage troops. Without these concubines, my food and drink will not taste good. It is the King’s wish that they not be beheaded.”



Sun Tzu replied, “Having received the sovereign’s commission to take charge and direct these troops, there are certain orders I cannot accept.” He immediately had the two concubines beheaded as an example and appointed the two next in line as the new leaders.



Now the drums were sounded and the drill began. The women performed all the maneuvers exactly as commanded. They drilled perfectly in precision and did not utter a single sound.



Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King of Wu saying, “Your Majesty, the soldiers are now correctly drilled and perfectly disciplined. As sovereign, you may choose to require them to go through fire and water and they will not disobey.”



The King responded, “Our commander should cease the drill and return to his camp. We do not wish to come down and inspect the troops.”



With great calm, Sun Tzu said, “This King is only fond of words and cannot carry them into deeds.”

Sun Tzu also had a losing record...

[larrymoe]

Curse you technology!

[coachphillip]

Like the story and carookie stated: if it's a recurring, widespread problem then it's on you. If they don't know what to do because you haven't told them, they're ignorant. If they refuse to do what you told them, they're insubordinate. Ignorance is forgivable and correctable. Insubordination is not. Teach them what you want, keep them nearby, and if neither of those work then bye bye. You're going to end up reteaching them anyway. Might as well integrate them early.

[coach2013]

We coach our coaches first.

We make sure everyone knows the alignments, terminology and technique that we employ as a PROGRAM. Everyone understands the difference between a team and a program. JV kids should be able to be called up to varsity or varsity kids sent down to JV, freshmen call up and so on. The is essentially one large team with three different games each week. We expect each game to show systems, terminology, signals and methodology that is CARBON COPY across the program.

Do the frosh coaches ever tweak things even though they have been instructed not to? of course, its usually a copout for not being able to coach something we want coached, its a short cut to cover their own weaknesses.

we have to address it as a staff and teach them WHY things are to be done the way they are done, THIS BREEDS EXCELLENCE and don't apologize for expecting excellence.

[CatsCoach]

When I coached HS the Varsity staff coached JV also. Freshman did stay separate.

[s73]

We have all levels coach fundamentals together to begin practice. For example, our head freshman coach is the DC for that level and he and my Varsity DB guy run all DB fundy drills together at the beginning of practice for all levels.

My Varsity DC and Frosh assistant coach LB fundy's together for all levels
My sophomore HC works OLB
My sophomore assistant and myself drill all DL in the program.

Similar set up for Offensive fundamentals

Then Varsity & Sophomores break down & practice together the rest of the day while frosh go off alone. My frosh HC is also one of my older and more experienced guys. This has led to a lot of continuity for us. 

[coachwoodall]

If the young kids know the scheme, then they are being coached up on the scheme by your coaches. Kids just don't 'athlete' into knowing scheme.

If the young kids don't know technique, then they aren't being coached up on technique by your coaches. Reasons:
-spending too much/all their time on scheme
-don't know all the 'how to's' to teach technique
-think that all football is, is 'plays'

You seem to be getting something out of these guys by the fact that the kids know the scheme. Ii seems that maybe a little direction on technique and/or the priority of technique needs to be made more clear.

[coachiminime]

Coaches, for those of you that practice jV and varsity together two,questions.
1) we only have jv, no freshmen team, does having 13-14 year old jv players change your thinking
2) being a smaller two platoon team does that impact the decision to practice jv and varsity together.

[souza12]

Apr 14, 2014 22:51:56 GMT -6 nltdiego said:

Coaches, 

I'm going into my 3rd year coaching. It has become obvious to me that my lower level is not fully bought into my offense and defense philosophy. When my kids get to Varsity they do not know the proper technique of what I want. They know scheme but lack fundamentals and terminology. 

What do you all do too hold lower level accountable? Weekly check-ins? Etc?

Im willing to bet youre doing a poor job communicating to them in some way.. you say you need to hold them accountable but i think the question you should ask is who is holding the varsity level accountable for making sure thd JV knows what you want and why you do it? It is your job to get them to master your offense.. if they mastered it they would believe in it because im sure you have an offense designed to succeed.. no one ever draws up an offense and says "ya thisll fail for sure!" Lol