Building Toughness

[football365]

I am sure some on here have had some of these problems. I am a coach on a team that should be pretty good but is just mentally weak.

At practice guys take plays off often, guys take it easy on each other, and on games nobody looks to make a play. 

I introduced more hitting in practice, had there be rewards/consequences for doing well, but it doesn't seem to be enough.


How do you turn a team around full of guys who don't believe they can do it, and look to shut down when adversity comes?

[nltdiego]

We have the same issue

[dubber]

First off, I think you are on the right track....if it isn't practiced, it will not show up on Fridays.

So, even if it ridiculous, replace them in practice.

Let them know why they are getting pulled, and even if your replacement is a weak sister, the point concerning their effort gets across.

Also, do not assume their timid nature isn't due to their unfamiliarity with what you want them to do and/or how you want them to do it.

Sometimes we wonder why little Timmy looks awesome in drills and sucky in team......often there is a step in the teaching progression we are skipping.

[football365]

Thanks for the thoughts. I don't think it's due to confusion... We fly around when the pads are off, but are timid when we go with pads on....

[gibbs72]

Set up adversity situations in practice. 3rd & 20 ==> must get a 1st down. If they do, defense has a gasser. If they don't, offense does. Every drill has a winner/ loser. It's helped us a ton!