I am pleased to announce that I am “going home!” After being away for 11 years from the school and program that I helped build, I am going to “Consult” for the current head coach… and help out as a volunteer assistant on a part-time basis. I felt like the Lord was telling me that He wanted me affiliated with that program again. I am thrilled!
In the 2 weeks that I’ve been “hanging out” around the weight room and on the field while the kids run through drills, I’ve observed some things that I felt were significant enough to share with the head coach. Each of them goes to the foundation of my philosophy of coaching: 1- Everyone can hustle; 2- BIG Team; little Me. 3- and my third “plank” of “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance”— which requires a coaching staff who’s willing to teach and teach it well!
Hustle: “It doesn’t take talent to hustle.” In my time as a head coach, all players ran everywhere when they were ON the field— practice and game! We ran onto the field; we ran everywhere we went! I think this builds a sense of pride and establishes a core value that we will not tolerate lack of effort. I noticed the other day that the coach called the players up at the end of the workout. A bunch of them walked over to him while the linemen (who were 50 yards away!) jogged over. *I think it’s interesting to note that the O Line coach played for me at Western Branch. He said later that “running is just how we do things!” Several of the backs commented (positively) on seeing the linemen jog over to them! Good start!
Team First! As the HC began his closing remarks to the players, I noticed that several of the veterans were off about 10 yards away!!?? They were gathering up the bags and shields and carrying them to the storage shed beside the field. A very nice thing for them to do but… they were missing out on the “words of wisdom” that the coach was sharing. I pointed out to him later that I think it’s important for ALL of the players to gather around (in front of him, by the way!!! Have them form a semi-circle in front of you. You want to be able to look them in the eye when you talk. You don’t want players behind you that you can’t see and… they can’t see you!) to hear what he has to say. I also stated (back to point #1) that if the HC is calling the players over, it must be important! So, they better coming running— not walking!
Then there’s the situation with storing the equipment. I used to ask for volunteers to stay back and pick up the equipment and help me get it into the shed. One hot, humid August day I noticed that the same 4-5 players were helping me close up every day! I stepped outside of the shed and looked toward our locker room (which is about 200 yards away) and some of the players were already nearing the door and taking off their pads and shoes!!! I went ballistic!!! I started blowing my whistle long and loud (repeatedly!) till the word reached the locker room that “Coach J wants everybody back on the field… pronto!!!” They came running! I gathered them around me (in front of me!!!) and said, “These 4 guys stay out every day and help me close up the shed while the rest of you head in and get a fast exit after practice. That is not fair and it does not exemplify what “BIG Team; little me” represents. From now on, NOBODY leaves the practice field until all equipment is stored away and I lock the door!!! If you want to help, and your help would be appreciated, that’s great! Things will get cleaned up faster with more people helping. But… we’re ALL staying here until the field is cleaned up! Is that clear??!!” From that point on, we got more people involved in clean up but… everyone went in as a team at the end of practice!
It may seem like “little things” but it’s all part of the BIG picture. You want to instill qualities that will make your players successful on and off the field! Teaching them that hustle and unity will carry them through life builds character. Making these “little things” I’ve discussed here part of your program’s culture are building blocks toward achieving that end.
