Youth Football: Keep it Simple!

Keep it simple coach! Being a coach is a year round job. It becomes a big part of your life and an important part as well that is very satisfying and enjoyable. But, it takes a lot of hard work and commitment on your part. There are many dedicated youth coaches in our communities that shape the development of our children across the country and they play a vital role in their character development. It's important that they do a good job. As a coach it is was always important to me to be prepared, knowledgeable, and organized. The internet has a vast amount of information of coaching philosophies, strategies, systems, practice plans, whatever, for the aspiring coach. However, for the most part I find it can be too technical, too costly, or too philosophical for what I want to do at the youth level.
My philosophy has always been to keep it simple or for the most part and use the" KISS" philosophy: "Kiss" being" Keep it simple stupid! And of course, add in "Do it well".
By keeping it simple in both practice and game systems your players should better grasp their roles, be confident in it, and perform at a higher level. By keeping it simple, it is easier for you to make practice plans, game adjustments and get the response out of your players that you're looking for. To be able to adjust is the key. And its fun! To recognize what your opponent is up to and being able to adjust to it is very fulfilling, and gives you and your player's confidence. A simple system allows this to happen. Finally, become a student of the game and dedicate yourself to that commitment. In the end your players will benefit, win or lose.

Football Multiple Defence

In order to have an effective and efficient defence it must have the ability to change, bend or flex into a multiple look. That is your defence has to be able to adapt to whats presented to it. As a defensive co-ordinator its important that your defence has the abilty to counter the many different looks that an offence can present on a given series. Todays offence is very flexible and can shift from a run formation to a shotgun spread formation on the fly. Its important that your football defence is able to do that as well. A lot of teams have incorporated a multiple defence with the abilty to shift to different fronts and coverages without substitutions. Gone are the days where yoor football defence stays in the same front for the entire game. Its all about being able to adapt on the fly on a given series to what the offence is presenting otherwise your run stopping front may be great on first down but be very vulnerable when the offence switches to their shot-gun spread formation on the next play.

Cheers!

Football Practice Tips:You play like you Practice !

Its true, really, don't ever think otherwise. Your team will be as good as they practice.If they practice hard at a high tempo with a good practice plan in place with limited down time. They will be efficient on the field during the game. If they don't practice hard with a lot of down time and a limited practice structure the result on the field will be disheartening and frustrating. Challenge your players to practice hard at a high tempo. Encourage them not to walk but to jog betweeen practice elements. Insist that they always keep their helmets on except for designated water breaks. Stay on top of them relentlessly to work hard and be their best. Challenge them physically and mentally by working them in their assignments when they are fatigued. Follow your practice plan and work them hard! Make the practices harder then the games and you will see the results on the scoreboard.

Cheers!

Youth Football Playbook Tips

Football is just around the corner and its that time of year that a lot of coaches pour through endless playbooks and systems in order to find that perfect offence or defence. Endless hours on the internet has just made it more confusing. Well if you want a good tip, especially if you are just getting into this game perhaps coaching 8-9 year old players, the tip would be "Less is Better".

Yea thats right!

Less offence could be the key that launches your young team into that city championship or perhaps another tip would be "Keep it simple,do it well". Rather than have that multiple spread offence, keep the same look, run basic plays with simple blocking rules, place your best athletes at key positions and do it well!

Football can be such an easy game to play and coach if you let it!

Cheers!