Welcome, Coaches to the Tuesday night #swarmfbchat Go ahead and intro yourselves and follow some new coaches tonight. Make sure to use the hashtag in all tweets! Let's have a good one fellas!
We will use Q1/A1 format; feel free to like and retweet as much as you want; ask follow up questions to anyone you want. The more involved, the more you get out of it. #swarmfbchat
Our topic is more of a sharing of what we've taken away from the clinics we've attended so far. Should be a great night of stealing good ideas! #swarmfbchat
Q1: Let's talk culture - it's so very important to each team's success. What are some clinic notes you can share on improving culture or adding to what you already do with your players? #swarmfbchat
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I invite my position players to my house after Wednesday practice. One rule is no football talk, just relax eat food and make fun of each other. Has had a great impact of teammate relationship.
A1: One of the best things I have found from clinics so far is the idea of having 10-20 “family meetings” within your team. Builds bonds and fosters unity #swarmfbchat
A1: Bruce Arians from AZ Cardinals HS Coaches Clinic... It's all about the relationships you build with your players. Coach your players hard. Love them after with your arm around them.
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A1: We place an emphasis on paying attention to detail/doing the little things correctly (start behind the line, tie your shoes, finish every time, etc). Whatever you place a high emphasis on kids will attempt to reach #swarmfbchat
A1: Derek Wilson DC of Blue Springs HS in MO discussed “you are what you recognize not what you emphasize” He mentioned how student trainers keep score of drills and recognize winners and exceptional effort. Use data to find growth. #SwarmFBChat
This is something so important & often so overlooked. My college coach & I spent over an hour today discussing how pivotal culture, character, and accountability are for sustaining and building a program. Once you sacrifice Ws for accountability, you are losing. #swarmfbchat
Q1: Let's talk culture - it's so very important to each team's success. What are some clinic notes you can share on improving culture or adding to what you already do with your players? #swarmfbchat
Make what we do special. Never take it for granted. Each year treat everything as your a brand new coach in a brand new environment with brand new kids. Don’t assume the kids know anything , teach it #swarmfbchat
A1 biggest thing for me was more of what not to do, when dealing with culture it is so important to take the time to plan it out and make sure it is something you can stick with, too many HC's like to jump from thing to thing just because its what Urban Meyer does #swarmfbchat
A1. @CoachJacksonTPW 's book is the Holy Grail of building culture. Adapted a number of his ideas. Culture isn't just slogans but how your program is ran. #swarmfbchat
A1: survey your kids to establish the areas they are struggling and make a direct effort to speak to those areas within your character ed program. #swarmfbchat
A1 cont.: we also have a points system throughout the off season (attendance, max gains, no discipline referrals, gpa, comm. service). Kids are put on teams to provide peer accountability and self accountability, champion is rewarded #swarmfbchat
A1: Just heard Gus Malzahn at the AFCA, he said to ride them hard on the field and love them up off the field, all about relationships, they don't care how much you know until they know how much you care #swarmfbchat
A1: I also know a coach who said “focus on the major and not the minor”. But those minors turn major if you do not address it and stay consistent top to bottom #swarmfbchat
A1: bronco mendenhall of UVA discusses the pygmalion effect. Don’t leave a day wondering what a kid could do. This is valuable bc sometimes we get lost in coaching starters not all people in our program. #SwarmFBChat
A1). Accountability. Preach it and live it everyday. Remind players that it’s their team, their legacy their choices & attitude that builds the foundation for success. #swarmfbchat
A1: I like hearing coaches talk about how they develop culture throughout their programs but there are also some good reads out there. Above the Line by Urban Meyer has some great models to implement. Next week I’ll be starting Culture Defeats Strategy #swarmfbchat
#swarmfbchat I have a beginning of the Season party for each position group. Eat, swim, and have fun. During the season each position coach will have their group do something together once or twice a month. Would love to do more!
A1. Haven’t been to a FB Clinic yet this offseason. Did have the defense over for supper one evening before Christmas break to thank them. Have to build the relationship/connection off the field with players.
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A1: big add on for us: of E+R=O & themes from Urban Meyers book. Know the things they can control, & embracing their roles instead of embracing the spot light. Preached that with spec ops, had 2 blocked punts from players that only played special teams as a result. #swarmfbchat
A1: HCs #1 job is to protect/build culture. Every single day. If you're not an HC, you are the HC of your position. I've seen it suggested here already, but check out Culture Defeats Strategy by Randy Jackson. #swarmfbchat
A1: we did a boys to men program this year talking about transitioning from a boy to man and it was a 15 minute talk with questions and kids responded well #swarmfbchat
One thing I read the last couple of weeks is “ You win in the Locker room first.” Great insight on culture and also has some great strategies to us. #swarmfbchat
The weight room is the best place for developing the relationships you want with your players. Just a great opportunity to push character, discipline, brotherhood, etc... #swarmfbchat
A1 : the off season is key to building the behavior and culture that you want. Never understood how a coach can not be at lifting sessions . Miss out on the relationship aspect of the program. #swarmfbchat
Place a picture of the most influential person in your life/reason you play, "Red Chair" - like a hot seat; place a player in the chair and ask some questions in front of the team that scratch past the surface. #swarmfbchat
Allan Trimble of Jenks brought up the following. Ask yourself “Who has influence you? Why were they an influence? How did they influence you? What did they do? What does this tell you?” This is a guide to finding what you can do as a role model. #SwarmFBChat
A1: Many have already said it, but the best teams seem to develop great relationships, and develop “friendly competitiveness” between players. Keeping score of drills, practice, and having a point system throughout off-season are the fast way to turn it up. #swarmfbchat
A1 Cont I’ve been in a program that’s developed culture and one that hasn’t. Huge difference in my opinion. You’ve got to develop core values, these can be 5-6 words that tell what your program stands for/beliefs. Athletes need a foundation on and off the field. #swarmfbchat
Although not at FSU anymore, I read a few things on how Charles Kelly put a huge emphasis on situational scenarios. We incorporated that a lot more this year than previous, especially short yds and 3rd down. It showed, held opponents to 27% conv rate on 3rd #swarmfbchat
A2: putting in the time in the off season 2 establish a DETAILED install plan 4 every aspect of every position & defense as a whole. Share it w/Goggle so all coaches can easily edit and adjust. Then set it in stone at a staff meeting and follow your plan. #swarmfbchat
Started summer with a presentation on how we are going to build our culture . Made a skillful approach explained expectations support behaviors that win and intolerance for behaviors that lose . Had kids develop culture playbook weekly and present to team! #swarmfbchat
A2. The use of iPads to have our scout cards on for team periods. Also having a manager or injured player filming from behind the play to have better angle to watch practice film.
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A2 Wednesday “Flip The Script”. Took this from @Coach_DeLay at a bowl practice this fall. Want to try it out this coming season. Will break from the monotony and keep the kids engaged in the field. #swarmfbchat
A2) From Hal Mumme, courtesy of @CoachRmcD60, "Have to have a great capacity for boredom." Figure out how to structure our practices so we practice the most important things to the point where they become boring. #swarmfbchat
A1: This was not at a clinic, but when I watched that ESPN show following PJ Fleck around at Minnesota, I was surprised to hear he likes to keep practices under an hour and a half. #swarmfbchat
#swarmfbchat Must have every coach on the same page with the practice plan. Period Clock. Coach Fast. Run every where. And change it up some. Throw in competition periods for a winner. And Loud music to keep the Juice High!
A2: During position meetings when watching film I let the players give input on strengths and weaknesses of our opponent they notice. That way when I explain drills during practice they see how it correlates to their film study. #swarmfbchat
A2: our new head @JohnkTim brought google docs to the team and it was a game changer. Practice plan on google sheets each week. Everybody can see practice plan before hand and update by the deadline before he printed. Awesome for organizing and the organization #swarmfbchat
A2 have a theme for each practice day ! Ie tempo Tuesday have a player pick another player to observe and at end of practice talk about how that player exemplified the theme. Had players selected for music and then always end each practice with a tie in 2 r values #swarmfbchat
A2: Putting our practice schedule on Google Drive for everyone to input their drills, can't afford a period timer yet so go old school with a manager using a airhorn #swarmfbchat
A2: Got this last year, but we do a circuit EVERYDAY! Gets EVERY KID reps and we get better at the fundamentals. Scheme doesn’t matter if you can’t tackle, shed blocks, or force turnovers #swarmfbchat
A2) 2 season ago, we did all of our teaching in the classroom in meetings. Practice was fast paced and filmed. Cut down on down time at practice. Much more efficient. Practice under 2 hours...
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Q2: Because of school scheduling had a late practice under the lights late in season, kids loved the change. Also, water bottles at each indy, don't have to send them away #swarmfbchat
When players realize that the weight room is designed to cause adversity. To make it tough. To make them communicate and encourage each other...you can be dangerous.
A2: Simple, but I had to wear a timer (that wasn't my phone). Indy/Group strict time. Team sessions weren't as strict on time if we needed more/less. Google drive practice plans for all to chip in is nice. #swarmfbchat
A2: implemented a "tough Monday" practice.. entire practice is one on one blocking and one on one tackling. Their is a winner and loser in every drill. Have done this the past two seasons and it has improved our blocking and tackling #swarmfbchat
Q3: At clinics, we get to see some new technology or equipment from vendors. What have you seen/used that you can implement right away to help your program? #swarmfbchat
A2: We also meet with front 7 Tuesday’s and back 4 Wednesday after each practice. Will review practice film and go over again what opponents do. Has worked out well #swarmfbchat
A3 haven't been to a clinic yet this year but last season we got a few Shadow men dummies and they really helped out with our tackling. Much better than the old school cigar dummies. #swarmfbchat
A3. We got the tackling wheels last year before the season and really thought they were worth it. Players can go full speed against moving target and not beat each other up #swarmfbchat
A1: Haven't done any clinics yet this year (we're in the sticks up North in Calif.) BUT we've always been big on culture - calling if 'Family" for many years. We do things as a Team - Dinners, etc. and as units OLine Dinners (w/my guys it's all abt Food) 🍗🍗 #swarmfbchat
A2: there is an old saying that still rings true "they won't care about how much you know until they know how much you care"
Be tough, be demanding, but be the first to put your arm around them. #swarmfbchat
@rmacblue A3 hudl sideline is invaluable and hudl assist nothin greater then getting timely effective feedback to kids and assist saves hours !!!! #swarmfbchat
A3: Hopeful to get hudl replay. Huge asset, especially interior. That or shadow man. Few my college teammates have that at their school, some love some hate it. What are yalls thought on shadowman? I like it much better than the rings #swarmfbchat
A1) my head coach and I talk to our players everyday about every day life after their workouts. On Mondays, we have school day where they do school work. Wednesday’s, chalk talk. We help them with everything. Workouts, school, X’s and O’s. Builds relationships. #swarmfbchat
Too much good stuff to keep up with...
We started scoring all out team sessions. Needed to improve focus so made consequences in practice for lack offocus in team. #swarmfbchat
Q4: Let's get position specific...what new drill or focus will you try with your position group this upcoming spring/summer/fall? Please give position and drill in response! #swarmfbchat
Haven't used the rings but we got the shadow man last season and they were awesome. Lots of drills we could use them for. My biggest thing was giving the d line a dummy to hit since we can't hit the scout qb during team. #swarmfbchat
A1: We practice every type of situation you can imagine throughout the season on Wednesday practices. Read one of @coachvint’s blogs about preparation and situations over the summer. Our guys automatically know if that situation comes up they’re ready. #swarmfbchat
We do - our school is 1:1 w/ iPads, so I give our guys film assignments & questions. This Spring/Summer I’m going to do a mini-class on watching and breaking down film with players - have to fix watching like ESPN and teach keys/inside out. Google docs will be key #swarmfbchat
I’ve built a culture playbook as well based on the Focus 3 material. Very similar to yours. Just waiting for a head job to fully implement it. We began with the basics last season where I currently coach. #swarmfbchat
A3 - Wide and Endzone. Intercut it & watch as a D staff after practice. Watch with kids in position film every day after school and sometime before too. We use Echo for in game video. Looking for something to watch during reps on inside, skelly, and team. #swarmfbchat
A3: This past season we finally got @Hudl Sideline. To be able to show guys things during water breaks at practice is great, but the ability to make adjustments in game before the next series was a game changer. Easily the best investment we made last season. #swarmfbchat
A3. Had Hudl Sideline and had trouble ALL year. So we went away from it. I need to upgrade out end zone camera. Just means more fundraising! #swarmfbchat
A3: Lev Cuffs! These are 'Low-Tech' but brilliant (to an OLine Coach 🐗). I've never used bands in this drill b/c it trains guys to resist - let elbows fly. These force the position... Why Didn't I think of that?? #swarmfbchat
A2: We practice every type of situation you can imagine throughout the season on Wednesday practices. Read one of @coachvint’s blogs about preparation and situations over the summer. Our guys automatically know if that situation comes up they’re ready. #swarmfbchat
A4 I am obsessed with hand fighting severely underrated and applicable to all positions not just DL my DB will work on it daily. It’s important to give kids a tool chest to work with not just one move different situation requires diff tool #swarmfbchat
A4: D-line - I will work more with my guys on escape methods once they read their key/block and how to correct disengage and pursue the football. I will so clean disengagement and when OL is holding #swarmfbchat
A4 for me with the d line it's always working to improve the big three hips, hands and feet. Any drill i can get my hands on to help us improve is valuable. #swarmfbchat
A3: I’m way behind.. I love the idea of having a drone film practice.. I believe the ultimate tool to holding kids accountable and teaching kids is to have practices filmed. “Eye in the sky don’t lie”#SwarmFBChat
A4: looking for drills to improve ball skills for DBs. I feel like 95% of time were in the right place, but I have guys miss time jumps or fail to play the ball at times. I use a ball in every drill and we practice high pointing daily but still need to improve here #swarmfbchat
A2) I’m working on implementing this, but if you have the numbers it can really add to your player development. Run Inside Run and skelly at same time with scouts. 1’s take all at Inside Run reps while 2’s are at skelly and then switch. Equal reps for 1’s and 2’s. #swarmfbchat
A4: I know coaches hate this by for my RB’s I use agility ladders and cones not because it’s going to increase speed but I try to do drills related to activate fast twitch fibers in the hips and to find different ways to juke, spin, step juke out of the way. #swarmfbchat
A3: Cont. Then there's filming practice w/an elevated platform (pole). Very inexpensive and lets us evaluate film each night - figuring out if our Dudes are 'getting it' #swarmfbchat
Ditto! Also consider filming practices coaches. In the pic below I'm able to work with my PSG-T knowing that we're filming LoS. As an OLine coach having this film nightly to go over is an invaluable tool. The entire setup from Seth was 350! AWESOME Tool-Great price!!!⚒️
Want to fine tune our press man in the slot from our Safties as well as corners. We are going to focus more on dividers/splits for leverage rather than mostly play head up/inside leverage. Still deciding if we eliminate pedal from the corners...? 🤷♂️🤷♂️ #swarmfbchat
Q4: Let's get position specific...what new drill or focus will you try with your position group this upcoming spring/summer/fall? Please give position and drill in response! #swarmfbchat
We had similar issues ALL year. Crippling when you depend on it and it’s not there. Would rather not have it and have coaches watch different angles then depend on it and have it not be there. Sad it wasn’t just us #swarmfbchat
A4: Something that made me change my thinking. Defensive coaches need to do everything on reaction to movement or snap of ball. Make it game like as possible #swarmfbchat
A4: We do a Push/Pull drill that I think has been great getting the kids to engage and then being able to shed blocks. Really want to focus on helping kids read blocks. I'm open to anything.
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Some great drills that focus on a specific skill set . We call it 9 and 9 beat 1 on 1 players work on in phase ball skill working front shoulder mesh and then back shoulder reads . Then mirror long arm drills . We also play fantasy football in 7 on pbu = 2 puts #swarmfbchat
A4: LB can never work fits, feet, and block defeat too much. I want perfect fits, no wasted steps, and violence with the big hogs on opposing team #SwarmFBChat
A4. Not sure yet. I'm working on adjusting our defense. Once that's done we'll go back and adjust/design drills to best execute the schemes we'll be utilizing. #swarmfbchat
A4: it's not new but since I will be young at lb I'm going to use the number box to teach reads. I've always done step reads but never with the number system. #swarmfbchat
A4) DL - I’m looking to stand up our DE’s to the open side. I’m also reseaching flex or concept blitzing. Really want to work on our ability to affect the QB #swarmfbchat
A4) LBs; we have to get better about “running the banana” we get a lot of unblocked LB run thrus, have to capitalize better. TGOG makes havoc. #swarmfbchat
Q5: Final question of the night: What can you share about overall scheme or philosophy that you are going to use when you meet with your team/staff? Anything you heard that changed how you approach coaching or play-calling? #swarmfbchat
Hudl is great with fixing issues. Need a great WiFi connection though. I’m shocked a lot of programs still don’t use it and the Hudl assist is PRICELESS. Seriously u all must invest in it. #swarmfbchat
A4: last year was our first year running 2 Read coverage. We had tremendous success with it, but struggled with being able to Press #1 and work off on #2 WR. We will work various press drills so that we can continue success with same coverage from different look. #swarmfbchat
A1) culture is everything. IMO, culture is built from the ground up...brick by brick. Not only from the student -athletes & coaches but also support staff & administration.
Notes I grabbed from the @WeAreAFCA the other week. #SwarmFBChat
Getting out of the back pedal for the DBs. Working on the shuffle and half turn. If anybody has any tips or drills for teaching this... much help? #swarmfbchat
A4: never be shy about talking with your players and ask what they think they need. If it matches up with what you see on film then develop a way to help them with a drill old or new. They are your greasy resource for info if we will listen and identify their needs #swarmfbchat
We are going to push WTRM and all of our normal off season activities but we are really shifting our focus to building deeper relationships within the team and staff. #swarmfbchat
A5: The main thing I got was watching film of @TCUFootball play defense. They are so multiple in their base scheme and and fly to the ball, offenses struggled to develop a rhythm #swarmfbchat
A5 would like to see use add some odd front to our defensive scheme just to give a multiple d look but not sure the DC will go for it. We love our 4-2-5 #swarmfbchat
EXTREME OWNERSHIP we as leaders must take accountability for EVERYTHING we put in front of our program. If we are not successful then WE must take ownership of it! #swarmfbchat
Yes you did. We had to make the change. Don’t love it, but I love winning more. We struggled flipping our hips and transitioning so we had to simply do what fit the guys. #swarmfbchat
Hi Coach Pick! We specialize in sideline replay and we'd be happy to learn more about your situation to see if we can help out. Send us a DM or check out our website #swarmfbchat
A5: I want other coaches to get involved with off the field activities and would like to do whole team get togethers.
Philosophy for me is focus on the fundamentals and the rest will take care of itself. #swarmfbchat
Before I get too far behind, I want to thank all of you for making tonight the 2nd most participated #swarmfbchat ever. It was a pleasure bringing it to you and I appreciate all of you for keeping this thing going strong!
To continue to maximizing what our kids do well. If we are going to play 0,1,2 &3 deep, then rep it rep it rep it. Let the kids get good at what they do well. Go meet with guys and learn more. I love meeting with d3 staffs that is most relevant to kids we have #swarmfbchat
Q5: Final question of the night: What can you share about overall scheme or philosophy that you are going to use when you meet with your team/staff? Anything you heard that changed how you approach coaching or play-calling? #swarmfbchat
A4) I beg & borrow from all Postion specific drills.
For example, on punt team I borrow pass pro elements from OL coaches; kick back/not out, punch outside , & for release drills..I borrow from WR coaches. #swarmfbchat
