Jump to content
Y-coach.com - Forum

govols

Members
  • Content Count

    11
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Community Reputation

0 Average Coach

About govols

  • Rank
    Member
  1. As a first year coach of a 5v5, 7 & 8 yr old team, I had (and still have) several questions. My first post was concerning handling QBs during the game. After a lot of great suggestions obtained from this site; I decided, since we participate in a "instructional" league, we would stick with (2) QBs the first half the game and (2) different QBs the second half of the games with ALL of the players getting an opportunity to play the position over the course of the season regaurdless of their talent level. With that being said, during our game this past weekend my least skilled player was getting his turn at QB. My assistant coach (who was practicing as offensive coordinator; he is usually on defense) called for a passing play which apparently sent everyone deep (or at least it appeared that way because all of the players were about 7 yds down field.) Our QB cocks the ball over his head and let's it fly........... about 4 yds. My son comes flying out of nowhere to make a shoe string catch and then scampers 30 yds for the TD. The smiles on those kids faces were priceless. As the kids were jumping up and down, celebrating on the field, I immediately turned to one of the parents sitting on the sideline, pointed to the kids and said, "That's why I volunteer to coach." It's a moment like that makes coaching worth while. Even if it isn't according to plan!
  2. I think dry running your offense is crucial. Until I feel like my offense is humming, I won't even scrimmage. We're a little older (9) and more experienced but here is our practice from yesterday (we practice once a week for 1.5 hours also): 15 strength/ agility > decided to do this all season to make everyone faster 15 flag pulling/ exchange > qb hands off on an end around, pitch or shuffle pass to player who then runs between cones against defender. Kills two birds with one stone. 20 routes and pass catching > yesterday we worked on over the shoulder catching and incorporated a defender; this varies each week 15 dry run offense > will spend more or less time depending on how they are doing 25 scrimmage > that's about as long as I like to scrimmage. will also use end of practice for games like ultimate football Thanks man.
  3. I was just curious what your practice schedules look like? With only (1) 1.5 hr practice per week and a "rookie" core, there is not a lot of time to cover everything we need to work on. I like to spend the last 40 minutes scrimaging and 10-15 minutes on flag pulling. Do you all incorporate dry running offensive and defensive plays or do you just practice plays during scrimages? (3) game day issues I have found to be most frustrating that needs work: 1) Players (again 7 and 8 year olds) forgetting their assignments from the huddle to the LOS. 2) Players not running after "HUT", "HIKE" or "GO" only after they get the ball. 3) Players chasing the ball rather than staying in their zone and the ball carrier zig zagging 45 yds for a TD.
  4. I am right there with you. LOL!
  5. Hey JohnP2, Despite my username "GOVOLS" I am in the burbs of Detroit, Michigan. I know about football being a way of life. I grew up in a small town in Eastern TN. It wasn't uncommon to get 14,000 for a big game at our high school. Then of course you have the VOLS in Knoxville.
  6. *bump* After our game today, thought this article needed a bump up to the top. I'll never understand how a coach or parents think that 1 or 2 calls by a ref in a 8-9 y/o league will make one iota of difference. Had opposing parents yelling about calls today, coach disagreeing on calls, etc.. Fun stuff. True, funny how people get about the game. I was coaching yesterday against a guy who clearly was a novice, he said so before the game. They won the coin toss and he announced they wanted to play defense. I quickly jumped in and said, "no coach, you want to defer." The ref looked at me and winked, we got it all worked out. That's how this game should be played. Man I love this site! Both of these articles are great and really places coaching in a different light. As mentioned in previous posts, I am a first year FF coach, coaching a 2nd/3rd grade 5v5 team that is comprised of (2) 3rd graders that have 1 year experience and (7) 2nd graders that are "rookies"so you can imagine, things don't always go as you envision them; especially since we have played (3) experienced 3rd grade teams (we are now 0-3 if I were keeping track ). The scores have been 3 TDs to 1 TD each game (if I were keeping track ). A few missed flags is really the only difference. With that being said, I have driven home from those games with this pyschological battle in my head: "OK I know we "lost" but, even though I made certain that all of the kids touched the ball at least 2 - 3 times; Have I done my job as a coach today? Did the kids have fun? Did the kids learn something new today? A couple of things I constantly have to remind myself are: Be patient, and don't get frustrated. This is first time most of these kids have played any organized sports and they will get it. Perhaps the following could be another thread, but I was just curious if any of you first years find that coaching Football consumes you (I am sure weathered vetrans such as Orange, JohnP, Rushbuster, Coach Rob and Vegas Coach have already overcome this "illness")? I have coached baseball and basketball for the past 4 years and haven't experienced this. It seems that FF is always on my mind. Then again, it's probably just me. Thanks again and keep the info coming. Coach Bo
  7. We are part of the Michigan youth NFL league. (1) Ball, flags and reversible jerseys are provided. They also serve pizza and drinks and provide the participation awards for all of teams the last game of the season. I have also bought cones, a couple extra balls and some extra mouth pieces.
  8. Tuna0626, I do not envy your situation at all. I cringe at words ALL STAR. I have found in my few years of coaching, this has to be one of (if not THE) most difficult tasks. 1) Your gonna break some hearts. 2) 1 word "parents". One diplomatic way that I would recommend is to have the kids vote for the (3) players. If a player feels he/she deserves to be an Allstar, have them vote for themselves + (2) other player. You would be surprised. Typically they get it right. Good luck.
  9. Thanks for all of the information guys. Every little bit helps. It was a litte rough for our first game. But, considering we've only had (1) practice and were a 2nd grade (pretty much all "rookies") team going against a 3rd grade team we did OK. A couple of missed flags on "D" was really the only difference. Coach Bo
  10. I'll take the first stab at this by saying it depends upon how competitive you want to remain. I'm all about ball touches and equal playing time, but I've also found out not every kid can play every position. We play a 3 2 defense and keep our better defenders in the back 3. We start with 5, but switch on the fly as needed. We've tried sticking with 5 on D and 5 on O for an entire half, then switching, but had better luck switching on the fly and mixing it up on defense as we see fit. On offense I'd highly recommend having someone track ball touches. My wife does it for our team. We count dropped catchable passes as a ball touch btw. I check with my wife after each series to see who needs ball touches. She'll write them down on a small slip of paper which goes to my assistant. When we're back on O, he'll yell out one name on the list that needs a ball touch and make subs for others who need touches during that series. Regarding QBs, I stick with 2 to 3 max during a game depending upon the score. If we're blowing someone out, we let others play QB. I have one that can pretty much handle any play, has a good head on his shoulders and doesn't panic. I use him for my more complicated plays. Having a good QB (who can handle a rush) helps ensure more ball touches for everyone else, so I'm okay only having a few kids play QB on the team. On a side note, I do run mini-games in practice 3 vs 2 and rotate QBs frequently. I'm sure others will chime in on this subject. CRob Thanks for the information CRob. This is the first time that 60% of my team has played. So this should be quite challenging and rewarding as the season progresses. I do have (3) kids that have played before and can play QB. I was just curious how others handled swapping QBs. I know the kids won't really care which position they play as long as they get to touch the ball. It's the parents that worry me. As you know, every kid (in their parents eyes) is a future Pro Bowl QB. Hopefully they will understand when little Jonnie doesn't get to play QB as much as other kids. Coach Bo
  11. Hey Coaches. I recently discovered your site and have picked up a lot of great tips. Thanks to everyone for providing information. I am a first year Head Coach in a 2nd/3rd grade 5v5 "instructional" division and was just curious what you all recommend as a subtitution pattern? Leave the same kids in for an offensive and a consecutive defensive series and then rotate? Or switch in between? I would like to try to give each kid equal reps on both sides (if possible). Also, regarding QBs; at this level, do you all typically stick with 1 or 2 QBs per games? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Coach Bo
×
×
  • Create New...