Rebuilding and restoring a culture of excellence in a HS program

#4 is a tough one. Many more opportunities for year-round activities than in the past and other sports will tell these athletes that if they want to be competitive, they have to do all these extra clubs/leagues

In regards to #9, why was it shot down?

When the team was good a few years ago, were these same coaches involved then?

You need to change the culture through control.

If you want to team to do a warm up and dynamics every day, that is NOT optional. Every kid will do that every day. No stretching group. Walk around and make sure they aren't slacking. If they continue, punish them.

Coaches need to have a job every day. And there needs to be some philosophy or training plan for each group.

for #4, this is the kids priority. Outside of practice/ competition times, the kids can do what they want, but if they aren't coming to every practice/meet there needs to consequences. Having "another practice" is not a valid excuse. A wake/funeral is a valid excuse. On our HS team if you missed practice you missed the next meet. Same with a meet, but most kids want to compete so they don't miss that.

Problem is you need to go to the HC with this. He has the control. He needs to institute these changes.

The key is to stick to your rules. No bending the rules for people. No special circumstances.

For #10 - institute a no phone rule. For the coaches too.

I totally forgot this.

It is unbelievable to me that you allow phones at practice. This is crazy.

Also to make these changes, you need to have them sign a contract the beginning of the season. Or else you have no power to kick them off the team.

??!!?? wrote:

In regards to #9, why was it shot down?

When the team was good a few years ago, were these same coaches involved then?

The same coaches were involved. Another who was with the program left.

Frankly I think #9 was shot down because of a few reasons.

1. It was laziness on the coaches part; maybe they didn't want to learn.

2. They didn't want some young kid coming in recommending new things

3. They don't see the relevance of distance/throwers doing hurdle walk overs/ mobility exercises

When the team was really good they didn't spend much time on dynamics or drills or form. They just practiced. But they had like 200 kids and by the end of the season the ones that were left standing were the ones to perform. They had a high injury rate.

But 5 years later they are older/less motivated maybe? They certainly can't deal with 215 kids. I know I can't.

It could be any combination of things. But these are men. Football coaching men. And these men struggle to share thoughts and concerns.

Marco Brolo wrote:

Problem is you need to go to the HC with this. He has the control. He needs to institute these changes.

The key is to stick to your rules. No bending the rules for people. No special circumstances.

This is major issue. Playing the favorites game drives me nuts.

Thanks for the feedback folks.

A minor's contracts are voidable yo

Of course, but if there is a kid who will not let go of his phone during practice and you decide to kick him off the team, it is easier for the AD to back you up if the student signed a contract saying no phones.

Marco Brolo wrote:

Also to make these changes, you need to have them sign a contract the beginning of the season. Or else you have no power to kick them off the team.

What!? Kids don't have to sign a contract in order to be held to a team rule. I know that today's kids think they're supposed to be active participants in every decision, but the coach still is allowed to make rules.

I don't see how you can change the situation without the head coach's unwavering support. From the sounds of things, you don't have it.

rookie assistant coach wrote:

But these are men. Football coaching men.

Here's a big part of your problem. You're lucky the kids can even find the track.

I've been in a similar situation where I thought the program should be run a little differently than the HC. My advice--talk to the HC about WHY you think thing should be different. Stay calm, be logical not emotional and present your case. Then, follow the HC's leadership and run your part of the program the way he/she wants it run. Work within the latitude that he/she gives you and never, I repeat, never express your frustrations or differences of opinion with the athletes. Some day you will be the HC and you can set the tone but for now,you you are a worker bee. Good luck.

Good topic, and I commend you for the amount of effort and thought you are putting into the program.

Here are some quick thoughts:

1. In the first season the best thing you can do is take inventory of the situation (which you have done) and try to bandaid over the most glaring problems.

2. Its always to best to implement changes at the beginning of the season (so next indoor or outdoor). If you try to make changes or become firm in the middle of the season, the kids-coachs-parents will revolt.

3. You should always try to show as much respect as you can to the current coaching staff. The other coaches will respect your opinions & be much more receptive to offseason changes if you've shown them respect.

4. Instead of suggesting wholesale changes, it might be best to pick a few key areas and address those first (like proper warm up and a training plan). If you are able to make a positive impact with those changes, your other ideas will be given more weight in the future.

5. Try to give as much attention to as many athletes as possible, and take time to meet their parents and give them positive feedback. If the athletes and parents speak well of you to the coach and director, it will bode well for you in the future. Remember also, that the way you deal with your athletes can leave a life lasting impression on them.

Find your own program/school. Things won't change with a do-nothing coaching staff. They'll look at you like you're trying too hard.

I like all of this. Thanks

Been there B4 wrote:

Find your own program/school. Things won't change with a do-nothing coaching staff. They'll look at you like you're trying too hard.

Haha I also like this. I'd rather not change schools considering I just started teaching there.

Become head coach someplace else. Run your own program. You're in a lose lose situation.

Also this is high school, not college. You need to put this in perspective.

not necessary wrote:

Marco Brolo wrote:

Also to make these changes, you need to have them sign a contract the beginning of the season. Or else you have no power to kick them off the team.

What!? Kids don't have to sign a contract in order to be held to a team rule. I know that today's kids think they're supposed to be active participants in every decision, but the coach still is allowed to make rules.

Yes, but it can make things easier.

Having them sign a contract is a way of providing proof that the athlete knows the team rules. This makes it much easier to kick a kid off the team and not have to deal with a parent or kid who says they didn't realize that was a rule or that if they didn't do X that they could be disciplined by something as extreme as being removed from the team.

Yes, the coach is still allowed to make the rules, but in today's climate having written proof is better than having a coach's word vs. an athlete's word.

Again, just telling them that these are the rules and/or handing out a paper of all the team rules and then expecting them to follow them is often doable, but creates room for an athlete or parent to suggest that they weren't properly informed of the rule. If they sign a contract with the rules written on said contract, they have no such argument.