"Game Planning and Technology" #txhsfbchat

Watching film and preparing for our upcoming opponent is as much a part of coaching football as our work on the field.  We spend countless hours outside of practice breaking down the offense or defense, looking for tendencies that will hopefully give us the edge as we engage each other on the field.  It is where we learn about our team, our opponents, and also a primary method of learning about football.  

Technology has made the breakdown so much easier.  With internet film editing, we all partake in the game plan.  We all control the remote.  We can receive immediate statistics regarding play, formation, stunts, coverages, etc.  We can even share this with our players and expect them to watch as well.  We all marvel at how this process has become easier and easier.  I also wonder what will come in the future?  What is the next step technology will take and how will it help coaches?  That is exciting to me.

Moving Through the Coaching Profession hosted by SMU DC Van Malone

I thought that last night was a great opportunity to learn from a D1 coach about moving through the coaching profession.  His perspective on what it takes to work through the ranks as a coach the right way was informative and helped me feel reassured about how I have gone through my career.  I hope it did the same for you.  Some of us may have the desire to pursue life as a college coach, and some of us do not.  No matter your career goals, last night's discussion touched on the methods and characteristics of how a coach should go about pursuing their career and being committed to your current program at the same time.  

I also hope you enjoyed having a fresh coach providing the discussion.  It is important as a learner to look for outside sources to drive our education.  It was refreshing for me and I will continue to look for coaches who would be willing to host in the future.  Please let me know your opinion on last night and how you think the chat is going.  

Texas High School Football Chat #9 - "Reading Keys and Communication"

It's so important that we spend time each week explaining what and why we do things on the football field.  It's also important that we read and learn from others.  This is how we continually grow and learn.  If we continue to do the same thing every single time, we will continue to get the same results!  So I hope you pick something up each week that you are putting into use so that we are all getting better.  

Next week we will have our first guest host, SMU defensive coordinator Van Malone.  He will be leading the chat on the topic of "Making Moves in the Coaching Profession...The Right Way!"  I am very excited about this and thankful for his willingness to host.  Enjoy going through the slides!

Texas High School Football Chat #8 - Two Sport Athletes

We all encourage our players to participate and compete in as many sports as possible.  We know that it directly impacts them as athletes, but it also helps them grow as individuals and opens up opportunities to continue their education in college.  Last night we had an outstanding chat about how we as coaches handle and promote our athletes to compete in as many sports as possible.  I can't help but think of Hugh Sandifer at Abilene Wylie coaching his kids to state champions in football and in basketball.  I am sure he had some two-sport athletes on those teams, and he demonstrated how to be a two-sport coach!  

Continue to take pride in your athletes and watching them compete year round!