06/02/2017
Football coaching tip:
As a coach try your best not to use general terms when teaching at practice or giving instructions during a game, particularly when speaking from the sidelines. For example: "hit someone", "block somebody", "tackle", "full speed", etc. Most coaches that I observe are guilty of doing this and it has become common phrases on youth football fields across the country. The reason why coaches should refrain from using such phrases is that it's unproductive, it's not effectively informing the players what they actually need to do to accomplish their responsibility and also it makes you sound frustrated and generally confused. As a coach you should have the understanding to best communicate what it is you want your player to do. For example, If your linebacker is missing tackles, you have to figure out what he's doing wrong like: not taking a read step, over pursuing, taking bad angles, doesn't understand his leverage or assignment and have him make the adjustment and follow up next practice using the appropriate drills. Unfortunately you have coaches that don't know the techniques that it takes to correct common issues that will arise during a football game or season. Most youth coaches are more concerned with schemes and where to go rather than how to get there. Make sure you are teaching your players the techniques of their position reinforced by drills, repetition and communication and you'll find there will be no need to use general phrases in your instructions. Good luck.
