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Originally Published in: Game Ready - 52 Takeaways for Winning Question: Is there a place for 'old school' style when it comes to coaching football players today? Answer: Yes. Question: Is there a place for 'new school' style when it comes to coaching football players today? Answer: Yes. This is an area I've spent countless hours thinking about, and here's why. I was always led to believe 'old school' coaching meant training, teaching, and playing with rough and tough mental and physical exertion. In my experience, 'old school' had a certain way of getting things done without deviation. 'Old school' style called for a chain of command to be followed and expectations met without question. All involved earned the outcomes, both good and bad. Nothing was given to anyone. In this 'old school' world, coaching players was a privilege. Players knew it was a privilege to play. When you practiced or played, pain and injury were two very different situations and were treated as such. The truth is you can practice or play through pain, but a player should never play through injury. In this 'old school' world, if you got your feelings hurt, you got over it. Football is a game involving emotions not feelings. There is a big difference between the two when you are playing. Now, consider whether, or not, you believe 'old school' is a good or bad way to approach the game of football or life in general. Set aside your thoughts and consider another style. The 'new school' philosophy that I've been exposed to is a more collaborative type of effort between coach and players. All parties, to some extent, have a say in the process of training, teaching and playing the game of football. In this style, as long as the job gets done, the process can be subtler and laid back. By that I mean, tough in a relaxed atmosphere. And in that process, the concern centers around the feelings of players rather than the player's emotions. Again, consider whether, or not, you believe 'old school' is a good or bad way to approach the game of football or life in general. If you're wondering what style I endorse, I honestly believe to be a successful coach and team of the championship caliber you need to be a combination - 'old and new school.' If you are not a physically, mentally and emotionally tough enough team, forget being championship caliber. If you and your team don't collaborate or have 'buy in' from everyone about what needs to be done to become championship caliber, the chances of your team attaining that level are slim to none, and 'slim' left the building! Head football coaches must know their team and those players must know their coach to make certain everyone is clear on the direction of the team. As a coach, you've got to be 'flexible, but not brittle' with players. It's really pretty simple. Regardless of what school you come from in your coaching style - 'old, new or combination' - you have to get it right and have buy in from all involved with the program. If you don't, you will eventually wind up coaching at 'no school.' |
Old School, New School, No School
