Lots of time goes into prepping for practice. We plan each minute, each transition, and painstakingly design every detail of every drill.
But what about meetings?
The time in the classroom is just as precious as the time on the field.
And let’s face it, whatever level you coach, the attention span of our clientele is dwindling by the day.
So, what are some keys to running a great offensive, defensive or special teams meeting?
Here are a few of my thoughts on the topic.
Tell a Story
Every single person on Earth likes stories. We connect to them, feel things though them, REMEMBER them.
This is key.
We want our players to remember the things we install in the meeting. The coaching points.
And what do all good stories have?
A villain.
The opponent.
This is a great place to begin.
Define the opponent. Describe them. Talk about who they are. Not necessarily what plays they run, but who they are deep down. Their philosophies, their beliefs.
Paint a picture.
We always respect our opponent. But at the same time, in the context of our next game, they are the enemy.
You will eventually strengthen your case by using stats, personnel breakdowns, and by dissecting their playbook – but start with the narrative.
Get everyone’s attention.
Outline a Plan
Now that we’ve identified the enemy, we’re going to need a plan for defeating them.
A Power Point slideshow is a great way to present your plan.
The order of things is important, as you want your narrative to flow throughout the meeting.
Perhaps we’ve detailed an opponent that attacks vertically through the air?
Here is a new Coverage we will implement, drawn up against their three favourite formations.
Or maybe this week’s villain will try to gain yards on the ground by using Pulling Linemen?
Here is a new Front that will neutralize their attack.
We don’t want to overload our players. Too much install in one week can have dire results. But hopefully your foundation is strong enough that these tweaks are easily implemented.
Remember our base Coverage? Well, this is just a version of that, except…
Reinforce the Plan
Coaches are salespeople.
A mediocre team will do what they are told to do, and might find some success.
A great team will believe in what they are about to do.
A great way to reinforce your plan is by showing video of your opponent.
And if you’re fortunate enough to have access to Hudl or DVSport, you can really bring things home.
Watching a game from start to finish can sometime drone on for the players, and attentions begin to drift. A well-designed cutup, however, can keep them on the edges of their seats.
Again, organization is key here. You can justify your narrative by selecting the right sequence of plays to present.
Now they can see the plan. Visualize it. And they’re eager to get out onto the field and make it happen.
Final Thoughts
There are many subtleties within this structure. That’s where the magic lies.
But if you tell a story, outline a plan, and then reinforce your plan, you’ll have a great chance of keeping your players engaged throughout your next meeting.
All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
IG: @jonsvecx
Twitter: @jonsvecx
Jon Svec is the author of the e-book Canadian Football Chalk Talk: Defensive Basics.