Don't Go Chasing Ghosts

I was reading a section in Alan Trimble's football book about game planning and he brought a very importat point that young coaches should learn.  He calls it chasing ghosts when it comes to game preparation.  What is meant by this is going into practice and preparing for plays that you think are going to happen and wasting too much time doing so. 

That isn't to say that you won't encounter adjustments by other teams, but do you really believe that a double wing team is going to put in a shotgun spread play for the week playing you?  Maybe, but chances are pretty good that they won't.  If you start to worry too much about these ghosts you will cut into the game plan you are preparing and can take away from precious practice preparing for their main plays.

I unfortunately have seen this a lot from other coaches as they have tried to install a play or formation that another team has success doing.  In doing so they are chasing those ghosts and hurting their team with chances in preparing to win the game.  For you newer coaches, don't spend too much time preparing for what if's.

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A Great Read for Those Interested in Starting Coaching

This book by Alan Trimble is a great read.  I read this book before I started coaching football and it was great because it taught me a lot of what I needed to put as priorities in my coaching.

If you are interested in getting started as a coach I would look into reading this book.  it is affordable and I do look back in the book every so often to remind myself and learn new information.  It contains drills that are helpful for new coaches and teaches you the basics of coaching each position.  It is an all encompassing book for you to read I would pick it up.  Here is also a link for the book at four dollars off.

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