Coaching the Game
 

Football is one my loves in life, for whatever reason that may be. And I still regret quitting like a little bitch my sophomore year of high school because I slept through a two-a-day and my mom instilled in me a fear of my own wellbeing because, as I said, I was a little bitch.

But I can't get over it, I feel the need to be a part of the game some how. I'm not a physical specimen, so that rules out playing in a rec league. And even then what pisses me off most is that I blew my chance to participate in the game where there are stakes in the outcome. So I'm left with two options:

1) Follow my dad and try to get certified as a High School official
2) Try and find a way to get involved with coaching.

The problem with option one is my future, I'm still wondering where the **** I'll wind up after my last two years of college. Law school? Graduate school for writing? Trying to hack it as a pilot? Pornography? The family business? Thus getting certified as a state referee seems a bit premature when I'm unsure if I'll stay in my home state, though I more than likely will do so.

The problem with two is that I have nothing but a year straddling the sideline as a tackling dummy on a JV team with a 3-3 record, and that team was the first team for my school since the 30s, so I have practically no real experience with any position on a squad (I practiced as a CB/WR... 5'7 135lbs kid who couldn't run faster than a 5.3 40yd.. yikes). Given this fact, I'm not a benefit to a team as a position coach, and thus I'm shut out of any opportunity that may arise.

So what do I do? I emailed a high school coach a while ago, asking if he'd briefly discuss some sort of means where I'd be an intern of sorts observing the coaching staff and trying to learn the game from that angle but I never heard back from him. I figured that this forum might yield some helpful responses and advice.

Or, I'll just get flamed mercilessly. Either way I'd like to hear from those willing to deliver some wisdom. Oh, and

DISCUS

What would you think you'd be good at coaching wise? Most coaches have played at least college ball. You have to think what are you good at or what were you good at while playing and how could you help others.

Yet there are exceptions, but those are from people who grew up around the game starting at a very young age, following around their dads or older siblings who happen to be successful.

You can't just grab a clipboard and just decide you want to be a coach because you kick everyones ass in Madden.

I'm sure you know this.

Right, hence why I've asked about a chance where I creep on observe coaches and get a feel for what it takes to attain a degree of success. Learn how to break down film, how to coach a position correctly, what it takes to make the correct decisions in a game. I'd be foolish to think that anything more than that would be likely.

You just need to shadow gochiefs for a while. He knows everything about breaking down film and he'll show you the ropes.

In Haiti.

Are you available to coach the Kansas City Chiefs?
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It worked for Todd Haley.

Start out being an assistant coach for youth football. You'll learn every aspect of the game, Offense Defense Special Teams, you'll have to coach every position etc. It's a good way to familiarize yourself with the whole package. After that, I wouldn't know about getting an actual paying gig.

Coach youth football. It's very rewarding. No money in it, but there are many other things to get out of it besides cash.

The guy I coach with was talking about going into officiating. I'm not to sure I want to be bitched at by parents all day for 30 bucks a game...

Sounds like a plan, but what about not being experienced in any position thus not really a benefit for teaching fundamental skills to the youngin's?

Not at all. You said you played ball, you know more than enough to work with the young'uns on technique and fundamentals, (I quit after my sophomore year in high school because it turns out I'm not now nor was I ever much of an athlete. But I understood the game and coaching has been a good thing for me...) not to mention there will be other coaches. Like I said, be an assistant and watch and learn while you are coaching. I've been at it for about 8 seasons now, and while I have no ambition to even coach at the high school level, I've learned a lot and feel comfortable coaching pretty much any position. I wound up being a special teams coach this last season.

Do you have any nephews or friends with kids who play? Volunteer to help coach...no matter what you will get something out of it.

I've been coaching HS for four years. I knew I wanted to teach and coach, so I thought that if I volunteered while I was still in school, it'd help. It did help a ton, just not getting a teaching job (there just aren't any).
However, I highly recommend doing it. You'll find pretty quickly that in the grand scheme of things you don't know a lot about football, but if you are willing to work, you'll learn fast. I played (VERY) little college ball, and with as much football as I'd been around, thought I knew my shit... But found out quickly I had (and have) a ton to learn.
I volunteered for a year, then after proving my passion and work-ethic, was a paid coach. I've coached OL, DL, LBs, DBs, and been a DC and OC at the freshman level.

It's not for everyone. I've worked with coaches who set records in college and were horrible, and guys with little playing experience who were great.

If you want to do this, let me know. I've got tons of advice, if you want it.

But don't you dare do it to relive your HS days, so you can pretend you are one of the boys again. I've seen too many of those guys.

Sully where do you coach at?

Haley grew up around football and some of the best in the game's ever seen. his resources I would say are pretty good.

The ability to teach in a way that translates easly to players is the key.
All the good coaches ive been around were phenomenal teachers.