Program Overview

The Plainsmen Football Program will be multi-faceted with the first and foremost goal being to develop the young student-athletes into productive citizens in our society. The best way to get this development started is to promote and grow confidence in these young men. Confidence comes from knowing that you are able to make mistakes and learn from them. We as a coaching staff are placed in a unique position to foster the growth of these young men. We will teach our players that each and every one of them is an integral part of our program, not every player will be a starter and we have to explain to those that arent starting that they have to be prepared to step up when needed. We are leaders and mentors to our players and as such must always show this to them. Negativity will not be tolerated and the best way to deal with our players is to be corrective individually and praise in groups. Most importantly never forget that if a player is not getting it, it is us that are failing them. We must figure out how each player learns best and coach accordingly, do not be afraid to ask parents for their input in this matter as it will make them feel more involved and show that you care about the development of their child. I truly believe the old saying that a kid doesnt care about how much you know until they know how much you care. On the field we will foster a very aggressive team. We will teach our players that they need to play with toughness, aggression and intelligence. We will teach them the necessary skills to be confident in their abilities and teach them that the only way to succeed in football and in life is to do everything to the best of their abilities. Football is an aggressive, collision-based game and thus we need to show them to be the aggressors in order to be successful. NEVER will it be acceptable to sit back in any situation on the field. When the players learn this lesson they will gain confidence and confidence breeds success.

Confidence doesnt come out of nowhere. Its a result of somethinghours and days and weeks and
yeas of constant work and dedication. -Roger Staubach

Coaching Philosophy
OVERVIEW When teams play the Plainsmen they should come away from the game feeling grateful that they survived to go home. Dirty play will not be tolerated but the Plainsmen need to be relentless in their physical aggression, mental dominance and their pursuit of excellence on the field.

DEFENSE

The defense needs to be aggressive, physical and gap responsible. We need to be able to not only stop the progress of the opposing offense but we need to be able to take the ball away from them and score. Scheme and execution is the responsibility of the Defensive Coordinator and his staff. SPECIAL TEAMS Again with special teams we need to be aggressive and physical. The kicking game has a huge impact on momentum and must win the field position game plus produce points. Scheme and execution is the responsibility of the Special Teams Coordinator and his staff. All coaches will assist the STC during Special Forces period. OFFENSE As with the other two phases of the team, the offense must be physical and aggressive. There will be no hesitation or quit. When a player does not have the ball he will be responsible for blocking for that player who does. We will move the ball and will own the Red Zone, scoring is a must. Scheme and execution is the responsibility of the Offensive Coordinator and his staff.
If it doesnt matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?

Vince Lombardi

Player Lessons
WHAT FOOTBALL TEACHES YOUNG MEN LIFE Football is an accelerated version of life. Football teaches young men that decisions that are made on the field, as in life, have direct consequences. Emotions need to be kept in check in order to be successful in whatever you do. Players have to responsible for their actions and know that their actions, good or bad, play a tremendous role in their success. It is a coachs responsibility to give them at least one person in their lives so that they will have an example of how to make it through the challenges they will face in life. DISCIPLINE There are always two ways to do things in life: the easy way and the right way. In todays world, too many people teach young men to take the easy way, which cripples them for life. Teaching the young men to have the discipline to do the right thing, even when it is difficult to do so, will encourage them to not take shortcuts in life. Taking shortcuts in football and life will result in failure in both. Discipline is doing the right thing, even when you know that nobody is watching. WORK ETHIC

There is no other attribute that can carry a person further in life than a good work ethic. A good work ethic can overcome deficiencies in many areas. In football, a player who has the work ethic to master their job and their technique can become a better player than a player who has more natural talent but a poor work ethic. RESPONIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY & TEAMWORK Football is a great model for this. Every season, every week, every day, every play, each football player has a responsibility that they must fulfill for the team to be successful. Everybody from the starting quarterback to the last player on the roster has a responsibility for each and every play, and they must be accountable to their teammates for that responsibility. If each and every player has the discipline to take care of his responsibility and hold their peers accountable for theirs, then the entire team is working together for a common goal and is learning the ultimate form of teamwork. LEADERSHIP There are two types of people in the world: leaders and followers. Football is no different. There are individuals on each football team who have the potential to be great leaders, but they need to have great leadership modeled for them. One potential problem with young men becoming leaders of the team is that they can lead the team in either a positive direction or a negative one. The responsibility to teach the young men who develop into leaders falls on the coach. His leadership will serve as a model for the young leaders on his team and in turn, will give those players the ability to be good leaders for the rest of the team. DOING THE RIGHT THING Football is a game that teaches young men about life. If we lose focus on that fact and allow ourselves to be caught up in thinking that winning is the most important thing, we take away the greatest thing about the game. Learning discipline, a good work ethic, teamwork, responsibility, accountability, and leadership are much more important than the final score of a game. If the young men can learn these things, then the wins will take care of themselves. COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY As coaches we need to continue the lessons that are taught by serving the greater community as a whole. As a volunteer staff we uniquely understand the value of community service and this must be emphasized with our players.

Student-Athlete Development

The key to every successful program is the development of the players within the program. In order to win games consistently each and every year, a program must develop the players within the program. Getting those kids who did not have the ability or talent to get on the field as freshmen or sophomores to a level that makes them contributors on the varsity team as a junior or a senior is critical. There are four major areas of focus in the development of the student-athletes in the Plainsmen football program: 1. 2. 3. 4. Academic Development Physical Development Mental Development Emotional Development

ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT Players are student-athletes, not athlete-students. Their education is the most important thing that they can obtain in their lives. Many times, poor grades are a result of being late and/or absences. A strict attendance policy will be enforced on the football team. Missing class will be counted as missing a practice with appropriate discipline for each transgression. Developing good academic skills is a priority in the program. Players who do not meet the academic requirements of the program or are struggling will be assigned a tutor. We as a staff must stress the importance of academics and help out as much as possible to ensure student success. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT The game of football is the most physically demanding sport today. Players must have the strength to move opponents around the football field, the speed and the agility to make the opponents miss, and the conditioning necessary to outlast the opponents throughout the course of the game. These aspects must be improved through a physical development program designed to improve strength, speed, agility, and conditioning. To develop to the best of the athletes ability, he must train his body year-round. Each and every athlete, and in turn, each and every athletic program in the school can benefit from a good year-round physical development program for the athletes. There are many factors that contribute to the optimal physical development of an athlete. First and foremost is an education on sleep, diet, and nutrition. It does not matter how much training an athlete does, if they do not have the proper nutrition to promote the physical development of their body, they will not get stronger. MENTAL DEVELOPMENT The ability to be mentally focused must be developed in the players. Training them to be able to use their minds to overcome their bodies is an important skill to develop. In life, many people are unsuccessful due largely to the fact that they cannot mentally force themselves to do something because they dont want to, they are tired, or for some other reason. Developing the players mentally so

that they will be able to make themselves do things the right way instead of the easy way will make them better students, better athletes, and better people throughout their lives. Developing a mentality and focus within the program so that the players will consciously strive to work hard and focus on the details on each and every play is the process of winning. Winning teams love the day-to-day work required to win games on Friday nights, while losing teams do not love the day-to-day work required to win games. Teaching the players to love the process, rather than the results will help them be successful in not just football, but in everything else they do for the rest of their lives. EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Being able to overcome failure is a critical skill in life. Every day, each person will experience failure in one aspect of their lives. The ability to be emotionally strong enough to recognize the source of failure and then work to turn that failure into success is a crucial skill to have in life. One of the obstacles that is difficult for a coach to overcome is the emotional crippling that occurs when young men are never taught to take responsibility for their failures, learn from them, and turn them into positives. Football requires that young men have the skills and maturity of adults at a time in their lives where their peers are often emotionally unstable. If a player can learn to control his emotions and emotional impulses, he will be more likely to succeed under pressure, respond appropriately to failures, and have the ability to make good decisions in his life. The ability to emotionally overcome past mistakes will prevent losing streaks and will also prevent complacency during winning streaks. By teaching the players to control their emotions, they can learn to will themselves to victory. Developing Emotional Strength Maintain high intensity during practice at all times. Focus on the process instead of the results. Recognize personal failures and take responsibility for them. Teach players to listen to the message being relayed, not the tone or the volume.

Coaching Staff

To be successful in football, players must have knowledge, discipline, integrity, and a very good work ethic. Young men learn these attributes from observing adults demonstrate them. Each coach must have knowledge of their position, show the discipline to follow instructions, have the integrity to do the right thing, and demonstrate a work ethic that is second to none. Each coach is expected to understand the systems put in place by the three coordinators. Varsity coordinators will establish the systems for each of their disciplines and these systems will be put in place by the Junior Varsity staff. Varsity coordinators will ensure that they fully explain their systems to their JV counterparts. Play-calling by the JV staff will be from those plays that are established in the Varsity systems.

Each coach will be responsible to coach their positions in accordance to the skills needed to fully be capable of running all plays with the technique necessary. There will be a heavy influence placed on individual and small group technique time in practice. GENERAL MANAGER The GM will be responsible for off-field duties and those matters associated with the school. Booking buses, leading fundraisers, liaising with teachers regarding marks and attendance and development of special projects. The GM will also act as a consultant for the Head Coach, be responsible for financial matters through the school and coordinate professional development opportunities for the coaching staff. WHAT I EXPECT IN AN ASSISTANT COACH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. To be the best teacher/coach that he can be. To be a positive role model. To sell, defend and be loyal to the Plainsmen Football program and the school itself. To do everything possible to develop a winning attitude in themselves, the staff, the school, and the program. To be seriously interested in the success of our players and staff, on the field. To know the entire offensive, defensive and special teams schemes and game plans. To have a thorough knowledge of all fundamental techniques employed. Not to be a YES man, but to effectively communicate their ideas. To attend all staff meetings when called. To study and work hard to make him a great coach. Professional growth is a must for any coach in order to maintain and develop new innovative ways of coaching, teaching techniques, and stay abreast of any rule changes. He is willing to devote his time tirelessly to all phases of the program, practice, film review/breakdown, scouting, strength & conditioning, supervision, equipment duties, etc. Above all, an outstanding coach is 100% loyal to the other coaches on the staff. There is no place on our staff for a disloyal member.

WHAT COACHES CAN EXPECT FROM ME: 1. To run an organized program so that they will be able to function efficiently. 2. To maintain a positive atmosphere that is conducive to teamwork and continuing to develop all assistant coaches. 3. To sincerely listen to their suggestions. 4. To give responsibility and authority. 5. To work and provide leadership to win. 6. To treat them with respect and dignity. 7. To sell them to our players, the community, and the other coaches. 8. To let them coach on the field within their personality. 9. Maintain an open door policy. 10. To be the spokesman for the entire staff.

APPROACH TO COACHING 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Be yourself. Be consistent. Be responsible for yourself, your position players, and to your team. Have a passion for learning for the game itself. Be totally committed to the development of the student, the athlete, and the program. Maintain a proper perspective by taking time to remember that this is just a game played by kids. Know where you belong, be waiting for the players. Utilize your time before and after practice efficiently. Stay alert for player injuries, heat related injuries and dehydration. Strive to make your group the best on the practice field and in the game. Be fair. Be available. Know your players abilities: a. Physical b. Mental c. Temperament d. Personality e. Significant medical history Care for your players. Show them that you care about them beyond their football abilities. Know your coaching responsibilities in practice and in the game. Breed confidence in your team. Always be organized. Work with all players in your group, not just the starters. Do not let them go unnoticed. Practices will be physically tough and demanding; do not hold a clinic on the field. Talking is for the meetings/chalk talk. WE PRACTICE LIKE WE PLAY, AT FULL SPEED Have fun. Be human around your players and fellow coaches.

14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Film Study

Each coach has their own responsibility to study game film so that all of our players are properly prepared for the upcoming game. Duties will be as follows: General Manager Have film available for players during their lunch hours, film study will be mandatory for varsity players Head Coach Overall study of game films, both our film and that of our opponents. The HC will also be responsible for uploading Plainsmen game film to the Game Film Exchange site. Special Teams Coordinator study of opponents ST film to determine scheme and tendencies and develop a game plan Defensive Coordinator Study opponents offensive game film to determine scheme and tendencies and develop a game plan Offensive Coordinator Study opponents defensive game film to determine scheme and tendencies and develop a game plan

Each position coach will study the appropriate counter-position to assist in preparing your players for their direct competition

Fundraising

Fundraising is a major factor for our program. We have excellent equipment for the players and excellent professional development opportunities for the coaching staff. This all is due to our fundraising efforts. Player fees are set rather high because of the expense of running a program, so any extras comes quite simply from our success in additional fundraising. All coaches must be part of this process, not only in the hands-on aspect of completing fundraisers but also in the development of new fundraising possibilities. Our main fundraising event is the selling of discount cards (formerly Varsity Gold) which raises the most funds. We also sell jersey sponsorships and expect all coaches to reach out into the community to find willing partners.

Plan to Win

We have a very clear objective that all decisions involving this program are made. Win in the classroom and win on the field. 1. 2. 3. 4. Take Care of the Football Win the turnover margin Great Special Forces Win the kicking game We dont beat ourselves Elimination of mental errors/fewest penalties Finish Win the 4th Quarter

Plainsmen For Life

PFL is not just a motto but something that I truly believe in. This can be a natural tie-in with the proper development of an alumni program as well. We need to better establish a true sense of what PFL means and I believe that the foundations are as follows: PRIDE We will set ourselves apart from the ordinary and set the standard. Pride not only begins with the players, but belongs to the student body, the teachers, the school, and the community. We will become that something for all to rally behind and support. As coaches in one of the most visible sports in school,

we must be willing to go to the community and ask for help in supporting the things we are trying to do. Having secured many friendships and contacts over the years, we must capitalize on these to further a positive, and successful, sports environment. TRADITION Tradition is developed through hard work and sacrifice. Striving to educate our athletes that what they do now will be part of who they become, is a tremendous responsibility for all coaches. If studentathletes set high goals and expectations, working hard to achieve them, they will leave a lasting legacy for those behind them to follow. This growth process will prepare them for their futures and will become a model for all that follow to emulate. The younger students and players will naturally look up to them and strive to achieve beyond their predecessors. LOYALTY Loyalty is accomplished by having a positive, and successful, athletic experience and environment. When an athlete knows that his coaches truly care for them, the loyalty creates a wonderful cycle of continued success. We as coaches need to show genuine concern for those students who have given their time and efforts to the program. This can be as simple as a handshake and a thank you. Once a student knows that you genuinely care for them, they will do anything within their power to pay back what they have received.

Practice Philosophy
1. Practice should be more difficult than games By the time our players step onto the field at game time, they should be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared at a level above what they will encounter during the game. 2. Practices are for developing physical skills and execution This time will be used to improve the players physical skills and/or execution of responsibilities. 3. Quality of reps over quantity of reps Practice time is limited, and there are few opportunities for players to improve each and every day. Each coach will emphasize the importance of getting the most out of each and every rep because there is a limited amount of them. 4. Great emphasis will be placed on individual and small group development in progress towards the whole picture If a player is unsure of proper techniques then they will never be able to execute their plays properly Practice plans will be distributed by the Head Coach.

Yearly Planning
OFFSEASON December Post season team meeting Playbook scheme review Off-Season training Make necessary changes to Website Send game film to recruiters SPRING

January Continue OffSeason training Plan coaching clinics Detailed inventory Playbook/scheme development Prepare players for Provincial Team tryouts

February Continue OffSeason training Glazier Clinic Order new equipment as needed Crocus Plains Open House

March Continue OffSeason training Plan fundraisers

April Continue OffSeason training Send out letters for spring camp Prepare for Spring Camp

May Continue Off-Season training Spring camp for both varsity and JV Attend Blue & Gold Game SUMMER

June Continue Off-Season training Send out summer letters Send out schedule of events Hand out equipment to players attending summer camps August Continue Off-Season training Equipment handout Begin training camp Get media guides completed & sent out Player meeting Parent meeting

July Continue Off-Season training Summer conditioning program Prepare forms for camp Make sure that all equipment is in proper order

IN-SEASON Send in Football Manitoba forms Weekly game preparation Prepare our players to the best of our and their abilities Make sure that players are keeping up with their studies Take one game at a time Deal with issues as they arise Have fun and win games!

Kevin Boyd Head Coach Plainsmen Football