Coach "J"

How Much Does God Love Us?

2011-08-04T18:03:00.001-05:00

Okay so God loves us the same as much as He loves Jesus. He proved it when He was willing to give Jesus to die for us, after all you don't give up something of more value for something of lesser value. God loves us that much. We as Earthly Fathers love our Sons and of course we are not capable of the kind of love that God who is love is capable of. Think about being a father, when you have given your son instructions that you know are for his benefit and what is best for him and he ignores them and goes and does what he wants anyway, how do you feel? Now don't we do the same thing to God all the time? We are disappointed, frustrated, and hurt when our sons do it. Do you think maybe God who created us in His image has the same feelings toward us? Now magnify it by all the Sons and Daughters of God, no wonder He is yearning for the day when it will all be set right! God forgive us when we ignore your instructions, when we do it our way, when we refuse to hear the Holy Spirit nudging us. Please show your mighty patience with your servant as we battle with our flesh to get out of our will and in to yours.

Auburn Offense vs Oregon Defense

2011-05-19T18:32:00.001-05:00

2010 Auburn vs Oregon [2 QTR] from ragin caucasian on Vimeo.

Why you should install your offense in four days

2011-05-18T07:17:00.002-05:00

Excited about getting back to blogging and making a blog a great place to learn, be inspired, and grow. Chris Brown's Smart Football is a great site and if you have never visited it and you coach the game of football you need to take a look.

Great peice from that site on:

Why you should install your offense in four days
Be blessed and get smarter,

Coach J

Chip Kelly: He always gives interesting interviews

2011-05-18T07:06:00.002-05:00

Gives some interesting insights into his philosophy

Be blessed and get smarter,

X and O's Lab, Outside Zone / Stretch Concept

2011-05-18T07:02:00.002-05:00

I want this blog to be a place where you can find the latest and best coaching resources available. X and O's Lab meets those qualifications and then some.

X and O's Lab Outside Zone / Stretch Concept
Be blessed and get smarter.

Coach J

Elevation Church - Worship

2011-05-18T06:53:00.000-05:00

Elevation Church - Worship

What's on my mind 5-15-11

2011-05-15T21:01:00.002-05:00

My wife is watching Survivor in the background, while I have been working on my blog....Does Survivor not promote deceitfulness and backstabbing? Lying and cheating are the only way to win the game.....Do women understand that spending hours in car with your teenage boys, having "family fun", and spending the night in a hotel with them in the room next door torture is for the average man. Especially with my OCD wife who makes herself sick and stressed over the entire thing. I hate the thought and process of vacation or a weekend getaway......Wish we had spring ball here in Missouri, but our summer program does start in less than a month. Looking forward to getting started.

The Quit Option

2011-05-15T20:47:00.003-05:00

I have been going through some tough times. Unfortunately, many of them due to my own making and my lack of closeness to God. What is amazing about God, is that even when you don't deserve it, his grace is there. He looks out for you when you don't deserve and don't even realize it. He doesn't quit on you and sets up opportunities to redeem you and then sits back and waits for you to choose Him. If he doesn't quit on you, why should you quit on Him? God may I die to flesh daily and sing a new song unto you.

This message from Jentezen Franklin spoke to me and blessed me. May it do the same for you.

http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/watch/index.php?m=play&v=1224

God Bless

Coach J

The Butler Way

2011-04-01T06:27:00.002-05:00

This is a great devotional from the FCA website. I know it is basketball related but it is good stuff.

The Butler Way: One Day Better
By Jere Johnson

Posted
March 29, 2011

“But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” - James 1:22 (NLT)

Set:
It’s not a mistake that the Butler Bulldogs are back in the Final Four. Yes, they won some close games to make it back to the Big Dance in Houston, but it’s been more than a two-week journey that got them there.

It started when Butler hired a young man named Brad Stevens. Coach Stevens is a man of deep convictions: his faith, his family and his future—all of which are placed in God’s hands. He runs his program the same way. Coach Stevens calls it “The Butler Way.” This is how he describes it: “It starts with being a values-based organization and sticking to a vision and a mission that you’re trying to achieve—the values that we deem necessary and important to have a successful team and be fulfilled as individuals. Certainly there are a lot of ways it’s been phrased, but the bottom line is it’s about doing things for others and really enjoying the journey while, at the same time, constantly striving to get a little bit better every day.”

Coach Stevens sets the example for his team. In his personal life, he strives to be better every day. That affects his coaching, his teaching and his leading. Ultimately, it is lived out through his faith in Christ. “I hope [my faith] affects everything I do. Just as I ask our team to try constantly to improve every day, I’m trying to improve every day. And that being the most important aspect of my life, that’s the part where I think I’ve got the greatest room for improvement.”

The Butler Way is all about improving each day as a player and a person on and off the floor. Coach Stevens and many of his players have chosen to apply these same principles to their spiritual lives as well.

Just as this great basketball program has a “way” in place to strive for great success, we too should have a plan for our own spiritual journey. If Coach Stevens’ young men only listened to his instructions but chose to do what they wanted, would they be in the Final Four once again? I doubt it. But like James 1:22 teaches us, we cannot just listen to God’s Word, we need to do what it says.

Our spiritual growth starts with listening to God’s Word and applying it to our everyday lives. That is where growth takes place. The Butler Way works because these young men are applying the coach’s plan. Our Eternal Coach has the ultimate and best way for us to live, as well: accept that you are a sinner and need a Savior, believe in Jesus as His resurrected Son, submit to Him as the Lord of your life, and start living for Him. Commit to doing more than just listening to His Word, and, instead, follow His instructions with all your heart.

The Butler Way is an excellent plan, but the Way of the Master is even greater. In fact, it’s the greatest plan of all. As a Christian, even Coach Stevens would heartily agree.

Go:
Why do you think Butler’s team has been so successful over the past several years?
How can a coach’s faith create a great team atmosphere?
What is your daily plan for growing in Christ?
Today, what do you need to change in order to follow the way of the Master (Jesus Christ) instead of your own selfish ways?

Workout:
John 3:16; 14:6
Romans 3:10, 23
Romans 5:8
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:9, 13

Bible Book: James, John, Romans
Bible Chapter: James 1, John 3, Romans 10, Romans 3, Romans 5, Romans 6
Collection: Daily Impact Play
Keywords: brad stevens, Butler
Ministry: Coach, Sport
Sport: Basketball
Related Links: Bible Reference Handout, Double-Teamed: Break Through the Death Traps, Matt Holliday Video Study – Part I, The Time Is Now, Evaluations

11 Rules on Marriage You Won't Learn in School

2011-01-23T20:32:00.002-06:00

I shared this tonight at Infuse, our net for 18-20 somethings. It is a great list, enjoy and share.

11 Rules on Marriage You Won't Learn in School
by Dennis Rainey
For many years, e-mails have circulated the country with the outline of a speech attributed to Microsoft founder Bill Gates titled "11 Things You Will Not Learn in School About Jobs." It turns out that Gates never wrote these words or delivered the speech--it was all taken from an article written by Charles J. Sykes in 1996. And it really doesn't matter that Gates wasn't involved, because the piece does a great job of unmasking how feel-good, politically-correct teachings have created a generation of kids with a false concept of reality.

I thought I'd not only pass on these rules, but also make a few of my own--on marriage.

First, here are the 11 rules of life that you won't learn in school:
Rule 1: Life is not fair--get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will not make $60,000 per year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping--they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault. So don't whine about your mistakes; learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes, and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to anything in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you "find yourself." Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is not real life. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Sage advice.

After reading this piece, I was inspired to take a crack at something I'd been chewing on: "11 Rules That You Won't Learn in School About Marriage."

Rule 1: Marriage isn't about your happiness. It's not about you getting all your needs met through another person. Practicing self-denial and self-sacrifice, patience, understanding, and forgiveness are the fundamentals of a great marriage. If you want to be the center of the universe, then there's a much better chance of that happening if you stay single.

Rule 2: Getting married gives a man a chance to step up and finish growing up. The best preparation for marriage for a single man is to man up now and keep on becoming the man God created him to be.

Rule 3: It's okay to have one rookie season, but it's not okay to repeat your rookie season. You will make rookie mistakes in your first year of marriage; the key is that you don't continue making those same mistakes in year five, year 10, or year 20 of your marriage.

Rule 4: It takes a real man to be satisfied with and love one woman for a lifetime. And it takes a real woman to be content with and respect one man for a lifetime.

Rule 5: Love isn't a feeling. Love is commitment. It's time to replace the "D word"--divorce--with the "C word"--commitment. Divorce may feel like a happy solution, but it results in long-term toxic baggage. You can't begin a marriage without commitment. You can't sustain one without it either. A marriage that goes the distance is really hard work. If you want something that is easy and has immediate gratification, then go shopping or play a video game.

Rule 6: Online relationships with old high school or college flames, emotional affairs, sexual affairs, and cohabiting are shallow and illegitimate substitutes for the real thing. Emotional and sexual fidelity in marriage is the real thing.

Rule 7: Women spell romance R-E-L-A-T-I-O-N-S-H-I-P. Men spell romance S-E-X. If you want to speak romance to your spouse, become a student of your spouse, enroll in a lifelong "Romantic Language School," and become fluent in your spouse's language.

Rule 8: During courtship, opposites attract. After marriage, opposites can repel each another. You married your spouse because he/she is different. Differences are God's gift to you to create new capacities in your life. Different isn't wrong, it's just different.

Rule 9: Pornography robs men of a real relationship with a real person and poisons real masculinity, replacing it with the toxic killers of shame, deceit, and isolation. Pornography siphons off a man's drive for intimacy with his wife. Marriage is not for wimps. Accept no substitutes.

Rule 10: As a home is built, it will reflect the builder. Most couples fail to consult the Master Architect and His blueprints for building a home. Instead a man and woman marry with two sets of blueprints (his and hers). As they begin building, they discover that a home can't be built from two very different sets of blueprints.

Rule 11: How you will be remembered has less to do with how much money you make or how much you accomplish and more with how you have loved and lived.

Pass on "The Rules" to a friend who will enjoy them!

Football at the Top of the World

2011-01-17T15:59:00.000-06:00

Sikeston Fire Series

2011-01-16T20:26:00.001-06:00

The "Auburn" Fire Series

In blog entry number one, we talked about moving our back to the pistol look. As I stated, this turned about to be a great move for us. In the next couple of days, I plan to get up some clips of Veer out of the Pistol which I wrote about in that entry. But maybe our best addition this year was our "fire" series. What we were looking for and what we actually ended up doing were two different things. We wanted to add a "fire" series, which for us would be a formation completely different than our normal sets, with a few base plays, that we would run after a big play or as a change of pace. In my search for such a series, I came across the video below.

As you can see we liked what the backfield action did to the defense forcing them to stand still and "find" the ball. So we took the video and drew up our "fire" series. As stated we were going to use it sparingly after big plays and as a change of pace. The only thing was every time we ran the series, we picked up yards so we it end up becoming a huge part of our offense and next season we are going to teach it from day one with some adjustments as a base part of the offense.

Like the video, we wanted all the plays in the series to start out looking the same, hence the name series. In camp we installed 3 plays, an outside zone / buck sweep to our running back coming across the face of the QB and faking a reverse over the top, faking the sweep and giving the reverse over the top, and finally faking the sweep and the reverse and throwing a play action Smash type action. To call the series we simply used numbers, "Fire 1" was the sweep action, "Fire 2" was the reverse over the top, and "Fire 3" was the play action. We started with 3 and ended up with 8 and it became a running joke every time we added a play and coaches and kids would say things like, "coach what is Fire 20 going to be?". Here are the diagrams for the 3 plays:

We obviously set up the rest of the series by establishing the sweep first. We actually opened the game with the sweep the first four weeks of the year with good success including one that went for a touchdown. Week five we threw the play action on the first play for a touchdown. We did not run the reverse much, but it was very effective when we did.

This was our second best play action pass. The boot is our best play action pass, but this ran a close second and the nice thing about that is the fact that the reads for the QB are almost identical to that of the boot. The reads are easy for the QB. He looks for the Smash route then comes off to the divide and down to the over. If he feels pressure, he throws to either back out of the backfield. The wheel by the sweeper down the sideline is the big play throw on the pass and should be stealing against high school defenses. We hit some huge plays throwing that route.

This series was tremendously effective for us and we will use it as one of our base sets next season.

Here are highlights of us running our Fire Series.

Practical Take Home Tips for Small Behavior Changes

2011-01-14T19:56:00.004-06:00

Practical Take Home Tips for Small Behavior Changes

1. Seek and Surrender
2. Sweat
3. Sleep
4. Simplify
5. Solitude and Silence
6. Smile
7. Sweep
8. Slow Down
9. Shut Off
10. Sabbath

A Lie...

2011-01-14T15:17:00.003-06:00

If I could just ________________, Then I would be ________________. Is a lie. Fill in the blanks with anything you want. Doing and getting will not bring happiness. Theres is only one hope, one peace, one joy, and one purpose. Enjoy and live in the eternal so you can enjoy and live in the the temporary.

Grace and Peace,

Coach J

E Clinic on Half Field Drill from Coach Thomas at Lee's Summit

2011-01-14T13:10:00.003-06:00

The Missouri Football Coaches Association is starting to do e-clinics. Coach Brent Eckley from Union High School is doing a great job with the Association and the website. He has asked me to do an e-clinic and I will be doing one shortly. Here is the one on the site currently from Coach Eric Thomas from Lee's Summit High School. Shout out to my friends Shannon Moore and Ed "MO" Morse who are his assistants.

http://www.ihigh.com/mfca/article_47818.html

Grace and Peace,

Coach J

A Thought to Start Your Morning

2011-01-14T07:26:00.002-06:00

"To Reach People That No One Else is Reaching, You Must Do Things That No One Else Is Doing."

Craig Groeschell, Life Church Pastor
Talking about reaching the lost for Christ.
This is kind of a motto at Life Church.

I don't know what organization you belong to or where you work, but this could be said in many different context, for example:

To Teach People That No One is Teaching, You Must Teach In Ways That No One Else Is Teaching

You plug your example that fits your organization. The challenge is a simple one. Think outside the box today and look for new solutions. Better yet seek God for a new revelation from Him of way to get out of your box.

Good Morning and God Bless,

Coach J

Auburn vs Oregon Thoughts

2011-01-13T18:01:00.003-06:00

One of my more popular post was my preview of Auburn vs Oregon. The last couple of days, several people have asked me what I thought about the game. So I thought I would gather my thoughts and put them down on paper. Here is what I thought:

1. It is a shame these teams had to have such a long layoff. Both teams started slow and played sloppy at times. If they didn't have the layoff, both offenses would have been much more efficient.

2. It was a joy to watch football played at that pace. These two teams probably play faster than anyone else in the country. What it means, more plays, it is almost like watching bonus football.

3. No matter what tempo the game is played at, this game was won where all football games are won. Oregon could not block Auburn. Auburn won this game up front.

4. The SEC is the best conference in the country. The PAC 10 is a finesse league.

5. Cam Newton and Gene Chizik both gave God the glory. If you have watched Auburn all year, you know they could of lost at least 4 games. Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Alabama all had the Tigers beat, but their faith in their ability, each other, and apparently God pulled them through. I believe they were a team of destiny.

6. The Oregon program philosophy and design is ahead of the rest of the country. They are cutting edge in what and how they do. There will be a lot of programs copying their success.

7. Gus Malzahn thinks outside the box and is a great play caller.

8. Cam Newton can play in the NFL. It is a shame that his dad left a cloud over him for the rest of his career.

9. Both of these teams run the football first.

I recorded the game and I will be breaking down this off season. We already a have a special set we borrowed from Auburn. Our offense in a lot of ways is like Oregon's. We are no huddle, but I would like to speed our pace up this upcoming year, but to do so we have to move the chains.

These are my thoughts. Feel free to leave a comment.

God Bless,

Coach J

Bubble Option

2011-01-13T11:57:00.001-06:00

The Boys of Fall

2011-01-12T18:07:00.003-06:00

The Boys of Fall Lyrics at elw

Gaining leverage on overhang players and access to the “alley” against odd fronts

2011-01-06T08:10:00.001-06:00

Chris Brown's site Smart Football is one of the best and cutting edge sites on the web. Here is a great article that appeared on his blog about the use of the Zone Read. Enjoy.

Gaining leverage on overhang players and access to the “alley” against odd fronts

Sikeston vs Gateway Tech

2011-01-05T15:19:00.002-06:00

Sikeston had lost it's first game for the 2011 season when Obion County Tennessee dropped them due to realignment in Tennessee. We have been able to pick up a game and will now be playing Gateway Tech out of St. Louis week one. They return an outstanding QB and will feature a ton of athletic ability. It will be a great opener for us and true test.

Keys to Turning Around a Football Program

2011-01-05T15:11:00.002-06:00

Keys to Turning Around a Football Program

1. Pray For Help and Guidance -- You Don't Think You Can Do This By Yourself Do You?
2. Speak Into Existence Hope -- Things Can Be Better
3. Demand a Change of the Culture -- Start Thinking Like Winners
4. Surround Yourself with Good People -- People Make Change
5. Establish a Systematic Way of Doing Things -- If You Aim At Nothing That is What You Will Get
6. Start with The Core -- Recruit your Butt Off, but the Ones Who Are Already There are Your Core -- Treat Them Like It -- Love Them Up
7. Establish a Work Ethic -- It Starts in Off Season and Practice
8. Out Teach and Out Scheme Your Opponents -- Notice that Teach Comes First -- It is Not What You Know, It Is What You Can Teach Your Players
9. Last But Not Least -- Serve Those Around You -- Everyday, find a way to make someone else's life better.

Have a Blessed Day,

Coach Jackson

The Gospel

2011-01-05T14:51:00.003-06:00

The Gospel is fundamentally an endless reminder of all of the ways you have screwed it up. It is the promise, potential, and possibility of your true identity in Christ and what it means to live in that. If your identity is not sure and centered in Christ, then the last thing you want to do is to be brutally honest about our shortcomings and dark place. But if my fundamental identity is in Christ and that there is a new reality in Christ, I have a new mind, I realize that I was far and now I am near, then I can be brutally honest about my dark places, I can own up to my past, faults, and shorcomings and confess to Christ. I can apologize, repent, and admit and let Christ forgive. You can trust that Christ has spoken a new word about you. The invitation becomes to live up to the invitation to live a life in Christ. An expectation arises that we have possibilities that will be realities as I trust this word more and more.

Rob Bell

Mars Hill Church

Putting God First

2011-01-04T07:05:00.002-06:00

It is the first week of a new year 2011. In Matthew 6:33 it tells us to "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." Do we trully put God first in our lives? I don't know about you, but I struggle in this area and I am very inconsistent. One of my goals for 2011 is simply to be more consistent when it comes to the things of God. When we are consistent in any relationship in doing the right things that relationship will improve. Our relationship with God is no exception. Four practical and simply ways to put God first in 2011:

1. First in our day, at the beginning of each day, set aside a time to pray and read God's word. 2. First in our week, Sunday is considered in many cultures the first day of the week, so make going to church on Sunday a priority.
3. First in our year, begin each year, including this one with a Fast where you seek God and turn your attention toward Him.
4. First in our finances, Tithe!

Put God first. Fight for consistency. Enjoy the fruits of your efforts in 2011.

God Bless

Coach J

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T13:21:00.002-06:00

I hope that New Years Day 2011 finds you first and foremost healthy and right with the Lord. If the answer to both of those is yes, then everything else is relative. If you are like me, you also have a warm house, a comfortable bed, and food in the house to eat. I thank God for the blessings he has given me.

Here is what has been on my mind this morning and things I have heard this morning:

1. Urban Meyer was interviewed this morning entering the last game as a head coach at least for a while. A couple of thoughts from his interview. He was concerned about the Special Teams depth chart because as a head coach he does the specials teams. I think all head coaches should run the special teams. Urban has been successful because he pays attention to details and makes sure the little things are done right. More important than football though, Urban made a comment about what he learned from Tim Tebow. His comment was about a young man who was battling cancer who he had talk to his team and be apart of the day. He said that he had made that young man's day better. He commented that is what he had learned from Tebow was that what was important was finding a way to make someone else's day better. A simple concept but also a selfless concept. Find a way to make someone else's day better, how about that for some advise for 2011. What if you actually did that every day this upcoming year. Simple, kind of like the Gospel, simple but powerful.

2. Bret Beilema, who is highly underrated and may be one of the top coaches at the Division One level , talking about his game plan vs TCU said they needed to do three things:

1. Limit Penalties

2. Not Turn the Ball Over

3. Make First Downs.

In this upcoming season, I have to find a way to replace 7 starters and those three things will be what I have to focus on for us to be successful. This off season and next preseason, we are going to focus and coach those three things by:

1. Having position coaches call penalties in practice with consequences

2. Have practice consequences for turnovers and position drills for preventing turnovers

3. Have consequences for negative plays in practice which is what prevents you making first downs.

3. Michigan's defense looks confused. When you are not good on defense because of lack of personnel, us brilliant coaches often over think it and try to fix it with scheme. Play base and tackle. When players don't have to think they play better.

4. My church is starting a 21 day fast on January 3rd. Fasting takes the focus off of your flesh and puts it back on God. I believe this fast will be important to the quality of 2011. I am not sure I have the discipline to do a full fast, but I am going to try. I want to seek God and hear from him for this upcoming year. I have some situations in my life where I need breakthrough and I am fasting to get a breakthrough. If you need a break through and to hear from God, consider fasting as well.

I pray that you have a great 2011 and God Bless,

Coach J

You Can't Do God's Will In Human Zeal

2010-12-27T08:09:00.004-06:00

Our church will begin a 21 day fast on January 3rd. Jentezen Franklin's church, Free Chapel, in Atlanta, GA will also be doing a 21 day fast to begin the new year. The sermon found at the attached link is one of the sermons Pastor Franklin preached leading up to their fast. As a Christian who wants to lead a Christ centered life, I can't think of a better way to begin the new year than with a fast. If the Lord leads maybe you can choose a fast of your own. There are great resources for doing this on Pastor Franklin's web site. This message as well as this ministry as blessed me. I pray that it blesses you as well.

http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/watch/index.php?m=play&v=1173

God Blessed,

Coach J

The Perfect High School Offense Part II: Blog Entry Number Two

2010-12-23T08:24:00.016-06:00

The "Auburn" Fire Series

This series was tremendously effective for us and we will use it as one of our base sets next season.

Here are highlights of us running our Fire Series.

TREY_LEWIS_2010.wmv

2010-12-22T19:09:00.000-06:00

Sikeston Bulldogs Football 2010 highlights (Part 1 of 2)

2010-12-22T16:23:00.005-06:00

Sikeston Bulldogs Football 2010 highlights (Part 2 of 2)

2010-12-22T16:23:00.004-06:00

Margin Part One

2010-12-15T20:23:00.004-06:00

I teach full time. Football season as we all know doesn't ever really ends. I am active at church where I do sound, teach a 20 somethings net, and teach a Dave Ramsey net. I am the FCA Huddle leader at Sikeston Junior High. I umpire in the spring to earn extra money since teaching pays so well. I have no "Margin" in my life in too many areas. For this blog and this series we are going to use this definition of Margin: the amount that is available beyond what is necessary.

In this series we are going to look at margin from several different angles. For example, if you financial margin then you would have money left over at the end of the month, you would be able to give without being stretched, or you have the resources to help when a need arises. If you have margin in your schedule you have down time, time for to pray and reflect, or the ability to take off when you need too.

When we have no margin we end up exhausted, stressed, and frustrated. Exhaustion not only takes the form of physical exhaustion, but mental and emotional exhaustion as well. This upcoming month, lets examine our schedule and ask ourselves if we are making decisions with our time that leads to exhaustion. Let's look for areas where we can create Margin in our lives.

Okay lets start with keeping our priorities straight. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and then all things will be added to you. So what does this mean? Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven. Seek ye first His will, not your own. Follow His agenda not your agenda. I don't know about you, but I fail at this on a daily basis. I get up, do my will, complete my list, and work on my agenda. Now compare this to how Jesus lived, after all as Christians He is our model and we are to become Christ like. He got up and spent time with the Father and then did only what the Father was directing him to do. He did not try to do everything, even though He could have, He only did as the Father directed. The other thing that you see throughout the Gospels, is not matter what was going on around him or how "busy" He was, he found time to get away and get alone with the Father.

Step One to Finding Margin and Preventing Exhaustion:

1. Seek and Surrender -- Start by seeking God every morning and giving him control. Then, choose to do only the things He ask you to that day.

Father I pray that I lead by example and that I find time to "check" with you before I go about the business of my day. I pray that the people who read this blog would find time to "check" in with you everyday. Let us set aside our will and agenda to do your will and agenda.

In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

God Bless,

Coach J

The Perfect High School Offense Part II: Blog Entry Number One

2010-12-12T14:01:00.002-06:00

Breaking Tendencies

The first two seasons I was Offensive Coordinator at Sikeston, we would set the running back to the right or the left of the QB. On many of our plays we would also use jet motion. The result was that the defense could get tendencies based on our back alignment and motion. Teams begin to use automatics to take away our base plays. On the jet motion for instance, they would blitz play side off the edge to stop our Fly Sweep and the backside B gap out number our zone scheme when we ran Zone away from fly. This past season we made a decision to set our back in a Pistol alignment to help us become a balanced offense by alignment. While we still used a great deal of motion, we tried to make sure the motion did not always take the defense to the play. With the Pistol alignment and using more option, we think we succeeded in breaking tendencies and forcing defenses to play us more honest.

How We Used the Pistol

In our Doubles set we are 2 by 2 with our slots inside the wide receivers. We set the QB at 4 yards and the 3 back at 6 yards behind him. This was our base offensive set. We probably used it this past season 40 - 50 percent of the time. The base play we ran out of the set was the Veer Option. Basically when we are in this set and run the Veer Option, we are running the "Skee Gun" which Muskegon High School in Michigan has been successful with for several seasons. In other words, we are running the flex bone out of the gun. One of our slots would go in motion over the top of both the QB and the 3 Back to be the pitch back in the pitch phase of our option game. The QB would take the snap, drop his play side foot to give room for the 3 backs path, and read the play side DE. If the DE came down on the 3 back then the QB would pull, if the DE sat or went up field then the QB would give the ball to the 3 back. Our offensive line would take bigger splits, especially with the play side tackle. We blocked Zone up front except for the play side tackle who released to the inside LB. Our 3 Back would take a path at the play side A gap. When in doubt we had the QB give the ball. If the QB pulled, he would attack the OLB who was the pitch key. This is how we drew it up and how we taught it at the beginning of the school year. As the year went on we made some adjustments and learned what did and did not work for us. For instance our 3 Back naturally cut the ball back to the back side A gap most of the time. We also arced our Tackle to the OLB to allow our QB to pull the ball and have room to operate since he was a great runner. We also eliminated leaving the OLB as a pitch key and began to stalk the perimeter and just pitched off of pressure. What we know is it it turned out to be our best offensive play and put great horizontal pressure on the defense to defend the entire width of the field.

Other plays we ran out of Doubles was Zone with no motion, Counter Veer especially into the boundary, Boot with no motion, and our quick or dropback passes. In retrospect, I wish I had run more quick game, screens, and zone reads. We are pleased with our move to the Pistol formation. We plan to continue using the Pistol as our base alignment in our offense. What we like about the Pistol is the down hill action from the back, the balance it gives the formations, and how easily you can run all our plays either direction.

God Bless for Now,

Coach J

Highlights of Game One vs Cape Central

2010-12-11T22:03:00.001-06:00

The Perfect High School Offense

2010-12-11T21:03:00.004-06:00

I was recently blessed to have my first article published in the November issue of Gridiron Strategies. A link to the article, "The Perfect High School Offense", can be found at the link below on scribd.com. I wrote the article two years ago after my first season at Sikeston. That season we finished with a 5-5 record, but that was a big improvement considering that Sikeston had royally struggled for several seasons. In the article I reflected on our scheme. I tried to put into words what we ran, why we ran it, and how we had evolved to that point. It was one of those things you do and forget about, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, Gridiron contacted me and asked if they could print the article. I was honored that they liked the article and gave them permission.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/45116375/The-Perfect-High-School-Offense

Since that 5-5 season we have been blessed at Sikeston to put together back to back 13-1 campaigns losing in the semifinals in back to back years. During this run, we have been able to put up some impressive numbers:

2008 34. 9 Points Per Game, 349 Yards Per Game, and 5.5 Per Rush

2009 35.6 Points Per Game, 392 Yards Per Game, and 5.7 Per Rush

2010 43.9 Points Per Game, 344 Yards Per Game, and 8.3 Per Rush

It helps to have good athletes and we have had very good athletes. I am also aware that is about the Jimmies and Joe's, not the X's and O's. I do believe that we have done a good job of putting our players in a system where they can succeed. To me that is what coaching is about, putting the Jimmies and Joes in the right system to succeed. That is what we have tried to do in the past couple of years is take our talent, teach them how to practice, and then give them a chance to be successful. I think there are some reasons we have been able to do this, one, we have worked at it; two, we have based what we have done on what we know and then added only what fit with our core stuff; and three, we have been willing to change.

Over the next several weeks, I plan to use this blog to do a follow up on the article. The Perfect Offense Part Two so to speak. I will reflect on how we have adapted over the past couple of seasons and why. I will talk about our current offensive scheme and why we do what we do. In return, please help me out by leaving comments. I look forward to sharing and talking a little X's and O's so that our Jimmies and Joes can win more games.

Have A Blessed Day,

Coach J

Wise or Wimp

2010-12-10T12:00:00.001-06:00

Enjoy this great post by Coach O who runs www.coach-o.com

Is this Gator Coach Wise or a Wimp?

One of the most successful coaches and leaders of our generation just resigned from arguably the best coaching job in sports at the University of Florida. Coach Meyer made this statement during his press conference regarding why he is retiring.
"At the end of the day, I'm very convinced that you're going to be judged on how you are as a husband and as a father and not on how many bowl games we won," Urban Meyer said at a campus news conference. "I've not seen my two girls play high school sports. They're both very talented Division I-A volleyball players, so I missed those four years. I missed two already with one away at college. I can't get that time back."
As a former college coach, I can tell you that many in my profession are looking at Urban Meyer and are wondering how he could walk away from the best job in college football. They are thinking that he is soft and has lost his competitive edge and his family and his faith caused it. Then there are those in the coaching profession, who understand the loss and grief that Coach Meyer shared during the press conference, in not being available for his children or loved ones like other people can do. As a leader and coach, I have felt the sting of not being at my children's games or recitals. I have struggled with the angst of knowing I should leave the office but I can't. I have dealt with the guilt of coming home after losing track of time, only to see my children and spouse already asleep in their beds. Perhaps you have too.

As 2010, comes to a close many of us who run businesses and or coach, will look at the past year and evaluate how we have done and examine our successes and failures as professionals. This is an invaluable process as it allows us to see where we have made mistakes, what we have done well and where we need to improve in the future. However, as I speak to people around the globe, I continue to meet with great leaders who are very thorough when it comes to their year end analysis' of their business or organizations, however, they never take the time to examine their own life. Socrates once said,
"An unexamined life is not worth living."
What we saw Coach Meyer do was simply an outcome of evaluating and examining his life. Not the life of Coach Meyer, the coach. No, he examined the life of Urban Meyer the husband and father. It didn't take courage to resign, is took courage to decide to examine and evaluate his life from a different perspective. We all should possess such courage, in fact here are 7 Areas of your life that I challenge you to evaluate this December:

1) Your Commitment to Family and your Marriage
2) Your Personal Faith or Values System
3) Your Financials
4) Your Health and Fitness
5) Your Time Management
6) Your Job
7) Your Legacy, what do the people closest to you say about you now and what will they say after you are gone?

This process takes courage and a willingness to ask for help, as we all have blind spots we aren't aware of as leaders at work and at home, so it is imperative that we also ask those closest to us to give us feedback also. I challenge you to do what I will be doing this month, and take time over the Christmas holiday and new year, to reflect and examine your life and do so with the end in mind and with the people closest to you.

Make it a great Christmas!
Coach Rod Olson

Mad Mike's You Tube Channel on the Oregon Duck Offense

2010-12-10T11:54:00.002-06:00

If you are fan of Oregon Football or the No Huddle Spread Option Offense, check out this channel on youtube. This is a great way to break down and watch Oregon's Offense. If you have checked out this channel before, enjoy.

Auburn vs Oregon

2010-12-07T16:51:00.003-06:00

Are Oregon and Auburn the two most talented teams in the country? One could argue that Auburn is not even the most talented team in its conference. I think in terms of pure talent, Alabama and LSU have more overall pure talent on their team. Now we all know that both teams have exceptional players leading them. Cam Newton is a special talent and of course if you don't have good quarterback play you will not win at a high level. Oregon has a great running back in LaMicheal James who is a perfect fit for their offense. And both teams possess the most key ingredient to being a good football team, they have good offensive lines. But the point here is simple, why are these two teams playing for a national title. Afterall, neither had these kind of expectations. People thought Auburn would be decent, but no one knew exactly how talented Cam Newton was. Oregon returned a lot of depth, but with Masoli gone, how good where they going to be?

My contention is this, these teams are playing in the national title game because they are just that, they are true "teams". So then what makes up a great team. I believe the following components make up great football teams.

1. They are well coached. Both of these coaching staffs do a great job of implementing very good schemes. And not just on the offensive side of the ball, I think both D-Coordinators have done great jobs, which is evident in how well both teams play defense in the second half.

2. Just as important as being well coached, the players have 100% buy in to the "system". Not only are these teams well coached, but players believe in the coaches and what they are trying to accomplish.

3. Good teams have good character and great chemistry. It is obvious that these teams like each other or at least they appear to on the outside looking in. And in Auburn's case in particular, they have shown tremendous character, which is evident in their ability to handle and overcome adversity. At least in the case of Auburn, I think that character is a direct result to their faith in Christ, starting with the head man Gene Chizick.

4. Good teams have schemes that fit their players, both teams are in schemes that fit their personnel. Both of these offensive minds, Kelley and Malzahn, are masters at plugging kids into their schemes. Plus I think that both teams are presenting a sound formula for winning in the modern game. Run a simple, run first scheme, at a very fast pace forcing defenses to become vanilla.

5. Good teams play very hard and of course these teams are no exception.

6. And last, but definitely least, good teams are in great physical condition. The tempos at which these teams play force you to be in great condition. Just look at the 4th quarter performances of both teams.

Talent aside, I think this is why these two teams will be playing for the national championship. The game should be very entertaining and I am looking forward to watching it.

Have A Blessed Day,

Coach J

Mission and Vision

2010-05-17T21:34:00.003-05:00

Evangelist, Mikel French came to our church tonight at Cape First of Sikeston. His message was simple but powerful. He built his message around three basic points.

1. Vision: How Far Can You See

Vision starts with knowing your mission. Once you know know your mission, you can envision what accomplishing that mission will look like. Developing your vision. Lately, I think God has been trying to get me to clarify my mission and therefore focusing my vision. I need to clarify my mission statement for the four areas that God has me placed.

Faith: God wants me to do the net Infuse at my church. A net for 20 somethings to belong, grow, and serve.

Football: Will get back to you on this one, need to pray and refocus area

Family: Same here, need to pray and refocus in this area as well

Teaching: Serving Students, Buildling Relationships, and Developing Work Ethic

2. Compassion: How Deep Can You Feel

Stealing the mission statement of my former church Evangel Temple in Kansas City.

Love God, Love Others, ..... and the third part of this statement will be used below for the action part of this blog. The bottom line is simple, if you truly love God then the love of God will flow through you and you will Love others. Christian compassion begins with understanding the Love that God has for us. You begin to see the world through the eyes of Christ and a paradigm shift happens.

3. Action: How Far Will You Go.

The third part of the Evangel mission statement is Serve the World. Kind of self explanatory, how far will you go. What will you do to serve. No strings attached, no agenda, not seeing people as projects. Just serving to the best of your ability. Let the love of Christ motivate you serve a hurting world who needs salt and light.

God Changes the Future Through Us, Not For Us

Speed Option

2010-04-16T21:10:00.001-05:00

Ski Gun Formation -- QB Keep

2010-04-16T21:06:00.002-05:00

Ski Gun Formation -- Pitch Reads

2010-04-16T21:06:00.001-05:00

Ski Gun Formation -- Give Reads

2010-04-16T21:04:00.000-05:00

The Promise Plaque

2009-03-29T11:59:00.001-05:00

Florida has put Tim Tebo's promise after the Ole Miss game on a plaque. Check out the article at the blog below.

http://www.fasttimesinthesec.com/2009/03/florida-gators-set-tebows-promise-in.html

Coach J

Sikeston Football Highlight Film Part Two

2009-03-23T22:05:00.001-05:00

Sikeston Football Highlight Film Part One

2009-03-23T22:03:00.000-05:00

Coaching Football Jesus Style

2009-03-23T21:48:00.000-05:00

Coaching Football Jesus Style Coaching Football Jesus Style coachmaj

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Coach J Strength and Conditioning Manual

2009-03-23T21:42:00.000-05:00

Coach J's Strength Program Coach J's Strength Program coachmaj

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2006 Center Football Core Values and Coaching Manual

2009-03-23T21:38:00.001-05:00

2006 Center Footbal1 2006 Center Footbal1 coachmaj

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Other Sports football sport

7 on 7 Playbook

2009-03-23T21:35:00.000-05:00

7 on 7 Playbook 7 on 7 Playbook coachmaj

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Uncategorizable-Unca Sport-American-Footb

Double Wing Playbook

2009-03-23T21:33:00.001-05:00

DoubleWingPlaybook[1] DoubleWingPlaybook[1] coachmaj

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Soccer is Ruining America

2009-03-23T11:47:00.001-05:00

By STEPHEN H. WEBB
Soccer is running America into the ground, and there is very little anyone can do about it. Social critics have long observed that we live in a therapeutic society that treats young people as if they can do no wrong. Every kid is a winner, and nobody is ever left behind, no matter how many times they watch the ball going the other way. Whether the dumbing down of America or soccer came first is hard to say, but soccer is clearly an important means by which American energy, drive and competitiveness are being undermined to the point of no return.

What other game, to put it bluntly, is so boring to watch? (Bowling and golf come to mind, but the sound of crashing pins and the sight of the well-attired strolling on perfectly kept greens are at least inherently pleasurable activities.) The linear, two-dimensional action of soccer is like the rocking of a boat but without any storm and while the boat has not even left the dock. Think of two posses pursuing their prey in opposite directions without any bullets in their guns. Soccer is the fluoridation of the American sporting scene.

For those who think I jest, let me put forth four points, which is more points than most fans will see in a week of games?and more points than most soccer players have scored since their pee-wee days.

1) Any sport that limits you to using your feet, with the occasional bang of the head, has something very wrong with it. Indeed, soccer is a liberal's dream of tragedy: It creates an egalitarian playing field by rigorously enforcing a uniform disability. Anthropologists commonly define man according to his use of hands. We have the thumb, an opposable digit that God gave us to distinguish us from animals that walk on all fours. The thumb lets us do things like throw baseballs and fold our hands in prayer. We can even talk with our hands. Have you ever seen a deaf person trying to talk with his feet? When you are really angry and acting like an animal, you kick out with your feet. Only fools punch a wall with their hands. The Iraqi who threw his shoes at President Bush was following his primordial instincts. Showing someone your feet, or sticking your shoes in someone's face, is the ultimate sign of disrespect. Do kids ever say, "Trick or Treat, smell my hands"? Did Jesus wash his disciples' hands at the Last Supper? No, hands are divine (they are one of the body parts most frequently attributed to God), while feet are in need of redemption. In all the portraits of God's wrath, never once is he pictured as wanting to step on us or kick us; he does not stoop that low.

2) Sporting should be about breaking kids down before you start building them up. Take baseball, for example. When I was a kid, baseball was the most popular sport precisely because it was so demanding. Even its language was intimidating, with bases, bats, strikes and outs. Striding up to the plate gave each of us a chance to act like we were starring in a Western movie, and tapping the bat to the plate gave us our first experience with inventing self-indulgent personal rituals. The boy chosen to be the pitcher was inevitably the first kid on the team to reach puberty, and he threw a hard ball right at you.

Thus, you had to face the fear of disfigurement as well as the statistical probability of striking out. The spectacle of your failure was so public that it was like having all of your friends invited to your home to watch your dad forcing you to eat your vegetables. We also spent a lot of time in the outfield chanting, "Hey batter batter!" as if we were Buddhist monks on steroids. Our chanting was compensatory behavior, a way of making the time go by, which is surely why at soccer games today it is the parents who do all of the yelling.

3) Everyone knows that soccer is a foreign invasion, but few people know exactly what is wrong with that. More than having to do with its origin, soccer is a European sport because it is all about death and despair. Americans would never invent a sport where the better you get the less you score. Even the way most games end, in sudden death, suggests something of an old-fashioned duel. How could anyone enjoy a game where so much energy results in so little advantage, and which typically ends with a penalty kick out, as if it is the audience that needs to be put out of its misery? Shootouts are such an anticlimax to the game and are so unpredictable that the teams might as well flip a coin to see who wins?indeed, they might as well flip the coin before the game, and not play at all.

4) And then there is the question of sex. I know my daughter will kick me when she reads this, but soccer is a game for girls. Girls are too smart to waste an entire day playing baseball, and they do not have the bloodlust for football. Soccer penalizes shoving and burns countless calories, and the margins of victory are almost always too narrow to afford any gloating. As a display of nearly death-defying stamina, soccer mimics the paradigmatic feminine experience of childbirth more than the masculine business of destroying your opponent with insurmountable power.

Let me conclude on a note of despair appropriate to my topic. There is no way to run away from soccer, if only because it is a sport all about running. It is as relentless as it is easy, and it is as tiring to play as it is tedious to watch. The real tragedy is that soccer is a foreign invasion, but it is not a plot to overthrow America. For those inclined toward paranoia, it would be easy to blame soccer's success on the political left, which, after all, worked for years to bring European decadence and despair to America. The left tried to make existentialism, Marxism, poststructuralism, and deconstructionism fashionable in order to weaken the clarity, pragmatism and drive of American culture. What the left could not accomplish through these intellectual fads, one might suspect, they are trying to accomplish through sport.

Yet this suspicion would be mistaken. Soccer is of foreign origin, that is certainly true, but its promotion and implementation are thoroughly domestic. Soccer is a self-inflicted wound. Americans have nobody to blame but themselves. Conservative suburban families, the backbone of America, have turned to soccer in droves. Baseball is too intimidating, football too brutal, and basketball takes too much time to develop the required skills. American parents in the past several decades are overworked and exhausted, but their children are overweight and neglected. Soccer is the perfect antidote to television and video games. It forces kids to run and run, and everyone can play their role, no matter how minor or irrelevant to the game. Soccer and television are the peanut butter and jelly of parenting.

I should know. I am an overworked teacher, with books to read and books to write, and before I put in a video for the kids to watch while I work in the evenings, they need to have spent some of their energy. Otherwise, they want to play with me! Last year all three of my kids were on three different soccer teams at the same time. My daughter is on a traveling team, and she is quite good. I had to sign a form that said, among other things, I would not do anything embarrassing to her or the team during the game. I told the coach I could not sign it. She was perplexed and worried. "Why not," she asked? "Are you one of those parents who yells at their kids? "Not at all," I replied, "I read books on the sidelines during the game, and this embarrasses my daughter to no end." That is my one way of protesting the rise of this pitiful sport. Nonetheless, I must say that my kids and I come home from a soccer game a very happy family.

Mr. Webb is a professor of religion and philosophy at Wabash College. His recent books include "American Providence" and "Taking Religion to School."

My Football Coaching Prayer

2008-05-10T22:06:00.000-05:00

My Football Coaching Prayer

Father God,

I come before you in the name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Father lead and guide me as I coach. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And if I put God first, the desires of my heart will be given to me. I speak blessings and favor for this football team because I am a child of God by the blood of the lamb. Father, use me to impact lives in a positive Godly manner as I coach today. Let my actions speak for me Father, and let my tongue be used in a manner that will glorify you. I pray for the coaching staff and players. Let us remain injury free and let everything that is done be pleasing to you. You are my source and my strength and let me not forget who I am in you. Let me walk in a way that is worthy of my calling. I will walk victoriously both on and off the field because you are my strength. We pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus.

Amen

Strategies For Success in Operating a Football Program

2008-05-10T21:49:00.000-05:00

Okay, I must admit, I am a procrastinator and I am very good at coming up with excuses for not blogging more. The bottom line is that I believe this is something that God has called me to do and I need to get off my blessed assurance and get going. One of my hopes is that this blog is the source of quality coaching material as well as being a blessing to people. Enjoy the material below, it is great stuff, borrowed from the University of Missouri.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS-
THE OPERATION OF OUR PROGRAM

1. SELECT AND RECRUIT TALENTED PEOPLE
What do I look for in all the people and players in our program?

1. Dedicated & Loyal
2. Positive Attitude
3. No Excuses
4. Burning Desire to Achieve
5. Great Work Ethic

If the people don’t want to do it our way, I will work to change their behavior or eliminate them from our program.

ATTITUDE
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.”
by Charles Swindoll

NO EXCUSES
Any excuse for non-performance, however valid, softens the character. It is a sedative against one’s own conscience. When a man uses an excuse, he attempts to convince both himself and others that unsatisfactory performance is somehow acceptable. He is – perhaps unconsciously – attempting to divert attention from performance; the only thing that counts is his own want for sympathy. The user is dishonest with himself as well as with others. No matter how good or how valid, the excuse never changes performance.
The world measures success in terms of performance alone. No man is remembered in history for what he would have accomplished. History never asks how hard it was to do the job, nor considers the obstacles that had to be overcome. It counts only one thing – performance. No man ever performed a worthwhile task without consciously ignoring many a plausible excuse.
To use an excuse is a habit. We cannot have both the performance habit and the excuse habit. We all have a supply of excuses. The more we use them the lower become our standards, the poorer our performance. The better we perform, the less plausible our excuses become.
Next time you want to defend your sub-par performance, say instead (at least to yourself):

No Excuses!

Notice the startling effect this will have on your own self-respect. You will have recognized your failure. You will have been honest with yourself. You will be one step closer to the performance habit. You will be a better man for it. “We will be a better team!”

CREATE A TEAM ATMOSPHERE

LAWS OF TEAMWORK

These laws are necessary to understand and develop teamwork within your organization.

John C. Maxwell

LAW OF THE BIG PICTURE
Everybody on the team must contribute to winning. Everything starts with a vision – You have to have a goal. Winning teams have players who put the good of the team ahead of themselves. They want to play in their areas of strength, but they’re willing to do what it takes to take care of the team. They are willing to sacrifice their role for the greater goal. If the vision for achieving the big picture is embraced by everyone in the group, then those people have the potential to become an effective team.

LAW OF THE CHAIN
Winning Attitude – you have total control of your attitude. Be positive and be enthusiastic.
Team Matters More Than The Individual – No one player is more important than the team. As much as any team likes to measure itself by its best people, the truth is that the strength of the team is impacted by its weakest link. Allow for differences in lifestyles. Everyone on the team must take the journey – put aside all personal agendas and attitudes – everyone must be on the same mission.

LAW OF THE BAD APPLE
Attitude – To win at a consistent level it takes talented people with the right attitude. Good attitudes among players do not guarantee a team’s success, but bad attitudes guarantee its failure. The winner’s edge is in the attitude. Attitudes have the power to lift up or tear down a team; there are plenty of talented teams out there who never amount to anything because of the attitudes of their players. This is always true – bad attitudes are the result of selfishness. Get out of yourself and into the TEAM!

LAW OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability – Teammates must be able to count on each other at all times.
Character + Competence + Commitment + Consistency + Cohesion = Accountability
When all team members embrace each of those five qualities, within themselves and with one another, they can achieve the accountability necessary for a team to succeed. Accountability begins with character because it is based on trust, which is the foundation for all interaction with people. If you want your teammates to have confidence in you, where they know they can count on you day in and day out, then you must be consistent. NO EXCUSES!

The strength of a TEAM lies in its trust among teammates. You need to know for certain that you can count on your teammates and they need to know that they can count on you!

LAW OF THE PRICE TAG
Pay The Price – Every team member must pay a price. There is no substitute for work. It is the price of success! There are no victories at bargain prices, if you want to reach your potential, you can never let up. To improve, change, or keep winning, as a group the team must pay a price, and so must the individuals on it. There is a cost of being part of a winning team Sacrifice, Time Commitment, Personal Development, Unselfishness, and Open Communication between players and coaches.

LAW OF THE PLAYMAKER (Catalyst)
Always compete – It takes no skill, speed, strength or ability to be a 6-second competitor. A 6-second competitor is an attitude and a habit! Not every man can start or make All-American, but everyone can compete 100% of the time. Develop great work habits. Practice and play as fast as you can. All the time! We need a locker room of 6-second competitors. Focus on your work ethic, not others – all you control is the commitment that you are making.
Make things happen – Winning teams have players who make things happen, that is why a team that reaches its potential always possesses playmakers! Every team needs playmakers if it wants to win consistently. Playmakers have these common characteristics: Communicative, Passionate, Talented, Responsible, Generous, Committed, Accountable and Influential.

KNOW YOUR STAFF & PLAYERS SHOW YOU CARE

DON’T EXPECT YOUR PLAYERS TO PASSIONATELY CARE ABOUT
OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM IF YOU DON’T PASSIONATELY CARE
ABOUT THEM AS PEOPLE.

Coaches Job:
It is the coaches’ job to hold the athlete accountable to do everything necessary for the athlete to be a success. It is also the coaches’ job to love his players.

Athletes Responsibility:
To do what is right. Doing what is right is means practicing the following definition of Discipline.

OUR FOOTBALL TEAM BOTTOM LINE

1. BE ENTHUSIASTIC
2. BE A 6-SECOND COMPETITOR
3. KNOW YOUR ASSIGNMENT
4. PLAY TOUGH & PHYSICAL

1 PLAY AT A TIME
All your energy, focus and concentration on that 1 play. After it’s over, you have 100% focus on the next play.

COACHING AND TEACHING RESPONSIBILITY AND PHILOSOPHY
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

1. Let Your Players Know That You Care About Them! Trust Is Earned, Not Guaranteed
Communication is the most important thing between you and your players.
Developing a great relationship is vital for our team success.

2. Lead By Example. Be A Good Role Model To Your Players
Honest = Respect = Loyalty.
If you’re not 100% honest, you will have no credibility.

3. You Must Get Your Position To Believe That You Are The Best Coach And Teacher In The League. If The Players Don’t Believe, We Won’t Win

4. We Must Be Great Teachers
What you see on video is what you have coached. You are a teacher! Your teaching is evaluated by your player’s performance. Professors can have A, B, C, D, F students. We must have all A’s.
Keep things simple. Don’t over coach. Find the best way to teach. Teach fundamentals. Our goal is that each player masters the fundamentals at his position.

5. We Know What Must Be Taught – Staff Growth. Improve Schemes, But Have A Philosophy And Sell It To The Players

6. Utilize Teaching Aids
Change up procedure of meetings
Must use teaching aids
Video Breakdown (find a way to use it).
Marking Boards – accuracy of diagrams is critical – 75% of learning is
visual.
Practice and Scrimmage Video
Training Video

11. Must Be Consistent.
◊ All players must be team players and abide by the Team Covenant.
◊ We must have consistency in everything.
◊ Praise and criticize – all players. Players will notice any inconsistency in your player interaction. ◊ Coach toughness - Coach toughness - Coach toughness
◊ Coach 100% effort every play. Every Play Every Day! - Play Hard
◊ Players must be on time for every scheduled meeting or practice
◊ Attention to detail.
◊ Demand players to compete in everything they do.(6-second competitor)

12. Hard Workers On Field - Coaching
* Coach every play! Coach every play! Coach every play!
* Don’t stand in one spot. (Hands in pockets, arms folded not permitted in our program.)
* Get to where the action is.
* If coach stands around, so will players.
* No clinics on field. That’s why we meet and have walk-thru.
* Coach will run drill to drill just like the players.
* Players must run on the field - never walk.
* Players don’t lay on the ground. Players don’t put hands on knees.
* Demand enthusiasm, intensity and knowing assignment and playing tough and physical. BOTTOM LINE!
* Don’t be a screamer! Raise your voice when needed to change behavior!

Football Staff Office Hours

The basic rule is to work long enough, to get the job done. Should not get caught up in busy work, coaches need time to themselves during the season and off-season. A coach needs to be flexible, but understand that this is not an 8 to 5 job, but a profession. Do what it takes to get the job down; don’t shortchange the other coaches and or our players.

TEACHING PLAYERS TO COMPETE!
In every occupation it is visibly possible to see effort, but is it productive effort! Competition in an athlete comes from an inner feeling, a willingness to allow oneself to extend his or her body beyond mental desire.

So many athletes start out well, but don’t finish strong. Many of these athletes think they work hard. However, those that don’t finish strong are not competitive.

Once again the athlete who is consistent in effort is the most valuable type of player. The athlete that makes his body perform against all odds and against all levels of resistance is a competitor.

Throughout this total competitive effort, you see a burning desire without hesitation to get the job done. Look to see if a player is taking the easy way out of work. Is he avoiding physical contact by taking the long way around the play or deliberately arriving late at the point of attack.

Remember, initial effort counts, but finishing the play strong is sign of a good competitor.

While evaluating your player on the field, you must constantly critique him as a competitor! Is he a 3-second, 4-second, or 5-second competitor. We are looking for a “6-second competitor”.

You can coach and teach a player to be a great competitor.

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.

PLAN TO WIN – Time tested and infallible
1. Take Care of the Football – Win the turnover margin
2. Great Special Forces – Win the kicking game
3. We doesn’t beat ourselves – Elimination of mental errors/fewest penalties
4. Finish – Win the 4th Quarter

Know the Difference Between Winning and Losing

You win with:

Superior Personnel. Not just talent, but personnel. As in, who you are using and where you are utilizing them. Yes, a team needs highly skilled (fast, strong, talented) players. However, it needs football players more than it does athletes. Putting players in the right spot for your offense/defense is what makes your personnel. Make sure it is maximized

Superior Condition. Both physical and mental conditioning are vital. Strength of mind often determines strength of body.

Superior Attitude. Players need to be taught how to focus and to develop their mental attitudes. Too many times I've been around people who could not re-focus once some unfortunate happened. Their mental attitude was poor, and it typicall led to more 'misfortune' as they were unable to overcome that small bit of adversity.

Superior Teaching. I call it teaching, rather than coaching, because I truly believe we are teaching our players football (much like a professor teaches his class about chemistry). Coaching, well, that is merely the name I give to it. The coaching staff that can teach their players the proper techniques to execute their schemes will have a distinct advantage. It is easy to talk football, and hard to apply. Teaching movements, blocking, tackling, etc. are the things that win. What you know has very little bearing on the game, it's what your players know and can execute.

Fewer Mistakes. If you properly take care of the first 4, then, by the nature of your teaching, conditioning, attitude, and personnel matchup, your team should make few mistakes. Elimination of missed assignments, penalties, missed blocks, and missed tackles is the real proof of your ability as a coach.

Sell Your System. Decide what offensive/defensive system you will use. Totally sell your team that your system is the best. Make believers of them and use "propaganda" whenever possible. Make sure to use the words "our program" as opposed to "my program" (and even "their program"). Using "our", "we", "us", etc. helps bring everyone together and show that we are all in the same boat together. Convince them you have a well thought out reason for everything you do and everything they are asked to do. They must believe that what you are asking them to do is for their ultimate good. Sell your program to the public as well. This includes student body, faculty, parents, boosters, news media, and the 'future' players (elementary & middle school). What they think of you and your program is highly important. Their opinion and the environment it creates affects your players. The more successful you are in handling the people in these areas, the more success you should enjoy. Likewise, you will have fewer headaches and problem.

You Must Have Discipline Instill in each player at the very beginning what you expect of them in regards to: practice, equipment, locker room, dress, school work, training guidelines, relationship with teachers, coaches, teammates. Get rid of those who can't follow the rules. It's usually ok to have one jackass, but not 2, because they'll breed. You won't win with jokers and without discipline on the team, you have nothing. Be firm and fair. Teach and stress character, accountability, and self-discipline.

Be For the Players Do something extra for your players. Let them see you "going to battle" for them. They must see you throughout the year. Attend other sporting events. Be visible. If a player is convinced of your extra efforts for them, then he is more likely to give extra effort of his own. Be sincerely interested in them outside of football. Take pride in their achievements, both athletic and otherwise. Show interest in every player on the team. Remember, each one goes home and talks to their parents about their coach.

A Lesson From Softball

2008-05-05T22:44:00.000-05:00

A great story about sportsmanship and selflessness. If you have not seen this you need to read it, it's awesome and a must read for every coach and would be great to share for with your players.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?columnist=hays_graham&id=3372631

Player Handout Regarding Expectations;

2007-12-27T22:21:00.000-06:00

This is a handout that I have used before as guidelines for player expectations

Football Team Policy

Priorities
I. Faith
II. Family
III. Academics
IV. Football
V. Everything Else

A. General Guidelines and Expectations: Do not get involved with or do anything that would ever embarrass the players or coaches of this football team. This includes non-school hours. Everything you do reflects on our school and our program. Any violation of this rule can result in suspension or expulsion from the team.

1. Loyalty—You are expected to be loyal to your teammates and coaches
2. Pride—You are held to a different and higher standard because you play football. The expectations and standards are much higher.
3. Character—Be strong morally
4. Class—Show it in all you do. (home, work, school, and football)
5. Respect and Discipline—Believe that all decisions made by your coaches are for the good of the team.
6. Positive attitude—Constantly compliment your teammates; it wears off on all of us.
7. Sacrifice—The team will always come before the individual. Do not allow yourself to be selfish.
8. Effort—Regardless of your ability, you can always give 100% to this team. This is the one constant upon which the program is based. Effort is one area in which no slack can be given. This is one demand which will not be compromised by fellow players or our coaches.
9. Every player is important: however the team will always come first. From our scout team player to the All-Stater, the rules are the same.

B. Specific Areas:

1. Classroom: Conduct yourself as a gentleman and show respect to your teachers. Do not get into trouble either by misbehavior or attendance. Coaches will not “bail you out” of classroom trouble. Any problems in the classroom will be dealt with on an individual basis.
2. On the Field: 1. Celebrate as a group. I love emotion, we will play with great emotion and we can show emotion but we will do it as a group. 2. We will not tolerate taunting, fighting, pushing, etc..
3. Eligibility: Stay eligible!! If you need help we will get it for you. You will be accountable with weekly grade checks.
4. Practice
1. Be on time or early
2. No absence except sickness/death.
3. IF you are absent, you must call Coach Jackson before practice begins.
4. 1st unexcused absence: 2 300 Yard Shuttles
2nd unexcused absence: 4 300 Yard Shuttles
3rd unexcused absence: 1 Game Suspension
4th unexcused absence: Dismissal
5. Late for practice—1 300 Yard Shuttle, before you may begin practicing
6. If you are injured and cannot practice, you still need to come to practice and go with your position coach to listen and learn.
7. Report all injuries to the coach or trainer
8. All missed practices must be made up. Make ups will be conditioning/football related.
9. All called in absences are excused. All non-called in absences are unexcused.
5. This is our home away from home. We will work to make it as nice as possible. We will respect it. Pick trash, paper, weights, weight belts, clothes, etc. Never leave the locker room before cleaning up your mess.
6. Equipment: Each of you will responsible for all equipment checked out to you. You must pay for all lost or stolen gear. Equipment left out can be redeemed for one Indian Reminder.

C. Personal Conduct

1. No Drugs
2. No Alcohol
3. No Tobacco
4. No Cursing, We will work on our language, just because something is part of your culture does not make it right.

D. Little Things Make a Difference

1. Look at a coach when he is talking to you and answer yes or no
2. Don’t walk on the field
3. Do not talk during meetings while the coach is talking
4. Knock before entering the coaches office

What We Worship

2007-12-27T22:17:00.001-06:00

I am sitting at an auto dealership waiting for my wife’s vehicle to be fixed, which means that I am sitting in a waiting room full of people and we are watching daytime television. The Tyra Banks show is now on and the Rachael Ray show just went off. Tyra is interviewing Alyssa Milano, who I hate to admit, but I had a crush on her as a teenager, but what boy who grew up in the 1980’s didn’t have a crush on her – maybe even had a poster on the wall, but don’t tell anyone. Anyway, I am getting a little off the point here so let me get back on track. When the Tyra Banks show came on, she came up through an elevator with smoke and spotlights and music in the background and the crowd gave her a standing ovation cheering wildly. Of course Tyra Banks is a superstar and probably one of the most beautiful women on this planet, but is it right to put these people up on a pedestal like this?

This thought for this strand started last night. My mother-in-law, a very Godly lady, came in for Christmas yesterday and we were sitting in the front room just talking. She was talking about living in a Babylonian society because she has been studying Beth Moore’s study of Daniel. The spirit of Babylonia erases limits on what is right and wrong. To put the Babylonian spirit in perspective think about what advertisers use to sell things, think about the messages we receive in our popular music, or what Hollywood uses to get you to watch. My mother-in-law used the point that a man living in Arkansas in the 1940’s who walked through town would never see a woman on a billboard who was virtually naked or his wife would not be bombarded with images of women who are very thin or surgically enhanced putting pressure on her to “live up” to that image. Their son or daughter growing up in the same period would not have to “grow up” to early knowing way too much about the birds and the bee’s, living in a world where marijuana is “okay” and will not hurt you, or sex was necessary just to fit in. I will leave it at that, because this blog is not about the moral decline of our society. Because if you are a Christ follower, you do not have to be prisoner to the norms of society, though I would caution that you would be out of the will of God if you removed yourself from the society and became ignorant to it. Remember, you are called to be “salt” and “light” to the society, not outsider pointing fingers and judging.

No, this blog is about what we choose to worship. If you are reading this blog, chances are you may be worshipping football. If you have been successful in life, you may be worshipping your own success. If you love sports like me, if you are not careful you may find yourself worshipping the “ESPN” god. The point is there is only one worthy of worship. And He is worthy of worship because of his amazing love for us. This is the Christmas season and it is easy to get caught up in the business of the season while you go into debt, but remember the true reason for the season. The Muslims, live in fear of the wrath of Allah against sin, but as Christians we can be reassured by the fact that Christ life, death, and resurrection has satisfied the Wrath of God so that we do not have to live a life of fear of God, but rather we can receive the mercy and grace of God and accept the fact that God loves us and wants a relationship with us and even wants to indwell within us via His Holy Spirit. Think about the concept of grace. If you truly get the concept of grace, then you understand that God is truly worthy of worship. Before we were Christians, before we repented, before we loved God, God paid the price for us. When we did not acknowledge, when we lived in sin and did not have a repentant attitude God still loved us and to the point that he was willing to allow his own flesh and blood to die a sinners death. That is the principle of grace, not only did he show us mercy and not give us what we deserve, he gave us what we had not earned. Grace makes him worthy of praise and worship. Awareness is a key component to proper worship awareness of why God is worthy of worship, awareness of the Holy Spirit at work in your life, awareness of the dangers of getting consumed by our society, awareness of the Babylonian spirit at work in modern America.

Let me finish with this thought. Christmas day, my wife and I where relaxing and watching a little TV. We live in an age when we have more channels on TV than ever before and less quality on TV than ever before. As children of the 80’s we were looking for something on TV that would not make us think but at the same time somewhat keep our minds active. And as 80’s children would love to be nostalgic about the greatest decade in American history, so back to the point, we came across VH1’s greatest 100 songs of the 80’s and we were hooked. VH1 not only played the song and showed the music video, but they told a brief description of what they have done since and were they are now. There are some 80’s artist who are still doing well and handled there fame well, i.e. John Bon Jovi whose Living On A Prayer was # 1 song of the 80’s, but for the most part artist after artist had not only never matched their moment of fame, but had sad tales of their fall from fame. Okay now the thought, these people had their moment of fame, their moment at the top, they had made their money and been in the limelight and guess what it did not satisfy them. The hole deep in their soul, that God sized hole that can only be filled by God, was still there and tearing them apart. Look at modern stars like Britney Spears or the recent death of Anna Nicole Smith, fame, money, and popularity are not all they are cracked up to be. You must have a foundation or nothing else matters! In our arena, coaching football, no matter how many games and titles you win it doesn’t matter if you don’t have a foundation. The bottom line is win the going gets tough or that thing hits the fan, you better have a foundation or more bluntly you better have God to turn too. This world is tough and cruel and the ruler of this world will attack and seek to kill, but the God who created this world is the hope, the answer, and strong tower!!

Worship God and do not worship this world and things will work out. We will have life and life more abundantly!

Coaching Football Jesus Style

2007-12-23T20:31:00.000-06:00

This Article was originally posted on Doublewingonline

Coaching Football: Jesus Style
Mark Jackson,
Christian
Assistant Football Coach
Grandview High School
Kansas City, MO

Coach Pitcher goes over the special teams depth chart one last time, next Coach Goltra reminds the team one last time of the keys to success on defense. Now it is my turn, I try to eloquently hit the tree points necessary for us to be successful on offense; establish the Power by getting a play side push from our offensive line, be able to protect the play action, and make sure that we play our “up” tempo style of no huddle. “Gentlemen, play fast tonight, if you are more physical than them then you will win this game. Remember focus and intensity, but focus comes first! All right now, let’s pray.” I usually pick a player to lead the prayer, they sometimes fumble through it or seem very nervous, but I am always encouraged by the sincerity of the prayer. When the players finish praying we always do one last thing. “Okay guys we have prepared you all week and we will coach our butts off tonight for you, we are going to head to the field, this is your time, players only breakdown as soon as we are out the door. Remember, 3 minutes till we have to be on the field.” As we walk out the door I make a point to shake the hand of all my assistants. Up the stairs and down the hall to the doors, the players follow. “Two lines, helmets on, hold hands, seniors in the front”. Once we have everyone lined up, we start the walk out the door, “No talking, get focused”. It is not a long walk out the end of the high school, down the sidewalk, across the drive that runs in front of the stadium and through the pass gate, down the hill, across the mats laid out on the track to west end zone. I go ahead and jog across the field to our sideline; we are on the sidelines opposite the stands, one of the best coaching moves I have made since coming to Center. The players break it down one last time, through the tunnel of cheerleaders and drum majors. The band strikes up the fight song and here comes the Yellowjackets.

It is an awesome feeling and just writing about it gets me fired up. I love Friday Night football. And I was about to write this line, “it is what I live for”. As a passionate high school football coach it is easy to get consumed; consumed by the desire to win, the “need” to prepare my team in off season, consumed by watching film, going to clinics, coaches meetings, and all the things that are necessary to be a successful high school football coach. The next thing you know, you are “doing” all the things it takes to “win” football games and are probably even experiencing success on the football field, but at what cost. I speak from experience and I know most of you can relate. The bottom line is that my priorities are often way out of line. Joe Gibbs write in his book Racing to Win, “Success on the playing field or in business doesn’t necessarily make me a success in life.” Is the thrill of Friday Night football really what I live for?

See, unless I am a hypocrite, it can’t be what I live for, because as a Christian I have a higher calling and Jesus is who I live for. I have chosen to follow Jesus, to enter into a personal relationship with him and the costs are great, but the rewards are even greater. My priorities, if biblically placed should be as followings: God, family, and then career. Of course I am not perfect and one of my biggest struggles as a Christian is misaligned priorities and if you are anything like me you often follow these guidelines: Football, family when convenient, and God if time and always on Sunday so I don’t feel convicted. In Matthew 6:30-34, we are instructed on proper priorities. I particularly like the Message Bible as it expressed God’s Word in everyday language very beautifully. Matthew 6:30-34 in the Message reads:

30"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? 31What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. 32People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. 33Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Put God first and as King James puts it all these things will be added to you. I will end this paragraph with a question; Where do your priorities lie and how will they be judged when Friday night lights have long faded?

Coaching Point # 1:
When you put things in place—by putting God first—God can move because He does not have to “compete” with the things you put before him.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am as competitive as the next guy. I want to win and I am going to do my best on Friday nights to score more points than you and I do not apologize for it. It says the meek shall inherit the Earth, not the weak shall inherit the Earth. Jesus is our ultimate role model and if you truly study him you figure out real quick this guy is as meek as they come and as strong as they come. You didn’t see anyone standing up in the Temple to stop him from turning over the money changers tables. He demanded respect and he is authority. As Christian football coaches if we do anything less than excellence at our job we are hurting our witness. For us to be true walking testimonies for Christ, we should be examples of excellence. Excellence to me is defined as not necessarily being perfect, but to excel means to go beyond the normal or what would be acceptable. I am to do that in my walk with Christ and as leader of my football program.

Coaching Point # 2:
I believe that it was God who placed in me a desire and passion to coach football. It was He promoted me to the position of Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. It is He who gifted me to be able to do the job. And the job should be done for His glory. In order for me to be able to glorify Him, it is His desire that I achieve excellence and prosper before men. If I have put Him in His proper place in my life, then when I am lifted up before men than He will be lifted up before men. Of course we must protect against pride and the “look what I did” syndrome and give credit where credit is due.

Of course we know that actions speak louder than words. We should live a life that Christ has called us and it should be evident to those around us that we are a Christian. The best coaching analogy I can think of this. As coaches we are always talking about judging players based on performance and not on potential. We all have the potential to live a Godly life, but does our performance live up to the hype. Also, give some thought to who your best players are. Your best players are those who perform with consistency. We all have those players who show “flashes” of greatness, but are just as likely to disappoint us. Consistent players are the ones we can count on and are a blessing to our football team, likewise, consistent Christians are the ones God can count on and are a blessing to God.

Coaching Point # 3
What makes a Man of God great is that they do the things of God all the time and not just when they feel like it.

In daily terms, it all boils down to choices. In order to have a relationship with Jesus, you must make time for Him. In order to be a good husband or father you must work at those relationships. In order to be a successful football coach you must have a plan and a vision and work that plan to make your vision a reality. You must choose to spend time daily in prayer and in God’s Word. You must choose to schedule time with your family. You must choose to become an active member and supporter of a local Bible believing and Bible teaching church. You must choose to walk as an example for you athletes of what it means to be a man of integrity. You must choose to follow a Biblical world view in which the Bible is still the source of right or wrong.

Coaching Point # 4 (Based on 1 Corinthians 6:12)
Life is the sum total of the choices you make. In God’s plan, we have freedom from the law—but just because everything is lawful does not mean everything is profitable for me.
If you are still reading this article at this point hopefully you are beginning to give some thought about how to balance living for Jesus and coaching football in excellence. From personal experience, here are some real practical things that can be done. First, follow this rule, do it now. Procrastination is the number enemy of success. In order to coach in excellence there is a big time commitment and many things that need to be done. Do it now, gives you the mind set to get to work and get it done, therefore giving you peace of mine and in the long run saving time. The same is true in your spiritual walk, have a do it now mentality when it comes to God. Pray when the Holy Spirit is leading you to pray, give when he is leading you to give and so forth. Second, clean up. Clean up your finances, your car, your house, the coaches’ office, or whatever is a mess in your life or in your football program. Get rid of excuses. We live in a society where it is always someone else who is at fault. Accept responsibility and find solutions to answers rather than why things can not be done. And finally, identify and get rid of bad habits. I am in the process of doing this in the area of my eating habits. We all have bad habits, with the help of the Holy Spirit work to get rid of them. Remember the principle of little by little, you did not develop your bad habit overnight and you are probably not going to get rid of it overnight.

Coaching Point # 5
Do It Now
Clean Up
Get Rid of Excuses
Change Bad Habits

I will share with you my football coaching prayer. I try to pray this over my team every day. I have not always been consistent with that but I do believe this is a God inspired prayer that helps me to remained focus and acts as a blessing for my football team and my football program.

Father God,
I come before you in the name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Father lead and guide me as I coach. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And if I put God first, the desires of my heart will be given to me. I speak blessings and favor for this football team because I am a child of God by the blood of the lamb. Father, use me to impact lives in a positive Godly manner as I coach today. Let my actions speak for me Father, and let my tongue be used in a manner that will glorify you. I pray for the coaching staff and players. Let us remain injury free and let everything that is done be pleasing to you. You are my source and my strength and let me not forget who I am in you. Let me walk in a way that is worthy of my calling. I will walk victoriously both on and off the field because you are my strength. We pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus.

Amen

If you are like me the following statement has been true much of your Christian life. Even though I am a Christian, God has not been in charge of my life, I am. Therefore an appropriate ending is with this prayer:
Father God,
From here on out, I am going to quit trying to do this myself. I’m going to trust you. I’ll work as hard as I can, but You’re the boss from now on.
In Jesus Name Amen

Suggested Reading for Christian Coaches:Racing to Win, Joe Gibbs
Ashes to Glory, Bill McCartney

Civil War, John Feinstein

Wild at Heart, John Eldridge

God Chasers, Tom Tenney

Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby

Suggested Scriptures to Ponder:

Philippians 4:13

Proverbs 17:1

Proverbs 28:25

Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 16:20

Proverbs 27:17

Hebrews 12:1

1 Corinthians 9:24

Romans 12:1-2