From Good to Great:

11 Things That Can Take Your Program

to the Next Level

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level

South Callaway is a Work in Progress

Basic South Callaway Info:
Small School (~270 Students)
Rural School
No Major Town Combination of a Few Small Towns

45% on Free or Reduced Lunch

Started Varsity Football in 1998 Most Parents
Did Not Play Football Long History as
Basketball/Baseball Community

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
2006 & 2007 = 2 18 & a 14 Game Losing Streak
Avg. Giving Up 45 Pts. a Game & Only Scoring 14 Pts.

2008 Goal: Take the Program to the Top Half of Class 2

Went 6 - 5 in 2008 & 2009 (Made Playoffs Both Seasons)

2010 Goal: Become a Top Team in Class 2

Past 5 Seasons Have Gone 54 - 9

2008 Forward Figuring Out Ways to Take the Team to the

Next Level
Want To Share Those With You Today
Menu Take What is Applicable
All Programs Are Works in Progress

Grading Scale Analogy

Easier to go from a D to a B than it is to go from a B+ to an A.
Questions to Ponder:
What big/little things can you do to help your
program take the next step?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#1 Weight Room & Athletic Development
G.T.M.E. Winning Games in the Off Season
Book Called Gridiron Dynasties Importance of Weight Room in
Top Programs

Had to Figure Out Ways to Increase Intensity in Weight

Room
o Breaking Records
o Finishers
o Weightlifting Competitions
o Correlating Strength Gains With On Field Success
o We Sell Our Kids That They Will Work Harder Than Others
o i.e. - Sets of 11 on Auxiliaries (Opponents are Doing 10)
Questions to Ponder:
What is one thing that you can do to increase the intensity in your
weight room?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level

G.T.M.E. at South Callaway:

Record Breakers

Borrowed From B.F.S. and Mizzou

Must Find Ways to Celebrate Athletes Getting Stronger
Gives Instant Feedback (Video Game Generation)
Number of Reps on Last Set is A.M.A.P.
I Will Choose a Number, Based on the Percentage That Will Show
Strength Increase
If Athlete is Able to Complete the Record Breaker Number of Reps
on Last Set They Can Increase Max by 5 lbs.
Celebrate Broken Records By Saying, Record Breaker Give me
One Clap or Hoo-Rah!

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level

G.T.M.E. at South Callaway:

Record Breaker Example
The Record Breaker For This Week Was 6
If an Athlete Can Get at Least 6 Reps at 90% of Their Max
On Their Last Set Then They Will Have Broken Their Record
and Will Be Able To Increase Their Max By 5 lbs.
Maxes Kept on Large Charts Outside the Weight Room

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level

G.T.M.E. at South Callaway:

Daily/Weekly Record Board Great Motivator
Simple Yet Effective Tool to Increase Competition in Weight
Room

Examples:
Students Who Lift Highest Amount of Weight on Core Lift
for Their Body Weight Get Name on Board
Students Will Check Board Every Day

Record Number of Records Broken by Class. Allows Classes

to Compete Against Each Other.
Allows Buy In From All Athletes

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level

G.T.M.E. at South Callaway:

Weekly Record Board Example

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level

G.T.M.E. at South Callaway:

Weekly Record Board Example

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level

G.T.M.E. at South Callaway:

Finishers (Exit Exercises)
Exercise Done at the End of a Workout to Tax the Physical
and Mental Capacity of Your Athletes
Examples:

Farmers Walk
Partner Carries
Plate Presses
Towel Wrestle
Towel Pull Ups
Arm Burnouts
Viking Push Up
Tire Tosses

-- Stairway to Heaven
-- Core Rollers
-- Towel Pushers
-- Spiderman Walks
-- Push Up Card Game
-- Tire Flips
-- Sledgehammer Swings
-- Running of the Bulls

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#2 Character Education

Component vs. Foundational Approach

Why Do Your Players Play On Your Team?
Must Build Quality Relationships With Players
Use Football to Make an Impact in Lives Beyond the Field
Develop Weekly Character Plan
o Monday: Introduce Theme, Brief Discussion
o Tuesday & Wednesday: Quote of the Day, Highlight Examples in Practice,
Discuss Theme
o Thursday: Character Meeting Before Team Dinner
o Friday: Review of Theme in Pre-Game Discussion
o Saturday: Review Execution of Theme in Game
Questions to Ponder:
What is one character component that I want to add into my program?
Am I living in a way that reflects the character I want my players to act?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#3 Senior Leadership Training
During Losing Seasons Was Frustrated at the Lack of Leadership
and Buy In From Senior Class
Had to Find Something to Maximize Our Seniors
Leadership Training Was the Answer
o At Least Monthly Meetings
o Allow For Them to Develop Vision for Senior Year
o Seniors Set Goals for Season
o Teaches Them and Gives Them Opportunities to Practice Being a
Leader

Questions to Ponder:
What is one thing that I can incorporate next season that will allow my
seniors to practice leadership in a tangible way?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#4 Development of Team Identity

What is Your Team All About?

What are the Pillars/Foundation of Your Program?
Ask Your Players! You May Be Surprised at What You Find
For Us, This Became a Chant We Do Before Games
Reminds Us What We are All About
Good Refocusing Tool

Questions to Ponder:
What is your team identity?
What do you want your program to be about?
If you asked your players & coaches what your team does best, what
would be the common answers?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#5 Get the Right People on the Bus
Good to Great Jim Collins
1st - Must Get Your Family on Board With the Coaching Lifestyle
o Get Your Family as Involved as Much as Possible
o Important for Players to See You Living It

2nd - Must Find Quality Staff Who Buy Into Your Coaching Philosophy
o Limited by Teaching Positions (Volunteers)
Use Local Colleges or Community Members
o Can Never Have Too Many Coaches (S.C. Has 8 Coaches)

3rd - Must Pour Into Coaching Families

o Have Coaches BBQs
o Encourage Coaches to Get Their Families Involved Too (Inventory Ex.)

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
Get the Right People on the Bus (Very Important)
Process Took 3 Years at SC to Get a Stable Staff
Questions to Ponder:
Who do you already have on the bus who wants to go
in the same direction?
What "bus seats"/roles for the program do you need
to have filled in order to become a more effective
program?
Who else do you want on the bus?
What do you do when someone steps off or needs to
step off (due to discontent, different opinions, etc.)?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#6 Having Traditions
Importance of Traditions
Not Enough Ceremonies in Young Peoples Lives
Gives Players Something to Look Forward to/Provide Comfort
Can Be Small Things
o Pre Game Routine
o Team Meals
o What to Do After Wins (Warrior Chant)
Can Be Big Things
-- B.L.U.E.
-- Link in My Pocket
-- Teacher Appreciation Night
-- Callaway Cup
-- Warrior Elite Club Meal
-- Father-Son Jersey Night

Questions to Ponder:
What is one tradition you want to continue in your program?
What is one tradition you would like to incorporate next season?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#7 Getting More Playing Experience In Season
Borrowed the Series Chart Idea from Centralia H.S.
Has Revolutionized How We Think About the Game
Great Way to Get 2nd String and Younger Players in the
Game
o Upside Is Huge
More Player Buy In
More Focus in Games
Getting Practice Reps for 2nd String in Practice Much
Easier
More Happy Players and Parents
Questions to Ponder:
How can you always reload instead of having to rebuild?
What is one way you want to increase the effectiveness of practice
and/or improve the experience of your younger players?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#8 Grading Film and Weekly A.O.I.s
Great Programs Focus on Themselves Not Their Opponents
Process vs. Outcome Based
Grade Sheets (Google Docs)
o Athletes Take Great Pride In How They Grade Out
o Coaches Modify Sheets to Fit Position
o Allows Coaches Quality Film Time With Players
Weekly A.O.I.S
o Grading Film Gives Us Specific Things to Work On In Practice
o Gives Purpose to Individual Time
o Athletes Want to Know What They are Successful At As Well
o On Friday Night Focus is On Personal Improvement
Key to Success!
Questions to Ponder:
What is one way you can provide more specific feedback to your
players following competitions next season?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#9 Empowering Assistant Coaches
Most Assistant Coaches Want Some Type of Freedom and Input
in the Program
o Must Figure Out Correct Balance as a Head Coach
Important to Allow Assistant Coaches to Have a Voice in the
Program
o Each Coach Is In Charge of Setting Up Their Own Team Social
o Coaches Must Present Basic Skills and Drills of Their Position
to Entire Staff at Coaches Meeting in Late Spring/Early
Summer
Allows for Common Language and Consistency
o Allow Coaches to Give Their Own Thoughts on State of
Program (S.W.O.T. Analysis)
Question to Ponder:
What is one way you can provide assistants more opportunity for
"buy-in"/ownership of the program next season?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#10 Parent and Community Involvement

Wanted to Increase Numbers on Team

Had to Get Parents On Board
Parents Are Your Biggest Ambassadors in the Community
Football Has So Many Moving Parts
o Fundraising
Golf Tournament
o Pre-Game Meals
Banquet
o Team Dinners
Programs
o Chain Gang
Apparel
Asking Parents For Their Help and Involvement Often Causes
Parents to Care More
Fine Line, But Has Helped Increase Numbers and Pride in
Program
Most Parents Almost as Sad as Their Player Graduating the
Program
Question to Ponder:
What can you add as a parent role that would add more diversity to
the opportunities parents have to be involved?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
#11 Being Others Focused Community Service and
Support of Other Programs
Had To Prove to Community That it Wasnt All About Football
o Football Team Started Cheering at Other School Sporting Events
Bulldog Nation
o Football Team Started Being Involved in Other Aspects of School
Literacy Night
Volunteer at Events (Fair, PTSO Carnival, etc.)
So Much Research Out There On the Importance of Community Service
Must Help Provide Athletes With a Different Message
o Community Service Projects Help Them Understand Its Not About
Them
o Gave Up Days of Summer Camp to Do Community Clean Up
o Always Trying to Find More Ideas!
Questions to Ponder:
What is one way you can provide an opportunity for your players to be
involved in service to others?
What is one way you can specifically encourage your players to be
supportive of other programs at the school?

11 Things That Can Take Your

Program to the Next Level
BONUS Prayer/Support Team
Football Is a Long Season Need People to Be There For You (Listen,
Encourage, Pray, etc.)
Prayer/Support Team Fills That Need
o Group of People Who You Give Updates to During Season (Weekly)
and Out of Season (Significant Events)
o Close Trusted Family and Friends
Most of Ours Are Not From the Community
Be Conscientious About Using Kids Names, Discussing
Controversial Issues, etc.
Use Discernment In What You Share
o Circle of Coaching Friends
o Colleagues That I Speak to on a Weekly or Bi-Monthly Basis
o Able to Share My Heart To Them Without Feeling Judged
o Can Share Highlights But Also Be Honest About Concerns
Very Important Over The Years Helps Recharge Batteries!
Questions to Ponder:
Do you have people who you can turn to for support no matter what?
Who do you talk to when things are difficult?

Any Questions?

Contact Info:
Tim Rulo - 314.210.0209

[email protected]

Twitter: @SCHSBulldogFB and @GDFMFB

Would Love to Help You Out as Much as Possible!!!