Position Changes?

During the last two weeks high school coaches around the country have been preparing their teams for the first game and I hope all is going well for all of you. I know from experience that many of you have been moving guys around a little bit trying to find that right combination. Good coaches seem to have a knack for getting their personnel in the right spot. It has to be a place that benefits the team as well as the player. Maximize talent, ability, giving your athletes the best chance to be successful.

I remember a time many years ago when we really needed another inside linebacker and as a staff discussed at length on a solution. We decided in preseason to move an outstanding D tackle to inside backer. For two weeks we worked with him confident that we he could handle it. He was about 6-1 200 pounds and moved well. Our first game came against a very good opponent and we had him ready as we could. It was a disaster, he was lost. When I watched the film it was even worse. I talked to him and we both decided it would be in the team's and HIS best interests if we moved him back to tackle. We lost that opener but went on to a fine 8-3 season.

Many of you may be in the same position right now. Perhaps you need to move a player from the backfield to the line. That's the toughest move of all. To a high school kid that's like being banished to Siberia. Communication is key in all position changes. First, talk to the young man and let him know what you're thinking. Explain why this will help the team and talk up his strengths to let him know why you think he can handle it. Tell him that "we'd like you to give it a try and see how it goes." Give him plenty of encouragement but monitor the new change closely. Keep communicating with the athlete and get a feel for what he's thinking and feeling. We might think this is an easy move but remember, he's still a kid.

Football is the ultimate team sport and requires an unselfish attitude from all. It's our job as coaches to keep hammering away at that theme to get everyone on board. We still need to keep the game fun but yet give everyone the best chance to be successful. It can be a tough line to walk sometimes. Chiefpigskin.com