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Head Coach: Gustavo Sandoval

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Table of Contents

Mission Statement --------------------------------------------------------------------3

Vision ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Guiding Principle --------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Goals------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Program Philosophy ----------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Program Needs------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8
Academics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9
Fundraising ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Parent Expectations ------------------------------------------------------------------ 14
Student Athlete Expectations------------------------------------------------------- 16
Staff Expectations-------------------------------------------------------------------- -17
Defensive Philosophy---------------------------------------------------------------- -20
Offensive Philosophy------------------------------------------------------------------20
Special Teams Philosophy----------------------------------------------------------- 21
Staff Responsibility--------------------------------------------------------------------22
Off – Season-----------------------------------------------------------------------------24
Pre – Season I---------------------------------------------------------------------------25
Pre – Season II--------------------------------------------------------------------------26
Season------------------------------------------------------------------------------------27
Year-round Schedule------------------------------------------------------------------28
Off – season schedule------------------------------------------------------------------31
Pre – Season I schedule---------------------------------------------------------------32
Pre – Season II schedule--------------------------------------------------------------33
Season Schedule------------------------------------------------------------------------34
Varsity Letter---------------------------------------------------------------------------41
Playing at the Next Level-------------------------------------------------------------42
Evaluating Staff------------------------------------------------------------------------43
Evaluating the Program--------------------------------------------------------------47
Holding Players Accountable -------------------------------------------------------48
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Desert Mirage Football

Mission Statement
THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM AT DESERT MIRAGE HIGH SCHOOL WILL PART OF THE
EDUCATIONAL PROCESS FOR STUDENT – ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN THE
PROGRAM. IN ADDITION TO LEARNING THE SKILLS OF PLAYING FOOTBALL AT
THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, OUR PALYERS WILL BE TAUGHT THE VALUES
ASSOCIATED WITH BEING A GOOD CITIZEN, GOOD STUDENT, AND A GOOD
TEAMMATE. THESE VALUES WILL ASSIST OUR PLAYERS IN THEIR LIVES AND
CAREERS BEHYOND THEIR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS AT DESERT HOT SPRINGS. WE
WANT OUR PLAYERS TO BE INVOLVED WITH OTHER HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
OTHER THAN FOOTBALL.

BEING A FOOTBALL PLAYER AT DESERT MIARGE IS A PRIVILEGE THAT MUST BE

EARNED NOT ENTITLED. OUR PLAYERS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT PLAYING
FOOTBALL IS A COMMITMENT AND NOT AN INTEREST. WE WANT THEM TO HAVE
A PASSION ABOUT PLAYING AND UNDERSTANDDING THE SPORT OF FOOTBALL.

ALL PLAYERS WILL PLAY IN THE GAME. THEY NEED TO BE REWARD FOR THEIR
COMMITMENT. WE WILL DEFINE THE ROLES OF EACH OF THE PLAYERS AND BE
HONEST WITH THEM IN OUR EVALUATION OF THEIR ABILITY. WE WILL STRIVE
TO MAKE PARTICIPATION ON OUR FOOTBALL TEAM A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. WE
WANT OUR FOOTBALL TEAM TO BE THE BEST IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE
COACHES TO BE THE BEST TEACHERS.OUR PLAYERS WILL BE INVOLVED WITH
WHILE ATTENDING DESERT HOT SPRINGS.

BEING SUCCESFUL IN FOOTBALL REQUIRES DEVELOPING A STRONG PHYSICAL

PRESENCE. WE WILL ENCOURAGE OUR PLAYERS TO DEVELOP THEIR PHYSICAL
ABILITIES TO A PERSONAL MAXIUM LEVEL. WE WILL NOT TAKE SHORT CUTS OR
USE ARTIFICIAL MEANS TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL. PERFORMANCE ENHANCING
DRUGS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. WE WILL REMIND OUR PLAYERS THAT
SUCCESS IS A CHOICE. IT IS A CHOICE THEY CAN MAKE.

WE WILL NOT COMPRISE OUR INTEGRITY TO ACHIEVE ON – THE FIELD –

SUCCESS. SUCCESS WILL BE ACHIEVED WITH PLANNING, BELIEVING, AND
EXECUTING THE GOALS OF OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM.
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DESERT MIRAGE FOOTBALL

OUR CONFIDENCE WILL INTIMIDATE

OUR NATURAL TALENT, SKILL LEVEL, AND COMPETITIVE SPIRT WILL AMAZE

OUR VISION, OUR PROMISE

THE PREMISE UNDER WHICH THE EAGLES WILL TAKE THE FIELD: EVERYBODY

PLAYS, 11 DIFFERENT PLAYERS ON OFFENSE, 11 PLAYERS FOR DEFENSE AND 11

DIFFERENT PLAYERS FOR SPECIAL TEAMS. EVERY KID THAT COMES OUT FOR

THE FOOTBALL TEAM WILL GET TO PLAY, FROM THE FRESHMEN ALL THE WAY

TO VARSITY. THERE IS NOTHING WORSE FOR AN ATHLETE THAN TO PRACTICE

ALL WEEK AND NOT GET TO PLAY ON GAME DAY, NO ONE WANTS TO WARM THE

BENCH. THAT SAID THE COACHING STAFF WILL NOT PLACE A KID IN DANGER IF

THEY ARE NOT PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND EMOTIONALL READ, IT IS A RECIPE

FOR DIASTER. THE VISION FOR THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM WILL UNFOLD AS

FOLLOWED: NO MORE WINLESS SEASONS, PARTICIPATE IN FOOTBALL CAMPS,

FIELD A FRESHMEN TEAM, RETAIN STUDENST ALREADY IN THE PROGAM AND

HAVE A TEAM GPA OF 3.0, CONDUCT ALL FOOTBALL OPERATIONS UNDER A

FAMILY ATMOSPHERE, AND THOSE THAT STAY WILL STAY.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

These principles shall guide the administration of Desert Mirage High School

football program.

 To conduct the football program ethically within the spirit and letter of the

Desert Valley League and CIF.

 To establish and maintain an environment in which football activities are

conducted as an integral part of the student – athlete’s academic experience.

 To establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and

gender equity among student – athletes and the coaching staff.

 To protect the health of and provide a safe environment for, students –

athletes

 Athletics is a privilege that has to be earned.

 Coaches will coach.

 Officials will officiate.

 Players will play.

 Parents will be held to the highest standard; no misbehavior will be allowed

by the parents.

 All school rules will be in effect for every function or event the football

program conducts or participates in.

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Desert Mirage Football Program Goals

1. Provide a positive, fun-filled experience.

2. Teach the athlete the skills, rules, strategy and discipline of football and

encourage good sportsmanship, self-confidence and teamwork.

3. Promote healthy and safe physical activity for all participants.

4. Build character by offering a team experience, regardless of individual

ability, stressing skill development and a positive attitude regardless of

winning or losing.

5. Play 11 players on offense, 11 different players on defense and 11 different

players on special teams (Exceptions to this may include chronic missed

practice time, disrespect for the game, officials or team.)

6. Change the perception of the football team on campus.

7. Hold all individuals involved with the football team accountable for their

actions.

8. Change the attitude of, “they have to play me because there is no one else

that will compete for my job.”

9. Instill the idea, “you are always one play away from becoming a starter.”

10. Prepare the young men and women that are part of Desert Mirage

Football Program to be successful and productive people.

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Desert Mirage Football Program Philosophy

Too often, what is outside of our control distracts us; you cannot do anything about

yesterday. The door to the past has been shut and the key has been thrown away.

You can do nothing about tomorrow. It is yet to come. However, tomorrow is in

large part determined by what you do today. So, make today a masterpiece. You

have control over that. We control the direction the team will take and the people

we choose to follow. We must choose with care because these are the people, we are

placing our trust in as they do so will you.

As you are now so once was I.

As I am now, you are sure to be

So, may I say, as you now I lie?

Prepare yourself, to follow me.

To follow you I’m not content,

Until I know which way you went.

Let us focus all our efforts on what we have control over and not waste time and

effort over things that are out of our control. We control our preparation; let us

focus all our efforts on how we prepare but it will make us successful. Remember,

failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

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Football Program Needs

Running a football program can be an expensive endeavor but if we want to run a successful
program it needs to be properly supported and funded. The needs are going to be divided
into the following categories: Equipment, Administration, Field Training, Coaches, and
Technology.

Administration Technology Coaches

Office Supplies Hudl subscription Coaching Clinics

1. Printing Paper 1. Hudl Sideline
2. Wipe board markers
3. Staples/Stapler

Keys Digital Camera Coaching Gear

1. Locker – room 1. Accessories 1. Polo’s
2. Weight – room 2. Hats
3. Water Room 3. Whistle
4. Bathrooms in the stadium
5. The press box for lights

Use of one of the Gators End zone Camera Coaching Classes

1. To transport water 1. CPR/First Aid
2. To Transport equipment 2. NFHS Classes

Wipe Board Playbook Software

Laminator
Laminator Sheets
Set of I-pads
Communication
Printing Account
Updated weight room that is bigger with updated equipment***

Field Training
Sleds: 5 men, 2 man and Popsicle Cones
Stand – up bags Ladders
Shields Trashcan (simulate players)
Football snapping machine for QB’s (Center Machine) Tackling machines
Linemen Chute with boards Step –over bags
Mobility Chute Jump Ropes

Above all, the program needs a practice field that is in good condition, no holes, gravel, or
dips, preferably with a Field goal post, painted and 100 yards in length. As well as the team
room in the stadium has to be clean, with no trash or other equipment in it with benches or
seats and the ice machine working. Lockers down by the stadium
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Academics

Academic Philosophy

Academics
One thing can be said: “You can take football from me, but you can never take my
education away”.

The talk of getting an education will always take precedence over athletics. I believe
that athletics and academics can and should work hand in hand. There is no reason
that we should not strive to be champions in the classroom, as well as champions on
the playing field. Discipline in the classroom means discipline on the playing field.

In order to ensure that our student athletes understand our belief in academics, we
will adhere to the following policies:

 Academics shall and will be made a priority, discipline and winning starts in
the classroom. As the head coach you should make this evident to players
and coaching staff. The coaching staff will assume responsibility of
motivating their respective players and monitoring their success, as an
example making use of 3-week progress reports.

 As a staff you should continually monitor the academic progress of your

athletes to ensure that they are striving for the best possible education that
they can get presently but also in the future.

 As a staff you should work in conjunction with the school faculty and
administration to provide study hall and tutoring.

It is very important to see athletics as a part of the total educational program. It

should both compliment and contribute to the overall educational process. For
many students it is the most effective climate for learning the invaluable lessons of
personal integrity, determination, self-confidence, and proper mental attitude.
Individual and group responsibilities along with the desire to achieve high goals
should be basic objectives of any sound educational system.
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Balancing Academics and Athletics: What Is Truly Important

Extra-curricular athletics must always be viewed as a supportive activity to the
primary mission of any educational institution. The primary mission of any
educational institution must be academic and personal development of its students.
In public education, the integrity of the academic mission can never be
compromised, the future of our students and out society as a whole demand that the
molding of the intellectual capacity of all students is central to personal student
success. The role of extra-curricular: athletics involves providing opportunities for
extended character development through structured athletic competition.
This philosophy is supported by a study conducted by the University of Washington.
This study projected the likelihood of a high school varsity athlete receiving an
athletic scholarship to higher education and later moving on to the professional
ranks. This study illustrated the following statistics.

 59% of all high school varsity football and basketball players have the belief
that they will receive a college scholarship upon graduation.

 In actuality, 98 out of 100 varsity high school athletes involved in all sports
will never play in the college ranks.

 Also, only 1 out of 15,000 college student athletes will ever have the
opportunity to become a professional athlete in any sport.

 For the sport of football only 1 in every 5,200-college players will have the
opportunity to become a professional in their sport.

 At present, 67% of all players in the National Football League (NFL) do not
possess a college degree.

 Currently the average playing career in the NFL last only 3.5 years.

The message from these results is clear. The academic mission is of greatest
importance to all students regardless of their god given athletic talents and playing
field accomplishments. Additionally, of all “Top 10” ranked academic students at the
high school level, 98% of both boys and girls are involved in 2 or more extra-
curricular school activities, annually this points to the importance of extra-curricular
activities being in support of positive academic success. From a personal perspective,
and having coached for over 21 years, I can honestly say that we as coaches need to
be committed to the academic success of the players. Whether it is team study halls,
peer tutoring, academic release time from practice and competition, the future
success of the individual student-athlete and the team rests with the academic
integrity of the program. To quote one of my former coaches who inspired me to go
to graduate school: “When you are 40 years old it will not matter how many yards
you’ve gained or passes completed. What will matter is what you can provide for
yourself, your family and your community as a productive member of society.”
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Activities to Monitor Academic Progress

1. Weekly Progress Reports - students will get weekly progress reports, they

will be handed out on Monday and due Tuesday.

a. Minimum 3.0 GPA – why so high when you only need a 2.0 GPA, because if

you demand minimal effort in the classroom you will get minimal effort

on field.

b. 2.0 GPA or below will not play until grades improve and will be enrolled

in the afterschool tutoring program

c. Below 3.0, first time physical conditioning a second time will not play

2. Mandatory Study hall 2:15 – 3:25 pm

a. Allow the student – athlete to make progress towards finishing

homework or study for an exam

3. Academic Release time from practice – this reverse for the athlete that

consistently has low progress reports, this student will be referred to the

after-school program and will not be allowed to play or practice until a GPA

of 3.0 or higher is achieved.

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Fundraising

While the athletic department will fund the majority of our needs there are a few

things that the football program will have to fundraise for in other to enhance the

experience of the kids that play football at Desert Hot Springs High School.

Do set realistic goals

In order to be successful, you absolutely need to have a goal, and it needs to be

specific and measurable. If you have a goal to raise $10,000, you need to create a list

of the items that you will pay for with that money. Simply saying you want to raise

$10,000 is not sufficient. Is the $10,000 for a blocking sled, pitching machine, or new

jerseys?

Do make a game plan

A goal without a plan is a wish. It must be simple but detailed and broken down into

measurable steps. If your plan is complicated, it will not work. Importantly, don’t

create the game plan in a vacuum; get key team members or champions involved to

ensure buy-in and cooperation derived from having ownership in the plan.

Do map out a timeline

Without a timeline, you are chasing a moving target. Tying your Game Plan to a

Timeline creates a sense of urgency and excitement. As you progress through your

Game Plan, everyone should be excited and even anxious about their assignment

and the special and important role they will play in the team accomplishing the Goal.
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Do keep the excitement level up

Once you have your Game Plan and Timeline set, it’s time to share it with everyone!

This includes your coaching staff, key members of the booster club, players and yes,

even your players’ parents. Don’t just share all of the above make sure you promote

it. This means you have to be noticeably excited about it and talk about it often.

Possibly hold a meeting with all of the above parties to enthusiastically promote it.

This makes a bold statement that you’re serious about this and that will create buy

in and excitement.

Do maintain accountability

You’ve set clear goals, established a solid and collaborative game plan with clear

timelines, injected it with a sense of purpose and fun, and built a system in place for

keeping everyone organized and focused on driving results. Don’t forget, to be

successful you must hold everyone accountable. This includes your players, your

coaching staff and especially, yourself. If people aren’t meeting goals and timelines,

becoming negative or not pulling their weight, call them out. Don’t let anyone slide –

it will suck the life out of a great program.

Major selling events For the Football Program

 The Snack Bars During the Football Games

 The gate from the Football Games

 Donations

 Gate from other Athletic Events

 Food Sales
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PARENT’S Expectations
Parents please feel free at any time to contact the Head Football Coach before or
after practices if you have any questions or concerns about your son and his
involvement in the “Rams” football program.

1. Be positive with your son. Let him know how proud you of him by simply being
part of team – don’t put him down!
2. Encourage him to work hard and do his best. Don’t offer excuses if he is not
playing. There is usually a reason for it and he should discuss it with his coach.
3. Be loyal to the program and to the coaches. The coach represents the boss-
authority – parent – teacher- etc. If parents constantly put down the coach,
how can we expect your son to play for him? Teach your child to be a DOER,
not a complainer!
4. Insist that your son follows TEAM RULES! No matter which team your son is
on, players must follow the rules! Athletics is very demanding, and coaches are
concerned with a player’s activities. In order to get the maximum physical and
mental performance, he needs to follow team rules!
5. Insist of good GRADES! Monitor your son’s homework. It is a parent’s duty to
see that homework gets done. Bring him to tutorials, if necessary. Tutors are
available in all subjects.
6. Be Positive toward ALL other players in the program. Please do not carry bad
feelings towards other players because of incidents that may have occurred
between others. Every player has an important role on the team and all roles
contribute to the success of the entire team.
7. Insist that your son maintains his self-control! Self-respect begins with self-
control.
8. Refrain from comparing your son with previous athletes who have played
sports, or with other players on his team. Encourage your son to be himself and
develop his own god given talents. Do not put undue pressure on your son by
thinking only in terms of scholarships. Scholarships are the results of unselfish
play and team skills, as well as individual talent. A college coach prefers team
players, rather than one focused on his self!
9. Have your son see their position coach if they have a problem. Almost all
concerns can be handled at this step. Coaches are here because they love
coaching and love working with your children.
10. Lastly, ENJOY YOUR SON’S INVOLVEMENT ON THE TEAM!!!
Time flies quickly as your son goes through high school. Make the most of each
game –
If he has a good game … great!!
If he has a poor game … it’s still okay!!
Don’t worry - … that’s the coach’s job!!

Sometimes, if not most of the time, parents tend to take things harder than the
players do!!
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Dealing With Parents

Developing constructive relationships will more than pay off the time it takes. This

is a great place to use the home visit for building the program and discussing their

sons’ objectives and goals both short and long term. When dealing with parents and

developing close relationships with them, don’t let the friendship compromise

fairness to your players or coaching objectivity. Never play a boy because his parent

is a friend, must discuss their son’s role on the team. The following are several

guidelines that many coaches use in building consistency in their football program.

1. A parent with a complaint would usually rather talk on the phone than in

person. The best approach to an irate parent is to talk to that person face to

face. Do not make and “enemy” turn them into a friend of the program.

2. An assistant coach should not hesitate to refer parents to the head coach, but

first inform the head coach fully of the situation.

3. Never comment negatively about another squad member in front of a parent

or visitor.

4. Work hard with parents. They are better workers and have more influence

over the lives of the players than the fathers do.

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What You Should Expect From Your Athletes

 Give their very best effort towards receiving a quality education.
 Do right.

 Always give their best effort for the team, teammates, and themselves.

 Treat others the way you want to be treated.

 To be prompt

 To hustle, give the best effort possible.

 To know their assignments, be students of the game.

 Abide by team and school rules.

 Sacrifice for the team, each individual is only as good as the team.

 Be the best person that they can be, be a role model for others.

 To play with Character – “Play as well as you can for as long as you can.”

 To play with Pride – “Know that you won’t quit when it gets tough.”

 To be Mentally Tough – “Accept discomfort and live with it.”

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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 short change the other
coaches and or your players.

An Approach To Successful Coaching

When taking the field know where you belong, be waiting for your players. Players
should not have to wait on their position coach to take the field.
Utilize time before and after practice. As a rule of thumb I use the “15 minute rule”
if I arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time then I’m are on time; if I
arrive 10 minutes early I’m are 5 minutes late; if I arrive 5 minutes early then I’m 10
minutes late; and if I arrive on the scheduled time then my players are waiting for
me. The 15-minute rule will discipline your athletes to always be on time.
Have something to say after each effort. Remember, this is coaching and “don’t
coach out of frustration.” Don’t coach what you don’t know how to fix.
Stay alert for players with injuries or heat problems. Refer to trainer.
Strive to make your group the best on the field, take pride in your work.
Do not experiment with drills during practice, have your work thought out, and
make sure it fits the scheme. Never lose your poise or confidence, coach those things
that you know how to fix. As a position coach expect to be talked to if something
avoidable goes wrong. Your practices must be organized; talk in meetings not on the
field, repetition is the most important key, repetition instills learning. Don’t hold
clinics on the field. The players must do everything on the practice field with
extreme quickness because hustle is a key ingredient. Pay strict attention to the
scheduled time segments. Don’t relax during any segment. All segments are very
important, or they would not be included. Be confident and it will breed confidence
into your team.

Gain the respect from your players, don’t demand respect, and earn it.

Coach your players the entire year, “talk football”. Encourage them to “hang
around” and work on a position specialty skill and to work in the weight room.

Talk the importance of classroom demeanor, doing well in class, staying current on
all classroom assignments and homework. Be ready to acknowledge your athletes
success in the classroom and in the community.

If you get tired pray for strength, because as a staff you are only as good or as strong
as the weakest link.
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Expectations for Coaching Staff

 Coaches are expected to be dressed and in the locker room before players
report.
 Get drills ready – cones, dummies, etc.
 Work with every player that comes on the field. Don’t allow players to go
unnoticed.
 Be properly dressed; look professional, look like a coach.
 Do not use foul language, grab or argue with a player, if he is unbearable,
send him to the head coach.
 If you jump on a player hard verbally, be sure that before he leaves after
practice you have talked with him.
 After practice make sure you go through the locker room and say something,
if not acknowledge each of your position players or any player you felt good
about that day.
 Don’t allow anything to lie around the athletic area, which includes the locker
room.
 Don’t run off right after practice, pitch in there’s always something to do.
 Don’t expect anything less than perfection in every aspect of the football
program.
 As a program you control your own destiny. Whether you win or lose should
be determined by you not by your opponents.
 You must spend a great deal of time with fundamentals. You must get better
everyday by working very hard on blocking and tackling. You should try and
cover every situation that might arise in a game and instill in your players the
proper way to react with poise and confidence.
 One of the most important ingredients necessary to win is to associate you
with coaches and players who love football and can’t live with losing. If you
have players who don’t like football, you will constantly find yourself
compromising your beliefs in order to keep them from quitting.
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 It is the athlete’s responsibility to please the coach and not the coaches place

to please the players. Our job as coaches is to run a top-flight program that

will eventually lead to success. As coaches you have an obligation to run a

disciplined program that will be successful in the long run. To do anything

else is unfair to the athletes who want to win.

 You as a coach have an obligation to place your athletes in a first class

environment and to improve on your facilities each year.

 In coaching, you at some point will be faced with adversity; you must be

prepared for it. Don’t sit and wallow in self-pity, face it head on.

 I believe its better to have great coaches than great athletes. You can’t win

without athletes, but you can lose with them and this is where coaching

becomes a factor.

 You shouldn’t care what a good coach is paid; it isn’t enough. Anything a

poor coach gets paid is too much.

 Enthusiasm is nothing more than being positive. It is impossible to be

negative and be enthusiastic.

 Everyone associated with the football program needs to feel that they are

important to the success of the program

 Players like discipline. They do not like harassment. Discipline breeds

success. Harassment breeds contempt.

 Championships are decided on the little things. Thus, meticulous attention

must be paid to the seemingly “Little” aspects of the program

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Defensive Philosophy

Defense seek and destroy; this is the mentality that each defensive player must have

to build a successful defense. The defense is designed to stop the run first. All open

windows will be closed. We will spill everything out by bring pressuring the tackle

box and push it back by setting the edge and filling the alley and cut – off the cut

back by proper backside pursuit. Our defensive philosophy will center on a

foundation of stopping the run. An effective run stopping defense must form a

TOUGH physical presence. We will expect our defensive players to play hard to the

whistle. Defensively we want to make an opponent one-dimensional. We will bring

pressure from every side and gap of the tackle box. The goal is to make the quarter

back uncomfortable and rush as well as forcing the running backs to become part of

the blocking scheme; by forcing these mistakes what will happen we will put or

offense in position to be successful. I was once told that we are not all smart and we

are not all fast, but we can all control how hard we play the game!

Offensive Philosophy

Offensively we want speed and deception to move the ball. I married the speed of

the Fly offense to the deception of the Pistol Wing – T. The offense will be morphed

into an effective way to move the ball on any team. We want to make it hard for the

defense to key on one player by showing very little tendencies and giving us

numbers at the point of attack. We want to put the defense in conflict and no matter

what they do they are not going to right. We want to make our offense attack a

defensive coordinator worst nightmare.

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Special Teams Philosophy

The job of the special team’s unit is twofold. First, the special teams will always
secure field position for both the offensive and defensive teams. With each exchange
of a kicking situation, we will gain yardage. This will be obtained through discipline
in the execution of our assignments. If a player does not have the desire to be on the
special team’s unit, it will do nothing but hurt the total team.

The second job of the special team’s unit is to take advantage of the unexpected; we

want to make things happen. We must never be predictable, we want teams we face

to be guessing as to whether we are going to kick or fake; return or block. If they are

guessing, we are in charge. If they are not thinking about what we can do in certain

situations, we will score. We must be thinking all the time, on the field as well as on

the sideline. We must know all our responsibilities before we take the field.

While the kicking game requires an all-out effort by each individual on every play,
this effort must be coordinated into a team activity. A great special teams’ player
lives, fights, thinks, pursues and goes all out for the team while playing his position.

A good sound special team is one that has every player carrying out his assignment
on every play. If you play as an individual, you may be successful on one play, but
the team will fail in the long run and at a crucial time later.

Your job as a special team’s player is to carry out the team assignment and to go
all out on every play. You must strive for success as an individual but always
within the framework of the team.

You and I want to feel that our special teams are the greatest in the conference and
the state and that we individually are making the greatest possible contribution to
our team.

Are you capable and willing to give yourself to the team, but still extend maximum
individual effort?
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Staff Responsibilities

If your program is going to be successful, each staff member must be willing and
excited about his role and his assigned responsibilities. The following information
will be used as a guide when determining staff duties and responsibilities. Along
with responsibilities this section provides a typical weekly in season work schedule
for coaches. Remember, the coach with the least role can measure the success of a
program.

Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line:

1. Offensive Coordinator, offensive line coach

2. Responsible for goals, direction, and techniques that the head coach
expects from the offense.
3. Responsible for offensive scouting report.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Responsible for offensive playbook.
6. Assist in off-season coordination.
7. Assist with Special Teams.
8. Assist with study hall.

Defensive Coordinator, Inside Linebackers:

1. Defensive Coordinator, Inside Linebackers.

2. Responsible for goals, direction, and techniques head coach expects from
the defense.
3. Responsible for defensive scouting report.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Responsible for defensive playbook.
6. Off-season coordinator.
7. Power lifting.
8. Special Teams.
9. Assist with study hall.

Varsity Special Teams Coordinator, Secondary Coach:

1. Special Teams Coordinator, secondary.

2. Responsible for goals, direction, technique that the head coach expects
from special teams.
3. Responsible for special teams scouting report, assist with defensive
scouting report.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Responsible for special teams playbook.
6. Assist in off-season football.
 23

Varsity Outside Linebackers:

1. Outside linebackers (Sam’s and Rovers)

2. Assist defensive line coach with input of defensive data for tendencies.
3. Assist with defensive scouting report.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Help call defense for JV teams.

Varsity Running Backs Coach

1. Coach Running Backs.

2. Assist with scouting reports, charts, boards, etc.
3. Breakdown opponent’s video.
4. Input defensive data for tendencies, scouting reports.
5. Call Offense for JV team.

Varsity Defensive Line Coach

1. Coach Defensive Line.

2. Assist with scouting report, charts, boards, etc.
3. Breakdown opponent’s video.
4. Input offensive data for tendencies, scouting reports.
5. Call defense for JV team.

Varsity Quarterbacks Coach

1. Quarterbacks Coach.
2. Responsible for quarterback’s notebook.
3. Help call offense for JV team.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Input data for self-scouting and tendencies.
6. Assist with offensive scouting reports.

Varsity Receivers Coach

1. Coach Receivers.
2. Scout opponent’s secondary coverages.
3. Assist quarterbacks’ coach with JV offense.
4. Breakdown opponent’s defense, computer input.
5. Help with self-scouting reports, boards.
 24

OFF – Season: December – April (20 weeks)

1. Improves Athletic Performances

a. Committing to an intense off-season training program that focuses on increasing

strength, speed, and size is essential if you expect to improve your players’
performance for the upcoming season. No matter how good they are, they are not
the best they can be if they’re not working to improve in the off-season. They can
always get better.
2. Off-season Training Prevents Traumatic Injuries

a. If you are not physically prepared for rigorous athletic demands of football, you put
yourself at risk for traumatic injuries. Maintaining a solid off-season program
throughout the year keeps you strong and prevents weak areas from pop up to
cause injuries during the football season.
3. Reduces the Risk of Overuse Injuries

a. Overuse injuries occur when you jump back into physical activity after an
extended period of rest. Many high school football players try to go right back into
their normal regular season routine after a long off-season, only to find out that
overusing those muscles can result in nagging injuries.
4. Maintain a peek level performance

a. Football players that exercise all year long maintain a solid level of performance for
longer periods of time. Their stamina is increased and they can play for longer
periods of time without having to start out slow and gradually build up their playing
time.
5. Produce a Bigger, Faster, and Stronger Athlete
a. When you exercise during the off-season, make sure to include training that works
the entire body, especially your core. While regular season can be dedicated to
specific sport performance, the off-season is an ideal time to work on overall athletic
performance – strength, speed, and explosiveness. In the off-season its a good time
to improve overall athletic ability.
6. Increase Self – esteem and Self – confidence
a. Football players who take the summer off have to work to gradually rebuild their
strength at the beginning of football camp in August. This can lower their self-
confidence, especially if they have to compete against students who remain active
throughout the year. Football players who have off-season training progEagles come
into the regular season at peak performance – faster, stronger, and improved.
7. Teach and Review
a. Teach and review offensive, defensive and special team schemes, add new wrinkles
or another part of the scheme.
 25

Pre-season I (Spring Football): May (4 weeks)

1. This is where 80 percent of the offense and Defense is installed. We also will
teach the individual drills and techniques that we will use during the year.

2. Work on new concepts, new ideas and try players at different positions or
spots on your team. It also allows you to refresh the kids’ memory of plays
that you ran last season and get them ready for the summer workouts.

3. Get the fundamentals down, whether it’s offense, defense or special teams

4. Practice what you did in the classroom during the off – season

5. Increase the intensity of the strength and speed training program.

6. Establish a preliminary starting line-up for the offense, defense, and special
teams; as well as identifying which junior varsity players will be called up to
play varsity football.

7. The bottom line spring football will set us up for what we are going to do in
the summer.
 26

Pre – Season II (Summer Football): June – August (10) weeks

1. Polish the passing game and defensive coverages. Here you participate in 7

on 7 leagues, 7 on 7 tournaments.

2. Begin summer conditioning program, you want to get your team ready to

play four quarters.

3. The incoming freshmen come into the program; before they are allowed to

participate, they must get cleared through the athletic office. Here is the time

when the freshmen coaching staff introduces them to how the program

works and the routines and practice hours.

4. Continue to build strength, power and speed. You must continue to build

upon what was accomplished during the off-season and spring football.

5. Take a 3-week dead period. The players do not stop coming; they still need to

come in for weight training and conditioning.

6. Establish a coach’s rotation for the dead period, each coach will come in and

supervise during this 3 – week period.

7. Polish the offensive and defensive scheme and start using situational football

practice; as well as running pursuit drills.

8. Introduce the summer aquatic program. You want to change it up. It is hot in

the summer; get to work out in the pool offers a change of pace and out of the

box thinking.
 27

In – Season (Fall): August – November (10 weeks)

This is where all the previous work gets put together. You are a couple weeks away

from one having a scrimmage and two playing in the first game of the season. There

are a few things that need to get done before any scrimmage or games get played.

1. Hand – out all football equipment that the players are going to use for the

season. This includes helmets, pads, practice uniform and uniforms.

2. Run Hell week (camp), make sure that every player has the required

conditioning and day in pads before they can participate in full contact drills.

3. Prepare for the scrimmage, script the plays that you want to show case and

not show the ones you want to save for your first game.

4. Prepare for the 10 – week season that is coming.

5. Have the parent meeting

6. Establish the routine that will be followed during the season

7. Film session on Saturday to prepare for each opponent

8. Lunch meetings with players to breakdown the weekly game plan.

9. It is very important, that new schemes be introduced at this point.

Everything you wanted to install should be in already. The JV and Varsity

will practice together. The freshmen staff will take all freshmen and practice

with them. Varsity and JV staff will be combined to make one coaching staff;

both staffs will work the varsity football game. The freshmen staff will

supervise the JV football team during the Varsity game.

 28

Year – Round Schedule

WEEK PHASE Week PHASE

Dec Week 1 Max and Teaching Apr Week 4

Dec Week 2 May Week 1 Power, Speed,

Strength Plyometric, Agility and
Dec Week 3 May Week 2 Scheme

Dec Week 4 May Week 3

Jan Week 1 Christmas Break – OFF May Week 4 Spring Football

Jan Week 2 June Week 1

Jan Week 3 June Week 2

Strength, Agility, Speed,
Jan Week 4 June Week 3 Plyometric, Summer
Strength, Speed, and Scheme Conditioning, and
Feb Week 1 June Week 4 Practice

Feb Week 2 July Week 1

Dead Period
Feb Week 3 July Week 2 Strength, Plyometric
and Summer
Feb Week 4 July Week 3 Conditioning
Strength, Speed, and Scheme
Mar Week 1 July Week 4
Pre-Season
Mar Week 2 Aug Week 1 Conditioning, Strength,
Camp
Mar Week 3 Aug Week 2

Mar Week 4 Aug Week 3

Power, Speed, Plyometric, Scrimmage, O Week,
Apr Week 1 Agility and Scheme Aug Week 4 Strength and Practice
routine
Apr Week 3 Spring Break – OFF
 29

Week PHASE

Aug Week 5

Sep Week 1

Sep Week 2

Sep Week 3 In – Season

Sep Week 4 Maintenance

Oct Week 1

Oct Week 2

Oct Week 3

Oct Week 4

Nov Week 1

Nov Week 2

Nov Week 3
OFF: Freshmen
Nov Week 4 Post – Season TBD

Nov Week 5

Dec Week 1

Dec Week 2 WE START ALL OVER

Dec Week 3

Dec Week 4 Christmas Break – Off

 30

OFF – Season Schedule

WEEK PHASE

Dec Week 1 Introduction of Offense and Defensive Schemes, begin the teaching the
following schemes: 3-5-3 Defense and the Pistol Wing Fly
Dec Week 2
Classroom Sessions: Chalk talk the Offensive and Defensive Schemes:
Dec Week 3 Formations, Motions, blocking schemes and the Fly Sweep

Dec Week 4

Jan Week 1 Christmas Break – OFF

Jan Week 2

Jan Week 3 Classroom Session and Field Days:

 Alignment and Assignment, adjustment to fronts, coverages.
Jan Week 4  Review Offensive scheme and add to the Fly sweep complementary
run plays.
Feb Week 1  Run offensive plays against air.
 Run defense against trashcans
Feb Week 2

Feb Week 3 Classroom Sessions, Film Review and Field Days

 Defensive Stunts and Blitzes
Feb Week 4  Review Alignment and Assignment
 Continue with Fly sweep and complimentary plays
Mar Week 1  Introduce the deception of the Pistol Wing – T, Defensive conflicts
and having multiple plays on one call with the same blocking
Mar Week 2

Mar Week 3 Field Days: practice the schemes that were taught and reviewed in the
classroom:
Mar Week 4  Begin to put the offense together around the Fly Sweep
 Fly sweep combined w/Belly, Trap, Counter and the Off-Tackle
Apr Week 1 Plays
 Rotating from 3-5-3 to 3-4 and 5 – 3

Apr Week 3 Spring Break – OFF

 31

OFF – Season Schedule

Week PHASE

Apr Week 4 Field Days: practice the schemes that were taught and reviewed in the
classroom and assessment:
 Continue combining the Fly sweep with complementary plays
 Continue with Rotating the 3-5-3 into multiple defenses
May Week 1  Begin the installment of special teams
 Have doctor and give all football players a physical to get ready
for spring football.

May Week 2

 It is very important that the off-season be spent teaching and reviewing.

There will be some of the players that will forget. This is the only place where

teaching of schemes should be done. Once the off-season has ended no new

schemes should be introduced.

 There should constant assessment. This lets me know who is learning and

focus and who is not taking it seriously. It also tells you what part of the

scheme needs further reviewing.

 They only exceptions are athletes that are participating in other sports. I

have to make sure I schedule make – up sessions for those athletes.

 It’s the athletes’ responsibility to show up for off – season work-outs; as a

coach I would provide every opportunity possible for the athlete to show up.

If they choose not show up then they make my decision easier. They simply

will not be allowed to continue to the next phase.

 32

Pre – Season Schedule I

Week PHASE

Spring Football Opens

 Begin to practice the offensive run plays (The Fly Offense)
and defensive schemes
 Introduce tackling and turn over circuit
May Week 3  Allow for positions changes if any player wants to change
positions
 Both JV/Varsity practice together
 Alignment and Assignment
 Stunts and Blitz
 Coverages

 Begin working on the passing game

 Schedule a 7 on 7 game school TBD
 Continue working on the running game mix in the Pistol Wing
–T deception
 Work on defensive conflicts a well as multiple plays out of the
same blocking.
May Week 4

Last Week of Spring Football

 Being summer conditioning program and aquatic fitness
program
 Run all offensive scheme against bags and shield
June Week 1  Run all defensive scheme
 Begin installation of special teams
 33

Pre – Season Schedule II

Week Phase

 7 on 7 League host by Desert Mirage

June Week 2  Freshmen coming begin to learn the
offensive and defensive scheme
 Review the entire offensive and defensive
June Week 3 scheme
 Finish installing special teams
 Install 2-minute offense
June Week 4
 Install 3 plays in the huddle no time-outs

July Week 1
DEAD PERIOD: No Football activities
The only activities permitted are weight lifting
July Week 2 and conditioning

July Week 3

July Week 4
CAMP (Hell Week)

Aug Week 1

Aug Week 2 SCRIMMAGE WEEK

 34

In – Season Schedule

Monday (JV/Varsity practice together)

3:15 am Meeting to discuss Discuss Discuss the Film cut – ups of opponent
game plan formations scheme being
used by
opponent
3:20 pm Coaching staff Discuss the Discuss Script Make any last-minute adjustments
meeting: offensive practice plans All football players will attend
and defensives staffs tutoring
meet and tutoring
session for players
3:30 pm Pre – practice Stretching, Position QB warm – ups
Agilities and Coaches meet Long snapper snaps
warm – ups with their Punter warms up
players
3:40 pm Special Teams: Punt Punt Return All out-punt block vs. max punt
Offensive and protection
Defensive, this
session will be
filmed
4:00 pm Varsity Offensive Individual Field walk – Defensively:
practice period through Alignment/Assignment as well as
JV Defensive practice opponent’s stunts and blitzes
offensive and Offensively: Fronts, Blitzes,
defensive Coverages and stunts
scheme
4:45 pm Varsity Defensive Individual Field walk – Defensively:
Practice period through Alignment/Assignment as well as
JV Offensive Practice opponent’s stunts and blitzes
offensive and Offensively: Fronts, Blitzes,
defensive Coverages and stunts
scheme
5:25 pm Review special teams’ Point out Point out Film review will take place in the
film areas that areas that are team room in the stadium
need to be solid
improves
5:35 pm Post – Practice Supervise the Get an injury Type out practice plan for Tuesday
meeting with Locker room report from
coaching staff Athletic
Trainer
5:45 pm Print out practice Send players Prepare first Last walk –through of locker room
plan for Tuesday film cut ups exam and office and lock – up
they need to
review
 35

In – Season Schedule

Tuesday (JV/Varsity practice together)

3:10 pm Administer Discuss Discuss how Film cut – ups from Pre-practice
the First trends and the opponent meeting
Test what to opponent
expect plays when
leading,
trailing or
in a tight
game
3:30pm Coaching staff Discuss the Discuss Make any last-
meeting: practice Script minute adjustments
offensive and plans All football players
defensives will attend
staffs meet tutoring
and tutoring
session for
players
3:35 pm Pre – practice Stretching, Position QB warm – ups
Agilities Coaches Long snapper snaps
and warm – meet with Punter warms up
ups their players
3:45 pm Varsity Individual Inside Run Outside run 7 on 7
Offensive position Motion
practice Checking out of
JV Defensive call/Audible
Practice Screens
Stunts and Blitzes
4:45 pm Varsity Individual Inside Run Outside run 7 on 7
Defensive position Motion
Period Checking out of
JV Offensive call/Audible
Period Screens
Stunts and Blitzes
5:45 pm Special Teams Varsity KO Varsity KR Varsity PAT JV PAT
This Section vs. JV KR vs. JV KO
is filmed
6:00 pm Post – Supervise Get an injury Type out practice
Practice the Locker report from plan for Tuesday
meeting with room Athletic
coaching staff Trainer
6:30 pm Print out Send Prepare Last walk –through
practice plan players film Second exam of locker room and
for cut ups they office and lock – up
Wednesday need to
review
 36

In – Season Schedule

Wednesday (JV/Varsity practice together)

3:10 pm Administer View View any trick Film cut – ups Pre-practice time
the Second special plays from from opponent meeting
Test Teams opponent and
Film any special
teams fakes
3:30 pm Coaching Discuss the Discuss Script Make any last-
staff meeting: practice minute
offensive and plans adjustments
defensives All football
staffs meet players will
and tutoring attend tutoring
session for
players
3:35 pm Pre – practice Stretching, Position QB warm – ups
Agilities Coaches meet Long snapper
and warm – with their snaps
ups players Punter warms up
3:45 pm Varsity Individual Down/Distance Field Position 10 seconds left on
Offensive position the 50-yard line
practice After a Turn – over
JV Defensive Up by two
Practice Touchdowns
4:45 pm Varsity Individual Down/Distance Field Position 10 seconds left on
Defensive position the 50 yard line
Period After a Turn – over
JV Offensive Up by two
Period Touchdowns
5:45 pm Special Fake Punt Defending the All – out Block Max Protection
Teams Fake Punt
This Section
is filmed
6:00 pm Post – Supervise Get an injury Type out practice
Practice the Locker report from plan for Tuesday
meeting with room Athletic
coaching staff Trainer
6:30 pm Print out Send Prepare Last walk –through
practice plan players film Second exam of locker room and
for Thursday cut ups office and lock – up
they need
to review

All blocks that are highlighted will be filmed and reviewed in lunch meetings.
 37

In – Season Schedule

Thursday (JV/Varsity practice together)

3:10 am Administer Film cut –

the Third ups from
test opponent
3:30 pm Coaching Discuss Discuss Script Make any last
staff the minute
meeting: practice adjustments
offensive plans All football
and players will
defensives attend tutoring
staffs meet
3:35 pm Pre – Stretching, Position QB warm – ups
practice Agilities Coaches meet Long snapper
and warm with their snaps
– ups players Punter warms up
3:50 pm Special JV KR vs. JV PT vs. V JV PR vs. V PT PAT
Teams V KO PR
JV KO vs. V
KR
4:00pm JV and Offensive
Varsity Walk –
Separate through
for JV and
Varsity
4:20 pm JV and Defensive
Varsity Walk –
Separate through
for JV and
Varsity
4:30pm Post – Review Review the Get injury report
Practice Defensive Offensive Play from athletic
meeting Signals calling system trainer
with Offense and Calls
and Defense
5:00pm Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday nigh
nigh nigh nigh Dinner Dinner
Dinner Dinner
6:00pm Final walk Lock – up
– trough
 38

In – Season Schedule

Friday (JV/Varsity practice together)

3:15 pm Varsity Offensive Varsity Defensive Team Meal

Meeting Meeting
4:00pm Get Taped during
the JV Football
Game
4:45pm Return to locker Get Dressed Get taped if did
room not get taped
during the JV
6:00pm Early Outs Long Snapper Center and QB
and Punter, Field and WR to Warm
Goal Kicker – up the QB’s arm
6:15 pm Everybody out
and Team Stretch
6:30 Offensive Offensive Team
Individuals session
6:45 pm Defensive Defensive Team
Individuals Session
7:00 pm Game Time Game Time Game Time

10:00 pm Up load Friday

night’s Game
10:30 pm Request Film
Exchange from
next opponent
11:00 pm Make Film cut – 15: 5 Good, 5 Bad
ups of our game and 5 Ugly
for review on
Saturday

 All Football players will dress for success

 No football players are allowed to leave campus unless it is a family
emergency
 All cellphones must be put away by the time the JV football Game Starts
 No football player is allowed to wonder around campus; when the bell
rings must make their way to the locker – room.
 No Hanging out in the athletic trainer’s office, he is very busy on game
day.
 39

In – Season Schedule

Saturday (JV/Varsity practice together)

7:00 am Brief Game Set Goals for Check Box Fill out
Review next week Scores, Opponent
Internet, or Evaluation
News Paper Form
for Next
Opponent
8:00 am Review 15 film
Players are cut-ups from
Present our previous
game
8:30 am Review next Identify Key
Players are opponents personnel
Present Films
9:00 am Offensive and Review Film Identify Identify
Defensive Identify: offensive Defensive
Staffs meet Weakness and Standouts Standouts
Strengths
10:00 am Breakdown Add data to
opponent’s HUDL
film
12:00 pm Create HUDL Print HUDL Study HUDL Develop
report report Report Offensive and
Defensive
Game Plan
12:45 Offensive and
Defensive go
home
1:00 pm Coordinators Up load game Develop Develop Play
Type out Game plan to Explain opponent Film Cards
Plan everything cut – ups
APP and email
to players and
Staff
2:00 pm Print Play Develop Develop script Develop
Cards Monday’s using HUDL Offensive and
Practice Plan Data Defensive Call
Cards
3:00 pm Go Home Go Home Go Home Go Home
 40

In – Season Schedule

Sunday (JV/Varsity practice together)

DAY OFF No
Football on this
Day it is Family day
 A happy family
equals a happy
and effective
coach. They need
your time too.
 41

Varsity Letter

Earning a varsity letter is a major accomplishment in the world of athletics. It is evidence

that you have excelled not only on the playing field, court, pool, ice or track, but also in
the classroom. The requirements for earning a varsity letter vary from sport to sport; in
football there is a specific criterion the athlete has to meet. Varsity letters will not be
awarded just because an athlete was on the team; they need to earn it. There a
hundred-point system in place, in order for an athlete to earn a Varsity letter the
athlete must earn 100 points; no exceptions will be made.

1. Attend off – season work – out program – 10 points

a. 99% attendance
b. Full participation in work – outs
2. Participate in Spring Football – 10points
a. 99% attendance
b. Full participation in work – outs
3. Attend and Participate in Summer Football – 10 points
a. 99% attendance
b. Attend and participate in 7 on 7
c. Practice
d. Camps
4. In good academic and athletic standing – 10 points
a. 3.0 GPA
b. Finish the season on the team
5. Attend Camp (hell week) – 10 points
a. 99% attendance
b. Participate in work –outs
c. Eligible for the scrimmage
6. Suit up for all the games, unless an injury prevents it but still must attend
game – 10 points
7. Show – up to Saturday Film sessions – 10 points
a. 99% attendance
8. Attend all lunch time meetings – 10 points
9. Attended dead period lifting and conditioning – 10 points
10. Have 99% attendance – 10 points

All criteria are giving equal importance. They are important to the success of the
athlete, team and program.
 42

NCAA Clearing House information for those athletes interested in

going on to college who wishes plays any type of NCAA sanctioned
sport. Can go on-line to register.

NCAA Clearinghouse
The NCAA Clearinghouse has launched a series of services to support prospective student-
athletes. The key features of the new Clearinghouse services include:

 IMPORTANT! New Eligibility Rules! Click here to read about the changes.
 A NCAA Clearinghouse website at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. You may
access the Clearinghouse Home Page directly or through links from the
NCAA’s Website at www.ncaa.org.
 From the NCAA Clearinghouse website, prospective student-athletes are
able to access information needed to understand the Division I and
Division II eligibility requirements, register with the Clearinghouse and
access individual Clearinghouse records.
 Beginning in 2003-2004 Prospective Student-Athletes (Domestic) who are
eligible for a waiver of the Initial-Eligibility Certification Fee may complete
their Student Release Form (SRF) online. NOTE: to be eligible for a fee
waiver, you must have already received a fee waiver (not state voucher)
for the ACT or SAT. Your high school counselor will also be required to
submit electronic fee waiver verification on your behalf (high school
counselors with PIN access may submit waivers for eligible students from
the High School Administrator section of the Clearinghouse website).

General Information on the NCAA Clearinghouse Website:

 Links to the NCAA website.

 Core-course listings for high schools.
 Online version of NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.
 Online information about Division I and Division II initial-eligibility
requirements.
 Online Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Prospective Student-Athletes:

 Submit your Student Release Form (SRF) via the Web.

 Registered Students – Update your registration information (if necessary).
 Registered Students – Check your certification status.
 Home-School Students
 43

Coaches Evaluation Forms

Desert Mirage
Head Coach’s Evaluation
Performance Evaluation
Assistant Coach

NAME:
_____________________________POSITION:_________________________

SPORT: ________________________

PERFORMANCE PERIOD: ____________________

EVALUATOR NAME: _______________________________

DATE: ___________________

This evaluation assesses your contribution to the athletic program at Desert Hot Springs,
in conjunction with the School mission. The performance appraisal is designed to facilitate
open communication between you and your rating official. Your evaluation gives credit
for positive contributions and highlights areas where improvement is needed. This report
will recognize your performance accomplishments over the entire performance evaluation
period. Your rating official encourages frequent discussions throughout the year to
enhance your overall contributions to the athletic department.

DEFINITIONS OF RATINGS:

In the rating process, each category needs to be evaluated independently. The rating scores
possible for each category are:

X – Superior

A – Above Average

S – Satisfactory/Average

I – Needs Improvement/Unsatisfactory

PERFORMANCE FACTORS:

A. OBSERVANCE OF RULES COMPLIANCE: Demonstrates knowledge

and compliance with School, conference, and CIF rules and regulations.
Includes counseling students and enforcement of rules.

Rating:
 44

Comments:

B. STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS: Promotes and facilitates student-athlete

classroom success through a commitment to student-athlete class attendance,
academic achievement, and graduation.

Rating:

Comments:

C. SOCIAL CONDUCT OF STUDENT-ATHLETE: Demonstrates a

commitment to providing an environment where student-athletes learn the
values of citizenship, integrity, appreciation for cultural diversity, and respect
and responsibility for self and others.

Rating:

Comments:

D. SPORT SUCCESS: Demonstrates a commitment to athletic success.

Demonstrates the ability to work in harmony with other members of the
coaching staff and the knowledge necessary to facilitate improvements in
athletic performances.

Rating:

Comments:

E. ADMINISTRATION: Demonstrates fiscal and administrative responsibility,

including budget, scholarships, scheduling, and student assistance.

Rating:

Comments:
 45

F. WORK HABITS: Demonstrates the work characteristics of accessibility,

punctuality, and general positive demeanor with students and peers.

Rating:

Comments:

G. PERSONAL APPEARANCE/DEMEANOR AND PROMOTION OF

PROGRAM:
Actively participates in public relations, fundraising, community activities, and
maintains regular contact with local high school and junior college coaches.
Central to this performance appraisal measurement is the overall image that is
projected, which reflects upon the Southern Illinois University Athletic
Department.

Rating:

Comments

H. OVERALL EVALUATION OF EMPLOYEE

X-Superior: Responsibilities of the position exceeded in a sustained and

outstanding manner

A – Above Average: Responsibilities of the position exceeded

S – Satisfactory: Responsibilities of the position fulfilled

I – Need Improvement/Unsatisfactory: Responsibilities of the position not

fulfilled

Overall Rating: ________

 46

Comments: Identify areas of strength, areas of weaknesses that need improvement.

Be specific.
Constructive critiques promote open communication, resulting in
successful performance.

EVALUATOR’S COMMENTS:

Evaluator’s Signature _________________________________________ Date

________________

EMPLOYEE’S COMMENTS:

My signature indicates that I have read this evaluation.

Employee Signature __________________________________________

Date _________________
 47

Program Evaluation

The evaluation of the program will be 4-fold process. The program will be evaluated
by the following: Head Coach, Assistant Coaches, Players and administration. The
process will evaluate: Facilities, equipment, Off- season program, Spring football,
Summer football, Hell week, In – Season, scheme (offense/Defense) and practice.
Why so many people?

1. Allows them to have a voice in the program. Most of us coaches think and say,
“it’s your program, I’ve got next year.” But do you really mean that? Is it really
everybody’s program? I think that it goes a long way to give the to everybody’s
voice in the program. It doesn’t mean you cater to them, it doesn’t mean that if they
say “we don’t like running” that you stop running! But it does let them know that
you care about them as a person, and as a football player.

2. Sometimes the other people have some great ideas! And these great ideas can
make your program better. Listen, we don’t know it all. We may think we do, but we
don’t. As soon as we stop listening to the other people we coach, we fail.
Can you imagine that? Again, this is something the kids would never come right out
and say.

3. Confirms that you are doing things right. It’s always nice to hear the everybody
say “Coach, you are doing everything right, don’t change a thing with this, or this, or
this.” It’s not that we need a pat on the back, but you want to make sure you are on
target that you are reaching them and teaching them.

4. It points out areas that you need to be concerned about. This can range ageing
equipment to problems at the lower levels.

5. It is an agent for change, not random change but the kind of change that improves
the program. Everybody is afraid of change but change is part of life; either adjust or
perish.
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6. It keeps you from resting on your laurels; because your are constantly seeking
ways to improve and this leads to success.

HIGH FOOTBALL ATHLETIC POLICIES

1. DRUGS, ALCOHOL, and SMOKING will not be tolerated. Zero tolerance you get
caught you are off the team

2. PROFANITY – will not be tolerated. First offense will result in disciplinary action
as seen fit by the Head Coach.

3. STEALING – Taking things that do no belong to you will not be tolerated. A player
caught and proven guilty will result be removed from the team?

4. CONDUCT – If you want to be a member of any athletic team and especially the
football team you must follow all school rules and procedures while attending
class. You are expected to act properly in class, giving your teachers and staff
courtesy and respect. Suspension from school results in removal from team.

5. ATTENDANCE – Do not cut classes or be tardy. Practice is mandatory, I

understand that life happens and you miss, regardless of the excuse you will not
play. Miss four practices you are off the team.

6. INJURY OR ILLNESS – If you have an injury, see the trainer first they will either
treat you or refer you to a physician. If you are going to miss a practice or a game
because of injury or an illness, we must have a note from a trainer or a doctor. If
you are unable to physically participate, you will still be expected to dress out and
accompany your team and watch all plays, etc.

7. RESPECT FOR COACHES – Coaches should receive “yes coach,”

“Players in return will be treated with respect by their coach.

8. EQUIPMENT – Our athletes are responsible for all equipment checked out to
them, if they lose any item they will have to replace it. An athlete should not lend
his clothes to anyone. Each athlete is responsible for taking care of his locker area.
We are not responsible for any items that are lost in the locker room. Be sure to
lock your locker or take your valuables with you. Your school issued practice
clothes are to be worn to practice everyday.
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9. JEWELRY – Jewelry is not allowed to be worn during a sporting event or

In warm-up; therefore, it will not be allowed to be worn during practice.
Players are encouraged to lock all jewelry up in their lockers at all times. No ear
rings in the field house.

10. If a player quits or is dismissed from the team in or out of season, that
player gives up all rights to any honors, which they have earned but not yet
received. The player can only try out for the team the next year with out
permission of the head coach.

11. EARNING a VARSITY LETTER – to letter at the varsity level, players must give
100% effort towards the successful contribution to the team. A varsity letter will
be determined by the point system.

12. Parents need to provide transportation for their son as soon as practice ends or
after games. It is not the responsibility of the coaches to provide transportation,
in fact; it is against CVUSD rules.

13. TRAVEL POLICY - All athletes travel and return with the team unless
Previous arrangements have been made to do otherwise. In case of emergency,
parents must sign an alternate student travel form before leaving for the trip.
Parents cannot take other players home from games. Athletes are encouraged
to ride with the team.

14. HAZING - There will no initiation or hazing of any football player.

Players are encouraged to support each other and also report any incidents to
the coaches immediately. Upper classmen will assume the role as leader, mentor,
and help in keeping hazing completely out of our program: set the example for
our under classmen to follow.

All school rules and policies are in affect at all times and they will supersede in
football program policies. This rules are in affect during but not limited to:
home games, away games, all practices, team meals and in team function
occurring on a weekend or of campus. You are expected to be good citizens.
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Everybody has a boss (someone that tells them what to do), if you have
problems with taken directives from someone, then you are not a good
candidate for football. We all answer to someone else so get over it.

Time Card
In order to be successful, we need to put in the hours. Hard work equals success.

There is no substitute for this, those that work hard will be champions. Therefore

each player will have to have a certain minimum of hours so that they can advance

to the next phase of the program. Any player not meeting the minimum require

number of hours will not be allowed to advance and therefore will not participate in

football. Any athlete participating in another sport is exempt because they are

putting in hours that count towards the minimum requirement of hours.

 Off – season – 52 hours of total work to advance a player needs 85% of

the hours, which is 44 hours.
 Spring – Football 45 hours of total work to advance a player needs 90%
of the hours, which 41 hours.
 Summer Football (Practice and Dead Period lifting) – 26 hours of total
work to advance a player needs 90% of the hours to advance
 Hell Week (Camp) – 40 hours of total work to advance player needs
100%. Failure to accumulate the 40 hours will delay your participation
in contact drills and will put your participation in the scrimmage in
danger. It this point we are in – season and you will not be cut unless
you attended under 80% of the time which is 32 hours.

I will have time cards and time clock to keep track. I found one on amazon and

it will be hear soon. I’m putting the responsibility on you. You need to

prioritize and decide what is important to you. If football is important to you,

 51

you will be at practice. If you are hurt, you still need to show – up to practice.

Life is about decisions; you decide not to come to practice, if you miss then the

outcome is known.

Study Hall

Study halls will be implemented into the football program and organized by the

coach. Study hall is be mandatory for all those students who are border line and or

failing in any subject area as well for the students that are good academic standing.

Due to the ability to use e-mail as a method of communicating with teachers the

head coach will keep an open line and make staff aware that he would like to know

about any potential problems with any athlete both academic and disciplinary.

Rules for study hall management:

1. No visiting or talking during the period.

2. Take roll, no show – coach after practice.

3. If going to tutorials, must bring note from teacher. Time must be

indicated.

4. Study hall is not a social time.

5. No girl friends in study hall.

6. Will do work from class.

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Goal Setting For Your Athletes

In our program I request each position coach to sit down with their position athletes
and set goals with their players for the next season both short and long term. Each
position coach will sit down with his or her position players using the following
form to plan and goal set for the next season.

Position Players Goals and Pledge

Players Name: _____________________

To be a member of this team, I know it is an honor and a responsibility. I am no

longer an individual; I am a part of a family. Within the family is a brotherhood
(name by position example offensive line). Being a part of this brotherhood has its
costs and responsibilities. I make my commitment to uphold and protect the legacy
of my family and my brotherhood.

 I pledge the following:

 I will give my very best effort towards receiving a quality education.
 I will strive to be a complete player.
 I will conduct myself in a manner that does not draw unwarranted attention to my
family, my school, my team, and my position players.
 I will when on campus and in the classroom, cause no problems for myself, my
teammates and or my teachers.
 I will be the best possible student that I can be and to make sure that my grades will
not jeopardize my good academic standing. If grades are in doubt I will make every
attempt to make all study hall sessions and get help from my teachers and attend all
tutorials.
 I will follow all rules and regulations laid out by the football program.
 I will treat others the way I would want to be treated.
 I will work towards knowing all my football assignments and become a student of
the game.
 I will play with Character – “Play as hard as I can, for as long as I can”.
 I will play with Pride – “Know that I won’t quit when it gets tough”.

I will be mentally Tough – “Accept discomfort and coaching and learn to live with
it”.
When I walk out onto the football field I represent:
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1. My School.
2. My Teammates.
3. My Family.
4. Myself.

I know that when I take the field, I represent all those that came before me and that
have worn the colors of my school and all those that will come after me.
Now it is my time in history. I pledge that before I leave, history will remember me
as a champion both on and off the field of play.

I Promise to Follow These Vows:

Players Name: _________________________ Date: ___________

Position Players Goals and Expectations

Anticipated Goals by Start of Football Season:

Height: __________ Weight: _________ Vertical Jump: __________

Bench: __________ Squat: __________ Power Clean: ___________

40 Yd. Dash: ______ Shuttle Run: ________ Power Ranking: _________

Players Immediate Goals Players Long Term Goals

1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
Coaches Comments and Expectations Players Home Phone Number:

1. Street Address:
2. City and Zip Code:
3.
4.
5.

Players Signature:

Parents Signature:

Coaches Signature:
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Remember: We only pass this way but once, let’s make the best of it. We will
only be as good as the last guy, so, how good will you be. It is my belief that
everything mentioned in the above information will never succeed or transpire
without the proper attitude towards life and commitment as spelled out by
Charles Swindoll.

Attitude

The longer we 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 and 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 everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot
change our past… 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
percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you…
we are in charge of our attitudes.

By Charles Swindoll

Last but not least, the success of any program is one’s ability to communicate; and
realize that in order to run a top-notch program requires the input off all those
involved and the willingness to share in the success and failures, the ups and downs
of those who sacrifice the time, and provide the internal commitment to the future
of this country, our young people.