Stories that endure, do so for a reason. When we encounter a myth, legend, or ancient maxim that has survived centuries of retelling, we’re not just hearing an old tale – we’re connecting with a truth that generations before us found worthy of preserving.
I can’t say this story has been around for centuries, but I have used it before because I do find enduring value. I am reminded of this story as the football clinic season begins and we reflect on one of the greatest things in our profession: The willingness to share.
“Two people meet each having a penny. They exchange pennies and walk away still only having one penny. Two people meet each having an idea. They exchange ideas and walk away now having two ideas.”
While Coaches will share more plays and concepts that we can count, I am also reminded that there is no “Miracle Solution” guaranteed to score on every possession, stop teams from getting first downs, turn kick returns into touchdowns, or turn past failures into future successes. The game of football is a complex issue without a simple solution. Everyone would run the same things on offense and defense if it did.
Success requires multiple strategies to address challenges. Just because something worked for one coach or team does not necessarily mean it will work for you and yours. While it may look marvelous in video clips and explanations, we must ensure such ideas fit into your system, so that the schemes and reads can be implemented effectively with your players and their skill levels.
The acronym KISS is often used in coaching football prompting coaches to keep it simple. Another acronym I suggest is LEAP. Keep it Learnable, Engaging, Applicable, and Practical. Plays, schemes, and reads that fit into your system are more easily learned, making them more engaging, applicable, and practical.
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
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