In addition to the normal coaching responsibilities, should the varsity head coach fulfill a broader role in any sports program? I think so for the following reasons. The varsity head coach often has the most expertise in the game as well as coaching the game. Additionally the varsity coach knows what is necessary for players and teams to compete and succeed at the highest level of interscholastic athletics. In other words they know what varsity players should look like, what technical skills are necessary, what tactical knowledge is required, what physical training and stamina the varsity season demands, and what communication and godly character helps a team succeed. I want the varsity head coach to envision the program with specific ideals and goals in these areas (e.g. 1st team All-PVAC cross country runner requires running under 16:00), as well as to offer practical suggestions to get players to that level. I firmly believe that coaches at different levels should work together as a team in order to build a strong and stable program. MS coaches should have an open mind and look for ways to implement aspects of coaching from the varsity head coach. They should ask themselves, "What can I implement to prepare my players for the next level under this coach or under this system?" BTW...varsity head coaches are worth their weight in gold so do whatever you can to hire and keep them! By God’s grace, I think we have excellent head coaches at CLS.
Yet, while I want the varsity head coach to have some influence over programs under varsity, I also want MS and JV coaches to feel 100% ownership of their team. That means that while the MS and JV coaches should demonstrate humility and learn from the varsity coaching staff, I they should have the final say in how much their team works on the same things as the varsity. In other words, the MS and JV teams should not necessarily do the same things as the varsity teams. This would include technical drills, tactics, physical training, communication, character training, etc. Sometimes the players and the team are not ready to do the things the varsity team does. Sometimes the players and teams can do the things the varsity team does. Players on MS and JV are different than players on varsity. For example, two years ago I did not want the MS volleyball to run a 5-1 or 6-2 offense even though the varsity ran this offense because the MS team was not ready. I wanted them to run a 4-2 offense which the varsity never runs because the offense is elementary. However, last year I wanted to MS team to run a 6-2 offense because they were ready.
I want to caution coaches in trying to run the varsity and MS/JV teams alike because there are significant differences between MS players and HS players. The MS and JV coaching staff should determine how much their team does the same things as the varsity team. I definitely think the varsity coaching staff can give feedback to the MS coach about the development and readiness of the MS team whenever possible. I want the MS and JV coaching staff to listen to the varsity head coach and benefit from their expertise. Yet, I also want the MS and JV coaching staff to assess their players and team, identify strengths and weaknesses, and use appropriate plans that will effectively prepare them for varsity. Sometimes that will mean using very little of what the varsity coaching staff uses. Sometimes that will mean using much of what varsity uses. Invariably it will be somewhere in between. This also allows the MS and JV teams to develop their own team identity.
At times this may look like MS/JV teams and varsity practicing together. When coaches are teaching and reviewing fundamentals at the beginning of the year, MS/JV and varsity practices can overlap to some degree. As the season progresses, though, the teams should separate more and more.
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