It’s Better to Learn from the Mistakes of Others
Jan 22, 2024 6:19 pm
Coach -
There’s a lot to be learned from the NFL playoffs in terms of game management and decision making of both the coaches and the players in this game, and there are many teachable moments.
This is something that Kyle Schmitt, Head Coach of Bishop Spalding High School, and I talked about recently. He made a shift in his role in the game from the guy totally into what was happening on offense to a big picture view of managing the total game. It made a huge difference in helping them get over them hump and finally win a state championship after coming close several times.
He said,
“The thing that I ended up having to do is look in the mirror and say, ‘I might be one of the issues.’ I think that it takes a lot to do that. You got to look in the mirror instead of looking out and starting to point fingers and blame other coaches or players. What I really found that I need to become a guy that's totally ingrained myself in the special teams, totally ingrained myself in the game management piece.”
The conversation we had highlights the importance of embracing a "design it and step back" approach, integrating special teams into practice, and seeking feedback from coaches to improve game management strategies.
It paid off in helping them win the 2022 and 2023 MIAA "A" State Champion. In addition, for his efforts he was named the 2022 Baltimore Ravens Coach of the Year.
As a player and then graduate assistant at Maryland, he was heavily influenced by Ralph Friedgen and current Penn State Head Coach James Franklin. He will talk about Coach Friedgen in a video later in this email.
Prepare Rather Than Plan
This shift that Coach Schmitt described allowed him to better prepare his team, and it’s a year-round process. When it comes to critical situations he bleievs in “prepare” rather than plan. He shares the philosophy here:
Off Season Professional Development
I am positive Coach Schmitt has been busy sharing examples from these past NFL playoff weekends. Whether it’s highlighting plays that show a player knows the rules and using them to an advantage, or showing mistakes that did or could end in disaster (who wasn’t yelling “get down” when they saw Darren Greenlaw of the 49ers running around with the ball after his INT at the end of the game?), Coach Schmitt records these and uses them to teach his coaches now in the off season.
Even Greenaw’s teammates appear to be yelling, “Get Down!”
Coach Schmitt talks about that approach here:
As you watch games in the off season, find the teachable moments. As Coach Schmitt points out, “It’s better to learn from the mistakes of others.”
We move on to Championship Weekend. I’m sure there will be takeaways to learn from.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
P.S. Just a reminder that all of our current NFL Coach Clinics are on sale here.