Mark Farist

Ways to set the tone as a leader - Be on time. - Over-Communicate. - Be Prepared. - Bring Energy.

When I hear “why go play in a meaningless bowl” I think about Will Muschamp watching his walk-on QB son play in one. Sports are wonderful. I’d give anything to go back & play one more game. You only get a few of them. But ND stuck it to ESPN, amirite?

@ermukeshkv @jasonscheer @irenekazakos Awesome! 👏🏼

@jasonscheer After handing over the home run ball, young fan Lincoln was invited into the Phillies’ locker room — where Harrison Bader gifted him a signed bat 👏❤️ (via @irenekazakos)

This woman has no idea how her life is about to change

**Giveaway** Giving away a copy my book, "100 Football Situations". Situations every coach should know! To enter, just be following and RT/like this post. Draw 1 winner Tuesday. Click the link to see more or order the book amazon.com/100-Football-S…

18 tips to make practices better Football practice is starting all over the country. Every team is excited. The teams still excited late in the season will have effective and efficient practices. Here are 18 practical tips to help make your practices more effective and efficient: #18 – Find as many ways as possible to play the game Kids may play basketball, baseball, soccer on their own…but they will never play 11 on 11 tackle football on their own. They need the practice time to get better at football. Limit drills that don’t involve playing the game.  #17 – Give each period a focus Every period (indy, group, team) needs a focus. Write it on the practice script and make sure you got better.  Example: Working counter – make sure you work bouncing a squeezing DE. If nothing else, get better at that before the period is over. These small wins will compound, and you will get much better at more than 1 thing. #16 – Warmup playing the sport The start of practice can be a great time to steal some football time. Warmup in position groups doing football movements, pat & go, etc…whatever works for you. If you want to get as many football movements as possible, utilize warmup. #15 – Use 2 huddles when possible If you have the capability, use 2 huddles as much as you can. Right after 1 huddle runs the play, the other runs a play while 1st huddle is regrouping. This gets young guys reps without taking away from the 1st team. #14 – Limit standing around by stealing time If the OL doesn’t play on kickoff, send them to indy during that time and do not assign the OL coach a job on kickoff. Seems simple, but you can steal time like this over and over in practice if you pay attention. #13 – Base plans on what you plan to run/see So much time is wasted on practice running plays you likely won’t even call in the game.  Use data for down/distance, hash, and plays to determine what you will practice. Practice what you know you will see (defense) or call (offense) as much as possible. #12 – Utilize post-practice If you want to steal some time, have the players do the post-practice stretch while the Head Coach gives the “post-practice” talk (players are not usually listening much anyway) and then end practice in your individual groups doing some extra work. #11 – Use headsets Utilize your headsets in practice. This allows the coaches to communicate, coach on the run, and practice will be more efficient.  Dust those headsets off on days that aren’t Friday and see if it helps. #10 – Use your terminology Kids do not understand football like you do. Quit trying to get them to understand it. When talking to the OL in a drill, tell them the play you are running when working that movement rather than the technical terms.  You need them to learn your scheme. #9 – Take pride in transitions What is emphasized improves. If you take pride in your transitions, you will be able to accomplish more in practice in a shorter period. Make the transitions fun and the coaches must set the tone for the transitions. Be prepared for the next period.   #8 – Create a clear, concise practice manual The Head Coach should lay out all responsibilities pre- and post-practice as well as how each period should run. There should be no guessing as to what each coach should be doing during all parts of practice. Have a plan, write it down. #7 – Have a system for injury management Unfortunately, players will inevitably get injured. There needs to be protocols in place as to what they will do and how they will work to return. Injured players not having a clear plan can hurt the productivity of the others practicing. #6 – Limit the monologues Coach on the run. If you must stop practice over and over, you probably need to video and show the video later to the people making you slow down. Kids learn by doing much more than you stopping practice and preaching. #5 – Organize scout teams Take some time and have organized scout teams. This is some of the best work you can do before practice to make practice go smooth. Have “starters” and “backups” at each position on the scouts and post them for the players to know where to go.. #4 – Rotate between offense and defense I wish I had done this more.  Instead of doing an hour or offense and an hour of defense after, go back and forth more like a game. It will be confusing and chaotic at first, but you will settle in and be more “game ready” #3 – Finish with enthusiasm Practice can be monotonous at times.  Make sure to find a way to finish with enthusiasm.  The players need to leave excited about the time they invested in practice and looking forward to what the future holds with the team. #2 – There are no extra points for the longest practice While this list is long, your practice should not be. Be aware of people’s time. Use the things on this list and more to make your practices efficient so you can get the kids home to their families, homework, jobs, etc. #1 – Utilize the components of good instruction Practice is the same as the classroom. Use your knowledge as a teacher to use the components of good instruction: Motivation, Organization, Efficiency, Variety, and Adaptability. Use all that teaching PL you have done over the years to help your team be better. All those things that may work in “theory”, really work in sports because your students asked to be in this class!

@chris_parker222 Sid Maxwell ‘Free Kick’ off punt fair catch. 🫵🏼

Some vacationed for spring break, I started a situational football series... 100 guests from now until the 2024 season. 1st drops tomorrow. Listen wherever you get podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/par… See below for tentative release dates. Still recording some so may change

@finebaum Trevor Lawerence

Who's the best HS FB player you've ever seen?

Due to Cherokee County’s inclusion in the National Weather Service’s Winter Weather Advisory for potentially dangerous/hazardous conditions, all Cherokee County School District schools/facilities will be closed tomorrow, January 16, 2024.

Teaching and coaching are the same thing. Good coaches are good teachers.

@chris_parker222 Absolutely inform your admin if you have been asked to interview for another job if you have a level of interest for that new job request. Common professional courtesy to inform and explain your thought process in granting that interview request.

I'm going to try to write a blog about "coaching etiquette". Some of the things I have heard recently make me think it's necessary. Let me know what I have left off, but here is what I have so far....

I saw this live last night as I was court side at state final 4.

Absolutely the very BEST GA Hoops coverage!

A nation devoid of Christ is a nation of division and chaos. We need Jesus, the Prince of Peace. #LearningInTheJourney

As an Athletic Director, this is the form we would use to interview Head Coaches. Maybe it can help someone out today. ParkerResources.org

My last football book, Work to Win: 10 Practical Tips to Win Football Games, is available! I put all I have into this and feel like everyone can pick up something to help their team. Please help me spread the word. Click the link to see more. a.co/d/bfXJBuz

@coachozprice Used this Biblical teaching in my small group class this morning. 💪🏼

Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

@coachozprice Congratulations Cooper!

Just like that! Sophomore season complete. So proud to be his dad.

@chris_parker222 Sid Maxwell @football_dawson Also, should make for good stories/memories for you and Michael.

Looking for podcast guests... Who would you like to hear on our podcast??