|
Often positive praise is more effective than negative, however we should be constantly talking to the players so they know we are there and watching. "Balls away, kicks away, we're done, roll off, up easy, push off the ground," etc... are all great preventative things to say and we need to constantly do so. Anytime you can give them a positive on something they did, it will prevent more negatives than you can imagine. They players love it when you give them a complicment, especially if it is for sportsmanship.
I tell the captains these exact words during our captains meeting. "Guys, when the QB throws a pass, I will yell ball's away, and I will yell it loud, you will here me. After that, the QB should not be hit. Now I know you cannot stop your momentum on a dime, but I had better see you letting up on your contact because if you don't, or if you drive him into the ground, we will have a flag EVERY time. It is very important that you go back and tell the rest of your defensive players this so a late hit doesn't hurt your team." It takes only about 20 seconds, which is more time than I spend on any other single part of my pregame meeting, but I see how well it works in the game. I had only one RTP over the last few seasons and EVERY game I see guys letting up and then I tell them "good job" every time they do. Often they even will look at me after they let up as to make sure I know they did as I asked. It has been a very good thing over my years as the R.
|