Was a bit player for a great ensemble cast. At this point, its really about fundamentals and improvement and less about winning (although I'll be the first to tell you losing all of the time stinks). There will be enough time for that in high school and college.
Putting together a winning team is like building a three legged stool: 1) you need talent (at least 2 good A, D, LSM, two good keepers and four middies of which 2 can face off. 2) Schemes that match your personnel: if you have less talent on offense you need to take advantage of off ball movement, picks, screens and seals. Perfect your offensive system decision making while allowing kids to be creative. The less defensive talent you have, pack it in and pray you have a great keeper. Perfect the slide packages and decision making. 3) Game and practice planning: You need to watch yourselves on film (coaches first and then a coaches and players together) focusing on teaching moments so you don't keep making the same stupid mistakes again. Specialist coaches for keepers and FOGOS (wing play also) and contingency plans for the following: ten man ride, MDD or even up zone D, etc. Fundamental repetition in practices (min of 3-4 days per week in season) with a healthy dose of new situational teaching/coaching and old lesson reinforcement. Always use the Socratic method in film and practice sessions. Today's kids are visual learners. Teach them how to watch film and make them get up in front of their peers and explain it. If you can get a big enough classroom, invite the parents to sit (they have to be quiet as a church mouse) through the film sessions. When the parents and players all understand the objectives and fundamentals of the offensive and defensive schemes and hear the boys self evaluate, they quickly realize "the film never lies".
