I recently got this email:
Coach Fore,
A bunch of years ago, we were really struggling defensively. I was the Head Coach, and called the offense. My Defensive Coordinator was up in the box, called the defense from there, and was also my offensive line coach, so he helped me quite a bit with the offense. We had a small staff of just six of us. My DC asked me if he could switch with me. We talked through it. He was very capable of making any decisions on the sideline for me, so we made the move. It was VERY awkward for me as the Head Coach to be up in the booth, but it really helped out team out.
What we realized was that we had not done a great job of preparing our staff, and teaching them how to be a coach from the box on Friday nights. Here are some things that we learned that season to better prepare our coaching staff.
While coaches on the field are directly involved with the players, those in the booth offer a strategic advantage, overseeing the broader flow of the game. With the right communication, information sharing, and anticipation, booth coaches can become essential to in-game decision-making. Here are some things that we learned, and some strategies to enhance the effectiveness of coaches in the booth, especially when coaching up younger staff members.
1. Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities
Before game day, it’s essential that each coach, especially those in the booth, understands their specific role. A booth coach should not only be focused on X’s and O’s but also be assigned a specialized task—whether it’s tracking defensive coverages, identifying offensive tendencies, or focusing on field positioning. Defining responsibilities helps avoid overlap and ensures all key aspects of the game are being monitored.
Key Tip: Assign young booth coaches to specific tasks that match their strengths and experience. Allow them to focus on narrow, but important, responsibilities while gaining broader knowledge over time.
2. Create an Information Flow Chart
The effectiveness of booth coaches depends on the speed and clarity of their communication with field coaches. Develop a structured system for relaying information during games. For instance, assign a coach to monitor down-and-distance tendencies, while another tracks how specific players are reacting to certain plays.
Communication Points:
- Less Is More: Just the facts! Don’t get into a long dialogue. Things move fast.
- Short and Sweet: Teach young booth coaches to convey observations succinctly. Encourage them to provide solutions rather than just identifying problems. For instance, when I was a young coach in the box, I talked entirely too move about the problems I was seeing; this was not helpful as most of my talk was not “game day fixable.”
- Immediate Feedback: The faster the communication, the quicker the field coaches can react. Have booth coaches relay information after each play or series, rather than waiting until a drive ends.
Example Information Flow:
- Booth coach spots a defensive pattern → Relays info to coordinator with quick suggestions → Coordinator adjusts the play-calling for the next drive.
3. Develop a Step-Ahead Mentality
Booth coaches have the advantage of seeing the game from a bird’s-eye view, allowing them to think one or two plays ahead. Teach younger coaches to develop this mindset.
Anticipation Exercises:
- Predict the Next Play: During practice or while watching game film, have booth coaches guess what the opponent will run based on formation, personnel, and down-and-distance. Over time, this improves their ability to anticipate in real time.
- Game Situation Awareness: A step-ahead coach is always thinking about how the current play affects the overall game strategy. Encourage young coaches to stay aware of clock management, field position, and score scenarios.
5. Post-Game Review and Feedback
Improvement happens off the field as much as on it. Post-game film sessions provide a valuable learning opportunity for booth coaches to refine their skills. Focus these reviews not just on the decisions made during the game, but also on how well the booth team communicated and whether they successfully anticipated the opponent’s moves.
Feedback Process:
- Review communication breakdowns and successes. Did information from the booth reach the field efficiently?
- Encourage young coaches to reflect on moments where they were caught off guard. What could they have seen sooner?
- Create a playbook for future reference, where booth coaches document tendencies they’ve observed, improving their anticipation for future games.
6. Mastering In-Game Adjustments
One of the most important roles for booth coaches is helping the team make in-game adjustments. This involves not only reacting to what the opponent is doing but also predicting how they will adjust to your team’s strategies. For young coaches, this is often a difficult skill to develop, but with practice, they can become vital assets in making key adjustments.
Teach Them To:
- Identify Opponent Adjustments: Be quick to notice if the opposing team has adjusted to your strategy (e.g., shifting to zone coverage, using stunts on defense).
- Propose Countermeasures: As young coaches gain experience, they should not only report the problem but also suggest a counterplay or adjustment.
7. Effective Communication Devices
In-game communication is often influenced by the equipment used. Booth coaches should be comfortable using radios and other communication tools to relay information. I would always dust off our radios and set them up at Training Camp in August. Start using them during organized simulation of Team Offense or Team Defense. Coaches need practice too!
Training:
- Simulate game conditions during practices to ensure coaches in the booth can quickly and clearly convey information using headsets and radios.
- Incorporate hand signals or predefined codes for quicker communication, especially when dealing with time-sensitive plays or when communication equipment fails.
Are you an Assistant Coach with dreams of being a Head Coach one day? If so, there is no more comprehensive book than this 530 page game plan to become a Head Coach! There is NOTHING like this book on the market!
Chris Fore has his Masters degree in Athletic Administration, is a Certified Athletic Administrator and currently works as a Principal in Southern California (yes, he went to the “dark side” after 17 years of coaching!) He served as the President of the California Coaches Association for 3 years. Fore is the CEO of Eight Laces Consulting which specializes in helping coaches nationwide in their job search process. Fore has been named to the Hudl Top 100 Coaches, and the Top 5 Best High School Football Coaches to follow on Twitter by MaxPreps. Follow him!
