Interesting and thanks.
My gut check is other than the top 2 or so teams, the number of ST penalties isn't too far out of whack. We committed about .3 more penalties per game from being in the top 3rd. Not great, but not horrific.
The yards average over 9 yards per, which strongly suggests to me a lot of holding calls, which does line up with our return units being bad. And is more out of whack that some of the other teams in the league, suggesting a problem.
Of course, holding penalties are normally "discipline" related either. Players losing sometimes and resulting to holding isn't coaching. Getting out of position, etc. could be coaching.
Sometimes I hate it when the questions just keep going.
It’s at minimum an area of concern. Whenever you can avoid a flag each game that costs between -10 and -25 yards it needs attention. It’s just an easier area to fix because it’s mostly mental and mostly reviewing and coaching out bad habits and then reminding guys pre game set goals.
If you can get 3-5 yards per punt in blocking skill and avoid 1 flag per game you add like +25 to +30 yards of production. That could be 1 possession that I stall at their 46 yard line and go for it in 4th n 3 rather than being on my GB44 and punting.
This game is about
1. creating your momentum
2. Maintaining your momentum
3. Finishing with momentum.
First thing I’d do is hand out the old 5X7 card with the word MOMENTUM on it for guys to put under their pillow.
Next thing I’d do is individual text each player morning of a game the word momentum.
Then I’d reinforce it every time they get off that field. If you get a flag I want your 5X7 card back. I replace it with one that reads -23 Yards! Until I see improvement. Either that or I have a dead rubber chicken and you wear it in your locker if you play for me. Until the next guy messes up. Only then you hand it to him personally. I’ve used that for team building and you’d be surprised what a Dead Rubber Chicken on a grown man’s desk instills in him.
