WYC 035 Brian Brunkow from ZeroOffseason.com talks Football, Concussions, and Coaching kids with Divorced Parents

What does it take to be a winning youth coach? Listen in as Brian Brunkow shares stories and discusses his journey to becoming a successful youth sports coach.

Brian is the founder of ZeroOffseason.com, where he trains wide receivers and blogs about youth sports, concussions, recruiting, and many more topics.  Brian is a divorce attorney and financial planner.  His background in divorce law has given him a unique perspective on the importance of dealing with divorced parents when coaching young athletes.  Brian began coaching his Junior year of High School, and has been coaching football ever since.  He recently was added to the speaker bureau at Glazier Clinics and will be speaking at their Head Coach Academy this spring on "Recruiting Regulations Every High School Head Coach Must Know."

Website: zerooffseason.com

Blog: zerooffseason.blogspot.com

Twitter: @ZeroOffseason

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Coaching/Leadership Quote

'We run a forward-looking operation' - Chip Kelly after tough loss

My ‘Cringe’ Moment

Ego - Early on Brian ran a no-huddle offense just to get penalties on the defense - but in retrospect - what was he really accomplishing?

Priorities - Was he focused on winning, or developing ALL of the kids?

Leadership - It's easy to get caught up in the moment and fail to communicate with your assistant coaches - prioritize over-communicating with your assistants

My ‘Ah-Ha’ Moment

Importance of communicating at the level they can understand - and keep the explanation short (under 10 seconds)

Teaching Children & Keeping it Fun

Cross-train kids on different positions within a sport - they learn the game much better

Explain the 'Why' - so they can truly learn the game

From post-game to Monday practice - have kids think of:

1 thing they did well

1 thing they want to improve on

1 lesson they learned

Huge Idea #1

3 areas to have the kids focus:

1 - set process oriented goals (setting mini-goals within the game)

2 - get present (teach the kid the big red delete button)

3 - control the controllables

Mental Peak Performance

Huge Idea #2

Play present - The delete button, and 'put on the thought-brakes'

Visualization - 2 things:

1 - Visualize the worst-case scenario - and realize that failure will not define you

2 - Post-game - Parents/coaches - Don't discuss suggested improvements for at least 24 hours after a game

Coaching Resources

Bookmark your state's interscholastic site - free resources on safety, concussions, etc.

'Peak Performance Sports' newsletter by Dr. Patrick Cohn - lots of mental tips

Ted Talks - Great talks, one on 'grit' is great

Your library

Concussion Safety

Best resource - go to Center for Disease Control website

The 2nd concussion is the most dangerous one!

Things to look for:

Sluggish behavior

Slurring words

Change in behavior

USA Football offers a great program: 'Heads-up Football'

Discipline

Don't use conditioning as a punishment

3 Types of mistakes:

1 - Mental errors - Find a consequence that hits home with the athlete

2 - Behavior errors - 3 strikes then you're sitting out the rest of practice

3 - Safety errors - get parents involved

Rewards/Teambuilding

Focus rewards on process more than outcomes

To inspire conditioning - when offense scores,...