Dealing With Players

Marc Trestman – Former Offensive Coordinator - Oakland Raiders

1. The Coach is Accountable

a. You are responsible for productivity at your position
2. Be Fair/Give Them Their Dignity
a. Be fair & honest with your players – treat them with respect
3. Define Players Roles Clearly
a. Always let players know where they stand and what their roles are on the
team
b. Communicate clearly with them on what they need to do in order to
improve
4. Become an Expert
a. Must have a thorough understanding of your player’s assignments,
techniques & fundamentals
b. Credibility with player is based on these areas – be sure to show your
expertise through a variety of materials
c. It’s okay to say “I don’t know” – but be sure to find out the answer for
them
5. Set a High Standard of Performance in Every Area
6. Constantly Evaluate “Standard of Performance”
7. Your Demeanor is Huge
a. Be excited, confident & enthusiastic (Jon Gruden)
8. Give Them Direction
a. Players want direction – it’s our job to give it to them
9. You Get What You Demand
a. Do not accept mediocrity
10. Trust Takes Time
a. Players must be convinced that you have their best interests in mind
11. It’s Not About Being Liked
a. You need to push athletes
12. Use Your Creativity (Think about it)
a. Make hard work fun
13. Treat Each Player as an Individual
a. Show them you care – know their families
b. Call them to see how they are doing
14. Be Firm, Fair & Consistent with Players
a. Never embarrass them – keep profanity down
15. Do Not be Intimidated by a Disrespectful Player
a. Coach always keeps control
16. There is a Fine Line Between Discipline & Harassment
a. No name calling
17. Do Not Allow the Locker Room to be a “Players Only” Sanctuary
18. Do Not Allow the Star Players to Run Their Own Agenda
19. Insist on Excellence & Hold Players to That Standard
20. Find a Way to Build Cohesiveness
21. Be Proactive and not Reactive with Players
22. Exhaust All Methods of Motivation with Your Players
a. Music, videos, guest speakers, etc
23. Be Ready to Adjust to a Player but do not Compromise What You Believe in as a
Coach
24. Every Player Learns Differently
a. Hear it
b. See it
c. Write it
d. Walk it
e. Run it
f. Rep it
25. Monitor Injured Players Intelligently
a. Be careful & smart
b. Your #1 job is their safety
26. Preview Practice
27. Be Careful How You Socialize with Players
28. Avoid Making a Player a Whipping Boy
29. Do Not Discuss One Player with Another
30. Be Detailed in Grading of Players
a. Don’t use personal feelings
31. Be Exact in Your Coaching
32. You Can’t Correct Every Mistake on the Field
33. Coach Every Player the Same
34. Coaches Must be Seen Around the Players
35. Be Patient with a Developing Player
 Making Practices More Efficient

Marc Trestman – Former Offensive Coordinator - Oakland Raiders

1. Expectations
a. Every phase needs to be clearly defined
i. Team
ii. Units
iii. Players
2. Must develop & remind each other to have “common respect” for player safety
3. Run to drills
a. More accomplished
b. High energy
c. Start fast – practice fast – play fast
4. Practice tempo
a. Walk through – thud – full contact
b. Starts with huddle
i. Get lined up quickly
ii. Sets defense
c. Explosive movement
i. To ball
ii. Off ball
iii. Finish (huge)
A. Sell it
B. Habit
C. Use video
D. Ball must be secure
E. D must cooperate (let QB throw ball, etc.)
5. No penalties
a. Pre-snap penalties
b. Use officials in practice
c. Grade off of the tape – be critical
d. Sanction them
6. Stay off of the ground
a. Safety issue
b. Keep your feet (keep moving)
c. Don’t dive for balls or fumbles
7. Never pull a jersey (safety issue)
a. Injury possibilities
b. Can’t finish
8. Do not jump & bat down balls
9. DL should not bull rush
10. D players stay away from QB
a. QB safety
b. D coaches must sell this to their players
11. Defensive Backs
a. Do not play through the body
b. Bump & run must be a shadow technique (don’t jump receivers)
 c. Avoid collisions
d. D periods are different
12. Cooperation blocks
a. Screens
b. Sprint out passes
c. WR on “check” motions