Bob Ladouceur is one of the most successful high school football coaches that ever coached High School football. There is a book about his record at De Lasalle HS in California “When the Game Stands Tall” which is also a movie. I found this posted on Facebook by Coach Chip (Chip Seagle) & I thought it would go food for thought .

Six Winning Tips from Bob Ladouceur

Coach Lad was the longtime coach at De La Salle HS in Concord, CA. His teams won 11 national titles with a record 151-game winning streak.

1: Weekly Goals

Each week, players set their own specific, measurable practice and game goals. They reviewed their goals with the team. Teammates and coaches would challenge them and their goals. Players learned that goal setting was about accountability, execution, and commitment.

2: Player-Led Accountability

Players were expected to coach and hold each other accountable. Starters watched and coached backups during practice. Players gave each other technical feedback before coaches could. This created leadership throughout and a brotherhood of serving

3: Adaptability and Ownership

Instead of always giving players the answer, Ladouceur empowered them to figure it out on their own.

Players broke down film, identified defensive tendencies, and even suggested game plans. They turned into problem solvers, not just executors.

4: Consistent Feedback

Every drill included immediate, specific feedback to players on what they did well and what they needed to improve. It means being specific and not just saying, “That wasn’t good enough.” This makes it easier to build trust, improve, and reinforce high standards.

5: Teaching is the Foundation

Teaching is the foundation of coaching. If a coach can’t teach a player how to improve, they lose credibility with the player. Players will only respect a coach who is knowledgeable, passionate, and purposeful about how they interact and coach the team.

6: Power of Preparation

It means prepare with intention and effort, both mentally and physically. Ladouceuer credited De La Salle’s strength and offseason program as the key to sustained dominance. The teams that are strongest and best conditioned win in the fourth quarter.