Football as a Business
After watching the Super Bowl this past weekend, I started to think, “What if a football team was run like a business?” The offensive team would be the production department, always pushing for the goal before the big deadline. And the defensive team would be sales and marketing, always watching the marketplace and the competition; ready to react. The head coach is obviously the CEO with his middle management staff running the different “departments”.
And imagine for a moment, that a failed game-winning field goal attempt was treated like an employee injury.
How it Would Work
First of all, each player’s contract will provide an annual bonus based on the lack of failed game- winning field goal attempts. The actual number of field goals made will be irrelevant, and any failed attempts early in the game or during lopsided games will be disregarded as minor. The field goal kicker will be held personally responsible for all failed game-winning attempts, regardless of distance or weather conditions.
Bad snaps, poor placement, or blocked kicks due to missed blocking assignments will not be considered. The fact that the attempt was unsuccessful will be the only measurable.
Secondly, there would be specific written procedures as to the proper method for kicking game- winning field goals. Although the kicker will be required to implement these procedures, he will not be involved in their development. An individual familiar with the basic rules of football and a slight knowledge of kicking will be tasked to write the procedures and conduct the training. Once the procedure is written, it will be placed in a binder with a bunch of other procedures never to be looked at again. Annually, the kicker will be required to attend four-hours of classroom training on the kicking procedure.
The kicking coach, as well as any other coaches, may or may not be required to attend this training. If the coach is required to attend, he will leave the training at least four times per hour to address other “more important issues”.
After the Football Missed Kick
The head coach would confer with the kicking coach only after a failed game-winning field goal attempt. This meeting would cover the following topics:
1. Who knows about the failed attempt? (Management, the fans, or, especially, the Football Rules Agency) (Note: If no one noticed the failed attempt, the meeting will be finished and no corrective actions will be taken)
2. What is the kicker’s salary and is his contract guaranteed? (Note: If the salary is guaranteed and the team will lose significant money if the kicker leaves, the meeting will be finished and no corrective action will be taken)
3. Are there any other kickers available? (Note: If no other kickers are available at the same salary, the meeting will be finished and no corrective action will be taken)
4. If the kicker a good guy? (Note: If the kicker is popular, the meeting will be finished and no corrective action will be taken)
5. How long has the kicker been kicking?
6. When was the kicker last trained on the written procedures for game-winning field goal attempts
7. Did the kicker follow the written procedures for game-winning field goal attempts?
8. Also, how many past failed game-winning field goal attempts has the kicker been involved with?
Result of the Meeting
Based on the meeting, the kicker will be given a verbal warning and be required to attend an additional four hours of classroom training to cover the same procedures. The entire team will be required to attend an all-hands team meeting to discuss the team’s scoring philosophy. Once again, coaches will not be required to attend. A second missed game-winning field goal will result in four hours of classroom training and a three-day suspension without pay. If the Football Rules Agency finds out about the failed attempts, the kicking coach will be fired.
Does this sound familiar? If your management team is just tracking claims, and not total incidents, they are missing the point.
Still have questions? Still want more information. Contact a risk advisor today at 914-357-8444. Or visit our website here.
About the Author:
As the founder of BRANTA Worldwide, Rodney Grieve has more than two-decades of hands-on leadership development and health and safety experience. A nationally recognized speaker, facilitator, and author (Defend Your Profits: Safety Tools for Bottom Line Improvement and SOAR: A Gate to Gate Journey of Leadership Essentials), Rodney personally conducts Branta’s workshops and mentoring programs. For more information, please contact Rodney directly at Rodney@branta.com or give him a call at 916.487.1919.
