Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works Great Coaching is Just Great Teaching with Al Borges
Nov 5, 2025
Al Borges, a retired college football coach with over 40 years of experience, shares his insights on how coaching parallels effective teaching. He discusses the importance of managing cognitive load and using detailed, micro-skills practices for developing athletes. Borges emphasizes treating new players as blank slates and making sure that learning translates to high-pressure game situations. He also highlights the vital role of relationships in coaching success, asserting that interpersonal connections outweigh mere strategies.
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Spring Football As Pure Teaching
- Al Borges loved spring football because it was "pure teaching" without game pressure.
- He used that time to slow down, teach fine details, and build fundamentals that paid off later.
Assume A Blank Slate To Build A Paradigm
- Coaches should 'cater to the lowest amoeba' by assuming newcomers know nothing and teaching basics thoroughly.
- A clear paradigm and insistence on matching it makes team play more predictable and successful.
Segment Practices With A Situational Checklist
- Structure practice into focused segments (individual work, situational reps, 7-on-7, 11-on-11) and time them.
- Track situational checklists so every key scenario (two-minute, red zone, third down) gets repeated across weeks.
