Disappointed with his football team's losing record in 2005, Millbrook coach Clarence Inscore turned to his players for advice. He conducted "exit interviews," hoping to hear suggestions that might improve the team and help him become a better coach.

Inscore said he wanted the truth.

The truth was, his team wanted him to tone it down.

In response to his queries, 60 percent of his players told him that yelling did not make them more productive. Players also said coaches were too demanding in practice, leaving them worn out before games.

Armed with this information, Inscore did what many high school coaches in the Triangle have been forced to do: He made wholesale changes and moved away from the traditional fire and brimstone approach.

He learned what many coaches are beginning to realize. Many players no longer respond to those kinds of tactics.

So it is less common for coaches to throw a tantrum at a player's expense or grab a player's face mask and scream about an error.

More often, with players expressing their dislike for these motivational tactics, coaches are skipping their gruff lectures and simply correcting players' mistakes. Some coaches are also scaling back physical practices to keep players fresher.

"It really makes you take a look at yourself," Inscore said. "We're trying to explain things and coach rather than just yelling or feeling the need to be loud."

Some football players in the Triangle say they are fine with coaches yelling and know that comes with playing the game. Others are less receptive to overbearing, high-volume speeches.

"It's effective but some kids can't take it," Millbrook senior Cole McLaurin said. "After you yell it just hurts them even more. They are filled with guilt. It puts stress on them."

Inscore, in his sixth year as coach, said that on a 10-point scale, he adjusted his tone from a 10 to a 7. He's opened the lines of communication, talking regularly with a players committee. He reduced the number of days players wore pads in practice, making for less hitting.

"He's gotten in better touch with the guys," McLaurin said.

Although the Wildcats opened at 1-4, Inscore said the changes have resulted in more enthusiasm, which he hopes will net more victories and enhance player's experiences.

"If you don't find what works for your kids, you're not going to be successful," he said. "I don't think kids respond the same as we did. Times have changed."

Dr. Joel Fish, the director of the Center for Sport Psychology in Philadelphia, and author of "101 Ways to Be a Terrific Sports Parent," has worked with high school athletes and coaches around the country. He said students do not respond as they might have 20 years ago.

In general, he said, players still crave discipline and are willing to respect authority, but their tolerance levels are different.

"You can't just berate, curse, attack and expect to have them respond in a positive way," Fish said. "If the goal is to have kids reach their potential that's not going to cut it."

Fish said this doesn't mean players are "soft" or that discipline is unnecessary. He said the rules have changed but the coach is still the authority figure and should not walk on eggshells around players.

Fish said he has found that coaches have adjusted by listening more and communicating better with parents.

In the Triangle, a number of coaches are trying to adjust.

Sanderson coach Jason Tindal said he has retired his "semi-tyrant" ways and conformed to the needs of his players. He does not run players ragged in the same ways as when he was an assistant coach in 1994.

Tindal said the only time coaches raise their voices is when there is a lack of effort.

"If you're a constant screamer, you won't be a coach long in our system and at Sanderson," he said. "Our administration has made that very clear. I have to constantly remind myself."

Wake Forest-Rolesville coach Earl Smith never considered himself a screamer in his 20 years of coaching. That says nothing about his intensity, chilling scowl and iron-clad style.

Even so, Smith has had to make some adjustments since he took over the Cougars' program three years ago.

Although he still values discipline, Smith decided recently that his regimented system needed flexibility. Players asked for and received a 30-minute free period to break the monotony of pre-game preparation.

Two years ago, Smith started asking players to fill out student evaluations, a sign that he was more willing to listen.

Some coaches have mellowed but will always be true to themselves. Clayton's Gary Fowler is known for his heated outbursts. Twenty years ago he threw a clipboard down in disgust -- now he only throws a hat.

Although Fowler said he has calmed down and is more apt to bring a young man close and explain, he still has his moments.

That's just fine with his players. Senior Tyler Dean says Fowler yells with love and shows he cares.

Dean got an ear full after jumping offsides during a playoff game last season.

"It made me feel like he knows what I'm capable of and he knows I can do better," Dean said.