TRAITS OF A GOOD FOOTBALL PLAYER

DESIRE: Desire is the determination to overcome an opponent, whether by delivering a solid block or by shaking off the block attempt of an opponent and going on to make the tackle. Desire is a state of mind, an abandonment of self, a form of courage, the joy of mixing it up. It is doing one's best, calling up whatever reserve power is available and never quitting. It is playing both for oneself and for the team's interest. It is the exercise of a determined will. It flows from your competitive spirit and drives you to achieve your goal. Desire is available to all kids, not just to a gifted few. We, as coaches, firmly believe that the size of the heart is more important than the size of the body. Desire is 100% effort, 100% of the time.

CONFIDENCE: The belief that he can do what he has been asked to do. Football is a sport that builds it. The coaches may yell and bark from time to time, but the idea is not to humiliate or hurt the players, it’s to get the kids to wake up, to realize that they are part of a team, and their actions affect their teammates. Most kids will get yelled at and be upset by it. Parents will be worried by it and begin to feel protective. The coach is just trying to motivate the player, to toughen him up, to prepare him, and to get him excited enough to put forth the effort needed to play football. Sometimes the coaches will need to bark at a player who is not paying attention. We don’t do it because we like to yell, and we certainly don’t do it to make the player feel bad. We do it because all team sports, football especially, require team effort. A player who is doing his own thing, talking, or not paying attention while the coaches are teaching, is risking possible injury to himself or a teammate, and is setting himself up for failure. Remember, as the great Woody Hayes once said, “Discipline is something you do for someone, not to them.”
 

THE LOVE OF THE GAME:  This is an important part of any football player. A good football player enjoys the competition of a depth chart, and is willing to work his way up the ladder to starter. They have the willingness to play any position. They have the motivation to study the playbook and be responsible to their teammates.

HIGHLIGHTED TEAM RULES

·        Keep up with your schoolwork. Poor grades in school and not completing homework will result in disciplinary actions by the coaches.

·        If you don't practice, you don't play. All excused absences must be coordinated with the coaches. We have a minimum play rule. However, if you don't make an effort to attend practices, we as coaches are not required to play you. Generally a missed practice will result in a missed quarter of that week’s game unless the absence is excused.

·        What the coaches say goes. Back talking, profanity, or any form of disrespect will result in disciplinary actions. With the high quality of kids we have on this team, this is not expected to be a problem.

·        Respect other players. Remember your teammates are working with you, not against you. Any unnecessary aggression or violence towards another player will result in disciplinary actions. This also goes for our opponents. Without them, there would be no football game, so treat them with respect.

·        Take care of your equipment. Let the coaches know if your equipment needs repair. This is the key to safety.

·        Wear your mouthpiece when required. On game day, if a player draws a safety penalty for not having a mouthpiece in, he will sit out the remainder of that quarter.

·        Come to practice prepared to work and play.

·        Learn the rules of the game. Remember especially the safety rules. Players who draw flags for unsportsmanlike conduct, clipping, late hits, or other serious safety violations may be removed for the remainder of the game.

·        Know the name of each position.

·        Arrive on time for practices and games. Six pm means you are on the field and in position at six pm, so you must be a few minutes early. A six pm practice begins at 5:55pm.

·        Study your playbook daily. The shortened season makes it all the more important for each player to learn his responsibilities early and well. This can only be accomplished by studying the playbook outside of practice.

REWARDS

Rewards can come in two forms: verbal and material. Many of the rewards a player receives are positive reinforcement from coaches and parents. Often the coaches will not require individuals to run sprints at the end of practices if the player has showed some exceptional behavior. However, the best reward is always a smile and a pat on the back by a parent. Game captains will be used to honor our hardest workers. A game captain has shown, through considerable effort that week, that he deserves the honor of representing our team to the officials. Typically game captains will be drawn from the ranks of offensive and defensive linemen, because it is their hard work and determination that will make us successful this season.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Running is an everyday part of practice. On those few occasions when it is necessary to discipline a player for a minor infraction, like failing to pay attention, or talking while the coaches are talking, the player may be asked to run additional laps around the practice field, do pushups, or perform another exercise. Normally that will be the end of disciplinary action. A player will be asked to leave practices early for more severe incidents (i.e. fighting or profanity). If a parent is not present the player will be supervised until the child is picked up. The last resort is to use game suspensions. Coaches will use each of these sparingly. With such a high caliber of kids, severe disciplinary problems are not expected to be a problem on this team.

FIELD POSITIONS

During the first few weeks of practice the coaches will decide the best position for each player. In general, the fastest kids play in the backfield on both offense and defense. The biggest most heavily built kids play on the line. Aggressive kids who combine speed, strength, and agility play linebacker. Taller kids who have some quickness play end, offensive end if they can catch and block, or defensive end if they have the discipline required for that position. The quarterback is the one who has it all: He must know every position, and have agility, good hands, and a strong arm. He must be able to receive snaps, remember plays, and hand off the ball securely. Throwing the football is secondary when compared to the player's ability to lead the offensive unit and earn the respect of his teammates. The Quarterback must know every position, every play for the entire offense. He is the field general of the team, and the coach on the field.

A key thing to remember is the importance of the offensive line. Without a strong, motivated, and disciplined offensive line our offense will go backwards more often than forwards. Without dominating linemen to block for them our backs cannot run for touchdowns. Therefore, it is important to understand that lineman is a coveted position on this team. Although you cannot carry the ball, you, more than any other person, are responsible for the success of this team. A player is never condemned to play offensive line; they earn the right through hard work and effort. To be an offensive lineman on this team is to be one of the elite: you will be stronger, faster, and better trained than any other player in this league. That is our coaches’ promise to you.

Defense is the key to winning football. Vince Lombardi once said, “A good offense will win you games, but a good defense will win you championships.” Playing defense requires a more aggressive mentality and a desire to make an impact. The coaches have put in literally hundreds of hours of research in order to find and develop the most effective defense for this level of play. Our defense requires much more discipline than some others, so our defensive players must be ready to do the right thing, first time, and every time.

The defensive unit also uses a quarterback, called Sam, who is the strong side linebacker. Sam must be the most "football smart" player on the team, and a strong leader as well. He must also know every player's position and responsibility for the defense. In the defensive huddle, Sam is the only player who talks.

A kid's attitude plays a large role in the position they play. The kid who has a bad attitude, who is oversensitive, or who demonstrates any sort of problem with a position will be passed over. A negative attitude is costly. When selecting starting players, attitude and desire wins over ability every time. Can’t has no place on this football team.

If you wish to play a particular position, then make an effort to study the playbook for that position’s responsibilities. We will give you the chance to earn any position on the team. Make certain you do not neglect your assigned position while you are learning the new one though!

WINNING

Nothing in life, including football, is worthwhile unless you enjoy it and gain something from the experience. Sure, we're trying to win football games and we are going to set our goals high, but it shouldn’t ruin our lives if we lose. Our football team should not believe that a football loss is a tragedy. All you can ask of our kids is to do their best. If we win, Great! If we lose, it's not the end of the world. There will be another game along in a few days. Coaches that think only of winning don't belong in football. Try this: Ask your child if he had a good time instead of whether he won or lost.

By the same token, we feel that we owe it to the players to do everything we can to make them winners. We plan to win every game, because if you don’t, then you need to ask yourself which game you plan to lose, and if you’re planning to lose, why show up, or practice the week before?

We’re going to practice hard, we’re going to play hard, and our scores will reflect this.

COACHES

We can only do our best. We view coaching as an awesome responsibility. Your coaches will:

·        Get the players in shape

·        Understand each player's potential

·        Work on individual skills for each position

·        Work on team execution of plays

·        Motivate, communicate, lead

·        Perform the “behind the scenes work” that will give the players the maximum chance of success; like researching our opponents and doing necessary scouting.

·        Teach the players the skills they need to play football safely

Coaches must have the freedom to develop three things in their athletes: pride, poise, and self-confidence. We use the following steps to instruct the game of football.

·        Explain what is required

·        Demonstrate the technique

·        Have the player perform the technique

·        Explain the consequences of not performing the technique properly

·        If necessary, execute the consequences

If you have any problems with the coaching staff please contact one of the Directors at 903-957-0265 or 903-957-3405 or JesusWrestlers@aol.com .

PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

Each player is required to supply the following equipment in order to play football.

·        Athletic supporter with protective cup

·        Socks

·        Custom mouth guards, if preferred, (Made by dentists) must attach to helmet face guard

·        Water jug containing only water or a sport drink such as Gatorade

·        Shoes, must not have detachable cleats.

Players will be issued the following equipment:

·        Helmet with face mask and a chin strap

·        Shoulder pads

·        Game Pants

·        Game Jersey

·        Game Socks

This equipment must be returned to the HHSM Youth Football Program at the season's end or parents will forfeit their deposit check for replacement equipment.

PARENTS

Parents are as important to the success of the team as the players. Coaches and parents must work together. Please keep the coaches informed about problems that may be going on with your child. If the child has been sick, taking medication, or going through some emotional trauma please make sure the coaches are made aware of the problem as soon as possible. Parents and coaches must communicate with mutual respect. Parents and coaches reserve the right to postpone conversations that are getting out of hand. Heated discussions have no place in front of the players.

Although many parents have coaching experience, and may have played on a higher level then the current coaches of this team, the coaches must ask that you refrain from coaching your kids at home. These kids are being taught to play as a team, each player performing a set function that his teammates can rely on. A player who abandons his teammates to do something his parents coached him to do is letting down his team, his coaches, and himself.  At best he may open up the door for the opponent to win the game, at worst he may cause himself or a teammate to be injured.

PRACTICES

Every week practices may be different. New skills are learned, problem areas are corrected, and new plays are taught. Your child will be at a disadvantage by not making practice on time and regularly.  Practices for 1A, 2A, 3A, and flag teams are held primarily on Monday and Wednesdays.  Some Thursdays may be added, if the situation should arise.  Practices are from 6pm to 8:00pm. Practices for the Flag Team are held two times a week only.  Practices will be held at ­­­–Herman Baker Park, on Center Street and Rosedale Park, at the end of Grand Avenue.  Home games will be behind Sherman High School. 

HOME CONDITIONING

Proper nutrition and hydration is very important to a young football player. Players need to drink as much water as possible every day; at least four to six glasses. Heat stroke is always a danger, despite cooler weather during fall, so it is very important to stay hydrated at all times. It is also recommended that players wear a tee shirt under their pads and jersey to help keep them warm during the colder practices and games.

Players need a high-carbohydrate diet, with plenty of fruits and vegetables and few fats and sugars. We will not be teaching any form of weight lifting other than standard calisthenics like pushups and sit-ups. If your child wishes to lift weights during the off-season he is encouraged to do so, provided he obtains a doctor’s permission to do so and has his workout designed by a specialist in youth fitness. Improper weight lifting can cause irreparable damage to young joints and bones. We will be discussing proper nutrition and fitness throughout the season in our nightly “Chalk Talks”, but we will not at any time be engaging in weight lifting.

CHALK TALKS

Chalk Talks are a five to ten-minute period near the end of every practice where the coaches will teach or discuss a wide variety of topics with the players. Sometimes we will tell old “war” stories of our days in football to motivate the players. Sometimes we’ll discuss athletic role models. Sometimes we’ll discuss nutrition and fitness. Chalk Talks are an important part of playing football. They give the coaches a chance to teach concepts that may otherwise be left out of a regular practice due to time constraints or other reasons. Practice is not over until the Chalk Talk ends.

NECESSARY SKILLS OF FOOTBALL

The following skills will be taught during the preseason, and will be honed by daily practice. They are highly important to a successful football team.

OFFENSIVE SKILLS: BLOCKING

DRIVE BLOCK:

·        Explode from your stance with the foot closest to the opponent and drive your hips forward on the third and fourth steps, through the block.

·        Start with short, choppy steps, and keep your feet moving.

·        Deliver the block from a wide base, and keep your head up and shoulders square.

·        Punch hands or forearms into the opponent to establish momentum, and deliver the blow on impact with the forearms, not the head.

• Keep your head on the side of the opponent toward the hole, and follow through with short, choppy steps, turning the opponent away from the hole.

PASS BLOCKING:

·        Keep your head up and your rear end down.

·        Keep your back straight.

·        Place your feet shoulder-width apart, keep them moving, and flex your knees.

·        Keep the weight of your body and head over your feet, never in front of them.

·        Hold your elbows in with the hands, ready to ward off the challenge of the defensive linemen.

 DEFENSIVE SKILLS: TACKLING

Tackling is the single most important skill in football. Every player will be taught to tackle correctly, and the coaches will be insisting on a proper four point tackle at all times. The four points are:

·        Hit (Place shoulder into closest hip of ball carrier)

·        Wrap (Throw arms around ball carrier and grip his jersey with both hands)

·        Lift (Using the legs and not the back raise the ball carrier 1-2 inches from the ground)

·        Drive (Using short choppy steps drive into the ball carrier to break his momentum and push him off balance)

At all times these tackling points will be adhered to, for the safety of the tackler and the ball carrier, and the good of the team. Players who fail to execute one or all of the four points will be sent to “remedial tackling” and given extra training. This is not a punishment; it is a reinforcement of the correct tackling technique.

HEAD-ON TACKLE:

·        Make sure that you are under control so as not to overrun the ball carrier or dive and miss a tackle.

·        Watch the ball carrier’s hips. They will tell you where he is going.

·        Maintain a wide, balanced stance; keep the feet moving with choppy steps.

·        Extend your arms and head in front of your body.

·        Keep your head up, your back arched and your knees slightly bent.

·        Slide your head to the outside, putting your facemask on the ball just before making contact.

·        Drive your shoulder into the “bull’s eye” on the ball carrier’s thigh pad.

·        With your arms, grasp behind the legs of the ball carrier and pull him toward you.

·        Lift and pull the ball carrier toward you as you take him off his feet.

·        Drive with short choppy steps to push the ball carrier off balance.

ANGLE TACKLE:

·        Keep under control and be ready to move in any direction.

·        It's important to maintain a good balanced stance in a good hitting position.

·        Drive your head in front of the ball carrier's number, across the line of his run.

·        Drive your shoulder upward on the runner in the “bull’s eye”.

·        With your arms, grasp the runner behind the legs and lift him off the ground.

·        Arch your back to lift and drive through the ball carrier.

·        Keep the feet moving with short choppy steps as you finish the tackle.

OPEN-FIELD TACKLE:

·        Keep under control with your legs bent.

·        Use the sideline to your advantage, penning in or getting an angle on the runner.

·        Your number one priority is to grasp the runner.

·        Once you have a hold on the runner, help should be soon to arrive. But, if possible, try to drive him out of bounds or pull him to the turf.

·        Don't worry about driving through the man or delivering a hard blow. Your sole responsibility is to get a hold of the player and prevent the score.

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR HEAD UP WHEN YOU BLOCK OR TACKLE!