The barbells have been banging and the weights have been thrown around the weight room. The air has been full of footballs as 7 on 7 games were played at local high schools. Football coaches run drills for speed, agility, and technique. It's a high energy atmosphere as football camps roll throughout Illinois and across the country. High school association rules allow for much more contact with the athletes than several years ago and the importance of weight training can't be disputed. There is no question that players are bigger, faster, stronger, in better shape, better coached and more prepared than at any time I can remember.
I'm dating myself, but I can recall when I started high school football in 1965, there was basically nothing going on in the summer at our school in Illinois. We weren't very good, and maybe that's part of the reason why, but I suspect that we were not the only ones that had no summer football program. Oh, starting my sophomore year in '66 a new coach was hired and he had seniors lead workouts 2 weeks before the first official practice. It was low key and not well attended or taken seriously by the players. The coach was no where to be seen, I assume because it was against the rules, so there was no coaching. Basically, the season started on the first day of practice around the third week in August. It truly was "hell week" because we were so out of shape. The coaches had 3 weeks to get us physically and mentally ready for the first game in the middle of September. We started in the middle of September and finished a week before Thanksgiving. There were no playoffs in Illinois. Offenses and defenses weren't as sophisticated and most teams ran the football at least ninety per cent of the time. Passes were thrown now and then to make our opponents think we actually had a passing game. What a difference from today! Programs now resemble efficient college programs.
To be competitive in today's world of high school football, coaches must do what they can to keep getting better. Sometimes I think it would be okay to go back to the old days of limited work in the summertime. As long as everyone gets the same amount of time, it's fair for all. Today's high school football player truly needs to be dedicated and committed to the program. I think today's coach does a great job of motivating his player's all year round. Regardless of how we feel about today's approach, this is the way it is and I sure don't see it changing anytime soon. I would only emphasize that it's important to work hard - but try to keep it fun!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Power of Sports
Inspiring!
Sometimes we use adjectives that are overused or exaggerate. I'm reluctant to use some words that would describe a movie. God is awesome. Earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes are terribly powerful. Abraham Lincoln was an incredible man. But movies are just good or very good; maybe thought provoking. Having said that, there are a few recent sport movies that I have seen in the last few years that I found moving and inspiring. I loved the movies Seabiscuit and Cinderella Man. They showed how a sport figure or story could lift a nation's spirits when it needed it most. Think of that; AN ENTIRE NATION! And they were great stories. True stories, no less. I can now add Invictus to that list.
Invictus is a Clint Eastwood film about how South Africa's Nelson Mandela used the national rugby team to unite the country after decades of apartheid. Matt Damon plays Francois Pineaar, the rugby team's captain and Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela in convincing fashion. Nelson Mandela showed great insight in realizing the power of sport. He was the only man who understood the importance of the World Cup in Rugby that was to be hosted by South Africa in 1995. He saw it as a way to unite an entire nation that was deeply divided by racial lines. I came away with a new appreciation for Nelson Mandela. What transpired will leave you shaking your head in amazement. I highly recommend seeing it.
In much the same way on a lesser scale, high school football, particularly in small towns, can inspire and bring a community together in the fall. When the local football team is on a roll, listen to the conversation at the local coffee shop, at the barbershop, in church or at the store. You will hear the townspeople talking about "their boys" constantly. Most of the town turns out on Friday night to cheer them on. It's a really cool american phenomenon. So, do I think it's a stretch to compare the effects of high school football to such great stories as Seabiscuit, Cinderella Man, and Invictus? Heck no, not for a minute. It's just one of the reason I love high school sports and high school football. It can be inspiring!
Sometimes we use adjectives that are overused or exaggerate. I'm reluctant to use some words that would describe a movie. God is awesome. Earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes are terribly powerful. Abraham Lincoln was an incredible man. But movies are just good or very good; maybe thought provoking. Having said that, there are a few recent sport movies that I have seen in the last few years that I found moving and inspiring. I loved the movies Seabiscuit and Cinderella Man. They showed how a sport figure or story could lift a nation's spirits when it needed it most. Think of that; AN ENTIRE NATION! And they were great stories. True stories, no less. I can now add Invictus to that list.
Invictus is a Clint Eastwood film about how South Africa's Nelson Mandela used the national rugby team to unite the country after decades of apartheid. Matt Damon plays Francois Pineaar, the rugby team's captain and Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela in convincing fashion. Nelson Mandela showed great insight in realizing the power of sport. He was the only man who understood the importance of the World Cup in Rugby that was to be hosted by South Africa in 1995. He saw it as a way to unite an entire nation that was deeply divided by racial lines. I came away with a new appreciation for Nelson Mandela. What transpired will leave you shaking your head in amazement. I highly recommend seeing it.
In much the same way on a lesser scale, high school football, particularly in small towns, can inspire and bring a community together in the fall. When the local football team is on a roll, listen to the conversation at the local coffee shop, at the barbershop, in church or at the store. You will hear the townspeople talking about "their boys" constantly. Most of the town turns out on Friday night to cheer them on. It's a really cool american phenomenon. So, do I think it's a stretch to compare the effects of high school football to such great stories as Seabiscuit, Cinderella Man, and Invictus? Heck no, not for a minute. It's just one of the reason I love high school sports and high school football. It can be inspiring!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Identity
This Is Who We Are
I was watching a college bowl game the other night, Wisconsin against Miami, and it was reinforced to me how important it is to have an identity. To be able to say, “This is what we do, this is what we’re all about and you have to stop it if you’re going to beat us.” Now, I am not a Wisconsin fan. I don’t particularly root for them or against them. But one thing I do know, I sure do like the way they play the game. They hustled and played hard all four quarters, played with genuine enthusiasm, and most importantly, stuck to their identity.
Wisconsin is going to run the football 35-40 times a game pulling guards and tackles to outnumber you at the point of attack. They are going to throw to the tight ends and utilize their wide receivers effectively. In short, run the football with a power running game, use the tight ends with play action, play good defense and do it all well. The result was a 20-14 win that the Badgers dominated more than the final score indicated. Yes, they do have talented players, but not ultra talented like some teams. I am impressed with their big mobile linemen that can pull and lead attacks. You do have to have the players to execute your game plan but I believe there are things any coach can do to be more effective.
At the high school level it is important to have a total program. I believe a coaching staff should be clear on their team’s identity. This is our base package, this is what we do. The freshman team is going to run our base package, the sophomore or JV team is going to run the base package and the varsity is going to hang their hat on the base package. Of course, the varsity will add more and be more sophisticated but it shouldn’t take long for everyone to be able see your identity come through and establish itself early in most cases. By running the base package, both offensively and defensively through the entire program, it becomes second nature to the kids and develops confidence in what they’re doing.
I am not endorsing any particular offense, defense, or style of play. Heck, just about all of them are good. Just decide which what offense and defense you are going to run and then stick with it and believe in it. Sell it to your kids that it’s the best for them and then make it your identity. It can become a source of pride for the kids, coaches, and community.
I was watching a college bowl game the other night, Wisconsin against Miami, and it was reinforced to me how important it is to have an identity. To be able to say, “This is what we do, this is what we’re all about and you have to stop it if you’re going to beat us.” Now, I am not a Wisconsin fan. I don’t particularly root for them or against them. But one thing I do know, I sure do like the way they play the game. They hustled and played hard all four quarters, played with genuine enthusiasm, and most importantly, stuck to their identity.
Wisconsin is going to run the football 35-40 times a game pulling guards and tackles to outnumber you at the point of attack. They are going to throw to the tight ends and utilize their wide receivers effectively. In short, run the football with a power running game, use the tight ends with play action, play good defense and do it all well. The result was a 20-14 win that the Badgers dominated more than the final score indicated. Yes, they do have talented players, but not ultra talented like some teams. I am impressed with their big mobile linemen that can pull and lead attacks. You do have to have the players to execute your game plan but I believe there are things any coach can do to be more effective.
At the high school level it is important to have a total program. I believe a coaching staff should be clear on their team’s identity. This is our base package, this is what we do. The freshman team is going to run our base package, the sophomore or JV team is going to run the base package and the varsity is going to hang their hat on the base package. Of course, the varsity will add more and be more sophisticated but it shouldn’t take long for everyone to be able see your identity come through and establish itself early in most cases. By running the base package, both offensively and defensively through the entire program, it becomes second nature to the kids and develops confidence in what they’re doing.
I am not endorsing any particular offense, defense, or style of play. Heck, just about all of them are good. Just decide which what offense and defense you are going to run and then stick with it and believe in it. Sell it to your kids that it’s the best for them and then make it your identity. It can become a source of pride for the kids, coaches, and community.
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