Looking for some help...

[jackrussell]

Do keep score:

a. because they will anyhow....
b. because winning and losing and how to deal with it is part of the game you're trying to teach....

 

[Alexander]

Do keep score:

a. because they will anyhow....
b. because winning and losing and how to deal with it is part of the game you're trying to teach....

I agree.

That starts the foundation for being competitive. Not just in football, but in life as well. They need to have fun, but ultimately it is a competition.

 

[superpunk]

And please....don't forget the pickle juice. Jason Witten wouldn't approve.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Here's a chant for your cheerleaders

RA RA REE
Kick 'em in the knee

RA RA RASS
Kick 'em in the ummm other knee

 

[AdamJT13]

This is more suited for one of the other forums, but I was hoping for some exposure before it gets moved by the mods.

I've taken on the responsibility of joining a coaching staff of a newly formed peewee football team. Only two of us has ever played the game before.

What suggestions do fellow forum members have for a fledgling football team of 9, 10 and 11 year olds who have never had exposure to the game other than from TV?

If you were to try to focus on three or four things to try to make the year and their experience positive what would you suggest we do?

Thanks to all who contribute in advance.

If you have several coaches, I'd suggest that when you do drills, break up the team into as many different groups as possible, with one coach per group -- and anything else you can do to eliminate "standing around" time. There's nothing worse than watching 20 kids standing in line for one-on-one drills, when there could be five groups of four kids getting five times as many repititions. The kids waiting in line will just be goofing around and not paying attention. You'll get a lot more done, and the kids will improve much more rapidly if they can get more reps instead of standing in line.

And one coaching tip for that age group -- the vast majority of offensive touchdowns will be scored on sweeps and reverses by the fastest players on the team. Every other play is just to keep the defense honest. My 10-year-old son has played for three years, and I've seen far too many coaches waste their time trying to "establish the run" up the middle or trick the defense with pass plays. But kids at that age can't throw or catch well enough to rely on the pass, and they can't run enough plays consecutively without fumbling to build a 10-play drive on 5-yard runs up the middle. Just give the ball to the fast kid and let him outrun everyone on the outside. Not that you shouldn't practice other plays so the kids learn how to run them and develop their skills, but come game time, if you want to win, go with the sweeps.

 

[Alexander]

Just give the ball to the fast kid

That always works.

 

[Chief]

Lots of great advice in this thread.

Sorry to say I haven't contributed anything ... other than to suggest you have your players punch in on a time clock. That'll make 'em feel like real blue-collar workers.

 

[RCowboyFan]

Lots of great advice in this thread.

Sorry to say I haven't contributed anything ... other than to suggest you have your players punch in on a time clock. That'll make 'em feel like real blue-collar workers.

 

[Alexander]

Lots of great advice in this thread.

Sorry to say I haven't contributed anything ... other than to suggest you have your players punch in on a time clock. That'll make 'em feel like real blue-collar workers.

:laugh1:

And take them to Sea World.

Works like a charm.

 

[scottsp]

...in the league we are running our mini camp now, during the summer holiday we will run a five day camp in pads and each position coach will be taking his group and running through position specific drills at four other sessions on their own.

Camp will assemble again at the end of August and by the second week of September we begin play.

Have we allotted enough time for these kids?

David, that should be plenty of time. Seems like you have things well orchestrated in that sense, so you're off to a good start. Just prepare youself, staff, and kids for the repitition that is involved with this.

And I'm sure you will.

BTW, Adam is absolutely right. Sweeps, reverses, fake keepers, etc. are your money plays at this level. It's tough to sustain drives. Things naturally bog down, whether it be the blocking, penalties, whatever. Typically, you'll be scoring on big plays using your speed, primarily to the outside. Simple counters also have been successful for me. Run those off your base dive/belly plays. You're always trying to set up something.

Those "homerun" plays are also something I'd run on first or second down. Not always, but if you always save those for third/fourth and long, a defense will likely be more prepared for the possibility of you running such a play. You may have already considered these things, but I thought I'd share that anyway.

Good luck to ya!

 

[5Stars]

I only have one piece of advice for a young bunch of football players...

DO NOT LET THEM...at all costs...have a sleep over at Michael Jackson's crib!

This is...unless you want to turn those young football players into RedStinks!

:dissskin:

 

[Future]

Don't keep score. Instead, at the end of the game ask the kids if they had fun. At this point in their lives, that is more important.

sorry but kids do not care about only having fun for the most part. you can say that but you know the kids are keeping score regardless if its on the scoreboard or not


a couple of suggestions i would make...

run it as much of a real game as possible, if you dont keep score or have real rules kids lose interest

teach discipline like helmets on when you are on the sideline and no sitting on it and no special treatment. make sure kids show up to practice if they want to play

 

[jackrussell]

Some things to keep in mind...

-Alot of these boys will be brought to practice by single moms that don't know anything about football and are scared their little Johnny is going to get hurt. Take extra time with them to explain things, preferably over a bottle of wine after little Johnny goes to bed.

-If a parent would happen to ask why you have them do alot of running, your canned response should be "It's better than Ritalin."

 

[Alexander]

preferably over a bottle of wine after little Johnny goes to bed."

 

[Hostile]

Lots of great advice in this thread.

Sorry to say I haven't contributed anything ... other than to suggest you have your players punch in on a time clock. That'll make 'em feel like real blue-collar workers.

You owe me a new monitor. I ruined this one.