Wish I Could REALLY Write

Have you ever read old letters or journals from regular people that lived before telephones, email, Internet, etc.? People with little education had beautiful handwriting and writing skills. Why? I guess because other than face to face that was the only way to communicate. And they were good at it. My grandmother didn't get out of 5th grade but was a good writer. I used to get letters from her from time to time. But if we go back a bit further into the 18th and 19th centuries there are many good examples of excellent writing skills.

One of my boyhood heroes was American frontiersman Davy Crockett. Even though he had very little formal education the guy could write. Here's an excerpt of what he wrote in a journal while out on one of his exploring trips. Davy encounters a beautiful sight that causes him to launch into praise to the Creator. The writer describes it this way: "Just beyond the grove there was another expanse of treeless prairie, so rich, so beautiful, so brilliant with flowers that even Colonel Crockett, all unaccustomed to the devotional mood, reined in his horse, and gazing entranced upon the landscape, exclaimed, 'O God, what a world of beauty hast Thou made for man! And yet how poorly does he requite Thee for it! He does not even repay Thee with gratitude.' " Crockett recognized that the Creator's handiwork demands a response of gratefulness. We can also gain a lot of other insight on Crockett. He took pride in his military rank, he was familiar with the bible, (King James Version) he believed in God but he was not usually a religious man, and he could write with great detail and emotion.

I wish I could write like that. I think I do OK with my blog and my book on football ( see Chiefpigskin.com for my book) but I envy real writers. I love reading and it sometimes causes me to yearn for the ability to write a short story or novel. I simply don't possess that ability but I enjoy writing down my stories and thoughts on this site. I guess that will have to do.

Toiling In Obscurity

By now some of you parents may have noticed that the atmosphere at the lower levels of the high school football team is pretty laid back. Whatever your school calls it - Junior Varsity, Freshman, Sophomore, or Frosh/Soph, the lower levels simply don't get the same treatment as the varsity. In fact, they got more attention in Youth Football! I don't think it's that tough on the kids, but tough on the parents. There are no cheerleaders, fanfare, announcers, band, or crowd. Just the game. Some parents may feel their sons are getting the short end of the stick, that they deserve more attention. After all, aren't they part of the team? Didn't they put in work over the summer and weight train just as hard? Well, I would submit that this low profile approach might actually serve as motivation and could have other benefits as well.

Looking back to my high school days I remember we played our freshmen and sophomore games on our practice field at Woodruff High School in Peoria, IL. This field was about fifty percent grass, forty percent hard dirt, and ten percent cinders. An old cinder track that the track team used for practice encircled the field. The more cinders we threw off the field the more showed up by the next practice or game. There were no bleachers, no P.A. announcer, no scoreboard, and no band or cheerleaders. I can still see my Dad walking the sidelines right next to the team. That's what the fans did, just stood along the sidelines next to the team. But you know what? We didn't care. Heck, we'd have played on bricks if we had to. We just wanted to play football and I knew that when I played varsity I would get to play at Peoria Public Schools Stadium. "The Stadium" as we called it had the lushest grass, brightest scoreboard, prettiest cheerleaders, biggest crowds, and best doggone P.A. system in the country. (At least that's how I remember it). It had two large bleacher sections, one on each side, and one had a roof. The end of the stadium that had the scoreboard was lined with pine trees. It was and still is a pretty stadium. It motivated me to work hard so I could play varsity someday. But if I'd had to I still would have played varsity ball on the old practice field.

There was no pressure in those JV games, we just had fun. We were playing football and that's all that mattered. It kept us humble and made us realize we had to pay our dues like the juniors and seniors had. A lot more due paying than one summer of work. Did we desrve to have our names called out like the varsity on the loudspeaker? Maybe. But heck, with all the noise out there and the wind whistling through the ear holes of my helmet I never heard a P.A. announcer while I was playing in my life. I was into the game. And admit it parents, when your son's name is called out on the loudspeaker for a great play, it's not for his ears, it's for yours. YOU want to hear his name.

Many years later I attended a JV college game that my son was playing in. The scoreboard was on but that was it. Colleges don't play many JV games and I was just thankful he was getting a chance to play. He played well that night, caught several balls from his wide receiver position and had a lot of fun. It never occured to me to be upset that this game wasn't getting the same treatment as a varsity college game.

So, my advice is don't worry about the extras, his day is coming. The coaches don't worry about it and neither do the players. Just relax and enjoy those freshmen and sophomore games. They're learning how to be varsity players, and that's what counts.

Chiefpigskin.com

College Season Begins

I've always loved the college football season, more so than the pros. So it is with great anticipation that I dive in to the college season. One thing I liked about college is that you got a chance to watch different offenses and defenses. Everyone had their own style. But I'm a little disappointed when I see just about everyone running the spread. Every game seems the same, just like the NFL, but I guess there's enough difference to enjoy the college landscape. Don't get me wrong, the spread can be exciting but the game has slowed down in a way. Although the spread is designed to "play fast" and it does, I get tired of motion penalties, holding calls, delay of game. And the players get to the line of scrimmage and stop, look at the sideline, shift, look at the sideline, motion, audible, point, then finally run the play for an incomplete pass that runs two seconds off the clock. I liked it when they broke the huddle, ran the play, and kept things rolling. There's too much choppiness in games.

After all that complaining I still really do love college football. I'm looking forward to Navy and Notre Dame playing in Ireland and Alabama playing Michigan in Texas I think. Texas? Why Texas? Anyway, Alabama will have too much speed and dominate the Wolverines by the middle of the third quarter. But I'm a Big Ten fan so I hope Michigan does well. Navy runs that double wing offense to precision and I'll be pulling for them.

High school football is getting into full swing and their are some fun match ups there as well. I'm going to enjoy this Labor Day weekend and try to relax. You do the same. Chiefpigskin.com

Showtime!

*NOTE* The following is a post from the archives.

Load up the equipment, put on full battle gear, buckle up your chinstraps, it’s Showtime! We’re finally at game week here in Illinois. I’m not sure what part of the season the rest of you are in, but I have a hunch that most of you are just about where we are. This is a most exciting time. Optimism abounds as everyone gets a fresh start and hopes of that special season run high. I always found it difficult to concentrate on anything other than football during this week. Do we have the kids ready? Have we covered all the essentials? Are we as well prepared as we can be? How good can our team be? We will find out Friday night. (I know, many of you will find out Saturday) But, oh, those Friday nights!

The atmosphere will be electric. Old men will lean over the fence on the sidelines looking wistfully at the young men on the field, all the while wishing they could play just one more time. Proud fathers will be gazing at their sons as they file out of the locker room to warm up. Little boys will stand near the end zone to get a close look at their heroes. Their eyes will be big as silver dollars as they wonder if they’ll ever be that big and longing for the day they get to play high school ball. Moms are decked out in school colors with their cowbells, shakers, and other assorted noisemakers. Many of them aren’t quite sure of all the rules and wonder why their men are so in love with this game, (Moms-buy my book “Understanding Football and Why Boys Love It”)but they’re supportive none the less. The lights are on and the band is playing nearby as they prepare to go to the field when the players go to the locker room for a final time before the game. The smell of hotdogs and popcorn linger in the cooler air of the evening as the sun goes down. The cheerleaders are laying their pom poms in front of the bleachers and practicing their cheers one last time. The bleachers are filling and the anticipation builds as the time for the opening kickoff nears. As a coach, this was always a nervous time as I went over my defensive game plan and imagined all the different scenarios that might occur during the game. The last 30 minutes go so slow, we just want to play.

Finally, it’s time for the players to come out of the locker room for the opening kickoff. The home team bursts through the banner made especially for that purpose. The players crack pads and give handshakes as the coaches bark out final instructions and exhort their players to be ready and alert at all times. As the players take the field the crowd begins to cheer and the noisemakers are loudly brought out in full force. The teams line up for the kickoff and the noise of the crowd comes to a crescendo as the ball is kicked high and deep…yep; Friday night football is here with all the great atmosphere that goes with it. Where else would anyone want to be?

Position Changes?

During the last two weeks high school coaches around the country have been preparing their teams for the first game and I hope all is going well for all of you. I know from experience that many of you have been moving guys around a little bit trying to find that right combination. Good coaches seem to have a knack for getting their personnel in the right spot. It has to be a place that benefits the team as well as the player. Maximize talent, ability, giving your athletes the best chance to be successful.

I remember a time many years ago when we really needed another inside linebacker and as a staff discussed at length on a solution. We decided in preseason to move an outstanding D tackle to inside backer. For two weeks we worked with him confident that we he could handle it. He was about 6-1 200 pounds and moved well. Our first game came against a very good opponent and we had him ready as we could. It was a disaster, he was lost. When I watched the film it was even worse. I talked to him and we both decided it would be in the team's and HIS best interests if we moved him back to tackle. We lost that opener but went on to a fine 8-3 season.

Many of you may be in the same position right now. Perhaps you need to move a player from the backfield to the line. That's the toughest move of all. To a high school kid that's like being banished to Siberia. Communication is key in all position changes. First, talk to the young man and let him know what you're thinking. Explain why this will help the team and talk up his strengths to let him know why you think he can handle it. Tell him that "we'd like you to give it a try and see how it goes." Give him plenty of encouragement but monitor the new change closely. Keep communicating with the athlete and get a feel for what he's thinking and feeling. We might think this is an easy move but remember, he's still a kid.

Football is the ultimate team sport and requires an unselfish attitude from all. It's our job as coaches to keep hammering away at that theme to get everyone on board. We still need to keep the game fun but yet give everyone the best chance to be successful. It can be a tough line to walk sometimes. Chiefpigskin.com

Final Thoughts on The Games

The 2012 Olympics are over and it's time for me to step back, take a look, and give my thoughts. I did enjoy them as always and saw some historical performances. That's what's cool about the Olympics, it's history. Some sports I don't get, but I try to appreciate them all. So, let's go down the list of standouts (and disappointments) for me.

Swimming - The men and women were both exceptional. Missy Franklin is tough and Michael Phelps demonstrated his greatness again. He is truly a historical Olympian and maybe the best ever. Certainly one of the best and absolutely THE most decorated. I can't say he's the greatest ever because swimming has so many events it lends itself to winning a lot of medals. Some sports no matter how great you are you can only win one medal per Olympics.

Women's gymnastics - Wow! Those young ladies of the USA were on. And talk about performing under pressure, that's the epitomy of pressure. Gabby and company were sensational. I was impressed and that balance beam - it makes me nervous.

Men and Womens Track - This was a lot of fun and once again the USA performed well. The stars? Probably the women because of their talent and bubbly personalities. The big star though was a Jamaican named Usain Bolt. I'm telling you, fifty years from now you younger folks will still be telling stories about this guy. We saw a legend run - period!

Basketball - I expected two gold medals and we got 'em. I didn't see anything that amazed me, just business as usual.

Volleyball - We did well, as expected but no Gold. Oh, beach volleyball our women were dominant but I can't quite get excited about it, sorry. I do try to appreciate their talent.

Soccer - The Gold was expected and delivered by the women. Do we have a men's team? I try to appreciate soccer.

Wrestling - We did OK but this is a sport that we have dominated at times. I don't like the new format of winning periods. How long has this been going on? More than ten years? I don't like it, but I do love wrestling, these guys are STUDS.

Boxing - Oh my gosh! Huge disappointment. The USA used to dominate and the men didn't win a single medal, not one. Of course, boxing's not as popular as it used to be, I used to love it. I remember the '76 Olympics with Ray Leonard, Howard Davis, the Spinks brothers and others. Dad, my brothers and me were jumping out of our seats cheering the American boxers. It was thrilling. Those days are gone. Look at the medals these guys hauled:

106:Louis Curtis ,112:Leo Randolph (GOLD) 119: Charles Mooney (SILVER) 125: Davey Lee Armstrong 132: Howard Davis Jr. (GOLD) 139: Ray Leonard (GOLD) 147: Clinton Jackson 156: Charles Walker Jr. 165: Michael Spinks (GOLD) 178: Leon Spinks (GOLD) +178: Johnny Tate, (BRONZE)

Well, there was a lot more, but that's what stands out to me. Now it's wait four more years but isn't that one of the things that make the Olympics special? Chiefpigskin.com

And They're Off!

All across the country high school football is getting underway. It's an exciting time, isn't it? Optimism flows everywhere and all teams are still undefeated. I talked to a coach today who coaches at a small high school (290) and he said, " For the first time ever we have no real holes in our defense. Usually we're hiding at least one linebacker or corner but not this year. We're thin, but solid." Yep, optimism is the order of the day.

Now if you're like me you're probably saying, "We've got two weeks to get ready, how am I going to cover everything we need to get ready?" You look at your list and get overwhelmed. Alignment, responsibilities, technique, coverages, blitzes, fronts, stunts...and that's just defense. Offensively it's the same kind of content except multiple formations, motions, the run game, pass game...you get the idea. Then of course, blocking drills, tackling drills, agility drills, and weight training. Oh, and don't forget special teams, they win and lose ballgames. Punt, punt return, kickoff, kickoff return, PAT, field goal, onside kick and hands team. All this needs to be ready for game one. How does a coach get to all of this? Remember, you don't need all of your offense and defense installed for the first game. Just the base. You can always put more in as the season goes along every week. Just know your base, believe in it and do it well that first game. Maybe one trick play? Yeah, maybe.

On a side note, have you seen the new $49 million high school football stadium in Allen, Texas? It's got to be the most impressive new high school stadium I've ever seen. Take a look on Maxpreps.com. They are taking some criticism over their priorities. But I've found that schools that have great athletic facilities usually have great academics too. It shows a community cares about their education all around. Also the first week of the season will have some great match ups that I'm looking forward to. Notre Dame and Navy play in Ireland as well as several high school games as preliminaries. Loyola (IL) goes against Jesuit (TX) on Friday night in a match up of high school powers.

Well, it's going to be another exciting season and I know we're all looking forward to it. Good luck to all of you coaches and to your teams. http://www.chiefpigskin.com/