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Youth Football Coaches - Daily Reading

Erik Saunders (3,226)
Erik Saunders
The Youth Football Coaches Handbook

Teaching Players To Tackle Aggresively - Coaching Youth Football

Posted Wednesday, August 12, 2009 (103 days 13 hours ago.) Viewed 824 times.

The following is an excerpt from the Youth Football Coaches newsletter on the matter of teaching youth football players to hit with aggresion.

Coaches,

I would like to thank everyone that responded to the survey on Monday and it was a mixed bag on what guys would like to see. I will be addressing the big ones over the next few days and you can look forward to articles on organizing an efficient practice, teaching technique and other great topics that were asked for. The first category we are going to cover is on the topic of getting young kids to hit an actual player like they hit the bags. Here is a copy of a letter that I received on the matter.

Dear Coach,

I would like to thank you for sharing your daily thoughts and ideas. Your practice planner was great.

I coach 7-8 yr, mostly first year (tackle) players. Their form is pretty good but the AGRESSION is not there. They are not understanding that you have to drive through the ball carrier. They look great against the dummies and blocking pads, but boy vs boy, it's not there. Any thoughts or ideas you can share about getting these boys excited about HITTING!!!?

Regards,

Steve

Houston, TX

Steve has a great question and I'm sure this situation can be very frustrating to coaches, especially at the younger levels. Here are a few pointers to getting players to make good aggressive contact with each other.

  1. Be sure to have the players tackle dummies (if you have them) before you go live tackle. Start with 1 step tackles and have the guys "Run their feet" through the tackle. I have a video of this on Youtube - click here. Tackling dummies gets them warmed up and gives them success before you go live. Be sure to get them excited during this period.
  2. Continuing the "Run Your Feet" concept, you want to stress that the players "SPEED UP" at the point of impact. Most young players naturally decelerate at the point of contact and that is a very difficult thing for coaches to watch. Be sure to tell the players "Speed Up" and "Run Through" the tackle. Most young players leave their feet to make a tackle and they end up in a pathetic lump grasping at the ankle of the runner...very sad to watch.
  3. Tackle on an angle. Young guys struggle with head on tackling so have player tackle at a 90 degree angle. Only allow a 2-3 yard take off so the guys can't get too much speed and don't blow their stance and form. I would also reccomend creating lanes that guarantee a tackle so you don't have "juking" or guys making moves.
  4. Give them a soft landing. It may sound funny but the kids get more pain from the landing than the actual hit itself. Their mind is consumed with cushioning their landing and thus they are in the wrong place mentally to run the drill. In most tackling drills, it is the runner that ruins the drill as he pulls up at the point of contact. Use hand shields, a mattress or anything you can to provide a soft landing for the guys. This stuff can go away after a few sessions but it helps to remove the fear while the guys get their muscle memory down.
  5. Have a goaline. Make sure every tackling drill has a goaline that the runner is trying to get to about 2 yards after the point of contact. Keep score and make a game with points awarded to teams. It replicates game situations and it creates a sense of urgency that gets the guys in the fighting mood.
I have a one question survey regarding your thoughts on this article. I think you'll get a laugh out of some of your canswer choices - Take the one question survey

I'm very thankful for all of the feedback that I get and I appreciate your time in responding. Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have and I'll do my best to answer or assist.

Have a great season,

Coach Saunders

coach@youthfootballhandbook.com


        Comments (1)

Attention Football Coaches - Stop Repeating Yourself !

Posted Wednesday, August 05, 2009 (110 days 21 hours ago.) Viewed 45 times.

Tips On Speaking To Your Team

"O.K. ... Listen Up! I said Listen Up...Take a knee and listen UP! You guys shut up..... take a lap!" author unknown

Perhaps you know who the author above is because you have said those exact words to your team in the past. Today's message is short and sweet and it will help you communicate properly with your team. Getting twenty five kids to pay attention at once is a pretty good trick. Here are a few tips to getting a groups attention and keeping it.

  1. Take a Knee - Have the players take a knee to address the whole group. Anyone that does not kneel is spacing out.
  2. Tell the group to raise their hand high above their head if they can hear you. Anyone that doesn't raise their hand is spacing out.
  3. Start your message with the guy's name that didn't raise his hand.... " Luke.... The most important thing about tackling is...."
  4. Use three or four other player names during the message. Look for guys that are not making eye contact.
  5. Ask questions when you are done. "Billy... what is the most important thing about tackling?" If they know you will ask questions every time, they are more likely to pay attention.
These are a few tips I use to make sure that I only have to say things once and that my guys are taking in as much as possible. Have fun and happy coaching!

Have a great season,

Coach Saunders


        Comments (0)

Coaching Youth Football - Recommendations For Your First Practice

Posted Monday, August 03, 2009 (112 days 21 hours ago.) Viewed 179 times.

Coaches always face a dilemma on what materials to cover on the first night and so I thought I would share my first night's agenda to give coaches some ideas for getting off to a good start on the season. The most important aspects of the first nights practice are to set expectations and the tone for the season and to evaluate your players on the basics of football. Listed below is a typical example of my first nights practice plan.
 

  1. ·         6 PM - Introduction talk - 5 minutes

    o   Welcome to the the team 

    o   This is "Contact" football"

    o   Helmets "ON" when we are on the field

    o   Pay Attention and Always Answer

    o   We are here to have fun and learn

    o   Anyone can start - Winners Finish

    o   Safety - Raise your hand if your feel sick

    ·         6:05 - Stance & Starts (3.O, 2.O, 3.D, 2.D)

    ·         6:10 - Player Evaluations - 10 minutes per station

    o   20/40 yard timed sprint - 5-10-5 Shuttle

    o   Hand Off / Toss

    o   4 yards Blast

    o   Blocking Power

    o   Tackling

    o   Throwing Receiving

    ·         7:10 - Offensive Overview

    o   Install No Play

    o   Set Up 44 Power

    §  Color Card System

    §  Blocking Scheme

    §  Splits

    §  Run Play with two groups 10 Times

    ·         7:40 - Form Tackling

    o   1 step tackle straight, left, right

    ·         7:50 - Conditioning

    o   Speed Ladders

    o   Cones

  2. o   Mini Hurdles

I like to evaluate the players for the first hour of practice. I have each coach work a station and make a notes regarding players as they go through.
 
Have a great season,
 
Coach Saunders

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