For those that have coached your kid in a sport you will appreciate the story, others that love the sport will also.
That is right guys barring a new Player being drafted on to the team I am at the end of my coaching Career. Five years now from Flag through junior football I have shown my boy and many others all that I know and then some about the game that we love. My record as a coach is pretty good if I do say so myself.
Flag Football (prek-1st grade) 3 wins - 4 Games No post season
Pee-Wee (2nd and 3rd Season One) 7 Wins - 8 Games 3 ins in play offs (Pumpkin Bowl Champions)
Pee-Wee (2nd and 3rd Season Two) 6 Wins - 8 Games 2 wins - 3 Games in the post
Junior (4th and 5th Season One) 3 Wins - 8 Games 0 wins - 1 Game in the post
Junior (4th and 5th Season Two) 7 Wins -8 Games Regualr (Game 1 in play offs is on Sunday at 1 pm Wish us well)
Each year i have had the pleasure to watch my son grow in the sport that he loves to play and watch. He first played as a Running Back and did well in flag, when we moved to Tackle though he wanted the nunber of the bus that hit him each play and soon decided that the place for him was on the Defense. I respected that since I was a dominating defensive tackle in my hay day of football (4th grade-12th I should have walked on to Michigan and tried out but the Army called me, my fault, never a mistake)
Well we began to teach him the ins and outs of the line backer position and the Defensive tackle and as the boys grew, my cowboy did not, he is a little man but large in heart. He was effective on his tackles and his blocks in all the positions he played and always had his mind in the game. he litterally is coaching some of the other kids at times. Well the other boys grew and are hitting puberty and he is not quite there yet so he moved from Tackle to allow a more stout boy there to LB.
In LB he has been a great asset as he can read the ball and direct the others into the position to make good plays but he could not seal the middle as a RB that was easily 10# more than him would run the ball up the gut and it always took antoher player to help in the tackel but that is what a team is there for.
This season, he was moved from LB to Corner and Safety. His skills to read the ball and direct the team were invaluable for the defense as he guided them to more defensive turnovers and stopping the run that other coaches from the Senior league began to come to watch the games.
last weekend we had a game on Saturday and Sunday I was upset about this change because I found out on tuesday about it and did not have time to prepare for two games. Saturday because of short notice we played Iron Man Ball with 12 players. It was harsh and very streesfull at times.
We seen a definate change in the cowboy on Saturday. @when we took the field for stretching he walked to the front of the team where the captains are (He is not a captain) and he told one to go get in the lines as he took his place. He lead the stretching and he got the team fired up, he said this game was like "300" but it was 12 vs many. The other coaches and I stood there and let him fireup the team and get them ready. They already knew that they would play both sides of the ball and be ready for anything.
We took the field and ended up kicking off in the first half. Well this season the Cowboy was known for being small and needing help in stopping the run because of the size difference. He lined up wide right on the WR and would not set he keprt bouncing like a kid that had to pee. From the first sanp of the ball it was like a monster was unleashed inside of him. He made moves on players that we did not see coming, he got in the back field so fast it was like he knew the snap count, and he had the QB so nervous that he kept looking at Cowboy rather than the recievers.
by the second half of the game he caused four fumbles, recovered one for a 15 yard TD, got a Safety, and no run passed the line of scrimmage on his side of the ball. The Junior Titans dominated the defense of this game not only because of his performance but other kids stepped up and played with more heart and drive than ever before.
Well we celebrated this because it was the best performance yet to date that he has had. I sat down with him Saturday night as we watched Michigan play and talked. he said that when he woke up on Saturday that everything made sense that he was learning, a litteral light switch turned on in his head and now he knew what to do.
Sunday came and we had a game playing the #2 Seed in the league, it was also our last regular season game. I asked the coaches to allow Cowboy to do the same thing in the pre game and they agreed. This time we had 19 boys playing and each boy would not have to play both sides of the ball this time. Cowboy got the team stretched and fired up and really emerged as a natural leader that they were very willing to follow. He told them of the Saturday game for those that did not make it and how they were able to stop all the running game.
This game started out fast as we kicked off again and the other team dropped the ball, one of the Titans picked it up and ran 20 yards for our opening TD. I was tapped on the shoulder at this point and greeted by the Middle School Football Coach who was called by someone to come watch our game and Cowboy. I noticed as 2 of the Senior league coaches were watching also as they like to scout for teams also. Well i did not mention this to the kids as I wanted them all to play their best.
We went back on defense and the team we were facing is known for trick plays, reverses, hook and ladder, and QB sneaks. So I made sure my best two safeties were out on each side waiting. I also had my Tank on the line. 160 # 5th grader 5'4" and very stout. The Falcons came out of the gun running as I expected but they ran the middle today. six consecutive plays up the gut and we were taking a loss quick. I told the line to pinch the middle and force the run to the outside and they soon created a wall that was perfect. The run soon moved to sweeps and all they seen was a small #22 out there by himself. We as coaches hoped that this was not a fluke, I seen the ball get pitched and it was obviously on the way to the cowboy. My end took three steps out and leveld the boy before he broke the line of scrimmage. I was relieved to have my full team back in play.
Well the Falcons knew they ball had to be moved and they lost their best reciever the day before to a broken leg so tthey overloaded the right and ran the ball with all they could 2 lead blockers for 5 yards per attempt. My other safety end and corner were effective but giving up yardage to them. After three runs like this they set up the same direction and i yelled out from the side to my right end and cowboy telling them watch for the play to come to them. sure enough it did, Cowboy sprung off the ball un challenged and hit the RB as he got the ball stopping the run right there. for the rest of the half the Falcons began to lose yards and only were able to score one TD.
In the 2nd half we recieved and went 4 and out on offense. Defense came back in and the falcons ran the reverse, well my End and Cowboy were not fooled they followed the RB in and when he handed the ball off they hit them bothe at the same time for a 8 yard loss. The Falcons came back in the 2nd half fighting and wanting a win. Well soon we realized that this was a 100% defensive game and that we needed to hold them so they dont force OT. 60 seconds left in the game and they scored. 14-14.
OT = each team on the 20 gets 4 plays to score.
OT #1 We got the ball first and scored on the first play. Falcons get the ball and they run the ball opposite of Cowboy knowing that he has stopped them all day long and they cant get anything past him and they got to the 1. Play number two I stacked the line and forced them to run the ball, they pitched it back 5 yards, the Qb ran for the reception in the end zone. I did not see it coming and was mad.
OT#2 Falcons Ball, for some insae reason they swept the ball to Cowboy. my end stepped in and hit the lead blocker, Cowboy hit the RB with enough force to turn his helmet on his head and took him down. Play 2, Falcons no longer want to run the ball to Cowboy so they roll the other direction. Cowboy must have had ESP or something, he was 1 yard from the right out bounds and ten steps off the line waiting for the sweep. When the bal snapped he never looked, he just turned left and ran with all he had. The Falcons ran the ball to the right 2 lead blockers, 1 RB and the QB trailing to push if needed. Cowboy ran past the back of the Defensive line all the way across the field, and drilled the RB so hard the ball went sky bound as both boys left the field of play. The QB looked up and was trying to catch the ball, my LOLB seen all of this from his STANDING position that he had a habit of doing instead of reacting. He ran up, caught the ball and ran it 80 yards for a TD and the win.
After the game and the celebration cowboy and myself was greeted by the senior coaches and the Middle School Coach. All three had a spiel to say and expressed interest for Cowboy to play for them. Cowboy and I talked all this season and he had said that he wanted to try out for the school team. The coach seemed to like what he seen in his performance and drive and said that he would make a good asset to the team. For the most part 6th graders do not get a chance to play much on the team as it is made up of 7th and 8th graders also but some of the good 6th graders play often.
So, I have taught the boy all that I can teach him and had fun in the process. I am going to continue to work with him with things he needs and enjoy watching him play the game we both love. When this season is over the whistle is hung up for the last time.
This Sunday at 1 we play our first round of the Play Offs. Wish us luck.
That is right guys barring a new Player being drafted on to the team I am at the end of my coaching Career. Five years now from Flag through junior football I have shown my boy and many others all that I know and then some about the game that we love. My record as a coach is pretty good if I do say so myself.
Flag Football (prek-1st grade) 3 wins - 4 Games No post season
Pee-Wee (2nd and 3rd Season One) 7 Wins - 8 Games 3 ins in play offs (Pumpkin Bowl Champions)
Pee-Wee (2nd and 3rd Season Two) 6 Wins - 8 Games 2 wins - 3 Games in the post
Junior (4th and 5th Season One) 3 Wins - 8 Games 0 wins - 1 Game in the post
Junior (4th and 5th Season Two) 7 Wins -8 Games Regualr (Game 1 in play offs is on Sunday at 1 pm Wish us well)
Each year i have had the pleasure to watch my son grow in the sport that he loves to play and watch. He first played as a Running Back and did well in flag, when we moved to Tackle though he wanted the nunber of the bus that hit him each play and soon decided that the place for him was on the Defense. I respected that since I was a dominating defensive tackle in my hay day of football (4th grade-12th I should have walked on to Michigan and tried out but the Army called me, my fault, never a mistake)
Well we began to teach him the ins and outs of the line backer position and the Defensive tackle and as the boys grew, my cowboy did not, he is a little man but large in heart. He was effective on his tackles and his blocks in all the positions he played and always had his mind in the game. he litterally is coaching some of the other kids at times. Well the other boys grew and are hitting puberty and he is not quite there yet so he moved from Tackle to allow a more stout boy there to LB.
In LB he has been a great asset as he can read the ball and direct the others into the position to make good plays but he could not seal the middle as a RB that was easily 10# more than him would run the ball up the gut and it always took antoher player to help in the tackel but that is what a team is there for.
This season, he was moved from LB to Corner and Safety. His skills to read the ball and direct the team were invaluable for the defense as he guided them to more defensive turnovers and stopping the run that other coaches from the Senior league began to come to watch the games.
last weekend we had a game on Saturday and Sunday I was upset about this change because I found out on tuesday about it and did not have time to prepare for two games. Saturday because of short notice we played Iron Man Ball with 12 players. It was harsh and very streesfull at times.
We seen a definate change in the cowboy on Saturday. @when we took the field for stretching he walked to the front of the team where the captains are (He is not a captain) and he told one to go get in the lines as he took his place. He lead the stretching and he got the team fired up, he said this game was like "300" but it was 12 vs many. The other coaches and I stood there and let him fireup the team and get them ready. They already knew that they would play both sides of the ball and be ready for anything.
We took the field and ended up kicking off in the first half. Well this season the Cowboy was known for being small and needing help in stopping the run because of the size difference. He lined up wide right on the WR and would not set he keprt bouncing like a kid that had to pee. From the first sanp of the ball it was like a monster was unleashed inside of him. He made moves on players that we did not see coming, he got in the back field so fast it was like he knew the snap count, and he had the QB so nervous that he kept looking at Cowboy rather than the recievers.
by the second half of the game he caused four fumbles, recovered one for a 15 yard TD, got a Safety, and no run passed the line of scrimmage on his side of the ball. The Junior Titans dominated the defense of this game not only because of his performance but other kids stepped up and played with more heart and drive than ever before.
Well we celebrated this because it was the best performance yet to date that he has had. I sat down with him Saturday night as we watched Michigan play and talked. he said that when he woke up on Saturday that everything made sense that he was learning, a litteral light switch turned on in his head and now he knew what to do.
Sunday came and we had a game playing the #2 Seed in the league, it was also our last regular season game. I asked the coaches to allow Cowboy to do the same thing in the pre game and they agreed. This time we had 19 boys playing and each boy would not have to play both sides of the ball this time. Cowboy got the team stretched and fired up and really emerged as a natural leader that they were very willing to follow. He told them of the Saturday game for those that did not make it and how they were able to stop all the running game.
This game started out fast as we kicked off again and the other team dropped the ball, one of the Titans picked it up and ran 20 yards for our opening TD. I was tapped on the shoulder at this point and greeted by the Middle School Football Coach who was called by someone to come watch our game and Cowboy. I noticed as 2 of the Senior league coaches were watching also as they like to scout for teams also. Well i did not mention this to the kids as I wanted them all to play their best.
We went back on defense and the team we were facing is known for trick plays, reverses, hook and ladder, and QB sneaks. So I made sure my best two safeties were out on each side waiting. I also had my Tank on the line. 160 # 5th grader 5'4" and very stout. The Falcons came out of the gun running as I expected but they ran the middle today. six consecutive plays up the gut and we were taking a loss quick. I told the line to pinch the middle and force the run to the outside and they soon created a wall that was perfect. The run soon moved to sweeps and all they seen was a small #22 out there by himself. We as coaches hoped that this was not a fluke, I seen the ball get pitched and it was obviously on the way to the cowboy. My end took three steps out and leveld the boy before he broke the line of scrimmage. I was relieved to have my full team back in play.
Well the Falcons knew they ball had to be moved and they lost their best reciever the day before to a broken leg so tthey overloaded the right and ran the ball with all they could 2 lead blockers for 5 yards per attempt. My other safety end and corner were effective but giving up yardage to them. After three runs like this they set up the same direction and i yelled out from the side to my right end and cowboy telling them watch for the play to come to them. sure enough it did, Cowboy sprung off the ball un challenged and hit the RB as he got the ball stopping the run right there. for the rest of the half the Falcons began to lose yards and only were able to score one TD.
In the 2nd half we recieved and went 4 and out on offense. Defense came back in and the falcons ran the reverse, well my End and Cowboy were not fooled they followed the RB in and when he handed the ball off they hit them bothe at the same time for a 8 yard loss. The Falcons came back in the 2nd half fighting and wanting a win. Well soon we realized that this was a 100% defensive game and that we needed to hold them so they dont force OT. 60 seconds left in the game and they scored. 14-14.
OT = each team on the 20 gets 4 plays to score.
OT #1 We got the ball first and scored on the first play. Falcons get the ball and they run the ball opposite of Cowboy knowing that he has stopped them all day long and they cant get anything past him and they got to the 1. Play number two I stacked the line and forced them to run the ball, they pitched it back 5 yards, the Qb ran for the reception in the end zone. I did not see it coming and was mad.
OT#2 Falcons Ball, for some insae reason they swept the ball to Cowboy. my end stepped in and hit the lead blocker, Cowboy hit the RB with enough force to turn his helmet on his head and took him down. Play 2, Falcons no longer want to run the ball to Cowboy so they roll the other direction. Cowboy must have had ESP or something, he was 1 yard from the right out bounds and ten steps off the line waiting for the sweep. When the bal snapped he never looked, he just turned left and ran with all he had. The Falcons ran the ball to the right 2 lead blockers, 1 RB and the QB trailing to push if needed. Cowboy ran past the back of the Defensive line all the way across the field, and drilled the RB so hard the ball went sky bound as both boys left the field of play. The QB looked up and was trying to catch the ball, my LOLB seen all of this from his STANDING position that he had a habit of doing instead of reacting. He ran up, caught the ball and ran it 80 yards for a TD and the win.
After the game and the celebration cowboy and myself was greeted by the senior coaches and the Middle School Coach. All three had a spiel to say and expressed interest for Cowboy to play for them. Cowboy and I talked all this season and he had said that he wanted to try out for the school team. The coach seemed to like what he seen in his performance and drive and said that he would make a good asset to the team. For the most part 6th graders do not get a chance to play much on the team as it is made up of 7th and 8th graders also but some of the good 6th graders play often.
So, I have taught the boy all that I can teach him and had fun in the process. I am going to continue to work with him with things he needs and enjoy watching him play the game we both love. When this season is over the whistle is hung up for the last time.
This Sunday at 1 we play our first round of the Play Offs. Wish us luck.
