Spring 2010

[rushbuster70 16]

Well since the spring season is getting started figure I would start a thread...

Currently I'm coaching 2 teams.1 flag & 1 tackle.

We are in the 4th week of practice with our tackle team & have a scrimmage tonight.I'll update that.

Had my 1st practice with my flag team.I have 3 returning players.11 kids total.My 3 returning plus 3 more are studs.We are going to have a great season.I just need to find a way to work the other 5 in the offense.Defensively they will play in the front in my 2-3 or 2-1-2.Hopefully they will start showing more as the season goes along.

[Johnp2 21]

I am weeks away from our first practice. I have an idea of what my roster will be, but our league purposely keeps from publishing the rosters until two weeks prior to the first game for fear of coaches (like me) that will begin practice immediately upon receiving their roster. :-)

[YMCA Coach 1]

I coach two teams for the YMCA here, 8-9 yrs, and 10-13. We're halfway through week 2 of practice, with one more week of practice until the first game.

My 8-9 team is limited but stacked. We only have 10 players (we play 8 on 8), but between myself and my assistant (partner) coach, we've coached 7 of them. Most of them were on the team last season, including the 4 best players from that squad. I expect them to perform better than they did last season, as most of them already know the playbook and are raring to go.

My 10-13 team has plenty of players (13) for 8 on 8, but only 1 real quarterback. Since I'm not allowed to play anyone 4 quarters (unless I have 10 or fewer players), that leaves me in a bit of a bind. The kids can all catch, and I have some real speed-burners, it's just getting them to blend together as a team that's proving difficult. They have talent and skill, but it is obstructed by their attitudes. So I started something new in the last practice to help that.

Actually, I'll be going over this new thing in practice, every practice, both teams, every time. First, I have them repeat their two rules.

Rule number one, listen. Listen to the coaches, don't interrupt, give them your attention. Nobody talks in the huddle except the coach and the QB.

Rule number two, do your job. Don't try to play safety if you're a linebacker. Don't rush up if you play safety. Do your job, and trust your teammates to do their jobs.

There are a couple of additions. One, nobody walks. Everyone runs to each positional drill, each aspect of practice. Jogging is allowed going to and from drinks, but other than that, run. It's good for the attitude, and it helps with conditioning. That last part is crucial since I only get these boys two times a week for an hour each time (although I usually stretch it).

Lastly, everyone has to be loud and clear, and answer questions quickly with a "yes sir" or "yes coach". "Yeah" and "Okay" are considered non-answers. We started this with the older boys, and I'm going to institute it today with the younger team. I think it will help trememdously, and let's face it, it's always a positive to show respect to authority figures!

I'm hopeful that these little things will help practice go more smooth, and really am looking forward to seeing how these two teams develop. I'll give you updates on the rules list.

I'll have them repeat them all at the start of practice and several times during practice. Wish me luck!

[supatooma15 0]

Tackle doesn't start for us till aug. but tomorrow is our 1st flag practice ever.

EXCITED

[Boriqua 0]

We're 3-0 so far. our 4th game is tomorrow, against what maybe the toughest team on the league. But I'm definitely excited and I think the kids are ready.

[rushbuster70 16]

We have had 6 practices.Our 1st game is tomorrow.I cant wait and the kids are ready to get at it...

[rushbuster70 16]

We won our first game 36-12.We played pretty good.My starting QB didnt even play so we did a good job of adjusting without him.The other team had a QB everyone dreams of having.Great kid.Rocket arm and accurate as could be.We did a good job of stopping there go to WR.Without him that pretty much took him out of it.Overall not bad.Everyone got touches.Couldn't be happier the way the first game ended.

[rushbuster70 16]

Won our 2nd game 27-6.This game was literally over in the first 5 mins.1st play they threw a pick.Our 1st play we scored.There 2nd play they threw a pick.Our 2nd play we scored.There 3rd play they threw a pick.Our 3rd play we scored.It was 19-0 in a matter of about 3 minutes.We scored 1 more the rest of the game because I calmed it down and put some of the players who dont play a ton of offense in.Overall we had a good game and shut down there game plan.

[Coach Rob 26]

First game for my 4-6 y/o team and our 11-14 y/o team. I wasn't going to coach the 4-6 y/o's, but Orange gave me a hard time, so I gave in and said I'd help until they found a coach. Thanks a lot Orange. On one play today, I had the center take two steps and turn around, QB throws to him. It worked great until the kid turned around and ran backwards because they were chasing him. Safety. Too funny. I think we lost 42-19, the other team had several 6 y/o's and used them. We have two 4 yr olds and several 5's. The four year olds come up to my ankles. I could go on with stories from today, what a trip! The strange part is they play on the same size field as the 11-14 yr olds.

11-14 yr old game went fine. I think it was 40-19. Everyone had at least two runs or receptions, some had 3, played different QBs, audibles worked great - kids had a blast. Good to get the first game out of the way. We have a mercy rule in our league, so if you're up by 24pts, other team starts just shy of midfield and can add a 6th player. Makes it more challenging.

[jqmoney 3]

4 to 6 year olds sounds very interesting and entertaining coach rob. My 6 to 8 year old team won 33-18 our team was sleeping the first half and were down 18-12 then we poured it on them using coach's rob's and texas d playbook. And in my 9-12 year old division it's like these coaches have not seen my plays before because we scored everytime we have had the ball we won 48-14 thanks to coach rob and coach teaxs d and their playbooks we have out scored our opponets 140-28 in 3 games this year i have parents from other teams wanting to join the team next fall.

[Johnp2 21]

On one play today, I had the center take two steps and turn around, QB throws to him. It worked great until the kid turned around and ran backwards because they were chasing him. Safety. Too funny.

That is hilarious. Last fall season my son (who was 8) made an INT and started to run it back the wrong way. He ran for about 20 yards and the official blew the whistle inadvertantly (he was confused himself). I was really hoping to see my son take it back to the (wrong) house so I could rib him about it the rest of his life. ;-)

[Orange 26]

I guess everyone has a story like that one. In our first season (I think 6-7 year olds), one of our younger players took a handoff from our own 5 yard line. He promptly bolted into the endzone and almost stepped out the back of the endzone. I'm standing back there shouting to run the other way. Several defenders are giving chase as he runs from right to left right along the back of the endzone. He's a quick little guy so he scampered along and finally had it figured out and began running the right way. Of course he went all the way for a TD. It was the longest possible touchdown run as he went the length and width of the field.

[Husker Fan 2]

My kindergarten team (5-6 year old) played their first game Saturday and I think we scored every time we had the ball. On one play while we were on defense, we turned the ball carrier around at the line and he was running towards his end zone. One of the kids on my team was running and standing with him and kept trying to point and get him running in the right direction. Had to explain to him that that was nice but he should just pull the flag On another play, one of their players retreated probably 20 yards before we got him. We practice running downfield and not backwards to minimize this from happening at the early ages.

Husker Fan

[Platoon 1]

I have more info about how things are going but Ill add here too.

First year coach, a 5 on 5 Seniors division (10-12year olds). It seems to be going ok, I guess as a newbie coach expectations are alway higher. I am settling down now as we have had 2 scrimmages, one went great 23-0 in our favor and last Sunday we got beat 24-14.

I want to ask a question as well, how many practices are you guys/gals having per week??

Do parents complain about how much practice you are asking them to attend?

[Texas_D_Coach 14]

Do parents complain about how much practice you are asking them to attend?

Generally in flag football practices are kept to once a week and only 1.5-2 hours per practice.

That is one thing that I hear alot of people say they like about flag football is that it is much less grueling than tackle.

I have tried having more than one practice per week before and I did hear some minor grumblings, but nothing too major.

[Johnp2 21]

In the past we have had practices three times per week (one hour each). It's mainly two "required" practices and one "bonus" practice. I usually have 70-80 percent attendance in the bonus practice.

To-date, I've yet to have a parent complain about the number of practices. I make it fun, and the kids all really want to be there. I'm also open to picking kids up and/or dropping them off from practice---which I've done quite a bit.

There are worse ways for someone to spend their evenings, in my opinion.

[Husker Fan 2]

For my 3rd-4th grade teams, prior to the Fall season we practiced twice a week for 1.5 hours each. During the season we practiced once a week for 1.5 hours. Took a more relaxed approach than the more hectic April-July baseball game and practice schedule. For the Kindergarten team, currently practicing once a week for 1.5 hours but will soon go to practicing immediately prior to our games because most of kids are also playing baseball or soccer and numerous practice and game conflicts.

Husker Fan

[rushbuster70 16]

We won our 3rd game.26-19.Tough one but we pulled it out and played defense at the end to stop them from winning.3-0 so far and everything is getting plenty of playing time & touches.Kids & parents are happy

[Coach Rob 26]

I want to ask a question as well, how many practices are you guys/gals having per week??Do parents complain about how much practice you are asking them to attend?

1 hour before the game if our practice time. I try and sneak in a few extra practices before seasons starts, but stick with 1 hour per week once we're in the season.

Little dudes (4-6 yr old) team won yesterday. Still trying to wrap my head around football at this age, pretty young to be playing imo. Lost our big game (11-14 yr olds) by 2 pts. Good for the kids, we need close games. Tons of ball touches for everyone and diff kids played QB.

Btw, new drill I ran for a good chunk of the practice worked out great. 3 vs. 3, explanation under Drills in forum.

[rushbuster70 16]

So right now we are 4-1...Should be smooth sailing the rest of the way.We lost to the #1 team in the league.We are currently #2.Sucks we dont get to play them again but oh well.I hate sound cocky but we are just playing some very bad teams the next 2 weeks.Our last game will be a rematch of our 1st which was a pretty big blowout.We have done a great job all season and expect to keep doing well.

[redzone 0]

good luck on your season rush - what type of offense do you run?

[rushbuster70 16]

I have my own collection of plays I've put together through out the years.Not a specific one.

[Coach Rob 26]

My 4-6 yr old team is 1-4... heh... it's been fun though. A lot of work just to keep the kids focused. I have two 6 yr olds that could dominate, but that wouldn't be fair. One team is 5-0, they have 210 total pts so far. The coaches run their 6 yr olds pretty much the entire game until the last few mintues. Sad.

My 11-14 team is 3-2, tougher year, played a team today with two 14 yr olds that were at least 6'0" and connected a lot. Nothing you can do. 10 seconds left in the game, they were up by 3 TDs, so we figured they'd just run it up the middle. Had our weaker players in and they took advantage of a mismatch to score using the two big guys. Wild that coaches can do stuff like that with a 20 pt lead and 10 seconds left in the game. They only had 7 players, so it was pretty much a game against their two big guys who stayed in on offense and defense most of the game. Life in the big city I guess.

We'll probably end up in 2nd place and if we win, end up playing them again in the tourney. Kids are having fun, had a cool Mother's Day chant today. Ball touches have been through the roof on both my teams, feel great about that. Not sure how other teams do it without having someone track it on the side and making mid game adjustments, I sure couldn't do it.

[jqmoney 3]

My 9-12 year old kids finished the season 7-0 put up 288 points this season had to very close games we are the number 1 seed going into the tournament. My 6-8 year olds are currently 4-3 with one game left we either are going to get the 3 or 4 seed we are hoping for the 4th seed because the 2 seed isnt very good and we split the series with them

[rushbuster70 16]

We won 40-0.Gave up 1st down the first game.It was impressive and everyone played a wonderful game.Couldn't of been happier.1 more week left then another season in the bag.