Friday, February 22, 2008
Top 10 Sports Rituals
10. Stomping on an opposing team's midfield logo. Thanks to the "U" for starting the trend back in the 90s.
9. Chicago Bulls opening player introductions.
8. "God Bless America" at Yankees stadium
7. Gatorade bath
6. Playoff beards in the NHL
5. "Take me out to the ball game" at Wrigley field.
4. Hat Trick in the NHL
3. SCRIPT OHIO by "the best damn band in the land"
2. Detriot Redwings octopus thrown onto the ice.
1. All Blacks Haka dance.
Missing the cut:
Lambeau Leap
Sweet Caroline at Fenway
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Leagues Playoffs and Signups are Looming
Since the Winter leagues are coming to a close that mean signups begin in March for Spring Flag Football. Two significant youth leagues, i9 and the YMCA NFL Youth, will be kicking off the signup around the first week in March. If you are considering coaching youth and have never done it, here are some things to consider to run your team:
- field markers/or cones
- play calling wrist bands for 10-15 y/o
- extra footballs
- coach's laminated placard
- first aid kit
- Coach's whistle
I used the cones to set up my drills and sometimes half the field for scrimmages. 
The play calling wrist band, I think is an effective tool for youth. I usually have two wrist bands for the players; 1 for the QB and 1 for the hot WR. My playbook is color coded so that the players understand what patterns they are running and who is in motion. Color codes I use are; Red for #1 WR, Blue for #2 WR, Green for #3 WR, Orange for Center and Purple for QB. If you draw out the routes in color it reduces time in the huddle. I usually have the same placard so that way i can call the plays for them, for instance. I can say "RED 7 or BLUE 1" . That means the QB will run play # 7 and the "Hot" WR will be the color red and he or she should get the ball.
First Aid kit is a biggie. Recently i had one of my players break his wrist during a tournament. So you can get a good first aid kit for about $20-30 at a Target or Wal-mart. Believe me you will need it.
In the next couple of days I will be posting some of my practice drills and plays.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Day #2 Let it Fly
In the playoffs we were scheduled to meet the Eagles, a team from Wolfson HS. Apparently they were scared as they didn't show up for the game. Spartans 6 Eagles 0...Forfiet! In the semi-finals the Spartans were facing a team that was called the "Geek Squad". They had the Geek Squad logo and was a team comprised of Orange Park HS kids. The Spartans started out flat and the Geek Squad were throwing quick strikes and soon they were up 23-0 at half time. The Spartans gathered themselves and played defense and the offense kicked in.Before you knew the Spartans were up 25-23 with less than 2 minutes to play. Remember the game either stops at 28 pts or times up. The Geek Squad were driving and all the Spartans had to do was stop the 3rd down play from them getting a first. What happen was they got the first down but flag guarding was called by one ref and the main ref didnt see it and the kid went into the endzone. game over. After arguing with the ref, it didnt matter what the other ref saw. he said he was the main ref and the call was final. In the end first tournament that these kids played in and they ended up in 3rd place.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Day #1 Let it Fly
The second game was a blow out. The team called Camp Next were comprised of kids from Fleming Island HS. Apparently these kids have been playing together since the age of eight. Alot of the calls didnt go our way and we did lose 28-7. It was the first time the kids lost in over a year, so it was painful for them.
So 1-1 for the day, the next game was a real challenge. I will get to that tomorrow.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Let it Fly Tourney
The youth team, Oakleaf Spartans, is gelling pretty good. There are five players on the team; 2 from Orange Park HS, 1 from Middleburg HS, 1 from Bishop Snyder and 1 from Forrest. Basically I have two great QBs and some quick receivers. So far we have had three practices, each practice we had a decent scrimmage with players that were older then they were. The last scrimmage was against men in there late 20s, who are also playing in the tourney, and they held their hold against them. The jerseys for the team look great, so I thank the sponsors for their support. Recently one of the sponsors had her grand opening of her store, PostNET. So I gathered 4 of the 5 memebers of the team and had them at the opening with their jerseys on. It was really nice, the sponsor their had Jaxson DeVille, Jax Jaguars Mascot, out at her opening as well. So the team had some great photo shots with the sponsor, Jaxson DeVille and ate some good grub before taking off.
Lastly, on other leagues. I did gather some notes for the Upward Youth Flag Football league and will be posting this information after the tournament.
