Head on a Swivel!

You may have never heard this, but I heard the phrase many times in my sporting days. "Get your head on a swivel." Keep a look out for what might be coming. It is important to understand this concept in football. If you play linebacker it is especially important, because you are the second level of the defense. You have the ability to react to the play before a blocker gets to you. Now, if the offensive lineman is doing his job and has studied properly he is going to know where you will react and go to and how to get in your way. It really won't take much more than that if everything else is taken care of. Just getting between you and the ball carrier, even if he doesn't block you all that well, adds a couple of yards to the play anyway. So keep your head on a swivel! If you are able to not only get to the spot you need to be, but also get there without being blocked then you are in a much better position to make the tackle for little or no gain. After all down and distance always favors the defense. Now this lesson is particularly important to everyone involved because eventually you will have a life to live and know there are specific things that you must do. The trick is maintaining an awareness of everything going on around you and seeing things that are coming to be able to adjust and still make your mark.
Tricky thing this head on a swivel idea. It is easy to get so focused on avoiding the block that you miss the play entirely. Don't forget that making the tackle is your first priority not avoiding being hit. Stay focused and you will get there, and don't forget to have a look out for what else may be coming. In other words, keep your head on a swivel.

Raising the Athlete!

In today's world it is incredible how early many people have their kids trying to do "major league" things. So what is the right thing to do? What can we do with our young athletes to prepare them without tearing them up? Fundamentals! Fundamentals my friends! There is nothing that changes about fundamentals. They are something that your young athlete will never not use. It is far more important for an 8 year old to know how to throw properly and far less important for them to be effective at throwing curve balls. It is coming up on football season and if you think there is any sport that is less about fundamentals you would be wrong. The best athletes in the world may be good, but without proper technique they are gobbled up as they get into higher ranks of football. If you have a lineman teach them to "fire off" the line and find their opponents chest with there hands and head. Teach them to avoid looking for their eyes, and to avoid standing up straight. As they get older, into their preteen ages and early teen ages, work with them on flexibility, agility, and explosiveness while still recognizing that their fundamentals are still important. The same is true with quarterbacks and receivers, fundamentals in route running, footwork, hand placement, stance, release point, etc., are the things that they will use for their entire careers. Also, if you can teach a young kid that you build on basics and grow from there through time, perseverance and hard work they will be better equipped for life circumstances.