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Blocking and tackling equals Football success. Period, end of story. This holds true at every level of football, but especially the youth level. The most successful teams are the teams that block and tackle better than their opponent. Blocking is 99% attitude at the pee wee football level. Any player who listens, and has the desire, can become an effective blocker at the youth football level. All players will need this skill since at some point during a game, they will need to perform an effective block against the opposition. It may come on a special team or an interception return, but all players will need to know how to block.

I know in my heart, that each child that wears a football helmet and straps on a pair of shoulder pads can be taught how to successfully block. Each player may not succeed at executing every different style, or type of block, but each player can execute at the minimum, the really introductory blocks. Each kid can be coached on how to properly assist during a double team block.

Only players who do not want to be on the team and put in no effort, have a problem learning how to block. Get used to it at the pee wee level as many kids are forced to play by their parents and have no desire to play football. If you are coaching a “B” level team this may be the case with many of the players on your team. It is common for me to ask certain parents why they have registered their son to play football when the child clearly has no desire to play. The players tell me straight to my face that they do not want to play and their parents are making them. I usually talk to the parents and try to put it in perspective explaining that basketball is a contact sport, while football is a collision sport.

In over 20 years of youth football coaching, I have yet to hear even one valid reason from a parent on why they make their son participate in a sport the child has no desire to play. The standard, or canned, response is they do not want their kid sitting around the house watching TV or playing video games. That is what soccer is for. Let them run crazy with no chance of collision contact.

In any case, off my soapbox, let me correct my statement to all willing players can be coached to block. The most satisfying part of coaching blocking, at the pee wee football level, is that with proper form and using their brains any player can have success. These two factors are most important for a player to learn how to block.

It does not matter how potent or mighty the block is at the pop warner level. The strength and power of the block matter more at the high school level. At the youth football level, blocking is basically running interference on the defenders. Usually you need your line to just slow down the defenders by getting in their way while the backs get running. The quicker your ball carrier is, the less time your offensive linemen will have to run interference (block).

In conclusion, your job as a teacher, is to instruct the correct blocking techniques and provide the participants the suitable schemes to have success.

The main difference between adult sports and kids’ games is that you should always remember that the kids sports are not as serious and results-oriented as adult games. You, the coach, and the kids should do it more for the fun of it. Aiming for the gold or winning should be a goal as long as you do not cheat or indulge in unfair practices just for the sake of it.

American culture is competitive, but there’s no call to instill in children the mindset that winning is everything. There are also other things to think about, such as sportsmanship and respect for the other players.

Too often, our children are fed the wrong messages by the media. They see players in fisticuffs, yelling and screaming at the referee, and other such actions; they read articles and listen to and watch commentaries that tell them that violence and cheating for the sake of winning are normal and acceptable.

Often the coach must undo, in practice and on the field, what hours of exposure to these messages do to children. Look around you: adults have disorganized the world enough with their selfish attitudes and disingenuous explanations. Do you honestly want to help pass this down to the next generation?

Teach the kids to accept victory with magnanimity and defeat graciously. The old saying “It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how you played the game” should be emphasized. You probably already shake hands with the opposing coaching staff after a game, so try having your members thank the opposing team after the game, no matter who won.

Dissuade them from showboating, but don’t go so far as to totally stop acknowledging the good things individuals do – a little attaboy after a fourth touchdown, or an excellent block, is never out of line. Just don’t promote individuals so much that they start acting like they’re better than their team mates. This is demoralizing and disruptive.

As a coach you should inspire your members to give their best and work well with other team members to achieve the team’s goals. You are a role model for the children under your wing, like it or not. What you do impresses them more powerfully than what you say. So always carry yourself accordingly. Strive to emphasize sportsmanship, character, and trust.

Have a Plan

Always plan and think of your goals for the team. Discuss this with your team members. Take into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of each team member. The ages and sex of the members may vary and this should be carefully analyzed by the coach to maximize advantages and minimize the disadvantages. At their times of growth, not all boys and girls are going to develop at the same way or at the same rate.

Warm Up

Warm-up exercises before playing are very important. Some stretching and muscle exercises must be standard procedure before a game. This will ensure less injuries and more agility on the part of the players. They will become better prepared and stay focused as they move on into the game. It also gives them time to adjust from whatever it was that they were doing before – time to settle into the grove of playing team sports.

Keep It Simple

Remember to make your demonstrations of the skills or techniques simple for the kids to follow. Don’t try to cram too much information in one session. Demonstrations should not look complicated or time-consuming. Nor should they be boring; if you notice your team members’ attentions wandering while you’re talking, it’s time to either take a different tack on the subject or go do something else.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Practice ensures mastery of techniques and skills. It also helps boost the kid’s confidence as they become more familiar with certain moves.

Be Flexible

Always be ready with alternatives should your main plans falter. Maybe doing something differently at that time is the order of the day.

Get Yourself an Assistant

Generals have lots of staff. The President has a whole Cabinet full of them. You’re a general of sorts too, aren’t you? Why don’t you have even one?

You’re not superhuman. It helps if you have someone help you do your job as coach. This would leave you free to concentrate on your players since you wouldn’t have to think about setting the equipment up at the same time. It can also be a lifesaver in emergencies to have another adult around.

Show Respect for Your Players

Don’t be too dictatorial. Be sensitive to the children’s limitations and emotions. Even if they look up to you for guidance and support, you must value their opinions and understand your players’ different personalities. Never humiliate a player publicly. Never corner a player until he or she has no option but to go through you.

If you’re explaining a play, ask them questions like, “What’s the reason for this?” or “Is there anything we should watch out for when trying this out?” The fact that you’re asking them reinforces their self-esteem and makes them feel like they’re an important part of your football team.

Maintain Discipline

Agree on the rules for discipline. Setting this early can lead to a more organized practice not just for one meeting but for the rest of the season. Earn and engage the kid’s respect so they will stay focused on the game and not engage in disruptive activities. If one team is practicing plays, the other players can be doing drills while waiting for their turn. This keeps everyone busy and prevents boredom. Have the assistant supervise one group while you coach the other.

Learn to Differentiate between Normal Roughhousing and Malicious Behavior

There’s no hard and fast rule to this, but call the member aside and talk to them if you feel it’s necessary. Don’t use exercise as a punitive measure. Benching them is more effective, as this deprives them of the chance to participate in the activity that they’re supposed to be engaging in.

Following these tips will assist you in creating a positive coaching environment for your team.

When you have a passion for something, you want to pursue it at every available moment. Whether you’re a football coach looking for some practice strategies to assign to your players, a parent looking to give your kid a step up, or a player who loves the game and wants to improve, we’ve come up with some youth football drills that can be practiced alone. Every youth football player should learn to throw and catch the ball properly even if their position doesn’t require it on a regular basis.

Passing Drills That Can Be Practiced Alone

Practice throwing a spiral. Focus on your grip technique as well as your release. Practice at 50% of your throwing power and just concentrate on throwing perfect spirals. The football should roll off the fingers putting a spin on the ball.

Once you get the spiral down begin to develop accuracy. Again, keep your drills to half speed and focus on achieving the highest accuracy rating. Get a notebook to keep records in and try to improve each time out.

Once you can throw a perfect spiral at a target on a consistent basis you can begin to increase the power in your throws. Increase the velocity by 10% or so until you obtain the same accuracy rating you achieved at 50% capacity.

Now its time to throw while you’re moving to simulate game activity. Practice throwing from the pocket, rolling out, backpedaling to avoid the rush, throwing in the opposite direction…essentially, get ready for all game conditions.

Get plenty of rest for your arm. The problem with practicing repetitive activities is that they can cause ligament and muscle strain. Practicing football passing drills alone two or three alternate days a week is plenty.

Receiving Drills That Can Be Practiced Alone

Practice running your routes for each play. Drill these into your subconscious mind. Simulate game action and bring your hands up for the catch while forming a “pocket” with your fingers.

As a receiver it is important for you to practice “watching the ball into your hands” so that it becomes second nature. To practice this alone, lie on your back and spiral the ball a few feet into the air. Then “watch” the ball right into your hands. Be sure to form a pocket with your hands with your thumbs and index fingers almost touching. Catch the football away from your body and then tuck it in.

Of course, you can perform agility and conditioning drills alone as well. Every youth football player should be taught the self-discipline to exercise. Try these youth football drills whenever you can and watch your game improve.

You can also find many youth football drills on the Internet covering passing, receiving, rushing, defense and more Some drills are free and some require subscription or for you to order a DVD. Free football drills allow you greater flexibility in trying a variety and see what works best for you as the coach and your youth baseball team. Always remember that drills should be age appropriate. The right passing drill for a 14 year-old boy will not suit and 8-year old and vice versa.

There are many football coaching resources and communities like Weplay available to help with any questions you might have. Don’t underestimate the passion of the community around you. We are all here to help the kids.

Youth football rushing drills used to consist of practicing handoffs, holding on to the ball while being hit, and blocking for the quarterback. In today’s game, a running back needs those rushing skills in addition to “reading” the defense for blitzing linebackers and catching the football out of the backfield. In many cases, the running back acts as an option for the quarterback if no other play is available. To play the position effectively, the running back must be quick on his feet, drive forward with power, and be able to react reflexively in an instant.

Below are some youth football rushing drills, but you can find more free football drills online at websites like Weplay.com.

Youth Football Running Back Drills

Weave Drill
The Weave drill teaches aspiring running backs proper footwork techniques. It focuses on balance while planting the foot and driving in another direction.

Place 5 cones in a straight line on the field about one yard apart. Have the running backs line up near the first cone. To begin, the coach hands the football off to the first running back. The running back weaves in and out between the cones and returns handing the football off to the next running back.

When performing this running back drill, the focus should be on planting the outside foot firmly and then driving in the opposite direction. The proper planting of the foot will help prevent slippage when game time rolls around. The running backs should also focus on proper ball protection technique and maintain a low center of gravity.

“Running the Gauntlet“
This running back drill teaches players to receive a handoff, tuck it in, and break through immediate contact while retaining possession.

Position two dummy bags approximately 3 yards from the starting position. Position two dummy bag holders 3 to 4 yards further downfield. Have a linebacker roaming the field to force open field maneuvers. After taking a handoff, the running back protects the football while running through the two dummy bags. He must maintain control while being pursued by the dummy holders. And finally, perform an evasive maneuver to avoid the linebacker. Have each running back practice handoffs from both the right and left sides.

When performing youth football rushing drills such as these, the player should practice keeping a low center of gravity with knees up and shoulders down. Proper ball protection techniques must be employed in order to retain possession of the ball.

Every youth football player, no matter what their regular position is, should learn to throw a spiral with accuracy. It’s a crucial component of the game and one never knows when an opportunity to make a spectacular passing play may come along.

For the youth football quarterback, these tips need to be practiced over and over again to gain passing proficiency. Besides checking out the below tips, you can also learn the fundamentals from free football video tutorials on sites like Weplay.com, where top pros like Peyton Manning show the proper way to throw a spiral.

The Grip for Throwing a Perfect Spiral

It can be difficult for young football players to get a good grip on the football as their hands may not be large enough. That doesn’t preclude them from learning the proper technique with some slight modifications.

•    The football should be gripped lightly with the fingertips and not rest in the palm of the hand. The light grip allows for increased ball control. This can be a problem for younger players with small hands where there is no choice but to use the palm.

•    It’s important to place your index finger on the seam to put a “spin” or spiral on the football upon release. Don’t force the spin; let it roll naturally off the fingers.  Trying to over spin the ball is a common mistake.

•    As you step back in the pocket, hold the football next to your ear as you look for your target. The ball will be cradled in the “U” between thumb and index finger.

The Release Technique for Spiral Passes

Practice throwing spiral passes with this release technique at 50% of your throwing capacity until you perfect it. You can then start increasing your velocity as you begin to master the skill.

•    Keeping your eye on your receiver, take your arm backward and then “spring” it forward in a circular motion releasing the football at the top of the arc.

•    A good release will spin the football off the index finger as you let it go. The other fingers are used only for supporting the ball and not for putting a spiral on it.

•    As you release the football, be sure to continue with the follow through for spin and accuracy.

Passing Accuracy in Football

Now that you’ve mastered the spiral pass you have to work on hitting your target. Many football recruiters list passing accuracy as the primary passing skill when selecting potential quarterbacks. A perfect spiral is of no use if it’s bouncing along the field, or worse, in the arms of an opposing player. Again, throw the football at about 50% velocity when performing accuracy drills. They’ll be plenty of time to work on your power once you have mastered the basics.

•    Get yourself set in your stance with your non-throwing hip pointed towards your receiver. Being “set” is crucial for accuracy and power.

•    When you are ready to pass, cock your shoulder and step towards your target when you release the football.

•    Follow through on the pass with the palm of your throwing hand facing the ground.  Here is an example video demonstration of Peyton Manning follow through on the pass.

•     Throwing an accurate spiral pass in football is not a difficult process. Repetition of basic throwing mechanics is the key along with adequate rest. Youth football players should practice these passing tips every other day to master them.

Tyrone Braxton

Youth Football Plays

Our youth football plays are designed for teams looking to improve their offensive and defensive performance. If you are coach football, at any level, this downloadable playbook is worth a look! Designed by 13 year starting PRO Tyrone Braxton, the book includes full color plays, hot route reads, tips, diagrams, drills and strategies to prepare your athletes. It’s also connected to Wristband Interactive, “Football’s Greatest Invention”

Our youth football offensive plays are basic enough that the developing players can grasp and execute the play scheme, but they are also complex enough to challenge the defense and defeat the formation that the defense has chosen.  The combination of basic and yet complex is what the playbook chapters in the book are all about. 

An entire section is devoted to tips for young players as well.  The earlier a young player begins to develop the techniques for effective play, the sooner these effective techniques become a habit and are ingrained for the remainder of a player’s football career.

TB’s Playbook includes:

 Plays to beat man coverage
 Plays to beat zone coverage
Defensive plays and strategies
 Tips for defensive backs
 Tips for receivers
 Tips for quarterbacks
 Stories about his Journey

 

Braxton played college football at North Dakota State University where he earned all-conference honors as a senior and won 3 National Championships in 4 years. He was a Defensive back and punt return specialist who earned all-conference honors as a senior after posting 128 tackles, one INT and two FR. He led the conference with five INTs and a punt return average of 15.0 as a junior. He was a member of the North Central Conference champion outdoor 400-meter relay squad and competed in the national championship. Braxton was drafted by the Broncos in the 12th round of the 1987 NFL Draft.

One of the most important things that we teach in our youth football coaching program is to know the direction of basic defense. This is something we focus on specifically at our youth football coaching site. This is because if you know the direction of basic defense and apply it in your coaching program, the outcome is that you are most likely to become successful in any youth football game. In our youth football coaching program, we teach our team the fast way to defend and how to defend.

In our youth football coaching program, we have what we call the 5-3 defense. For us, this is the most effective direction of basic defense that you can have. This kind of defense would consist of 8 people: we have 5 down line men and then 3 line backers (defensive backers). These defensive backers usually go to the left, and they must have a striker. Now, the purpose of this defense is to have 8 people as the most technique-sound people: they do not need to be the biggest, nor the fastest; they just have to cover the outside and the inside. And if somebody will pass right at you, then worry not, because you will be in the right position to defend!

The important players in this kind of defense are the Nose Guard (or Nose Tackle), Line Backer and the Tackle. In our youth football coaching program, the Nose Guard is placed in the center area (who acts as the A gap); the Line Backer has the back side A and C, and they do the running (who acts as the B gap); and the Tackle has the back side B (who acts as the C gap). As for the nose guards and the tackles, they will use the technique that become the discipline that they use in the field. They always let the inside leg up (towards the ball). The line men are all linebackers. They do the same footwork drills and the same technique. It should always be remembered that the first step is always to their gap and try to reach the back side back.

In youth football coaching, to have a good program, you should know how to divide and organize the days for the program. This is something that we focus on specifically at our youth football coaching site. Getting the days organized for the youth football coaching program is one factor that should be given of great importance. In this article, you will be able to see how we, in our youth football coaching program, divide the days and organize them efficiently.

The first 3 days of our youth football coaching program is dedicated on learning every step we’re going to take for the rest of the year. We go right from the beginning and into the drills. Among the kids that we have in our team, we determine who’s the best player, who’s the running back, who’s the quarterback; basically who’s going to be the “who” in the field. We let the kids decide on where they would like to position in the field and go anywhere they want. We let any kid do what they want to do based on what they think they can do. Then our coaches evaluate them if they are really fit for their positions. They also learn the basic fundamentals, from starting, stopping, and positioning themselves in the field.

In the 4th and 5th day, we give the kids their pads. In these days of our youth football coaching program we start to see who really wants to play football. We do drills that are designed for aggressiveness, technique and tackle. Everybody participates in these drills. The 6th day is what I consider as the most physical day before the season. In here, we find out who is “there” and “not there” in the game. We determine who is capable of doing the techniques provided in the last 5 days. By this time, we determine the positions or the capabilities of that kind of position. (Now it should be noted that what is being taught in the first 6 days are straight warm-ups, nothing fancy and nothing outrageous.)

Then after the 5th and 6th days we pretty much know where we are going. Our kids are on the right track and they know what we’re doing. By this time in our youth football coaching program we have a general direction about 3 weeks out, as we have already completed a whole week. We’re expecting to see individual people at position at all times. We also give the kids options. We give them options that they’re running backs, linemen, tight end, etc. And in addition to this, one of the biggest things that I find very important when you start the season is to put yourself in a position to scrimmage some of the better teams. In our case, we have high schools that run jamborees and it’s 12,14,16,18 teams get together at a high school and they run 3 sets of 20 players each (10 players in the offense and 10 players in the defense) and you pretty much know by the end of that where you stand.

Now, the last week is basically a “tune up” in our youth football coaching program. You come into this game very prepared by the help of the previous 4 weeks in training and practice. You understand the team that you are playing. You are going to go forward; and move forward as this week goes on. And as the season goes on all the stuff that we’ve learned from day 1 until day 5 are to be continued and elevated everyday. We expect a little bit more every time. And before the first season you should be ready to go on to that field with complete football technique.

So these are the helpful ways on how to divide and organize your days in your youth football coaching program. Organizing and dividing the days in this manner will really help you in achieving your goals for your team!