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AFM Magazine


Five Ways To Ensure A Solid Foundation For Your Junior High Program

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By Bill Shepard, Assistant Coach,
Durand High School (IL) and
Darin Davis, Assistant Coach,
Dakota High School (IL)

If a head coach at the high school level wants to achieve success then he needs to invest time in his junior high program. We believe that there are five essential ingredients that help lay a solid foundation for a football program at the junior high level. It may take time to get all of the ingredients in place but the effects on the high school are immense.
1. Emphasis should be more on fundamentals and less on winning.

This doesn’t mean that winning isn’t important, but taking the raw talent and adding solid fundamentals can make players more productive and winning will take care of itself. Drills and game experience will help players to develop the skills necessary to enjoy the game and maintain proper technique. Understanding and performing proper blocking, tackling, and running skills can help any player play the game harder and better than when they started.
2. The right type of motivation can help achieve success.

Winning at all costs should never be part of the philosophy at any level yet it exists within society and sports at all levels. It can prove to be a detriment at the junior high level and a program may see its best players chose other sports if this philosophy is allowed. Far more is gained by emphasizing cooperation, teamwork and involvement by players.
Also, too often players who could develop into impact players at the high school level are dismissed or benched because of their size, weight (light or heavy) or lack of understanding of the sport. A student may not have control of his body yet but once he grows into that body and recognizes what he can do with the right attitude he can impact others on the team with his play. It may take some time but being written off as a junior high player could cost a high school program a good player. This is why motivation and playing time at this level are so important.
3. Involvement of parents, boosters, teachers and administrators is key.

All of these groups have a part to play in the development of any program but especially on the junior high level. For some of these young people, this is their first experience with the sport, the coaches, techniques and even the terminology. Communication with these groups and involvement with them as partners will go far in any success you may have. You are also in the position to help parents get adjusted to the demands on them and their sons as it relates to practices, games, fundraisers and training. Having eligibility standards, practice schedules, team rules and team expectations in writing for parents, boosters, administrators and teachers will further help your cause.
4. Making junior high coaches part of the high school staff.

This may be the toughest objective to develop and reach but it can be very beneficial. High school coaches inviting junior high coaches to help them with summer camp and weightlifting programs, attending clinics with them and participating with other high school coaches at meetings are all ways that can help the junior high staff. The goal is to help the junior high players to be more prepared and reduce the transition for them into high school football. The more concerned the high school coaches are with the junior high staff and the more the junior high coaches are involved with the high school program the greater the possibility for success in the subsequent years for the players.
Running a reduced offensive and defensive package with the same terminology, techniques, and drills can also help. Junior high coaches scouting for the high school or helping with practice are also positive suggestions. The high school head coach publicly recognizing and thanking the junior high staff for their support can also go a long way. Inviting the high school coaches to the junior high awards night or banquet at the end of the year is also a good step. High school coaches watching junior high games can help the coaches to better know and understand the type of players they will see in the upcoming years.
5. Encourage and support solid scholarship and good behavior in school.

When they recruit players, colleges don’t always look at talent as their number one concern but measure the level of scholarship and character student/athletes have as they finish high school. Some of these habits of good behavior and scholarship begin in the junior high years. Sending a letter or email to junior high teachers asking them to let you know of the progress of the players can help greatly. No coach wants to deal with behavior or grade problems after they get out of hand but knowing issues that can be corrected is important. Sometimes extra running or limiting playing time can help in the correction of a young person’s mindset.
Never get in the middle between parents and teachers because you will, in most cases, lose ground and the respect of the teacher. Most schools have eligibility rules and checks to follow but being aggressive and proactive as a coach with these issues can make your job easier. An assigned coach can check homework planners, grades and even talk to players who are struggling to further improve the right team attitude about school. Holding players accountable will help your program and any program your players will participate with later.

 






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