Hello to all,
I hope everyone has wrapped up their season on a good note.
A topic was mentioned, from Kevin Davis, on my last entry that I wanted to address. He spoke about the importance of a good stance in youth football. I can’t tell you enough how important it is to have your players in fundamentally-sound football stances.
The first thing I will mention that will help you with this is USA Football’s online education course at www.usafootball.com. We have built a comprehensive learning tool that will steer you in the right direction as it pertains to all of the fundamentals of youth football. The proper stance for all positions can determine if your player will be successful or not on any given play. The correct balance and hand and foot placement in the stance allows the player to have a “chance” to succeed once the ball is snapped.
One of the tools that I use to help my players learn a proper three- or four-point stance is our bleachers. I start by having four players at a time take a seat on the first level of the bleacher. Then I have them reach their hand out in front of them until their fingertips touch the ground. Make sure that their heads are up and their backs are flat once their fingertips touch the ground. From that position, I have them lean forward without putting their head down or arching their backs. You will be amazed at how fast and easy this will help you to get your kids in a good three- or four-point stance.
Write me here with any questions or comments you have regarding youth football.
Filed in: Coaching Advice, Coaching Education, High School Football, Youth Football.
Dwayne “Deno” Campbell not only enjoys football – he lives his life around it. By day, he works as the South and Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager for USA Football, the official youth football development partner of the NFL and NFL Players Association. When night falls, Deno hits the field as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator at DeMatha Catholic High School, which is consistently ranked in the USA TODAY Super 25 high school football rankings. He was a Stag himself earning All-Met honors his senior year before earning a full scholarship to suit up at the College of William & Mary as a linebacker. Deno, also a member of the DeMatha Hall of Fame, is now in his 23rd season coaching at his alma mater and was named DCSportsfan.com’s Assistant High School Coach of the Year in 2008.