Hey Coach, I’m a 6'4 sophomore about 195 and run about a 5 flat forty. I have played safety and now they have moved me to a DE/Dog position where I am involved in a lot more run support than I am in pass. I have been a straight up pass defending safety but they said I want to be more physical so moved me. Could you tell me what you think about this move?
Hi Michael,
Obviously your coaches feel that this is a position where you can make the greatest contribution to the team and have great personal success. Based on what you have told me, I think they project you to get bigger, stronger, and quicker and by the time you are a senior an ideal size defensive end player.
You should prepare mentally for being involved in more contact during fall practice and games but this is something that you will adapt to very quickly.
To be honest with you, I feel that this will be a very positive move for your long range football career and that you should approach it with a very positive outlook, Coach Tom Bass.
James from Altamonte Springs sent the following question:
Dear Coach, I'm about to go into my first year of organized football (freshman) and I need some advice. I'm confused about what position best suits me. I'm 5' 9", 145. I'm not that strong (hopefully summer workouts will fix that) and I don't have the best hands. I consider my strengths speed and tackling. I enjoy tackling, but I really love to run the football. People say I should play defense because the starter from Lake Brantley's Midget team is returning, but I don't want to concede the spot because the starter is coming back. So what should I do Coach? Should I try to get the RB spot, or should I just focus on something else on defense? Thanks, Coach.
Hi James,
By all means go out for the running back position and congratulations on not giving it up because another player is already there. Competition is one of the great things about playing football and being part of the team.
As fall practice takes place you may see, or your coaches may determine, that you are better suited and can help the team the most by playing at one of the defensive back spots. If that occurs you will still have adequate time to learn the position and to be ready for the season.
Start at running back and give it everything you have so that you never look back and wish that you had at least tried the position and not given it up without competing, Coach Tom Bass.
JR from Richmond, VA sent the following question:
Hey Coach, I've been playing football for two years and usually I've been placed on the line because of my size and it worked out perfectly. I noticed at the end and after last season that I've developed a really strong arm. While my accuracy is mediocre at times I can throw deep bombs for my age (14). I just wanted to know what the average arm strength for a Freshmen QB in High School is. Right now I could throw about 45-55 yards (just an estimate).
Hi JR,
I do not know if anyone has ever established an average arm strength for freshman football player at the QB position. My guess would be that a player this age would never be asked to throw over 35-40 yards with the average including wide throws to the sideline not being more in the 20 to 30 yard range.
Remember, at the quarterback position, proper mechanics in your throwing motion, accuracy in your throws, a complete knowledge of the offense and leadership skills are much more important than arm strength.
I hope this helps you, Coach Tom Bass.
Jake from Illinois sent the following question:
Dear Coach Bass, I'm 5'6, almost 5'7 and 150 lbs, I have 4'6-4'8 speed and am maxing bench at about 205. I will be on varsity next year (I'm a sophomore right now), and I'm really pushing to start at; CB, WR, HB, or KR. I started at Corner last year, but I realize that the varsity level speeds up more than the sophomore level and I would also be competing against seniors. What tips would you give me to be able to get noticed by the coach, and/or start next season?
Hi Jake,
First of all you need to settle on one or at the most two positions that you are going to concentrate on in the fall. Either CB or WR or HB plus trying out as KR would make sense to me. You kick returning duties would be in addition to your assignments in one of the other three positions on the team.
There are two areas of importance that every coach is looking for in a player, attitude and performance. How you approach each practice, are you first in line, do you work at 100%, do you pay attention and listen every time something is being taught and do you know your assignments and play error free football; each of these are important to a coach and will contribute to the confidence he has in playing you.
Speak to your coaches and try to zero in on one position and KR before the summer is over and then go out and have fun regardless of where you play, Coach Tom Bass.
Austin from Medina, Ohio sent the following question:
Hello Coach, my name is Austin and I have been playing Quarter Back since JV football. I am currently a freshman in high school. I am being inserted into the starting line up. My school isn’t well known for Division one products, but I believe that I can make it. I’m 6 ft 175 lbs. This would mean I would only get bigger. I can throw the ball 60 yards with tight spiral and throw close to 60 completion percent. I ran a 4.94 at my schools "combine". Now in your opinion what would I need to get better, and get into a division one school? Thanks!
Hi Austin,
You are at the stage in your football career where you need to begin to focus on becoming a real student of the game and to continue to polish your quarterback skills and techniques until they are second nature.
You should start by expanding your offensive knowledge to include all the positions on the offensive team so that you truly understand what each player is being asked to do on every play. Try to get a grasp of what plays are going to be called in the different down and distance situations and the various positions on the field.
At the same time you should now begin to try to learn the basics about the various defensive fronts and coverages that your opponents will play against you. The more you grasp the actions on the defensive side of the ball, the better you will be able to attack and defeat it during a game.
Keep re-enforcing all of your footwork, handoff, run reads, drop back and movement passing skills each and every day. These basic movements must be burned into your muscle memory so that you can concentrate on the mental aspects of playing quarterback once you are on the field.
You have a great foundation, now it is time to apply yourself to really grow to your fullest potential as a quarterback. If you accomplish these things along with your physical talent you should attract division one interest, Coach Tom Bass.