Coach Tom Bass brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to USA Football. Along with answering youth coaching questions, he also receives emails from young players. You can email the coach at NFLAskTheCoach@aol.com.
Gregg from Greenville, KY sent the following question:
How many games can a high school player play each week?
Hi Gregg,
The answer to your question is going to depend on the rules your league has concerning player participation. When you have a question of this type, your first source for an answer would be your coach and then the athletic director at your school. Both of them should be knowledgeable of the rule.
I am aware that some leagues allow players to play in both a JV and varsity game if they have not played a great deal in the varsity contest. The reasoning for this type of rule is that a player who is a backup on varsity needs valuable playing experience and playing in the JV game may be the only way that he can get his playing time.
Talk to your coach and I am sure he can give you the correct answer for your league.
Coach Tom Bass
Tray from Zanesville sent the following question:
I seem to be having trouble with tackling. I need a drill to teach me to throw my shoulder pads through my opponent's thighs, thus stopping them from scoring a touchdown. I'm usually the last chance to stop a runner considering I play cornerback, so a drill would be very helpful.
Hi Tray,
It has been my experience that one of the first errors that a player makes when he is having trouble making a tackle is that he tries to make the tackle by driving off the foot opposite the shoulder he is using to actually make contact.
You can set up a bag (stand up dummy or against a sled) and line up two steps away from the bag in a hitting position. Decide in your mind which shoulder you are going to use to make the tackle.
Begin the drill by taking a short step to a position just wide of the bag with your foot opposite the shoulder you will use for contact. Then take a power step with your other foot directly at the center of the bag and explode up and through off this foot making contact with your shoulder pad.
Finish by wrapping both arms around the bag, lift it off the ground and carry it back a few steps. During this entire action make certain you keep your head up, your back straight and bend at your knees and not your waist. Your helmet should slide to the side of the bag as your shoulder makes contact.
Practice the drill using both shoulders to tackle until you get the feel of starting your tackle with the big muscles in your legs and not by bending at the waist, lowering your head and overextending.
From there, you can proceed to line up 5 yards from your buddy. Have him take a ball, run forward a few steps, and then break to your right or left at an angle. Now, your first step should be an open step with your foot on the side of his break. You should use your foot opposite the direction of his break for your explosion foot, make contact with your shoulder opposite the direction he breaks so that your head slides naturally in front of him. Limit the contact and work more on form and proper technique.
Good luck, and remember there really is not a bad tackle as long as you bring the runner down and stop him from scoring.
Coach Tom Bass
Julian from Federal Way, Wash., sent the following question:
I am a 10th grader and have just been moved to tight end.I can catch pretty well and block well (I was on the O-Line), but today in practice I was hit a split secondafter catching the ball and dropped it.This is the first time this has happened, and I want to work on securing the ball better after a catch. Do you have any recommendations or suggestions that could help?I very much appreciate your time with any help you can give.
Thanks,
Julian
Hi Julian,
One thing you must anticipate, especially as a tight end, is being hit the instant you make a catch. This is going to happen if you make the catch or drop the ball, so it makes sense to concentrate on the reception.
Securing the ball must start in the way you practice so that ball security is something you do naturally without having to think about it. Anytime you catch a ball, even just warming up with a buddy, make sure you make the catch and then immediately secure the ball in one arm before you throw it back.
Cover the front tip of the ball with the palm and fingers of your hand, pull the ball close to your body with your forearm, push the back point in the angle of your elbow and squeeze it tight.
Anticipating and expecting the hit and the corresponding automatic motion of securing and protecting the ball should help you keep the ball in your hands.
Playing tight end is a real challenge, but it is a great deal of fun and allows you to be a part of a majority of the offensive action. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Coach Tom Bass
Jim from Detroit sent the following question:
This is my first year playing football. The coaches think I have talent, but they won't play me as a starter yet. That is why I need to know the gaps on the defense. The coaches also tell me that I am good at "getting off the ball" or something, but I need to learn more techniques on how to get past the guards more quickly. Thank you for your time.
Hi Jim,
Congratulations on beginning your football career. When you talk about gaps on defense, you are usually speaking about the areas separating the offensive linemen. The designation of these areas starts with the offensive center and works to the outside. Each gap or area is given a letter. Following are the usual designations:
D gap TE C gap OT B gap OG A gap CN A gap OG B gap OT C gap D gap SE
As you can see there is an A, B, C, & D gap on both sides of the offensive center. If you are lining up in front of an offensive guard, the A gap is to your inside and the B gap is to your outside. It is through these gaps that the ball carrier will try to run the ball.
When you lineup, make sure that you see the ball in the center's hands so that the instant he starts to bring the ball back to the QB you can be exploding forward (getting off).
You can work on varying your charge into the gap to help you get by the offensive guard. On a "slant" charge, you want to step forward and across your body with the foot opposite the gap you are moving into. As you take this step, you need to rip your arm on that side of your body forward and up. Your second step, with your other foot, should propel you across the line of scrimmage.
Another charge would be the "loop" charge. Now your first step is lateral on the line with the foot on the side of the gap you are moving into. Stay low, keep your shoulders square to the line and then use your next step to start across the line though the gap.
Keep working hard, stay positive, be aggressive and I am sure you will soon be seeing more playing time.
Coach Tom Bass
Kim from Orem sent the following question:
This is my son's first year as QB (junior in high school). There is one other QB on the team who has never played QB before either. My son is constantly concerned about earning his spot. When the head coach runs practice my son is always the one to start in games and practices. When the head coach is gone and an assistant is there, he always plays the other QB. What is the best way for my son to set himself apart and be a consistent starter, or is this just politics of high school we have to put up with?
Hi Kim,
Having the head coach in your son's corner is the most important fact and it is really important that he understands the head coach is going to be running the offense.
I like to speak to young players about approaching the game by keeping the three P's (Preparation, Pride and Performance) in mind every time they step on the field regardless if they are playing first, second or third team.
Be prepared, know your assignments, and understand your responsibilities to the team. Have pride in your actions, the way you treat other players and your positive approach to being one of the team. Lead with your performance, be first in line, work hard in every drill and pay attention any time a coach is speaking to anyone on team. Focus on taking care of the moment and the rest will fall into place.
Coach Tom Bass
Coach Tom Bass, the technical writer and advisor for USA Football is a thirty-year NFL coach who has also authored several books, including "Play Football the NFL Way" - the first "how to" book ever authorized and published by the NFL. Coach Bass is happy to personally autograph his books to you. Book ordering information can be found on http://www.coachbass.com/.