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.
Patty from Mandville sent the following question:
How many quarters or plays does it take to letter in high school in Louisiana?
Hi Patty,
The answer to this question is one governed by the local league rules and often by the individual policy of the local high school.
There are two basic schools of thought concerning the awarding of a letter for participation in a sport in high school.
The first group says that it should be extremely difficult to qualify for a letter so that individuals have to really perform to reach the level of participation for the letter. They award fewer letters with the feeling that having earning a letter means much more when it is very difficult.
The second group says that the more individuals who can earn a letter the better, as this creates an interest within the school setting. For these people, the bar for achieving a letter is much lower and many more players actually earn a letter.
I can personally see positives for both schools of thought. I truly believe that there should be a path for the player who seldom gets to play but is at practice every day for three years to eventually earn a letter.
For an answer to your specific question, I suggest you talk to your athletic director and I am certain he can explain exactly what is needed to earn a letter at your high school.
Coach Tom Bass
Colby from Houston sent the following question:
I have played football in the past, but this year I have chosen not to for personal reasons. I did however ask my coach to come back and play, but he rejected my question. I was wondering if there is a possibility that I could still play college football? I am looking for a college in Division II or III. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Colby,
It is my understanding that many Division II and III colleges welcome walk-on players who try to make the team.
Once you have narrowed your choice of schools down to two or three, I would immediately contact the head coach and each institution and ask if this procedure is in place at their school.
The last thing you want is to think this path will be open to you and then find out that they only allow recruited players to try out for the football team.
You should realize that if you are allowed to walk-on you really need to work hard until next football season to get yourself in the best shape possible. When you are able to reach a coach who says he does allow walk-ons, I would immediately ask him what type of workout program he would suggest that you should be on until fall of next year.
This will be hard work, a great deal of dedication, but it is being done every day by individuals who realize that they want to be part of the football team experience. Good luck and stay positive.
Coach Tom Bass
Sagar from Falls Church sent the following question:
I am currently a junior in high school and want to play football next year, but the only way to do that now is to be able to make the varsity team my senior year. I have never played before, not even freshman year. Is it possible for me to play? I would like to try out for running back because I am short but have a good amount of muscle, but I am also willing to try other positions.
Hi Sagar,
It is very important that when this season ends you contact your head football coach at Falls Church and ask him realistically if you will have a chance to make the team. He is going to know the makeup of the team, know if he has experienced players at a majority of positions and tell you what your chances are of having success.
His answer should determine if you continue on the path of playing next season or immediately switch to another sport. You should be able to make this determination after your talk.
If he gives you a positive response, then you need to see if they have an offseason football program that you can join that will aid in your understanding of the game, help prepare you physically for the practices and games and allow you to become one of the team.
I hope the opportunity is there for you to try to make the varsity team, especially since you already realize how much work and learning it will require to reach your goal. I hope it works out well for you.
Coach Tom Bass
Brandon from Mesquite sent the following question:
How do I get my hands in quicker than the defensive lineman and close in the defender?
Hi Brandon,
You can work on increasing you hand flash speed by working against a dummy or a sled. Line up in your normal stance, predetermine which foot you will use as your first (position) step, and focus on how quick you can hit the center of the dummy with both hands as you take this first step.
The idea is to train both your mind and your muscles to automatically react with a quick upward arm movement and hand extension anytime you move forward. It is important to stay low as you do the drill and guard against standing upright on the step. Keep your pad level below that of the defensive player in practice or during a game.
You can also start to work on a speed bag (small punching bag) to increase your hand speed. If you can, during the offseason, you might try taking a martial arts class to help your hand movement and body balance.
Get out a little early if you can and do the drill each day prior to practice, stepping with each foot 10 times and striking the bag surface with both hands as quick as you can.
Coach Tom Bass
Tiger from Dallas sent the following question:
On my football team, we use a man-to-man coverage defense. The problem is I do not know who to cover whether it's the TE, RB, or WR. I also do not know who to cover if it's an offensive formation that I am unfamiliar with (except shotgun).
Hi Tiger,
This is a situation that you need to correct right now. Set up a time to meet individually with your coach, and have him go over your assignment for each coverage versus each formation that the offense might use.
Write each one down as he tells you and then start a notebook where you can add new assignments as they develop during the season.
Start making flash cards with the offensive formation on one side of the card and one or two coverages on the other side with your assignment for every coverage.
Before practice, take a few minutes and have someone test you on each card. Do this each night at home when you are doing homework. Do it again in the morning.
Take time to study each card during the day on your own. This will require you to spend a great deal of time away from the field learning your assignments, but it will be worth it.
Try to seek out another older fellow DB who has an understanding of the defense and can help you on the field if you become confused.
If you are uncertain as to who you have in coverage, it will be hard for you to have success and to demonstrate to others just how good your skills are in this area.
Coach Tom Bass
Coach Tom Bass, the technical writer and advisor for USA Football, is a 30-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/.
