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.
Karla from Chicago sent the following question:
I'm a freshman at Roosevelt High School, and when I heard about our school football team, I wanted to join. (There are two other girls on the team.) I never went to tryouts, maybe because I didn't know what to expect. Do you have any pointers on what I can expect during summer tryouts and practice?
Hi Karla,
I think it is great that you want to go out for football. Conditioning usually requires lots of running, some weight work and basic football drills that teach the movements you will need to play the game's various positions. You can get a jump on this part by beginning a running program right now so you will have worked through that initial soreness and fatigue that can hurt your performance during the summer.
You will find that the actual tryout programs will vary from school to school. My recommendation is that you talk to the two other girls or anyone else already on the team and ask them what the tryouts consist of and if there is anything in particular that you can do to prepare for them. They obviously have gone through the tryouts and can give you a first-hand account of what you will be asked to do during this time.
I would also set up a time to visit with a member of the coaching staff. Tell them that you want to play and ask for their advice and direction on how to be best prepared for the tryouts. Good luck, work hard and I know you will enjoy the experience.
Coach Tom Bass
Gabriel from Corona, Calif., sent the following question:
I am having trouble getting a spin on a snap, and I was wondering if there is a different grip I should try?
Hi Gabriel,
Because you did not mention the grip you are using right now, I will tell you the one that I taught to my long and short snappers. The first thing to do is position the ball so the laces are on the outside bottom panel of the ball on the side of your passing hand. You do not want them in the middle.
Next, grip the ball as you would to throw a pass with your first finger near the front tip of the ball across the seam but off the laces. The pressure from this finger helps to give the ball spin. Your next two fingers should extend over the laces with your little finger resting on the laces near the center of the ball.
Your other hand, with fingers spread, should be placed on the top inside of the ball and be used to guide the ball back on the snap.
Finally, as you bring both arms back between your legs as fast as you can, release the ball and rotate the palms of both hands to the outside. Try to keep your hips and shoulders even. If your hips get above your shoulders, the snap will usually sail high, and if your hips are below your shoulders, your snap will usually be low.
The shotgun snap is different because it does not require spin on the ball. You can have the laces on the top inside panel with your thumb on top of the ball and snap with one hand.
Coach Tom Bass
Brandon from Decatur, Ill., sent the following question:
I am unsure of what position I should play. I am in eighth grade and am 6-foot-1 and weigh around 205 pounds. I am strong but somewhat slow and not a very good runner. What position would you recommend?
Hi Brandon,
Your coaches will make the decision on where they best feel you will have success and help the team the most. Please understand that all I can do without seeing you practice is give you an idea of where you might start your football career based on what you have told me about yourself.
My first recommendation would be offensive center. This is a great position in that it has a lot of responsibility (you start every play), you are in the center of the action and it is one of the most important positions on the offensive side of the ball.
On defense, you might want to consider playing defensive tackle. The skills and techniques you learn at center will help you be successful at this position because you will have an understanding of the different blocks, what player will use which block and where the ball will be going on different offensive plays.
Make sure to schedule a visit with the football coaches at your school and get their input before practice begins.
Coach Tom Bass
Mardrecus from Covington, Ga., sent the following question:
I'm an OG/OT, and I need to know how I can get faster off the ball. Also, I started lifting weights in eleventh grade, and now I'm behind the other linemen. What should I do?
Hi Mardrecus,
Two areas that I think you should work on are learning to really concentrate on the quarterback's cadence and leaning to anticipate the snap. Try to learn to put pressure on the toes of the foot that you are using for your first step (your position step), and be ready to immediately push on your down hand the minute you hear the first sound of the snap count.
The second thing is to be in a balanced stance so that your first movement is a low and hard charge toward your blocking point.
At this point, it would be wrong to continually compare yourself to players who have been lifting longer than you have. You will only become frustrated. Instead, try to concentrate on a gradual increase in your overall strength and use that gain as a measurement as to how you are doing in this area. Your development in this area is the only thing that you have control over, so focus on how you are doing.
Never forget that it is how you play and not how much you lift that is what really counts in football.
Coach Tom Bass
Emilio from Lincoln sent the following question:
Would you say that playing QB is hard, easy or in the middle? Is it hard to make it in high school football, the NCAA and the NFL?
Hi Emilio,
Playing quarterback is so much more than just being able to throw the ball accurately or run with the ball.
You also have to be the leader of the offense and the player who instills confidence in the offensive players so that they can get the job done.
You must completely understand the total offense - not just your assignments - and the movement it takes to physically play the position.
Being a quarterback is probably the most difficult position to play well on the football team. It is the position that requires the greatest concentration and the one with the most pressure.
Each time you move up in your football career, the more difficult it becomes. At each level the players become bigger and more physical, more knowledgeable about how to play the game, much more skilled in the techniques of their position and the competition is greater.
It is easier to play in high school than in college, easier to play in college than in the NFL. The most difficulty arises when playing in the NFL, and fewer and fewer players continue playing at each level.
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/.
