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.
Welcome back and I hope each of you enjoyed the holidays. There were some great football games with outstanding individual performances and total team effort the past couple weeks. We still have more to come before this month is over, and good luck to your favorite team.
Coach Tom Bass
Collin sent the following question:
I'm a freshman at Monarch High School, and I want to go out for the football team. Weight training for next season has already started, and I want to play running back. But guys on the team are telling me I should play safety or corner just because I probably wouldn't make first string as a running back. I'm 5-foot-8, about 145 pounds, strong, quick and in great shape for my age. Do you have any advice?
Hi Collin,
Your friends are probably trying to give you what they feel is good advice based on the fact that there is normally only one running back in the game at one time, while at the safety and corner positions, there may be two or three.
Based on the number of actual players needed at the positions during the game, you can see your chances are much greater at safety or corner.
Does this mean that you should not try out for running back? Absolutely not. If your dream is to play running back, then right now is the time to do that, so by all means give it a shot. You will always wonder what you could have done at the running back position if you do not at least try.
At the same time, you have to keep an open mind. After seeing you practice, if the coaches suggest that you might be better at another position, then you should be ready to change.
Never lose sight that your goal should be playing as much as possible during the game and contributing as much as possible to your team's success. Be ready to give everything you can to be the best that you can be at whatever position the coaches ultimately determine is the best for you. Good luck and really enjoy the experience.
Coach Tom Bass
Larry asked the following question:
I'm very curious about coaching for football, but in order to coach for the NFL, is it necessary to play football? Can't you just go to college and learn about coaching, then go on to coach for teams in the NFL?
Hi Larry,
I do not think it is necessary to have played the game at some level, but without a good football background it is a very difficult task. You certainly can attend a college or university that has a good teacher education program and a very strong physical education department.
While in school, when working toward a credential, you should try to become affiliated in any way with the football program where you have the opportunity to observe the coaching methods used by the staff on a daily basis, their methods of motivation and preparation.
All the while you are furthering your education, you need to attend clinics, get out and meet coaches in the field, start your own network and library and absorb as much football as possible.
Your knowledge of the game, the contacts you make, your willingness to take any job to get in the door and your perseverance will determine if you will finally get an NFL job.
You have to make the effort to introduce yourself, to attend as many practices as you can during the season and ask to meet with assistant coaches during the off-season to increase your knowledge.
Someone you meet along the way will have the opportunity to move up or will have an opening on his staff and if you have made a favorable impression, he just may call on you.
Because of the few number of NFL teams the number of NFL coaching positions are proportionately few when compared to college or high school coaching positions. They are much harder to get and even more difficult to keep, but they are challenging and rewarding and allow you to focus on football.
Coach Tom Bass
Dustin asked the following question:
I'm going into ninth grade next year, and I want to start at the WR position like I did in middle school. What should I do to keep myself in football condition by the time the season rolls around next year? I also have a good plant foot and run routes well, but my speed is not very good, so should I have any concerns in that area?
Hi Dustin,
Getting yourself in condition requires that you start right now with a running and conditioning workout schedule and dedicate yourself to diligently following the program from now until football season.
The program should include some strength work, push-ups, pull-ups, rope climb, sit-ups and weight lifting if possible. Your running should include one day of starts and sprints, and the next distance running. Incorporate hill running if possible, working on power going up and quick strides coming down.
When you work on running individual pass patterns try to think in terms of keeping your momentum and not planting your foot, stopping and then starting up again. If there is anything that will slow you down as a receiver, it is stopping your momentum as you run down the field at full speed.
Instead of always planting one foot to change your direction, try leaning your upper body in the direction you desire to go, roll over the foot on that side, your other foot will naturally follow and continue running your route at full speed. This technique will allow you to keep your feet under your hips and will also keep you from slipping on a wet field.
Speed is great to have at WR, but running good routes, having your hands in proper position and consistently caching the ball are more important attributes in order to have success at the position.
There are a number of good speed schools and camps across the country. If one is available to you, you might consider signing up. Begin a good conditioning program and good luck next season.
Coach Tom Bass
Steven from Deltona sent the following question:
I play defensive tackle and nose guard. Would be better to use a 3-point stance or a 4-point stance? I thought I would use a 3-point stance, but I don't get off the ball well.
Hi Steven,
Either stance can work for you. Many players feel more stable when they use a 4-point stance and are more comfortable putting more weight on their hands so they get a good forward charge.
One advantage of a 3-point stance is that you have one hand up and ready to make contact immediately with the blocker. This is more of an advantage on passing situations when you want to rush the passer.
One teaching technique we used was to always have our defensive linemen start in a balanced 4-point stance. Then on passing downs, they would lift one hand up off the ground, rest the forearm on the thigh, and have the palm of the hand forward with the fingers open, ready to make a move on the blocker.
Always getting into a 4-point stance and lifting one arm to put you into a 3-point stance assures that you have good balance and have the appropriate amount of weight on your down hand so that you attack across the line on the snap.
Coach Tom Bass
James sent the following question:
How can I improve on running the stretch play? I make big runs by bouncing outside, but I also take some losses. I am sometimes too hesitant when I try to pick and slide through the hole, and I get hit in the backfield with no momentum. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi James,
As the ball carrier on the stretch play, you know that the hole can break anywhere along the line based on the defensive front and the blocking of your teammates. I do not think you can pick and slide, you need to think of one cut and go.
You need to think about taking it outside every time the play is called, but be prepared to cut it up the field hard if you see a seam develop. The really good stretch play runners have this knack of slashing into any hole that they see develop on the line.
Prior to the snap, try to look at the defense and see where the inside linebackers are lined up. Because these players will usually be moving to the outside once the play begins, you can anticipate that this may be the first gap to open up.
Don't wait for the gap. Start the play to the outside, and if a gap opens inside, hit it with all the power you can, making sure you have a good forward shoulder lean and your body is turned straight up the field.
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/.
