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.
Adam sent the following question:
I play football (defensive tackle, offensive tackle and guard) in S.E. Michigan for a large high school that made it to the state championship this year.
I did not start this season as a junior, although I have always started in the past on JV. I am 6-foot-6, 245 pounds and still growing taller and working out hard to put on more muscle and get faster. My max bench is around 225, and my arms are really long so I have to work harder to get those numbers up.
My coaches say they plan to start me at guard next season. Is there any hope for me to get attention from college scouts even though I did not start my junior year?
I have a 3.6 GPA, so grades aren't an issue. I really love football and don't want it to end after high school. I would be content at a Division II or a Division III school as long as I got to play eventually. Any thoughts?
Hi Adam,
Not starting your junior season will result in some colleges not having you on their radar right now, but if you start and play well this next season, believe me, your name will be on their list.
You have some very important credentials going for you that will attract college coaches. First of all, you have good size right now, but more importantly, you have a natural frame to increase your size. Each year with a good weight training program you will be able to increase your bulk and your strength.
Next and equally important is the fact that you have worked hard to earn good grades, a fact that is very important to a college coach.
I hope you have the opportunity to attend a college summer camp or to at least visit some of the colleges in your area (D-I, D-II, D-III) so that you have the chance to meet the coaches and let them meet you.
If you have three or four schools that really interest you, I would write a short note to the school, introduce yourself, give your contact points, mention your grade point average and let them know that they are a team and school where you would really like to attend. Be sure to ask them if there is anything you can do at this time.
I hope you have a great season.
Coach Tom Bass
Shawn sent the following question:
I played tight end last year in eighth grade, and I can't think about anything other than football. I am in the best shape I could possibly be in. I am 6-foot-1, 209 pounds, I run a mile in about 4:50 and I can bench 275.
Last year I scored 19 receiving touchdowns. I have been studying the position in the off-season. I have access to college and professional videotapes, but I don't think I am getting all I can out of the tape. Do you have any studying tips for me?
Hi Shawn,
When you first start looking at videotape, the tendency is to watch the ball and see what happens. When you are studying a set position, the challenge is to focus on that individual regardless of what is happening around him.
Look at each play all the way though to see if it is a run or pass. Then go back and determine what the player's assignment was on that play. Now you should know what he is trying to accomplish for the play.
On your third time through, watch his feet as the play starts and observe the technique he uses to make his block or to run his pass pattern. If it is similar to what you will be doing, then make a note in a notebook so that you can look back and remember how the action is supposed to be done.
It is far better to do a few plays in this fashion than to try to go through a lot of plays without a set pattern. Keep up the good work, and I hope this helps your viewing and studying videotapes.
Coach Tom Bass
Alexander from Jacksonville, Fla., sent the following question:
I am a ninth grader, and I am 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds. Do you think I should try to improve on agility drills or focus on lifting weights to get stronger or both?
Hi Alexander,
Often people forget that football is a movement sport not a weight lifting competition. Obviously you should try to develop both areas, but right now it will probably be more beneficial to work on your quickness and agility.
You can spend 1/3 of your workout time on lifting to improve your strength and 2/3 of your practice time on agility and running drills. Do what helps you get ready to play the game and practice. You certainly are big enough for your grade level right now.
Get out on the field and start moving around so that you are prepared for two-a-day practices, start jumping rope, become involved in playing handball or racquetball or become part of a martial arts program if possible. Try to incorporate activities that make you move quickly, help your balance and body control and change direction.
Coach Tom Bass
Chris sent the following question:
How do I get better at pancake blocking on the offensive line? How hard do I have to work to get taken by college scouts because I live in a small town in Arizona, and I want to go to a big out-of-town university?
Hi Chris,
It does not matter if you come from a big or small town, the answer is the same. You have to work as hard as you possibly can each and every practice and on every play in a game. Without this dedication and work ethic, you will only be cheating yourself and you will never know just how good you might become.
You must generate force, exploding off the foot and leg on the side of the shoulder that you are going to use to block. Next, you must make certain that your pad level is below the pad level of the defensive player. Coaches often say that the low man wins so make sure you are driving through and not standing up. On contact, you must be driving up and through the defensive player and taking short power steps as you roll your hips forward to initiate the block.
Always think in terms of making contact with your shoulder pad, hands and arms but blocking with the big muscle groups in your hips and legs.
Coach Tom Bass
Matt sent the following question:
If you could pick all the parts to make the perfect running back, what would you take?
Hi Matt,
First and foremost, I would want mental toughness. I love running backs who are always ready to challenge would-be tacklers and who look for people to block when they are not carrying the ball.
Next, I would like natural body control. These are players who can run over you or make you miss with a change-of-direction cut at the last minute. They always have a good forward shoulder lean and are not standing straight up and down.
He would be in great condition, running as hard in the fourth quarter as he does at the start of the game. His conditioning for the fourth quarter would always be a factor in wearing down the defensive team.
Finally, he would also understand the tremendous importance of protecting the ball every time he is involved in a running play. He should also have good pass-receiving skills, know how to run routes properly and how to position his hands for every reception.
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/.
