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.
Jamiere sent the following question:
I am currently a sophomore in high school and start on the varsity team at running back. At my limited size (5-foot-5 and 180 pounds), how can I be successful against bigger players? I don't feel that my size limits me, but I want to know how I can better compete.
Hi Jamiere,
You really are not undersized for your position considering your age. You may not be as tall as some of the other players, but you have the necessary weight to be successful playing the position.
Try to always focus and develop those attributes that make you a successful player and be less concerned about things you cannot control. Work on your speed and quickness, making cuts, lowering your center of gravity and exploding on contact - skills that help your performance and make tacklers miss you.
In some ways, your height can be an advantage in that the defenses may have a more difficult job in locating you when you run the ball, go out on pass routes or when you are asked to block.
It is important that you see yourself as a football player and not someone who is undersized. Your perception of yourself will affect your performance more than anything else.
Your are the size you are, so go out give 100 percent. Enjoy playing the game to the best of your ability, and I am sure you will be successful.
Coach Tom Bass
Matt sent the following question:
I played freshman football for my school this past season. I'm working on making my varsity team this year, but I have a dilemma. Last year I was used as a blocking TE, and I'm about 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds. Should I concentrate more on my blocking, or should I become a "complete" TE? And if so, any tips that you have will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Matt,
You never want to lose your strengths in any sport and especially in football. Right now you have really worked on your blocking skills so you want to keep that area up and make them even better.
On the other hand, it is time for you to start developing the other areas a tight end needs to have to be complete. First, it is going to be important that you take time to learn the pass routes that a tight end will run in your offense.
Learn how to release on each route, how far up the field you need to run before breaking on a pattern (breaking point) and where to anticipate the ball arriving from the QB as you run your route (reception point).
Next, you need to work on positioning your hands properly so that you have the best chance to make the catch. When you feel that you have your hand position correct, find a QB who will be willing to throw you the ball. Make sure that you focus on every ball that is thrown to you, reach out with both hands and see the front point of the ball and the fingers of both hands at the moment of the catch. Then always secure the ball firmly to your side and turn up field.
The more you can work on your receiving skills at this time, the more complete tight end you will become.
Coach Tom Bass
Derrick sent the following question.
Would redshirting my first year of college football be a smart choice?
Hi Derrick,
When you redshirt your first year, you have the opportunity to learn the system, get bigger, stronger and become acclimated to the college environment. To me, all of these are positives and can help you develop not only as a player but also as a student.
The challenge that some young players encounter is that they merely go through the motions out on the practice field and do not take this unique opportunity to really become a student of the game. Because they know they will not be playing, they do not study football away from the field and lose a great opportunity to get better and grow as a player before actually having to face game competition.
With the proper attitude and hard work like you were a starter, you can come off your redshirt year much better prepared to function and perform at the college level on and - just as important - off the football field.
Use this time as a positive one in which you have the opportunity to study and learn without game-day pressure.
Coach Tom Bass
Lonnie sent the following question:
I play rugby in the winter through spring and football in the fall. I know that rugby is a risky sport, but it can prepare me to play both sides of the ball in football. Should I continue playing rugby then?
Hi Lonnie,
Injuries can occur in any activity so I would not let that be a factor in my decision. If you enjoy playing rugby, then I would continue doing it.
You will be helping your conditioning, staying active and having the chance to learn and develop in another sport other than football. Rugby is a challenging sport that requires good teamwork and has carryover skills that will help you in football in the fall.
I think it is good to experience more than one sport in high school, especially if you find that your participation does not hurt your classroom performance.
This is a decision you need to make for yourself. Sit down and write out two columns, one why you should play and one why you should not play. Look at what you have on the paper, remember to factor in your performance in the classroom and I think you will see a clear answer to your situation.
Coach Tom Bass
Jamal sent the following question:
I'm a defensive lineman that has size and speed, and I'm fit for the 4-3 defensive front. The high school I will attend plays a 3-4 that will limit my ability. What should I do?
Hi Jamal,
First of all, playing a 3-4 defense does not limit your ability. The best defensive lineman I ever had the privilege of coaching was LeeRoy Selmon, who played a 3-4 defensive end, was in numerous Pro Bowl games and was selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
If you understand the 3-4, you will quickly see that it is a defense that creates confusion in blocking assignments for the offense. This does not hurt your performance - it helps it. You will have many opportunities to make big plays against the offense.
The biggest thing you need to do right now is to learn as much as you can about the defense, approach the season with excitement and above all, have positive expectations that you are going to succeed.
You and the attitude you approach the season with will determine to a great deal if you are to have success or not, much more than the type of defense your school may be featuring. Embrace the defensive scheme, be a leader, stay positive and remember to have fun as you play the game.
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/.
