For some people, school doesn't end when the bell rings, with a high school diploma or a college degree. They continue to go to school to become better at a profession, skill or interest. For youth football coaches, USA Football Coaching Schools are a way to improve their coaching abilities and league practices.
Over two dozen NFL teams are USA Football Coaching School partners to further advance the youth game in their respective markets.
Jeromy Fritz attended the St. Louis Rams School and Robert Oehl attended the Jacksonville Jaguars School, both on May 30. In conjunction with USA Football, these men got to experience what a Coaching School is all about.
Fritz is the vice president of Jefferson County (Mo.) Youth Association (JCYA), an organization made up of roughly 500 youth ages 7 to 12. This will be Fritz's seventh season working in youth sports and said he heard about the Rams Coaching School when he met USA Football Central Regional Manager Joe Owens at a State Leadership Forum a few months earlier.
"I really liked the philosophy USA football had," Fritz said. "Their mission is very similar to what we're trying to do: promote football in a positive light."
Oehl is an assistant coach for Flagler PAL (Fla.) Pop Warner football, a league of about 200 kids ages 10 and under. He has been involved with youth sports for 25 years and spent part of those years in New York.
As far as expectations, Fritz didn't know what to expect when he attended the Rams Coaching School, but he hoped to gain a different perspective of teaching kids and an easier way to teach them the skill positions. Oehl, on the other hand, attended the Jaguars Coaching School to learn more about coaching in Florida. Particularly, he wanted to know whether youth football leagues emphasized running or passing games, as well as the type of defense.
When the coaching schools ended, Fritz and Oehl both attained the information they wanted.
"What I really liked about it was they broke us up into groups," Fritz said. "We learned running back drills, lineman drills and focused on individual positions versus the overall picture. We were all looking for fresh new drills to run with kids. At the school, I found I could use those things to make our organization better."
Oehl's experience at the school was just what he needed.
"My expectations were exceeded," Oehl said. "The 3-6 defense was something I'd never utilized before. I was looking for defensive information and that was an intriguing proposition. "
Fritz said the clinic was informational and influential. He particularly enjoyed guest speaker Jason Selk, a sports psychologist, who presented his speech titled, "The Power of Positive Coaching."
"He was terrific," Fritz said. "I wish my coaches could've been there to hear him. The message was getting away from that old school mentality of teaching to the newer style, which is the positive way."
Oehl liked the layout and presentation of the Jaguars clinic, which he said was professional and organized.
Learning from other coaches and teachers was another part Fritz enjoyed about the coaching school. He said anyone who attended would attain information to improve their team and organization.
Like Fritz, Oehl agreed that attending a coaching school certainly would benefit coaches and commissioners who attended.
"I think it should be required," Oehl said. "You're out there to be a teacher, mentor and participant in a young person's life."
The coaching schools are designed specifically for youth coaches. At the one-day clinics, expert clinicians give instruction for every position's fundamentals, how to plan efficient practices and run more effective game strategies.
Coaches receive lunch and listen to a keynote speaker at every school. Coaches also receive a high-performance USA Football Under Armour Tee (a $24.99 value). The USA Football Coaches Handbook, regularly priced at $20, can be purchased for $10 at usafootball.com when coaches register for a school online.
Registration is still open for the 20 coaching schools that remain on the 2009 schedule, so sign up today!
