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.
Rilety sent the following question:
I'm in the fifth grade, and I am playing fullback on my dad's team. I'm having a little trouble getting past the line because our centers are really small, so the nose guards are getting pastthe line, and tackling me in the backfield.I am getting a little scared of running the ball.This is my first time ever playing fullback, so I am asking for your help to get over this fear.
Hi Rilety,
The more you play the game, the more accustomed you will become to being tackled. It comes with playing the fullback position. I realize that doesn't help you very much right now. It is very normal to be a little scared when you first start playing tackle football. It happens to everyone - offense, defense and special team players. At some time or another, all players experience the feelings you are having right now.
The challenge is to overcome those feelings and not allow them to block your chance to have fun and develop as a football player. You do this by practicing hard, knowing your assignments and techniques and learning to focus on the play of the moment and not on any contact that may occur during the running of the play.
Right now it is important for you to understand that the harder you run, the less likely it is that you will be tackled, or when your are tackled, the more jolt you will be able to give to the defensive player. Try not to stop if you see a defensive player, as this will only help the severity of his tackle.
Try to get a good start every time. The quicker you get to the line, the less chance the defensive player will have to come off the block and be in position to make the tackle.
As you start forward, keep bent over with your shoulders low and forward, head and eyes up, protect the ball with both hands and bring your knees up high as you can as you run into the line.
Realize also that your center is going to get better with every game so be prepared to get the ball and see a very big hole open up as you run into the line. I hope this helps you to relax more and enjoy the game.
Coach Tom Bass
Adrian sent the following question:
What is the responsibility for a defensive end, andhow can I impress the coaches?
Hi Adrian,
Your responsibility will change if you are defensive end on the outside of the defensive line or a defensive end that has an outside linebacker to his outside.
If you are the end man on the line, often your assignment will be to cross the line of scrimmage and turn any wide running play to your side, back to the center of the field.
If there is a backer on your outside, your responsibility will often be to take responsibility for the C gap, the off-tackle gap just outside of the offensive tackle on your side of the ball.
In both circumstances, versus a pass play, your responsibility will be to rush the QB from the outside, keep him in the pocket and tackle him if you have the chance.
On plays that are run away from you on the other side of the offensive center, you may be asked to chase the ball from behind, staying as deep as the ball carrier, being in position and making certain the offense does not try to run a QB bootleg or a reverse back to your side of the field.
These are general responsibilities for the defensive end position, but because of the number of different defenses played today, it is important that you learn from your coaches what they expect you to do when playing the position.
Here are some basic rules for impressing your coaches:
*Be on time.
*Be first in line for every drill.
*Listen and learn during the entire practice.
*Know your assignments and techniques.
*Practice every day to get better.
*Give 100 percent in every drill and every practice.
*Encourage those players around you.
*Be positive and enjoy the game.
*Be responsible on the field and in the classroom.
*Demonstrate to the coaches that they can count of you every day.
*Make sure you have fun; football is a great game to learn and play.
Coach Tom Bass
Ezra sent the following question:
How do you get better in running routes?
Hi Ezra,
Running a good pass route starts with a good stance that allows you to step forward across the line of scrimmage on the snap. Your weight should be on your front foot as you line up.
Pass routes are usually broken down into short, medium and deep routes. The short routes run at 4 yards may be a slant, hitch and quick out. The medium routes run at 10 to 12 yards would be the in, hook and out. The deep routes - more than 12 yards - will be the post, up and corner. These are the basic pass routes.
In learning each route, make certain that you know and understand how far you should run before you make your break (this is called the breaking point). In the beginning, if the field is not lined, you may want to lay down a hat or towel at the point where you are going to make your break.
Practice jogging through each route, making certain that you make your break at the correct distance. Once you have made your break, get your head turned back to the quarterback. Start with the pass routes in the short area and then work up the field. As the routes become comfortable for you, you should increase your speed until you can run the route at full speed.
Try not to slow down when you make your break and keep your feet under your hips as you run the route. Learn to lean your upper body in the direction you desire to go rather than planting a foot and then making a cut. This technique for change of direction allows you to keep your momentum, keep your hips over both feet and allows you to accelerate to make the reception.
Becoming a good receiver requires understanding all the pass routes, running them over and over and catching as many balls as you can.
Coach Tom Bass
Ryan sent the following question:
I am a freshman in high school and I am a starter now on the freshman team as a running back, corner, kicker and kick returner. I'm a little worried about when I get to varsity that I won't start because the people that are freshman who moved up are running backs. I should grow by senior year, but I'm not sure if I should go out for wide receiver or try to stick with running back?
Hi Ryan,
You seem to be doing quite a lot on the team right now playing offense, defense and involved in special teams. You are right that you will get bigger and stronger as you go through high school.
You must realize that the coaches will shift you to another position if they think you can contribute to the team. I would stay with the running back position at least for another year, work hard at corner and continue kicking and returning kicks.
This is a great deal of work to master each position and they all require different skills to some extent. You may find that by your junior year you will only be focusing more on one or two and not all four. I am sure it will work out for you.
Coach Tom Bass
Neal sent the following question:
What stops the defensive line from being able to react to a QB cadence? It seems that as a game goes on or in pre-game prep, the defensive line would have a pretty good idea of what is happening through the cadence.
Hi Neal,
It is good to understand the cadence that an opposing quarterback is going to use, but it is very dangerous to try to start your charge based on the cadence and not the movement of the ball.
Teams will change the time they snap the ball based on different points in the cadence. Often on third down and needing less then 5 yards, the quarterback will go on what is called a long or hard count hoping that a defensive player will jump offside and give the offense a first down.
Know the cadence but do not get in the habit of trying to guess when the ball will be snapped, as it will only cost you at a crucial time during 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/.
