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.
The following question was sent:
I am a wide receiver who is good at catching, but all my team does is run the ball. I am in ninth grade, play high school football and I want to play HB. Because of my height - 5-foot-4 - how can I become a running back next year? I don't think Ican because my number is 83 and it is too high.
Hi,
Running back is one position on the football team where height is not a major consideration. There are many shorter running backs at all levels of football from youth teams to the NFL.
Your number is also not a problem in that players can change their number as they move from one position to another. Because you are wearing 83 now does not mean that you have to wear 83 for the rest of your football career.
My best advice is that you speak to your coach and ask him if it would be possible for you to learn the running back position. Tell him this is really something that you would like to do and that you are willing to play WR, but that you would like to spend some of this season learning the running back position so that you can compete for the position next season.
Listen to his suggestions and then understand if you get this chance that you really have to work extra hard to become a contributing player at both positions. Your attitude and work habits, more that anything else, will determine if this move is going to happen.
Coach Tom Bass
Ahmed sent the following question:
I'm a senior in high school and I really feel like playing college football, but the only problem is I didn't play in high school - only played when I was younger. Is it impossible to walk on to a CSU football team in California where I live?
Hi Ahmed,
The opportunity to walk on to a college team will vary from school and coach to coach. You will need to contact each school and see what its policy is for players walking on to the team.
I would think that at some of the smaller schools you would have a greater chance to do this. Living in California, you also have the great advantage of being able to attend a junior college, start your college course work and play football. This may be an easier way to start college and resume your football career.
Coach Tom Bass
John sent the following question:
My son is 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds. He played both ways as a freshman and sophomore - tight end, linebacker and defensive end. He lifted over last summer but missed half the summer league games because of work and vacation. When he showed up for the first varsity practice, two of the coaches wouldn't give him the time of day. However, the third coach wondered aloud why he wasn't starting after the second week of practice.
He made the varsity team, but in a private meeting they questioned his commitment to football because of the missed summer league games. It was clear he'd be on the bench. Without asking my wife and I, he asked the head coach if he could go back down to JV and the coach agreed but said he'd bring him back up if needed. He now starts at middle linebacker on JV.
He says he is learning a lot more playing JV than sitting on the bench on varsity. Sometimes the kid is scary in his level of maturity. Eight other juniors have come down with him. The JV is doing well so far, and the varsity team is not. The head varsity coach talks to him but he's not exactly friendly. My son is planning on playing varsity next year, but I don't know how he can get back in the head coach's good graces. Did he blow his chances of playing varsity by going down to JV as a junior? Do you have any advice?
Hi John,
Your son made a choice to get experience playing rather than sitting on the bench, and I certainly do not think it will hurt him next season. Obviously he is learning much more by being on the field taking part in the action, and he probably is really enjoying playing the game.
If the varsity coach wants to have a better team he should be more than happy to work the successful players from the JV team onto the varsity next year. Keep encouraging your son, help him to get all the work he needs in the off-season and I am sure everything will work out next year.
The important thing is that your son made a decision, is comfortable with the decision and most of all, is doing what is important and enjoyable for him. Give him all the support he needs.
Coach Tom Bass
The following question was sent:
I was the only girl in my school's history to try out for the football team. I ended up confused, hurt and a bit angry in the end. I only got to practice for three days, then I was forced to quit due to a past knee injury. However, I'm going to try out again next year once my knees are a lot more prepared.
I love the game, know the game front and back, but just can't seem to figure out my position. My coach put me out on the field at WR, even though I can't catch hardly anything with my helmet on, and I'm the shortest player on the field. I think I should play defense because I really love hitting the snot out of the offense and being able to outsmart the quarterback all game. I think I'd be good as a linebacker, except for my height. Here are a few of my stats to help you understand my case a bit more: I'm 5-foot-4, run a 5.0 40-yard dash, bench 165 pounds and leg press 270 pounds.
What do you think? Do you have any tips or drills for the position?
Hi,
I am glad that you are going to give football another chance. It sounds like this is something you really want to do. The first thing you need to do is to make sure you are doing the correct exercises to help your knees and that you get a doctor's clearance prior to any formal practice sessions.
As far as a position, that is usually a decision made by your coach. You may start at one spot and then after a few practices be moved to another. This is very normal, and it should not be something you should worry about.
You may want to think about a weak side LB position where you have the opportunity to play more in space and not lined up in front of a tight end. During this year, it would be good to work on your catching skills. Understand how to place your hands - little fingers touching for low passes - thumbs together for high throws - and the importance of reaching out so that you see the ball and both hands at the moment of the catch.
It sounds like you understand the importance of lifting, but it is just as important to establish a good workout program for running since football is a movement sport. You have an entire year to really work on your grades and your conditioning. I really want to encourage you and wish you the best of everything.
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/.
