Dealing with Freshman/Sophomore Players

This is a great topic. I'm dealing with the same type of situation. However, as an entire football staff we had a meeting way back in December to touch on this subject with the kids. All of our freshmen play JV football. The meeting was for all JV and Varsity football players. We explained the lifting program to them and explained our espectations of them. We told them we respected that they played other sports and if weightroom time conflicted with practices or games in their other sports then we understood why they would miss. We also told them that when those seasons were over they were expected to be in the weight room with everyone else. We had some wrestlers and basketball players come and lift with us durnig their season before practice started and some didn't. We gave the ones who didn't a little pass, but once or twice woudl mention that the other guys were finding a way to make lifting happen. The same thing carried over to baseball as well, some made it to lifting before practice and some didn't. Again, we took the same approach and would mention things to the guys who weren't lifting every once in a while that there were guys on their team who were making time for it. None of the track guys made an excuse, they were all lifting. The JV baseball season ended for us last week. I've said something to the two guys who haven't been lifing during the baseball season that it's time to pick it up again. As for the freshman who started off lifting and have fallen off and don't play another sport. I'm in their ear at least once a week mentioning it. I'm not begging, but I'm telling them that there are guys down there working hard and if they don't join in, they may not like where they are going to end up on the depth chart. Recently two guys have started coming down after a few little talks. Some have blown me off, but I never stop mentioning it. The habit of working out needs to be established as soon as possible. Once it becomes a habit, they will find it tougher and tougher to blow off as they get older. We've started a lifting program for the 8th graders who are moving up to JV next year as well. We only get 6-8 kids, but it's a start and those kids will be hooked into it and it will be easier to keep them coming to lifting sessions throughout.

That got long winded, but I guess what I'm saying is this. There is nothing wrong with keeping on them. You don't have to say something everyday. But, a 30 second conversation with a kid once or twice a week will help get your message through that it is important.

I am of the opinion that what has been posted so far is sound and good suggestions on this topic. As young coaches, y'all will come to the conclusion (if you haven't already) that tihs problem will more than likely ALWAYS EXIST. Their are always going to be kids who are the real athletes, who live to compete and who will push themselves relentlesly in order to reach their maximum potential. These are the kind we all pray for!!! Then, on the opposite end of the scale, you have the kid who will never put out for any reason. Rather than try to salvage them after awhile, I just suggest that they go pursue some other endeavor that would be of more interest to them. They are not necessairly bad kids, just not athletes and you will find that a lot of these kids are out for the team only because of parental pressure to be there.

At any rate, keep experementing until you come up with a plan that works for you and your particular situation. Just a suggestion as always.

COach Easton-TIGER ONE

I think you have to be very careful with incoming freshmen (8th graders now), but once they have a season under their belt, all bets are off. Now, obviously you have to take it easy with loading them with weight until they are ready, but once they have committed to coming back next year, their expectations as far as off-season training should not be any different than any other player, in my opinion. I don't see any reason to "blow sunshine up thier skirt" as my father used to say. Let them know that this is the deal...this is football. If they want to go play soccer or tennis, than do it. Those are also good sports, but this is football, and football is harder, period.

As far as getting them to want to come into the weightroom, frankly lifting is not fun for most people. It is a necessary evil. I have seen schools that have a weightlifting/fitness letter that kids can earn. It is not only open to football players, but those players are highly encouraged to get on it. That letter can be a the carrot on the rope. You have to convince the powers that be that you have an organized program that can be documented for the letter, but it works.