As coaches, we’d like to recommend that parents keep in mind a few things that will help our players prepare themselves for their football games this season.

•        Get a good night’s sleep – nothing puts more of a damper on a player’s performance and intensity than having a sleepover with friends the night before a game!

•        Drink plenty of fluids the night before and morning of a game – muscle cramping is 100% avoidable if you hydrate and stretch out properly.

•        Review your plays – know what your position is supposed to do. If you need a copy of a playbook or selected plays, ask your coach.

•        Eat a healthy breakfast – Pop Tarts and a Mountain Dew won’t “dew” it for you in the fourth quarter.

•        Put your pads and your belt in your game pants the night before – when you’re not rushed for time.

•        Cleats – Molded cleats only; players with screw-ins will not be allowed to play – no sneakers either.

•        Mouth piece – players must have a mouth piece in order to play; we have extras in our kits but bringing an extra molded one to the game (that Mom/Dad holds onto) is a good idea.

•        Pre-game jitters – to be expected, especially for first year players; just let them know they are as prepared as they need to be for the game and no one (coaches or teammates) expects more from them than just giving their best effort.

•        Managing Expectations – let’s be mindful of how much pressure these kids usually put on themselves and try not to add to that load.  Keep in mind that 80% of the players in a game will never make a tackle or touch the football so their measure of success will be found in other ways – staying low and making a good block, getting into the opponent’s backfield, or just making contact with the opponent can be success-blocks to build on.

•        Lastly – Mistakes are part of the game – so is hitting. Try to do one more than the other and we’ll do fine.

Let’s have a great start to an exciting and rewarding season!!  See you on the field and thanks again for all your support!!

The Coaches