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Help! 15 yr old wants to "try" HS football

Confluence

Confluence

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I know there are many football coaches, parents and the such here. I am hoping for a little guidance.
My son, 15, 6', reasonably good athlete, rep lacrosse and hockey player, today says he wants to try to play HS football.
In our community, in Canada, outside of Trawna, football is the number 7 or 8 sport for kids after hockey, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, rowing, golf, etc.
His last couple sports seasons have been effed by Covid, and because we are in a rural area, there has been only a little bit of hockey outside the normal circles.
So its 2+ weeks until school starts, and even though I do not expect a real HS football season, I want to help him train/practice for the potential.

If anyone has thoughts, ideas, advice, training regimen suggestions, website suggestions, etc. that are relatively simple (so that a hockey player can understand them), I would be grateful for guidance.

Thanks in advance,

Confluence.
 
That's awesome he wants to try out football. When does camp start? Pennsylvania fall sports officially started this week.

I can't help you out with anything football specific, but I did coach a very talented football player in another sport and any conditioning and footwork drills translated well. The speed ladder and any conditioning drills with cones (acceleration, changing directions, etc.). His experience in other sports should help in that area. If he is trying out for a skill position, have him carry the ball or throw him a pass at the end of the cone drill. A lot of receivers work on hand eye with catching tennis balls as well.
 
I honestly would youtube football drills/workouts. The thing is you’ll have to train him if he really wants any significant gains. Hold him accountable and push him a little further than he’d do on his own.
 
A lot of great resources on YouTube. Instagram is another great resource (and the videos are short and to the point). Just need to find a good coach.
 
Start running. In the foozball you do more of that than anything else.
 
Help him choose a position that plays to his physical skills etc. If you are current football knowledgeable you can help him. If not have him describe what the coaches are teaching about stance and takeoff for his position if he plays in the box. So much of that can be worked on in a 15 x10 backyard. The key is explosiveness and minimizing wasted false steps. If he is a receiver it's route running and hand position catching. If he is a DB is pedal and efficiency of breaks.
What I cannot emphasize enough is go to reputable internet sources and look for similarly explained technique. Do not try to fake it to make it. He will only end up unlearning poor technique.
 
Good luck to him. Tomlin says he should attack the day. Cooch will need his head measurements. Other than that seems like you got some good advice. Best wishes for success and good health.
 
My son played youth and high school football. I would say if he’s a good athlete in good condition he’ll be fine. I’ve seen good athletes from other sports come out and smoke the competition in a week or two. Like most sports at the high school level, athleticism usually trumps everything else. Obviously drills would be specific to position but if he’s not sure what he wants to do the coaches will likely assess and put him where he can best succeed. Is he fast with good eye hand coordination? Focus on receiver/defensive back drills. If he’s strong and fast, maybe running back. If he’s a tank he’ll probably end up playing on the line. Tell him to study the playbook and know it like the back of his hand. My son is tall and skinny and was never a star athlete but because he showed up every day, worked hard and knew the plays he got some playing time at receiver/dback, had a blast and made lifelong friendships.
 
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Good luck to you Confluence and your son as well.

The one thing I see help in any position or sport for that matter, is dedication and willingness to put in the extra time.

As tired as one is, stay after practic e if even only to run 4 more 40yrd dashes, catch a few extra passes, hit the blocking sled some, anything even if for just a few minutes. Be agressive in and after practice. THIS takes a different mentallity and not just a show up be there attitude.

Again I wish yaz the best..........................




Salute the nation
 
Confluence said:
I know there are many football coaches, parents and the such here. I am hoping for a little guidance.
My son, 15, 6', reasonably good athlete, rep lacrosse and hockey player, today says he wants to try to play HS football.
In our community, in Canada, outside of Trawna, football is the number 7 or 8 sport for kids after hockey, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, rowing, golf, etc.
His last couple sports seasons have been effed by Covid, and because we are in a rural area, there has been only a little bit of hockey outside the normal circles.
So its 2+ weeks until school starts, and even though I do not expect a real HS football season, I want to help him train/practice for the potential.

If anyone has thoughts, ideas, advice, training regimen suggestions, website suggestions, etc. that are relatively simple (so that a hockey player can understand them), I would be grateful for guidance.

Thanks in advance,

Confluence.
Click to expand...
Just my imo. For training no need to get too specialized. Leave that to his coaches. Just stick to a consistent lifting routine and nothing fancy and sprints. Sprint twice a week if he can.

He’s in high school. Just let him enjoy the process
 
if he’s not sure what he wants to do the coaches will likely assess and put him where he can best succeed.
Click to expand...
Clearly you didn't grow up in a small town where your last name matters more in terms of your position than any insignificant factors like your strengths or abilities.
 
I'll train him if you bring him to Florida..lol. Focus on the fundamentals. Sound technique. Conditioning. Do they have a Strength&Conditioning Specialist at the school?
 
wig said:
Clearly you didn't grow up in a small town where your last name matters more in terms of your position than any insignificant factors like your strengths or abilities.
Click to expand...


Man isn't that the truth.!!!!!




Salute the nation
 
There can only be one QB once it matters. And I'd never put my kid at running back. That is the only advice I give to friends putting kid in football.
 
If it were my kid and short time before season starts, I would have him do interval training, short sprints, with jogging in between. High return on efforts. Plus football is a game of short sprints
 
Another thing...if he starts doing these things, he will have to seriously up his protein intake. Squats make the whole body grow and to put on muscle you gotta eat.
 
wig said:
Clearly you didn't grow up in a small town where your last name matters more in terms of your position than any insignificant factors like your strengths or abilities.
Click to expand...
I live in a smallish suburb of Philadelphia and while I found that to be true in youth football, wasn’t our experience in high school. Yes there are a lot of parents who ***** that their kid doesn’t play because of politics but usually they’re just in denial. It’s mostly about athleticism, speed and strength, and also some of it is the kid is just an *** and the coaches hate him (although if his skill level is high enough they’ll even overlook that to a degree). I don’t know any kid who got a starting spot in high school because of who his parents were. Particularly in football that would be a dangerous proposition.
 
Thanks y'all. He is doing jogging, with speed intervals, 10,20, 30, 40, 50 yard sprints, all similar to lacrosse training, and some strength and conditioning exercises from here:
www.kerrsports.com

High School Football Balance and Stability Exercises - Kerr Sports

Here are a few balance and stability exercises that you can implement into your team's pre-season and in-season workouts.
www.kerrsports.com
The school opens up in a another couple weeks; they may then decide on football or not, but the teacher/coaches have thus far been unresponsive to a group of kids asking for help. I will pass along more as it develops.
SaskSteel: I tell all parents not to let their kids be goalies.
 
Confluence said:
Thanks y'all. He is doing jogging, with speed intervals, 10,20, 30, 40, 50 yard sprints, all similar to lacrosse training, and some strength and conditioning exercises from here:
www.kerrsports.com

High School Football Balance and Stability Exercises - Kerr Sports

Here are a few balance and stability exercises that you can implement into your team's pre-season and in-season workouts.
www.kerrsports.com
The school opens up in a another couple weeks; they may then decide on football or not, but the teacher/coaches have thus far been unresponsive to a group of kids asking for help. I will pass along more as it develops.
SaskSteel: I tell all parents not to let their kids be goalies.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Eventually someone plays goalie by default or just confidence. But again usually one plays and the layout on equipment is massive.
 
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