Practice has kicked off this week, and I've got a kid who's brand new to tackle with tons of potential. Tall - 5'10" - and fast for 12U. He's definitely still raw, though, and lots to coach up. When doing form tackling / blocking, he tends to really round his back. Knees and feet look generally good, but he's just hunched over rather than having his chest and head up. I'm thinking there could be some flexibility issues with his hips, and I'll show him how to correct that. But what are some other coaching cues and/or tips to help him get in a better position?
Thanks!
I have a few like that. I really pay attention to their fit. Most of the time, I can fix it right there. If you are familiar with the "coach backward" approach, have him fit perfectly, then step back with his near foot and step/fit. Then 2 steps, etc., until he can jog up to a partner, gather/balance/buzz feet, step and fit properly. We form tackle like this every day, so I'd be watching him like a hawk.
If he REALLY fights you on this, have him stand upright with his back straight and chest out. Stand in front of him to demonstrate. Have him try to touch his shoulder blades together, arms in a chicken wing. Once his back is straight, have him mirror you in a slow squat, keeping his back straight the whole time. You might have another coach monitor him from the side. Squat all the way down with him until your butts are on your heels and stand back up. Repeat a few times.
He just hasn't learned to use his quads yet. As a tall kid, he has always hunched over whenever he had a reason to get his head lower, so the muscle memory is firmly in place. Show him the correct way and have him repeat it so that's his new muscle memory. Something to do with neuro pathways. The more you use them, the more developed (physically) they become.
Game plan? I got your game plan. We gonna run the bawl some. We gonna throw the bawl some. We gonna play some defense. We gonna run some special teams, but we better not run kick return but one time and we sure as heck better not punt.
Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for. I love coaching backwards, and I've been doing form tackling daily per your suggestion already. I've made some progress with him correcting things through that, but it's still not like I want. I'll spend some time 1:1 going through the squat motion like that. I think you're right that it probably has a lot to do with just not knowing how to squat properly.
I posted an overhead squat thread, you can start there.
Basically he's doesn't have control enough to get into these positions or he's lazy. Probably a combination.
I can explain it to you, I can't understand if for you.
Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for. I love coaching backwards, and I've been doing form tackling daily per your suggestion already. I've made some progress with him correcting things through that, but it's still not like I want. I'll spend some time 1:1 going through the squat motion like that. I think you're right that it probably has a lot to do with just not knowing how to squat properly.
Follow whatever Zach has to say ^^^
Game plan? I got your game plan. We gonna run the bawl some. We gonna throw the bawl some. We gonna play some defense. We gonna run some special teams, but we better not run kick return but one time and we sure as heck better not punt.
Thanks. I’d read your overhead squat post when you wrote it, but already forgot. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll bring the pvc to my next practice 🙂
I love coaching backwards, and I've been doing form tackling daily per your suggestion already.
Ptttttp..."Backwards?" lol. Just coach football like everybody else and you'll be fine.
--Dave
"The Greater the Teacher, the More Powerful the Player."
The Mission Statement: "I want to show any young man that he is far tougher than he thinks, that he can accomplish more than what he dreamed and that his work ethic will take him wherever he wants to go."
#BattleReady newhope
Trouble sleeping? The only time I’m up at 1am is when my 4 year old wakes me up.
coaching backwards and using my phone to video plays in practice are 2 of the best tips anyone has ever given me. 🙂
We talk about getting in "Gorilla" position: Head up, chest out, butt back... like a Gorilla beating its chest. A lot of kids pick it up immediately. Some kids don't have a sufficiently developed Bio-Feedback to know what their body position is in. We get a couple of those a year. They'll have that hunched back, but swear they are doing what we're showing them. Takes some time to get them right.
Umm.... why does that 6 ft tall 9 yr old have a goatee...?
coaching backwards and using my phone to video plays in practice are 2 of the best tips anyone has ever given me. 🙂
Hmmm. Well, be careful who you take coaching advice from. There's a lotta guys out there without a clue...Just sayin'.
--Dave
"The Greater the Teacher, the More Powerful the Player."
The Mission Statement: "I want to show any young man that he is far tougher than he thinks, that he can accomplish more than what he dreamed and that his work ethic will take him wherever he wants to go."
#BattleReady newhope
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