Welcoming 8th graders to high school football?

I am coaching the jr. high track team so the players will get to know me and I will get to know them.

Bus the 8th graders from the middle school up to the high school for weightlifting during the winter. Which was a good idea, until some suit decided we had to open it up to all 8th graders, not just the ones interested in football. Which effectively killed our will to do it anymore.

Our 8th graders play their FB in the spring - Our H.S. staff and players hold a hot dog feed at the game where our two feeder schools play. We pass out our info regarding our program and generally show up to root both teams on and be available to answer questions.

We set up after halftime so to not take away from the middle school concessions and we pass out dogs and pop after the game. We have a chance to show OUR support towards the MS programs and in turn are rewarded by getting to know new parents and the new players.

Now, the first time the kids get to know us they have a positive impression and we aren't just a bunch of guys running around yelling and blowing our whistles at them (that comes later).

When we begin our summer conditioning/weights program we offer a couple of session where it is just the incoming 9th graders in order to break down the lifting skills and to get them coached up. We also work very hard to encourage the new frosh to come to team camp with us. They are also invited to take part in our last week and a half of spring ball but it they opt out (due to just finishing up their season) we don't frown on it because some need some time to decompress after their season. Most don't but knowing they can step away from FB for a few weeks is a nice option if needed.

We hold a meeting for parents of incoming 9th graders prior to the parent meetings for scheduling. We figured the parents are coming in and we can get them there to introduce ourselves, outline the summer schedule and answer questions.

We have them lift the same time as the varsity and JV, but they are on their own schedule (we rotate groups through the weightroom at different times wile another group may be doing plyos and another group working other skills) THey are separated from the older kids, but get to see their work ethic.

I've coached and taught in our middle school for about a half dozen years. I'll be the frosh HC this next season. I see the current 8th graders daily, in the halls and my classroom. I "talked up" the workouts with the high school players and expected about a half dozen kids, but have averaged twenty each day.

They were initially apprehensive. Seemed a little nervous about the older kids. Several asked, "Are YOU going to be there?" Once they got their feet wet, more came and they settled right in. The older kids are often helpful, and never jerks.

The young guys want to be like the older guys, and my advice is just to show them that they'll receive some gentle treatment until they are comfortable.