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Post by djwesp on Dec 10, 2006 17:13:18 GMT -6
Talking with a friend about one of his players. Have you ever had a kid so far superior to the kids around him, you weren't quite sure what to do. Got me thinking. Do you move him up? What would you emphasize coaching wise? How do you handle when/if the other kids catch up with him athletically (even if he's been ahead of the curve almost his entire youth career)? Do you play him at a bunch of positions and see which one he grows into? Do you push him more in the weight room? What is the best way to keep him above the level of his competition (is it introducing him to the bigger and badder kids early?) Obviously size right now is his disadvantage, but he is faster than most of his high school counterparts. (first video is sixth grader on defense, second 7th grader on offense) (wishing he'd transfer out of my friends district into ours  ) |
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Post by chiefscoach on Dec 10, 2006 19:21:02 GMT -6
I believe you make him your tailback so long as he is that far above the rest of the kids. If he continues to stay that far ahead talent wise then I think you leave him at Tailback and let the colleges sort out where he will play at the next level, if the rest catch up to him thats when you take a look at how much he has developed physically and then evalutate where his next position should be.
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Post by coachcalande on Dec 11, 2006 7:42:07 GMT -6
Honestly, JUST based on that video, I dont think that kid is a freak of any kind. Was that a wt restricted league?
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Post by hchscoachtom on Dec 11, 2006 9:53:49 GMT -6
I wish we had varsity players that were as aggressive as this kid. Makes several blocks on plays, looks for people to hit instead of shying away, awesome. I don't think he's a freak, just has determination, aggressiveness, grit, speed, athletic ability and a desire that won't quick. Good luck to him and his team in the future.
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Post by brophy on Dec 11, 2006 10:09:08 GMT -6
get him an agent and a shoe deal.
Treat him like all the other kids and offer him no special treatment. Be encouraging, yet demanding.
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Post by djwesp on Dec 11, 2006 14:13:05 GMT -6
Honestly, JUST based on that video, I dont think that kid is a freak of any kind. Was that a wt restricted league? No not a weight restricted league. The second video includes clips of him as a 7th grader playing some 8th grade teams. He's not my kid, so I can't comment much more than that. I was just shocked (finally seeing him in person), at how far above everyone around him he was. The game I saw he was averaging about 18 yards a carry. I'll never have the problem, but was interested to hear what others would do with him. I was encouraging them to play him up a grade (to where he wouldn't be outmanning people so much, aide his development, help prevent too much of an ego, and push him a little harder) |
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Post by coachcanuck on Dec 11, 2006 14:32:37 GMT -6
The thing that makes our sport unique is the physical element. It is definitely a good thing to find a way to keep pushing him to develop, stay motivated and interested, etc. and one way to do that is moving him up. The possible downside to moving him up is how does his body withstand the extra load. I have seen numerous cases where players are pushed hard due to their talents (potential or current) and their bodies have paid the price leaving them worse off in the long run.
That being said, I would also ask, how many coaches consider where the kid may play at the next level in their decision of where to play a kid when they have them? For example we have all seen kids at the HS level who may be able to be better lb's than some of the other kids but we clearly know based on size or whatever they will be a db or something at the next level. Does this affect your decision or do you feel it best to play them based upon your current needs at the time?
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