Post by coachdoug on Sept 14, 2014 22:58:56 GMT -6
I've seen a lot of discussions on here and elsewhere about how to attack a team with an absolute stud at RB or QB or wherever. I've rarely had this type of player in the past (I've been blessed with a few dominate QB's, but never a kid that was physically dominate - that could just run over the other team), but this year, I have a 216-pound RB that is simply a monster. I've been told he runs a 4.8 40 (I'm not sure I believe that, but he is definitely the fastest player on our team and may be the fastest player in our league). I knew he was good, but I had no idea how good until we started playing games. In our first game, a 39-20 win, he had 290 yards rushing on only 11 carries (that's over 26 yards per carry). He also had an interception, probably about 10-12 tackles and a reception for 24 yards. We won our second game last night 22-20 against what figures to be the best competition we'll face this season - I don't have any stats for the game yet, but I would estimate he gained about 180-200 yards on about 20 carries. I'm not exaggerating when I say it generally takes about 4 or 5 defenders to bring him down. I'm an adult and I would not want to try to tackle this kid in the open field with a full head of steam - I can't imagine how intimidating it must be for a 13 year-old to try to take on this kid. This kid is a 9th grader (but his school is all about academics and doesn't have any sports programs - oh, yeah, did I mention that he's a straight A student and just the nicest kid you'd ever want to meet - he's all "yes, sir", "no, sir"), and the Head Varsity football coach at the school whose field we use has already told me that there is no doubt that if he was at that school this year, he would be starting on varsity. So, think about it - this is a legit varsity starter playing against 8th graders. I feel really bad for our opponents - honestly, it's not fair (and I'm kind of embarrassed as a coach, because it's not like our success is due to my coaching - this kid is just unfairly better than everyone else).
So, anyway, my question, for those of you who have been lucky enough to have a player like this in the past, what have you done to keep him safe? My biggest fear is that this kid, who has an amazing future in front of him, will get injured on my watch. I know the standard plan - use him just enough to win, but also use him as a decoy - fake to him and run play action passes, counters, etc. However, that only gets you so far. It's pretty tough during a game, when everyone on the sideline is in your ear, saying, "Just keep feeding him the ball - we need to win this game" or whatever. Luckily, I have earned enough respect within my organization that most of the people in my ear on the sidelines say their peace one time then leave me alone.
Already I can hear from the other sidelines, "Hit him low - take out his knees!!" or "Take him out" or "Hit him until he doesn't want to come back" or whatever. I don't think any of our opponents want to injure him (at least I hope not), but they're correctly determining that no 8th grader is going to bring this kid down hitting him in the chest - they have to take out his legs to have any chance. I'm terrified that I'll over-use him and have him sustain a serious injury on my watch. I don't think I could live with myself if that happened.
I've been lucky enough to win our first couple of games, but now this kid has a bulls-eye on his chest. EVERYONE in our league knows about him now and they'll all be gunning for him. I always thought I wanted to have a player like this, and don't get me wrong, I LOVE this kid, but it brings with it some stresses that I had never considered. Those of you who have had a player like this, how did you handle it and how did you keep your player safe? Thanks in advance for your help!!
So, anyway, my question, for those of you who have been lucky enough to have a player like this in the past, what have you done to keep him safe? My biggest fear is that this kid, who has an amazing future in front of him, will get injured on my watch. I know the standard plan - use him just enough to win, but also use him as a decoy - fake to him and run play action passes, counters, etc. However, that only gets you so far. It's pretty tough during a game, when everyone on the sideline is in your ear, saying, "Just keep feeding him the ball - we need to win this game" or whatever. Luckily, I have earned enough respect within my organization that most of the people in my ear on the sidelines say their peace one time then leave me alone.
Already I can hear from the other sidelines, "Hit him low - take out his knees!!" or "Take him out" or "Hit him until he doesn't want to come back" or whatever. I don't think any of our opponents want to injure him (at least I hope not), but they're correctly determining that no 8th grader is going to bring this kid down hitting him in the chest - they have to take out his legs to have any chance. I'm terrified that I'll over-use him and have him sustain a serious injury on my watch. I don't think I could live with myself if that happened.
I've been lucky enough to win our first couple of games, but now this kid has a bulls-eye on his chest. EVERYONE in our league knows about him now and they'll all be gunning for him. I always thought I wanted to have a player like this, and don't get me wrong, I LOVE this kid, but it brings with it some stresses that I had never considered. Those of you who have had a player like this, how did you handle it and how did you keep your player safe? Thanks in advance for your help!!
