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Post by shocktroop34 on Mar 11, 2019 14:02:50 GMT -6
I did a search and didn't see ANY threads on this, so I'm going to assume that it may not be a popular topic/idea, but I have to ask: has anyone every run a 7th and 8th grade (one day) passing tournament? I've been encouraged by our youth organization to set one up. Plus, my AD said that we could run concessions and keep all of the money.
We have a healthy youth program in, and around, our school community. I'm rather old school in my philosophies, and the football purists may frown on this idea, but I see two benefits: I can earn some money, and give the kids an outlet to play some football before their season starts.
Is this stretching the bounds of what is considered age appropriate? I'm not taking offense to any comments, thoughts, or ideas. I appreciate your feedback.
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Post by chainbucket on Mar 11, 2019 14:44:12 GMT -6
Not sure what state your in or what size your school is, but I am in Alabama and people do it all the time especially the feeders for large schools. As far as the benefit I think it is good for athletes to compete/learn to compete as much as possible. Most of the ones I have watch they run 3-4 pass concepts/plays (1 or 2 coverage's) and generally just focus on the competing rather than the outcome. I do not think it is outside the realm of real benefits for middle school kids.
With that being said I hate 7 on 7.
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Post by badtotheflexbone on Mar 11, 2019 18:09:10 GMT -6
I've ran one for the past 3 years and will run it again this year if I decide to coach again. Great fundraiser (charge $100 per team) make about $800 in entrance fees on top of concession. Gets the kids excited for football season, allows them to compete and gives you a chance to evaluate talent. I also use it to work on a few passing concepts and really drill 3 & 5 step passing. In addition, it's not too difficult to set up. Tournament usually runs from 8am-1pm for an 8 team entry and 4 games guaranteed.
Here's a parent recorded clip, my team is the one that actually does 3 & 5-step drop. We actually found our starting QB through the passing tournament (he was projected to be OL/DL). And, yes I know it's not real football
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Post by shocktroop34 on Mar 11, 2019 19:00:01 GMT -6
badtotheflexbone What did you charge for an entry fee? Also, what is the most you've cleared after expenses. I want to use this money to pay my "volunteer" coaches. Members of staff that I'm taking over didn't get paid last year. It is a priority for me that everyone gets some money. p.s. Great video. Thanks for sharing that.
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Post by badtotheflexbone on Mar 12, 2019 1:34:14 GMT -6
Entry fee was $100 per team with a guarantee 4 games. Some schools wanted to enter an all 7th and all 8th grade team (going into freshmen) which is fine but they pay $100 per team.
If you can get 8 teams, thats $800. I looked up the nearest 3 districts and searched for the AD's/football coaches and emailed them all with the above reasons as a selling point. Also emailed them the rules/format. Ended up having schools from 2 other districts joining us.
Expenses were relatively low, we used the local high school practice field by contacting their coach/AD (free). Everything else we already had, yard markers, bring your own footballs, refs (use volunteers/assistant coaches/any adult and explain to them their job is really just to keep track of score, downs, and mark where ball is to be played). Also Free. Use former players as timekeeper (4 sec QB clock - reason = let the kids throw the ball around and play. You don't want a tournament filled with sacks after sacks) If you teach QB steps/progression properly, the ball will be out way before then.
1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophy cost $25 total.
Spent about $100-150 on snacks/drinks for concession stand and end up turning around $400-500.
$1,000 is easily doable if you can get the # of teams entered.
Another idea for paying coaches is splitting stipends? I also just asked my 2 paid coaches and I to give $100 bucks each from our contract to the volunteer coaches so they get a little something
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Post by coachwoodall on Mar 12, 2019 6:23:53 GMT -6
We've done it in the past in correlation to having something at the high school. In SC we only have so many competition 'days' for doing stuff with other schools. So if the varsity is participating in a 7-7 on Saturday, that is 1 day. If the varsity is participating on Saturday and the middle school is also having something on Saturday, then that is still 1 day of competition.
Anyway, I don't know if you could get a whole bunch of middle school 7-7 tournaments going, but certainly I think that you can get a couple of school together for a Saturday or 2. We didn't even charge anything.
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Post by shocktroop34 on Mar 12, 2019 19:16:55 GMT -6
Entry fee was $100 per team with a guarantee 4 games. Some schools wanted to enter an all 7th and all 8th grade team (going into freshmen) which is fine but they pay $100 per team. If you can get 8 teams, thats $800. I looked up the nearest 3 districts and searched for the AD's/football coaches and emailed them all with the above reasons as a selling point. Also emailed them the rules/format. Ended up having schools from 2 other districts joining us. Expenses were relatively low, we used the local high school practice field by contacting their coach/AD (free). Everything else we already had, yard markers, bring your own footballs, refs (use volunteers/assistant coaches/any adult and explain to them their job is really just to keep track of score, downs, and mark where ball is to be played). Also Free. Use former players as timekeeper (4 sec QB clock - reason = let the kids throw the ball around and play. You don't want a tournament filled with sacks after sacks) If you teach QB steps/progression properly, the ball will be out way before then. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophy cost $25 total. Spent about $100-150 on snacks/drinks for concession stand and end up turning around $400-500. $1,000 is easily doable if you can get the # of teams entered. Another idea for paying coaches is splitting stipends? I also just asked my 2 paid coaches and I to give $100 bucks each from our contract to the volunteer coaches so they get a little something Great information. Thank you for the insight. I should have been more specific regarding my previous question in terms of entry fee. How much did you charge people at the gate? Just curious. And I agree with you on splitting stipends. We are only allow to split one on the varsity and one on the JV level. With 10 coaches, there are still a couple guys I'm trying to cover. I will also most likely take some off the top of mine. Anyway, the input is appreciated.
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Post by shocktroop34 on Mar 15, 2019 9:30:12 GMT -6
Starting to get responses from teams in the area. The first question I was asked is: Do the 8th grade teams/ages include kids that are getting ready to enter high school? I guess I didn't think about this...I assume it would be for teams that are going to be 7th and 8th graders in the fall? Any quick feedback is appreciated.
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Post by canesfan on Mar 15, 2019 9:45:16 GMT -6
We’re starting one. Our entry fee will cover officials but we will get the gate and concession money. Our MS will keep the 7th grade entry fee $ and set up concessions on that field.
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Post by shocktroop34 on Mar 15, 2019 9:47:35 GMT -6
We’re starting one. Our entry fee will cover officials but we will get the gate and concession money. Our MS will keep the 7th grade entry fee $ and set up concessions on that field. How much will you charge at the gate?
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Post by canesfan on Mar 15, 2019 10:13:19 GMT -6
We’re starting one. Our entry fee will cover officials but we will get the gate and concession money. Our MS will keep the 7th grade entry fee $ and set up concessions on that field. How much will you charge at the gate? $3 for adults, $2 for students.
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Post by coachwoodall on Mar 15, 2019 11:42:04 GMT -6
Starting to get responses from teams in the area. The first question I was asked is: Do the 8th grade teams/ages include kids that are getting ready to enter high school? I guess I didn't think about this...I assume it would be for teams that are going to be 7th and 8th graders in the fall? Any quick feedback is appreciated. yes, summer 7-7 are always for RISING 7/8/9
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Post by badtotheflexbone on Mar 20, 2019 23:45:03 GMT -6
Starting to get responses from teams in the area. The first question I was asked is: Do the 8th grade teams/ages include kids that are getting ready to enter high school? I guess I didn't think about this...I assume it would be for teams that are going to be 7th and 8th graders in the fall? Any quick feedback is appreciated. Apologies, I haven't been lurking this forum as much as I used to... The question to your answer about 8th graders going into 9th, 7th going into 8th, and 6th going into 7th is this: I thought long and hard about this, of course we wanted to win its just the competitive side of me but is your primary goal to fundraise or to win a 7-on-7 tournament? That answer will determine what you want to do in regards to that. We decided the fundraiser was more important and allowed all 8th (going into freshmen) to enter. We ended up beating them anyway which was kind of a cool confidence thing for our kids. As for 6th going into 7th, our district doesn't allow that due to liability issues so check with your district since we did this prior to the current school year ending. I didn't think of charging gate money, interesting as there was quite a large crowd out there from the many different schools. If you can pull it off then by all means go for it.
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Post by canesfan on Mar 21, 2019 7:47:34 GMT -6
Starting to get responses from teams in the area. The first question I was asked is: Do the 8th grade teams/ages include kids that are getting ready to enter high school? I guess I didn't think about this...I assume it would be for teams that are going to be 7th and 8th graders in the fall? Any quick feedback is appreciated. Apologies, I haven't been lurking this forum as much as I used to... The question to your answer about 8th graders going into 9th, 7th going into 8th, and 6th going into 7th is this: I thought long and hard about this, of course we wanted to win its just the competitive side of me but is your primary goal to fundraise or to win a 7-on-7 tournament? That answer will determine what you want to do in regards to that. We decided the fundraiser was more important and allowed all 8th (going into freshmen) to enter. We ended up beating them anyway which was kind of a cool confidence thing for our kids. As for 6th going into 7th, our district doesn't allow that due to liability issues so check with your district since we did this prior to the current school year ending. I didn't think of charging gate money, interesting as there was quite a large crowd out there from the many different schools. If you can pull it off then by all means go for it. Why would a 9th grade team want to go to this?
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Post by bulldogsdc on Mar 22, 2019 8:29:17 GMT -6
Do you have officials at the event?
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Post by coachwoodall on Mar 22, 2019 8:39:45 GMT -6
Do you have officials at the event? usually we just let the MS/freshman coaches called it, it's not an event to 'win'
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