jfox
Freshmen Member
Posts: 26
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Post by jfox on Dec 9, 2019 9:33:36 GMT -6
Anyone do a middle school signing day for their 8th grade players? If so, what have you done? Thanks
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Post by newhope on Dec 9, 2019 11:27:31 GMT -6
I know this a "thing" now, but good lord, don't. It just reinforces the everyone gets a scholarship and everyone gets a signing day mentality that we have to deal with far too much already. Elementary and middle school graduations are similar grievances along with get a ring every week playing travel ball.
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Post by planck on Dec 9, 2019 12:18:00 GMT -6
I think maybe instead do a "step up" thing. Kids finish middle school football, tell them they're now part of the HS team and let them know how to buy in, etc. The thing, to me, is to get buy in and numbers.
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Post by fballcoachg on Dec 10, 2019 8:43:40 GMT -6
The ones I’ve seen that I’ve actually liked are for schools that traditionally lose kids who magically wind up at other schools.
While it’s not something I would do, I get it.
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Post by Wingtman on Dec 10, 2019 10:41:19 GMT -6
Instead of a signing day, have welcome day. Invite their parents, do it after school, talk about off-season expectations, weight room hours, how they are now freshman football players, etc..Try and have ass.coaches there, top juniors(next falls seniors) let me get to know them (May know who they are, but not know them). Start the relationships now.
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Post by rosey65 on Dec 11, 2019 10:16:19 GMT -6
Instead of a signing day, have welcome day. Invite their parents, do it after school, talk about off-season expectations, weight room hours, how they are now freshman football players, etc..Try and have ass.coaches there, top juniors(next falls seniors) let me get to know them (May know who they are, but not know them). Start the relationships now. I like this!!! Instead of the "all about me" mentality behind the signing day, this way actually reinforces the "Part Of Something Bigger Than Myself" midset |
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Post by spos21ram on Dec 11, 2019 12:33:12 GMT -6
Those that have seen schools do this....do the 8th graders actually sit down and sign something? I understand its come to the point where programs need to recruit their own players because of private schools or kids transferring districts, etc but this is ridiculous.
I'm all for what others on here have said to do. But dont call it a signing day.
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Post by shocktroop34 on Dec 11, 2019 12:58:12 GMT -6
I just did this *cringe* about a month ago. However, we didn't call it a "signing day." We called it an open house. It was packed. I had current players with jersey's sitting with the newcomers and their parents to talk about their experiences. I made a power point to go over the highlights of the program. We even toured the school and weight room.
I did this all within 60 minutes. We also had a backdrop where kids could take pictures and a table with helmets and jersey's that looked like a "signing table." No one signed anything. We didn't want to be too presumptive or pushy. We have some of the best private schools in the country (for football) right in our own backyard.
I didn't think this was something I'd ever do, but it was a smash hit. The administration loved it. Our counseling department even asked us to pass out information for them. As much as it goes against my traditional (old-school) mentality, this is something we will plan every year.
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Post by newhope on Dec 12, 2019 9:11:09 GMT -6
I just did this *cringe* about a month ago. However, we didn't call it a "signing day." We called it an open house. It was packed. I had current players with jersey's sitting with the newcomers and their parents to talk about their experiences. I made a power point to go over the highlights of the program. We even toured the school and weight room. I did this all within 60 minutes. We also had a backdrop where kids could take pictures and a table with helmets and jersey's that looked like a "signing table." No one signed anything. We didn't want to be too presumptive or pushy. We have some of the best private schools in the country (for football) right in our own backyard. I didn't think this was something I'd ever do, but it was a smash hit. The administration loved it. Our counseling department even asked us to pass out information for them. As much as it goes against my traditional (old-school) mentality, this is something we will plan every year. Open Houses and these sort of things are often needed in today's climate. I think those are good ideas. Just please don't call them "signing days"--let them take a picture if you like, but don't make it look like a signing. Please. If you do "signing day", of course the parents will turn out and love it---they're the ones pushing the everybody gets a scholarship, a ring, and a trophy nonsense. |
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