bighit65
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Post by bighit65 on Aug 4, 2018 19:34:50 GMT -6
We are having a combine of sorts for the 8/9 year old team this year. We have a good group of 23, with a lot that haven't played ball before. We are planning on having 4 drills to help us assess where they are athletically. Of course we know where some of the guys from last year will play but most we are not sure. This will also help us avoid everyone and their parents telling us they are a QB or RB. What would be the must have drills, in your opinion?
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Post by bobgoodman on Aug 5, 2018 7:38:21 GMT -6
Are you going to draft from this group of players?
You may be looking to assess them athletically, but one of the key things you also need from them is coachability. Of course the better you are at coaching, the faster the players will learn, but there are also significant differences between players in how fast they'll pick things up from the same coaching, and that can make a difference as to the amount you can teach them. So include at least one drill whose instructions are complicated enough that the kids have to seriously pay att'n to them. Even playing a little Simon Says can work to discriminate this, but why do something totally un-football like that when you can instead combine a test of their concentration with athletic ability?
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bighit65
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Post by bighit65 on Aug 5, 2018 18:09:02 GMT -6
We are not drafting, this is our team. However, this way we get a better idea of who can run, catch, etc. It's tough when every kid has the same body type and says they can do it all. Plus, a fun way to get to know the kids. I do love the aspect of coachability factoring in. Better to hone in from the get go.
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Post by bobgoodman on Aug 5, 2018 21:32:42 GMT -6
Should also specify what equipment the players will be wearing for this evaluation.
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Post by Chris Clement on Aug 6, 2018 22:05:13 GMT -6
Something simple like dodgeball could work. Throwing, agility, catching. It’s basically triage to get an idea of who is an athlete or not before you get started. It has a lot less overhead than a bunch of drills.
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Post by bigshel on Aug 8, 2018 19:11:55 GMT -6
Hawaiian Rules football is a great way to evaluate who can throw, catch, run; who's got speed, shiftiness, stamina, field awareness, vision; who's a natural leader and who's going to give up. PLUS they're having fun AND conditioning.
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bighit65
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Post by bighit65 on Aug 8, 2018 22:26:14 GMT -6
These are all awesome suggestions. The only one I am not sure of is Hawaiian football. How does it work?
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Post by bigshel on Aug 9, 2018 10:20:36 GMT -6
These are all awesome suggestions. The only one I am not sure of is Hawaiian football. How does it work? Hawaiian Rules football (our version) - think Ultimate Frisbee played with a football. - The ball can only be advanced by passing. No running to advance the ball. Once a player catches the ball, he becomes the "QB". We use a 3' "halo" rule for the defender so the QB has room to step into his throw. No double teaming the QB. The single defender can jump, wave his arms, and move around the QB 360o, but must give at least 3" at all times to the passer.
- Players without the ball are running to get open. They should be trying to use leverage, athleticism, etc. to create passing angles, since the "QB" can't run. As soon as the QB releases the ball, he can run. Backward passes/laterals are allowed.
- The ball is turned over to the other team on any incomplete pass or lateral at the spot where the passer was (in the case of an incomplete forward pass), or at the spot where the ball hits the ground (in the case of a backwards pass or lateral).
- Once a team scores, the team scored upon starts at midfield on offense. We play 6 points per score, but it's not required.
The smartest of the kids soon start to figure out that constant movement, hustle, communication, and teamwork scores points in bunches. They start to teach this to the other teammates. Besides seeing who can catch and throw, you see who the natural leaders are, who's smart, who has field awareness, who quits (and who doesn't) under adversity, who helps (or denigrates) their teammates, etc. It's a great evaluation and conditioning tool, and the kids really enjoy it. We also use it as a reward for a hard and focused practice by the whole team.
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bighit65
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Post by bighit65 on Aug 9, 2018 14:21:24 GMT -6
I do know Hawaiian football. We used it at our camp this summer, except we called it Air Force football. I do enjoy some Hawaiian Air Force football.
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