Thomas Bass - Football Skills & Drills - 2nd Edition

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bass, Tom.

Football skills & drills / Tom Bass. -- 2nd ed.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-7360-9076-6 (soft cover) -- ISBN 0-7360-9076-2 (soft cover)

1. Football--Training. 2. Football--Coaching. I. Title. II. Title:

Football skills and drills.

GV953.5B364 2012

796.332--dc23

2011052795

ISBN-10: 0-7360-9076-2 (print)

ISBN-13: 978-0-7360-9076-6 (print)

Copyright 2012, 2004 by Tom Bass

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Acquisitions Editor: Justin Klug; Developmental Editor: Carla Zych; Assistant Editor: Claire Marty; Copyeditor: Bob Replinger; Graphic Designer: Keri Evans; Graphic Artist: Julie L. Denzer; Cover Designer: Keith Blomberg; Photographer (cover): Chris Graythen/Getty Images; Photographer (interior): Neil Bernstein; Visual Production Assistant: Joyce Brumfield; Photo Production Manager: Jason Allen; Art Manager: Kelly Hendren; Associate Art Manager: Alan L. Wilborn; Illustrations: Human Kinetics; Printer: Versa Press

We thank Rantoul High School in Rantoul, Illinois, for assistance in providing the location for the photo shoot for this book.

Human Kinetics books are available at special discounts for bulk purchase. Special editions or book excerpts can also be created to specification. For details, contact the Special Sales Manager at Human Kinetics.

Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The paper in this book is certified under a sustainable forestry program.

Human Kinetics

Website: www.HumanKinetics.com

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New Zealand: Human Kinetics

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This book is dedicated to Michele, my wife and partner, who constantly provides positive encouragement and insight for all my writings I cannot thank her enough.

A word of praise and admiration goes out to the thousands of junior high and high school football coaches who every year give their time, energy, and knowledge to help to shape teenage football players into young adults. I hope this book provides them with information that can enhance their present programs.

A number of very dedicated and organized people have contributed to the preparation and completion of this new edition of the book. A special thanks goes to each of them, starting with Carla Zych, my developmental editor, who provided great insight, understanding, and motivation. It was great working with her on this project. I would also like to thank Claire Marty, assistant editor, and Neil Bernstein, photographer, who worked hard to make the book come alive. A very special thanks also goes to Coach Shane Carter, head football coach of the Rantoul High School Eagles, and all of his players, who contributed their time and energy to make the book the best it can be.

A special thanks to my daughter, Shana, who was always there when Dad needed to discuss the usage and spelling of a word or the wording of a phrase or concept. Her suggestions and ideas were greatly appreciated.

Finally, thanks to my good friend and fellow football coach, the late Harry Johnston, for providing a sounding board for the endless discussion of all things football and life.

Y oung athletes learning to play football within the rules, to the best of their ability, and with great sportsmanship face a tremendous challenge. Football is a demanding game both physically and mentally. It is a game in which desire, determination, and willingness to work hard and to play as a member of a team are very important. Most of all, it is a fun sport.

Although football is the ultimate team sport, on each play every player is involved in an individual battle. Winning or losing this battle determines the success or failure of each play. The challenge is to win as many of these individual battles as possible. Even so, no single player is ever bigger than the team. No individual player can succeed without the aid and contributions of his teammates.

Teamwork starts with the attitude teammates have toward each other. Having fun by kidding around is one of the ways players deal with the pressures of the game, but caring for teammates and giving them encouragement is much more important than spending time joking around.

Teamwork also means treating everyone on the squad with respect, a sign of true sportsmanship. A starting player who knows he will play in every game may find it easier to put in the hours at practice. Each week, this player sees the reward of his hard work and will feel that practice is worth the time and effort. But what about the player who practices just as hard but rarely gets in the game? When I played, these teammates were the ones I came to admire the most. They were the players who ran the opponents plays and defenses during practice. Their role was to make it possible for the team to succeed. They practice hard and got banged up and bruised, but never complained even though they knew they probably would never get a chance to play in the game. Their contribution and reward was to see the starters improve and their team have a chance to win. This group of players represents teamwork at its best.