The state football playoffs and our defense of the Vermont Division I Championship begins this tonight. In Vermont, we start and end early because the snow comes early in the Green Mountain State.
As we prep for the playoffs, our number one priority is to stick with the same routine that has gotten us to this point in the season (and served us well in three of the last four state championship games). We continue to strength train on Monday afternoons and Thursday mornings. We continue to run the same tackling, pursuit & takeaway drills on defense. We continue to drill our blitz pickups, read progressions and route conversions on offense.
As the season goes longer and the days get shorter, keeping players motivated and emotionally engaged can become a challenge. We may throw a wrinkle into our offense and defense to keep our players sharp. We also focus on the brotherhood, supporting our teammates, and celebrating the successes of others. We reinforce the commitment, sacrifice, and interdependence that has been the foundation of our season together thus far, and the expectations of those who went before us and established the Hilltopper reputation.
I’ve often heard other coaches say the football season is a “Grind.” It can never seem that way to our players, especially this time of year.
This time of year should be the most exciting.
With every playoff win, comes the gift of another game and another week together.
Enjoy this time. It, as so many seasons have before, will too soon come to an end.
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for your time!
O Line Skills 