Football is not for everyone, and that is okay.
Football is hard. It requires a level of commitment that most other sports do not, and tests each of us in surprising ways. One example is summer workouts; while they may come with the expectation of physical challenges, they also pose mental/emotional ones. One expectation comes from the realization that your teammates depend on you. ESPN and Hollywood movies provide countless examples of team dynamics and teammates’ expectations, yet in many ways, our own ideal of what we could be at our very best is the most daunting example of all. Integrity, discipline, accountability, and a willingness to do the right, often hard thing, when the easy is in reach, and no one is watching.
For those who choose football, however, it’s the very challenge that is often so rewarding. The lessons learned through adversity, teamwork, perseverance, and commitment extend far beyond the playing field.
A football program should never apologize for being demanding. The standards should be high. Over four decades of playing and coaching, I’ve found teams rise to meet high standards time and again. At the same time, coaches are often challenged to balance between building a competitive program and keeping the door open for multi-sport athletes and families who wish to take vacations during the summer months.
The reality is that successful football teams are usually built through consistent offseason development. Strength, speed, and football-specific skills improve dramatically when athletes train year-round. At the same time, if participation requires too much commitment too early, some potential players may decide not to play at all.
The opportunities are available for those who want to maximize their development, but we welcome all athletes. We would rather have a student play football and attend some workouts than not play football because they feel they cannot attend every workout. Such a philosophy is part of our culture, and I’d like to think it’s played a role in our long term success.
For high school programs, especially in smaller communities, participation numbers matter. Coaches must create an environment where the most dedicated athletes can pursue excellence while ensuring that new players do not feel excluded because they cannot commit to every offseason activity.
The goal should be to make football accessible while making improvement available. Those are not always the same thing, but the best programs find a way to accomplish both.
As is anything of value… Football is hard. That is precisely why it has the power to change lives.
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 supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
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