Author: Coach Alercio

This weekend marks our seniors’ last home football game.   It is a special and emotional event for athletes, teams, and their supporters.  It marks the final time that our senior players will compete on their home field, highlighting the culmination of years of dedication and hard work.  

Before the game, each senior’s name will be announced and they will make the Walk of Honor escorted onto the field by family members and/or mentors.  They will receive a framed photo of their fellow seniors, and then our Director of Marketing will take photos of each player with their families as well as one of the entire group.  

This season is one of our smallest and most diverse senior classes.  We only have seven seniors, and only three of whom have been with us all four years.  We have a female player who was with us for three years, a player who stepped away from the game but missed it so much he had to return, a player who joined us midway through his junior season having never played football before, and an international player from Mexico who joined us his Junior year.

Each of them brings their individual story to the team, and to the game. Each enjoyed opportunities, achievements, setbacks, and surprises. They found a team and culture welcoming them and asking only that they perform at their best, and put the good of the team ahead of their own interests. Such an ask is not always an easy one, and as we have discussed, for some, it’s too much.

As coaches, bringing together a diverse team requires fostering an environment where individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives can work together effectively. If we can foster a sense of unity and inclusivity it’s possible to build a team and culture capable of extraordinary success. While a winning record or playoff berth, are important short-term goals, coaches also look to reinforce the aspects of character, leadership, and interpersonal skills that will help teammates be successful long after their last home game.

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!   

“Be demanding, not demeaning” is a reminder of the difference between pushing others to meet high expectations versus belittling them. Being demanding is about setting clear standards, pushing for excellence, and motivating others to rise to the challenge. On the other hand, being demeaning involves undermining someone’s self-worth. 

During halftime of a recent road game, a member of the school’s chain gang commented to me that he loved the way I coached our team.  He went on to say that he liked how I get on the players then followed by saying the coaches at his school are not allowed to yell at players.  

In some environments, such as sports, yelling can be used to rally people, motivate teams, or instill a sense of urgency. Coaches raise their voices to energize groups and individuals fostering enthusiasm and reinforcing performance.

It’s important to note that Coaches often push student-athletes beyond their perceived limits. There’s an old Tom Landry (Dallas Cowboys Coach & Hall of Famer) quote, “Coaches make players do more than they think they can in practice, so they can achieve more than anyone thought possible in games.”

The concept of being demanding not demeaning encourages leaders, teachers, and individuals in any position of authority to push for success while maintaining dignity and respect for those around them. One of the most powerful things a former coach ever said to me was, “If I seem to hold you to a higher standard, it’s because I believe so much in your talent and potential.” Decade after decade, I’ve tried to incorporate such sentiments and we’ve been rewarded for setting and holding high standards.

As we have discussed in previous posts, there are significant generational differences between the way my coaches were coached, the way I was coached, and the way I’ve coached my student-athletes over the last 35 years. Sometimes as coaches, we wonder when or if we have gone too far and may have crossed a line, and then you get an unsolicited text from a player like the one I received earlier this week:

I feel confident I speak for most coaches when I say we’re here to help build teams, win games, and develop quality student-athletes who will one day be the leaders of our communities. When we hear feedback directly or secondhand that our efforts and investments in others have helped them become even just a little bit better as players, teammates, or friends, our concerns fall away and satisfaction (and a little pride) can’t help but bring gratitude for the opportunity.

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!  

The benefit of our team’s participation in this past Sunday’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s goes far beyond the financial donations raised and time spent in contemplation and care.  The opportunity to give back provides our players with a sense of both purpose and accomplishment while at the same time creating a stronger connection to our community. One might hope such a contribution to the community will in turn lead to community support of our players on Friday nights this Fall.   

Our blogs often reference the importance of contributing to or being a part of something greater than oneself.  With more than a decade of involvement and participation with the Walk, more and more people have witnessed our acts of kindness and community support and thankfully seem to have been inspired to join us.  This ripple effect has led to a stronger and more resilient community and created a legacy of giving that continues to thrive long after our current players move on.  

I would ask you to consider how your team, family, community group, or even individuals can make a ripple of positivity in your community? At a time when so many seem so polarized by such a panoply of issues, I believe anything we can do to help unite our community is in our collective best interest.

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!  

Football isn’t just a game; it’s a profound expression of our human need for belonging. Our ancestors evolved in tight-knit tribal groups, shaping our social instincts over millennia. This deep-seated desire for connection finds a powerful outlet in team sports, especially football.

Being part of a football team taps into something primal within us. It provides a sense of purpose and meaning that transcends individual goals. When players don the team jersey, they become part of something larger than themselves. Every practice, every game is an opportunity to contribute to a collective vision.

This sense of belonging is transformative. It shifts focus from self-centered concerns to a shared mission. Players find themselves pushing their limits not just for personal glory, but for their teammates, their school, or their community. The struggles and triumphs shared on the field forge deep bonds, creating trust, interdependence, and dedication among teammates. Combine such feelings with the transformation that coincides with adolescence and there is a potent opportunity for good.

Shown here is an email I received this weekend from Kathleen Higgs, our Fieldhouse Director,   It is a reminder of why we do what we do.  

Football teams, in essence, become modern tribes. They provide a platform for individuals to find their place, to matter, to belong. In a world where many feel increasingly isolated, the camaraderie and shared purpose of a football team can be profoundly fulfilling.

So when we watch or participate in football, we’re not just engaging in a sport. We’re answering an age-old call for connection, purpose, and belonging. For many who are searching for both belonging and meaning, football can be the catalyst that changes 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!  

“The hand that gives gathers” is a proverb conveying the idea of reciprocity and abundance through generosity. It suggests that by giving selflessly, one often receives in return, whether it be in material form, goodwill, or blessings. This principle can be understood both in practical terms—like building relationships and fostering goodwill—and in a more spiritual or philosophical sense, where giving leads to a more fulfilling and enriched life. It emphasizes the cycle of giving and receiving, implying that generosity brings its own rewards.  

When I started at St Johnsbury Academy and wanted to change the culture, we were looking for ways to give back to our community.  We chose to participate in a Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  Over a decade ago, we walked in our game jerseys alongside dozens of family members of those afflicted with this horrible disease.  Our participation motivated others to join.  Now, we walk alongside hundreds of other athletes representing all of our school’s Fall teams, our rival school’s teams and local youth teams.   After registering for this year’s walk on 22 October, I received the following email from the Chair of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Hi Rich,

My heartfelt thanks for registering the SJA Football Team for our 2024 NEK Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  Your commitment to this event is nothing less than incredible.  I hope you know how much it means to all of us involved in organizing the Walk to have your team there.  It creates such a meaningful atmosphere and it truly sets the NEK Walk apart from all other Walks in the country.  

Warm regards,

Nancy Poulos

NEK Walk to End ALZ Chair

Please allow me to emphasize, that we do not give with the intent to gather. There’s nothing transactional about our choice… But like a ripple across a lake, we are happy to spread goodness across the community, create ever-expanding goodwill, and see blessings multiplied in ways benefitting us all.

As coaches, we have a fleeting opportunity to create a lasting impact on our student-athletes. We seek to build teams, win games, and cultivate quality students who someday will give back to the community. In doing so we must set the example, and lead them to be more than they thought they ever could be, both on and off the field.

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!   

After a disappointing season-opening loss, exacerbated by the loss of three key 2-way starters, two of whom are captains, I was on my laptop breaking down video in preparation for our next game when a Facebook notification popped up.  I usually ignore them, but for some reason I clicked on it.  It was a sales pitch for a t-shirt.  Or maybe it was a message…  The t-shirt read “Nobody Cares Work Harder.”

A blunt, no-nonsense message saying that nobody is giving us any sympathy and that the expectations remain the same. A stark reminder that no one cares about struggles or excuses, only results.  While one might argue that a mom, a spouse, or someone who loves you still cares… The responsibility for decisions, actions, and most importantly results, rests with he or she who has direct control over the outcome.

Therefore, we need to fight through adversity, push through the difficulties, and work even harder to overcome obstacles and ultimately achieve our goals.  The message serves as a reminder to foster self-reliance, resilience, and perseverance, emphasizing that success on either the football field or in life, often requires relentless effort. 

We welcome the challenge.

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!   

For most teams in the country, this is the first weekend of the high school football season. With it comes an opportunity to set a positive tone for the rest of the season.  It can help build both momentum and morale which are crucial in a sport as mentally and physically demanding as football.  For those of us fortunate enough to have the opening game at home, it is a significant event for the school and local community.  A strong performance can ignite both school spirit and community support which can be a significant source of motivation throughout the season.  A  good start can be the first step toward achieving long-term goals, such as making the playoffs or winning a championship. It creates a foundation on which the rest of the season is built.

Both team and individual goals are established, and as coaches, we’ll seek to reinforce the very best effort, attitude, and performance we see across all three phases of the game. We’ll also reinforce the efforts and performance of those on the scout team and the staff who, “as iron sharpens iron,” have helped us hone the skills necessary for Friday night’s performance.

Whether the outcome is a win or loss, the first game provides a learning experience. It can highlight successes to be reinforced, areas where the team needs to grow and improve, and it helps to build resilience in facing future challenges.  After the weekend, half of the teams will remain undefeated while the other half will have experienced the adversity of their first loss. Regardless of wins and losses we wish they all compete at their best, and complete their games injury-free.  

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!   

The uniform remains the same but the loss of the previous year’s seniors and the addition of incoming players challenge coaches at the start of every football season by bringing together a new team and dealing with new team dynamics.  Following Tuckman’s stages of team development is always an interesting process as we go through the start of every season. While some aspects may have ebbed and flowed throughout Winter Drills, Spring Practice, and our Summer OTAs, Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing must commence and phases must transition in relatively short order to be prepared for our opening kickoff.

On days 1-3 (Monday-Wednesday of this week), we go through the initial Forming stage where new members are introduced and they start to understand the team goals and their roles within the team. This stage is filled with a high level of uncertainty for most team members.  Not just the new ones.  Coaches are typically very directive as the basics are explained and the foundations of our culture are clarified and confirmed.

Days 4-6 bring the Storming stage which is characterized by conflict and competition.  This is when we put on full pads and begin to compete in competitive drills culminating week 1 with an intrasquad scrimmage.  It is a challenging phase where differences between players may arise vocally and even physically, but working out of these differences is crucial for team growth. Coaches reinforce expectations of performance, character, and culture.

Week 2 brings the Norming stage where conflicts are resolved and a cohesive working environment really starts to gel.  Players develop a mutual respect for each other, begin to really understand interdependence, and work collaboratively to establish team norms and how they will complement one another to function effectively as a team.  Coaches work hard to positively reinforce these traits and characteristics.

Week 3 is Game Week and brings the focus necessary for the Performing stage.  At this point the team must be fully functional, collectively grasping goals and objectives, as well as working diligently and efficiently towards collective achievement.  There is a strong sense of unity and focus on performance.  Individual aspirations take a back seat to team priorities and culture. Further, the team is well-organized and is ready for the complex tasks and challenges it will face on the field against a thinking and performing opponent in Game 1.

Understanding these stages helps teams and coaches navigate the team development process to maximize their performance over time. Through nearly four dozen iterations as both a player and coach, Tuckman’s Teambuilding Phases ring true and remind us of the growth and maturation coaches must lead, guide, and direct each year.

 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!   

As we stand on the cusp of the 2024 football season in Vermont, the air is thick with anticipation and promise. Our team has poured sweat and determination into weight training and conditioning, reaping the rewards of our labor in recent 7v7, OLine, and Strongman competitions. Yet, as we set our sights on both team and individual aspirations, I’m drawn to reflect on a goal that transcends the gridiron—one that speaks to the very essence of what makes this game truly extraordinary.

Football, at its core, is a crucible. It’s a forge where raw potential is hammered into strength, where individual talents are melded into cohesive units, and where the fires of shared adversity temper the bonds of friendship into something unbreakable. If we approach this season with the right mindset, the experiences we share, the lessons we learn, and the friendships we forge have the power to echo far beyond the final whistle of our last game.

I think about my own football journey, where 45 years ago, a group of unpracticed, unpolished, and uncertain young men came together wholly unaware of the profound connections we were about to form. In the cramped confines of a locker room and on the unforgiving expanse of a dusty and sun-baked field, we discovered the true meaning of teamwork. We learned to rely on one another, to put the needs of the many above the desires of the few, and to find strength in our collective identity.

While the varsity squad won the 1979, NJ state championship, our freshman team didn’t win nearly as many games as we had hoped. It’s a fact that still frustrates me given our collective talents, but it’s tempered by an overwhelming sense of pride. When faced with adversity, we didn’t crumble—we stood tall. We recommitted ourselves to improvement, refusing to let defeat define us. We nursed injuries, wrestled with self-doubt, and faced uncertainties that mirrored the challenges we would encounter in the decades to come. Yet through it all, we found joy in our camaraderie and strength in our shared purpose.

Little did I know then that those early days would plant the seeds of friendships that would flourish for over four decades. Today, nearly 45 years later, we still communicate almost daily. The bonds forged in the crucible of that first season and high school career have become a lifeline, a support system that celebrates our triumphs and softens the blows of our setbacks. Our coaches’ words—”we would be stronger together than any could ever be alone”—have transformed from an abstract concept into a living, breathing reality.

Though time and distance have scattered us, we still find ways to reunite, to reminisce about the lessons learned on that dusty field, and to marvel at how they’ve shaped our lives. These enduring connections are a testament to the power of shared experience, shared adversity, and the unifying force of a common goal.

As the 2024 season begins, coinciding with the 45th anniversary of my own first foray onto the gridiron, my deepest wish for this year’s Hilltoppers—and indeed, for every team taking the field this season—is that they discover the same transformative power of football that I experienced. May they find not just athletic prowess, but also life lessons, character growth, and most importantly, the kind of lifelong fellowship and brotherhood that has enriched my life for nearly half a century.

 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!   

It was a clean sweep for the Hilltoppers at the Northeast Kingdom 7v7 Tournament, OLine Challenge, and Strongman Competition. The hard work and great effort put forth by our players during the six weeks of OTAs paid off.  But our players did not just leave the field with hands full of trophies.  These competitions served as a team-building activity that further solidified relationships and interdependence. 

Throughout the day you could see individuals unite and create a sense of camaraderie as they worked toward a common goal or to overcome a shared challenge.  Celebrating each win together reinforced a sense of unity and shared accomplishment, as well as fostering deep, lasting connections, and a strong sense of brotherhood that we will lean on during the season ahead, and one I hope they will return to again and again for decades to come.

 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!