Friday, October 31, 2008

10 Years Behind

I'm not a history expert. I've never claimed to be. But I've read enough from others that study it to draw some conclusions about the world around me. I'd like to talk a little history in an attempt to learn from it. I'm not going to try to be exactly accurate with the dates but humor me and you'll get the point.

50 years ago sports doctors frowned on weightlifting. "It will stunt your growth, " is still a common saying from that era.

25 years ago doctors said squats were bad for your knees. Today they are used in rehab and strength training facilities around the world and doctors talk about how they are great if done right.

20 years ago high schools started doing bodybuilding workouts in an attempt to gain strength and power in their football players.
An amazing thing happened. The teams that had weights programs won games and the ones that didn't started to decline.

15 years ago research started to come out about training for sports in a specific way that were better than bodybuilding. The research set out exercises with sets and reps that would be beneficial to athletes in specific sports. That work revolutionized the athletic industry.

14 years ago Snowflake won their last State Championship in football. Soon after that the weights teacher left.

12 years ago suppliments were encouraged and funded by the BYU sports programs. Carb loading and creatine have become a common placed part of college and high school athletics.

12 years ago Blue Ridge starts an "updated" weights program and begins supplimenting their athletes diets and institutes a lifting club.
That group of athletes go on a win streak that may never be matched in the 3A.

10 years ago other programs look into what Blue Ridge is doing and start to develop weights programs that are specific to sports.

Today, every team in the east except Snowflake and Alchesay have won state championships. How long will it take us to catch up? I'm not trying to be a critic. I'm saying we can change. We need to change and we know how to change. We just need the courage to do it.

Payson Pre Game Thoughts

It's great to be able to coach a group of kids that are so willing to strap it up and get after it. I've had a few people ask me if I thought we would win. First, that's the stupidest question you could ask a head coach. What do you think I'll answer?
Second, I don't care about the score. That's for the fans and the reporters and the rankings. All I care about is execution, attitude, and effort. I believe we have a great game plan. I believe we have great kids that have put in the time to learn the plays and the defensive scheme. I believe our kids are hungry to show a Payson team that if Snowflake is on your schedule you don't ever want to count us out. So, we play one play at a time and win the battles we can control. At the end of the night, win or lose, we'll have what we've worked for, Respect.

PS. I think we'll win and give the newscasters something to talk about.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Psychology Trumps Physiology Most of the Time

Bobby Bowden, Florida State's head coach said, "When two teams are evenly matched, attitude and leadership are the key to winning." I believe that.

Attitude is the psychology of winning. The old phrase, "If you don't think you can, you're probably right," is a good reminder to always stay possitive. Our football team believes in itself and this week will be a great test of our resolve to believe no matter what. So how do you beat a team that is favored by 30 points? You have to never stop believing and play every play hard. I'm not making it up. I've seen a team that was severely outclassed on paper, almost beat a team that was favored by 55 points. The kids refused to give up and let up.

When it happens for us we'll be one of the most dominating football teams in the state. And it's right around the corner.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Post Blue Ridge Thoughts

What will it take to beat teams like Blue Ridge? Believe it or not, I know the answer to that question and it's not as complicated as you might think.

1. You have to believe you can. - If you haven't earned the right to the type of confidence that comes from lifting year round, running year round, going to camps, and learning how to play the game then it's hard to play with confidence.

2. You have to DO the things that great players do. - You have to prepare just as much if not more than your opponent. I love the phrase, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work Hard." When you're invested you tend to play with intensity and desire.
Unfortunately not enough has been expected out of the players in the past. That has started to change. As the players rise to meet the expectations then they'll earn the right to play with confidence.

3. You have to play as a team. - One thing I'm very pleased with this year is the committment of the team to play hard as a team.

So, if I had to put my finger on just one thing I'd say we will break the hold that Blue Ridge has on us when we obey rule #2 because obeying rule #2 leads to being able to obey rule #1.

I'll be at practice Monday ready to start the process of preparation so we can come out against Payson with confidence.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Blue Ride Pregame

I'm excited about watching our kids play tonight. They have practiced hard all week. They look and act like they are ready to play.

As is usually the case during this time of the season, I've invited the Freshmen to come to the Varsity practices and see what they are like and prepare for next year. Even though their next sport is usually starting around the same time I feel like the experience they can gain in the weeks after their season is over is really important. You can't go out and play a pickup game of football like you can basketball or other sports. More to come later on this subject.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Welcome to the new site!

Welcome to the Snowflake Football blog. After trying to use a hosted site for a few months I realized a blog will be a lot less work and get what I want accomplished.

In the future I'll have announcements, awards, weightlifting records, thoughts on the games and special stats. I think this format will help me control the ammount of content that sits idle and will be a great addition to the football program.

So, watch for daily announcements and information about Snowflake Football.

Go LOBOS!