"I would rather have a team full of good people than a team
full of good players."
Marty Schottenheimer
The Approach to Playing time
"Your attitude determines your preparation, your
preparation determines your performance, your performance
determines your success."
Every one of you wants to start on our football team.
Unfortunately, not all of you will. The coaching staff must
determine who will start. Consequently, we feel it is
important for you to understand how we will decide on depth
charts as practice progresses. The following five (5
points) will be the criteria used in selecting starters and
developing depth charts.
1.
Knowledge of Assignment:
We cannot and will not play people who do not know their
assignments. Your position coach will spend extra time with
you if you so desire. Everyone can and must give 100%
Effort. We will test you frequently on your assignments.
You must pass your written tests and verbal quizzes. To
play defense, you must understand your offensive position
as well. We view defense as a reward. We will video tape
games and some practices and review regularly.. You must be
mentally prepared to play or you put others at risk for
physical injury. “Dumb players make dumb mistakes”- Bill
Parcells
"Never
attempt to do anything blindly. There is a reason for
everything in football. Think. Know. Act!"
“By
perseverance, study, and eternal desire, any man can become
great.”
2.
Hustle and Effort:
Everyone will be expected to give 100% at all times. Go
full speed whistle to whistle! Your teammates will be
giving 100% and they expect you to do so also. Extra effort
wins games. Everyone can and must give 100%. If you are not
a “practice player” you will not be a game player either.
It is disrespectful to the program to wear the uniform and
not mean it. A great deal of your hustle and effort is
evident in your P.R.I.D.E. point total. Do your best to
score high.
“ He looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane”
“Do more than is required of
you.”
3.
Hitting and Mental Toughness:
We will discover during fall practice who is aggressive and
mentally tough. Football is a contact sport and it must be
played with mental and physical toughness. Everyone can
hit. You must have “Want To” or you simply will not see
playing time. It is dangerous to you and to your team
should we put you on the field before you are ready. You
must love the action. The off-season training and
competition will certainly give us a preview of your
character. You must impress us in the P.R.I.D.E
competitions. “Bring the MOJO!”
“I am a soldier, I fight where
I am told, and I win where I fight.”
”May
God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't.”
4.
Contribution to the Program:
Football is one of the few team sports left. The individual
who represents the program well, and motivates his
teammates to do better, is always enthusiastic and ready,
will make a greater contribution than one whom does not
demonstrate those qualities. Being coachable and
disciplined is critical to our success. One man who refuses
to lose and refuses to allow others to quit or become a
distraction is a valuable player. His attitude is
infectious. Everyone can be a team player. Everyone wants
to win, but what we are looking for are people who won't
tolerate losing. Those who defend the program through all
of their actions are leading the pack. The Individual
competitions, academics, the Super Eleven (this will be
explained on a separate page) and other competitions
certainly give you an opportunity to demonstrate a TEAM
attitude. The program is bigger than the team. The team is
bigger than the individual. “Where we go one, we go all!”
“If I do my full duty, the rest
will take care of itself.”
5.
Talent:
If the above four characteristics are equal and they should
be, then the young man who has the most talent, scores well
in testing, makes the most big plays in practice, will
start. However, talent will not enter into our evaluation
until we look closely at the first four qualities.
Obviously if you are missing practice because you are
injured or ineligible it will be difficult for us to
evaluate you.
"Battles
are won primarily in the hearts of men."
We will give underclassmen every opportunity to earn a
position on the varsity team. It’s our desire to play as
many deserving people as possible but obviously we cannot
play everyone each game. Do not forget that the game in
learned in practice. “Be great today!”
* The above was written so that you will know exactly how
we will evaluate you. Our best athletes will lead us to a
few wins. Our best PEOPLE will lead us to CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Each of you should want to play an important part in the
tradition of the program. All of you who do not earn a
starting position, it is up to you to continue to work hard
and be prepared when called upon. You are always just one
play away from playing. See your position coach when you
feel ready to challenge for more playing time.
Our
main concern is to be fair as possible with you and to be
truly honest. Your coaches will not sugar coat anything. If
you have displayed a weakness, you have a right to know
what it is. I warn you now that we are not interested in
individual stats or records. Do not seek more playing time
to chase records. If you do not feel that you are being
treated fairly, see your position coach. In the event you
are still not satisfied, then come see the head coach.
(Proper Chain of Command)
We are here for the same reason you are:
To see that you get and education and a diploma. (There is
a difference between them)
To see that you mature and grow as a man.
To see that we have the best football team possible.
To represent the school, the program and the community in
everything we do.
* We have great respect for you and believe that you will
know your assignments, give 100%, will hit and will be a
team player. We believe you will earn your playing time. We
will continue to believe that unless you prove us wrong.