Wild animals and Friday Night Lights

The coaches were unanimous......today was our best practice of the year. By a mile.

After preaching the importance of being aggressive to the players for several weeks, tonight it was as if a switch turned on. We did our famous bag drill that is extremely physical and very demanding.

We set up three large bags, and stand them upright. In front of the first bag is a blocker. In front of the second bag is two blockers. In front of the third and final bag is two blockers, and a football rests atop the third bag. One defender must single handedly fight through the groups of blockers and knock each bag down. On the final bag, the player must knock the bag over and recover the "fumbled" football. The rest of the team? Their job is to watch and encourage their teammate as he tries to fight through the blockers.

The players were physical, they were fast, they were aggressive...they were everything I hoped. Even our smallest players attacked this drill, seemingly without any fear.

These kind of things are important in developing a strong football mindset. The kids were wild during the drill, and that intensity stayed with us throughout the rest of practice. In fact, when we were practing our team defense, the players were yelling and chanting like wild animals. An outside observer would have asked what kind of crazy coach would tell them to get pumped up that way - but they did it all on their own.

Saturday we will hope to build on today's practice. Just as you can never get too down after one bad play, you cannot let one good practice get to your head. There is still a ways to go.

NOTE TO PARENTS: Pictures have been rescheduled for September 1st during practice. Please have your son wear their pads and home (black) uniform and game pants to practice.

REMINDER: Tomorrow the Hartford Varsity makes their debut, and it is Youth Football night. Players get in free if they wear their black jerseys to the game, and we will be honored at halftime. Remember, players: best behavior at all times. Coaches are always at the game, and we'll see you there.

See you on Saturday (or, hopefully....Friday night!)