Today's defensive-oriented practice was very intense. The players really were going at it hard - almost too hard at times - and we finished with some difficult conditioning to make sure that we can go strong in the fourth quarter.
We did a little bit of everything from the defensive side of the ball today. A portion of practice was spent in individual position groups. We then did our "team pursuit" drill, which helps us take better angles so that we don't give up as many long runs to the outside. We went team defense against a scout offense, and then we finished with our famous bag drill and conditioning.
One of the most difficult things for us as coaches is to get the players from the point of being uncomfortable with hitting and contact to the point where they enjoy initiating contact. It took us a while, but I think most (if not all) of the players are there.
Thursday will be our pre-game practice where we will focus on a little bit of everything. Saturday's game will be at home. A reminder to parents that next week's practices will be from 4:45PM to 6:45PM due to to the light.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Cold weather, opportunity knocks
Today's practice was very wet and cold, but that gave us an opportunity to test our ability when the elements get difficult. It's always good to make sure that you face adversity in practice so that when the same type of adversity presents itself during a game, your team is prepared.
After all, there's no guarantee that we'll be getting nice weather for game days. Wisconsin doesn't always cooperate that way.
Note to parents: Next week we will be beginning practice at 4:45PM and practicing until 6:45PM. It is getting darker and darker, and it's always around this time that we have to start adjusting.
See you tomorrow.
After all, there's no guarantee that we'll be getting nice weather for game days. Wisconsin doesn't always cooperate that way.
Note to parents: Next week we will be beginning practice at 4:45PM and practicing until 6:45PM. It is getting darker and darker, and it's always around this time that we have to start adjusting.
See you tomorrow.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Good effort, tough result
Today we had our best effort of the season against a very difficult (and currently undefeated) Germantown team.
However, a few big plays and some mistakes kept us from winning. Germantown's kick return touchdown to begin the game and their long run at the end made the score look worse than the game really was. Two Hartford fumbles inside the ten yard line were difficult to overcome, and it was the first game of the season that we didn't win the turnover battle.
Take away Germantown's two big plays and our two fumbles, and the game would have been even. Unfortunately, you can't do that, which is why we preach discipline and focus on every single play.
Nonetheless, it gives us something to build on going into next week. We blocked better, we tackled better, and we simply played harder than we have all season long. I look forward to getting back to practice to build off of this effort.
However, a few big plays and some mistakes kept us from winning. Germantown's kick return touchdown to begin the game and their long run at the end made the score look worse than the game really was. Two Hartford fumbles inside the ten yard line were difficult to overcome, and it was the first game of the season that we didn't win the turnover battle.
Take away Germantown's two big plays and our two fumbles, and the game would have been even. Unfortunately, you can't do that, which is why we preach discipline and focus on every single play.
Nonetheless, it gives us something to build on going into next week. We blocked better, we tackled better, and we simply played harder than we have all season long. I look forward to getting back to practice to build off of this effort.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Good team work and an important notice to parents
Tonight's pregame practice went pretty well. We started off with some mental mistakes on offense, but got in a good rhythm and had a very spirited end of practice.
The players especially performed much better during the "team pursuit" drill, which is designed to help the players take better angles on outside runs. Hopefully it shows on Saturday.
Two final important issues:
1. The game on Saturday as at noon at Germantown. Warmups start at 11:00AM sharp.
2. I have been notified by our league representative that the coaches from Oconomowoc (who we played against last week) have discovered that one of their 8th grade players has been diagnosed with swine flu. If any of your kids are feeling sick, obviously the proper precautions should be taken. It is also a good reminder that we should encourage the players to make sure they practice good hygiene, such as washing their clothes/pads/jerseys/etc., washing their hands.
Please feel free to email me with any questions, mkenitz@kenitzlaw.com.
The players especially performed much better during the "team pursuit" drill, which is designed to help the players take better angles on outside runs. Hopefully it shows on Saturday.
Two final important issues:
1. The game on Saturday as at noon at Germantown. Warmups start at 11:00AM sharp.
2. I have been notified by our league representative that the coaches from Oconomowoc (who we played against last week) have discovered that one of their 8th grade players has been diagnosed with swine flu. If any of your kids are feeling sick, obviously the proper precautions should be taken. It is also a good reminder that we should encourage the players to make sure they practice good hygiene, such as washing their clothes/pads/jerseys/etc., washing their hands.
Please feel free to email me with any questions, mkenitz@kenitzlaw.com.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Rainy day
For the first time in a long time, the weather wasn't perfect for Tuesday's defensive practice. The ground was very wet, and there were rain showers during certain portions of practice.
This was very opportunistic, since the theme of the week is discipline. It is always important for football players to keep their focus, but it is even MORE so when the weather is bad.
This week's game is at Germantown. Game time is noon, warm-ups start at 11:00AM sharp (ie, players should arrive and be ready to begin warmups at 11:00AM). The site is the same as the Germantown scrimmages. They presented a strong challenge during the scrimmages, but preseason is preseason for a reason. We're a different team than we were in August.
Thursday's practice will be the collective offense, defense, and special teams practice per our usual procedure. See you then.
This was very opportunistic, since the theme of the week is discipline. It is always important for football players to keep their focus, but it is even MORE so when the weather is bad.
This week's game is at Germantown. Game time is noon, warm-ups start at 11:00AM sharp (ie, players should arrive and be ready to begin warmups at 11:00AM). The site is the same as the Germantown scrimmages. They presented a strong challenge during the scrimmages, but preseason is preseason for a reason. We're a different team than we were in August.
Thursday's practice will be the collective offense, defense, and special teams practice per our usual procedure. See you then.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Discipline
For tonight's offensive practice, the theme was discipline. We explained how it takes discipline to make sure you start off a game strong and then finish it stronger, so that we don't dig ourselves into a large hole like we did on Saturday.
We also added a few new plays where discipline is very important. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out the next couple of weeks.
For conditioning, we took the kids to the hill behind the high school. I explained to them that two of the best running backs ever - Walter Payton and LaDainian Tomlinson - used running up hills as a big part of their conditioning, and we got a great effort from the kids.
Tomorrow is defense, as usual. See you then.
We also added a few new plays where discipline is very important. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out the next couple of weeks.
For conditioning, we took the kids to the hill behind the high school. I explained to them that two of the best running backs ever - Walter Payton and LaDainian Tomlinson - used running up hills as a big part of their conditioning, and we got a great effort from the kids.
Tomorrow is defense, as usual. See you then.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tale of two halves
Another rough one for sixth grade orange as we fell to Oconomowoc this morning.
We got a pretty good effort from most of the players. We had a very difficult first half. The coaches were preaching about protecting the outside, but it is always easier said than done. Oconomowoc, to their credit, did a good job getting outside on us in the first half, and we were down big at halftime. We need to be better from the very start, and it is my responsibility to make sure we get off to a better start next week.
To the players' credit, we held them scoreless in the second half. Better strategy and better execution contributed to the second half defensive effort.
We'll have to spend this week of practice trying to fix a number of things. We have to make sure the kids know what personnel groups they are in, as we had to spend a couple of timeouts today because certain players did not go in the game when they were supposed to. We'll also have to continue working on tackling and being more physical.
Couple of positives: We again had fewer penalties than our opponent, and we also did not turn the ball over for the second straight game. The second half defensively was very good - the defense pitched a shutout in the second half. But games are four quarters, not two, and we'll have to keep working on giving a more consistent effort.
See you Monday.
We got a pretty good effort from most of the players. We had a very difficult first half. The coaches were preaching about protecting the outside, but it is always easier said than done. Oconomowoc, to their credit, did a good job getting outside on us in the first half, and we were down big at halftime. We need to be better from the very start, and it is my responsibility to make sure we get off to a better start next week.
To the players' credit, we held them scoreless in the second half. Better strategy and better execution contributed to the second half defensive effort.
We'll have to spend this week of practice trying to fix a number of things. We have to make sure the kids know what personnel groups they are in, as we had to spend a couple of timeouts today because certain players did not go in the game when they were supposed to. We'll also have to continue working on tackling and being more physical.
Couple of positives: We again had fewer penalties than our opponent, and we also did not turn the ball over for the second straight game. The second half defensively was very good - the defense pitched a shutout in the second half. But games are four quarters, not two, and we'll have to keep working on giving a more consistent effort.
See you Monday.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sharks & Minnows
Pretty strong defensive practice tonight. Sometimes the focus wasn't quite there - goofing around in the huddle, for example - but our guys hit with a lot more intensity and played pretty good defense as a whole.
At the end for conditioning, the players got to play "sharks and minnows," which they have been begging me to do for about a month. With their effort today, I thought it would be a good time to give it a try.
Looking forward to a good pre-game practice on Thursday that will cover offense, defense, and special teams.
At the end for conditioning, the players got to play "sharks and minnows," which they have been begging me to do for about a month. With their effort today, I thought it would be a good time to give it a try.
Looking forward to a good pre-game practice on Thursday that will cover offense, defense, and special teams.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Back at it
After a rough debut, we were back at it on Monday. We had an offensive-oriented practice, and stressed the importance to the players that doing the "little" things often make a huge impact on the game.
We also discussed Saturday's game, the pluses and the minuses. At the 6th grade level, the goals are going to be different than at the high school level. Some pluses were a good job with penalties, winning the turnover battle, and making some plays in the running game. We have to keep working on tackling and aggressiveness to fix some of our defensive issues.
Tomorrow will be a defensive day, and we'll try to fix some of the problems we've had. See you then.
We also discussed Saturday's game, the pluses and the minuses. At the 6th grade level, the goals are going to be different than at the high school level. Some pluses were a good job with penalties, winning the turnover battle, and making some plays in the running game. We have to keep working on tackling and aggressiveness to fix some of our defensive issues.
Tomorrow will be a defensive day, and we'll try to fix some of the problems we've had. See you then.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Pre-game practice
Today was our first Thursday pre-game practice. We will typicall work on offense, defense, AND special teams on Thursdays.
Ups and downs today. We looked very sharp and aggressive in spurts, but we have to keep our focus. Letting up for even one play can result in big consequences.
Coach Whitemore acted as head coach today as he will be head coach on Saturday. I wish the players the best of luck, and I will be back to lead them next week. Game time on Saturday is 10:30AM, warmups to start at 9:30AM sharp at Hartford Town Hall.
We hope they go to the Varsity football game tomorrow evening. As always, they are encouraged to wear their jerseys and must be on their best behavior.
Ups and downs today. We looked very sharp and aggressive in spurts, but we have to keep our focus. Letting up for even one play can result in big consequences.
Coach Whitemore acted as head coach today as he will be head coach on Saturday. I wish the players the best of luck, and I will be back to lead them next week. Game time on Saturday is 10:30AM, warmups to start at 9:30AM sharp at Hartford Town Hall.
We hope they go to the Varsity football game tomorrow evening. As always, they are encouraged to wear their jerseys and must be on their best behavior.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wednesday practice
Tonight we continued with general game preparation and worked mostly as a team rather than individual groups. As the season goes on, we will continue to do a mix of individual position work along with team and group work, but it being our first game, we want to make sure everybody has that play clock in their head that tells them that they need to line up quickly and focus on the next play.
Several kids are stepping up and showing that they are willing to play tough and play aggressive. Hopefully this continues as the season goes on.
We will have practice again tomorrow night before taking off for Friday. We encourage the players to attend the varsity football game on Friday night. As always, we told them to be on their best behavior, as the coaches will have their eyes on them.
Several kids are stepping up and showing that they are willing to play tough and play aggressive. Hopefully this continues as the season goes on.
We will have practice again tomorrow night before taking off for Friday. We encourage the players to attend the varsity football game on Friday night. As always, we told them to be on their best behavior, as the coaches will have their eyes on them.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Game speed
After giving the kids Saturday and Monday off for Labor Day, it was back to work in our final week of preparation before the games begin.
Unfortunately I was late to practice due to a work commitment, but the coaches did a great job running practice and simulated game conditions to get the kids used to a play clock. It was important for them to get a taste of just how fast things move during a game. Scrimmages help give them a taste of that, but it's not the same as the real thing (coaches are not allowed in the huddle for games, obviously, while they are often there in scrimmages).
I informed the players that I will sadly not be available for our first game due to a personal commitment. The coaches have known this for several weeks and we have taken the appropriate steps to be prepared. Coach Rob Whitemore will be acting as head coach, and I am extremely confident that he will do an excellent job.
Reminders to players and parents: We will have practice tomorrow (Wednesday) AND Thursday before having off on Friday. Game is at 10:30AM on Saturday, warmups start at 9:30AM sharp.
We'll see you tomorrow.
Unfortunately I was late to practice due to a work commitment, but the coaches did a great job running practice and simulated game conditions to get the kids used to a play clock. It was important for them to get a taste of just how fast things move during a game. Scrimmages help give them a taste of that, but it's not the same as the real thing (coaches are not allowed in the huddle for games, obviously, while they are often there in scrimmages).
I informed the players that I will sadly not be available for our first game due to a personal commitment. The coaches have known this for several weeks and we have taken the appropriate steps to be prepared. Coach Rob Whitemore will be acting as head coach, and I am extremely confident that he will do an excellent job.
Reminders to players and parents: We will have practice tomorrow (Wednesday) AND Thursday before having off on Friday. Game is at 10:30AM on Saturday, warmups start at 9:30AM sharp.
We'll see you tomorrow.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Well-rounded practice
Tonight was a very sharp practice mentally, and it was a very well-rounded practice.
One of the difficult things about practice is that when one thing looks great, another looks lacking. That's always going to be the case in a practice when you are essentially playing against yourself. Sure, it is great that you completed a long pass...but does that mean that you need to work on your coverage more? Similarly, it's great to get a quarterback sack...but does that mean you need to work on your pass blocking more?
Today the kids made plays in all sorts of ways. During the offensive portion of practice, we looked sharp offensively but there was also some solid defensive play. During the defensive portion, there was also some solid offensive play. Our special teams looked good also. A very nice way to end the week.
REMINDER: We will not be having practice on Saturday, 9/5/09, or Monday, 9/7/09, for Labor Day Weekend break. We WILL have practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, AND Thursday, 9/8/09-9/10/09.
Hope the players behave themselves this weekend, and hope to see some of them at the Varsity game at Germantown tomorrow night.
One of the difficult things about practice is that when one thing looks great, another looks lacking. That's always going to be the case in a practice when you are essentially playing against yourself. Sure, it is great that you completed a long pass...but does that mean that you need to work on your coverage more? Similarly, it's great to get a quarterback sack...but does that mean you need to work on your pass blocking more?
Today the kids made plays in all sorts of ways. During the offensive portion of practice, we looked sharp offensively but there was also some solid defensive play. During the defensive portion, there was also some solid offensive play. Our special teams looked good also. A very nice way to end the week.
REMINDER: We will not be having practice on Saturday, 9/5/09, or Monday, 9/7/09, for Labor Day Weekend break. We WILL have practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, AND Thursday, 9/8/09-9/10/09.
Hope the players behave themselves this weekend, and hope to see some of them at the Varsity game at Germantown tomorrow night.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Defense, Pictures, and Labor Day Weekend
Last night was our usual Tuesday defensive practice, and we were much better than we were Monday night. We're starting to see the players be more willing to initiate contact and become more aggressive.
We also had pictures taken during practice yesterday. A common question that I get is "when will pictures be in?" The answer is that I really don't know for sure, but they're typically in before the end of the season.
A note to players and parents: We will have practice Thursday, 9/2/09, as usual. We will NOT be having practice this Saturday, 9/5/09, or Monday, 9/7/09, due to Labor Day weekend. We will make up for it by having practice on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday (9/8-9/10) to get ready for our first game on 9/12.
Any questions, just email or call. Thank you!
We also had pictures taken during practice yesterday. A common question that I get is "when will pictures be in?" The answer is that I really don't know for sure, but they're typically in before the end of the season.
A note to players and parents: We will have practice Thursday, 9/2/09, as usual. We will NOT be having practice this Saturday, 9/5/09, or Monday, 9/7/09, due to Labor Day weekend. We will make up for it by having practice on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday (9/8-9/10) to get ready for our first game on 9/12.
Any questions, just email or call. Thank you!
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