South Jersey Sports Online - Ask The Football Coach!

Ask The Football Coach!

Following are questions asked by our readers concerning the rules of football, as well as other aspects of the sport. If you have a question for Coach Derryk Sellers, click here to Ask the Football Coach!

Question:

Hi, coach concerned parent here, when is enough enough? My son loves football so much that when the season ends for everyone it does not for him you will find him hitting the bag having a toss with anyone he just loves the sport. Last season he played middle linebacker, kicker, backup qback, both offense /defense so you can see his talent. This year he moved up and the coaching staff consist of fathers coaching their kids n this is what it is. They put their kids in varsity level position and in positions they know there kid can't play but will not look at any of the kids that moved up . They were given a list from last seasons coaches explaining strong and bad points of each player. During practice it is the same way 2hr night practice 20 coaches and it takes 50 min. 4 my son to finally get a turn at a drill. he is bored and dissappointed and I don't know what to do? (Kar from Blackwood, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I would suggest that you have a conversation with the coach and find out why all the kids aren't participating in the drills. If that doesn't help then go to the commisoner of the league and voice your concerns also. Good Luck.

Question:

Hey coach I am a freshmen and I'm playing qb, I have all the steps and know all the plays but I have a problem getting the ball farther and quicker. What do you suggest I do to work on my throw? Thanks. (David from San Antonio, TX)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. You should go out early to practice and work on your throwing. Like I always say, in order to do something better you do the thing that you want to get better at.

Question:

Hi I wanted to know how can I get the phone number to the Lindenwold Chargers?And I wanted to know is it too late to sign my son up for it? Thank you! (John from Lawnside, NJ)

Answer:

Go to www.lindenwoldchargers.org and all the info you need should be there. Thanks.

Question:

Who do you recommend to do private filming of a high school athelete for college? Thanks! (Jo-Ann from Cinnaminson, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I would recommend mom and dad and a good video camera. I don't have anyone that I use to film games. Sorry.

Question:

Hey Coach I am in my first year of coaching varisty youth football My problem is my O line cannot maintain their blocks. My running backs are getting killed because of it. What can I do to get them to keep blocking? They think that after they make the first hit that is all they have to do. So what drills or anything staff or myself can do to help the problem? Our First game is Sat. against a really good team. Please HELP! Coach in need. Thanks. (Andy from Bakersfield, CA)

Answer:

Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach. You should try drive blocking. Let them block until you blow the whistle. What else you could do is (this might work best for older kids but you could try it) get the players to push a car in a parking lot. Have them push it so they can learn proper technique when they are blocking. When you block, its like pushing a car. Good luck.

Question:

Yes coach I was wondering if you know where I can get a prescription football visor? (Marc from Meredith)

Answer:

You should talk to your eye doctor and he should be able to help you with that. Remember that you can only wear a clear visor in the state of New Jersey.

Question:

Coach, do you think it is possible for a basketball player who never played football before to play college football as a walk-on somewhere? I am a 6-4 185lb athlete, and I think I can run around a 4.6-4.7 40. I might be able to play wide receiver. I have good agility and footwork as a basketball player also. (Player from Massachusetts)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. It is definitely possible for you to make the transition. If you are a good athlete and have the desire then I don't see any reason why you can't do it. Good luck!

Question:

Hey coach, I am 22 yrs old. I'm 190lbs. 5'10. I havent played since my sophmore year in high school due to personal issues. I run the 40 in about 5.9 but I think I can significantly improve this in a year which would be potentially the year I would try to walk-on at the worst school I can think of. I just want to play, thats all. Do you think that a college team,(a very bad one) would let me walk on if I can get my 40 to 5.5, or maybe 5.6?, and if so which position would be best for me? I played DT in high school, but have lost my size and cannot be on the line any longer. Please give me your best advice, I have such a passion for the game and will do whatever it takes to get out there once again. I really want to know if I have the physical tools to do this, or if I'm just kidding myself. Thank you. (John from Toms River, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I think you should look at the big picture. You haven't played in over 5 years. I think you should get into a college and walk on. It is going to be a difficult road for you. The important thing is to get enrolled in a college and get a degree out of this just in case your football career doesn't work out. Good luck to you.

Question:

Coach Sellers, I have followed your career from Morehouse College. My son (age 6) has an interest to play football. What type of drills do you recommend to keep his enthusiasm up to play next year? Do you recommend a formal training program? (Eric from Detroit, MI)

Answer:

Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach. I would suggest that you take him to as many football games as possible and let him watch it with you on television. I wouldn't suggest a formal training program at that age because he might grow to not like it. You remember the old saying: You can lead the horse to water but you can't make him drink. Good luck to you and your son.

Question:

Hi Coach, my son is 15 yrs.old, 5'8, 185 lbs. He was going to be on JV this year but they want him to play offensive guard on Varsity. The guys on the team have told me that he'd be starting and there's no good backups to relieve his position. Starting, he'll be going up against some monster juniors and seniors on the other teams. I am asking if you think I should tell the Coach that I want him moved back down. My son is not upset about this. Thanks for your time. (Julianne from Lansing, MI)

Answer:

Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach. This is a situation that you and your son are going to have to sit down and discuss. Having a chance to be on the Varsity will be a good thing for him being only a soph. But you and him have to decide if this is what you both want. It should really be what he wants. Good luck.

Question:

Hi Coach. When we go to various health stores and ask about protein and other workout supplements they all suggest creatine as NJ state allowable supplement for use while working out. I have been reading a lot about it but do not see what is and is not allowable in NJ High school sports. My son is pushing for us to let him use it. Can you help us? Thanks. (Dave from Berkeley Heights, NJ)

Answer:

Creatine is not as harmful as steroids. It is only a supplement. I don't condone the use of anything but good old fashion food. I have some of my players who take creatine but I also have some that don't and the gains in strength are not much different. Good luck to you and your son.

Question:

My son is 80lbs. and his birthdate is Aug. 23 1994 he wants to play football for the towns rec football team. My concern is the coach said he would be varsity because he turns 12 before the cut off date which is Sept. 1 2006. The varsity weight limit goes up to 165lbs. Do you know if there is away around this since he only misses the cut off by 7 days to play on the JV team which is much more his level? (Lisa from Buena Vista, NJ)

Answer:

I don't know the rules of that organization but if the coach says that's the rule, then that is the rule. Your only recourse may be to go to the commissioner of the league and ask him. Good luck.

Question:

My Grandson loves to play football he is 10, someone gave him a web address www.G.T.MidgitFootball.com. We have been unsuccesfull in being able to find the web site could you please help us...thank you. (Shirley from Blackwood, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach. Try this site: www.gtstallions.com

Question:

My son is 13 years old and weight 180lb he is 5'8" where and what position can he play?, he had no prior football training, he's got potential. I am trying to enroll him in Football Camp. (Shirley from Virginia Beach, VA)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. The purpose of camp would be for him to try a couple of positions and see which one he likes the best. He can ask one of the coaches running the camp if this is possible. Good luck to you and your son.

Question:

Hi Coach, Is a 5.1 in the 40 yard dash fast for a nine year old? My son ran this in football tryouts and he really wants to try out for running back or receiver. Would he be considered at this speed? Thank you. (Mary from New Iberia, LA)

Answer:

Thanks for the question. I am sure that the coaches there would consider him for whatever position he wants to play. Without seeing your son for myself, I would be unable to say if he would be good for the position. I wish him luck.

Question:

My son will transfer to Camden Catholic. He was a varsity starter last season at Timber Creek. He will move with his mother in Voorhees. Will he have to sit 30 days? Does the same rule apply for (public to catholic transfers) The current rule states a kid can transfer with a bonafide residence change. (public school to public school). Once again my schild is moving with his mother and will transfer to a Catholic school. Will he have to sit 30 days? Thank you. (James from Erial, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I think because of the change in residence, he might not have to sit out. Go to the NJSIAA web site and read up on it. Look under References - Eligibility.

Question:

Hi Coach, I have a husband and a nephew that I love very much. they are very into pro football. We are going to a pro game this fall and I would like to understand what is going on and thus enjoy the game better and share my husband's passion. I have been a Minnesota Viking fan since I was 6 but I really don't know the rules of the game. Where would I find information on the different positions and what each is suppose to be doing? I would like to understand some of the strateges used in the game. Can you help guide me in my research? Thanks (Lynda from Marion, AR)

Answer:

Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach. I would suggest that you go to your local book store and look up books on football. Also try websites for football for dummies and there should be plenty of websites. Just type in football basics and that should get you some more help. Try the NFL's Beginner's Guide to Football. Good luck and have fun at the game. Be sure to go early to enjoy the whole experience.

Question:

Hey coach I'm 17 years old and I'm gonna be a senior this year. I am 6-2 and weigh 215 I play wide reciver for the Morrilton devil dogs. I run a 4-7 forty and we have 3 months until full pads. I was wondering if u could give me advice to how I can cut my forty down a little before the season. I have been working out since December 5 days a week. I Squat 515 but only bench 235. So I'm still trying to get that up, but I would appreciate your advice greatly. Thanks. (Jeremy from Morrilton, AR)

Answer:

Thanks for your support. I would suggest like I always do, in order to run faster, you have to run fast. Work on running sprints 2 days a week and doing some distance (2-3 miles) the other 2. Good luck this season.

Question:

Hey coach I was just wondering about getting a prescription visor for next year when I play football as a freshman and how I would go about buying it? o yea my next eye appointment is July 11th but orientation is June 16th and summer camp starts June 19th. (G.K. from Bridgewater, MA)

Answer:

The eye doctor can give you the prescription for the visor but it can only be a clear one. Good luck.

Question:

Hey coach, im currently a sophomore at Hackensack High School in Northen NJ (Bergen County) but will be a junior at 6'2 225 LBS for football season, for the past two years I've been played on the offensive line and at defensive end. During the track season my football coaches stressed that we needed to have speed more than anything so I then became a sprinter running in the 100 and 200. And due to that my whole gameplay has changed, I have become more based on agility, quickness and power compared to before where I was on the line and my gameplan was basically just strength and throwing my weight around. And recently many of my teammates have suggested that I go for MLB position, what do you think?? And also, how would I go about getting a prescription visor? Thanks (Sean from Hackensack, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I would suggest that you go to Coach Dass and ask him his opinion. Also tell him I said hello. He is a good man. As far as the visor is concerned, you should go to your eye doctor and he can prescribe one but it can only be clear. Good luck.

Question:

Are there any football camps for lineman in NJ? I coach Youth Football age 12-14.. But we have kids ages 6-14 juust on different teams. (Kelvin from Jersey City, NJ)

Answer:

The only line camp that I know of is at Rowan University. I forgot that they have one at the College of New Jersey also. Check their websites for more info (www.rowan.edu and www.tcnj.edu). Thanks for the support of Ask the Football Coach.

Question:

I'm looking for a good football camp for my 15 and 14 yrs. old little cousins. Do have any suggestions? (Tyrone from Pennsauken, NJ)

Answer:

I would suggest Rutgers University for camp. They do a great job with the younger kids. You could also check out Temple. They have a new coach (www.algolden.net)who is going to be offering a camp this summer. Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach.

Question:

Appreciate the forum first off! My son is finishing his 6th grade year and has really taken his off-season training to another level. Are there any 7th/8th "Grade School" Combines out there in the NJ/DE/PA area? (Tim from Voorhees, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your support. I don't know of any combines that would focus on younger athletes. If you find one, please let me know. Good luck to you and your son. [Rutgers University has an individual camp for grades 7-12]

Question:

Hi Coach, I am 6' 180 pounds. I will be starting on my high school football team as a freshman this upcoming year. I play DE/LB and run a 5.1 -40. I bench 165 and squat 320. Starting as a freshman and at my position, the coaches are very demanding of me, but they want me to be a little faster. The coaches have us on a weight lifting program and a running program for the summer. Is there anything else that I can do to get at least a 4.7 - 4.8 in the 40 before football season starts? Thanks. (Michael from Hattiesburg, MS)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. All the advice I can give you at this time is to work as hard as you can this summer and try to keep your expectations reasonable. Good Luck.

Question:

My son is 14 years old and never played football before and will probably be clueless, however, he is interested in playing this summer. What position should he, coach? (Miracle from Georgia)

Answer:

I would suggest that you talk to the coach and ask him what his opinion is. I can not just give you my opinion because I do not know your son.

Question:

My question is I'm 5'4 and I am a very outstanding quarterback and I want start freshman coming out of middle. Do you have advice on helping get better on my game and making the team? I have good precision good accuracy and good game and can put the ball in the receivers hands from any point, can throw 60 to 70 yards. Any advice on how to make the team? I just need to work on play memorizing, it's good but it can be better. Any advice? Thanks for your time. (Andre from Pennsauken, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your support. I would suggest that you go to Coach Lawrence and ask for a playbook so you can be ahead of the game. Good luck.

Question:

Hey Coach, I am in jv football for my first year, I am 165 and I want to be defensive tackle do you think that would be good, what I should do to get ready for it, I all ready work out, should I run or what else? THANK YOU. (Andrew from Quincy)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. Continue to workout and run and believe that you will be a good player and in fact you will become one. Good Luck!

Question:

Is there a Pop Warner football league in this area? If so, where? (Dwan from Lindenwold, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. There is in fact an excellent program, the Lindenwold Chargers (www.lindenwoldchargers.org) who will this season be the same color as the high school.

Question:

Coach, I am interested in becoming a football official. I live in Morris County, NJ. I have not had any luck finding out how to become an offical. Can you help me? Thank you. (Glen from Roxbury Twp., NJ)

Answer:

I will get you the information as soon as possible. I would suggest that you call the NJSIAA at 609-259-2776 and they can get you the number to the chapter president in your area. Or you can try the NJ Football Officials Association. Good luck.

Question:

Hey coach I was just wondering, is it possible to get faster from just lifting weights? Our coach has made the decree that in offseason all were going to do is lift weights. Should I do some running after school? Another question I have is next year I will be a sophmore and I have the chance ot start on varsity as an offensive and defensive linemen, which at my school is a really big deal. The problem is I will be away from a weight room about half of the summer. I want to remain strong and get faster..... any tips? (Daniel from Pineland, TX)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. The only way to get faster is to run faster. I would suggest that you either join the track team or do some running drills on your own.

Question:

Dear Coach, I am 17 and a senior defensive lineman. I bench 360, squat 550, and run a 5.3 forty. Since I did not get recruited, how do I go about becoming a walkon to a college football team and would they accept me? (Scott from Hilliard)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I would suggest that you call the school in which you are interested and talk to the coaches to see what their procedure is for walk-ons. Good Luck!

Question:

Situation: A D-1 football player on a full NCAA scholarship decides to transfer after just the first semester of his freshman year. He obtains his release and transfers in January to a D-1 AA college on a full football scholarship. Now after just one season, the offense is changing to a run orientation and he wants to transfer to a D-2 college without any financial football aid. Question: After obtaining his release from his present D-1 AA school,will he have to sit-out a year before he can play at the D-2 school? If he has to sit-out a year, he is thinking of filing an appeal with the NCAA based on the fact that when he transferred from the D-1 to the D-1 AA school he had less than 48 hours to make up his mind before classes started. What do you think of his appeal reasoning? I thank you in advance for your prompt reply. (Bill from San Francisco, CA)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I believe that if you are tranferring down you are okay. I think you have to sit when you make lateral moves. I would check with www.ncaa.org on that also. Good luck.

Question:

Dear coach, I need to ask you one more question. I work out in the weight room and run 20 yard sprints five days a week. I am a real slow big guy. Can you give me an effective work out that will give great results in a quick amount of time? I am willing to work hard and consistently. Thank you. (Daniel from Pineland, TX)

Answer:

Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach. I would suggest that you mix up your training. Remember to run faster, you have to run faster. Try running some 50's, 100's, and 400's. Also be sure to get in some distance as well (1-3 miles) twice a week. Good luck.

Question:

I wear glasses and when I try to play football they don't fit inside the helmet and when I wear contacts they always pop out when I hit someone, so I'm looking to get a visor made with my glasses prescription but I don't know where to look. Do you know of any stores online or in the area of where I live? (Nate from Seattle, WA)

Answer:

Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach. I am not sure where you can get a perscription visor. I would ask the eye doctor the next time you see him. Good luck.

Question:

Hello there, my 8 year old plays football for the local team, it's not run that well and I would like to have my own team for the next season, do I need to be a qualified coach? If I do how do I go about becoming a coach? Thank you (Derry from Derbyshire)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. You should check with the national Pop Warner or midget football association. They should be able to tell you what you need. Thanks and good luck to you.

Question:

My son plays 6th grade football. The coach is in his second year with the team. This year he started post practice sprinting one line, no rest between sprints, sometimes as many as 35-35yard sprints. Sometimes half the team is in tears by the time its over and others have got sick after the sprints. What do your recommend for post practice conditioning for grade school kids. (David from McPherson, KS)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. My recommendation would be to bring out Popsicles and hand them out. You want the kids to enjoy playing. Good Luck.

Question:

After Sterling upset West Deptford, how do you think the playoffs in group 2 will shape up? Thanks for your time. (Grant from Somerdale, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach. With its big win on Friday night, Sterling has totally upset the playoff picture. This is going to be a very interesting end to the season. This is why I love high school football.

Question:

I thank you for your response.....but what did you mean i will use up my eligibility by playing? Do you not have four years to play? And if I transfer after my second year, would I not have two years left? (Green from Lancaster, PA)

Answer:

Okay. Go to www.ncaa.org and look up eligibility. Your clock starts as soon as you have enrolled in classes. You therefore now should only have three years to play. I think it starts as soon as you enroll in class. Go to the website and check it out. Good luck.

Question:

Why is it that our midget league program wins championships, divsion titles, and games, the same players that played for us go to high school and they can't win a game? But all they do is tell the kids this is not midget league. What they taught you down there isn't good enough up here. We even tried doing the same offense they do to make a it easier when they go to high school and it still doesn't work. Can you tell me why? Why is it hard for a young black coach to get time as a coach in Vineland? (VMFL from Vineland, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for supporting Ask the Football Coach. There is a big difference from midget football and high school. Although I feel that there should be some corelation between the two programs as far as having success, it is important to know that there are many factors that can affect this. Good luck with your program.

Question:

I am 19, I ran a 4.56, I am 165lbs. and I need to improve my speed, agility, hand eye coordination, catching ability. I am curently a sophmore in colloege and I plan on walking on a d2 football team as a wide receiver.....and then after 2 years I plan on transfering to a d1 school to walkon. The last time I maxed out, my bench was 195, and my squat was 275. o yea....and when I was in high school I played football however, I was not a stand out player, I didn't start at any position because I was not that fast or that big.......what do you think I should do to increase my speed, strength, and catching? (Green from Lancaster, PA)

Answer:

Thanks for your support of Ask the Football Coach. I would suggest that you go talk to the coaches and find out if you can get involved with them in their off-season lifting program. My advice to you would be not to worry so much about trnasferring to a D-1 school but to make your mark where you are. Also, you will use up your eligibility by playing. Good luck to you.

Question:

Hey I have a question and I would like to get any information from it and you as possible with your knowldge. I am a freshman in college at a little Junior college in Louisville, Kentucky. The college I am at doesn't have a football program but is linked to a couple of universities in the state, one being University of Louisville. I played high school football and wasn't really recruited by big time programs, just little programs around the state. I played LB and I am 6'1 230 pounds and run about a 4.5. I wanted to know how I would go about walking-on to a big program around my area and what I needed to do. Thank you. (Cashmere from Louisville, KY)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. What I would suggest is that you get in touch with the coach and send your tape or just ask what is the policy for walkons. Good luck.

Question:

Coach, my son is 7 yrs old, but is over 4' and 90lbs and wants to play football. Our local pop warner league is RV Patriots, and the waiting list is very long. Is there any other leagues for him, also what conditioning exercises are good for him to get him ready? He currently does strength training with me (I checked with the pediatrician, he said he can work out with 20lbs). Thanks. (Paul from Westampton, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. My personal opinion is that your son may be too young to begin training with weights. Your goal should be for your son to enjoy playing and not become burned out with it by the time he gets to high school. I suggest to let him enjoy himself and the game. When he gets 13-15 you can begin training him. Good luck.

Question:

Hi coach. I am 24 years old and am currently coaching my son's youth football team. I would love to and have the desire to coach at the high school level. Could you tell me what requirements are needed to get into high school football coaching? Thank you. (Cale from Greenville, SC)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I would check with the local high school and check the requirements. In NJ you must have 60 college credits to coach. I am not sure what the requirements are in SC. Try the www.schsl.org web site. Good luck and let me know how you make out.

Question:

Hey coach. I've played football since I was 9. I'm a sophomore wr at my high school but I've always wanted to play quarterback. The starting quarterback will be graduating at the end of this year and there's no sure candidate for next year. I've read your comments about throwing several times a week to improve your arm. I was wondering if you think it would be improbable for me to do this after never playing quarterback before? (Jack from Columbia, SC)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. The only way for you to find that out is to practice, pratice, practice so the coach has no choice but to play you at qb. Good luck!

Question:

What is the current record for the longest South Jersey high school field goal? When and by whom? (David from Audubon, NJ)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. You know, I am not sure of how long it is but I believe Merf Trout from Gloucester Catholic is the record holder. [Editor's note: On Nov. 8, 2003, while hosting Williamstown, Merf Trout of Gloucester Catholic kicked a 53-yard field goal in a 17-3 win for the Rams.]

Question:

Coach, My son just played a football game today and a teammate was severly injured. Do you think it is safe for 80 - 180lb boys to be playing against boys up to 250lbs in a football game? Our football league does. The age range is 11-14 years. Only one county team has boys in the super large range. I was told we are lucky, last year they had boys who weighed over 300lbs. What do you think. My son LOVES playing football (even today) but I worry about safety. (Lori from Prospect, KY)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. If your son loves to play, I would let him continue. Look around the area for a league with a weight limit if that will make you comfortable. Other than that, you might have to live with him playing against bigger guys. Good luck.

Question:

I am a High school player and I wear glasses and was intrested in purchasing a prescription visor. Do you know of anywhere that sells then (the local eye shops do not make them). If you do not have an answer for me please E-mail me back saying that as well. (Joe from King of Prussia, PA)

Answer:

Thanks for your question. I am not sure that I know of anyplace that sells a prescription eye visor.

For even more Tips and Questions, visit Coach Sellers' Archives

Coach Derryk Sellers is the head football coach and athletic director at Lindenwold High School. He has also held the position of head coach at Edgewood Regional Senior High School, Cumberland Regional High School, and Hillside High School. Prior to coaching at the high school level, he coached collegiately at Lafayette University as well as Morehouse College. Coach Sellers currently is an executive member of the New Jersey Football Coaches Association, and was named their 2000 South Jersey Coach of the Year. He is instrumental in organizing the highly successful Nike Football Coaches Clinic, which is held annually featuring many major college coaches as clinicians.