To the Kid in Right Field...

**This column also appeared in the Argus Leader on March 31, 2014.

Dear Right Fielder,

I've watched you play since your T-ball days with my son, and in case nobody else has told you lately, you are awesome. During these long baseball seasons, I enjoy watching you scamper out to the same spot and try your hardest to focus on the game while swatting at bugs and pulling the occasional weed. You sprint to your spot every time, hoping to impress your coach and get a shot at playing in the infield next inning. Your coach doesn’t always notice you putting in that little extra, but don’t ever let up with your efforts, no matter what happens!

I love watching your enthusiasm at the end of each inning when you sprint back to your buddies in the dugout to share the excitement of getting up to bat. You get disheartened sometimes when you strike out or things don’t go well for the team, but it is great to see you work with your teammates to overcome your challenges and get excited about the next opportunity. One of the things you will learn much later in life is that it’s hard to remember if you won or lost these games, but you will always remember being part of something special with your friends.

Finally! A fly ball comes your way, and I hold my breath in anticipation of your nerves and excitement. I love cheering you on when you catch a fly ball to end the inning, and your “I did it!” dash back to the dugout to celebrate with your team! But you should know that I’m cheering for you when you miss those fly balls too. I want you to keep playing your heart out because it’s clear just how much you love being on the field. It might not feel like it if you drop a ball, but in the end, your passion for the game is much more important than whether you make every catch.

It is great to see how proud you are in your team uniform. Never mind that your jersey is twice as big as you, it’s the number of your favorite player, and that makes it a perfect fit. The dirt and grass stains you take home are badges of honor for your very best efforts. I can’t see your heart on your sleeve, but I know it’s there because I watch you ride the waves of emotion that come with giving it your all in a sport that you love. You are learning that winning and losing are part of the game, and even though it is difficult, it is rewarding to see you do both with pride and respect.

I know that sometimes in the middle of crazy games and screaming fans, it isn’t easy to feel that you made any difference in the outcome. I hope you listen to your coach when he says every chance your team gets to play baseball is another chance to have fun, improve and come together as a team. Being part of the team helps you see that when every person works together for something bigger than one person’s performance, some really amazing things can happen. Whether you are hitting a home run or catching a fly ball, don’t ever question that your contribution makes a difference. We are all better when we work together.

There will be challenges ahead as an athlete, but remember, the most important thing you can do is keep playing the game. Don’t ever let anything stand in your way of being part of the team and part of the experience. Take pride in your involvement, and stick with it a little extra on those days you feel like quitting. You will never regret trying a little harder or playing just one more game.

When chances come your way, I really hope they turn into home runs and the shot at playing infield. But if they don’t, remember that your efforts and passion for the game have not gone unnoticed. The dedication, effort, and teamwork you are experiencing now will never leave you, and they will make you better at everything you do in your life.

Love the sport you play, and play the sport you love. And keep being awesome.

Sincerely,

A Fan

We all enjoy watching our kids in the sports spotlight. We cheer for them to make the winning basket, hit a home run, set a race record, or get a first down. It is important to remember that many young athletes put in endless hours of practice without necessarily having the opportunity to be the star. Those athletes are the unsung heroes of youth sports, and it’s important to recognize their talents and commitment. Be sure to offer your support to those athletes when you have a chance!

Catching Up with Tyler Starr

Former USD Linebacker, Tyler Starr, trained very hard to get ready for Pro Day at the Fieldhouse, and he had a great performance! Coach Siegfried said, "Tyler stood out physically and athletically at the Pro Day! After running an improved 40 yard dash, Tyler made quick work of remaining tests of speed and agility. He topped off his great day with an impressive linebacker drill session that displayed his capacity to transfer it all to on-the-field movements."

We have enjoyed working with Tyler, and Coach Riggs asked him to share a few thoughts about his goals and the possibility of playing in the NFL. We are hoping for the best for him as he pursues his dreams!

Has it always been your goal to play football at a higher level?
Playing in the NFL has been a dream for me for as long as I can remember.

What have you been doing to get ready for your Pro Day?
I have been partaking in strength, speed, technique, and position work at the Sanford Fieldhouse.

What has been the most enjoyable part of this journey toward the NFL? What has been the most difficult?
It is always exciting to take the next step and see how I evolve as an athlete. On the difficult side though, I feel a lot of pressure being this close to my dream.

What do you think your strengths are as an athlete?
I think I have a high motor and the skills to play several positions.

What do you enjoy about playing linebacker?
I love the versatility of the position. You get to pass rush, stop the run, and cover in space!

What advice would you offer to young athletes who hope to someday be in your current position...hoping to be drafted by an NFL team?
No matter what you do, continue to move forward with your goals in your line of sight.

Tyler has been extremely focused on his goals, and we are excited to see how his journey continues. Coach Riggs added, "Congrats to Tyler on a great showing! His hard work with Coach Siegfried has really paid off!"

We will keep you posted on Tyler's story, and wish him the very best with all that is to come.

What Makes a Great Youth Sports Coach?

 If you ever participated in sports, I hope you can think back and remember a great coach...someone who believed in you and helped you be your best, even under difficult circumstances. Coaches have the power to make or break the entire sporting experience for young athletes, so it’s important to find and recognize what makes a great coach. I have attended my fair share of youth sporting events over the years, and I have been impressed with the quality and commitment demonstrated by volunteer coaches working with all ages of athletes. In my experience, these are the “winning qualities” I think parents should look for in their coaches:

1. Winning is great, but it isn’t why you are there. It is very easy to get absorbed in winning games and tournaments with youth sports teams. We all want our kids to succeed and be part of a winning program, but as coaches we have to keep perspective on what is important and teach kids to win and lose gracefully. A coach’s primary job has to be keeping things positive for every member of the team, and that means giving every athlete the chance to contribute on the field. No matter what the score is or how much time is left.

Winning a 4th grade game or tournament is really not going to be the deciding factor in these young athletes’ futures, but whether they enjoy themselves and feel like a valued member of the team will definitely dictate whether kids continue to participate. In youth sports, keeping kids involved and having fun is really what counts as a “win”. Coaches need to invest in each child's potential and help them see how they can contribute to the team. Creating this atmosphere will help with team building and individual confidence, Coaches who understand the importance of building up kids, instilling skills and confidence, and strengthening their team are the ones you want working with your young athletes!.

2. Developing skills and developing a person go hand in hand. Young athletes are there to learn the fundamentals of a sport, and coaches need to help them develop their athletic ability through practice and repetition, but there is so much more opportunity for development in youth sports. We fully expect our kids to learn the rules of the game, fundamental skills, and safe technique, but coaches also can help kids learn to respect officials, opponents, and the game itself. Coaches are in an awesome position to help athletes develop respect, learn to play fairly, and practice solid sportsmanship. Gracious winners on the field can translate those skills to all areas of their lives, and the power of that development message should come through loud and clear from coaches. 

3. Patience and process...process and patience. Working with young athletes is definitely about process, and If a coach cannot be patient and enjoy the ups and downs and the process of individual and team development, then youth sports is not the place for them. Kids all have different learning styles, different motivational responses and different ability levels. These are all things that can easily "test" a coach's patience. A coach has to be able to take a step back and remember the process is extremely important to meeting the goal of youth athletics. Working with those individual athletes to develop their strengths and help them find their path to contributing to the team can be a slow and daunting process. The best coaches have tremendous patience and a strong desire to see the process through to develop their team. Those coaches find tremendous reward in the milestones their athletes reach and in seeing their team get better over time.

4. You need enthusiasm for a sport and for working with kids. Enthusiasm is a something that all coaches need to help motivate and inspire young kids to reach their potential. Many coaches are enthusiastic about games and about competing, but that enthusiasm becomes an especially effective tool when kids feel their coach is enthusiastic about their performance and involvement. Have you ever been around a teacher that didn’t seem to really like kids? The same thing happens with coaches, so it’s important to find a coach who loves the sport, but who also loves teaching fundamentals and working with children. Their love of the game is enhanced by their young proteges’ understanding and skill development. When you find a coach who is enthusiastic about the game itself and teaching a group of second graders to love it too, that is a great quality!

5. Communication is key. Great youth coaches need to be solid communicators. They have to be able to communicate with athletes during practice and games, and they need to communicate well with parents. Many team issues arise in youth sports because of poor communication, so the coach that understands his/her responsibility to communicate rules and decisions to the athletes and to their parents is a coach you want to keep. People tend to fill in with misinformation and negatives if they aren’t provided adequate information and details. Coaches who keep communication open and keep the messages positive are really excellent for youth sports!

Thanks to the many volunteer coaches who keep our youth sports organizations functioning. It is great to have people in our community who will commit to improving our kids’ abilities and sportsmanship!

**This article also appeared in the Argus Leader on March 10, 2014.

Ready to Rock: Dale Moss Prepares to Play for the LA Kiss

Dale Moss has trained with and coached for Riggs Premier Football since we started the Sanford POWER Football Academy. He has tremendous athletic talent and a phenomenal work ethic, and we are proud to have him on staff working with our athletes! Dale's football journey has landed him with several NFL teams, and he recently signed with the LA Kiss of the Arena Football League. The Kiss is a new AFL team owned by the rock group KISS, and this first season will be an adventure as the team attempts to get a solid start in arena football and be the subject of an AMC reality television show about the team.

Coach Riggs caught up with Dale as he headed out to LA for training camp.

Tell us what led to your decision to sign with the LA Kiss.
My main reason for signing with the LA Kiss was for exposure. I felt it gave me the best opportunity because of the amount of nationally televised games and the location it was in. The staff had a great history of winning, and I felt I could step in from day one and compete for a starting spot. Not only that, but there are 4 NFL teams right in the area which will definitely allow for more looks!

What is appealing about the AFL and playing for this team?
The game is perfect for a WR like myself: someone with size and speed. There are a lot of opportunities for big plays down the field because the game is really fast-paced, and the plays are almost entirely passing.

Are you a KISS fan? What are you most looking forward to with living in LA?

I'm a fan of the entertainment aspect of them. They know how to put people in seats! And the fact that I'm in LA where I can explore other opportunities is an added bonus. I think the networking and experience will be great!

What do you hope to contribute to this team?
I want to be a key guy right away. I didn't decide to play just to make a team, I want to be a primary guy so I can get back on an NFL roster.

What do you hope to learn from this experience?
Just how to utilize all the resources around me. There are a lot of great opportunities on the field and even beyond football that can definitely be explored. The football side can help with that.

How can we watch your games and follow your season in the AFL?
We have multiple games on ESPN 2 and CBS networks throughout the season. They will also be streamed through the AFL website.

Dale's first game with the LA Kiss is on March 15th and the first televised game will be carried on CBS Sports on April 5th. Everyone at the Academy is excited to see him play at this level, and we are hoping for nothing but great things ahead for him! 

We will keep you updated as his season goes on, and athletes will have the chance to work with him again on June 1st, when he returns to the Fieldhouse to lead the 2nd Annual Dale Moss Wide Receiver Clinic. Don't miss what is sure to be a great football clinic!

Good luck, Coach Moss!!

Friday Night Tykes: The Dark Side of Youth Football

Photo: Friday Night Tykes (Esquire Network)

According to the National Council of Youth Sports, over 44 million children participate in organized sports leagues throughout the United States. Why are there so many kids involved in youth sporting activities? Youth sports have a proud tradition of providing opportunities for physical exercise, developing coordination, teaching kids about sportsmanship, social skills, and responsibility, and developing relationships while learning to work within a team structure. Healthy lifestyles and positive life lessons have long been hallmarks of youth sports.

The fast-moving world of social media and culture is producing many negatives, and youth sports are unfortunately seeing some of that "dark side' as well. As these young athletes grow older, they dream about attaining a college scholarship and continuing to play sports at the collegiate level. The challenges that come along with this dream create a tremendous amount of pressure for student athletes. The NCAA reports that of the 7 million boys and girls who play sports in high school, fewer than 200,000 will receive a partial or full college scholarship. With football, only 1 in 1,250 high school football players will play in the NFL, and in all sports, 70 percent of children who play organized sports quit playing before they enter high school. (Parenting.org A Shot at the Big Time is a Long Shot)  Sports have become so competitive that those positive lessons are lost early on, and we are driving kids away from their sport and their dreams at an earlier and earlier age.

As if the resulting damage to young athletes isn't bad enough, highlighting the worst behaviors present in youth sports and arguably "celebrating" it should give us all reason to reflect. If you haven't seen the trailer or any episodes of Esquire Network''s new docuseries, 'Friday Night Tykes,' then brace yourself. The show features 8-9 year old boys playing in an elite football league in San Antonio, Texas. This elite league is about winning and winning only. At all costs. These children are exposed to misguided leadership, profanity, troubling and excessive practice techniques, fighting, illegal hits, verbal and physical abuse, and coaches actually encouraging these young players to hurt their opponents.

Check out the trailer here:

As you watch the series, you find a community that is extremely passionate about youth football and is very supportive for the children. As a viewer, you also witness a community that has become obsessed with all the things that are wrong with competition and has completely forgotten about all the things that are good about youth athletics. Parents and coaches have totally lost their mindset that the children’s long-term development is the most important thing. I was truly embarrassed to watch the show and even more upset that a community would allow something like to happen. As parents, we stress the importance of youth sports and try not get wrapped up in the wins and losses, but Friday Night Tykes has gone way past just getting consumed with scores and records. The show exposes and creates an image for all those watching that this is what youth football can and should be like if you want to win.

 This flawed thinking is extremely troubling to those of us who believe in the power of positive development for kids in sports. These are the major issues that I see with Friday Night Tykes:

1) You aren't there to win, you are there to learn. There is no quicker way to take the fun out of youth sports than to make it all about winning. If kids are enjoying the activity, enjoying their time with peers and coaches, and learning skills and sportsmanship, they are going to stay involved. Learning the game and making meaningful contributions to your team can be a lot of fun, and that should always be the emphasis in youth sports. Kids need to learn to be gracious winners and losers. That is a lesson they will carry with them for life.

Photo: Friday Night Tykes (Esquire Network)

2) Even the toughest kids are still kids. We are not doing these athletes any service by telling them to "toughen up" and hide their emotions. Young athletes have to deal with struggles and emotions, and it is our job to help them face their challenges appropriately. Positive reinforcement from supportive parents and coaches will do more to develop "toughness" and resilience in kids than dismissing the real adversity and feelings these athletes face.

3) Maintain focus, but maintain balance. These coaches have lost sight of any type of balance between family, school and football. The coaches in this show have one priority: Winning. Practice, practice, practice. Destroy your opponent. Punish kids for going on family vacation. Basically, the focus on winning destroys the focus on positive development and the essence of sportsmanship. As coaches our goal is to help create well-rounded individuals that can be successful on and off the field.

4) Coaches and parents need to work together. One very scary aspect is that these coaches think they can do no wrong, and the parents do very little to challenge their abusive tactics. These coaches seem to be able to say and do anything they want no matter how morally wrong, demeaning, or devastating it may be to the kids and parents. As parents, we entrust coaches to help lead our children and be mentors to our kids. If the kids see the coaches handling situations with anger and aggression, they will look to handle situations in the same manner. Coaches and parents need to be on the same page about providing a positive experience and atmosphere for young athletes.

If there is any value to Friday Night Tykes, it is that it very clearly shows us what NOT to do when we work with young athletes. While I'm certain people will watch the show, I hope that its era is short-lived. I can't help but think that the millions of coaches, parents, and athletes who know better than this and do better than this every day will have a greater impact on the sport than the skewed 'reality' of Friday Night Tykes.

Championship Weekend in the NFL

It is Division Championship weekend in the NFL, and the QB matchups of Manning vs. Brady and Kaepernick vs. Russell for this weekend have many believing this could be one of the greatest football weekends in playoff history. In the AFC, we have a familiar matchup of the two best teams and two of the best QB’s in NFL history. While in the NFC, we have two of the younger but most exciting QB’s currently playing in the league. Many feel that these two QB’s are the future of the NFL and play with the QB style that all teams will be looking for. Besides the QB’s, both games feature very good teams that deserve to be competing for a shot to play in the Super Bowl. It looks to be an exciting weekend in the NFL!

Some things to watch for:

Patriots at Broncos
If you remember the first time they met this season, the Broncos jumped out to a big lead, and then the Patriots came roaring back to win in overtime. The game was a tale of two halves and of turnovers. New England could not hang onto the ball in the first half, and Denver took full advantage of their mistakes. The story totally flipped in the second half with Denver turning the ball over and the New England offense scoring at will. The AFC division title game, should feature a little more consistency by both teams.

New England has changed their identity a bit since the last meeting. New England has suffered many injuries to starters, but continues to find new players to fill in and continue their success. Many reporters have said this is Belichick’s best year of coaching, and it is difficult to argue this point. Yes, they still have their star QB in Tom Brady, but they have also really improved their running game. The Patriots bring a trio of backs and try to use their powerful back Blount to finish the game out. Brady has been very successful throwing short passes and then establishing play action off the run game. If the Patriots can continue their success running the ball, they will be very difficult to beat, as they will be able to keep the Denver offense off the field and eat up clock.

For Denver, last year was a year of getting comfortable with their new personnel. This year, there are no excuses. Anything less than the Super Bowl would be a disappointment for the Broncos. Their record-setting offense this year did not carry over to an underwhelming performance in the first playoff game against the San Diego Chargers, and they have their work cut out for them against the very talented Patriots. Denver has home field advantage and they will to make the most of this by trying to disrupt Brady and the Patriots offense, while at the same time keeping the pedal to the floor and continuing to score touchdowns. Denver’s defense has also been hurt by injuries this year, but do not look for them to point fingers. They will look to make New England try to earn each first down and shut the run game down for the Patriots.

49ers vs Seahawks

Anyone that followed this NFL season is excited for this game for many different reasons. This game features two talented teams with talented QB's, but inter-division teams that split on the season is what has people so excited. This game has truly become a rivalry from top to bottom, and while the players respect each other, it's fairly clear they do not like each other. The coaches also have a history dating back to their days at USC and Stanford. With each team winning when they faced each other at home this season, the playoff rematch is going to be high intensity, extremely emotional, and fun to watch!

The Seahawks have a distinct advantage playing at home, and only one team has been able to overcome that advantage in the last two years. Seattle is able to feed off the crowd and take advantage of the lack of communication they are able to create with a loud atmosphere. The Seahawks defense has been stifling at home and creates pressure that allows their talented defensive backfield to take advantage of poor decisions by opposing team QB's. Offensively, Seattle has been riding the shoulders of Marshawn Lynch and QB Russell Wilson. Wilson has struggled throwing the ball in the playoffs, but he has not panicked and is willing to punt and allow his defense to come out and play. Many times in a game, the opposing defense thinks they have Wilson sacked and he finds a way to escape and create a big play that makes the difference in the game. His composure is admirable and will help his team against the 49ers!

San Francisco took the Wild Card path to this point and won their first two games on the road at Green Bay and Carolina. The 49ers believe they are a different team than the team that lost in Seattle during the regular season. Michael Crabtree has returned and emerged as a reliable WR to compliment Anquan Boldin. Their TE Vernon Davis was injured and ineffective but has returned, plus their QB who struggled earlier in the season is now playing with the confidence that took the team to the Super Bowl in 2013. San Francisco also has a very talented defense. San Francisco will bring in one of the best LB groups ever assembled and a very aggressive defensive line.

This game will be a little different than most big games. Usually we say that the team that turns the ball over will have an uphill battle. In this game, it will not only be turnovers, but it could be as simple as which team even allows a big play. Field position will be critical, and if an offense takes great field position with a big play, this could be the difference in the game. Watch how the two defenses try to keep the QB's from having an opportunity to create big plays with their legs. This will lead to the teams throwing against man-to-man coverage and trying to take three yards and a cloud of dust with the run game.

Between the dynamics of the QB's, the talents of star players, and the rivalries between teams and coaches, there are plenty of reasons to be excited for the Division Championship games! Enjoy this great weekend in the NFL!

Roundtable with the Coaches: Will Powell Heads to France

Our Academy athletes and families are well acquainted with Coach Will Powell. He has worked with many of our athletes over the past year, and he is definitely a well-respected and much-appreciated member of the Riggs Premier Football staff. Coach Powell will be leaving this week to play football overseas in Nimes, France, for the spring and summer. Coach Riggs asked him to share a few thoughts before he takes off on this football adventure:

Tell us about the team you will be playing for and the area of France it is in.
I will be playing for the Nimes Centurions in Nimes, France. Nimes is located in the south of France about 20 minutes away from the Mediterranean Sea. The Centurions are coming off of a Division 2 championship, and this is their first year in the Division 1 French league. We are looking to contend for another title in the D1 level!

What will be different about the game itself or the game experience in France?
The game itself will not change in terms of rules or playing style. But what will be different are my responsibilities on the team. I will be playing wide receiver and safety, which I have not played since my freshman year of college. I will also be responsible to help coach my teammates. I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge of American Football with my team!

How can your fans in Sioux Falls follow your experience in Nimes?

I will constantly be updating my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages so it will be easy for people to follow me while abroad (Will17Powell). The official Centurions website is centurions-nimes.com. I also will be blogging while I am overseas. I am not completely done with the website yet, but the link is willpowell605.wordpress.com

How will this experience improve you as a player and a person?
The experience will help me as a player because I will simply be responsible for much more on the field than I was accustomed to at USD. I will be returning kicks and punts in addition to playing both sides of the ball. So it will certainly be a challenge physically to be able to stay healthy and play at a high level week in and week out.

As a person, I am excited to get out of my comfort zone, that being South Dakota. I am looking forward to traveling to a place where no one really knows who I am. Some people may be afraid by that, but it is something I've never really experienced before being raised in South Dakota, and then playing college ball here as well. Finally, I am hoping to get a better feel for what I really desire to do in life for a career, whether that be coaching, training, or whatever.

Do you speak any French? How do you feel about French cuisine?
I got Rosetta Stone a few months back and have been practicing my French on and off. French is a difficult language though! I hope to become somewhat fluent by the time I return to the states. And for cuisine, I really haven't looked too far into what types of food they eat there regularly. I am a huge seafood fan, so being close to the Mediterranean will absolutely have its benefits!

What are you most excited about?
I am most excited about seeing another part of the world. I love traveling and seeing historical places. So I am really going to the perfect place to experience a whole new culture.

It is great to see Coach Powell pursuing his passion for football and for travel! We will stay in touch with him and provide updates on his experience overseas. We wish him the very best of luck, and we look forward to hearing all about it when he returns. Best wishes, Coach Powell!