Five Tips to a Successful Off Season

With the new year underway, it is a great time to check in and see how off season training/activities are going. While there is no "off season success" formula that applies to every athlete, I would offer the following suggestions for things athletes can be doing right now to improve during the off season:

1) Have a Plan
If you do not have a plan for the off season, it will be gone before you know it. Get a calendar and draw yourself a map of your off season schedule! Include camps, individual training and workouts, and any other activity that is improving your skill or performance. It is fine to schedule some down time or weeks that don't push you to the max, but don't completely stop your training or put things off too long or you will miss the opportunities presented in the off season to really improve your skills and strength.


2) Set a Goal
As you map out your off season schedule, set some realistic goals for your improvement. Your overall goal might be to reduce body fat, gain muscle mass, maintain overall aerobic fitness, improve your speed, or develop sport specific techniques. Then give yourself some dates or milestones to measure your progress and help you stay motivated toward your overall goal. On any given day, an athlete can challenge himself on the number or type of drills he runs, or attempt to run faster, clean up footwork, or attempt a new skill. Those daily/weekly challenges can really add up to reaching that overall goal, so go after it!

3) Train your Weakness
After you set your goals, take the time to train your weaknesses. If footwork is your weakness, then find some time in every workout to address and improve your footwork. There is no time during the grind of the regular season for athletes to do that kind of remedial work. If you take the time and focus on your weakness during the off season, you will certainly improve your overall performance, and you may even turn that weakness into a strength!

4) Play Ball
Play ball...any kind... organized and competitive, or just for fun. I strongly believe that especially with younger athletes, participating in other sports is hugely beneficial. They learn the qualities of sportsmanship from every kind of sporting activity, they develop other skills and muscle groups that might not be developed with just playing football, and they challenge themselves mentally and physically in new and different ways. All of those things ultimately contribute to an athlete's complete development, and that overall development is what ultimately leads to personal success.

5) Think Ahead
For younger athletes, that means working to improve themselves individually and thinking about how they can contribute to their team in the upcoming season. There are bound to be changes with coaches or players, so looking ahead to the ways that athletes can positively contribute to a successful season is a great way to help those younger athletes get a sense of vision and commitment to a team and a program.

For high school athletes, the off season is critical for those planning to play college football! Many athletes don't realize how early in their career they need to start planning for college. There are a number of great resources available for high school athletes including MonsterPreps, Active and the NCAA Recruiting site. These are some of my favorite tips compiled from those sources:

* Prepare for NCAA Clearinghouse
* Start researching NCAA academic requirements during Sophomore year
* Get registered with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse during Junior year
* Make sure to request ACT/SAT scores be sent to the Clearinghouse
* Attend camps wherever you can--promote yourself by sending film or clips to college coaches
* Remember college football is played at many levels--don't restrict yourself to just one level
* Don't forget that your high school coach is also a full-time teacher. Coaches will do what they can to assist, but athletes need to be proactive and responsible for their own recruiting process.

So athletes...enjoy your off season, but remember that you will enjoy the next season more if you have used your off season time productively--to improve your skills and athletic performance!

2012: A Year in Review

Chicago Bears WR Dale Moss

When the ball dropped on 2011, I'm not sure I had any idea how different things would be one year later. This year saw the launch of Riggs Premier Football and the creation of the Sanford POWER Football Academy. It has been a challenging and rewarding venture, and it is fun to look back at how far we have come!

I have been asked frequently over the years to train football players, and the demand for off season training is at an all time high. Watching my son play youth football convinced me I could contribute to instilling fundamentals for young athletes and find opportunities to work with higher caliber athletes as well.

When we launched the program in July, the Fieldhouse was still under construction, so we started trainings at the USF Sports Complex in the intense summer heat. We started off with five clients and also had a unique opportunity to work with Dale Moss right before he headed to the NFL. It was really awesome to see how the training could benefit athletes who were 8 years old all the way up to the pros! 

Will and Coach Sanders

The Fieldhouse opened on September 4th, and after training during the very hot summer, that was a welcome event! The Fieldhouse is a remarkable facility, and it is great to have a partner like Sanford that shares common goals for local athletes and develops the facilities to back up those goals. The Fieldhouse is essentially a NFL training facility and gives our athletes the very best opportunities in this area to train.

We hosted a community Grand Opening event at the Fieldhouse for around 200 kids in late September, spent a lot of time talking with parents and athletes at FCA and Junior Football games, and basically started telling people what the Sanford POWER Football Academy offers. Our client numbers continue to grow, we have fine tuned our program offerings to meet client needs, and we just hosted a first of its kind Holiday Camp event this past week. We brought in 150 athletes, ages third grade through high school, and ran two days of camps and passing tournaments. It was really tremendous to see so many young athletes coming in to compete and work their craft in the winter months! 

BVHS and LHS in 7 on 7 Holiday Passing Tourney

As I reflect on 2012, I have been very fortunate to have surrounded myself with talented people. This is not something I can do alone, and I have excellent coaches and assistants who are key to delivering the very best product to our clients. It is also a privilege to work with athletes who are very committed to getting better, and families who share a passion for football and want their kids to learn the "right way" to play 

the game. When we combine all those qualities, we are seeing great results all the way around!

So what does 2013 have in store? We will be continuing our 7 on 7 competitions, we will be hosting both full contact and non-contact camps this summer, we hope to develop satellite workouts in the area, and of course, we will maximize our individual and small group trainings at the Fieldhouse.

Thanks to all who have been part of the 2012 journey. We look forward to even better things in 2013!

Baron Batch: Remarkable Courage

I love the game of football. There is so much about it that challenges you mentally and physically. But one of the things that is really great about the sport is that we hear stories from ordinary people who remind us that hard work and perseverance can overcome a lot of life's adversities. The heart of a champion is always filled with greater stories than just the wins and losses. That's why I wanted to recommend Steel Resolve: Baron Batch's Incredible Journey, an article about Baron Batch, RB for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With the holidays, it is great to be reminded to be thankful for the opportunities that we are given. Baron Batch probably understands that at a level most of us don't. In his young life, he has endured an extremely difficult childhood, tough family situation, personal struggles with everyday living, getting cut from his team, and several major injuries. When all other people and avenues were failing him, the things he could rely on were his siblings, school and football.

Baron Batch

Through all the things life has thrown his way, Batch has found a way to stay courageous and upbeat and battle through things head on. Batch's story is a powerful example how athletics can free people's minds from their personal struggles and give them direction in their lives. Winston Churchill once said, "“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Baron Batch is a living witness to that statement, and his courage to continue can teach us all a little bit about gratitude, the human spirit, and the deeper meaning of success.

The Off-Season Dilemma

Now that the youth football season has concluded, I am frequently asked by parents how much their children should be doing in the off-season. Many people look at the off-season as a chance to continue their child's development and growth in a particular sport. Some parents want their kids to focus on specific development in one sport, while others have kids who participate in multiple sports. What is the best approach?

It depends somewhat on a child's age and interests, but I typically don't recommend kids focus on just one sport. I encourage parents to try and have their kids involved in any sport or physical activity year-round. If they are not in an organized athletic program, then doing some training may be a good option. The most important thing is keeping kids active! Staying active will help continue to strengthen muscles as their bodies continue to grow, plus it will continue to develop their coordination. Multi-sport athletes will gain strength in new muscles and develop skills that were not the focus during football season, but that will only help them as they continue to grow. Keeping kids active is necessary to their growth as athletes and to a healthier, happier life.

Lots of kids go from season to season in three or four sports, and as long as the athlete is enjoying the participation and is learning the correct fundamentals, then keep going! If there isn't a sport that is interesting or available for your kids, then training during the off-season can help with basic fundamentals. Kids can improve their footwork, hand-eye coordination, reads and reactions, and overall physical health. For most kids, it makes little difference whether they train, wrestle or play basketball. The most important aspect is just that they remain active.

Some parents are anxious to determine which position their son will play and want position-specific training and development for very young athletes. I would caution that some kids do not get settled on a position until college, and it is best to keep your options open when it comes to determining a specific position.

The other caution is for parents to take cues from their kids on their level of involvement in sports. If at any time training or other sports are not fun for kids, then we as parents and coaches should not force it upon them. It has been my experience when kids have an activity forced upon them, they will not try as hard and may develop a dislike for the entire sport or anything athletic. We need to remember that, at times, kids just need to be kids.

Motivation will come easily when the athlete has a sense of enjoyment and entitlement. Kids need to know why they are practicing or training and what benefits can come from this. So educate them about the benefits of staying active and developing their physical strength and skills. Provide gentle encouragement for kids to stay active or train in their sport(s) of interest, and when they have fun and see the rewards, they will choose to pursue those activities all on their own.

NDSU vs. SDSU Round 2: Playoffs

All eyes in the Dakotas will be fixed on Fargo tomorrow for Round 2 of the playoffs when #1 Ranked NDSU (10-1) takes on #21 SDSU (9-3).

The teams met three weeks ago in the regular season, and I discussed the players and game plans at length in a previous blog post. That game ended with NDSU winning 20-17 and limiting SDSU to 209 yards of total offense. Tomorrow's game will be the 100th meeting of the teams, but their first ever playoff meeting. NDSU leads the series 54-40-5, but it's playoff time, and this will be a great challenge for both teams!

It is always difficult for teams to play multiple times, and these teams know each other well and are very similar in their style of play. So what should we watch for in this game? A battle. NDSU is playing great football right now. They currently lead the nation in time of possession at @ 35 minutes per game, and they are averaging 8.6 plays per series.

SDSU: They have to break the trend of NDSU's powerful defense by getting first downs, extending drives, eliminating mental mistakes, and establishing positive yards on 1st down. SDSU cannot put themselves in 3rd and long situations very often or the NDSU defense will walk off the field with a turnover. QB Austin Sumner must be willing to take what the defense gives him until they make a mistake, and then he must find a way to capitalize on that mistake.

Defensively, SDSU just cannot give up any big plays! NDSU will continue to pound at them with their run game and will hit short passes to extend their drives. But the difference maker for the NDSU offense has been the one or two big plays they complete each game. A swing in momentum, controlling field position and capitalizing with points is usually all the NDSU defense needs to get a win. SDSU's defense has to prevent any big plays and win 3rd down situations in order to take down NDSU.

NDSU: There are two things NDSU will hope to use: 1) Defense. NDSU wants to be able to let their defense dictate the pace of the game with 3 and outs, a couple of TO's, controlling field position and playing with a lead. This is what NDSU was able to do the first time the two teams played, and it was a successful strategy for them. 2) Crowd. NDSU will have a sold out crowd, and that creates a hostile and incredibly loud playing environment. The sell out will not be a surprise to SDSU, but it is still a very difficult atmosphere to handle. NDSU's defense has held 10 of the last 12 opponents under 250 total yards, and the crowd is a huge factor when they play at home.

It will be a great game. Enjoy!

The Race for the Heisman

We are nearing the end of the college season, and this year, there is a lot of discussion on who deserves to win the Heisman Trophy. It is worthy of discussion, as it’s the most prestigious award in college football and the field of candidates is somewhat unusual this year. Ultimately, the award gives recognition to the best player in the nation. But what makes someone the best player? Is it being a team leader? Being the best athlete? Being a play maker? All the athletes are very important to their team, and their teams would not have enjoyed their current level of success without them.  But this year, I think the Heisman will go to the best play maker!

This year has been a year like no other, in the sense that the dominant teams in the college rankings have not produced a clear favorite for the Heisman. The conversation this year includes some unique influences, such as youth and position. We have three QB's, including a redshirt freshman, a player on a team under sanctions, one WR and one defensive player. An unusual year, to say the least!

Here are my rankings for the Heisman Race: 

Marqise Lee

5. Marqise Lee (Sophomore, WR) USC 
He is extremely talented, but he may not even be the best WR on his own team. He will be a very good NFL receiver, but he will not be the Heisman winner.

Braxton Miller

4. Braxton Miller (Sophomore, QB) Ohio State
He led his team to an undefeated season, but cannot play for the Big 10 Title or participate in a bowl game. He was the heart and soul of the Ohio State team and made tremendous plays all season long. It will really hurt Miller that his team was left out of the national spotlight due to the sanctions on Ohio State. Look for him to have a huge impact next year.

Collin Klein

3. Collin Klein (Senior, QB) Kansas State 
He is a perfect fit in the style of offense that Kansas State runs. They are a no-nonsense type of offense that will take what you give them and will not force the issue. This is how Klein plays. He has very few turnovers and runs and passes well, but does not have anywhere near the "flash" of the other QB's in the race. Klein is the most consistent player, but his lack of pizzazz and Kansas State losing a game will hurt him.

Manti Te'o

2. Manti Te'o (Senior, LB) Notre Dame 
Te’o has made the most of this season’s amazing run for Notre Dame. Te’o is the only defensive player in the running and has put up some really impressive stats. Many people believe that he may not be the best LB in the nation as far as NFL caliber goes, but Te’o brings all the elements that you look for in a student athlete. He returned for his senior year, leads by example on and off the field, persevered through tragic family loss, continues to be a mainstay in the media spotlight and has led his team to an undefeated regular season with a chance at a national title. He is a tremendous leader, an outstanding football player,
and extremely popular with fans and media. All that said, I think he will be the runner up.

Johnny Manziel

1. Johnny Manziel (Redshirt Freshman, QB) Texas A&M 

Manziel = Mr. Excitement. It is Texas A&M's first year in the SEC, and they have accumulated a 10-2 record and defeated #1 Alabama at Alabama. No one would have predicted that level of success, and no one would have predicted that a freshman would be the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Manziel has set a new record for total yards in a season in the SEC, which was held by Cam Newton and 2nd was Tim Tebow. (Both Heisman winners.) He will be the first freshman to win the award and it is well-deserved.  He is the best  

                                                           player and play maker in the college football ranks for 2012. 

NFL Game to Watch: Colts vs. Patriots

Andrew Luck

There has been a lot of talk about Andrew Luck in his rookie NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts. He has performed extremely well so far, winning four consecutive games and six out of nine games so far in his first season with the Colts. This week might be the greatest test for Luck, and that’s why I think the Colts traveling to New England to face Tom Brady and the New England Patriots is the game to watch.

Very few people are picking the Colts to beat the Patriots this weekend, but you have to sense that Luck likes being in this situation. The Colts have already doubled their win total from last year with Luck under center, and he is meeting or exceeding expectations every week. Even with a 6-3 record, the Colts are recognized as a better team, but not a contender, and a contender has to go into New England and beat the Patriots. The Patriots are also 6-3, but they are 5-1 at home, and that could make a difference in the outcome. The Colts have scored 186 points and given up 206 points this season, compared to the Patriots who have scored 299 points and given up 201. Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense bring a much more balanced attack for the Colts’ defense to deal with, and they won’t be able to just focus on Brady’s passing game. 

Tom Brady

So how do the Colts establish that they are contenders? Luck needs to be able to get first downs and keep the New England offense off the field. When the Colts have the opportunity to score points in the red zone, they need to walk off the field with TD's rather than FG's. The Colts' defense has to mix up their looks to try and confuse Tom Brady, while at the same time find ways to get pressure on him. Look for the Colts to try to make the Patriots one dimensional and take away their running game. 

With both teams coming off of wins last week, watch how Luck handles the pressure of matching the New England offense, especially in the hostile atmosphere of Gillette Stadium. It will be interesting to see if Brady can stay patient and keep a balanced attack, or if the Patriots will try to strike quickly and put pressure on the rookie. This should be a great match up between two talented offenses, and it will give us an idea if Luck can make the Colts contenders.