NFL Week 16

Playoff time is quickly approaching, and NFL fans are beginning to feel the excitement of a possible Super Bowl appearance or the possibility of having the 1st round pick in the 2014 Draft. Going into Week 16, there are only two games that do not have any playoff relevance, and the playoff picture is still clear as mud when it comes to seedings. Teams like Denver and Kansas City could be the #1 seed in the AFC, or they could end up being the #5 seed if they do not win their division. Teams like Miami, Baltimore, Carolina, San Francisco, Dallas, and Green Bay are all considered in the chase for wild card spots and potentially division titles as well. It has been an interesting and unpredictable year in the NFL, and the playoffs will definitely reflect the season. Here are a just a few of the things to watch in week 16 of the NFL playoff chase:

New Orleans at Carolina

If New Orleans wins, they will win the division and receive a 1st round bye. If they lose, then they are still battling for the division title and a wild card seed going into week 17. The first time these teams played in New Orleans, Carolina was able to start fast, but Drew Brees and the Saints offense were unstoppable. Carolina will be in the playoffs with a win and a chance to win the division going into week 17. Cam Newton and the team were hitting their stride and playing very well going into New Orleans, and they were left feeling they did not play up to expectations. Look for Newton and the Panthers to come into this game playing very inspired football!

Chicago at Philadelphia

Both teams are sitting atop of their division, but they have huge division games next week with Green Bay and Dallas. Neither team can afford to suffer a loss here, and losses this week could decide their fate for the playoffs. Both teams could potentially fall from the division lead to not even making the playoffs. The Eagles were embarrassed last week in Minnesota, and the Bears beat a stingy Cleveland Browns team with Jay Cutler back at the helm. Look for an emotional and hard fought game, as the players on both teams realize what is on the line.

New England at Baltimore

New England will win their division with a win this week, but they have a very inspired Miami Dolphins team close behind. Baltimore was able to get a huge win at Detroit last week with a game ending 61 yard field goal. New England will have to travel to Baltimore, and the Ravens appear to be playing the outstanding defense that everyone is used to seeing. Tom Brady will have his hands full trying to avoid pressure from Suggs and Dumerville, but can Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense put up TD’s and not just rely on field goals? Baltimore still has a chance to win the division and needs a win to maintain their wild card position. This will be another hard fought battle, and minimizing mistakes and capitalizing on opportunities to score will make the difference.

At this point in the season the playoff hunt is still pretty open, and the teams that are finding their momentum now will keep things interesting! These Week 16 games are going to be exciting and hopefully will clear up the playoff picture. Enjoy!

Being a Better Sports Parent

 

Sitting at a recent basketball tournament for young kids, I witnessed a parent get removed from the gymnasium for constant verbal attacks at the officials. As parents, we often become so engaged in the event that we forget about our most important job: We are role models, and we are trying to teach our kids about much more than wins and losses.

"Ten Things Parents of Athletes Need to Know" is a blog post by Stefanie Mullen that was passed along to me recently by a friend. She gives us 10 simple but important points to consider as we attend sporting events with our children. I felt it was worthwhile to pass along. Many of the points were relevant for all of us who continue to follow our kids all over the country for sporting events.

I thought she made some great points that are solid reminders for parents, and I expanded on the ones that I think need to be repeated often:

1) Remember that sports need to be fun for kids. When it is not fun, then things need to be evaluated. Kids should not play sports because we want them to!
2) Never talk to a coach about your child's play or performance after a game. Emotions are always high after the game, and it's best to let cooler heads prevail. If it is absolutely necessary to meet, then do it at the appropriate time.
3) Your kids are always watching you! Never yell at the officials. Do not ever make a scene that embarrasses your kids. Don't be so wrapped up in winning that you are losing your mind on the sideline. Your most important job is to model sportsmanship, win or lose.
4) Do not coach your child from the stands. One of the worst things you can do is create an environment where your child is always looking up in the stands for guidance or coaching from you. Be a supporter of your child and your coach. Always.
5) Let your kids fail. Some of the greatest lessons and challenges come from a tough loss. Kids need to learn to be gracious winners and losers. It's an incredibly important lesson that they will carry with them forever.

In her blog post, Mullen also encourages athletes to stay fit and active year-round, but not to focus on one sport. I agree that maintaining physical activity is the most important thing, and making sure it is enjoyable for kids is the best way to keep them active. We also need to remember that our kids are not likely to go on to the pros, but they are likely to take the lessons learned on the field or court into their lives. We need to remember our role and support healthy activity and positive relationships with teammates and coaches.


The thing I love about working with kids and sports is that practices and games provide really valuable teaching moments for them. We need to make sure that the lessons they are learning from us are lessons we can be proud of throughout their athletic careers and lives. The most important thing to remember is that we need to be at our best as parents if we expect to see their best as young athletes!

Giving Thanks: Friends, Family, and Football

 As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it is a great time for all of us to reflect on the things we are grateful for in our lives. I am certainly grateful for family and friends, and I am grateful for the many opportunities which have been given to me through the game of football. It is a tremendous privilege to work with athletes of all ages in developing their abilities, and it is very rewarding to be part of the development of youth football and promoting the sport in South Dakota. I am also fortunate to have a partner in Sanford that is committed to excellence in youth athletics and willing to provide opportunities and facilities that allow us to work towards common goals in our competitive sports.

We have an outstanding coaching staff at the Academy, and I asked them to share some of their thoughts about the holiday. These were their responses:

I am thankful for the ability to expect nothing less than great things from myself!! I am thankful for a blessed and adventurous life!!! I am thankful for my past and my future with my family!! --Korey Williams

I'm thankful for having parents that raised me correctly, I'm thankful for the opportunity to keep playing football for as long as I have, and I'm thankful for finally meeting my best friend and fiancé, Nikki! --Cory Johnsen

I'm thankful for what I have today: a beautiful family, friends, opportunities past and present, and I'm thankful for being able to "THINK FOOTBALL" each and every day! --Josh Siegfried

I'm thankful for the opportunity to have a positive influence and impact on our youth. I'm thankful for a family that supports one another in their endeavors. I'm also thankful for being a father and husband. --Rachman Crable

Tis the season for some turkey! That being said, it's also the season to take a look at all the things we are thankful for. While I am extremely thankful for my family, friends, and health, I feel that glorious bird we fill full of stuffing deserves a little credit too! Maybe I shouldn't have written this while I was hungry, but now my mind has been overly consumed with all the delicacies that go along with this fabulous fowl! The centerpiece of a meal that brings family and friends together--it's hard to imagine a thanksgiving without a turkey! So to you, oh great, juicy and noble turkey I would like to say thank you on my behalf and everybody at the Academy! --Dale Moss

I’m definitely thankful to still be involved in coaching and to be a part of such a great team that teaches how to play the game of football safely! --Joe Evenson 

Thanks to a tremendous Academy coaching staff for their commitment and hard work, and thanks to the many athletes who have trusted us to help them develop their skills.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Academy athletes and families!

Rivalry Week

 The SDSU Jackrabbits will travel down to Vermillion this Saturday to play against their interstate rival the USD Coyotes. This game is a matchup of the 5-4 Jackrabbits vs. the 4-6 Coyotes. SDSU is still fighting for a playoff spot, and can not afford to slip up and lose another game this season. The Coyotes are looking to spoil the hopes of Jackrabbit fans by taking away any 2013 playoff hopes with a Coyote victory. So how do these teams stack up at this point in the season?

SDSU’s offense boasts the leading rusher in the conference (Zach Zenner at 137.2 yds/gm) and the second leading passer (Austin Sumner at 228.3 yds/game). SDSU is currently the #3 ranked scoring offense, and #4 in total offense at 378.6 yds/game. They only accumulate 38.8 yds/game in penalties, which is #1 in the conference, and they are also #1 in the conference in TO/Margin at +14. These numbers demonstrate the strengths of a solid football team, but they have been shaky in other areas this year. SDSU is 6th in the conference in scoring defense at 25.7 pts/game, and 8th in total defense at 394.8 yds/game. They have only sacked the QB 21 times this season, which is 6th in the conference.

While the Jackrabbits are showing strengths offensively, the Coyotes strengths are on the opposite side of the ball. USD is #1 in the conference in sacks at 31, they are 3rd in total defense at 328.7 yds/game, and 5th in scoring defense at 24 pts/game. USD’s offense has gone through a QB change, and it seems to be moving them in the right direction. Kevin Earl is now running the offense and will be the key to any success for the Coyotes. USD is currently 10th in scoring offense at 19.7 pts/game, but is 6th in rushing offense at 156 yds/game, and 3rd in the conference at TO/margin at +4.

If the statistics told the only story, it would appear that both teams have a solid shot if they play to their strengths. The intangible aspect of this game is that we will be watching an intense interstate rivalry game that is being played for bragging rights and also the chance to either continue a team’s playoff goals or to destroy a team’s playoff goals. We can safely throw out the stats on Saturday and focus on which team can ride the momentum and play with emotion, but still control their emotion enough to not hurt the team. SDSU has been very good this year in not hurting themselves with penalties or careless turnovers. The Jackrabbits will need these advantages playing in the Dakota Dome where the Coyotes have been playing very tough. USD has lost two games in the Dakota Dome this year, but the losses were to potential playoff teams, Youngstown and Montana. USD was leading in both games late in the 4th quarter, but they were simply not able to finish. The Coyotes will come into this rivalry game playing at high level, and they will need to be able to continue that high level of play through all four quarters.

The key to winning the game will be whether or not the Coyotes can continue to force turnovers against a team that does not turn the ball over very often. The Coyotes have 6 TO’s in the last two games and will need the same performance if they want to beat the Jackrabbits. It will be great to see how these teams match up in a packed and noisy Dakota Dome. Rivalry games bring intensity to the field and the overall atmosphere, and this game will certainly deliver! Here’s hoping for some great South Dakota football on Saturday!

'Changing the Game' for Young Athletes

I enjoy articles and information about youth sports, and a great website with thoughtful information and resources is Changing The Game Project by John O'Sullivan. The site includes his blog with some great topics that parents, coaches and athletes will appreciate. One blog that O'Sullivan recently wrote was titled, Are Your Kids Mentally Weak? He went through five points that should be considered and can be the difference between kids being mentally weak or strong.

1) Struggle is Good--Surround yourself with people who will challenge you.
2) Let them fail--Do not fear failure. Learn from failure.
3) Praise Effort--Do not "over-praise" but praise work effort and the things that will help improve.
4) Strict is a good thing--It will be appreciated in the long run.
5) Stress is good--Learning to deal with stress in sports will lead to lifelong success.

I think that O'Sullivan's points and comments are right on. He does a great job of stressing that with each point, there is a line that parents can push but not cross, and with a thoughtful approach, parents can really help their kids. O'Sullivan talks about letting kids fail, but then is quick to point out that parents and coaches need to make sure that communication is established with kids and explaining that 'failing' is part of athletics which leads to improving, working harder, and learning many valuable lessons. Emotional toughness can be very difficult to instill, and O'Sullivan points out that there will be some struggles and tough times as the athletes and parents work to achieve this. Parents have to be willing to help their kids find the right mentors and coaches that will push their kids in a healthy way and not always pamper their kids.

I would add my own thoughts to O'Sullivan's points:

1) Our staff at Riggs Premier Football is experienced in challenging athletes and working with them through the challenges. Good coaches make a huge difference!
2) We want challenges, and we want to set high goals. Goals are something that we continually strive for, and we will face failure as we try to reach our goals. If the goal is easily attainable, then it will not make the athlete any better. Athletes must experience failure as they strive for their goals, and they must learn how to improve from that failure.
3) Create a mindset that allows athletes know they are doing good things, but don't 'overpraise' them for every little thing. Make sure that athletes know that your praise has a meaning and is not just constant wasted verbiage.
4) Coaches that create discipline are the ones that athletes will remember. They will not like the change at first, because things will not be easy, but it will pay off in the long run. Along with discipline there must be good communication. A coach can create an environment where they have certain standards, but it's important they explain why they have these standards.
5) Do not allow everything to be easy. Athletes need to feel the pressures of different stressors from competition. The stressors that they face in athletics are the same stressors they are going to experience when they are at school and work. Learning to face these types of stress and then overcome them will only make them better.

It is a great reminder that we need to work together to provide a solid, supportive environment in which kids can learn to succeed! That is a lesson parents and coaches should always keep in mind.

Quarterbacks to Watch in NFL Week 6

Here in Week 6 of the NFL season, there is plenty to evaluate with quarterback play. We are seeing some excellent performances and some struggles for the players in this high pressure position. These are my thoughts on three who seem to be getting a lot of the headlines at this point in the season:

Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
Athletes in every sport have periods of struggles and difficult losses. Baseball players may not get a hit in multiple games, basketball players go through hot and cold shooting streaks, and golfers miss easy putts. Football players are susceptible to making mistakes and hitting a rough streak at times too.

Matt Schaub is going through one of the most difficult struggles of his football career. Schaub’s team is on a three-game losing streak, and Schaub has thrown nine INT’s on the season, taken 12 sacks, and thrown INT’s for Defensive TD’s in four consecutive games. Many have questioned why he is still the starting QB for the Texans. Coach Kubiak has demonstrated faith and confidence in Schaub, stating that Matt is the starting QB for the Texans. As a coach, he can demonstrate faith and confidence, but Schaub has to be on a very short leash. The Texans have Super Bowl aspirations, and a stretch like this can make or break their season.

Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans play the St Louis Rams this week at Houston. Look for the Texans to try and establish a run game, with short, higher-percentage passes early in the game. When a QB makes mistakes early, he begins to press and evaluate every throw. That can lead to more mental errors and poor QB play. Coach Kubiak wants to take all the thinking elements out of the game and let Schaub trust his instincts and just play.  Look for the Texans to get a win this week against a gritty Rams team, and Matt Schaub will come out of his slump with a strong performance.

Geno Smith, NY Jets       

Geno had many doubters when he was drafted by the Jets and most recently answered those doubters with a big win at Atlanta on Monday night. The true question is what can the rookie QB do on a short week preparing for an 0-4 Steelers team that will be very hungry. Geno is going to see some very difficult coverages with the Steelers defense. The Steelers are going to try and keep the Jets in passing situations and then mix up their coverages to confuse the rookie QB. When Geno has taken care of the ball and played smart football, then the Jets have been a solid football team. If Geno decides to press the issue and make plays when they are not there, then he will put his team in poor situations with bad field position and turnovers.

Look for Geno to make some mistakes today as most NFL QB's are prone to against the Steelers defense.  Can he keep his mistakes to a minimum?  His team's success will ride on that as the Steelers will capitalize on any mistakes Geno gives them.

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
Everyone knows of Peyton Manning's QB talent, but what we have been watching in the first five weeks of the NFL season is truly amazing. Manning is on a record pace with the stats that he has put together so far. Manning seems very comfortable with any look a defense shows him, he knows where his WR's are going to be, he is showing confidence in all skilled players to throw to them at any time, and he is showing confidence to give the ball to their running backs when the defense is dropping back into coverage. The Denver offense is clicking on every cylinder, and that is great credit to Manning.

Eventually a team will find a way to get pressure on Manning with their front four defensive linemen, and they will challenge the QB. That will not happen this week against Jacksonville, but it will be interesting to see if the Broncos and Manning are able to stay sharp against a team they should throughly dominate.

There will be more ups and downs for all of these quarterbacks during the rest of the NFL season. It will be interesting to see how the story lines play out for these three who are at such different points here in Week 6.  

Practice to Succeed

It is hard to believe we are already winding down the regular football season and preparing for playoffs! As the season starts to wind down, the drive to keep pushing new ideas and skill development can be lost and practices can sometimes become very boring and repetitive for coaches and athletes. Some coaches will fall on the poor habits of talking for long periods of time, having endless practice time of running plays, or requiring continuous tackling to the ground to “toughen the kids up.” Practice, even at this stage of the season, is the most important element of skill development and it is critical to strengthening the interest level of athletes to want to continue to play the sport. Coaches should look at this late season practice time as the most critical time for athletes and future development of their team and program.

Structuring a practice can help coaches prevent the long sessions that drag practice out and lead to athletes losing interest and possibly getting hurt. Another option is to continually mix in new drills to keep a high interest level. USA Football does an excellent job offering practice plans and drill suggestions to help with creating practices that will keep the coaches and athletes excited about football. I used some of USA Football's suggestions and came up with this sample practice:

1)  Warm-up (15 mins) Air

2)  Team Talk/Water (5 mins) Air

3)  Offense-Indy work (10 mins) Air

4)  Special Teams (10 mins) Air (should be incorporated every practice)

5)  Water Break (5 mins)

6)  Tackling Circuit (15 mins) Air (Do not need to take to the ground and use more than one drill. Have the circuit that keeps the kids moving.)

7)  Water Break (5 mins)

8)   Defense-Indy work (10 mins) Air

9)  Group Time (offense) (10 mins) Wrap

10) Group Time (defense) (10 mins) Wrap

11) Goal Period (5 plays) (5 mins) Wrap

12) Team Conditioning---(10 mins) Pads off—Flickerball in a smaller space. Competition, while
       conditioning.

In my experience, a combination practice that keeps young athletes moving through fundamentals, skill development, conditioning, and competition, strikes a great balance.  Kids also remain more motivated during practice when they know there is competition at the end.  They always enjoy Flickerball! Conditioning doesn't have to be part of every practice, and coaches can certainly use drill/practice time as a way to reinforce conditioning.  The key is to keep things varied and moving along so that they are learning, working, and maintaining a high interest level.  It isn't always easy, but there are plenty of resources available to assist with structuring practices.  We are also available to consult with teams who need advice or assistance.

Best of luck to all our athletes and teams as they end their regular season and head into playoffs!  We look forward to seeing some great playoff football!