My Advice to Football Players
With summer camp approaching or already started this is much belated, but here are a few things I wish someone would have stressed to me when I was playing football.
1. Don’t worry about your bodyweight – too many kids want to gain too much weight too quickly. Just train, eat and run; you don’t have to be X amount of weight to play any position on the field. Plus, more often than not the force feeding to get that extra 10-15 pounds may make you look better in the media guide, but it’ll make you a fatter, slower player.
2. Condition for practice, not the game - I hate it when “performance coaches” try to tell everyone how long a play lasts and the demands of the sport and conditioning should all be based on that. Well, listen up Sherlock, or should I say, “Guy who never played the game?” You don’t see the field if you don’t practice well. And if you’re an average, borderline player who needs to “Impress to Dress,” you have to kick ass during the summer two-a-days. I know because that’s who I was. So you need to be able to run, run and run some more. You need to be in shape to handle these practices. This doesn’t mean you have to give up speed training or strength training – just remember that you got to be in shape. Also, (caps lock alert)….IT TAKES NO TALENT TO BE IN SHAPE. So if you aren’t in shape, you just don’t care.
3. Have a role and fulfill that role to the best of your ability - this is something that I did well in college. Find something you do well and do it to the best of your ability. Not everyone can be a superstar, but sometimes you need a punt blocker or a wedge breaker. Pete Hansen, now a coach at Stanford, is probably the greatest example of a kid who had a role and made a huge impact. Pete was/is around 6’8″ or so and had a vertical jump of over 40 inches. This is rare amongst big, tall people. Pete made a name for himself (and earned a scholarship) by becoming a tremendous field goal/extra point blocker. He changed the game entirely because you couldn’t kick field goals or extra points against us without a huge chance of them getting blocked. Do you have any idea how huge this is? So find something you do well and exploit it. Just don’t be upset if it’s not getting 20 tackles a game.
4. Don’t be a dumb jock – Please don’t feed this stereotype. Read a book and go to class. You don’t need to be a genius to do both of these things.
5. Treat the people around you with respect – This includes the trainers, student trainers, weight room staff, tutors, media personnel, volunteers and fans. I hated when I saw some kid get shit on by a player because he/she was merely taping an ankle. Or never saying “thank you” to someone handing you a water bottle. That shit drove me nuts. We all have bad days and I do too, but it doesn’t hurt to simply tell someone “thank you” when they do something for you.
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Jim was employed as a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Kentucky, where he worked with several different teams including football and baseball. He played football and graduated from the University of Arizona where he earned three letters. Jim’s best lifts include a 1000 lbs squat, a 675 lbs bench press, 700 lbs deadlift, and a 2375 total in the 275 lbs class.
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Fantastic advice, especially the last two points.
Great article Jim, I’m sure many young football players would benefit from advice like this. Especially the last point, always be courteous and respectful to people.
This should be standard reading material not only for football players but coaches as well. Good Shit, Jim.
Great advice, really glad to hear #1. Too many high school kids and coaches and parents get caught up in getting their kid to a certain weight, without really considering their health or long term athletic performance. Awesome article
Wendler…… you’re my Idol. Period. Miss ya Dude!!!
number one was my issue going into college
I dare say that this is awesome advice for all aspects of life.
Great points, especially #5, there is nothing worse than an arrogant asshole. Ever notice how fast the world stops caring about superstar athletes that are pricks after their playing days are over? Just ask Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Dennis Rodman, Mike Tyson, Roger Clemens, Albert Belle…..the list is endless.
I agree, and this has to do with any sport. If you want to get noticed, find your niche, exploit it and work hard.
Great point on #4, athletes need to realize the odds they are against and look toward the future. Even if you do make it, there are no guarantees. There are endless stories of guys getting big contracts and ending up broke. No excuse for not taking advantage of a free (or partially subsidized) education and the connections that come with it.
The last point is pretty fascinating to me. I have season tickets for UConn men’s basketball and sometimes during games, I will notice guys when they sub out to head to the bench. They’re always great about fist bumps and everything else with their teammates, etc., but it’s like the team managers are invisible. Granted, I do not see all of the interactions they have with the managers… but still… a quick look over the shoulder when they hand you a towel and Gatorade to say thanks? Really? Too hard? It’s as if that just magically appears for them without a person being involved.
x2 as what John said above. great advice!
Great job on this Jim. We have guys like this that don’t appreciate managers especially on the high school level. I am taking this to our field house and putting a copy in every locker next week. Keep up the great work.
Dude, awesome.
Love the point about finding your role. I applied this concept when I played baseball at college.
Can’t say enough about point #4. Some dudes on the baseball team, I swear, tried to be as big of f*ck-offs as they could – didn’t go to class, didn’t study, made it frigging embarrassing to be on the team. I remember one prof giving me a line of shit about baseball players being lazy in class one time when I went in to ask a question about something. I had the best or 2nd best GPA on the entire team and I was found “guilty by association” by this prof.
Funny thing is, generally the f*ck-offs in class were the same ones that f*cked off at practice.
Great point about “Thank You.” The lack of that is not limited to athletes however. The people I used to work with in the corporate world are just as guilty when it comes to that.
Great article, Jim.
Jedd
Great Article! I am posting this in the Locker Room.
As a high school football coach and teacher, I completely agree with these 5 points. Thanks, Jim – I emailed this article to my entire coaching staff.
It amazes me how many kids miss finding a role that coudl benefit their team. I started off blocking kicks in college and eventually became a starting defensive back. I also believe in my years of coaching and playing football being in shape is detrimental to showing the coaches your level of preparedness. I just can’t say I see running 800′s or gassers like some coaches prescribe.
Jim,
Not sure where this fits: Find the guy on the team who is working at 120 percent and just barely making the team. Help him/her out with whatever they need whenever practical. Note: you may have to do 120 percent to accomplish this, but you may well add amazing things to someone’s life.
Giving of yourself to help a teammate is one of those intangible things that will not only make you a better team player, but a better player in life.
As always, great stuff from you, Jim. As a former intern/volunteer (and now coach), I have great memories of the athletes I have had the pleasure to work with, and particularly those who follow #5. I recall some of the best times I had were working with athletes who appreciated all who were there in support of their playing careers. And there were those who simply exemplify #5 and Jim was one of them. It is an honor to know you!
Jim,
It is and has always been a pleasure speaking with you and reading all of your articles. I could not agree more with you. I would like for all coaches and players read this article. Keep up the great work! You speak the truth.
Jim,
This is an excellent article not only for players but for coaches as well. I think there could be a number 6 peice of advice, and that is that young sportspeople not only need to learn how to lose with grace and dignity, but also how to win. There is nothing worse than seeing young sportspeople, (mainly young men unfortunately) rubbing their victory in their opponents faces. Shaking hands and saying bad luck or well played is a much better option. I enjoyed your article as always.
Jim,
Been a long time reader of your stuff and enjoy it all. I really enjoyed this because of the last two points; respect others and don’t be a dumb jock. I work in college athletics as an Athletic Trainer and I have seen a lot of the crap that people behind the scenes have to put up with. Its nice to know that our work does not go unnoticed. Good luck to you and yours. Thanks for the support.
Good stuff Jim. You can be a beast on the field and still have some class.
A badass and a gentleman. Great points all around. Thanks Jim.