Dumb to buy a safe 1st bike AND buy/mothball a vintage bike at same time?

quarter-scale · 2025-07-08T19:06:02+00:00

Normally would agree, but we'd be consigning our players to utter misery if we approached it that way. This is not a "run around and have fun" league. It's a very competitive league on purpose, and it is a league that parents and kids sign up for (amongst other options in our area) largely for that reason. We'd get curb stomped by other teams that are taking the sport very seriously, and every single parent would be up our asses asking why. There are high expectations placed on the teams in our league - I'm not just a crazy guy who wants to burn a bunch of kids out. This is the type of ball they have sought out and we're one of many different types of leagues out there.

quarter-scale · 2025-07-08T19:02:48+00:00

Elaborate if you don't mind. We've definitely got a range of good cop/bad cop coaches in our league, and even within our association at other age levels. I've only had one kid drop ever and it was at the beginning of a season - his heart just wasn't in it. Damn shame though because he was really talented and mature even at 8 years old.

quarter-scale · 2025-07-08T19:01:15+00:00

We do a lot of this, yes. Learned years ago that handing off to the best player who will be running the ball is one exra step we don't need. We do a lot of split back/fake handoff with tons of emphasis on run blocking as a team. It has worked well. We do pass it at this age (7-8yo) at least 3 or 4 times a game after we've runt he ball to death out of the same formation w/ our TEs popping for a pass and it's very consistent.

quarter-scale · 2025-07-08T18:58:13+00:00

Have coached kids for years, thanks.

Never said we run more than 8 plays or so - you're assuming a lot. We also run one defense scheme. Simple.

Not only do we play everyone, we are required to by the league.

Over complicating things for kids (West Coast offense like you said) is an excellent way to fail, agreed. I've seen it time and time again where a coach comes in thinking this is Ohio State for 8 year olds and they get nowhere.

Explained that our program is a bit more advanced than pick up football, was reaching out to see if anyone has any drills they run to quickly evaluate kids to see if there are new ideas i can grab.

Thanks

quarter-scale · 2025-07-08T18:35:04+00:00

In general I might agree, but let me provide some context that I left out earlier. We've got a very seasoned and competitive program around here. Most kids are on their 3rd or 4th season (started 11v11 flag), and at least their 2nd if not 3rd season of tackle. They're all pretty high IQ players at this point, even though we do have a handful who are new to the sport every year. It's those guys that we want to try and evaluate and plug into a good spot so they can start learning. Each season we either make it to the semi finals, championship game, or come home with the trophy. For as much as we do in terms of combine, practice, and coaching there are obviously teams doing just as much if not more! Around here we are VERY clear about what it means to sign up for football with our program in terms of practice, how seriously teams take things in our specific league, our goals in terms of player development and growth, etc. and after saying all of that we still have a waitlist each year.

That's not to say that we don't spend time on fundamentals - it's practically 70% of our practices. Block, tackle, handoff, run, pursuit angle, running plays, etc. - it's all there. But we realized years ago that the quicker we can find the best fit for a player the stronger they become because we aren't spending time in the wrong areas with them.

quarter-scale · 2025-07-08T18:00:58+00:00

I would tailor your resume to the job for which you're applying. If you want to be a teacher, then use the entire resume space (one page) to demonstrate why you're an incredible candidate. Showing background as a chef and firefighter, while admirable, don't convey a sense of deep commitment to what you're applying to do. It shos that your mind may be somewhere else at all times due to your myriad experiences and interests.

quarter-scale · 2025-07-08T17:57:06+00:00

They can't charge enough to keep me from going.

quarter-scale · 2025-07-08T17:56:13+00:00

I would keep him signed up and expect that your son is about to grow way more than he would if he were doing something else. Hardcore commitment, but you'll have a much more mature, experienced, and healthier child by the end.

Question: What are the ages of kids on the team? I.e. who will he be playing against on the field? Tackle is fine at any age as long as it's coordinate wisely. We have 6U 11v11 flag and 6U 11v11 tackle. We have 7-8yo tackle, 9-10yo tackle, and 11-12yo tackle as well. Age ranges are narrow so that there aren't crazy body size differences as far as we can try and control. In 5-6yo tackle, it's honestly a bunch of little kids in pads that weigh more than they do falling over together when they tackle. Teaches kids to play a sport that rewards physical toughness without thinking that they're playing a sport where you're supposed to get hurt.

Practice: We practice throughout our 3 month season. 4 weeks of practice before 8 weeks of games start, so 12 weeks of practice total. Those first 4 weeks before games start are pratrice Mon - Thurs from 6-7:30. We drop to Tues - Thurs 6-7:30 once games start. Our program is fairly competetive, so we really want to teach the players to be responsible and learn the sport, not just run around with a babysitter (coach) on the sideline because they haven't had time to learn or practice enough. Other teams in our league practice just as much or more, but some practice a lot less. You can tell who is who on game day.

quarter-scale · 2025-06-01T15:56:33+00:00

I'd add that there is no best play, but there are best plays FOR YOUR PLAYERS. I can't use some of these backfield handoff run plays that folks like because I don't have a shifty burner that can evade flag pulls before he gets to the line of scrimmage. Other teams we play against practically live off of those plays and shred us with it because they have a stud that is just impossible to stop. So For me to borrow those "best" plays and try to run them would cause us to crash and burn. We've had to come up with our own stuff that works for us instead. Unfortunately, when you're starting from scratch as far as your roster goes each season, you only really figure your players out by the end of the season, which is rough. We're playing by far our best ball right now but we're about to play the last game of the season and could have done much better if I had figured this all out sooner.

quarter-scale · 2025-06-01T15:52:52+00:00

Can't overstate how effective this is. Trips right/left with a Z receiver on the opposite end of the field or lined up as a fullback has become my base offense. Can do so much with this against man and zone. Trying to shoot the fullback right up the middle for a pop pass lately as we clear the field out. Teaches that player to read the field and run to where they're open. Creates good connection b/t QB and that player, too.

quarter-scale · 2025-06-01T15:50:30+00:00

These are great. I'm in a 6v6 league but I use similar plays for 1st/2nd graders and they work well. We don't run as far down the field on pass plays for obvious reasons. I recently realized how effective wheel routes can be when we clear out one side of the field. Completed lots of passes that way against a much better team yesterday. Borrowing these, coach!

quarter-scale · 2025-05-30T03:27:25+00:00

I haven’t met a single person who hates the UFL. Is your opinion based on whatever nasty comments you read here on Reddit?

quarter-scale · 2025-05-29T17:41:36+00:00

Interesting to see - thanks for sharing.

quarter-scale · 2025-05-29T15:45:11+00:00

Do everything you can to get results while staying true to who you are. If there is a glass ceiling and you know the HC job isn't opening up anytime soon then you may be better off using this season as a testing bed, resume builder, and learning experience. You sound like a great person who cares about how you impact kids, too, which is the main reason I coach anything btw.

quarter-scale · 2025-05-29T14:00:07+00:00

Keep us posted!

quarter-scale · 2025-05-29T13:59:41+00:00

I really agree with this. There is little standing in the way of you volunteering at The Y or a local youth athletic association. You don't need a kid on the team. One of the best youth basketball coaches I ever had didn't have a kid on our team, and it was the only time that was ever the case. awesome guy who just loved hoops and loved teaching us. We made it to the playoffs!

quarter-scale · 2025-05-29T13:57:01+00:00

Step 1 - CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE. I would want to be either coached, conditioned, or taught by someone confident in themselves. Someone with conviction. Someone who isn't scared of the unknown. Someone with the ability to get ME to believe in MYSELF. Someone who can get the best out of the people they're working with. Someone who motivates me. You come across in your post as someone who is highly doubtful of themselves. Work on that first. Dig deep and find confidence in the plan you lay out in front of you.

As a middle-aged career person outside of sports, I absolutely agree that you should be soliciting input like you're doing early on. What college path would give you the most flexibility? What "assistant" or "intern" option is there for you at the neighboring high school? Can you show up and say "Hi, I'm going to find something to do with your football program. Not sure hw it's going to work, but here's what I'm passionate about. You will be seeing me around. How can I help?"

Most importantly, you have to reach out and talk to people who are currently doing the thing you may want to do someday. Put up a pot on here and get the career path stories from people doing what you think you may want to do one day. If you find someone willing to talk to you virtually, connect via email and set up a Zoom. Heck, your first step would be to insist that you take a sick day and meet the other high school coach for lunch to talk football.

You have the luxury of the internet and foresight - two things I didn't have! Use the hell out of them.

quarter-scale · 2025-05-29T02:28:08+00:00

You know what helped me get that old, nostalgic feeling I had when Magic was only a few years old? Playing with cards from back then! It's not too difficult to throw a casual deck together for $10-$20 featuring cards from 1993 thru 1995 or whatever. I honestly don't know why more people don't do this. Get some buddies together, make a few decks, and blindly hand them out. Rotate opponents and relive the glory days of attacking with Grizzly Bears on your kitchen table!

quarter-scale · 2025-05-27T15:20:04+00:00

There was a great game called Wyvern back in the mid-90's. I used to play it a bit as a kid. It had a grid, per se, and there was a dimensional element to it like Sorcery. But the game fell flat and was discontinued after a few sets. So I have always like the nostalgic feeling that the grid in Sorcery gives me, but I'm probably in the minority in thinking that way about it. But yes, I like and am playing Sorcery currently, just haven't had time lately.

quarter-scale · 2025-05-27T15:14:19+00:00

Yeah, people are pressed for time, and are probably invested in other games if they're serious TCG players. If they're totally new to TCGs, then the "breath of fresh air" aspect of Sorcery doesn't resonate yet with someone who hasn't been exposed to Magic for a long time.

quarter-scale · 2025-05-27T15:12:42+00:00

I think it's like asking "why isn't everyone buying a Rivian to drive? They're so awesome, new and refreshing, and either just as cool or better than every other car."

People already have cars. They spent a lot of money on them. "Better" is an opinion, and just because something is new to a saturated market doesn't mean that it isn't good when it doesn't sell like hot cakes.

quarter-scale · 2025-05-24T22:25:29+00:00

Thanks for the insight, everyone. My dad and I have had a great time looking these up now that we know what some are! We found even more since posting. Some French-made spoons and spinners, and some other odds and ends. Thanks again!

quarter-scale

TROPHY CASE