Bomber 5Th and 6Th Grade Football 2021 Rookie Tackle Goals 1. To

Bomber 5th and 6th Grade Football 2021 Rookie Tackle

Goals 1. To allow 5th and 6th graders to develop a connection to Bomber football. 2. To develop and encourage leadership, teamwork, giving our best effort. 3. To increase participation numbers in 5th and 6th grade football. 4. To develop and maintain an in-house tackle football program at the 5th and 6th grade level. 5. To teach the fundamentals of tackle football with an emphasis on safety, having fun and learning the game. 6. To introduce Bomber football formations, techniques, and plays.

How are we going to accomplish this? 1. Make football a positive experience so the kids are excited to be part of the Bomber football program. 2. Make the barriers of entry lower for families. Ways we can do this: a. Less travel time b. Education on safety of the game c. Keep fees as low as possible. d. Make families aware of scholarship opportunities 3. Create a fun atmosphere while learning the game of football. Structure practice and games in a way we work hard, get better and have fun. 4. 7 man formation creates opportunities for more players to touch the ball and be part of the action. 5. Teams of mixed 5th and 6th graders will be split as evenly as possible to ensure a competitive atmosphere. a. We plan on having each player learn a skill position and the line position on offense. b. We will have two quarterbacks per team. 1- 5th grader and 1 – 6th grader. They will rotate series. c. Coaches will determine what positions players will learn based upon current skill level. Strengths and weaknesses. 6. Have players observe Bomber football varsity practices, officiated by varsity players, and play at halftime of a varsity game.

Coach, Player and Parent Expectations Expectations (what you will receive from us and what we will expect from you) You will receive our best effort as coaches o We are not professional or paid to be here. We are here to make this a good experience for your child and help develop them as football players and people. o We hope to put your child in a position to succeed. We will praise them on things they do well and give constructive criticism on things to work on. o We will hold your child accountable for their actions, teach them sportsmanship and teach them fundamentals of football. o We will expect your child’s best effort. What we expect from you o Proper behavior Missing practice. First of all I want to say it is ok to miss practice or games. This is 5th and 6th grade football. Since we are teaching accountability we will be asking the kids to run if they are late or if they miss practice. It is a simple way for us to introduce accountability. · Late to practice. One lap · Miss practice: two laps o Stepping up to help out where needed o Helping your child get better at home o Having a conversation with your child o We will do our best to have conversations with your child about their comfort level with different positions and what they expect from the season. Before coming to us with a problem please ask your child for their point of view. Not every kid is comfortable playing quarterback. o Most of the kids play to have fun and because their friends are there. - After the game ask them if they felt they did their best and if they had fun. Criticism of their play right after the game is much like our boss criticizing our work at the end of the day...we all need a cooling off period. Our kids are no different. SUPPORT THE COACH If you have an issue with the coach please do not ever bad mouth a coach in front of your child. It severely hurts your child’s view of the coach and the chances your child will listen to the coach. Parental Encouragement (proper behavior and sportsmanship) o Shout praise, whisper criticism o Parents are discouraged from coaching from the stands. It confuses your child and distracts them from the game. If you would like to coach, this is your time to volunteer. If you are not going to be a volunteer coach then we expect you to encourage your child and ask him or her to listen to their coach. Players need to hear one message so they are not confused. o If fan’s show poor sportsmanship or improper behavior towards players, coaches or fans any coach has the right to warn you. Upon the second warning you will be asked to leave and will be suspended from attending your child’s games for the rest of the year. Volunteering (many hands make light work) o We understand not all parents are able to teach the game of football. There are other opportunities to help. Such as: down and distance chains, assisting another coach with a drill during practice, or even just organizing the kids on the sideline. o Even if you can’t be there every practice or game - any help would be appreciated. League Philosophy (competition, playing time, positions) o Sportsmanship will be emphasized, we will be keeping score and there will be a winner of each game. o While playing time will not be exactly equal we will do our best to make it as equitable as possible. There will not be huge disparities in playing time and no kid will sit out a full half or two series in a row unless it’s for behavior issues, injury or choice. Things you can do at home (giving your child tools to succeed) o Play catch, have them run a route and throw it to them. (we can provide copies of playbooks) o Observe a practice and get ideas of things you could do at home. o Make football fun. How to voice your concerns (when, where and what is appropriate) o After practice is a good time to have a conversation with a coach. Before or during games or practice the coach is focused on the team. If you want to have a conversation, after practice is an appropriate time. Emergency Contact information and Medical Conditions we should be aware of. o Please provide coach with emergency contact info and medical conditions we should be aware of.

Red Black White Grey 1 Camryn H Bryer G Drake B Ben F 2 Owen A Jason B Peyton E Matthew F 3 Cooper P Marley C Jacob O Travis B 4 Ashton S Charlie G Logan G Richard C 5 Laef S Landon F Chris L Ryan H 6 Brooks R Trey S TJ K Finnegan N 7 Harrison S Charlie N Dace L Kellan S 8 Drake G Tyler B Eli M Connor H 9 Aiden M Nick W Ryley D-S Caleb L 10 Eli A Brooks Z Casey J Kingston C

Offense Justin R Jerry N Josh O Joel F Defense Clinton S Rich G Duane E Eric N Asst Lynn A Jeff S Sulo K Coty H Asst Bryan S Brett Z Bryant B

Rookie Tackle Coaches please complete Concussion Training. You can access a free course at https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html. I recommend you use a laptop or PC. The course does not work well with mobile devices. Training is good for two years. Please email me your certificate [email protected]

Tuesday August 31 – Equipment Handout at Keith Meyers office 108 4th Street North, Cannon Falls City Parking lot Red Team 5:45 to 6:15 - White Team 6:15 to 6:45 Grey Team 6:45 to 7:15 - Black Team 7:15 to 7:45

Rookie Tackle Coaches Meeting Wednesday September 1st 5:45 behind the high school

Equipment List – shoulder pads – helmet (inflate to proper amount – put name on front) – jersey (write jersey number on clipboard) - pants (make sure all pads are in pants knee, thigh, hip, tail)- mouthguard

All practices and games are behind the high school unless otherwise noted. Practice times will be adjusted as we lose daylight. Please be aware that the coach will call practice as it becomes unsafe to play due to darkness. Those times will vary based on sunset times and cloud cover, etc… Make note so you know if you may have to be a bit early to pick up after practice. Thank you-

Week 1: Saturday, September 11th Rookie tackling camp - 10:25 stretch Monday September 13th – Practice 5:45 – 7:30 Practice Plan #2 Thursday September 16th - Practice 5:45 – 7:30 Practice Plan #3 Week 2: Saturday, September 18th 10:25 stretch Game 1 Red v. White Black v. Grey

Monday September 20th – Practice 5:45 – 7:30 Practice Plan #4 Thursday September 23rd - Practice 5:45 – 7:30 Practice Plan #5

Week 3: Saturday September 25th 10:25 stretch Game 2 Red v. Grey Black v. White

Monday September 27th – Practice 5:45 – 7:20 Practice Plan #6 Thursday September 30th - Practice 5:45 – 7:20 Practice Plan #7

Week 4: Saturday, October 2nd 10:25 stretch Game 3 Red vs. Black White vs. Grey

Monday October 4th– Practice 5:45 – 7:15 Practice Plan #8 Thursday October 7th - Practice 5:45 – 7:15 Practice Plan #9

Week 5: Saturday, October 10th 10:25 stretch Playoff Game #1 #1 Seed vs. #4 Seed #2 Seed vs. #3 Seed

Monday October 11th– Practice 5:45 – 7:10 Practice Plan #10 Thursday October 14th - Practice 5:45 – 7:10 Practice Plan #11

Week 5: Saturday, October 17th 10:25 stretch Playoff Game #2 Playoff Winner vs. Winner Playoff Loser vs. Loser Tie Breaker is head to head 2nd tie breaker is point differential 3rd tiebreaker is tug of war head to head League Guidelines - Referees and coaches are volunteers please show them respect at all times. Keep in mind this is to develop children to learn the game of football, have fun and learn how to compete in a sportsmanlike way. Unsportsmanlike activities will not be tolerated and we reserve the right to remove players, parents, coaches or fans from the site. - Teams will be split as evenly as possible. - Players should learn and play a minimum of 2 offensive positions including one non-line position. - Coaches will be on the field to teach. - Once a player scores 2 touchdowns in a game by rushing or receiving, he is no longer allowed to carry the ball or receive a pass. He may play quarterback but cannot carry the ball past the line of scrimmage.

Scoring - Touchdown- 6 points - Extra point from the 5 yard line- 1 point - Extra point from the 10 yard line- 2 points - There will be no place kicks.

Penalties - Penalties: Blatant movement before the snap shall be penalized. (steps forward, contact, moving across the LOS) Subtle movement will not be penalized. (turning head, leaning forward, or flinching) - Penalties that put player safety at risk (spearing, late hits, targeting, etc) will be penalized fully. Players with two personal fouls will be ejected from the game - Holding- 10 yards - Offensive Procedure/Delay of Game- 5 yards - Pass interference- spot of foul (no more than 15 yards) - Illegal forward pass- 5 yards and loss of down - Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Personal Foul - 10 yards Two by one player in a game is an automatic ejection.

Overtime - Coin flip determines offense at the beginning of each overtime, and have alternating possessions. - Offense starts at the 15 yard line and has four downs to score. Upon scoring a touchdown the team MUST go for two points on the extra point.

Rules ● The game will consist of two 20 minute halves. We will play with running time during the entire game. The clock only stops during a called timeout or a referee timeout. Each team is allowed one (1) timeout in the first half and two (2) timeouts in the second half. Timeouts will be one (1) minute at which time the play clock will start. The ball must be snapped within 30 seconds after the ball is set to avoid a delay of game penalty. ● The field will be 40 yards long (plus 10 yard end zone) and sideline to far hash line. ● Because of the all players, all positions, all skills philosophy, there are no restrictions on jersey numbers or player positions. ● A turnover or turnover on downs brings the ball back to the 40-yard line, and the teams switch sides from offense to defense, defense to offense. ● Turnovers on interceptions or fumbles are blown dead immediately. No returns are allowed ● No penalty on the offense can take the ball behind the 40-yard line. ● Penalties on the offense that are called and accepted on or behind the 40-yard line result in a loss of down. ● Penalties on the offense called between the 40-yard line and the end zone in which yardage is lost, even if limited in enforcement by the 40-yard line, are enforced as written in terms of down lost or replayed. ● Tackles behind the 40-yard line are respotted at the 40-yard and will not count as a safety. ● All personal foul penalties include an immediate substitution from the field for a minimum of one play to allow coaches to address misconduct and promote good sportsmanship. We call this a cooling off period. A second personal foul by any player will result in ejection. Special teams: There are no special teams. There are no kickoff or punts. Each possession starts with the ball on the 40-yard line, regardless of whether there is a score, turnover or turnover on downs. There are no extra points by a kick. Offensive adjustments: ● Each play must include two offensive linemen – a center and a right guard. These players are ineligible for first touch as the receiver of a pass regardless of the numbers on their jerseys, and may not cross the neutral zone on pass plays. Player rotations may result with traditional non-lineman numbers at these positions for the purpose of fundamental skill development. The distance between the guard and center may not exceed three feet (1 yard) but may be closer. ● Quarterback runs must be outside the Ends. (No QB sneak) ● The offense must have four players on the line of scrimmage. ● Motion and shifts are not allowed. ● All blocks below the waist, in any situation, are illegal. Defensive Adjustments The defense is allowed to put three men on the line of scrimmage. The defenders on the line of scrimmage may not rush the A gaps. All other players must be at 4 yards or deeper. No blitzing or stunting is allowed.

Bomber League: Defensive Positions and Assignments

Safety: Align at 7 yards over the guard. Read the offensive line for run or pass. Vs. Pass - cover the deep middle of field. Vs. Run - attack the football from inside to outside. Corners: Align at 5 yards outside the Tight ends. Read the offensive line for run or pass. Vs. Pass - cover deep outside third of field. Vs. Run - Contain: attack the football from outside. Don’t allow the ball to get outside you. Middle Linebacker: Align over weakside shoulder of center at 4 yards. Read the center for run/pass. Vs. Pass: drop to weakside curl/flat. Vs. Run - Attack the football from inside to outside. Defensive Ends: Align on outside shoulder of Tight Ends. Explode forward on snap and key the foot of TE. Food to = break through. Foot away = bend into the play. Defensive Tackle: Align on outside shoulder of guard. Same keys as Ends.

Bomber Rookie League - Offensive Formations This formation allows players to learn the basics of the Bomber varsity football playbook.

Tight Formation Split Formation

TE, C, G: 4 point stance feet shoulder width apart. One foot splits. Guard and Tight ends have helmets even with belt line of center. Halfbacks are behind guards heels at 4.5 yards.

Varsity Offense - Player and Hole Numbering

Blocking

Power Right

BSTE: Safety Center: Block backside. Guard: First man inside (backer). PSTE: First man inside (Tackle) 2 back: “J” block end (block him out) 3 back: run tight to QB’s foot to get handoff. Explode upfield just outside of TE’s down block. QB: Turn butt towards play, pivot around and handoff to 3 back. Holster hand on hip and carry out keep fake to the right.

Power Left

BSTE: Safety Center: Block backside. Guard: Pull and lead up the alley. PSTE: First man inside (Backer) 3 back: “J” block end (block him out) 2 back: stay tight to QB’s to get handoff. Explode upfield just outside of TE’s down block. Keep ball covered with both arms. QB: Turn butt towards play, pivot around and handoff. Holster hand on hip and carry out keep fake.

QB Keep Right (18)

BSTE: Safety Center: Block backside. Guard: First man inside (backer). PSTE: First man inside (Tackle) 2 back: “armpit” block end (seal him in) 3 back: step over QB’s foot for fake handoff. Explode upfield just outside of TE’s down block. Run a great fake, keep pocket for football. QB: Turn butt towards play, pivot around and fake handoff to 3 back. Holster hand on hip and carry out keep to the right.

QB Keep Left (19)

BSTE: Safety Center: Block backside. Guard: Pull to the left lead around edge. PSTE: First man inside (backer) PSHB: “armpit” block end (seal him in) BSHB: step over QB’s foot for fake handoff. Explode upfield just outside of TE’s down block. Run a great fake, keep pocket for football. QB: Turn butt towards play, pivot around and fake handoff. Holster hand on hip and carry out keep to the left.

Sweep Right (38)

BSTE: Safety Center: Backer Guard: Reach DT. PSTE: Reach End. PSHB: Corner BSHB: Sprint to take handoff, get outside QB: Get ball to halfback, fake boot backside.

Sweep Left (29)

BSTE: Safety Center: Backer Guard: Reach DT. PSTE: Reach End. PSHB: Corner BSHB: Sprint to take handoff, get outside QB: Get ball to halfback, fake boot backside.

Dive Right (24)

BSTE: Safety Center: Backer Guard: Drive DT PSTE: Drive End. PSHB: Explode forward take handoff get upfield. BSHB: Fake away from play. QB: Get ball to halfback, carry out keep.

Dive Left (33)

BSTE: Safety Center: Backer Guard: Drive DT PSTE: Drive End. PSHB: Explode forward take handoff get upfield. BSHB: Fake away from play. QB: Get ball to halfback, carry out keep.

End Pass Right

BSTE: Block End Center: Pass block. Guard: Block DT. PSTE: Corner route. PSHB: Hit end drive him for 2 steps then run arrow route. BSHB: Fake power. Hit end if he’s headed for QB. QB: Fake power, roll to playside pass to TE or halfback.

End Pass Left

Power Pass Right

BSTE: Block End Center: Pass block. Guard: Block DT. PSTE: Hit end drive him for 2 steps then run arrow route. PSHB: Corner route. BSHB: Fake power. Hit end if he’s headed for QB. QB: Fake power, roll to playside pass to TE or halfback.

Power Pass Left

Halfback Pass

BSTE: Run deep post. Center: Pass block. Guard: Block DT. PSTE: Block End PSHB: Protect the edge. BSHB: Fake sweep. Throw to TE if he’s open. If not tuck and run. QB: Give sweep handoff fake backside boot.

Coaches Philosophy and Practice Planning

Skills and knowledge of the game We want to focus on developing the skills of blocking and tackling, focusing on being a good teammate and increasing the boys knowledge of the game of football.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICE • Practicing is an important piece to developing these skills. Designing quality practice is the most basic of all coaching activities and essential for optimal learning of skills and game tactics along with physical and mental conditioning. A quality practice nurtures athlete motivation and maximizes skill development. Some athletes are not motivated by practice and will complain about it and give poor effort during practice thinking they should save energy for competition. • One of the primary reasons athletes think this way and devalue practice is because they have experienced poorly designed practice sessions.

COACH JOHN WOODEN’S EIGHT PRINCIPLES OF PRACTICE PLAN DESIGN 1. Fundamentals before creativity 2. Use variety 3. Teach new material at start of practice 4. Quick transitions between activities 5. Increase complexity from practice to practice 6. Conditioning for learning 7. End on a positive note 8. Avoid altering the plan during the lesson

PRACTICE GUIDELINES:. Football players between the ages of 10 and 12 years old should practice 2 to 3 days per week with each session being 75 to 90 minutes

“Long practices are neither desirable nor particularly beneficial.” - NFL championship coach Tom Coughlan. One of the most common errors is practice sessions run too long. This leads to a loss of focus. Replace “How will I fill the practice time?” with “How can I use the least amount of practice time in the most efficient way?”

5 LEVELS OF CONTACT 1. AIR - Players run a drill unopposed without contact. 2. BAGS - Drill is run against a bag or another soft-contact surface 3. CONTROL - Drill is run at assigned speed until the moment of contact. One player is pre- determined the “winner” by the coach. Contact remains above the waist, and players stay on their feet. 4. THUD** - Drill is run at full speed through the moment of contact. No pre-determined “winner.” Contact remains above the waist, players stay on their feet and a quick whistle ends the drill. 5. LIVE ACTION**- Drill is run in game-like conditions and is the only time that players are taken to the ground. ** Thud and live action are on the clock. No more than a total of 30 minutes per practice. FOOTBALL SKILLS QUARTERBACK • Stance • Receiving an under-center snap • Receiving a shotgun snap • Making a handoff • Throwing mechanics • 3-step drop • 5 step drop • Play-action fakes and passing • carrying out fakes in the run game RUNNING BACK • Stance • Directional steps • Taking a handoff • Evasive running • Run blocking • Carrying out fakes in the run game RECEIVER • Stance • Route running • Catching a football • Above number • Below number • In front • Behind • Over the shoulder • Stalk blocking (Rookie and 11-player Tackle) OFFENSIVE LINE • Stance • Blocking fundamentals • Run blocking • Pass protection • Pulling to block • DEFENSIVE BACKS • Stance • Shoulder tackling or Flag pulling • Backpedal • Backpedal transitions • Zone drop principles • Man-to-man principles • Defeating a block LINEBACKERS • Stance • Shoulder tackling or Flag pulling • Defeating a block • Lateral and downhill shuffle • Zone drop principles • Man-to-man principles DEFENSIVE LINE • Stance • Shoulder tackling or Flag pulling • 2-point stance (Rookie Tackle) • 3 and/or 4-point stance • Defeating a block • Rushing the passer • Block recognition

COACHING CONTACT SKILLS BLOCKING • Body position. Correct body position leads to safer contact. Poor body position can make the head and neck vulnerable to injury. • Aiming points. The head should never be used to initiate the block. Disciplined eyes give blockers the correct aiming point and direction of movement to initiate contact. • Strike. Strike the opponent with the hands or surface (front of shoulder, top of upper arm and forearm) when making all blocks. Never strike with the helmet or facemask. • Gain movement. Use the snap of hips and continue footwork through contact to move the defender on run blocks or stop his charge and stay in-front of him on pass protection. SHOULDER TACKLING • Dominate your leverage. Depending on the position on the field and play call, players will either be assigned an inside-out or outside-in responsibility. They will dominate this leverage by tracking the near hip and eliminate the ball-carrier’s ability to run in the other direction. • Swoop to near foot position. As players enter the contact area, they will shorten their stride, lower their centers of gravity and get the leverage foot forward to prepare for contact. • Shoulder tackle: Athletes tackle with their shoulders, making contact at the proper aim point for the type of tackle being executed. Players keep their heads to the leverage side and make contact with near foot and near shoulder. • Wrap, squeeze, finish. On contact, all players secure the tackle, squeeze the ball-carrier and finish the tackle. The finish could be “drive for five” or a roll depending on the type of tackle.

GENERAL TEMPLATE EXAMPLE FOR PRACTICE Overview, Introduction to New Skills being taught and life skill – 2 to 7 minutes Warm up/athletic development – 10-12 minutes Water break - 2 minutes (small groups) Individual skill period (station rotation)– 40 minutes Center/QB exchange – 5 minutes QB/RB handoff – 10 minutes QB/RB pitch – 5 minutes Passing and receiving – 10 minutes Tackling circuit – 10 minutes Water break - 2 minutes (small groups) Team period – 30 minutes Offensive formations – 10 minutes Competition – 20 minutes Review and life skill – 5 minutes

Tackling Drills ● Discussion of heads up tackling, Illegal tackles: spearing, targeting, facemask, horsecollar, late hit, defenseless players. Discussion of Illegal blocks: holding, block in back, cut block, blindside, defenseless players, unnecessary block. ● Hawk tackle on knees (eyes through the thighs, cock, shoot, wrap, squeeze, roll) ● Hawk tackle standing - (same coaching points) ● Hawk tackle 5 yards apart drive for 5. Add the coaching point “step on his toes” to emphasize running the feet through contact) ● Hawk tackle at angle - swoop in, tackle near hip. ● Profile tackle (pec tackle) 5 yards apart, directional. ● Compression (2 man) tackle - 5 yards apart. One high one low, heads to to opposite sides of ball carrier. Heads stay out of the play. Higher man strips ball. ● Low tackle. Wrap and squeeze the knees, step on his toes. Roll and land on him. ● Tackle from behind - wrap and roll, punch ball. ● Open field angle TACKLE with cutback. (run the inside hip, do not allow cutback) ● Tackle Wheels tackle circuit - head on, chasing, lateral L/R, angle toward L/R. ● Lift partner and drive for 5. ● Open field tackle - shimmy to BC until he turns his hip, then attack near hip.

Defensive back drills ● Backpedal technique - inside foot forward. Chest over toes. Stay low in hips. Head forward. Use your arms (pump as fast as your feet). ● Opening Hips- Same principles as above. Coach points ball in direction as players open hips. Turn run vertical, react inside, or drive forward based on coach’s signal with football. ● Man coverage - start in backpedal, keep inside leverage, melt to his inside hip, watch his belt buckle for cut. Burst to inside hip and key the hands, intercept/knock down ball in front of the receiver's far hand ● Square Drill (10 yard square) - DB backswoops on snap, coach drops, looks at a cone and throws toward it. DB read coaches eyes and shoulders and breaks for pick. ● Get off blocks - sink hips, same foot strike, push pull outside

LInebacker Drills

● Stance and reads. Buttdown, chest up, weight on balls of feet. Roll forward anticipating snap and ready to attack football. ● Inside backer - Guard Reads: down block right, down block left, reach left, reach right, coming at LB, pass, pull left/right,. The guard’s butt takes you to the football. Fill first open window to the football in the direction the butt read gives you. Attack the LOS don’t run laterally. ● Strike, Rip, Tackle near hip. - with ballcarrier running toward outside. Keep inside lev on BC.

Tackle Inside Hip

Rip pastBL 2

BL1 Hand Strike - Get near foot down, explosive punch.

SPUR

● Run Through drill - vs. line of blockers with hand shields. Ballcarrier behind running toward outside. Bust through the first open window and keep inside leverage on ball. Avoid running laterally to football. Low pad level, explode past blockers.

B B B L L L

Bag drill

Maze Drill

Baskett Agility

● FORCE drill - Attack football. Attack blockers with outside leverage. Vs. 1st blocker use punch technique (near foot strike), vs. 2nd blocker rip through. Destroy outer half of blockers and tackle ballcarrier outside hip. BC Tackle Outside Hip

BL 2 Rip

BL1 Strike

SPUR

Defensive Line Drill Sequence

Each pair needs a hand shield

1. GET OFFS on coach pass set fast and low. With or without chutes. Race 5 yards and dive on pad. 2. Shifts 3. Get offs with coach reads. coach block stimulus (move right, move left, pass set, pass set and screen/retrace) Read the near foot of the coach as you blast forward. Foot to: Bust Through Get upfield fast and low. Foot away, bend into the play: DT: plant outside foot, turn momentum as low and tight as possible. Put 2 cones on midline for aim point. DT 1 yard deep end 2 yards deep. Break down at cone. 4. Get offs vs. partner. with foot read. pass set - get to QB. foot away - bend into the play run the heel line. Foot to - rip past speed rush then stay tight to inside of your gap. Change up the snap count. 3 each way and 3 more with game on. 5. Spin toward pressure. Vs. partner 6. Get offs with arm punch & spin- get off & blocker squares up on you press out blocker to get separation, get inside hand position punch with base of hands and explosively punch out, fight straight into the pressure. 7. Game technique. Foot to - loop across his face. Other reads are the same. 8. Pinching Start wide to simulate, Rip across face and read foot, both directions.

9. Bend Speed Drill - Race vs. partner DL DL

Offensive Drills

8. Blocking -

Lead Block - Run at defender. Attack, stay low and drive defender where you want him to go.

Read block - Run at defender. Take defender where he wants to go. Running back cuts off of block

Edge Block - get to edge defender. Attack outside armpit and drive inside. Head upfield and get hips around or ‘butt to ball’.

QB - RB Exchange - Smelly armpit toward QB - Hide Ball (cover with both hands) - Let ball hit your belly - High step through bags - Carry out good fakes - Don’t unwrap until Xmas - Attack defenders with eyes - QB grabs hip on fakes - QB ball on hip on keeps

Handoff work (coach or center snaps ball) - set up bags for hole assignments a. 2-4 dive right b. 3-3 dive left c. 2-3 power left d. 3-2 power right e. 2-9 sweep left f. 3-8 sweep right g. 1-9 QB left (fake 2-3) h. 1-8 QB keep right (fake 3-4)

QB Passing Route Drill

Offensive Line Indy Drills ● Chutes - Low and Fast, Aim for belt ● Weight on insides of feet ● Centers with ball snap as much as possible

2. Dive block - vertical, use shoulder 3. Reach block - reach and then drive vertical 4. 2nd level block - attack with shoulder and finish with hands 5. Double team - hips together, work heads up field 6. Blocking assignments work with no running backs - see plays (center snaps ball) a. 2-4 dive right b. 3-3 dive left c. 2-3 power left d. 3-2 power right e. 2-9 sweep left f. 3-8 sweep right g. 1-9 QB left (fake 2-3) h. 1-8 QB keep right (fake 3-4)

PRACTICE PLANS -

Week 1 Practice 1 Rooke Tackle Camp Day 5 minutes Team Talk Being on time Working hard Being a good teammate Learning together What does hustle mean. (jog/run…no walking between stations) If I hear you say I can’t…what I hear is ‘I won’t try’ Rule for late or missed practice Late 100 yard down and back Missed 2 – 100 yard down and backs

10 minutes Team Stretch with baskett and football movements Front kick, side kick, Knee to chest, lunge, step-heel down – cowboys High knees Shuffle Running sideways turn hips – backpedal turn and burn Backpedal Move backwards…coach direction move the ball turn hips with ball 10 yard swoop -gaining ground toward ball Defense 10 yard sprint off ball Offense 10 yard sprint off ball

Rookie Tackle Circuit Picture station Team Competition Obstacle Course Tug of War

Practice #2 5 minutes Team Talk Being on time Working hard What does hustle mean. (jog/run…no walking between stations) If I hear you say I can’t…what I hear is ‘I won’t try’ Rule for late or missed practice Late 100 yard down and back Missed 2 – 100 yard down and backs

30 minutes Indy drills 7 minute stations #1 QB / RB handoff, fakes, blocks. Set out cone as target. If lead blocker they pick up padded coach. If no lead blocker, runner stiff arms or lowers shoulder to pad #2 Blocking (see blocking series in book) Low and fast – aim for belt of player you’re blocking Head to play side Drive your feet #3 Linebacker stance. Strike – rip and tackle drill in drill series #4 Defensive Line Rip, swim, pursue….bend speed drill series 5 minutes water 35 minutes running plays – 5 plays and then rotate offense and defense (if enough coaches). If not- 3 offensive teams and one defense. Switch defense after 6 plays. Keep it simple. Power, toss, post, dive, curls 4 minutes low plank challenge. Mental toughness and getting better each time. 30 seconds – 45 seconds and last man standing 2 minutes wrap up. Coach Sticker Handouts Winning Team- Hustle player of the week for each team-

Winning Team- Hustle player of the week for each team-

Practice #3 5 minutes Team Talk What we’re doing today. Hard Work trumps talent Talk about focusing on 2 positions on offense. On each team we want one QB that is in 6th grade and one that is in 5th grade. They will rotate each possession. Some players will be Line and TE, etc…. Running for missed practice Late 100 yard down and back Missed 2 – 100 yard down and backs 10 minutes Baskett dynamic stretching Front kick, side kick, Knee to chest, lunge, step-heel down – cowboys High knees Shuffle Running sideways turn hips – backpedal turn and burn Backpedal Move backwards…coach direction move the ball turn hips with ball 10 yard swoop -gaining ground toward ball Defense 10 yard sprint off ball Offense 10 yard sprint off ball

2 minutes water 20 minutes Individual Drills

20 minutes All players tackling drills.

● Hawk tackle on knees (eyes through the thighs, cock, shoot, wrap, squeeze, roll) air ● Hawk tackle standing - (same coaching points) ● Hawk tackle 5 yards apart drive for 5. Add the coaching point “step on his toes” to emphasize running the feet through contact) ● Hawk tackle at angle - swoop in, tackle near hip.

15 minutes Two groups or 3 or 4 (Center, QB, RB and QB Receivers/TE) QBs change spots after 7 minutes Center - QB, RB - RB Running plays to all holes. Focus on Exchange, QB Footwork and RB exchange

Handoff work (coach or center snaps ball) - set up bags for hole assignments a. 2-3power left b. 3-2 power right c. 1-9 QB left (fake 2-3) d. 1-8 QB keep right (fake 3-4) e. 2-4 dive right (NEW INSTALL) f. 3-3 dive left (NEW INSTALL) g. 2-9 sweep left (NEW INSTALL) h. 3-8 sweep right (NEW INSTALL)

15 minutes – running same plays as above with line

3 minutes Water

5 minutes Team Race Drive for 5, shuffle, backpedal, sprint relay. Split teams evenly.

2 minutes Wrap up

Winning Team- Hustle player of the week for each team-

Offense #1 TE G C G TE Rotation

QB ______@ ____

RB RB ______@ ____

______@ ____

Offense #2 TE G C G TE Rotation

QB ______@ ____

RB RB ______@ ____

______@ ____

Practice #4 5 minutes Team Talk What we’re doing today. Being part of a team. And using everyone’s strengths to be the best team you can be. Playing a role and owning that role. Doing the very best you can. Late 100 yard down and back Missed 2 – 100 yard down and backs 10 minutes Baskett dynamic stretching Front kick, side kick, Knee to chest, lunge, step-heel down – cowboys High knees Shuffle Running sideways turn hips – backpedal turn and burn Backpedal Move backwards…coach direction move the ball turn hips with ball 10 yard swoop -gaining ground toward ball Defense 10 yard sprint off ball Offense 10 yard sprint off ball

20 minutes – Blocking 3 on 3. OL OL OL DT DT LB

Blockers get head on play side Uncovered lineman move up to linebacker

5 minutes water 20 minutes running plays against a defense (or bags) Red and black Grey and white

Power Left, Power Right (2-5, 3-6) 2-4, 3-3 1-8, 1-9 Power Pass Right, Power Pass Left

10 minutes team race 5 yard start, tackle dummy and drive for five. Sink hips, explode, use arms to wrap and drive back 5 yards.

3 minutes announcements/wrap

Winning Team- Hustle player of the week for each team-

Practice #5 5 minutes Working Hard and Doing your best All we ask is that you work hard and do your best Late 100 yard down and back Missed 2 – 100 yard down and backs 10 minutes Baskett dynamic stretching Front kick, side kick, Knee to chest, lunge, step-heel down – cowboys High knees Shuffle Running sideways turn hips – backpedal turn and burn Backpedal Move backwards…coach direction move the ball turn hips with ball 10 yard swoop -gaining ground toward ball Defense 10 yard sprint off ball Offense 10 yard sprint off ball

20 minutes – 4 on 3 station 4 offensive players. QB, C, G, RB 6th grade match up and 5th grade match up. Defense is lined head up over the G and C 3 defensive players. DL, DL, MLB Red vs. White at one station Black vs. blue/grey at one station

10 minutes then switch offense and defense

4 minutes Water

20 minutes 4 on 3 station 8 minutes and then switch Skeleton Passing running power pass right and power pass left QB, WR, WR, TE vs CB, CB, LB Red vs. blue/grey Black vs White

5 minutes team race 10 yard sprint – 5 push ups – 10 yard sprint – 5 squats Do it right!

Competition of the week -

3 minutes announcements

Winning Team- Hustle player of the week for each team-

Practice #6 5 minutes Practice Summary/Team talk Mental Minute (pick one) Late 100 yard down and back Missed 2 – 100 yard down and backs

10 minutes Baskett dynamic stretching Front kick, side kick, Knee to chest, lunge, step-heel down – cowboys High knees Shuffle Running sideways turn hips – backpedal turn and burn Backpedal Move backwards…coach direction move the ball turn hips with ball 10 yard swoop -gaining ground toward ball Defense 10 yard sprint off ball Offense 10 yard sprint off ball

35 minutes Offense vs. Defense Scrimmage –

5 minutes Water

35 minutes Offense vs. Defense Scrimmage –

10 minutes sled push team challenge See how far your team can push the sled in 12 seconds.

5 minutes announcements/wrap up.

Winning Team- Hustle player of the week for each team-

Practice Plan #7 5 minute Team Talk Mental Minute (pick one) 10 minutes Baskett dynamic stretching Front kick, side kick, Knee to chest, lunge, step-heel down – cowboys High knees Shuffle Running sideways turn hips – backpedal turn and burn Backpedal Move backwards…coach direction move the ball turn hips with ball 10 yard swoop -gaining ground toward ball Defense 10 yard sprint off ball Offense 10 yard sprint off ball 25 minutes All players tackling drills. 4 minutes (hawk tackle recap) ● Hawk tackle on knees (eyes through the thighs, cock arms, shoot, wrap, squeeze, roll) ● Hawk tackle standing - (same coaching points) ● Hawk tackle 5 yards apart drive for 5. Add the coaching point “step on his toes” to emphasize running the feet through contact) ● Hawk tackle at angle - swoop in, tackle near hip.

Tackle stations (5 minutes each) Each team is at station. Coaches stay at the station - Orange tackle wheel- roll directly at tackler – get low, aggressive arms- drive for five - Net drill, two tacklers, one ball carrier. Start with ball 10 yards back. Stay within cones. Attack near hip and make the ball carrier stay in the net. Wrap and release - Angle tackle. With tackle wheel – coach roll wheel one way (vary speeds) tackler closes in to near hip. - wrap and roll. Large tackle wheel

Water – 2 minutes 25 minutes Two offenses per team against air – QB, RB, RB, TE, TE

Handoff work -coach snap or center snaps ball if you need work on that - set up bags for hole assignments i. 2-4 dive right j. 3-3 dive left k. 2-3 power left l. 3-2 power right m. 2-9 sweep left n. 3-8 sweep right o. 1-9 QB left (fake 2-3) p. 1-8 QB keep right (fake 3-4) 5 minutes water

Race of the day – shuffle, roll race. A player from each team match up against other teams guys. 5 minutes announcements/wrap up.

Winning Team- Hustle player of the week for each team- Practice Plan #8 5 minutes Team Talk What we’re doing today. Mental Minute (pick one) Handoffs and Fakes Blocking Late 100 yard down and back Missed 2 – 100 yard down and backs 10 minutes Baskett dynamic stretching Front kick, side kick, Knee to chest, lunge, step-heel down – cowboys High knees Shuffle Running sideways turn hips – backpedal turn and burn Backpedal Move backwards…coach direction move the ball turn hips with ball 10 yard swoop -gaining ground toward ball Defense 10 yard sprint off ball Offense 10 yard sprint off ball 5 minutes water 25 minutes Individual Drills 25 minutes ALL players blocking drills. Break in to 4 groups and work on blocking fundamentals Offensive Line Indy Drills ■ Chutes - Low and Fast, Aim for belt ■ Weight on insides of feet ■ Centers with ball snap as much as possible ■ Get head to play side ■ J Block (blocking from inside out) ■ Arm pit block (blocking from outside in)

5 minutes water

40 minutes Two groups 1st offense and 2nd offense Center - QB, RB Running plays to all holes. Focus on Exchange, QB Footwork and RB exchange

Handoff work (coach or center snaps ball) - set up bags or cones for hole assignments q. 2-4 dive right r. 3-5 dive left s. 2-5 power left t. 3-4 power right u. 2-9 sweep left v. 3-8 sweep right w. 1-9 QB left (fake 2-3) x. 1-8 QB keep right (fake 3-4) y. Power Pass Right (fake 3-4) z. Power Pass Left (fake 2-5) Race of the week –

Wrap and announcements-

Practice Plan #9

Drill Series (5 minute stations)

#1 sled hit and roll #2 strip sack (ball on top of square bag) #3 interception – coach moves player with ball and throws it up to catch. Try to catch it at the high point. #4 one cut and go – player received handoff. Runs to cone, one cut and sprints upfield (10 yards)

Water – 2 minutes 25 minutes Two offenses per team against air – QB, RB, RB, TE, TE

Handoff work -coach snap or center snaps ball if you need work on that - set up bags for hole assignments a. 2-4 dive right b. 3-3 dive left c. 2-3 power left d. 3-2 power right e. 2-9 sweep left f. 3-8 sweep right g. 1-9 QB left (fake 2-3) h. 1-8 QB keep right (fake 3-4)

Race of the week – sled drive –

Wrap -

Practice Plan #10 5 minute Team Talk Mental Minute (pick one) 10 minutes Baskett dynamic stretching Front kick, side kick, Knee to chest, lunge, step-heel down – cowboys High knees Shuffle Running sideways turn hips – backpedal turn and burn Backpedal Move backwards…coach direction move the ball turn hips with ball 10 yard swoop -gaining ground toward ball Defense 10 yard sprint off ball Offense 10 yard sprint off ball 25 minutes All players tackling drills. 4 minutes Hawk tackle recap ● Hawk tackle on knees (eyes through the thighs, cock arms, shoot, wrap, squeeze, roll) ● Hawk tackle standing - (same coaching points) ● Hawk tackle 5 yards apart drive for 5. Add the coaching point “step on his toes” to emphasize running the feet through contact) ● Hawk tackle at angle - swoop in, tackle near hip.

Water – 2 minutes 25 minutes Two offenses per team against air – QB, RB, RB, TE, TE

Handoff work -coach snap or center snaps ball if you need work on that - set up bags for hole assignments aa. 2-4 dive right bb. 3-3 dive left cc. 2-3 power left dd. 3-2 power right ee. 2-9 sweep left ff. 3-8 sweep right gg. 1-9 QB left (fake 2-3) hh. 1-8 QB keep right (fake 3-4) 5 minutes water

Race of the day –

5 minutes announcements/wrap up.

Winning Team- Hustle player of the week for each team-

Practice #11 5 minutes Practice Summary/Team talk Mental Minute (pick one) Late 100 yard down and back Missed 2 – 100 yard down and backs

35 minutes Offense vs. Defense Scrimmage – vs. team you played last week

5 minutes Water

35 minutes Offense vs. Defense Scrimmage – vs. team you played last week

10 minutes obstacle course relay race.

5 minutes announcements/wrap up.

Winning Team- Hustle player of the week for each team-

Mental Minutes – courtesy of Coach Bucky Lindow

1. Driven to get better Urban Meyer (2 min)

I like having talented players as much as the next coach. That said, I think that we tend to overrate the importance of talent. I think we as a nation are obsessed with it. We want to believe that having talent guarantees greatness. We want to believe we can accurately gauge somebody’s greatness with times, measurements and data. What’s your IQ? What’s your forty time? What’s your vertical leap? What’s your fastball reading on the radar gun? Your SAT score? What’s your squat max? Give me your numbers, and I will tell you how good you can be.

But statistics don’t play the game.

Football leads the charge in all of this. Look at the endless reports we get from the NFL combine. Look at the lists spit out by all those recruiting service rankings, telling us that this guy is five stars and that guy is four stars, as if it were the final word.

Except that’s not how the real world works. The number of stars next to a guy’s name or where a school might rate on someone’s list of the best recruiting classes is nothing but a highly subjective snapshot. Maybe it will turn out to be accurate. Or maybe it won’t. There are even multiple Web sites that actually declare a national recruiting championship. I understand this is all driven by a huge fan following that college football has. The point is that a pile of numbers is not nearly as important as how hard a guy works and how driven he is to get better.

Mariano Rivera, the greatest relief pitcher of all time, signed with the Yankees for $2,000 and a glove and was not even in the top fifty prospects in rookie ball when he started. Aaron Rodgers went to a junior college because nobody thought he was a Division I quarterback, and he only wound up at Cal-Berkeley because the coach saw him when he was recruiting somebody else. Malcolm Butler, Super Bowl hero, was unrated out of high school, played at University of West Alabama, and was picked up as an unrestricted free agent by the New England Patriots. Not a single starter for either team in Super Bowl XLIX (49) was rated a five-star recruit out of high school. Think about that. I have learned that being elite is not about how talented you are; it’s about how tough and committed you are to getting better.

Being a Good Teammate

1. Spotlighting the Best in Others Tony Dungy (2 min)

Several years ago, the Colorado Rockies re-signed a former player and asked for his input. The player had enjoyed a 16 year career with 6 different MLB teams and in the process had been a teammate of hundreds of different players.

Before jumping into that year’s free agency market, the Rockies organization was looking at potential players to sign to their roster. The insights from the former player they had just rehired could be invaluable to them in that process.

“The most indispensable player in this year’s market will be Jamey Carroll. If we don’t get anyone else, we need to get Jamey,” he said.

To say that the others in the meeting were surprised is an understatement. Jamey was a 5-foot 9-inch, 170 pound middle infielder who batted .251 with no home runs and three stolen bases the prior season.

But the wise consultant divulged Jamey’s real talent: “He makes everyone around him better. He does the little baseball things, like hitting behind runners, bunting, and other personal sacrifices that won’t show up in the box scores, but in the process everyone around him rises to a higher level. He’s the best teammate I’ve ever had.”

We can all be like that – if we choose to be. We are around people every day who we can either serve by helping to make them better or dismiss and focus on our own needs. We can help them by being a positive example and doing things for them that may go unnoticed, or we can drag them down.

We get to choose what type of teammate we want to be.

We also get to choose whether we want to be around people, such as Jamey, who lift us up or people who might drain us. If given the choice, wouldn’t we want to be around the Jamey Carrolls of the world every day? I would.

We all have the opportunity to have quite and influence on those around us on a daily basis, making others stand out and shine. Jamey had a great year with the Rockies, and then with the Dodgers he was awarded the Roy Campanella Award for outstanding leadership.

1. Competitive Excellence – Stacked receivers Urban Meyer (2 min)

In the hours and days following Super Bowl XLIX, there were numerous interviews with Malcolm Butler, the New England Patriots’ cornerback, who had produced what instantly became one of the most heroic plays in Super Bowl History. His story was such a clear example of competitive excellence that we use it as another one of our primary reference points when teaching our players. We streamed Butler’s commentary throughout the facility for all the players to see and learn from.

In the final seconds of the game, New England is leading Seattle, 28-24, but the Seahawks are on the 1-yard line, second and goal. Butler a free agent out of University of West Alabama, is in the backfield for the Patriots. When the Seahawks break the huddle, they stack two receivers to the right. Butler has instant recognition of what the Seahawks are planning.

“I remembered the formation they were in, two receivers stacked, I just knew they were going to run a pick route,” Butler said.

In the days leading up to the big game, Butler had studied numerous hours of Seahawks’ film. The Patriots scout team had run the play in practice multiple times. And now, his number had been called.

The Seahawks’ quarterback takes the snap, makes a quick drop, looks and passes right. Butler explodes forward. He beats the receiver to the ball, making the interception and clinching the Super Bowl victory.

It was an outstanding play, and you know that made it even more brilliant? Two plays earlier, on a long pass play down the right sideline, Butler’s man made a crazy, flat-on-his-back catch, even though Butler had deflected the ball and had apparently broken up the play. Butler later used the word “devastated” to describe his emotional state in that moment. He thought he had lost the Super Bowl for his team. And then look at what Malcolm Butler did. He managed that horrific event as well as you can manage it. He turned his focus to making his response the best it could be. Like Kirk Gibson, he pressed pause and got his mind right. He changed the only thing he could change – how he performed on the very next play. He did his job brilliantly. It was the definition of competitive excellence.

1. Your constant companion Brian Cain’s 12 pillars of Peak Performance (2 min)

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper and your heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure I am completely at your command. Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me, and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great men. And, alas, of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work with all precision of a machine. Plus, the intelligence of a man. You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet. Be easy with me, and I will destroy you. Who am I? I am a HABIT! Author unknown

We become what we do on a daily basis. First we make our habits, and then our habits make us. We don’t rise to the occasion; we rise or sink to the levels of our training and habits. The secrets of success are hidden in the routines of your daily lives. As I think back to the Bomber Baseball players that were champions on the field and champions in life, I am reminder that they had great habits and routines in their daily life.

1. Energized by Failure Tony Dungy (1 min)

Thomas Edison made many attempts at inventing a working lightbulb with setback after setback. Yet he was confident he hadn’t failed even once. He had simply found ten thousand ways not to make a lightbulb. That’s a great perspective when you face adversity. In the effort toward any worthwhile goal, failure has to be considered part of the process. Failure in achieving a particular result isn’t really failure if it’s another step on the way toward the goal. It can be a vital part of the journey. I wish I had learned more about failure when I was young – how to handle it and even appreciate it. I just didn’t realize how often it would rear its ugly head. I experienced twenty-eight years of coaching with one Super Bowl and twenty seven years not so super. I saw successful people and didn’t even consider the struggles that might have been part of their journey to get where they were. But I’ve since learned that failure – in sports and in every area of life - happens regularly. It’s part of everyone’s experience. And if we’re afraid of it we won’t step out and try very much. We’ll never accomplish our dreams if we’re afraid of what might happen when we try. Don’t get discouraged when you fail. In fact, consider it a normal part of learning. I hope you fail less than I have, but you can count on failing sometimes. The most successful people have learned to be comfortable trying something that doesn’t work out. Success isn’t about never failing; it’s about persevering through mistakes and adversity. If you persist, even your failures can turn into a valuable part of your success story. ------2. Humility Speaks Louder Tony Dungy (1 min)

How often have we seen someone blowing his own horn – or trying to – only to have it blow up in his face? It happens on a regular basis in the world of sports. There’s the player who brags before the game about a sure victory because his performance alone will make it happen, and then he has one of his worst games ever. Or the player who is showboating in the middle of a play, high stepping it toward the end zone after badly beating the defensive coverage on a long pass play, and he drops the ball just before he crosses over the goal line into the end zone. No touchdown. As former U of Texas Football coach Darrell Royal said, “Act like you’ve been there before.” Even though my sport has been football, I respect how difficult the game of baseball is – especially deciding in about a quarter of a second whether to swing at a ball being hurled at ninety-five miles per hour toward your head. I can appreciate someone who just hit a home run running around the bases with fist pumps. But you show more respect toward the pitcher if you implement Coach Royal’s motto and express humility. In our baseball program instead of having a “look at me” attitude, we try to elevate our teammates and lift them up.

Who is your greatest competition? Your biggest competition is you! BY COACH GARY GREENO

Too often we fall into a trap of comparing ourselves to other people. They see someone who has a bigger house, or a nicer car, or makes more money, or has the “perfect family”, or has some quality they want, and in their minds they begin to chase after what someone else has.

There is nothing wrong with admiring others, or allowing someone else to inspire us, but don’t fall into the trap of comparing to them. Remember, the real comparison we need to be making is with who we were yesterday. The person in the mirror is the real competition.

Every night when you go to bed, ask yourself, “Was I better today than I was yesterday?”

The real competition is YOU becoming a better parent, a better spouse, a better employee, a better boss a better friend. It’s all about YOU and has nothing to do with someone else. The question you should ask every day is this: “Who am I becoming, and am I becoming someone who is better than I was yesterday?” Your biggest competition is the person staring back at you in the mirror.

Are you becoming a better person of character? Are you more reliable today? Are your convictions stronger today? Are you more positive today? Is your influence reaching more people today? Are you more determined today to reach your goals than you were yesterday? These are the questions you should be asking.

Franklin Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. If you are constantly comparing yourself to others, you will indeed lose your joy. You will be miserable. You will never really feel complete or satisfied with your life.

The best way I know to make sure you are only competing with yourself, is to be very clear and specific about what you are trying to accomplish with your life, and creating an action plan to follow every day. Make sure your goals are clear. Make sure they are specific, attainable, and measurable. Break down bigger goals into smaller ones, and celebrate the small victories along the way.

Knowing and believing in your purpose will be the fuel that you need to keep moving through the difficult times. When times get hard that’s often when that little voice inside your head begins to talk and tries to get your focus off what you are trying to accomplish and on to the comparing your life with someone else’s. Stay focused on become a better version of yourself. It’s ok, to allow another person to inspire you, but you’re not competing with them. You are only competing with the person in the mirror, so make sure you are focused on who and what you are becoming! If you are a little better today than you were yesterday, then you are on your way to real victory!