Football Handbook

We are happy to welcome all players and parents to this year's football season. We are hopeful that this will be the most exciting and rewarding football season you've ever experienced. Our goal is to develop well rounded young men and women who learn not only the fundamentals of football, but also the importance of education, in an atmosphere conductive to developing sound mind, body and character - and having a good time along the way. We practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness. Our program stresses learning lessons such as, self-discipline, teamwork, concentration, friendship, leadership, and good sportsmanship.

We as coaches, will do our very best to ensure that each player is utilized to his utmost potential and their talents are used for the teams best advantage. The team comes before individuals.

Safety is our top concern. Many of the exercises, drill, and team rules are there to ensure your child is physically and mentally fit for football.

Each child is unique and develops at their own pace. We will exercise their bodies and minds in an effort to develop the skills needed to execute the game of football.

Desire is the determination to overcome an opponent, whether by delivering a solid block or by shaking off the block attempt of an opponent and going on to make the tackle. Desire is a state of mind, an abandonment of self, or form of courage and the joy of mixing it up. It is doing one's best at calling up whatever reserve power is available, and never quitting. It is playing both for oneself and for the team's interest. It is the exercise of a determined will, flowing from one's competitive spirit, that drives one to achieve his goal. Desire is available to all kids not just to a gifted few.

The belief that he can do what he has been asked to do. Football is a sport that builds it. The coaches yell and bark a lot, kind of like the military, but the idea is to get the kids to wake up. Most kids will get yelled at and be upset by it Parents will be worried by and begin to feel protective. The coach is just trying to motivate the player, to toughen him up, to prepare him, and to get him excited enough to put forth the effort needed to play football

If you don't practice, you don't play. All excused absences must be coordinated with the head coach. If you don't make an effort to attend practices, we as coaches are not required to play you.

What the coaches say goes. Back talking, profanity, or any form of disrespect could result in suspensions, or loss of player eligibility.

Respect other players. Remember your team mates are working with you not against you. Any unnecessary aggression or violence towards another player will not be tolerated.

Reward can come in two forms, verbal and material. Many of the rewards a player receives are from positive reinforcement from coaches and parents. Game captains will be used to honor our hard workers. However, the best reward is always a smile and a pat on the back by a parent.

Normally, running or up downs will be/not be used to discourage unacceptable behavior. Running is an everyday part of practice. A player could be asked to leave practices early for severe incidents (fighting or profanity). If a parent is not present the player will be supervised until the child is picked up. The last resort is to use the game suspensions.

During the first few weeks of practice the coaches will decide the best position for each player. In general, the fastest kids play in the backfield on both offense and defense. The biggest most heavily built kids play on the line. Aggressive kids who combine speed, strength, and agility play linebacker. Taller kids who have some quickness play end, offensive end if they can catch and block, defensive end if they can make tackles.

The quarterback is the one who has it all: knows every position, agility, good hands, a strong arm, and the ability to complete passes. He must be able to receive snaps, remember plays, and hand off the ball securely.

A kid's attitude plays a large role in the position they play. The kid who has a bad attitude will see limited play time. A negative attitude is costly. Remember the unsung heroes are the offensive and defensive linemen.

Each player will play a minimum of 1 play in each game including special teams. As coaches our goal is to get each player a maximum of play time. This will largely depend on the attitude and desire of the player.

Nothing in life, including football, is worthwhile unless you enjoy it and gain something from the experience. Sure, we're trying to win football games and we are going to set our goals high, but we don't want it to ruin our lives if we lose. We don't want our football team to believe that a football loss is a tragedy because it's not. All we can ask of our kids is to do their best. If we win, Great! If we lose, it's not the end of the world. There is another game next Saturday.

If you know of any coach in Tuolumne County that has a professional background, we would like his or her name. We can only do our best. We view coaching as an awesome responsibility, your coaches will:

Coaches must have the freedom to develop three things in their athletes: pride, poise, and self-confidence, We use the following steps to instruct the game of football.

If you have any problems with the Cowboy or Cats coaching staff please contact the head coach. If not satisfied with the outcome please contact the Coaches representation.

This equipment must be returned to Tuolumne County Youth Football & Cheer. At the season's end or parent will be billed for replacement equipment.

Parents are as important to the success of the team as the players. Coaches and parents must work together. Please keep the coaches informed about problems that may be going on with your child. If the child has been sick, taking medication, or going through some emotional trauma we need to know.

Parents and coaches must communicate with mutual respect. Parents and coaches reserve the right to postpone conversations that are getting out of hand. Heated discussions have no place in front of the players.

Coaches put in on the average 20 hours a week. Parents are asked to put in only a few hours working the concession, helping practices, working the chain gang, preparing or coming to ball games. With thirty + player, no four people can keep up with everything. In order for our fees to remain low, parents are required to volunteer four hours of their time per season or pay $20.00.

Normally practices will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday between the times of 5:30-7:30 p.m. The first four weeks before Labor Day will consist of 5 day a week practices. The first week of practice will be dedicated to physical fitness and drills. The rest of the time we will be in full pads.

Every week's practices are different. New skill is learned, problem areas are corrected, and new plays are learned. Your child will be at a disadvantage by not making every practice on time.

During the season, players should drink 6 -8oz glasses of water throughout the day (minimum). Each player should complete 20 sit ups and push ups each morning and at bedtime. Players need a high-carbohydrate diet.

All of us at Tuolumne County Youth Football and Cheer would like to welcome you and your family to a wonderful organization. If you have any suggestions or comments please forward them to:


	Football Handbook Return to: Home Tuolumne County Youth Football & Cheer Football Handbook We are happy to welcome all players and parents to this year's football season. We are hopeful that this will be the most exciting and rewarding football season you've ever experienced. Our goal is to develop well rounded young men and women who learn not only the fundamentals of football, but also the importance of education, in an atmosphere conductive to developing sound mind, body and character - and having a good time along the way. We practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness. Our program stresses learning lessons such as, self-discipline, teamwork, concentration, friendship, leadership, and good sportsmanship. We as coaches, will do our very best to ensure that each player is utilized to his utmost potential and their talents are used for the teams best advantage. The team comes before individuals. Safety is our top concern. Many of the exercises, drill, and team rules are there to ensure your child is physically and mentally fit for football. Each child is unique and develops at their own pace. We will exercise their bodies and minds in an effort to develop the skills needed to execute the game of football. TRAITS OF A GOOD FOOTBALL PLAYER Desire: Desire is the determination to overcome an opponent, whether by delivering a solid block or by shaking off the block attempt of an opponent and going on to make the tackle. Desire is a state of mind, an abandonment of self, or form of courage and the joy of mixing it up. It is doing one's best at calling up whatever reserve power is available, and never quitting. It is playing both for oneself and for the team's interest. It is the exercise of a determined will, flowing from one's competitive spirit, that drives one to achieve his goal. Desire is available to all kids not just to a gifted few. Confidence: The belief that he can do what he has been asked to do. Football is a sport that builds it. The coaches yell and bark a lot, kind of like the military, but the idea is to get the kids to wake up. Most kids will get yelled at and be upset by it Parents will be worried by and begin to feel protective. The coach is just trying to motivate the player, to toughen him up, to prepare him, and to get him excited enough to put forth the effort needed to play football The Love of the game: Just happy to be part of the team. Enjoys the competition. The willingness to play any position. TEAM RULES: Keep up with your school work. Poor grades in school and not completing homework could result in loss of player eligibility. If you don't practice, you don't play. All excused absences must be coordinated with the head coach. If you don't make an effort to attend practices, we as coaches are not required to play you. What the coaches say goes. Back talking, profanity, or any form of disrespect could result in suspensions, or loss of player eligibility. Respect other players. Remember your team mates are working with you not against you. Any unnecessary aggression or violence towards another player will not be tolerated. Take care of your equipment. Let the coaches know if your equipment needs repair. This is the key to safety. Wear you mouthpiece when required and keep a spare. Come to practice prepared to work Learn the rules of the game. Know the name of each position. Arrive on time for practices and games. REWARDS: Reward can come in two forms, verbal and material. Many of the rewards a player receives are from positive reinforcement from coaches and parents. Game captains will be used to honor our hard workers. However, the best reward is always a smile and a pat on the back by a parent. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS Normally, running or up downs will be/not be used to discourage unacceptable behavior. Running is an everyday part of practice. A player could be asked to leave practices early for severe incidents (fighting or profanity). If a parent is not present the player will be supervised until the child is picked up. The last resort is to use the game suspensions. FIELD POSITIONS During the first few weeks of practice the coaches will decide the best position for each player. In general, the fastest kids play in the backfield on both offense and defense. The biggest most heavily built kids play on the line. Aggressive kids who combine speed, strength, and agility play linebacker. Taller kids who have some quickness play end, offensive end if they can catch and block, defensive end if they can make tackles. The quarterback is the one who has it all: knows every position, agility, good hands, a strong arm, and the ability to complete passes. He must be able to receive snaps, remember plays, and hand off the ball securely. A kid's attitude plays a large role in the position they play. The kid who has a bad attitude will see limited play time. A negative attitude is costly. Remember the unsung heroes are the offensive and defensive linemen. When selecting starting player, attitude and desire wins over ability every time. CAN'T has no place on this football team. PLAYING TIME Each player will play a minimum of 1 play in each game including special teams. As coaches our goal is to get each player a maximum of play time. This will largely depend on the attitude and desire of the player. WINNING Nothing in life, including football, is worthwhile unless you enjoy it and gain something from the experience. Sure, we're trying to win football games and we are going to set our goals high, but we don't want it to ruin our lives if we lose. We don't want our football team to believe that a football loss is a tragedy because it's not. All we can ask of our kids is to do their best. If we win, Great! If we lose, it's not the end of the world. There is another game next Saturday. COACHES If you know of any coach in Tuolumne County that has a professional background, we would like his or her name. We can only do our best. We view coaching as an awesome responsibility, your coaches will: Get the players in shape Understand each players potential Work on individual skills for each position Work on team execution of plays Motivate, communicate, lead Coaches must have the freedom to develop three things in their athletes: pride, poise, and self-confidence, We use the following steps to instruct the game of football. Explain what is required Demonstrate the techniques Have the player perform the technique Explain the consequences of not performing the technique properly If necessary, execute the consequences If you have any problems with the Cowboy or Cats coaching staff please contact the head coach. If not satisfied with the outcome please contact the Coaches representation. Your Head Coach: Varsity: Dave Kreig or Mike Dambacher JV: Dan McHoul or Bantam: Lee Suggs or Don Macias Your League President: Dan McHoul PLAYERS EQUIPMENT Each player is required to supply the following equipment in order to play football: Athletic supporter Custom mouth guards, if preferred must attach to helmet face guard and can't be white or clear. Water jug Hand towel Football Cleats Players will be issued the following equipment: Helmet with face mask and chin straps Mouth guard Shoulder pads Hip pads Thigh pads Knee pads Jersey and pants (practice and game sets) This equipment must be returned to Tuolumne County Youth Football & Cheer. At the season's end or parent will be billed for replacement equipment. PARENTS Parents are as important to the success of the team as the players. Coaches and parents must work together. Please keep the coaches informed about problems that may be going on with your child. If the child has been sick, taking medication, or going through some emotional trauma we need to know. Parents and coaches must communicate with mutual respect. Parents and coaches reserve the right to postpone conversations that are getting out of hand. Heated discussions have no place in front of the players. Coaches put in on the average 20 hours a week. Parents are asked to put in only a few hours working the concession, helping practices, working the chain gang, preparing or coming to ball games. With thirty + player, no four people can keep up with everything. In order for our fees to remain low, parents are required to volunteer four hours of their time per season or pay $20.00. PRACTICES Normally practices will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday between the times of 5:30-7:30 p.m. The first four weeks before Labor Day will consist of 5 day a week practices. The first week of practice will be dedicated to physical fitness and drills. The rest of the time we will be in full pads. Every week's practices are different. New skill is learned, problem areas are corrected, and new plays are learned. Your child will be at a disadvantage by not making every practice on time. HOME CONDITIONING During the season, players should drink 6 -8oz glasses of water throughout the day (minimum). Each player should complete 20 sit ups and push ups each morning and at bedtime. Players need a high-carbohydrate diet. All of us at Tuolumne County Youth Football and Cheer would like to welcome you and your family to a wonderful organization. If you have any suggestions or comments please forward them to: TCYF&C P. O. Box 5113 Sonora, CA 95370 or send us an email at: tcyfandc@mlode.com Return to: Home