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4. July 2008 by admin.
Question: What about the fact that Division II has no referees, score or playoffs?
Coach Pannell: We have tried to address these items this year. Frederick County Officials have agreed to referee all games for Division II. This is a big step for this level, one which we have always been a strong proponent for obtaining. As for keeping score, we did use the scoreboard last year for our games, but there were no wins and losses. We can say that we have taken away from the game, but remember that this is a developmental division, not a competitive one. Once you put a record on the line, then coaches spend more time focusing on winning than developing. This year, we are implementing an end of year “Challenge”, where we will have teams play a “wrap up game” with other Division II teams. Nevertheless, we will be expressively clear that there is no “Division II Champion”. We are even looking for teams to lock down their rosters so that they can’t stack teams for this event. In the end, we will look to be consistent with our higher driving mission – develop and prepare players for Division I.
O.K. I’m puzzled… how exactly do you use a scoreboard w/ no wins and losses. Did they mean to say they used a timekeeper?
MMYFCL has no problem keeping score in all 4 of it’s divisions and offers playoffs and superbowls to all of them. Hmmm… lets see… I’m a coach and I want to win the game. What to do.. What to Do?? Oh yeah… teach the kids the fundamentals of football. Blocking, Tackling, Running, Catching, Throwing etc. Make a rule so all kids have to play like MMYFCL and then coaches have to teach everyone since they know everyone is in the game. What a novel idea the NFL endorses. Just exactly how are you developing anything if you aren’t trying to teach the skills necessary to win??
End of Year Challenge? Whoopee… I can hardly wait to be the winner or loser of that game. Winning or losing isn’t a bad thing. Stop trying to avoid it! That’s life. Spend more time teaching kids how to behave and cope with winnig and losing and less time ignoring the kids who feel 2nd rate b/c they are in your Div. 2 program. Give them something to play for…it’s not gym class where there are no winners and losers but football. Here is a clue… obvious to most folks around. Start by knowing exactly what football is if you want to claim you are developing it. Please read the following definition and ask yourself. Is your Div. 2 really football? or some other malformed hard to recognize version of the game. It’s hard to belive some coaches have been around for so long and still don’t know what football is… Please read, re-read, memorize and learn!
football,[1] is a competitive team sport known for mixing strategy with physical play. The object of the game is to score points by advancing the ball[2] into the opposing team’s end zone. The ball can be advanced by carrying it (a running play) or by throwing it to a teammate (a passing play). Points can be scored in a variety of ways, including carrying the ball over the goal line, catching a pass from beyond the goal line, tackling an opposing ball carrier in his own end zone, or kicking the ball through the goal posts on the opposing side. The winner is the team with the most points when time expires at the end of the last play.
Get in the game! Do it right or don’t do it! I’m not even going to comment on the fact you are looking for teams to lock down the rosters so they can’t stack teams. Alright, I can’t help myself… yes I am… If you didn’t allow some of your lucky kids to play on both Div 1 and Div 2 you wouln’t have to worry about the coaches stacking teams. Seperate them and stop the crap. For years you guys have been moving players back and forth from A to B w/ no play time requirement at either level so you can stack the teams to win the game. Stop with all the garbage. Seperate the teams and allow the Div.2 players to gel as a group and work toward success as a team. I watched games last year where Div. 2 labeled players sat the bench, never stepped foot on the field while coaches allowed other players to play in a Div. 1 game and then again in a Division 2 game. That’s really developing players. Crawl out of the cave and see the light. One thing is for sure. This blog is being read and it’s forcing change and awareness. I’d go so far as to say there will be a minimum play rule for MVYFL next year in Div 2. Just a prediction… nothing more nothing less.
MMYFCL offers “Football” to all of its participants regardless of which of the 4 divisions they play in and I’m pretty sure they are developing talented players. I’d like to see a scrimmage between the Columbia Ravens National level team and the Bulldogs of Mt. Airy Div.1 I’ll take the Ravens and 50pts.
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8. June 2008 by admin.
The Mt. Airy Bulldogs are now in discussion again with the MMYFCL about joining their league. This topic is surely not going to effect the 2008 season so we’ll wait to water the seed on this discussion point until after the season is over.
Posted in Mt. Airy Bulldogs Youth Football | 1 Comment »
19. May 2008 by admin.
According to one local program they know how much sitting on the sidelines can be depressing. It’s stated on their website. Kids shouldn’t take for granted playing time!
O.K. Here is my opinion and just my opinion so don’t get too fired up…if you disagree then join an organization and re-live your past too. I’m sure there is plenty of room at the top for all of you.
Kids all develop at different ages and times in their lives. Kids on the same team may be all giving you their best effort yet the ones more talented should not be the only ones able to play. Let them all play. Sure the most talented get to play QB and Running Back and Line Backer most of the time but how hard is to teach all the kids that football is fun and can be a great game to play. Let them in the game. You can still keep the most talented ones in the game most of the time but if you plan on encouraging kids to come back year after year you better let them all play. You may be suprised that a 85lb ten year old turns out to be a 145lb 12 year old and kicks butt if he is encouraged to stay and let his body develop with his talent. I could go on and on on this subject but it would do me no good to persuade the folks who are living in the past. Times have changed. The NFL has changed. Rules have changed. But one thing that hasn’t changed… it’s no fun to sit the bench the whole game for kids. Kid’s quit if they don’t get a chance to play especially when they try hard in practice and just haven’t got the talent, skills, or size yet that some of the other players have already developed. Come on “Coach them UP!” Encourage participation. Get every kid to try hard in practice and get every kid in the game. Stop reliving your past childhood ways. Just b/c they did it that way many years ago doesn’t mean you have to go on making the same mistake now. The NFL agrees, Pop Warner Agrees, and the MMYFCL agrees. Every kid should participate! Dust off your fossilized iron man football philosophy and work toward the 7 goals below from the NFL Junior Football Development program that is supported by the NFL, The NFL Players Association, NFL Players and the NFL Youth Football Fund. Perhaps if you had coaches who made it to the NFL you would also agree with the them… the ones who reached the highest level of play… the NFL can’t be wrong can they? It appears you believe they are wrong. Perhaps you are more qualified than the NFL…I doubt it. Especially at the younger age groups like 7,8,9,10 and 11 year olds. There in elementary school for goodness sake. Can’t they get through puberty before you make men out of them?
Links for you to learn more… http://www.jccfootball.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=62
http://www.pesm.active.com/exec/NFLYP/7principles.cfm?publicationID=219
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19. May 2008 by admin.
The Mt. Airy Bulldogs have recently launched a new website with a Frequently Asked Questions “FAQ” page. http://www.mtairyfootball.org/FAQs.html This page is a tremendous help clarifying the Mt. Airy Bulldogs program and coaching philosophy and I for one and glad they have posted the new website and provided more information so parents can now make a more informed decision about the youth football program they have their kids play in.
Here are some highlights I found particulary interesting or useful:
Please visit the website for more details and the full FAQ’s page.
Posted in MVYFL, Mt. Airy Bulldogs Youth Football | No Comments »
6. May 2008 by admin.
The website now has access to online registration. I noticed a few glitches regarding the SSL but seem to be fixed now. Other than the fact that the FAQ’s link from the registration page doesn’t work I’d say it’s a step in the right directions for convenience. I’m glad to see this blog has resulted in some timely improvements to the process.
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29. March 2008 by admin.
Here is some content taken straight from this page of the Bulldogs website:
“Please understand that MVFL is a highly competitive level of football and players aren’t given playing time, they earn it. If your player has the determination to play and shows it to their coach everyday in practice, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t make it on the field.” (MVFL also has strict age and weight restrictions that can be found later in the packet.)
By the way the last part about age and weight restriction is incorrect. They changed all that and haven’t updated the website yet! There is no weight limit at Varsity and they added 20lbs. to every other level. But that’s another story…
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN ARE THE NFL PRINCIPLES found at http://www.nflyouthfootball.com/7principlese7fe.htm
Here’s Principle #3
Football at the youth level should be an inclusive experience. It is never fun at any level of play to sit and watch others participate, anticipating the opportunity to play if the situation arises. The youth level of football should be an equal learning experience for everyone, whether it’s a game or a practice. How often have you either experienced or witnessed a practice where several players are being instructed and drilled while a group of teammates stand around and watch, never receiving the same attention? Most often the group standing around has been deemed by their coach to be not as skilled or talented, therefore, the attention is paid to the so-called “stars” of the team. A coach is a teacher. A teacher/coach’s job is to raise the level of learning and skills of not only the most talented, but for everyone on the team, starting with the least talented. The NFL philosophy eliminates first, second, and third strings in both games and at practice.
O.K. Coaches and Parents… Here is one for discussion that is sure to raise some different opinions. Work together and sort it out if possible:
Don’t pigeonhole kids in one particular position because of their physical size and/or ability. In order to provide each participant a full experience and appreciation for the game that will last a lifetime, we encourage all programs to teach everyone every position.
As we all know, kids grow at various rates. A smaller child may develop late and become much larger than his/her present size indicates and vice versa. How many athletes has football lost throughout the years because of coaches taking the largest kids and making them play the line? These kids often experienced an entire football season without touching the football.
Kids should have the opportunity to experience every position. As Peter Brock, former center for the New England Patriots, explains to youth coaches in the Boston area, “What a tragedy it would’ve been for New England Patriots football history if Drew Bledsoe had been told as a big kid beginning youth football that he could not play quarterback, and was forced to play the line due to his size. Who knows? He may have dropped out of football like so many other kids in his situation and gone on to play baseball, another sport, or dropped out of athletics completely.”>
A youth coach’s job is to introduce and teach every position to every kid. Never make judgments based on someone’s size alone; teach every participant every position and they will naturally find the position they belong in, and you will be in a better position to guide them. “This content is from the NFL at www.nflyouthfootball.com” Please visit the website for more great information. I’m sure the NFL has plenty of good information to offer.
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27. March 2008 by admin.
The Mt. Airy Bulldogs youth football program officially withdrew interest in joining the MMYFCL recently. In an amazing turn of events the TJ Patriots “GTJAY” youth football program and the Poolesville Falcons all leave the MVYFL and get voted into the MMYFCL! It seems nearly every organization around them in the Mount Airy region has joined MMYFCL! Here’s the list TJ Patriots, Damascus Cougars, Linganore Lancers, West Howard Warhawks, Westminster, North Carroll, West Carroll, Urbana Hawks, and of course the Winfield Cavaliers.
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