Totally agree Allan. I still correct things, but more of a that’s ok, let’s take this to the next level. Sometimes it’s “c’mon get the glove dirty” not 100% positive but not screaming at the kid. Sounds like a great approach you have. We did one season of PW at LCC and it didn’t really take. My kid was just above minimum player about a 12-20 plays? Last year he just played on the 8th grade flag team which was just as meh for him, but it wasted a lot less time.
Now he’s all the sudden caught up and passed him mom height wise (he’s now a 5’11” 170 9th grader) and playing OT/DT. Still hasn’t caught dad yet, but in 9th grade I was 5’7″ 130 and shot to over 6’0″ by middle of 10th. (like a dummy I quit playing football, didn’t know I would blow past my scary bearded 9th grade teammates). I ended up perfect sized for a LB. I was three-year starter at point guard, and a SS/CF/P type kid with tons of natural skills, but no size. I just figured I was a puss as a 9th grade QB getting my clock cleaned so I quit playing. Dumb Dumb as I was showing signs of being a ferocious OLB with a nose for the ball. Sacks, lead team in tackles, but again I felt weak so I figured it wasn’t for me. The seemingly strong kids were mostly as it turned out just already full grown.
So I’ve told my kids keep after it, don’t worry you’ll fill out in time, especially mom being so tall. In baseball of course you go from an ok hitter to Whoa when you shoot up those 6-8 inches in a year. Fun stuff. By the way I never bothered playing college basketball either. All that wanted me were D-3 schools so I had a hissy fit and joined the Air Force (enlisted). Then spent most of my free time trying to get my degree, as I really should have gone to college.
I actually have the kids at a small school fo various reasons,(though we played Fallbrook tough last year) but…so that if they want to experience HS football they can even though baseball is number one. You can’t beat the HS football experience. It’s really hard at say LCC to do both because there so many good athletes, that unless you are a freak you are just a number. You end up having to commit to one or the other.
