what position

Question
QUESTION: hi. my name is Rafael. I am 14 and going into high school next year. I am 5'9 and 160lbs. I'm pretty fast and strong and can catch very good. I have been been practicing with my friend and play with other friends so I'm used to playing different positions but I don't know what position to play in high school.

ANSWER: Dear Rafael,
I think you should give the tight end position a try. Most offenses place their two best receivers at the wide-out and slot-back positions and the defense knows this. Consequently, the defense will return the favor by assigning their two best defensive backs to cover those two receivers. This leaves either a third string cornerback or a linebacker to cover the tight end position. Unless your opponent plays a lot of nickel or dime defense the third string cornerback get little or no practice and playing time. And if the linebacker was a great cornerback he would not be playing at the linebacker position. A tight end with good hands and some speed can really hurt the defense in a big way. Let me know how things turnout and if I can be of any more help.
Your friend, Louis


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QUESTION: I think im going to give tight end a try. What muscles are used more in a stiff arm or what workouts can i do to improve on it? thank you for answering my questions.

ANSWER: Dear Rafael,
Talk to your football coach and see what he has to say. I am sure that he can give you some great ideas on what you will need to be a starter on his football team. Ask him about weight lifting and running to get in shape. The muscles (that you asked about) the ones used to stiff arm a defender are called the triceps muscles. You can build these muscles by doing a lot of bench pressing and many other exercises.

Remember your football coach is on your side he wants you to succeed and he can help.  Let me know how things workout for you and if I can be of anymore help.
Your friend, Louis


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Im at camp now. im am going for tight end! the coach saw me punt the ball and was impressed. how many yards is good for a freshman punt? is a 5.8 a good 40 time for a tight end. i know i could do better but i didnt have my cleats on.

Answer
Dear Rafael,
It is not important what I think, what is important is that your coach was impressed with your punt. So relax and move on. Next question, your speed.

Your coach is going to want you to be as fast as you can be, however every offense is different.
A power offense, requires you to block. A ball control offense, requires you to catch short passes. You do not need much speed for that. And the list of offenses is endless. It all depends on your coach and what type of offense he wants to run. You might try asking him.

Your friend, Louis