football first timers

Question
Thank you for the answer, my cousin is really interested in playing linebacker, anything he should know or prepare for?
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
My question is probaly more of an opinioned style question.
I have a cousin who is thinking about playing football for the first time in his life at the high school level.What can he expect and how can he prepare?
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BJ -

Thanks for writing.  Well, yes, it is very much an opinion, but I would be glad to give you the best advice I can.  Hopefully, you will be able to take this info and make a good choice for your cousin.

Well, first thing I would do is to make sure your cousin truly understands exactly what he is getting into to.  Assist him in doing some serious research into the game of football, the time committment it takes to play, the potetntial injuries that can be suffered, the mental aspect he will need to know, and the physical shape he will need to be in.  He will immediately see that football is by fay the most demanding sport played on this earth.  

Just as a basic guideline, here would be a TYPICAL high school season.  From the end of the last season, players not involved in other sports will be expected to be in the weight room at least 2-3 days a week after school. Their workouts will depend on what position they are looking to play, but either way, they are tough. AS the school year ends, and summer goes along, your cousin will start attending 2-a-days.  These are practices that are split into 2 parts.  Usually the first practice is from around 8am - 12pm.  You get between a 1/2 hr to an hour for lunch (or to just pass out for a while), then start practice again.  So the second practice is from about 1pm - 4pm.  There is usually intense conditioning after both sessions.  In total, youre looking at about 7 hrs of practice per day, not including the break for lunch, and anything else extra they need to do that day.  The entire day leaves you exhausted, only to have you come back early next morning the next day to do it all over again.  This goes for about a month, up to the start of the school year.

Once the season begins, practice everyday after school, unless its a gameday (usually Friday night).  Saturday morning, while all other students are in bed sleeping, you will be up at the school, feeling beat to hell, studying that last nights game film, and preparing for next week.  Usually, lucky you, Sunday will be an off day.  Come Monday, back to the rotation.

Besides the time and physical committment, he will have to expect to be able to play in pain, with minor to moderate injuries.  Unfortunately, it is a violent game, and lends itself to injuries.  SO playing through these times are expected.  I know some guys are not interested in doing this, so if your cousin is one of them, maybe not a good idea to play. HE will get "dinged up" at some point that is a guarantee.  Is he the type of person that will persist through it, or would an injurt discourage him.  Only you 2 would know that answer.

To really make the difference, make sure he UNDERTSANDS the game before he tries out. This is probably the most important thing of it all.   And I am not talking about the fact that he has played a lot of Playstation Madden.  That game teaches nothing.  Get him a high school rulebook, a few books on the basics (offense, defense, etc), and start watching as much football as possible.  But while watching, start to apply what you've read to what you see.  It will greatly assist you.

Remember, your cousin will have a steep learning curve here.  Most of the guys he will be playing with or against have been playing for years now, so he has to catch up as quickly as possible.  Just doing the status  quo wont be enough. Needs to go the extra mile.

Best of luck and let me know hwo everything goes!

COach Perl

Answer
BJ -

I am glad you enjoyed the first response.  So linebacker huh? Well, its a great choice - for a certain mentality.  Its one of those positions in sports that honestly calls for a specific mindset.  It also asks a player to be what I call a "hybrid". Basically a combination of 2 or more different positions. A linebacker has to have the ability to perform BOTH major responsibilities on the defense.  Where as the Def. line is primarily responsible for rushing the passer and stopping the run, and the defensive backs are primary cover guys, linebackers HAVE to be both.  Thats what makes it such a tough position.  On one play, a LB takes on an offensive tackle full force to stop a running back carrying the ball, and the next he may be covering the fastest WR on the field.  Not an easy task to say the least.

The best advice I can give for a young player looking to be an LB is to pay attention to the game, listen to every word the coach says, and just be an athlete.  The weight training is very important, and speed training is essential in the game these days, but it wont matter if he isnt a good athlete.  Thats the basis of a LB.  To further the cause, studying the game is KEY TO SUCCESS.  The best linebackers arent usually great because they are the absolute biggest or fastest player on the field.  They are the best because they have the ability to predict where the ball is going BEFORE it actually goes there.  This is done by STUDYING the game, and the opponent they are playiing each week.  Most high schools take advantage of this to some extent, but it will really be up to your cousin to go the extra mile and master this aspect of the game.  It is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than the physical part, as he will soon see.

I hope he has success.  Let me know how everything goes for him.

Best wishes

Coach Perl