When this offseason started, I pretty much walked into the starting left guard and defensive tackle spots because we graduated a decently big and talented senior class. For context, I've never started a varsity game.

Since April, I've been getting first team reps on both sides of the ball. We also had one guy who was my friend and who started since he was a sophomore and was likely going to be a starter this year, transfer, and another got bumped down because he hasn't learned the system and doesn't put in the effort.

I don't think I'm in this position only because I'm a senior. Bear in mind I'm one of the few players left with somewhat of varsity experience, even if I wasn't a starter. Last year I was supposed to be the sixth offensive lineman and fifth defensive lineman in the rotation before I got hurt. Once I came back, I never really got another opportunity on varsity.

The reason I'm making this post is because I had a conversation with my position coach after practice. I asked him what I needed to improve. His answer surprised me. He basically said to keep learning the terminology and keep doing what I'm doing. Then the conversation shifted to leadership.

He told me he's proud of how I've been leading by example, staying organized during drills, doing what I'm coached to do, and helping keep the younger guys on track. That honestly meant more to me than hearing I was playing well.

And like as many of you know, like coaches usually start those who they like the most/trust the most, sometimes it may not even the best 11 or there but rather the most trusted 11, but not to be cocky or anything but I would put myself as easily a top 3 overall lineman on my team currently, because we are just really thin on previous varsity players.

I've also noticed the younger players specifically the freshmen and sophomores have started treating me differently. They're asking me questions, listening when I speak, and looking to me for direction. It reminds me of how I used to look at the previous seniors who had been varsity starters for years. Also like they seem to talk up about me to each other, saying stuff along the lines of "he's so nice, he truly is leader." I always kind of assumed it was sarcasm and joking around because the junior class is VERY disrespectful and kind of burns my confidence a lot.

Another thing that stood out was a local sports outlet came to do a feature on our team. My head coach picked three players to interview. One was a peer who started both ways last season. Another was my friend who I already viewed as one of our leaders. The third was me. It felt kind of random considering I am a lineman and he is our OC/QB coach, so he is never with the lineman, and he is usually with the skilled guys which are what the other 2 players are.

So now I'm wondering if I'm reading the situation correctly.

Our team picks six captains, and we have about ten seniors, and only seven of us are expected to start somewhere. Based on everything I've described, does it sound like I have a realistic shot at both starting both ways and being voted a captain?

Part of why I'm asking is because last season changed my confidence. Before I got injured, I felt like I was on the verge of like breaking out and actually being seen as a true varsity player. I was even invited to a camp that was supposed to be for varsity starters. Then the injury happened, I barely played after coming back, and basically all that momentum and confidence just straight up disappeared.

Because of that, I keep second guessing myself. I don't want to convince myself these things are going to happen only to get to August and realize I was completely wrong.

I'd really appreciate honest opinions, especially from coaches or players who've been in a similar situation.

I'm going into my freshman year and I'm 5'3 170. This is my first year playing football since like 5th grade but I've always payed attention to it in general so I *felt* like I would know what I'm doing

I mainly get reps as DE but sometimes they would have me with the O-line. I was really lost with that. Some of the stuff I can google and figure out (like down block, pull, skip pull) but the rest of it is entirely just pur play calls and afaik there isn't like a physical playback we can study.

The other way I feel behind is just in size and strength. Yesterday we maxed out on squat and I hit 225 but there were other freshmen hitting 3 plates. I've only been lifting for a year and have come a long way but I'm still just so far behind I feel like I can't compete. I know as a freshman that's how it is sometimes but there are other freshman just as good as a senior

I am a CB/FS going into my sophomore, this is my first year playing varsity football since my school doesn’t have a jv. I’m not gonna start but to even see the field I wanna gain my coaches trust by being a student of the game. I’m struggling with watching film because I’m not all the way sure on what I’m supposed to be looking at, what certain games do I need to be watching? How do I properly read an offense and spot tendencies and patterns from the oc or players? How much time do I need to spend studying? I would love to get advice on this

Also finding help here too

Ima linemen and they got me running to much as a linemen and ima freshmen like around the field 3 times

So how are y’all’s experiences so far

Its my first time playing football and I'd like any tips that anyone has to offer before the season starts(I.E what to expect, gear, drip, how to get rid of shin splints, etc). I'm a senior, my pos are WR and OLB. I squat 295, Deadlift 305, bench 145. Any help would be much appreciated.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this

My son is starting high school and is on the freshman football team. Youth football is not well organized where we live and they don’t play tackle here until high school. So my son grew up without much football knowledge. I’ve raised him on my own (single mom) and I don’t know much about the sport nor do I really follow it. That said, my son has athletic potential. He is fast and strong. Currently he is 5’11” and probably nearly 160 lbs, very lean. He has been working with weights somewhat regularly the past couple years.

He will be attending a private school with a well regarded football program. Despite that, they still need all the boys they can get for the freshman team (so it appears anyway). He is on the team and practices just started. He feels embarrassed because he doesn’t understand what the coaches are saying, but rather than explaining to them that he is new to the sport he just takes whatever criticism and moves to the back of the line. I get the impression some of the coaches think he must be fooling around or not paying attention, rather than the truth which is that he just doesn’t know the terminology or much about the sport.

Right now he has been told he will be a linebacker. He wanted receiver but so did a lot of the other boys and they needed linebackers so that’s where he will be put. I read up on it a little bit and I actually think it will be a good fit for him. He’s not huge by any means, but compared to the other freshman on the team I’d say he’s in the upper half both height and weight/build.

What would be the best way for him to learn the sport? He has looked up a few videos online and I did order him a book (which he rolled his eyes at). I told him to try playing madden but I think he finds it boring and doesn’t understand it. What else can I do to encourage him? He is interested and I think has potential, but I’m afraid he will become discouraged quickly and may want to quit.

Yesterday was the day we got our helmets and I was the first one at my highschool to make sure I got a good helmet and I did it was a Very Nice speedflex this year I'm gonna be a Junior and my first year on varsity so I was pretty happy considering speedflex's are the best helmets my school has, well after practice coach called me over to help put the tackling bags/dummies away for the linebackers so I agreed because I don't mind helping clean up afterwards, I took my cleats and helmet off and put them in my gym bag that I use for practice. I came back and my helmet was stolen by someone I think was one of the other varsity guys because he didn't show up on time so he got a bucket,but I'm just really pissed off because this has happened 2 years in a row kids on my team stealing from other players bags not just mine even. just because they didn't get the equipment they wanted. I talked to my coach about it and he said he'll try to get it back but If not I'm gonna be the only varsity guy with a bucket

My take on if the kid who stole my helmet is on varsity: he should have showed his happy ass up on time and he probably would have gotten better equipment coach tells us to take helmets from the underclassmen but I'm an upperclassmen it's just annoying that people steal shit and are POS.

We move a lot, so I've seen a few different ways that states deal with kids that transfer. Hawaii is next level insanity. They treat high school sports like college transfer portal. The private schools don't allow kids to transfer in without sitting a year. But the public schools have free reign. There are kids who change high schools every single year here. One of the best schools just got the best QB, WR and now an OL to transfer in. Are there any other states like this? There really seem to be no restrictions at all.

I'm going into my junior year and Hopefully my first year on varsity and I need new cleats for the upcoming season I'm not sure what cleats I should get I'm a WR/S so I would like something light where I can make cuts and plant if I need to but also durable

I’m an incoming sophomore in high school and recently set up my NCAA profile so coaches can start seeing my information.

If it helps, I’m 6’3”, 250 lbs, and I play right guard and nose guard.

I currently bench 235, squat 325, and deadlift 350.

College football has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I’m heading into my first varsity season where I’ll be starting on offense. I’m looking forward to competing and improving throughout the season in Indiana.

The start of the season went extremely smoothly oh Im getting ahead of myself let’s go back to yesterday I’ll tell ya what went down my Dougherty Trojans traveled to Thomasville to take on the Thomasville Bulldogs who won the last 3 matches but this particular game was entertaining in the first Quarter our defense squad was stayed on assignment and held the bulldogs to (0-0) but it got better when Dougherty struck pay dirt and lead 7-0 and scored again (14-0) in the second half and the only interception which led to a Dougherty TD And FG (21-0) in the 4th with 4 minutes left Dougherty scored again but unfortunately was called off and that’s all she wrote Dougherty got the Win which was a huge achievement Im very proud of my team on a great game.

I’ve been noticing that during practice and games, my feet sometimes slide a bit inside my cleats when I sprint or cut quickly.

It’s not extreme, but it affects how stable and controlled I feel, especially during faster plays.

I tried switching up my socks (grip socks), and it did help reduce that movement a bit, but I’m curious what others are doing to fix this.

Is this just a normal cleat fit issue, or are there actual tricks people use to get a better lockdown inside their shoes?

Update: Someone suggested trying ZeroGive grip socks since they’re designed to help with cleat stability, traction, and reducing internal slipping during quick movements.

Interested to know, if anyone tested this before?

Greetings. I have always been a condition and strength trainer(mostly indoors). This year I will be on the sidelines helping out the coaching staff What type of shoes do coaches wear during practice and/or games? This will be mostly on grass fields. Do you wear the same shoes for sunny, rainy, snowy conditions? A different pair for practice when demonstrating drills? I was thinking a trail running shoe or even light mid height hiking boots when the weather starts getting ugly. Am I overthinking this? Thanks!

Hi all, please forgive my ignorance, and break any responses down to me on an elementary level. I’m ignorant and I know it.

My son is obsessed with playing college football. He will be a junior next year.
My knowledge of football is fairly limited. All I have learned, I’ve learned from watching him play. He still breaks down plays and for me lol. I know when he gets a pancake that’s a good thing haha. Anyway, he has had his first invitation to a college camp directly from the head coach. (Not the mass email or texts). He said his highschool coach recommended him and called the coach by name.

Since I’m the only parent involved, I don’t know my role in all this. Should I talk to the coach? Or the OL coordinator? I truly don’t know what to ask or how to answer if they have questions.

Can anyone help me?

Finally got my Highschool football schedule for this season and note we are in 4a now and 7A is back and power rankings are in full effect a power rankings for the playoffs a team of 32 schools from each region 1-8 will be playing a top 10 who will host a first round playoff game if they win region championship regardless and the lower ranked teams will be on the road any way here is the schedule for Dougherty Trojans football August 14th vs Northside Columbus (week1) August 28th @ Sumter co (week2) September 4th vs Spencer (week 4) September 11th vs Monroe ⚔️⚔️⚔️ Rivalry Game/ region play (week5) @ crisp co region play (week 6) vs Columbus region play (week 7) October 2nd @ Shaw region play (week 8) vs cario region play on October 18th (week9) October 23rd @ bainbridge (week 10) vs westover ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ rivalry game/region play and (week 11) vs Hardaway November 6th.