Good afternoon. Just a brief reminder and some updates about 7th Grade Football and preparation for the upcoming season.
***All wishing to participate in 7th grade football next season must attend the Fundraiser Organizational Meeting tomorrow morning (Fri. 2/27) at 6:30 am in the gymnasium. Players are to bring the fundraiser worksheet they were given last week and their chromebook to the meeting.
***There are no spring morning workouts for upcoming 7th graders (current 6th graders). Some confusion has arisen due to the fact that upcoming 8th graders are conducting workouts in the mornings before school. We do not begin lifting weights with our athletes until the spring before their 8th grade year.
***Order forms for Spirit Packs will be sent out in April and collected along with dues on May 1st.
***It has been brought to my attention that the Alabama High School Athletic Association does not allow mandatory practices during the preseason. I am well aware of the rule and stated that if someone were going to miss a session during the summer that they should let us know beforehand. Nonetheless, I did use the term ̈mandatory ̈ in the Parent Information Sheet sent out last week. Allow me to correct my mistake. All rising seventh grade football players are cordially invited to participate in the conditioning/practice sessions held this summer. Two things will occur during these sessions:
1. We will ensure that each player is physically prepared to participate in practice once the season starts. This is a process that takes time. The headlines are filled each year with instances of heat related injuries to football players who were ill-prepared to deal with the heat of August practice. I am proud of the fact that in nearly 20 years as a head coach I have never had one of those incidents and will not begin this year.
2. The concepts within our offense, defense, and kicking games will be taught during this time. Also, the drills we incorporate to reinforce these concepts will be taught and performed. The fundamentals developed in these drills are a matter of muscle memory that can only be developed over time. Our coaching staff will be working diligently over the summer to foster these skills in our athletes.
*To be clear, do not change any of your summer plans. Go on vacation, play other sports, enjoy your summer. We schedule summer conditioning early in the morning so as not to interfere with these things. If a player is going out of town or will otherwise be unable to attend, we simply ask that he communicate that with us ahead of time so our staff can plan accordingly.
Thanks again and we look forward to getting started. Go Bucs!
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Mike McCombs