My flag football kids...

[Mr. Scot]

...look like they couldn't catch a cold this season

 

The age group is 6th to 8th grade, so unfortunately for me some of the best players I've had in years past are now playing regular football.  The group that's left?  Great bunch of kids, but let's just say their receiving skills are...inconsistent.

 

I'm working with the ones having the toughest time the most.  And while I've been doing this for a bit and have my own ideas, I also know we've got some other part time (and even full time) coaches who post here.   I definitely wouldn't mind hearing from anyone else who coaches about your preferred methods for improving pass catching prowess.

 

So...Ideas?

[Brooklyn Bully]

Get them away from their phones, their TV, their tablets, and their video games. Make them play catch all day every day. Kids today are soft as hell. Well ... pampered kids. I live across from some projects and these kids don't have jack. They are always playing ball. And when they aren't playing, they're dribbling it on their way to the store to buy something to drink.

[jasonluckydog]

Mr.Scot is actually Lovie Smith..

you had us all fooled.

[Mr. Scot]

Ya got me.  I like McCown, but I'm benching him

 

The kids I work with are definitely not privileged.  Lot of single parent homes.  Not sure how many of them own video games.  I suspect some of the ones that do probably couldn't really afford them but you know how that goes.

 

I do encourage them to work on things at home but there's only one who I know for sure has a dad that'll work with him.  The coaching I get to do is about ninety minutes once a week and then game day.  Gotta make the best of what time I have.

 

My buddy the head coach insists on a new playbook every season.  Sometimes when I'm busy (like now) I wish we'd just use the ones we did before but once I get started I have to admit I do enjoy creating plays.  And I love coaching.

 

Guess it's just gonna be a little more challenging this time than in years past

[g5jamz]

try throwing wrenches at them

[Mr. Scot]

try throwing wrenches at them

 

Already done.  They couldn't catch those either.

 

[cookinbrak]

Don't pass. Run the ball. Misdirection and end-arounds.

 

 

[Johnny Rockets]

Mr.Scot is actually Lovie Smith..

you had us all fooled.

 

 

He should actually have them scrimmage the Buc's team to increase the kids' morale. 

[Mr. Scot]

Running can be tricky when it's 8 on 8 in a less than full sized field.

 

All the plays I write do have run options though, generally after the pass patterns have cleared out the underneath and there's room.

[KSpan]

Student body right.

[MurkN]

Try a drill where someone throws a football to them but have somebody else throw up a towel or something in the air that could cause a distraction. The main focus is catching the ball and not being distracted by other circumstances.