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Q: Dear Coach,

I'm going to be a freshman next year at my high school. At this high school we have a reputation for losing. Our record with our old coach was 2-36. The school fired him this year after this past season. They hired a new coach from a school that has a great football program and went to the state championships last season. I'm 6 feet tall, 210 lbs., and a powerhouse fullback. My question to you is, what kind of steps should I take during spring training to make sure that the new coach notices me as a player he might want to use as a back up fullback on the varsity squad? Or should I just go out for the freshmen team next season?

Thank you for your time,

Andrew T.

A: Hi Andrew,

There are not any magic or special things that you can do in practice that will guarantee that the coach will notice you and want to bring you up to the varsity. Coaches look for players who are stable, give good effort every day, are on time, who listen and who are always ready and eager to perform in every drill.

If you work hard to do these things you may end up playing freshman football anyway, but believe me your coaches will know who you are and you will be in great shape for the following football season.

This season it is really important that you get playing time during the games. Playing on the freshman teams may give you this opportunity. Have as much fun as you can, learn as much as you can and start out your high school career by working just as hard in the classroom as you do on the field, Coach Tom Bass.

Q: Coach,

I am a coach for a local high school in Cincinnati. I have been a coach there for the past five years. I have never played college football, but my career goal as a coach would be to have the opportunity to coach at the college level. I would settle for a position coach, since I lack the college experience. In your opinion, is it impossible for a coach with no college or professional experience to coach at that level? I know hard work and determination pays off. Thanks for your help.

A: Hi Coach,

It certainly is possible for a coach like you to become a college coach. Becoming a successful college coach does not require you to have played college football nor to have had pro playing experience.

I do think that it would be advisable for you to get as much contact with and observation of college coaches in your area. You are blessed to be living in an area of the country where there are a number of colleges at all levels that play excellent football and have outstanding coaching staffs.

You never know when a job opportunity may come up and if these coaches are familiar with you, there is a much better chance that you will get a call and have a chance to coach in college.

Your coaching ability and ability to work with the players and coaches will be the attributes that catch the eye of college coaches. Good luck and keep up the hard work, Coach Tom Bass.

Q: I am wondering how I can work on my blocking skills during the off-season. I play fullback, and my technique has always been just to blow up the guy in front of me. I am going to be playing in college next year, and I'm sure starting out as a freshman they'll have someone playing that isn't scared of me like in high school. How can I work on my lead blocking technique? Thanx,

J.P.

A: Hello J. P.,

Blocking a linebacker in college is much the same as blocking in high school. The big difference will be the speed of the defensive players you will be playing against.

Because of the increased speed, you will need to really concentrate on your technique. You may find that merely running into the backer will not be enough. As you practice this summer, think about your technique.

Practice moving directly at your target, try not to aim at a side as this will alert the defender how you are going to attack him. As you near the defender, shorten your stride, widen your base, bend at your knees and keep your back straight and your head up.

Explode off the foot on the side of your contact shoulder. Drive hard with the palms of both hands and make certain that you keep your feet moving in short choppy steps.

If you can get a blocking bag to work on this summer, try to visualize blocking through the bag and not just making contact, Coach Tom Bass.

Q: Hi Coach Bass,

I am hopefully playing junior varsity next year, and I really want to be a wide receiver. The problem is, I am pretty short [5'4]. I have great hands and pretty good speed. What should I do to help and what should I do to make the coaches know who I am?

James

A: Hi James,

The most important skill needed for a wide receiver is the ability to catch the ball. Next, is running pass patterns correctly so that the quarterback has faith that you will be where you are supposed to be on every play.

When your team is running the ball, you really need to be a willing blocker. Often it will be your block that will allow a running back to make a big run. You can be physical in your play and be a great benefit to the team.

None of these attributes require you to be tall. Your height is something that you cannot control, so it is important that you concentrate on working on the skills that you can control.

Go out and work hard and the coaches and your teammates will soon know who you are, Coach Tom Bass.

Q: Coach Bass,

I'm a freshman in high school. During the off-season, I've already played basketball and I'm thinking about running track to increase my speed. My cousin that plays for a semi-pro team says that he wants me to work out with the team during the summer. I wanted to know if there were anything else you had in mind to help me with my decisions?

Jacob

A: Hi Jacob,

Your cousin may really want to help you develop your football skills, but I really do not think it would be a good idea for you to work out with his team. The possibility for you to be injured and not be able to play next season in high school is too great if you practice with his semi-pro team.

You will be much farther ahead if you take part in your schools summer lifting and football program if one is available. Working out with your teammates makes you a part of the team and helps your chance of establishing yourself as one of the leaders on the team.

It is important that you speak to your coach about his idea. In some states you can lose your eligibility and not be able to play with the high school team if you practice with a semi-pro football team. You can always be a part of your cousins team later in your football career.

I hope you did run track. That is one sport that can really help your speed, balance and quickness, Coach Tom Bass.

To submit your question to Coach Bass, send an email to "Ask Coach Bass."

"Play Football The NFL Way" is the first Instructional Manual for Football Players and Coaches ever published by the NFL. It is the ultimate position-by-position guide of techniques and drills for Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaners.

For a personalized autographed copy of "Play Football the NFL Way", plus information on Coach Bass Sport Maps - the new Official NFL Licensed Football Guides to watching, enjoying and understanding all the action on the field, for all fans, please visit www.CoachBass.com.

For information on Coach Bass' In-Depth Coaching Clinics please visit Coach Bass' Clinics and Consultations.