Submit your question to Coach Bass.

Note: Coach Bass receives nearly 100 email questions every week from NFLHS.com visitors. Because Coach Bass tries to respond to every question, you may not see your question answered immediately.

Many NFLHS.com visitors have very similar questions. Before you submit a question, be sure to read Coach Bass' columns about getting faster and getting bigger. Also, check out his columns about getting started in high school football.

3.1 from Haleiwa sent the following question:

Hey coach, I'm a bit indecisive as to what I want to do. I played football following my 10th grade year but never started. Even though I didn't start I feel like I can play. So here I am in my senior year debating if I should go to a JC and play football. But the problem is there is only one school with football here in Hawaii, UH. So I would have to go somewhere on the mainland and figure something out. Or perhaps attending a JC over here for two years and not playing but training, could I then attempt to walk on somewhere? Do you think I would forget too much or become so unfamiliar with the terminology that it was like just starting over again? Do people do this? Thanks.

Hi,

Ideally it might be best, from a football prospective, if you could come to the mainland, attend a JC, and play ball. I realize that there may be many reasons why this plan is difficult if not impossible for you at this time.

Attending JC on the Islands and training for two years may cause you to fall behind in the contact and practice areas of the game but forgetting basic terminology should not be a problem depending on which school you may attend after JC.

You might want to consider making the decision on which path makes the most sense to you from the standpoint of earning your degree from college and letting the participation in football be a secondary consideration. Focus on earning your AA degree from a JC so that you can have the grades to attend college and walk on if you still have the desire at that time. Coach Tom Bass.

Mike from Waterville sent the following question:

Dear coach, I'm going to be a freshman next year when school begins, I'm 5'11 180 and run a 5.5 40. The high school football coach knows me and my family really good, I'm friends with his son, and my big bro was his fav. player and we're from the same hometown. First off; I want to know if you think I have a chance of playing any varsity this year and if I do, do you think people will say it's only because I know the coach?

Hi Mike,

Playing varsity this season will depend on how you perform and the experienced players your team has on the depth chart in front of you at your position. Being friendly with the Coach and his family should not enter into where you are on the team.

To be fair, the coach must evaluate all the players and position each individual based upon their performance in practice, their knowledge of the game, and the contribution they each bring to the success of the team.

If you end up leading in all these areas, then you may have the opportunity to play varsity and if the other players see that you have earned this spot it should not be a problem for you. The challenge is to always remember that you have to earn your position on the team each and every day and not expect something to be handed to you. Coach Tom Bass.

Wesley from Great Falls, MT sent the following question:

I am 5'9 180 lb. sophomore and will be playing J.V. football next year. Last year I played left D-end. My long term goal is to start in college and I would like to know if you think that I should play D-end or WR, because I would like to start practicing my skill now and start tuning in for college. Do you think that I am too short to Play D-end?

Hi Wesley,

Before you make the jump all the way over to WR on offense, you might want to consider trying out for a LB or safety position. You have some defensive experience so either of these two positions may be an easier transition for you.

5'9" may be a little short for DE at a D1 college, but it may be fine at a D2 or NAIA college and right now you are assuming that you will not grow in the next three years, I know I grew over 6 inches in my sophomore year and you may have a spurt like that in your growth pattern.

Speak to your coaches, tell them of your concerns and aspirations, and get their input before you make a final decision to change positions. Coach Tom Bass.

Max from England, UK sent the following question:

Hey Coach, Just graduated from high school now and I am going to university in England. I really want to play football there but I have no idea where to play. I've played before but not competitively just on the field with friends. I am 6ft 1, 215llbs and run the 40 in 4-9. I've watched the game for years and know all the positions and their roles I just don't know what will suit me please give me your view. Thanks Max

Hi Max,

Congratulations and I hope your experience at university is good one in the UK. There are now a number of colleges in the UK that field an American Football team, so I would check with your school first and see if they have one available.

There are also a number of amateur teams all over England that play our US style of football. You may be able to find one in your area and see if you can try out with them. Their season usually runs in the spring of the year.

With most of these teams there will be a cost connected with playing. This is often a fee to belong to the team, you may need to furnish your own equipment, and you may have to pay for your travel cost with the team.

Check first with your University and then go to www.bafl.org.uk for information regarding the British American football League and www.bcafl.org for British Collegiate American Football information. I feel certain that you can find a team to join that you will enjoy. Coach Tom Bass.

Eric from San Diego sent the following question:

Hi Coach, my coaches say I'm a big corner at 6'0" and 183 lbs. but I'm still very fast. I run a 4.38 40 yard dash. How do you think colleges would look upon those measurables alone because I don't have much tape of me playing. Do you think that I am a good sized corner? I hear on TV that height is ideal for corners in today's game and the position seems to come natural to me.

Hi Eric,

Based solely on your size and speed, I would have to say that you are ideal for the corner position. It is important for you to realize that college coaches look at so much more that physical proportions.

They are going to evaluate your toughness, how you compete at all times during the game, your basic coverage skills, your hands and interception ability, and of course your grades and test scores.

You need to be seen in a positive light in as many areas as you can and not merely rely on your size and speed.

You are starting with what many other players at your position do not have, now it is up to you to make sure your work hard enough to develop the total package so the coaches are sure about you as person on the field and in the classroom. 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 Buccaneers.

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.

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