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| February 3, 2014
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Football Basics – The Rule Of 12

While many football beginners understand the field goal and that it is worth three points, the majority of you have probably never thought about the common term field goal range.

How does a coach decide whether to punt (kick the ball away) or to go for a field goal? How do you as a fan know how many yards the field goal is going to be?

You could wait until the announcer tells you how many yards or you can impress your friends and call out the yardage before the Joe Bucks of the world let you know.

To accomplish this amazing feet (pun intended) all you have to do is two things. Figure out what yard line the ball is on and add 12. For example: If the ball is on the 30 yard line of the opposing team you take 30 + 12 and you know that the offensive team will have a 42 yard field goal.

Why 12? Because that is the amount of yardage it takes to hike the ball and give the field goal kicker enough room to kick without getting the field goal blocked.

A few final points, remember if the ball is on the 30 yard line of the Defensive Team the rule of 12 is not going to work, that would be about an 82 yard field goal and that’s not going to happen until we get someone with a bionic leg. Instead of a field goal the Coach is going to opt to punt the ball away.

The longest field goal in the NFL is 64 yards and these are professionals at the top of their game. So when you are watching your son or daughter play you can expect that the Coach is not going to go for anything beyond 30 to 40 yards.

The rule of 12; Figure out the yard line and add twelve and you will be sure to impress your friends with your football field goal knowledge!

by Stacey Atkinson

 

Category: Misc. |
| January 28, 2014
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Practice What I Preach

This week Kaden started his first basketball youth league.

Like any obsessed sports parent I had been researching a few leagues and finally decided on the one that I thought was most organized.

My research consisted of hours of online searches, surveys to other parents, and a comprehensive spreadsheet listing the pros and cons of all of the organizations. If you believed this last line then you can also go ahead and send in $1000 to fund my continued research :).

All kidding aside, I did speak with some parents and looked up the websites, all taking about an hours worth of time.

My point, the league that had the best feedback and the one I choose ended up not being very organized. The schedule came out the day before the first game, and Kaden’s team did not have a Coach. Not what the website promotes at all.

We entered our first practice with a number of upset parents and no Coach. One Dad decided to step up to the plate and take the role as Head Coach. I stood there and debated on fading into the background, but then I remembered the article I just wrote about Leaving a Legacy. It was time to practice what I have been preaching and take one for the team.

Coaching has always been somewhat of a dream of mine, but for some (probably many) reasons once I started my career path in a different direction I have never gone back to it.

I am now officially Assistant Coach for Kaden’s 2nd – 3rd grade basketball team. I know, super impressive.

We had our first game Saturday and I had the very important duties of passing out jersey’s, making sure the kids were getting subbed in fairly, and a minor amount of instruction. But you know what, it was really fun!

There is nothing like seeing your son make his first basket, and it’s also exciting to see the other kids on the team trying their hardest and learning the game.

As the season goes on you will hear more about my Coaching experiences along with my likes and dislikes.

One final thought, as many of the parents were discussing the situation and the fact we had no Coach the majority of parents were hesitant to volunteer for one reason. They had already volunteered for Coaching their son or daughter’s team and had a horrible experience. Not with the kids, but with other parents…………

To put it bluntly parents, if you want to be a jerk and get your opinions heard, or make sure your son or daughter is getting playing time then Coach. Otherwise, sit down, shut up and be glad that someone else has taken on the responsibility.

by Stacey Atkinson

 

 

 

Category: Talking Points |
| January 26, 2014
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Richard Sherman Needs A Snickers

The 49ers and Seahawks game was a great game and came down to the very end. On the last play of the game Richard Sherman (Seahawks defender) tipped a pass from Colin Kaepernick and with the tip it was intercepted by the Seahawks.

When the game was over Richard Sherman had a speech where he was taunting and displaying bad sportsmanship to Michael Crabtree. Crabtree gave a speech and said ” well I was going to give him a nice job, be he just came and got in my face and that’s it, I mean I had fun and we worked hard”.

What Richard Sherman did to Crabtree was wrong and it should have been a penalty but this did not happen since the game was already over. In school we learn that taunting and bad sportsmanship are not ok, so why should it be any different for adults?

Richard Sherman was wrong and I did not like his speech. I think he needs to chill out and have a Snickers.

by Kaden Atkinson

Category: Kaden's Korner, Misc. |
| January 22, 2014
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Through Great Grandma’s Eyes

A few months ago my Grandma (Kaden’s Great Grandma ) was able to make the trip down from Grand Rapids to South Bend to watch Kaden play flag football.

Grandma is in her 90’s so making a two hour trip down and back for the day is no small feat. As she would be happy to tell you she is not as young as she used to be and getting out of the house isn’t what it once was.

Her knees may be shot, her hearing gone, and a multitude of other health issues, but my Grandma still has a very sharp mind.

As she came into our house she started with her usual compliments on how nice the house was, and how she just loved the wooden floors and so on. Only Grandmas can make a modest ranch house seem like a mansion on MTV cribs!

We started off with lunch and then Kaden’s birthday cake, and the praises just kept rolling. “Lunch was delicious, the birthday cake was wonderful.” She also spoke about the ride down and the beautiful color of the leaves and the fall weather. Very positive and very present. Living life in the moment.

On to Kaden’s game, and it just happened to be quite sunny and hot for a fall day. Great Grandma sat on the sidelines and watched Kaden practice for an hour and then play his game for another hour. We did our best to keep her in the shade and hydrated but I am pretty positive it was a bit difficult for her to sit there for that long of time.

Of course you would have never known that she was uncomfortable, she had the time of her life. Great Grandmas don’t care if their grandsons score, or run for a lot of yards, or even catch a ball, that is all icing on the cake. Great Grandmas are just glad that got to see and be their for the moment. That they are watching another generation grow up and flourish.

Great Grandmas also know that they don’t have a lot of time left and to cherish every moment. That day my Grandma taught me what it is like to be present, and to have pure joy in the little things.

Being present is something that I struggle with. As my Grandma was enjoying the game and the fact that Kaden was out there, I was worrying about how much playing time he got and if he was getting the ball enough. Essentially that’s what moms do, we worry, we protect, we want our kids to succeed and make it to the future. Yet sometimes we need to learn from Grandma and Great Grandma and just enjoy the game.

I am so thankful that Great Grandma Chicklon was able to make it to Kaden’s game and I hope that she will continue to make it to many more. I think about that day often and I want my Grandma to know how much she has meant to me and how she has inspired me.

Thank you Grandma for that great fall day, and for all of the support you have given Kaden and I through the years.

by Stacey Atkinson

Category: Inspiration |
| January 13, 2014
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Line Leader

This week at basketball practice Kaden got the privallege of being the Line Leader for his little group of seven and eight year olds.

Kaden is a confident kid, but as soon as he was chosen as line leader I saw his confidence bloom even more. He was responsible for taking the kids through the drill and making sure they were doing it right.

As Coaches it’s easy to get into the monotony of drills, and running the practice. Especially if you have been Coaching or Volunteering for many years. If this is you take a step back and see how you can get your players involved.

Let them lead the drills, have input, and trust them to be in charge. You will see their confidence grow and that confidence will transfer to the game.

As much as we want to we can’t be on the field or court with them so don’t be afraid to let the kids take charge in practice. Let go a little bit of control and watch your team grow into confident leaders!

by Stacey Atkinson

 

Category: Life Lessons, Misc. |
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