Today’s post “Developing Great Technique” is the latest excerpt from my eBook guide to the recruiting process- “How to Become … Wanted and Rewarded“.  But first, here are all my previous posts, with links, regarding becoming a remarkable, a “Purple Cow” high school prospect; this is how you can stand out from the rest of the crowd:

• Coachable – Character (Purple Cow Quality #1- Coachable-Character)
• Speed (Purple Cow Quality #2 – Speed)
• Explosion (Explosion – How to Get It)
• Playing Fast (Playing Fast!)
• Athleticism – Quickness (Be a Quick Purple Cow)
• College Entrance Examinations (College Entrance Exams – ACT/SAT)
• Core Classwork – GPA (Be Ready for YOUR Signing Day)
• Size (Does a Purple Cow Have To Be Big?)
• Effort (Recruiting – Get a “Great Motor”)

Everything else being equal, the thing that will separate one football (or volleyball, or basketball) player from another is technique…. All other things being equal (and they very seldom are) it will come down to how well you play your particular position in your particular sport.  How good of a football player are you?

Every position in football (or any other sport) has a particular set of skills, that in order to play the position well, you need to develop.  If you are a QB, a quick release, arm strength, leadership, and reading coverages might be the skills your coach deems important to master.  The skill set for a LB would be completely different.

So how do you improve your technique?  Here is the process I recommend:

1. Ask your coach what the most important skills are for you to master for your position.
2. Ask your coach for an honest evaluation of your current level regarding these skills.
3. Be Coachable
4. Ask your coach what you can do to improve in these areas.
5. Ask your coach for extra help (off season, summer contact days, etc) in honing your skills in these areas.

Start with your coach – your head coach.  I don’t think I have ever known a coach, that when asked, would not spend extra time helping an athlete improve.  Having student-athletes hunger to improve is why we do the job we do!.  Ask your head coach who else (probably your position group coach) could also help you develop your skills in these areas.

College instructional camps are another place you can get great coaching, and often at a very affordable price.   I have worked at many types, ranging from camps put on by NFL players,  big time NCAA FBS programs, as well as camps at smaller NCAA Division II and NAIA colleges.  My advice regarding college instructional camps (as opposed to “team camps”) is this.  First, ask your high school coach where he recommends you go for a good instructional camp.  He can recommend a place that he is familiar with, and will teach you sound (and similar) skills and techniques that you will be using at your high school.  Second, don’t be blinded by the bright lights of a “Big Name” NFL Camp, or a “Big Time” FBS Camp.  Often the instruction is just as good or better at a “smaller”  (NCAA Division II or NAIA) camp and usually the price is much more reasonable.  Usually, even at the “smaller” camps, there will be camp staff members from other Colleges and Universities, often including NCAA FBS schools.

Working hard to develop great technique can help overcome some deficiencies you may have (size, speed, etc).  I believe that disciplined technique will usually defeat undisciplined talent.

In addition to these written posts, I have recently launched my YouTube Channel that deals specifically with the recruiting process.  The channel can be found here : The YouCanDoMore YouTube Channel, and the complete playlist can be viewed here.

You Can Do More…. your brain is lying to you …. Don’t Believe It!

Comments and Questions are always welcome!

Jeff Floyd – youcandomore1@yahoo

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