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Weatherford football campers, grades one through six, and coaches are pictured at the Outback Wednesday, the final day of camp, before heading into a classroom to view films which included Roos highlights from last season. Mostly the classroom was outside this week as the kids were put through drills designed to build strength, dexterity and football skills. The 3-day camp also featured instruction from the coaching staff about respect, discipline and developing a winning attitude. GREG WEBB/DEMOCRAT PHOTO
Coaching more than just football
WEATHERFORD —
When the kids of Weatherford and the surrounding area sign up for summer football camp, sponsored by WISD Community Education and conducted by the Weatherford coaching staff, they are getting more than they probably bargained for — but in a good way.
“This camp goes pretty fast with all the drills we do,” said Weatherford head football coach and camp director Reid Waller, “but we try to slow down a little bit and teach these kids other things.
“We talk to them about discipline and what it means to be a good student-athlete, and what we expect from them. We stress things like making good grades and being respectful.
“So, every time we break for water we take the opportunity to talk to them. Yes, we teach football skills, but we try to work on the development of the whole person, as well.”
And there are a ton of skills the coaches cover with the kids, not only to benefit football skills, but general athletic drills to improve coordination and dexterity.
“We’ve had a good camp this week because our coaches have been very enthusiastic,” Waller said, “and the drills we’ve worked on have been solid skill drills, but ones that we’ve made fun, too.
The laundry list of the activities is impressive for the first through sixth graders. The coaches have stepped the young athletes through their paces in a myriad of drills with catchy names, to boot.
Movement drills, like back pedals, 45 degrees and flipping hips barely scratch the surface.
Tug-of-war is included in the criteria, along with a pro shuttle and an obstacle course.
“We also have a lot of ball drills,” said Waller. “Catching tosses, interception drills, and running routes are included.”
The weather, though threatening at times during the evening hours on Tuesday, has provided a peripheral benefit of providing the campers relatively cool evenings. No outside camp time has been lost due to the weather, but the shelter, and on-going benefit of the indoor practice facility of the Outback is tailor-made for these camps.
The football camp showed respectable attendance, but Waller would like to see more participation, fittingly so for a community the size of Weatherford.
“A lot of camps have really seen smaller numbers lately,” he said, “but we had a good turnout, and I’m proud of that.
“Though they were a bit slow about signing up, we still had about 80 kids this week. I’d like for us to get out into the elementary schools next year to get the word out. Ultimately I’d like to see 200 kids in this camp.”
The earlier the youngsters are shown the drills, relative to football or not, the earlier they can use the exercises to cultivate better athletic disciplines.
The numbers Waller aims for transcend mere bragging rights for enrollment. He acknowledges the more ears he and his staff can reach, the better chance the positive messages have for a favorable influence down the road.
“Starting with these young kids, and letting them know your expectations, I think that can have a lasting effect,” said Waller. “Letting these kids know early on that you have every confidence in them and work them hard to achieve higher goals, they’re going to do everything they can to prove you right.
“And we have already started with the message that we not only want to be competitive here in Weatherford, but we want to win district championships and state championships.”
Waller, who enters his first season heading up the Roos’ football program, is less concerned about his personal longevity and more intent on steering the program in the right direction. He views the football camps as an excellent vehicle for planting the seeds for future benefit of the football program.
Waller and his staff have been working with the Pee Wee coaches to assure they know the door is always open for the benefit of the Kangaroos, regardless of the level.
“No coach knows how long he might be [in a program],” he said, “but whether I’m here one year or 21 years, I see this as an investment to the future success of this program and I feel good about that.”
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