Youth Football Mini Camp Design – Part 2 - 5th August 2010
As I said, the youth camp we had this year was crazy. 92 kids took part. If there is one thing you need to know when it comes to running this level of camp, organization and planning is a must. If you let young athletes stand around you get nothing but problems.
If you do not have them doing something they will find something to do themselves and typically that is not a good thing.
I typically get the site about 45 minutes early and have all stations and fields set up to go. I hire my 2 oldest children (Kelsey 15 and Carter 13 to help out)
The camp format is set up like this:
Session 1 - Dynamic Warm up and Agility
This year we did dynamic walking lunge reaches, easy form running and than hit agility ladders
I use the football field lines to get everyone in rows and have 8- 5 yard agility ladders set up in the same format. We go right into ladders from dynamic warm up
Session 2 — BATTLE BALL
I have at least 10 high school varsity athletes to assist. They have been shown what to do at their respected station. This is pretty easy because I have trained all these athletes so they know how I run things. What was great to see was the energy they put into their station. I guess a little of me has rubbed off.
Stations consist of:
1. Football agility with ball using flat dummies
2. Short 4 yard hill burst from multiple stances
3. Tire flipping (Fan favorite)
4. Pushup - Body weight Squat station
5. Medicine ball throw
I know what you are thinking.. where are the bands?? With 90 young athletes, of which 75 have never trained with me.. they need to learn movement patterns first. So we teach non-band movement skills only. If I had 2 more weeks with them I would bring in bands.
Each station last 4 minutes with a 1 minute water break with transition to next station.
I have large water coolers throughout the field for kids to get a quick drink. They think its cool to beable to drink out of the squirters just like the varsity does. Little things like this, make for a very fun postive experience and trust me they let their parents know all about it which only adds to the impact of the entire camp.
Last session is 30 minutes of Battle Ball (Ultimate Frisbee with a football). If you are interested in learning about this let me know and I can get you some information. Just comment in the box below.
We play 2 – 12 minute halves with 3 minute halftime for water and strategy. All varsity guys coach a team
This is by far the highlight of the camp. Not only is it get all the kids involved, it allows them to all touch the ball, work on football agility skills, and the best thing is, it allows them to play on the stadium field which for these kids is like stepping out onto Lambeau Field (My Packer Plug).
Very simple format that accomplishes our goal of the camp which is to get the kids some work, getting them lengthening out their body and get them starting to think football.
Mission accomplished.
Getting BETTER with BANDS
Dave Schmitz
PS.. Stay tuned because tomorrow I will let you know how I use this camp to help get adults to learn about my Resistance Band Boot Camp.
25 Responses to «Youth Football Mini Camp Design – Part 2»
August 05, 2010 at 8:37 am, vince james said:
Yes, Dave any info you can send me please do!! especialy Battle Ball. Thanks Vince
August 05, 2010 at 8:57 am, Ed Austin said:
Sounds great! Also interested in Battle Ball!
ed
August 05, 2010 at 9:06 am, pat wong said:
great info as usual. Dave how do you play battle ball?
August 05, 2010 at 9:46 am, Kri Chay said:
You killed it Dave!!
That’s all I wanted to say!!
Awesome job. Keep it rockin’ up there!!
Kri
August 05, 2010 at 10:06 am, Belinda Morrison said:
Interested in Battle Ball
August 05, 2010 at 10:13 am, Coach Redell said:
Great Camp Info. I’m also interested interested in Battle Ball.
August 05, 2010 at 11:42 am, Dave Finlay said:
Great stuff Dave, as usual. Please send me some info on battle ball and let me know how much better the thunderbands are than doubling up on regular bands. I’m trying to justify extra expense as I already have 50 or so regular bands.
August 05, 2010 at 1:23 pm, Cliff Mentzer said:
Yes Dave I’m next in line for the battle ball game details!!! Sounds like an awesome camp. That’s the way it should be…especially with younger kids. Thanks for the camp plans and I look forward to another school year utilizing your VERY VERY VERY helpful website & videos. Can’t thank you enough!
Cliff Mentzer
August 05, 2010 at 1:52 pm, Benson said:
Ultimate Frisbee but with a football? Great heads up by you. That sounds incredibly fun.
August 05, 2010 at 2:04 pm, Reginald Williams said:
Small world, I use to live in Gaithersburg (D.M.V. as it called now days;-) I’m in Miami now. We are in the process of setting up youth football camps down here and I’m always searching for creative and effective ways to benefit the athletes. I’m a fan of your content and would love to collaborate with you Dave. Please add me on the list for battleball. Take care and be blessed.
August 05, 2010 at 4:07 pm, Curtis said:
Outstanding! Love to learn more about Battle Ball – please!
August 06, 2010 at 1:18 am, mark said:
congrats on the successful camp. please send me info about battle ball.
August 06, 2010 at 8:11 am, boyd williams said:
Dave,
Great week of youth camp…I know my son loved it and it certainly got his mind ready for the upcoming football season. Battleball was his favorite part of each day and is a fun and creative way to intersect conditioning and fun into a sport!
August 06, 2010 at 10:34 am, Andre said:
Great Info As usual Dave,
Im interested in Battle Ball. Send the info I you can
Dre’
August 06, 2010 at 10:54 am, Karen said:
Thanks for the post. . .more about Battle Ball please!
August 06, 2010 at 11:34 am, Cliff Mentzer said:
I would really appreciate some details on the Battle Ball. Sounds like your camp was awesome….would love to see some videos of it in action.
Thanks again Dave!!!!
Cliff
August 06, 2010 at 3:23 pm, Ann said:
Send Battleball info we play Ultimate Football with my swimmers and I am interested in comparing the two.
August 06, 2010 at 5:25 pm, Alan said:
Would love any more info on the camp you can send my way…the Battle Ball as well. Sounds great
Thank you…
Alan
August 07, 2010 at 5:17 am, John said:
Hi Dave,
Thanks, for sharing the great things you have been doing with the youth. I would be interested in how you play Battle ball, we play a version of ultimate football but you may have some interesting rules.
Thanks John
August 08, 2010 at 5:39 am, Marina Enders said:
Well Done Dave! Keeping that many kids moving in an organized fashion is not easy. I would love to know more about Battle Ball.
August 09, 2010 at 5:04 pm, keith carter said:
what is battle ball
August 18, 2010 at 11:47 pm, Benson said:
Hey Not exactly how the game is played, but I played Freesbie football with my boys and that thing there is awesome! Unreal, trying to run routes and pass the freesbie, that was something awesome. What I liked the most, was jumping in the air and snatching it with one hand over someone. If you ever get a chance run it with the kids, they’ll love it.
Playing with my highschool boys this week too.
September 01, 2010 at 10:42 am, tony said:
Please send over any info on the BATTLE BALL game! We have 53 water polo players we are working with right now. “Last session is 30 minutes of Battle Ball (Ultimate Frisbee with a football).”
THANK YOU
April 13, 2011 at 12:09 pm, Daryl said:
Please send over any info on the BATTLE BALL game
thanks
June 15, 2011 at 3:06 pm, Morris Churchill said:
This sounds great!!! I am in the process of setting up a youth football camp so all ideas are welcome, please send thanks!!