First game of NFL Flag 2012 is a W! (even if it’s an UNOFFICIAL Win)*

Pre-Game Warm ups

Alright! A new year is here and my new NFL Flag team has their first game under their belts.  There is nothing better than playing football during the winter!  I started this blog to keep people informed about my journey of coaching my sons on the football field and so far I have gained so much more from that journey than I thought possible.  It’s one thing to see your own kids succeed because you are training them but when other parents tell you how much you’re influencing their kids, it makes it even more rewarding. 

I was lucky when getting ready for this short NFL Flag season to have seven returning starters from my regular season as well as having my youngest son “Play up” to the next level with the older kids.  I also have two kids that are new to football but that have lots of potential. 

The great thing about NFL Flag is that the games are quick and there isn’t real score keeping. *officially that is.  I mean; kids, keep score, parents, coaches, family members do but the league doesn’t.  The rules are different in NFL Flag which means that I have had to come up with new and exciting ways to coach the kids to learn how to use their hands.  90% of the game is passing so learning how to catch a football while running a route is very important. 

That’s one reason that I was so excited to have so many returning kids who have worked together and know my style and are eager to learn more about football.  I am also excited to have my two returning coordinators back with me to make the games go by so much easier.  

Now, in the midst of all this “Tebowmania” I think it is fitting that our first game was against the Broncos.  The Broncos did score once and the kid who did it, did in fact, “TEBOW” in the end zone. Now, I didn’t see it, but I am sure it was great.  I’ve told my kids that they can spike the ball, do the “Discount Double-Check” or whatever other celebration they want as long as it’s not the river dance.  My team went for the jumping chest bumps.  Good for them. Just in case you were wondering, we scored twice! *Unofficially, we won the game. Eagles are now 1-0 for the 8 game Season.  We have 2 weeks of double-headers so I have to come up with a pretty easy and fast paced game plan in order to keep the “W’s” coming. More to come next week! 

-Coach

Getting Ready for a New Season

Well, after a short but enjoyable break from a wonderful Flag football season, NFL Flag is about to start today with my teams first practice.  When I was deciding what team to pick for this season, I had to take into consideration that some teams would be accounted for and that some teams would be more popular than others.  Also, I was thinking that it would be great if my sons could have new jerseys for their collection. 

My boys saw the Eagles play the Giants last season in what turned out to be a really exciting game so it was a no-brainer.  Let's be the Eagles.  I mean, they were labeled "the dream team" at the beginning of the season right?! So, tonight I get to pass out jerseys and reconnect with some of my players from our regular season.  We have 2 new players that have never played football and I am excited to see what they can do.  

The other great thing is that we finally have some football weather.  It's cold outside which means that it will be great out on the field! I am looking forward to getting out there and rocking and rolling with these kids.  I will have several returning starters back with me and they will continue to be with me for the regular flag football season for the last season of my oldest son's flag career before he and several of his friends make the jump to tackle.  I am really excited about that!

So, once again, I get to wear my coaches hat.  I get to strap on my whistle and grab the playbook out! It's gonna be a great, quick, short season.  8 games in 6 weeks.  Lots of passing and oh yeah, some trick plays. *(I love NFL FLAG)

Oh, yeah... I'm ready for some football!!!

-Coach

Just having fun

Well, just had an unofficial practice with some of the kids from my team... best part was that we got a new player & we were able to have our "Retiring" QB come out & have some fun with us... It was great.  Nothing out of this world but we had a really nice time!  NFL Flag season is coming soon... WOO HOO!!


- Coach

End of the Season

Well, Yesterday, Saturday, February, 19th was the end of the NFL Flag football season & I had to take my time before sitting down & actually writing down my thoughts about the 8 week experience.  Actually it was a little bit longer than 8 weeks, but there were 8 weeks of games, so we will stick with that number for now.  


As I have stated before; the main reason that I wanted to get into coaching was to be able to spend more time with my boys and get back to working with kids; which I love to do.  I know that my expectations were met & now, 8 weeks later, for those of you who have followed along since the beginning will want to know.  I am happy to report that my eldest son now wants me to coach his team next season & admitted that "Daddy does know a lot about football."  Advantage - DAD! 


It was such a gorgeous day yesterday that it was really hard to believe that it was the last day of the season.  The kids were all there *(minus one) with their game faces on & attitudes ready to play.  I got them their eye black & made sure to get them rowdy early with the "WHAT TIME IS IT? - GAME TIME!" Cheer & the 3 kids that went out for the coin toss were super excited to get the last game going.  


We were on defense first & although we didn't shut them down, my son led his team down the field for a tying score & we were back in it.  The team played great.  Both defensively & on offense, we did try the Flea Flicker & YES, it worked... even if it was an incomplete pass... the play worked.  That made my day.  We ran the "fumblerooskie", the reverse, the double reverse, play action passes & even got another passing TD....  I tell you it was unbelievable to see just how improved everyone of those kids had gotten in just 8 short weeks.  


Overall, there were many highlights for me.  My son leading his team.  The trick plays actually working.  The other coach deciding to run the "fumblerooskie" on us.  The parents cheering.  The defense coming up with 2 big interceptions.  One of the other coaches commenting on how well the team was playing.  In other words, it was a great day for me & for my team.  I was VERY PROUD.  


I have to say that the only low point in the season for me, was only getting to watch one of my eldest son's games.  That was tough because their games were scheduled at the same time all but one week.  I was so proud to hear from his mommy about how well he did that I made it a big deal every time his games were over.   Then yesterday on the way home, he asked me if I would coach his team next season.... I'm not going to lie... THAT MADE ME SMILE REALLY BIG!!!! 


So, we had a great season.  Both my sons played their hearts out.  They both learned a lot.  They both enjoyed their time with me.  My team did great.  The parents gave me a special thank you gift when in fact I couldn't thank them enough for sticking with me & allowing me to coach their kids.  It was a very special season & I don't plan on slowing down.  I've already put in my application for the regular season to coach.  


I am going to keep posting on this blog too... Maybe not as much until we get closer to the regular season, but I just wanted to thank everyone who read the blog, commented, emailed or text me & took the time to enjoy this ride with me.  I've had a blast & simply cannot wait till next season.


As they say on TV, This is Coach Carlos... Signing off... Thanks for the memories & goodnight.

Ravens *(minus 1 child)

The Last Double-Header of this short season...

This week we played our last double-header of this short season & my team finally found their passing game.  Now, I am not saying that we haven't thrown the ball before or that we haven't completed any passes throughout the season... We just have been mostly a running team, which for most 5-6 year old's is normal... 

However, I knew that we could do it & it just took my normal "starting QB" to say, "I wanna catch the ball" for my son to step up & actually want to throw the ball.  Now, I have said this before; I didn't want to be like most coaches who MAKE their child QB.  I know my son is a good runner & a good defender so, I let him focus on that throughout the season & practice.  

Heck I was more impressed that he ran the plays so well & that he asked to keep lining up under center that I figured I'd give it a shot.  What does he do?  He throws 3 passes. 1 for a first down. 1 for a short gain. & the last pass for a TD!!! *Thank you Mr. Receiver (Who else but the Starting QB) for making some nifty moves & scoring! 

One of my favorite things about the first game was listening to the other coach telling his team to "Watch the Center!!! Watch the Fumblerooskie"  So, I decided to let them not get their wish... Not with the players that they saw the play run last time... It was a great game!

Our Second game was a good game too.  We ran the ball. We threw the ball & we had some really good plays... I came home elated that my older son's game had gone well & he was the defensive star again. 

I can't believe that this upcoming week is the end of the season.  I am seriously already getting my play book ready for regular Flag football where Blocking & QB Sneaks are actually allowed.  Now... I said this before & I will just let my readers know it again: We WILL run the flea flicker next week... Watch out for it!!!

GO RAVENS!!

(Little Bear Playing QB)

A week of challenges & opportunities (from the heart)

So, this was the week of challenges for me... personally.  Not so much in the football sense.  I hadn't blogged in a while & then realized that my preparation for this weeks game wasn't as strong as normal.  WHY?  Well, because sometimes life throws you a curveball, or since this is a FOOTBALL Blog, a post left when your receiver runs an up & out.  In other words, life got complicated.  

Let's start with the fact that 3 of my players weren't able to make it out to practice on Tuesday night.  Hey, it happens. They're kids & that's life.  Then, as I am looking at my play book, I realize that the Defensive scheme is pretty much good to go & that the kids that I send in on blitz packages know their assignments pretty well.  So, on Tuesday night I decided that my team needed some FUN to be thrown into the mix.  So, we switched things around & I made sure that amongst our "trick plays"we would try the Statue of Liberty play... which is hard enough for College teams to run... SO you can just imagine explaining it to 5-7 year old's... I got the dads out on the field with me to run it a couple of times & that was great! The kids love to see their HERO Dads get out there & show off.   

So, we had fun, & the kids left feeling really great & I felt like it was worth sacrificing the perfect plays for fun... I think it was worth it.  

So fast forward 2 days & it's Thursday & all I can think of is how I wished I had scheduled a second practice, but sometimes you gotta give the kids a break.  That afternoon, after a great lunch with my family, I started to drive back to my office & that's when the "Curveball" hit!  My heart started acting up.  I am used to this since I have been dealing with this issue ALL my life, but after the first 20 minutes of this episode, my breathing techniques weren't phasing it & then I started to feel the tingle.... "THAT'S IT!" That was the sign. I called EMS & went to the hospital.  The whole ride there I was thinking about my family, my children, my mom, my sister, and my team.  I did NOT want to miss the game.  I didn't want to miss being on the field with them.  I even told the Dr who admitted me that I had to be home in time for the game on Saturday.  She smiled & said, "we need to get this checked out first, okay?"  

I knew that the kids would be okay if Coach Canida ran the game instead of me, but I didn't want to miss the game.  So I prayed & just let them run their test, take my blood, & vitals & kept asking GOD to let me get out of the hospital to be with my family & my football players. 

I was able to be released late Friday afternoon & I have committed myself to get into better shape & take better care of my heart so that I can give 100% of it to every day that I am alive... I want my kids to have a coach, a dad & one day a granddaddy for their kids.  So yes, I was out there Saturday morning with my players & my assistant coach & my family.  My team *the kids didn't know that there was anything wrong with me & they played very well.  We didn't "WIN", but that's okay. They played their little hearts out & had fun & at the end of the game, we huddled up & had our post game meeting & said, "GO RAVENS"... That made me smile... I had told my wife how blessed I felt to be able to be out there with my team. I meant it! 

I know that this is just "FLAG FOOTBALL"  & That it's not a job... I'm not getting paid, & the kids are just out there to have fun, which I think they do... But when I get emails from the parents telling me that their kids are loving it... that warms my heart.  

I plan on coaching in the fall for the regular football season & I hope that some of these kids are back on my team, because they all have a special place in my heart.  

You see, this week was a week of challenges in so many ways, but I stayed focused, prayed & GOD gave me the opportunity to make the most out of it.  Thank you to all of you... My Wife, My Kids & My Ravens... You are so AWESOME!!! 

COACH

Go Ravens

Getting Ready for a Double Header

Alright... it's Wednesday! The work week is half way done & my team has one more really good practice scheduled before the big double header this weekend.  I am doing some serious planning for this weekend & yes, I even stayed a while after last weeks game to watch one of this weeks opponents first half of their game.
  
The GOOD news is that my team seems to have a size advantage against one team.  Now, I know size isn't everything; especially when it's 5-6 year olds playing flag football, but I wanted to see if we were playing a passing team or a running team.  I had to see how the coach interacted with his squad.  Most importantly, I just love being out on the field watching the kids play just for the fun of it.
  
The BAD news is that I have no idea whatsoever what the second team that we are matching up against looks like.  I don't know who is on the team.  I can't prepare for a team that I know nothing about, so I will just take the advice that I hear some NFL coaches use.  The only team that can beat us, is us.  The funny thing about that phrase is that there is no "OFFICIAL" scorekeeping in this league & really there's no "Winning or Losing" which is great for some people, but as a coach, you know that an offsides, holding, false start or any kind of penalty is a little loss each time.  


Now, I know that they are just 5 & 6 year olds, so I am really just trying to teach them the basics & give them a good foundation so that they can take it with them to their next stop.  Most coaches have more time to evaluate players & see what their strengths & weaknesses are... With these kids, it's not the same & I am happy about that in a way.  Being 5 & 6 is hard enough without having a mean coach telling you can't run an "OUT ROUTE" or a  "FLEA FLICKER" play right.   Yes... you read that right... I am going to attempt it once before the season is over... I'll keep you posted on how that turns out!

(Getting my team ready for game time)

Is Coaching Supposed to be THIS much Fun?!

I have to say this right off the bat... I love coaching! I think that ever since I stopped teaching Martial Arts, I have been looking for a way to get back into a training position where I can teach & help kids learn.  The funny thing is that I find myself "Coaching" all the time in my head.  I am constantly watching videos, playing video games to see if I can work a play into my playbook.  


Sometimes when I am at work & it's slow enough for me to write something down, I find myself drawing up plays & coming up with audible signals, blitz signals & defensive packages to confuse the other coaches in a 6 week FLAG Football league... Am I nuts?  Is coaching supposed to be THIS much fun?! I don't know for sure, but I know that when 6:00 pm comes around, I am like Fred Flintstone sliding off the Dinosaur to get out of work & head to the fields to see my RAVENS & watch them light up as they run a successful play...  It's amazing... 


Maybe I will keep coaching in the regular season if everything works out & the planets align.  


I am getting my playlist ready for the drive to the field on Saturday morning... I've downloaded all the cool football music that I can find... I think that I am going to have to raid my kids "ROCK JOCK" & "JOCK JAMS" CD's to get even more music..  LOL...  This is too much.  But what can I say... I'm ready for some football!!!


GO RAVENS!!! & Yes, for my other sons team - GO DOLPHINS * (they might even do better than the actual NFL team)


DOWN! SET! HIKE!!!

(Actual Game Day Footage)

First Game is in the books!

OK, so it's now almost 12 hours since I arrived at the fields and got mentally ready for a game that in so many ways seemed like so much more than just a game.  My first time coaching a flag football team.  My first time coaching my son.  My first time working with an assistant coach whom I just barely met.  My first time in years of feeling parents eyes hovering on me as to whether or not I would make the right choice for their child... 


I'm happy to report that it was a great first game & that the vibe from the parents was really awesome!  It was also nice to have 2 coaches come up to me after the game & tell me how well my team competed.  That made me feel great too.  I have to say that the only down part to today's game was not having my wife, daughter & my oldest son with me to enjoy the game.  It really stinks that the kids were sick & that MOMMY had to be there & not be on the sidelines to enjoy the game with us.  I am sure that there will be other opportunities for them to come down & hear the kids chant, "WHAT TIME IS IT? GAME TIME!!!" 


Today was a really important day for me & overall a fantastic day for the Ravens of NFL Flag Football!


Can't wait to draw up some new plays for next week's double header!


Coach Carlos

First Game

OK - It's Friday night & I just finished my last practice before the teams first Flag Football game.  I have to admit that even though it's been a short practice schedule I've already seen great improvement in these kids.  It's always amazing to me just how quickly kids can pick up plays & ideas.  Man I love football.  I am also blessed to have a great assistant head coach & assistant coaches that are willing to help.  


I am really excited about getting out there early Saturday morning & finally getting those first game jitters out of the way.  I feel like it's going to be a great season.  Another great aspect is that the parents seem to be really behind me & the team.  I mean, a 6 week season may not seem like much, but a bond can be made during that short time.  If all goes well, I want to coach during the regular Flag football season.  


I hope that tomorrow some of the parents will have their camera's out there to take a team picture at the first game & then we'll take another one on the the last day of the season.  It's always fun to see how much the kids grow up during a short time & how much a team can work together.  


I guess what I am trying to say is that I am READY for some football!!!  


Coach Carlos