Xenith Shadow- new helmet for 2019

Here is the new Xenith Shadow helmet for 2019. I've been a fan of Xenith from the beginning. The helmet works with shock absorbers instead of padding. Also, the shock absorbers are in a bonnet that is pulled around your head when you fasten the chinstrap, separating your head from the helmet shell.

Mercer County HS became the first Xenith Elite football program in the nation last spring. Ron Tanner is our rep and has been outstanding. Ron played DB for Ohio State's National Championship team, coached by Urban Meyer.

If you want to get Xenith Shadows for your team this season, you can contact Ron on twitter or his email at rtanner@xenith.com.

We are fired up for spring practice and to begin using the Xenith Shadow!

The Trade Off

Every summer when we get a family beach picture, my initial reaction is "great looking family, but who is the old, bald fat guy?"  Sadly the answer is me. 

I am not a fan of getting old. Gaining weight is balanced out by losing hair. Aches & pains replace energy. But, there is a silver lining. One of the overwhelming positives of getting older is gaining experience. Another huge positive is the building of relationships over a long period of time.  

Yesterday, we had our BEST Quarterback Camp ever. The camp began in 2002. Why was it the best?  One reason is that through trial & error, the drills, process, fundamentals, etc have been refined and improved over a 17 year period. When we have camp again on June 14th, that will be our best camp. We always use what we learn to improve.  As a head football coach, the 2019 season should be the best job I've ever done as a head coach. I've never gone into a season with 27 years of head coaching experience a long with 6 years experience as an assistant coach. There is no replacement for experience and what you learn as each day passes.

Another reason we had our best camp ever is the staff we had. The Quarterback Camp staff has expanded from one (me) to six of us yesterday.  All six of those guys are the son's of football coaches. One of them, my son, Trosper, is the GRANDSON of a football coach.  Four of the six staff members had been through the camp.  We were incredibly efficient yesterday and the kids got a boatload of reps. We transitioned through drills very quickly and there was no wasted time. You have to do camp for several years to have alumni coaching it. The guys on our camp staff yesterday love kids and football. The campers responded extremely well to our guys coaching them. I was exceptionally proud and pleased with the overall efficiency, productivity, and improvement the kids made through out the day.

By now, I've been fortunate to coach several hundred football players at Mercer County, Mason County, Paris, the Kentucky All Stars and Quarterback Camp. I really enjoy the relationships I have with many of those players today. It is fun to follow their success and see them become husbands & fathers. 

QB Camp yesterday physically kicked my tail. We worked very hard to do a good job for the kids.

As much as I hate the negatives of getting older, I would not give up the benefit of experience and what goes with it.  The relationships built with players and coaches over all of these years ... no, I would not trade them to be younger. 

This summer, maybe I can be the one BEHIND the camera for the family beach picture.  Or, I will wear a hat and stand in the back. 😀

Parents... what do you praise in your children...Process or Results?

For this blog entry, I could have used some pictures of my kids and their achievements or accomplishments.  All parents enjoy those times with their children and could do the same as me. Those are great moments....results!

Instead, here is a picture of one of Trosper's 2018 Christmas gifts, a weighted football. I took the picture on Friday night, 2/1/2019, after another one of his extra workouts he does on his own.  The football is filthy and already showing signs of wear. He is working his tail off to be the best he can be as a quarterback and football player.  This particular workout on this Friday night, I really enjoyed watching him. In addition to his passing work, he ran the same play over and over on air. First to the left. Then to the right. That type of dedication and focus gets me fired up as a coach. 

I have tried to make a conscious effort to praise my kids for the character traits that lead to success. When they are working hard, being kind to others, being unselfish, being determined, etc. I praise that behavior. I praise them for things that are in their control. 

When they have success, we celebrate it. It could be a victory, an A, getting a job, making all state, winning a pageant, etc. Results are celebrated and that is ok. But PRAISE is for their character and the things they can control. 

I communicate this directly to them and tell them why I praise what I praise. They need to know that. 

Now, I LOVE them no matter what they do. Why?  The same reason God loves me. I am a child of God. He loves me no matter what I do. These are my children.  I love them no matter what they do. 

Part of my strategy in doing this is that I want them to ENJOY what they do. When they play a football game, I want them to know I am already proud of the effort. My sons don't have to earn my praise or approval on Friday nights. If they play well, that is great and we will celebrate it. But, I am proud of the effort that goes into being the best they can be. 

I also have an ulterior motive in this approach... I am trying to eliminate the pressure of pleasing me or making me proud so they can perform better. Often, they will do that on their own and I try to get them to get that out of their head. But, I also know that if they will focus on playing the game and enjoying it, that will improve their performance. 

As a coach, I tell our players the same thing. The pressure is to PREPARE , Monday through Thursday the absolute best they can. Friday nights should be fun!

Watch your kids this week. Catch them doing what is right, and make sure they know you saw it! Often times, it is like pouring gasoline on a fire. The results will follow when you praise the process and the character.  It works, and it is right for your kids!