The Approach to Playing Time

Every student-athlete on our football team wants to start. Unfortunately, not all of you will. The coaching staff must determine who will start. Consequently, we feel it is important for you to understand how we will decide on depth charts as practice progresses. The following five (5 points) will be the criteria used in selecting starters and developing depth charts.

1. Knowledge of Assignment: We cannot and will not play people who do not know their assignments. Your position coach will spend extra time with you if you so desire. Everyone can and must give 100% Effort. We will test you frequently on your assignments. You must pass your written tests and verbal quizzes. To play defense, you must understand offense. To play offense, you must understand defense. We will video tape games and some practices and review them regularly. You must be mentally prepared to play or you put others at risk for physical injury.

2. Hustle and Effort: Everyone will be expected to give 100% at all times. Go full speed until you hear the echo of the whistle! Make sure that your opponent is tackled. Your teammates will be giving 100% and they expect you to do the same. Extra effort wins games. Everyone can and must give 100%. If you are not a “practice player” you will not be a game player either. It is disrespectful to the program to wear the uniform and impersonate a football player.

A great deal of your hustle and effort is evident in practice, on game film, and in your production points. Do your best to score high in all three. Do more than what is required of you.

3. Hitting and Mental Toughness: Throughout the spring and summer we will discover who is aggressive and mentally tough. Football is a collision sport and it must be played with mental and physical toughness. Everyone can hit. You must have the “Want To” or you simply will not see playing time. It is dangerous to you and to your team should we put you on the field before you are ready to play. You must love the action. The off-season training and competitions will certainly give us a preview of your character. You must impress us in the conditioning programs, spring football, and during the regular season by competing.

4. Contribution to the Program: Football is one of the few team sports left. The individual who represents the program well and motivates his teammates to do better is always enthusiastic and ready. He will make a greater contribution than the one who does not demonstrate those qualities. Being coachable and disciplined is critical to our success. A valuable player is the man who refuses to lose, refuses to allow others to quit, or to become a distraction…his positive attitude is infectious. Everyone can be a team player. Everyone wants to win, but we are looking for people who won't tolerate losing. Those who defend the program through all of their actions are leading the pack. The program is bigger than the team. The team is bigger than the individual.

5. Talent: If the above four characteristics are equal…and they should be…then the young man who has the most talent, scores well in testing, makes the most big plays in practice, is the student-athlete that will start. However, talent will not enter into our evaluation until we look closely at the first four qualities. Obviously if you are missing practice because you are injured or ineligible it will be difficult for us to evaluate you.

We will give underclassmen every opportunity to earn a position on the varsity team. It’s our desire to play as many deserving people as possible but obviously we cannot play everyone each game. Do not forget that the game is learned in practice.

The above was written so that you will know exactly how we will evaluate you. Our best athletes will lead us to a few wins. Our best PEOPLE will lead us to CHAMPIONSHIPS. Each of you should want to play an important role in the tradition of the Pirate Football Program. All of you who do not earn a starting position, it is up to you to continue to work hard and be prepared when called upon. You are always just one play away from playing. See your position coach when you feel ready to challenge for more playing time.

Our main concern is to be as fair as possible with you and to be up front and honest. Your coaches will not “sugar coat” anything. If you have displayed a weakness, you have a right to know what it is. I warn you now that we are not interested in individual statistics or records. Do not seek more playing time to chase records. If you do not feel that you are being treated fairly, see your position coach. In the event you are still not satisfied, then come see the head coach. (Proper Chain of Command)

We are both here for the same reason:

1. To see that you excel in academics and get an education and a diploma.

2. To see that you mature and grow as a man.

3. To see that we have the best football team possible.

4. To represent the school, the program and the community with great character in everything we do.

We have great respect for you and believe that you will know your assignments, give 100%, will hit, and will be a team player. We believe you will earn your playing time. We will continue to believe that unless you prove us wrong.