SLC questions

[DiamondJ2]

When did coach Dodge come to SLC? How soon after he came did he implement the current offense? How long did it take for the players to grasp and/or buy in to the basketball offense (my name for it because of the high number of points usually put on the scoreboard)? Do they start grooming QB's, Receivers, & O-Line at the middle school level?

[dragons08]

When did coach Dodge come to SLC? How soon after he came did he implement the current offense? How long did it take for the players to grasp and/or buy in to the basketball offense (my name for it because of the high number of points usually put on the scoreboard)? Do they start grooming QB's, Receivers, & O-Line at the middle school level?
im not extrmely sure to most of those questions, but they do start at the MS level, heck they might being to put a little of it into pee-wee, i know for sure in MS, they run the same attack and everything as varsity, so by the time their old enough to play varsity, they understand the system

[dragonfootballfan]

im not extrmely sure to most of those questions, but they do start at the MS level, heck they might being to put a little of it into pee-wee, i know for sure in MS, they run the same attack and everything as varsity, so by the time their old enough to play varsity, they understand the system
Most of the players do end up changing positions though from middles school to high school.

When did coach Dodge come to SLC? How soon after he came did he implement the current offense? How long did it take for the players to grasp and/or buy in to the basketball offense (my name for it because of the high number of points usually put on the scoreboard)? Do they start grooming QB's, Receivers, & O-Line at the middle school level?
He started coaching at SLC in 2000 and had a spread offense back then but included the tight ends and some under center looks. His 2000 team I think went 9-5 and his 2001 team using that same offense went 10-5 in 4A. In 2002 he switched to the shotgun at all times and the no-huddle. It did not take a long time for the players to buy into the system, especially for the ones that were freshman when he came (they won state in 2002).

[dragons08]

Most of the players do end up changing positions though from middles school to high school.
oh, but i know they do implement the system in the Middle Schools though correct? even if they switch postions, they still somewhat understand, its better than jumping into the system as a 7th grader versus jumping in as a freshman, that experience helps

[dragonfootballfan]

oh, but i know they do implement the system in the Middle Schools though correct? even if they switch postions, they still somewhat understand, its better than jumping into the system as a 7th grader versus jumping in as a freshman, that experience helps
I don't think it matters as long as the kids buy into the system. I almost think its better to use a different system in 7th and 8th grade because the players can learn how to do different things like blocking out of a three point stance and a under center quarterback exchange that needs to be used in crucial situations. The 2002 seniors ran the triple option and veer from 7th through 9th grade and a spread that had many undercenter and tight end sets in 10th and 11th grade and still won state in 2002 with a different offense.

[dragonfly]

Most of the players do end up changing positions though from middles school to high school.

A couple, maybe even a few, but most players do not change positions from middle school to high school. The whole offense is taught from pee wee on up including playing from the shotgun instead of under center. However, none of the sub varsity teams go no huddle.

[dragonfly]

It is definitely a big advantage for the middle school kids to learn the terminology and system at that level.

[dragonfootballfan]

It is definitely a big advantage for the middle school kids to learn the terminology and system at that level.
why is it an advantage? The best things that middle school kids can learn are the basics of blocking, tackling and catching. It doesn't matter what system they learn as long as they have the fundamentals down

[RidgePride]

I don't think it matters as long as the kids buy into the system. I almost think its better to use a different system in 7th and 8th grade because the players can learn how to do different things like blocking out of a three point stance and a under center quarterback exchange that needs to be used in crucial situations.

You can coach up snapping from under center on the sideline. A shotgun snap takes a lot more practice than under center.

Blocking from a three point stance can be taught in practice rather quickly.

The timing and rhythm of the spread offense is what takes time.
Beginning in 7th grade where games do not really matter is what helps them become better as juniors and seniors.

[RidgePride]

why is it an advantage? The best things that middle school kids can learn are the basics of blocking, tackling and catching. It doesn't matter what system they learn as long as they have the fundamentals down

I am quite sure the coaches at the middle schools teach the basics. I am sure they have a few under center plays just in case it is 4th and goal from the one.

The longer the kids have been exposed to a system, the more it becomes second nature.

Second guessing Todd Dodge's system???

[ALLIN]

Here at SLC as well as many other areas, those basics are taught at the pee wee level. Football is so popular here that the boys do it ALL THE TIME, every year. When they get to middle school, most of them have the "football" fundamentals down and then the staff can work on the SLC fundamentals off of that. I am sure that some years the football fundamentals are needed to be taught more than other years. Depends on the group..

[dragonfootballfan]

I am quite sure the coaches at the middle schools teach the basics. I am sure they have a few under center plays just in case it is 4th and goal from the one.

The longer the kids have been exposed to a system, the more it becomes second nature.

Second guessing Todd Dodge's system???
I am not second guessing the system. I just don't seem to think that it matters that you do the same system in middles school that it does in high school.

[RidgePride]

I am not second guessing the system. I just don't seem to think that it matters that you do the same system in middles school that it does in high school.

Just a question - not meaning to get in a pissing match.

Would you rather this be Tre Newton's 2nd year in the system or 4th.

Same with Riley Dodge who is one unfortunate situation to McElroy from being the starting QB.

Or is there no difference?

[fabdragnfan]

One of the reasons tradition is so big around here is that the middle schools DO run the same offense. Everyone's a Dragon...everyone's on the same team...we're all working together to win those titles. It takes every (including MS) coach working for several years to win a national championship. It was no accident.

[dragonfootballfan]

Just a question - not meaning to get in a pissing match.

Would you rather this be Tre Newton's 2nd year in the system or 4th.

Same with Riley Dodge who is one unfortunate situation to McElroy from being the starting QB.

Or is there no difference?
I really don't think it matters. Tre would still know how to run, block and catch and Riley would still know how to throw to receivers.

[dragonfly]

I really don't think it matters. Tre would still know how to run, block and catch and Riley would still know how to throw to receivers.

Nearly every head coach in the state of Texas disagrees with you. But that's ok, there is more than one way to do things. Carroll just does it the best way.

[ALLIN]

Why would you want (as a varsity coach) to have to spend the time teaching the little things about your offense when you can get that covered at the middle school level. That allows the varsity coaches to move on to fine tuning the offense and defense, which is what Dodge and his staff do. Fine tune and tweek what they should already know by the time they get to the varsity level.

[dragonfootballfan]

Why would you want (as a varsity coach) to have to spend the time teaching the little things about your offense when you can get that covered at the middle school level. That allows the varsity coaches to move on to fine tuning the offense and defense, which is what Dodge and his staff do. Fine tune and tweek what they should already know by the time they get to the varsity level.
No matter what offense they are in they will learn those little things. They will know the positions and the football terminology. It does not matter how long a team has used a certain offensive strategy. Look at the 2002 dragons, they were in their first year of the system and were moving from 4A to 5A. They still won a state championship. They had run three different offenses in four years. Two of those offenses were as different has they come. Running an offensive system does not matter. What matters in middle school are fundamentals and a good attitude that fosters a great work ethic. That is the main part of the dragon system that is instilled in the kids in middle school that makes them successful. They do not need to lineup the same way as they will in high school. They just need to know to give 100% on every play and to take pride in what you do.

[the_great_state_of_TExas]

I bet half the city of Southlake is posting on this site this week.

One point - these kids learn the "football" fundamentals while playing peewee. Most of the peewee coaches have playing experience past the high school level.

[drgnbkr]

I bet half the city of Southlake is posting on this site this week.

One point - these kids learn the "football" fundamentals while playing peewee. Most of the peewee coaches have playing experience past the high school level.

It takes a lot of us to respond to all of the posts regarding the Dragons!

[dragonfly]

No matter what offense they are in they will learn those little things. They will know the positions and the football terminology. It does not matter how long a team has used a certain offensive strategy. Look at the 2002 dragons, they were in their first year of the system and were moving from 4A to 5A. They still won a state championship. They had run three different offenses in four years. Two of those offenses were as different has they come. Running an offensive system does not matter. What matters in middle school are fundamentals and a good attitude that fosters a great work ethic. That is the main part of the dragon system that is instilled in the kids in middle school that makes them successful. They do not need to lineup the same way as they will in high school. They just need to know to give 100% on every play and to take pride in what you do.

If that were the case, then the National High School Coach of the Year would be having the middle schools run different things. The middle school kids are taught precise routes that are a part of the Dragon System that they need to know by the time they are in the 9th grade. The quarterbacks are taught fundamentals that all quarterbacks learn in addition to but the system they have to know with when they get to the high school level. The offensive lineman need to know the Dragon plays and way of doing things including the fundamentals that all lineman learn regardless of the system they're in. The more practice in the system, the better off the kids are. They are learning fundamentals and the routes and plays that they need to know when they become odler Dragons. Noone is saying that you can't win having changed systems like the 2002 team did, but it's ludicrous to think that it's not better to have as much practice as possible at the plays and techniques that they will run when they get to the varsity level.

[dragonfootballfan]

If that were the case, then the National High School Coach of the Year would be having the middle schools run different things. The middle school kids are taught precise routes that are a part of the Dragon System that they need to know by the time they are in the 9th grade. The quarterbacks are taught fundamentals that all quarterbacks learn in addition to but the system they have to know with when they get to the high school level. The offensive lineman need to know the Dragon plays and way of doing things including the fundamentals that all lineman learn regardless of the system they're in. The more practice in the system, the better off the kids are. They are learning fundamentals and the routes and plays that they need to know when they become odler Dragons. Noone is saying that you can't win having changed systems like the 2002 team did, but it's ludicrous to think that it's not better to have as much practice as possible at the plays and techniques that they will run when they get to the varsity level.
I am not saying that it is better or worse to run the same system in middle school as you would in high school, I am trying to say that it is not near the big deal that people seem to make it.

[DiamondJ2]

thanks for the input on my questions. Sorry, I didn't mean for you guys to argue with each other. I was just curious on how long it took to implement the present system.

yes, fundamentals are probably taught at the middle school level, but I'm sure that Coach Dodge has instructed the MS staff to run (oops, sorry bad word at SLC) their offensive blocking schemes, routes, use the same terminology, etc at the same time as most head coaches. With the Rockets struggling on offense because of new staff, stubborn players, etc. I was just looking for answers. GL the rest of the season. It's tough to be on top and everybody wanting your demise. speaking from experience--enjoy it and remember it passionately.

[RidgePride]

I am not saying that it is better or worse to run the same system in middle school as you would in high school, I am trying to say that it is not near the big deal that people seem to make it.

I agree with you somewhat


However, I seriously doubt that most high school coaches want to start at zero teaching terminology - QB footwoork - QB and Receiver timing - receiver routes - running back steps etc.