High school staff, players pass on football knowledge

Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Greencastle High School football players teach youth football league players how to properly do lunges during the second day of a camp for the Greencastle Youth Football League.

Fundamentals in any sport are crucial at all levels, from youth leagues to the professional ranks.

The Greencastle High School coaching staff and players have spent the past two nights teaching what they know to approximately 70 players from the Greencastle Youth Football League in a camp at the high school field.

Braxton Lewis works on a handoff drill during the Greencastle High School football camp for players in the Greencastle Youth Football League.

Coach Mike Meyer feels the time was well spent, both by him and his staff as well as the many players who helped run the various drills.

"It's been done before," he said, "We didn't get to do it last year [since Meyer was hired during the summer], but we are going to do it every year. It's a really important thing to do, and it's helpful to everybody."

Meyer feels the relationship between a high school program and the feeder system that sends players into it is very crucial in success at the varsity level.

"The youth coaches appreciated it and were really supportive," Meyer said. "It was a lot of fun. The kids were enjoying it and learning, and had fun interacting with the high school kids."

Meyer noted that his players on hand for the event were once in the positions of the much smaller youth they were instructing.

"Every one of those high school kids have all come up through the system, and you want those kids to be a part of that and continue it. They might have kids in it someday themselves."

Meyer feels it's good for the high school kids to refresh their knowledge of the various catching, throwing, blocking and route-running techniques which they have been taught themselves.

Bryceton Nunn works on catching a pass during Tuesday evening's session of the Greencastle High School football camp.

"The younger ones need to see where they can go if they work hard and listen to their coaches," Meyer said. "It's a great situation for everyone."

GYFL president Jamie Robinson said the organization is very thankful to coach Meyer and his staff and players for conducting the camp and getting the young kids involved.

"We get a lot of direction from coach Meyer and he works very closely with us," he said. "We also want to thank Greencastle Community Schools for use of their facilities [games are played at Greencastle Middle School]."

Jena Welker is the league's treasurer, while Dominique Gibson is the secretary, Olivia Query is in charge of fund-raising, Steve Welker is in charge of field preparation and Kelly Lewis is in charge of equipment.

At-large board members are Meyer, former GHS coach Josh Buis, Todd Sutherlin and Mark Hernandez.

The Tiger Cubs will look to improve on their 1-9 record of the 2015 season as they host Crawfordsville on Aug. 19.

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