Better TE

Question
Hey coach, i'm playing more basketball and i'm running distances everyday, Can i have all the advice you can give me on becoming a great TE?
Thanks again Benji

Answer
Dear Benji,
Coaches are always looking, for someone, to fill the position of tight end. They want guys that can block and catch the ball. You do not have to have great speed to play at the tight end position. However, you will need to block on running plays and catch the ball on passing downs.

Speed is not that important for the position of tight end. However, you can cause some problems for your opponents if you have it. A tight end with some speed can be a major headache to the opposing coaches.

Most teams have their best defensive back cover the Z-back or slot back on offense. They place their second best defensive back on the X-back or the wide out. Their third and forth best defensive backs are placed at the safety positions. By the time the defense gets around to covering the tight end, they are force to use their fifth defensive back or even a linebacker. Fifth defensive backs do not get a lot of playing time or practice. And the linebacker is playing out of position. You can see why this can give your adversary a major headache.

There are 3 characteristics a receiver must have. A receiver must demonstrate a strong ability to block the other guy, consistently get opened on pass patterns, and he must be able to prove (time and time again, to all) that he has sure-hands. If you can consistently turn a third-down into a first-down you will be the go to guy on any team.

Let us start with blocking; blocking is nothing more than hard work and never giving up. What you need to do is spend some time in the weight room during the summer. Just do not over do it your body needs time to recover from its work outs.

Try working on your conditioning and your ability to react to the ball. Play a lot of handball and basketball this will help you develop these skills. Handball and basketball will make you quicker and better conditioned.

Next, I would work on pass patterns. A receiver must get opened before he can catch the ball. I would work on the quick out, slant, and the seam pass. These quick patterns are a must have on most teams.

Remember when running your patterns, the biggest mistake you can make is to slow down when catching the ball or after making your break. If you slow down before you catch the ball or after your break, you will be giving the defensive back time to catch up with you. You want to speed-up as you make your break. This will place a greater distance between you and the defensive back.

You must run your pattern as fast as you can, while still keeping yourself under control.

Quick out (1):
This is a 5-8 yard route forward then the receiver cuts out towards the sideline then looks for the ball.

Slant (2):
This is a 3-5 yard route forward then the receiver breaks towards the middle of the filed on a 45 degree angle and looks for the ball.

Seam (3):
This route is run straight up the field with the receiver looking for the ball after he gets past the line of scrimmage.

The most important skill that a receiver can master is strong desire to catch the ball. A receiver should concentrate on looking the ball into his hands (all the way into his hands).

A receiver must be able to shut everything out of his mind by focusing all his attention on looking the ball into his hands.

A receiver must watch the football until he catches it and puts it away before he starts to run with it. The catch is MORE VITAL than the run after. I know I keep saying the same thing over and over again but it is that important.

The last twelve inches of the flight, of the ball, are the most important of all, this is where most receivers take their eyes off the ball and drop it.

Here is a list of drill you can work on. You will need someone to play quarterback. All passes will be no longer than 3-5 yards at first. When you get good, at catching the ball, at this distance, move up to 8-10 yards no more.

1. Have the quarterback throw the ball over your left shoulder (catch the ball with your right hand only) 5-10 passes per-practice.

2. Have the quarterback throw the ball over your right shoulder (catch the ball with your left hand only) 5-10 passes per-practice.  

3. Two handed catch over your right shoulder (5-10 times).

4. Two handed catch over your left shoulder (5-10 times).

Always catch the ball with your hands only, do not trap the ball against your body it will bounce off your shoulder pads. Try this for about a week or two, 20-30 minutes a day. Short passes only. At first you will drop a lot of passes but don't give up. When you are ready, move on to (a little) longer passes.

Before you start any program, make sure to get all the help you can from people that care about you and want you to succeed.

Get your PARENTS, your COACH, and your DOCTOR involved.

1. GET YOUR PARENT'S PERMISSION AND ASK FOR THEIR ADVICE. THEY CAN BE OF GREAT HELP TO YOU. THEY CAN HELP YOU BY BEING THERE WHEN YOU NEED THEM. AND BY MAKING SURE YOU ARE NOT OVER DOING IT.

2. TALK TO YOUR COACH HE IS THERE TO HELP YOU. HE WANTS YOU TO SUCCEED. HE CAN GET YOU STARTED ON THE RIGHT PROGRAM.

3. BEFORE YOU START ANY PROGRAM MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR PARENT'S PERMISSION AND A DOCTOR'S OKAY. REMEMBER ONLY A DOCTOR CAN TELL YOU IF THE PROGRAM YOU ARE STARTING IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU. IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN TO BE SORRY!!!!!!!!!!

I hope this information will be of help to you. Remember, take it one step at a time there are no short cuts to being an impact player.

Your friend, Coach Louis