'dog' days of summer (mville bulletin)

[mhsalum 31]

'Dog' days of summer: Martinsville Bulldogs all business in preparation

By JOHNNY BUCK

Bulletin Sports Writer

 

 

On Wednesday evening at a Martinsville football practice, one noise rose above the mixture of whistles, coach's voices and players' banter: The sound of pads popping.

 

It's commonly associated with Friday nights in the fall, but before any opponents can be "de-cleated" in Dan Greene Memorial Stadium this school year, the groundwork must be laid in August.

 

"This is really non-contact," offensive line coach and MHS athletic director Bill Scheib said. "This is kind of "lean against the pads.' ... We're just working on the bare basics."

 

Even so, the enthusiasm was apparent. Many players hit hard and loud in tackling drills, wrapping up the opponent and driving him backward. It was equally apparent, however, that everyone was on the same team. No one was ever tackled to the ground, and many of the fiercest hits were answered not with anger, but helmet-slaps of approval from the player just walloped.

 

Despite the absence of head coach Taylor Edwards, who was attending a coaches clinic out of town, things were going according to plan.

 

On Day 3 of the Bulldog's 2005 season, the basics being taught were purely defensive. Coaches stressed fundamentals such as footwork, blocking and tackling techniques, agility and focus as they began to sift through the eager in search of the qualified. Martinsville, which finished third in the Piedmont District last season behind Bassett and Magna Vista, was all business in preparing for the coming season.

 

Divided into five groups based on position and size, the players rotated through five different stations continuously. After coaches felt each group had covered the essentials, a long whistle sounded and players were ordered to run -- NOT WALK -- to the next station. The program was designed to keep the kids active, focused and detail oriented.

 

That meant "the little things" mattered.

 

"Hey, put your helmet on!" one assistant coach yelled, spying a player from across the field standing in the back of the tackling-drill line on this still-humid evening.

 

"Nobody said, "Take your helmet off,'" the coach scolded, still a deep Shawn Moore pass away.

 

"Don't be lazy. It's about self discipline," a closer assistant added in a quieter tone as the offender nodded, slipped his helmet on and fastened his chin strap.

 

As the players rotated from station to station, their assignments changed. At one station they were asked to practice proper techniques for tackling a ball carrier. At another, they were taught to shed a block by throwing a forearm "up and out" beneath an opponent's pectoral muscle.

 

As the clock face changed so, too, did the drills. Players drove blocking sleds, worked on agility and even got the ball in their hands on occasion. In an exercise called the "M Drill," players took turns sprinting in the shape of the letter "M" before turning their heads back to the coach and attempting to haul in a pass.

 

In the last portion of practice, players were scheduled to work on special teams play while whistles blared, coaches coached and pads popped.

[olewave 44]

that is funny because you are not allowed to be in pads until thursday if you started practice on monday the first day allowed to practice.

[mhsalum 31]

what's even stranger is that the picture that accompanies this article (which can be seen at martinsvillebulletin.com until it's replaced in the morning) clearly shows the kids in shorts and white t-shirts.....no pads at all. maybe the writer was going for more drama???

[Bulldog 82 11]

I think the articles for Bassett and Magna Vista were better. The Bulletin has a bias against the Dogs but thats just my opinion.

[mhsalum 31]

in this case....the guy that wrote the story graduated from martinsville within the last 4 or 5 years. anyhow, all of these articles are just sort of 'fill-ins'. the better articles that usually come out in the bulletin the week before the opening game will include player's names and positions etc. etc.