Hartford Youth Football Notes

1 Week and counting

2011-07-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, hopefully you've been to our website and watching the countdown. We are one week away from practices for another season of Hartford Orioles Youth Football! It's with some sadness that I realize I won't be out there coaching this year after spending the last 6 years out there. I wouldn't trade that time for anything. Now, I will be cutting back significantly on Marketing activities as well, including blogging, due to new job responsibilities that take me out of town on a fairly regular basis.

You'll still see me out there from time to time (I can't walk away from it completely), and I'll try to make sure we have a good transition in communications (Facebook, website, Twitter, e-mails, etc.) so you still get the info you need for the season.

Remember, the website IS our primary communications tool, so check it regularly. Those that do know we post consistently throughout the year, even in the offseason. Well, now it's IN-season in one week.

Hope you have a great time this year, and remember - Tomorrow Begins Today!

Until next time,

Go Hartford Football!

Rob

Summer Camp Time

2011-06-25T07:46:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I know it has been awhile, but activties typically slow down in winter. We still try to let you know when opportunities come up. Right now, summer camps are in full swing, from college camps for youths (UW-Whitwater, UW-Madison, others) to Green Bay Packer Youth camps to Oriole Camps (5 of them this year!).

So, summer camps are always a good reminder that the season will be here before you know it. Start shopping now for football shoes (if you haven't already), and other gear. Also - I know the weather hasn't heated up yet, but remember to keep your athlete hydrated. They should also start conditioning themselves to help make practices a little easier.

As of today (6/25), there are only 42 days until practice!

See you on the fields.

Until next time,
Rob Whitemore
Marketing Director

Go Hartford Football!

MARCHing On (pun intended)

2011-03-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I know I haven't posted since January - with a new job it's been tough to find free time.
Now it is March, and with that a lot of football activity heats up. Coaches will attend the WFCA Clinic in Madison next week, the Board will plan our April registration event tonight, and we just got our registration papers for the July 4th parade.

So, you can see for us it never stops. For you, it just means we are getting closer to the season, which is now only 4 1/2 months away. Offseason camps start in 3 months.
Check our website often for updates - and we'll see you soon!

Go Hartford Football!

Rob

January - Time to start all over again

2011-01-21T05:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

With January here, there are some changes to our club. We elected new board positions, and are looking for a few dedicated people to fill not only Board positions, but also key club official roles. Watch for more information about that in February and March. Check our website regularly, as that is our official communications channel. Even our newsletters are pushed to the website now.
Don't forget our registration event on February 3, 2011 from 6:00 - 7:00, and the Varsity Steak Fry on March 12, 2011 at the Hartford VFW (note it is a different lcation than last year).
So, we start again with some fun events just like last year, as we realize it is only a short 6 months to summer camps and practices!

Until next time,

Rob Whitemore,
Marketing Director

Go Hartford Football!

Happy Holidays

2010-12-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

We want to make sure we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. We hope you will be able to take time out to enjoy family and friends at this time of year.

Peace and Joy,

Your friends at Hartford Youth Football

Social Media

2010-11-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

Hello again everyone,

We always try to communicate to you in as many ways as possible. We are happy to announce that we have added podcasts to our website. We'll keep you informed in the offseason on what is going on. Let us know if this helps you.

Go Hartford Football!

Coach Whitemore

Tommorow Begins Today

2010-11-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

As the Marketing Director, one of the fun things I get to do is talk to all of you at the banquet. Last night, I got to roll out our new 2011 campaign - "Tomorrow Begins Today". I'll talk about it again tonight at the Black Teams banquet.

It speaks about the need to plan ahead, beginning now for players that want to play high school ball - get into youth now and learn the fundamentals. It speaks to high school players about working hard to prepare for the next level. It speaks to college players about what you need to do to be successful at a pro level.

Back this all up, and it starts with youth football. Beyond practices and games, think about off-season commitments to speed and conditioning camps, kicking camps, weightlifting (for older players), and other activities to help prepare a player to be successful at multiple levels. It means thinking about other sports that help football - like wrestling and track (for strength and speed). It also speaks to the player's family about the commitments they must make to align schedules, vacations, etc. so the player can make those commitments.

We know you have a lot going on as parents, and we can't tell you enough how much your support means to us. We are successful because of you, and your player is successful because you know - tomorrow begins today.

Until next time,

Go Hartford Football

Coach Rob

2011 Planning Has Started

2010-11-15T05:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

My coaching duties may have ended for the season, but there is a lot of marketing work to be done now to prepare for 2011. We will unveil our 2011 theme tomorrow at the post-season banquet.
Also, watch in the near future for registration information in the local papers, and elsewhere.
Winter camps information will be shared, and there will be some offseason presents in the form of pictures and videos posted to our Flickr and Facebook pages.
So, remember football throughout the year, as we have a lot to share with you in the offseason!

Until next time,

Go Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

What A Week For Football

2010-10-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

What an exciting (and heartbreaking) week for Hartford Football! Our youth teams went 5-3 against good opponents to finish the season on a strong note. The kids had fun, and now look forward to the offseason (or hopefully next year).

Hartford Varsity had two playoff games in one week in a bracket stacked with great opponents. They ended their season with the Level II playoff loss at home to Middleton. I know many of these players, and I know they took it hard. Let's all tell them to keep their heads up, they represented Hartford well, and never quit in any games they played. They took Middleton right down to the end of the game and showed they were not giving up. Hartford didn't lose - they ran out of clock.
So here is to a team that our youth should look up to, and play like - go hard until the final whistle.

With that, we hope you enjoyed all of Hartford's football this season,

Coach Rob
Go Hartford Football!

Thank You!

2010-10-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I am moving into my last of week of practice as a Hartford Youth Football coach. It has been my privilege to work with your sons for the last 6 years. It has been the most rewarding experience I have ever had, and I have had fun participating in the best game around. It is fun watching Varsity seniors this year that I knew in youth football.

THANK YOU for all of your support over the years, it has been greatly appreciated. I will continue to be a board member for a transitional period to make sure we keep up what we started with our new communication methods to keep you informed, and to make sure we let all Hartford area kids know they have a club opportunity to play football.

So I will enjoy this week, and thank you again for your support over the years!

As Always - Go Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

Banquet Planning Time

2010-10-19T07:28:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

We are rapidly approaching the end of another season (where did the time go??).

With that, it is time for our volunteer coordinators for the banquets to kick into high gear, which they have been doing.

There will be two dinners this year, as with 8 teams now it is not practical to have everyone on the same night. Details for parents are on the website, and we urge you to check that.

For example, it includes what to bring, whether you are going to the Orange Teams banquet or the Black Teams banquet:
Hot Dish if your last name begins with I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R
Salad if your last name begins with S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Dessert if your last name begins with A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H

So please participate in the banquet, have fun, and - THANK YOU for all you do for Hartford Youth Football!

Until next time,

Go Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

Keeping Up With Technology

2010-10-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Football is a game that has been around for a looooong time. Many time-honored traditions. It's also a game about change. Offenses have changed to more spread and wildcat to mention a few, defenses change to try to keep up.
One of the ways we try to keep up for you from a communication standpoint is to leverage current technologies to keep you informed.
Obviously, we use blogs so coaches can keep you updated on a weekly basis during the season (see the Blog of the Week), we use Twitter to relay scores when we can (for high school games, too!) and share other important information instantly (storms that stop practice), we use Facebook for photo, text and video updates, and now we have added Flickr to share more pictures of game day action.
This is all designed to keep you up to date with what is going on. We encourage you to continue to use traditional methods as well - telephone and e-mail.
Hopefully, you get enough info to help you make it through the season. We appreciate all the help you give us, and hope we are helping you manage your way through it.

Until next time,

Go, Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

Halfway Home

2010-10-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

After Saturday, we will be halfway through the season! There have been challenges already, but most players I talk to say they are having fun. Teams have been competitive for the most part, and fans have been supportive. I will remind everyone again that coaches are responsible for fans' behavior, so please be considerate and leave the officiating to the officals. Coaches will discuss penalties with the officials - sit back and enjoy the game.

October is always a fun month for football - crisp weather, sometimes snow! As we move into this month, we can always use extra volunteers. So, if you can, please help out. We appreciate every hour you can give us.

Until next time,

Go Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

Game 3 Tomorrow

2010-09-24T05:39:00.001-07:00

Good luck to all teams tomorrow. After being home for the last two weeks, Black teams go on the road. Here's wishing they have a great time and execute well.
Orange teams get their first taste of home when they play West Bend tomorrow. Should be fun.
Remember, be a fan with good sportsmanship. It's OK to be passionate, but within the bounds of good behavior.
We'll see everyone on the field, and in the stands.

Until then,

Go Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

Game 1 is under our belts

2010-09-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

It was a fun start to the season with some of the teams experiencing wins. 8th grade had a tough go, but hopefully will bounce back in week 2. 7th grade had mixed results but a very competitive showing, going 0-1-1 with great efforts. 6th grade started strong with both teams winning, and Black getting a shutout (congrats!). 5th grade was very competitive as well, with Black winnning and Orange coming ever so close.

What showed is that practice is important! Mental as well as physical conditioning are very important. 6th grade Orange drew at least 5 offsides penalties against Brookfield East because they were disciplined; 7th grade Orange tied because their defense never tired.

Make sure your son is at offensive practices so they know formations and plays - that is such a huge part of the mental game, and improves their chances of more rotations in games. Players that don't know formations or assignments will struggle in games, and that's not fair to them or their teammates.

Until Week 2,

Go Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

One Week Away!

2010-09-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, our season starts one week from today. Most players are ready to go, and are working hard. It's time to find out who is focused on what needs to be done. It will show on the field. Practices have become more focused, as our own team started special teams practices this past week.
Looking forward to a fun year, we'll see you on the field.

Remember to have your player at his game at least one hour prior to game time, otherwise find out from your coach how early they need to be there.

Now that school has started, coaches have shared that school comes first. Homework should be a priority so kids don't miss practice. Think of football as their playtime, and get their work done. It will help them balance all of their activities. We all want them to do well in school.

Until next time,

Go Hartford Football!
Coach Rob

On To The Season Opener

2010-08-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, scrimmages are over. Now it is on to the regular season opener for all teams. We look forward to playing at "our house" in September. Thanks to all the families that got their players to scrimmages in August. You can see that the players have a good time playing against other opponents. It's a good measure of progress, but shouldn't be considered as a final barometer of how a team will perform.

There are still a few weeks to work out the kinks, and then we're all 'ready for some football"

See you at the games!

Until next time,

Coach Rob
Go, Hartford Football!

It's Football Season!

2010-08-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It's football season! We have our first practice day in - we had great weather for all teams. We had many parents watching (thank you for respecting our need to keep all practice areas clear), and it was a very good day. Those players that ordered custom mouthguards got fitted and got them today. If you want one for your son, you can sign up - check with your coach about it.

Most importantly, keep your son hydrated throughout the day. Stay away from sodas, and drinks like Red Bull, Monster, etc. They do not help, and can lead to dehydration. Water is best, Gatorade/Powerade if they need to.

Players should always eat light before practice, or as Coach Jewell says, "You'll leave it on the field."

A few tips as we start the season.

Go Hartford Football,

Coach Rob

Equipment Pickup

2010-07-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, we are getting very close to practice time! This week will be equipment pickup for all grades - Monday for 8th, Tuesday for 7th, Wednesday for 6th, and Thursday for 5th. The club provides helmets, shoulder pads, mouthguards, practice pants, practice jerseys, and game jerseys & pants.

Don't forget your equipment fees are due at pickup, but they are refundable if you fulfill your volunteer hours in-season (or out-of-season events like our marketing activities).

Practice will be here in 2 short weeks! Remember, only coachese and players are allowed on the practice fields at any time because of insurance and safety considerations.

Until next time,

Go Hartford Football!
Coach Rob

Get Ready For Football!

2010-07-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
We are now only 3 weeks away from practice. Families should have received equipment handout information. In addition to the equipment that we provide, we see many players buy football gloves and their own mouthguards or chin straps. This is fine, but the mouthguards and chin straps must meet league requirements. Chinstraps can only be black or white, and mouthguards cannot be clear and must be connected to the faceguard of the helmet. Keep this in mind when purchasing.

When we do start practices, it is important for all parents to understand that because of insurance liability and safety concerns, only players and coaches are allowed on the practice fields from the time practice starts until it ends. This includes any sprints at the end of practice.

See you in a few weeks,

Go Hartford Football!
Coach Whitemore

The countdown has begun!

2010-07-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

It is now only 34 days until practices start! We'll be in the 4th of July parade, and have some visibility at Maxwell Street Days on July 14th. Expect to see and hear more of us now as we begin to go into high gear.
We have already done some prep for this season, ordering apparel you will be able to buy, getting coaches certified, and getting volunteers lined up to help out.
Thanks to everyone for your time, efforts and support - without that we are not successful! We are looking forward to another fun season!

Go Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

It's Summer Camp Time

2010-06-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It is now time to think Football! This is summer camp season, and the Hartford Youth Football Camp starts today. There are other camp opportunities - check out our Links page at www.hartfordyouthfootball.com where you can find them for not only youth, but high school as well.
It is important for players to remember as the weather gets hot to stay hydrated throughout the day. Another good thing to remember is not to eat too heavily prior to a practice. Eat light, and bring water. Avoid sports drinks, stick to water (Gatorade if you have to), and especially avoid soda - not good for muscle development. Drink chocolate milk as a recovery drink after practice to get vitamins back. It's also a good idea for kids to start running now to get in shape for when we start practicing in August. It makes the first practices easier to manage.

Just a few tips as we move into the core practice/camp season for football.

I will be posting more now that activities are picking up. Watch for coaches blogs to start up again soon, once we start practicing in August (only 53 days away!)

Go Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

It's Spring Camp & Clinic Time!

2010-03-28T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It's been a fun March, with coaches getting together at the AAYFL clinic and listening to Carroll College coaches; and attending the WFCA Clinic in Madison listening to coaches like John Harbaugh from the Baltimore Ravens, Brett Bielema from the Wisconsin Badgers, and other high school, college and NFL coaches as they shared X's and O's with attendees at the largest coaches clinic in the country!

These clinics help us learn the techniques we pass on to your kids as they become players (and who knows, maybe coaches in their future?).

Now is the time to think about clinics for players. Kohl's kicking camps have begun, Nike has already run the Chicago area combine, and soon we will publish info on Hartford Youth and High School camps. We always encourage you to think about football in the offseason, and now is the time to do just that so you don't miss out.

Keep an eye on hartfordyouthfootball.com for info on clinics as it becomes available. It can only help your player.

Until next time,

Go Hartford Football,
Coach Whitemore

Steak Fry

2010-02-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post. It is a busy offseason with a coaches winter meeting, board meetings, registration events, and an upcoming steak fry (not to mention the coaches clinic in Madison in March). In between, I have been updating the website and Facebook pages.
Don't miss the steak fry on March 13th - it should be a fun time. It is sponsored by Hartford Football, with an assist from Youth Football. We are all one big football family, and it is great to have the support of the High School staff!
Reminder that we are still looking for players to join this year. If you know some 4th graders that will be in 5th grade this fall (2010) and love football, get them to consider signing up. Our fees are much lower this year, thanks to our fundraiser.
Think football, even in the offseason - we do!

Go Hartford Football,

Rob

New Year, New Opportunities

2010-01-07T10:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! With the new year come new opportunities for our club. We have lowered fees for the 2010 season, and we have our first on-site registration event on January 20, 2010 at the high school from 5-7 PM.
Last night we elected new officers for the Board, so we are set for the future.
We are beginning marketing activities in earnest, and will form a Marketing Committee in the next few weeks for additonal activities. Fundraising activities will now fall under Marketing.
Lots of things going on with coaching clinics coming up in the next 2 months, alignment with the Gridiron Club for a steak fry in March, and parade planning.
As you can see, we are busy all year long, making sure the club is well positioned for players to have fun playing football!

Go Hartford Football!
Coach Rob

Post Season Events

2009-12-01T20:56:00.000-08:00

Well, the season has been over for a month now. However, events keep moving along. November saw us participate in a great banquet - thank you all for your support and efforts to create a great night.

The kids once again proved how fun they are to work with, as they helped us take first place in the Christmas Parade in the Marching/Walking division!

On to a Football Board meeting Wednesday night, and then marketing planning for the off-season. Watch for information to be sent around in late December and early January regarding early registrations for the 2010 season.

Busy as always,

Coach Rob

Go Hartford Football!

Another Season Ends

2009-10-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

We played our last game in 6th grade today. We treated the kids to drinks and cookies at the end of the game (they ran out of hot chocolate, so I got the Slinger concession guys to give us a break on gatorades) to reward them for their season long efforts.

Be proud of your sons. They played hurt, sick, cold, and wet for most of October. This was a group of kids that was challenged by all those things this year, and they never let it get them down. I am very proud of every one of them, and am honored to have coached your sons.

Remember that even though this is their last game this year, it is only the start of their football careers. Coach Mike and I coached many of the 8th graders that finished 6-2 this year.

Our focus is not on winning - it is in laying the foundation and teaching fundamentals. We did that, as we saw improvement in everyone as the season went on.

Now my focus moves to post-season activities, and there are a lot. Starting with the banquet, November will be busy.

Thanks for all of your support this season - it is always greatly appreciated!

Go Hartford Football!

Coach Rob

Hard Work Produces Results

2009-10-03T20:11:00.000-07:00

Our 6th grade Orange team worked hard in practice all week, and our conditioning showed today. We never gave up, even when we were down 14-6, with only 1 minute to play in the game. Our kids played hard, and managed a long TD run and 2 point conversion to finish in a 14-14 tie.

I know ties don't sound exciting, but our kids loved that they could come back at the end. The coaches were really proud of the effort, and to me, it shows we are making progress game to game. For me, it's about getting better every week.

Our mental discipline is something we will work on this week in practice. We also told the kids it is hard conditioning from here on out, so we can play 4 quarters, like we did today.

On another note, the program had a significant step forward today with the 5th grade program's first ever victory, against Slinger 6-0. Congratulations, Coach Precord!

And. 8th grade Orange is now 4-0.

Not a bad day for the program. Go, Hartford Football!

Another Challenging Day

2009-09-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Losses are tough; nobody likes to lose. However, at our level in 6th grade, the most important thing is teaching the fundamentals of the game, Interesting that the word "mental" is part of that word fundamental. Most of our errors tend to be mental, which lead to physical errors. We struggled on offense today, and on defense in the first half.

The kids picked up some valuable learning experiences, and another game day will only help to add to this. We continue to be proud of all of our players and the progress they are making.

This week in practice we will work on adding a little more dimension to the offense. We also really need to focus on pass protection.

Congratulations to the 8th grade Orange team - 2 wins in a row! Plus, 8th grade Black won today as well to even their record to 1-1.

Hopefully, you had a chance to catch a T-shirt, or enter the raffle for a youth autographed ball. Some of the fun things we have added this year to the home games.

Let us know how you enjoy game days now with our new efforts. As always, thank you for your continuing support of the club!

Oh, and don't forget to check us out on our website or on Facebook.

Until later,

Coach Whitemore

A tough start to the season

2009-09-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

We found out today what game speed really means, as we came up against a quick Wauwatosa East team with a very good running back. We fell 40 - 6, but only gave up 13 points in the second half. We began to see positive improvement already in the second half of today's game - something to build on.

We know we need to have better discipline in maintaining outside containment on defense, finishing tackles, and work on pass blocking. Coaching opportunities for practice this week.

The kids all said they had fun. We told our players they all gave a great effort. and we were impressed with how many of them came back from game injuries to head back in to play. I am very proud of the effort every one of our players gave today. You can all be very proud of your sons!

Thanks to the Varsity players that came today as well. Hopefully, you had a chance to meet them. We held t-shirt tosses, a team autographed football raffle (congratulations to Dawn Schultz), and generally had a good day - great weather, great fans, plus an 8th grade Orange victory.

Looking forward to seeing you at next week's game!

Coach Whitemore

It's Game Week

2009-09-08T20:43:00.001-07:00

Well, scrimmages are behind us now, Picture night took place last week, and now it is game week! From here on out, we will expect players to practice at game speed, and be mentally sharp. "You play how you practice" is so true - we want to make sure we are sharp. We ran a game simulation in our practice tonight, and found some coaching opportunities. It's also important for the kids to know sideline behavior on game days, so we focused on that as well.
Look for a little different experience on game days this year, as the Hartford High School Varsity will have representation at our games; we will have a football raffled off each week, and a halftime T-shirt toss.
Tell your friends about this great free experience on Saturdays this fall, with full concessions and some great fun!
See you on game day!

Coach Rob

Another Rainout

2009-08-25T19:47:00.001-07:00

Well, another rainout. And we thought that was only in baseball. Not true - when you have thunder and lightning with kids wearing metal shoulder pads and helmets, it's a no-brainer to cancel practice. We hope you all made it through the bad weather with no issues.

I often wonder how we can get you info quicker. I'll be trying to with a twitter account. Be patient with me as I work througfh the technology to get you more real time info. Follow me on Twitter, and I'll try to update you when we have to cancel, or give you real-time info if I can during the season.

We'll see you at Germantown tomorrow for scrimmages.

Until then,

Coach Whitemore

Parent Support Is Great

2009-08-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

I'd like to thank the parents who were able to make it to our scrimmages this past weekend. The best part was the positive support you all gave the kids. Scrimmages are not about winning, they are about learning where we are, and what we can improve on. For more on that, check Coach Mike's blog on 6th Grade Orange. Thanks 6th Grade Orange parents; it was great to hear the cheers and support you gave everyone. It is also appreciated that you showed great sportsmanship.

I thought our kids did well to begin with. We struggled a little bit, but no more than I expected. If you watch us in practice this week, you will see us run a little more at the end of practice. The kids need more stamina to play for 4 quarters. We'll get there -we do every year.

The most important question I posed to them I held until the very end - "did you have fun?" We heard a resounding "Yes!" from all of them. THAT is what it's about at our level - having fun and learning the game. Winning is great, but teaching is more important, and the chance to play, and the kids having a positive experience. With our team size, everyone got good playing time on Saturday. I'm looking forward to that all season.

Hopefully, your son's team had fun, too, at the other grade levels. And, I hope all the parents had fun as well!

Until next time,

Coach Whitemore

Scrimmage Update

2009-08-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

Well, sometimes you have to call an audible. Through some unfortunate miscommunication between organizations, we had the incorrect date for the Grafton scrimmages. They are actually next Saturday, August 22, 2009. A Grafton offical on site confirmed it for us this morning.

We all headed back to Hartford, some of us to practice, others released with some extra free time today.

We managed to roll with the punches at 6th grade, and the Orange team actually had a good practice on our home game field at Town Hall. We added some new plays, and looked good generally.

So apologies to all for the extra ride today, but thanks for your understanding. It's great to see how flexible and forgiving all of you are. The only bonus is that now you know how to get to Grafton next week!

Reminder that practices for teams will be at Town Hall fields this week, unless you have heard different from your coach.

Thanks,

Coach Whitemore

It's Scrimmage Season

2009-08-14T05:43:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year. Scrimmages begin tomorrow (Saturday) for some of the teams at Grafton High School (you can find details on our Schedules or Calendar page). Make sure your player is there by 8:00 AM if your team is participating.

We were able to put in a basic offense at 6th grade, so it will be fun to watch the kids execute the plays. This is a full contact scrimmage, so there will be hitting, and some dings and bruises as there always are. Team managers will be there to help out.

If this is your first experience, there is nothing like the thundering sound of cleats approaching you on the sideline as a play goes by (make sure you sit far enough back from the sideline!). It sounds like wild horses on the run - very cool.

More importantly, now all the lower grades (5th through 7th) team coaches are posting to their blogs. Follow your team on our website, so you know what the coaches are talking about each week.

I'll be more focused now on coaching the 6th grade Orange team offense, but will still blog on other club news. Read the website regularly, we'll keep it updated - even in the offseason.

Enjoy the season!

Coach Whitemore

Cancelled Practices

2009-08-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed we cancelled practice this morning. Not a common thing for us to do, but with this heavy rain that came with thunder and lightning, it was an easy decision. While 6th & 8th grade teams cancelled practices outright, 5th & 7th grade coaches met with their players in the eqipment shed. They did this to share information with their players, then released them early.

Head coaches at each grade level have this prerogative to keep the kids for a meeting if they want to, or to wait out the rain and practice when it ends (as long as it is safe and lightning has left the area), and will and should let parents know when to pick up players early.

We hope to not have many of these situations, but when they do occur, the kids' safety comes first. As a parent, you have the final decision on whether your son will be at practice. Please check with your coach if you have any doubts or questions. It is what we are here for.

As a reminder, chedk the website and our blogs for current information. In the future, we'll try to give you advance notice here and on the website if we know we are going to cancel.

Thanks, and stay dry today!

Coach Whitemore

Practices Are Fun To Watch

2009-08-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

The kids are now in pads, and the real hitting will start on Saturday, after the required 10 hours are met by the kids. If they do not have 10 hours in, they will not be able to hit. So, if it looks like your son is not participating in some drills, keep that in mind.

Also, some of the teams have Varsity help. The 5th grade team will have Damien Van Altena, a varsity lineman (and former AAYFL player), helping out on a semi-regular basis. The 6th grade team had Tyler Whitemore, a varsity tight end (and former AAYFL wide receiver) helping out with receivers last night; he will be helping on a semi-regular basis. The 7th grade is scheduling a varsity quarterback to help out with QB drills.

And, occasionally, we may have a varsity coach help out as well.

So keep your eyes out as practices evolve over the next week into hitting with pads on. Also, since we will be able to hit, you will see some new drills we have not run yet!

Coach Whitemore

The fun has started!

2009-08-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the players and parents that attended our first practice. It was a busy morning with equipment handout, new registrations (it's not too late), equipment fixes, 6 teams practicing on the fields, and the parent/player picnic.

The rain made us all feel like it was football weather - we are looking forward to the hot days, too. Remember, we practice rain or shine!

Now that we are in full swing, parents should check the News page and the Team Pages section of our website. Coaches will update the Team Pages on a regular basis. You will see a few coaches have already started to post to their blogs. More will follow.

Also, we appreciate the effort all of you are making in helping us with the fundraiser. The goal is to reduce fees for players so as many kids as possible can join/play. Your efforts to get sponsorships will help us to reach our goal.

A final reminder from coaches that players on all teams should get to practice at least 15 minutes early, if possible. We will start on time, and we do not want any players to miss any part of practice.

We hope you enjoy the season as much as we do!

Later,

Coach Whitemore

Practices start tomorrow!

2009-07-31T15:32:00.000-07:00

The season is here! Practices start tomorrow, August 1, 2009 at 8:30 AM. We are all looking forward to a great year. Make sure you keep an eye on our online calendar on the website.

Remember, for the first week, only helmet, mouthguard, practice jersey and football shoes are needed.

If your son did not get his equipment yet, he can get it the first day of practice that he attends. It is important that you let us know if he will not be at practice, as we are OK with excused absences.

Parents, we ask that you stay off the practice fields when we are practicing for insurance and liability reasons (coaches are insured).

We hope you join us for the parent meeting & picnic tomorrow at 10:30 AM.

Thanks for all your help, and Go Hartford Football!

Rob

It Really IS Football season

2009-04-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

Hello again,

I know it has been awhile, but things have been busy. My attention has returned to football when I am not travelling for work (which has been a lot lately).

Our state football coaches clinic was held 2 weeks ago, we held our Family Fun night fundraiser the same weekend with well over 100 guests in attendance, and the Wisconsin Badgers held their Spring football game today. We are planning to participate in the local Memorial Day Parade, as well as another local opportunity in early May; lots of football to think about.

At our clinic, there were a lot of camp brochures available, as well as combine information. If you have a young athlete entering high school in the fall, you may not be thinking about these things just yet. There are so many things to prepare for - 8th grade graduation, freshman orientation, etc. - and rightfully so.

But, don't forget things like participating in parade walks, local high school sponsored summer camps, and other opportunities to stay sharp. Football camps may overlap with other sports if done on weekdays, but some are held on weekends and may not interfere.

At any rate, as you balance your spring and summer month activities, don't forget about football!

Until next time,

Rob

Fundraisers

2009-02-27T14:10:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

This week, I have my charitable hat on. Like any non-profit club, we rely on the generosity of our players' families and our sponsors for support.

That support can be financial, which helps offset club costs, like the equipment for our kids. It can be donating materials or posters. It can also be participating in a club-sponsored event. Our next event for our football club is a Family Fun night, with a silent auction, dinner, and comedian. Help is greatly appreciated at these events, from setup to taking pictures. I am impressed by how people are able to coordinate such large activities.

If your club has a volunteer leader, and they ask for your help, please consider that you are doing a great service to them, making their job a little easier, and you are also doing a great service for the kids. The ultimate goal is to help them, and you will have a little fun along the way, not to mention the great feeling of having contributed.

Another great way to support your local club is to become a sponsor - if you run a local business, donate what you can. It's great publicity, and helps a child with positive growth opportunities.

Remember, your local club may be very active in the sport's offseason; when the season is going on, it is all about the sport. At other times of the year, your support is just as important.

Finally, thank you for your support - without your help, we would not be successful. It is always appreciated,

Until next time,

Rob

2009-01-27T19:04:00.000-08:00

Greetings,

It has been a football week so far! What could be better than that? Maybe watching the Super Bowl this Sunday?

We held our coaches meeting last night to talk about last season and begin to plan for this fall season, and held our first on-site registration event tonight (1/27/09). It was great seeing kids getting excited about playing already, even though we don't start for another 7 months.

Think about clinics in the offseason for your child, like speed camps for agility training, and the Hartford Oriole Camp at the end of July right before our season starts. Information on the Oriole camp usually comes around toward the end of the school year. Speed camps are available indoors in the winter, and are good for conditioning. If your child is interested in kicking, there are links to the Kohl's kicking camps on the hyfb website.

If you attended an on-site registration, or even if you mailed it in, the winter is a good time to take a few minutes and read throught the parent handbook (available on the Links page on the hyfb website). That way you will be ready and know what to expect for the season.

Next week, I will share some other current club activities with you. Look for signs of us in the community throughout the year.

Until then,

Coach Whitemore

January 2009 HYFC Notes

2009-01-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year - signup for fall football is actually now. We have an on-site event at Hartford High School on January 27th from 5-7 PM. Hope to see you there.

Coaches will actually meet the day before that to discuss how last year went, and to start aligning coaches for this year.

Also, the board meets monthly and right now is talking about a March fund-raiser. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.

Watch for off-season volunteer opportunities to help fill your hours. There will be some new oppportunities this year.

As you can see, we think about football year-round!

Rob