Lakewood Jr Spartans Football
Tackle Football
Creating a safe, nurturing environment that promotes teamwork, networking, and a will to succeed. Our goal is to build relationships through camaraderie and healthy competition.
Practice and Tackle Football
Practice Information and Guidelines
Declaring Varsity and Jr. Varsity Teams
Being on a Varsity team is a privilege and kids selected to the Varsity teams should be prepared to join the ranks. The Varsity head coaches will decide who will be moved to the Jr. Varsity teams. Week Two of practice, the Varsity coaches will start identifying players for the Varsity level – thus developing Jr. Varsity teams.
Tackle Football
Practice Dates: First Day Of Practice July 11th Monday–Friday, 6:30-8:30 pm until the week when school starts.
Once school starts, the practice schedule changes to Tuesday-Thursday, 6:30-8:30 pm.
Dress Code
FIRST WEEK – Shorts and T-shirt
SECOND WEEK – Helmets and shoulder pads with shorts
REMAINDER OF SEASON – Helmet and Shoulder Pads only, shorts, shirt, cleats (non-metal spikes), mouthpiece, practice pants with thigh/knee/hip pads and girdle.
*Purchase practice jerseys and practice pants from Lakewood while supplies last!
Play Downs
There are opportunities for players who are “underweight” to play in a division with younger players but similar weight class. They are called “play downs.” If you are interested in your son being a play down player, please see the head coach for instructions.
FLAG FOOTBALL/CHEERLEADER PROGRAM
THE LAKEWOOD JR. SPARTANS OFFER A FLAG PROGRAM TO BOTH FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND CHEERLEADERS, AGE 4-6. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES THE “LITTLE ONES” WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE ORGANIZED SPORTS, SOME FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. WE HOPE THE PARTICIPATING CHILDREN GROW TO APPRECIATE AND RESPECT THE SPORT OF BOTH FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING, AND CARRY THAT LOVE OF THE GAME INTO THE TACKLE PROGRAM.
THE FLAG PROGRAM ONLY PRACTICES 1-2 TIMES PER WEEK, AND WILL PLAY A 12 GAME SCHEDULE. THE GAMES ARE OFTEN PLAYED AT 8AM ON SATURDAYS MORNING. BOTH THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND CHEERLEADERS ARE TAUGHT THE VERY BASIC FUNDAMENTALS OF THEIR SPORTS, PROVIDING A SOUND STARTING POINT FOR THEIR TACKLE EXPERIENCE.
FLAG FOOTBALL
Flag Football practice dates and times will be determined by the flag coordinator prior to the start of the season
Please remember to bring your mouthpiece (which will be provided) and at least 32 oz of water daily. Please begin hydrating your child at least three hours prior to practice and games. Dress attire for practice is shorts, t-shirt, and athletic shoes or cleats. Cleats are suggested, but not required. Uniform for game day (will be provided). No jewelry is allowed during practice or at the games.
Please have your child at the field by 8AM on game days for warm-up.
Please reinforce good sportsmanship with your child. They will learn the fundamentals, but good behavior starts at home.
All Flag parents (or adult guardians) must remain at the field during practice and games or your child will not be able to participate.
If you have questions regarding either program, please contact the Flag coordinator.
Becoming A Successful Athlete
How is Success Defined? Success is the ability of the athlete to achieve a high level of performance every time they are in a competitive situation. It is the ability to consistently produce their best performance day after day and to continually improve. It is also the ability to maintain a high level of performance when faced with various challenges whether from within or from an external source.
Many athletes go through their sporting career without ever reaching their full potential. Many realize that being a successful athlete requires more than just practicing the necessary skills for their sport. Being successful means being able to consistently perform each required skill at a level that is demanded of the athlete when in battle. Success is achieving goals and then formulating longer term goals to be achieved.
Set Goals
How to be successful – First of all the athlete should set goals and know where he or she wants to go within their sport. Without goals, you have nothing to achieve and progress. These goals need to be specific to your sport and realistic. Set goals for the short, intermediate and long term. Each time you achieve one of these goals then you have been successful.
Be Disciplined
Be disciplined in everything you do. Be disciplined in arriving early for practice, having your equipment ready and in working order, following through on your designated tasks for each day, and setting the standard for others around you to follow your high expectations. If faced by cheating or confrontational opponents; the athlete is disciplined enough not to retaliate and lose their focus.
Evaluate Your Goals
Evaluate your goals on a daily basis as well as your performance. Learn that some days are better than others but are not a sign of permanent deteriorating performance levels. Evaluate how your body responds to new training methods and exercises. Evaluate your progression in each fitness component and adjust any variables that need to be changed. Be honest and precise in your evaluations as you will only be cheating yourself. Evaluate what areas need to be improved on.
Understand
Understand what is required to be successful.By this I mean you have to conduct a needs analysis of your sport by analyzing the skills that need to be learned and mastered. To be the best you can be you have to strive to achieve your best in every area of the game.
Self-Realization
Self-realization is simply being the best athlete you can be. Your success will be unlimited once you believe in yourself and what you are doing. You are in control of your own destiny and you must control what you say, what you do, and how you react both on and off the playing field.
Self-Belief
Self-belief is essential. You have to believe in what you are doing. Be honest with yourself and assess how your are going with achieving your goals.
Rest and Recovery
You understand the importance of rest and recovery. The athlete understands that they need to take periodic breaks from their sport. While on these breaks they assess their goals and look forward to returning to playing again.The athlete understands what their body is telling them and accepts these messages.
Have Fun
You must have fun and enjoy what you are doing. You have to love what you are doing. If you don’t, then you need to evaluate and assess the reasons for being involved in the sport. Playing, training and competing should be fun even when faced with difficult challenges. The athlete should look forward to the next days practice sessions and really misses their sport when taking a break.
Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is a key component to being successful. Having the discipline to do whatever you have to and make whatever sacrifices necessary to perform at your best when in competition.
Success
Success is defined in many ways but success shouldn’t be defined by monetary gain. Many athletes are successful without making a living from their sport.
