2013 OUA Growing the Gridiron Program

Football Development

WITH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM: An agency of the Government of Ontario.

Relève du gouvernement de l’Ontario.

Welcome to Growing the Gridiron!

Growing the Gridiron is a new youth football initiative/ program to help grow the sport of football at the grassroots level in Ontario. Growing the Gridiron will offer Ontario youth between the ages of 7 and 14 a safe and fun introduction to football.

Growing the Gridiron is organized, operated and facilitated by Ontario University Athletics (OUA) with the support of its current and future volunteers to ensure all Ontario youth have the opportunity to participate in all levels and disciplines (touch, flag and tackle) of football.

The Growing the Gridiron program is based off of four guiding principles: 1.

Create a safe environment where children and adults can have fun with football

2.

Teach football skills, rules and strategy.

3.

Model and teach competitiveness with an emphasis on good sportsmanship.

4.

Promote active living and positive self-esteem to participants and volunteers of the program.

Participants will be introduced to football and receive skill development sessions derived from Football Canada’s LTAD model, which will help build positive self-esteem, confidence, and a new love for the game of football. Each participant will engage in and progress through the Growing the Gridiron program, advancing through the levels and the skills associated with each level.

Upon completion of each level the participants will receive a different coloured OUA football jersey symbolizing they have passed that level, which they can wear with pride!

Growing the Gridiron has been made possible thanks to funding provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Canada’s leading charitable grant making foundation. The Trillium Foundation works with not-for-profit and charitable organizations to help create vibrant and healthy communities in Ontario.

By engaging Ontario youth in a fun, safe and challenging way, Growing the Gridiron aims to increase youth participation in football to ensure that more Ontarians are associating fun with football.

As a result, Growing the Gridiron will lead to more players choosing to stay in Ontario to pursue their academic and athletic careers in the OUA, and continue to be active with football for life!

Mission Statement GTG’s purpose is to provide an annual series of fun and safe grassroots football introductory skill development events inclusive to all demographics between the ages of 7-14.

The program is multi discipline (touch, flag, and tackle) and an important emphasis throughout is placed on sportsmanship, self-care, increased self-esteem, ffootball fo oot ottba ba ba allllll knowledge, kn no ow wlle ed d dge ge, and ge an a nd most mosstt importantly mo imp mpor orta an nttly ly FUN! FUN UN!

Core Values Supporting the four principals of the Growing the Gridiron program are three core values that are built into each and every program, which is guided by the phrase “One Body, One Team, One Goal!”

One Body Learn the FUNdamentals of football, and how to properly take care of your body.

One Team Emphasis on good sportsmanship, building lasting friendships, and developing enthusiastic team players.

One Goal Have fun! That’s what football, sports and being active are H all about.

These three core values are integrated throughout the program in the drills, activities, games and speaking sections.

Warming Up Dynamic Stretch • Walking Lunges • Hamstring Scoops (Heel on ground, toes point to sky) y)) • Quad Pull • Standing Glute Stretch (support knee with one hand) • Lateral Lunges • Frankensteins Dynamic Warm Up • High Knees (20 yards) • Low Side Shuffle (20 yards each side) • Carioca (20 yards each side) • Fast Feet (on spot) to Accelerations (20 yards) Additional Upper Body Warm Up Exercises • Arm Circles (Forward and Backward) • Arm Across Chest Bilaterally • Triceps Behind Head Stretch • Neck Rotations • Trunk Rotations Lower Body Warm Up • Hip Flexor (Lunge forward pushing hips forward) • Sumo Squat (Elbows pushing knees out,stretcing groin) • Calf Stretch (Heel down, toe up against wall)

Throwing 1) Grip: To properly grip the football, place your ring finger on the lace of the ball towards the tip closest to you. Adjust your thumb so it is opposite your index finger on the opposite side of the ball. Allow for some space between your palm and the ball, and ensure the grip is comfortable for you.

2) Weight Distribution: With your feet shoulder width apart, keep your weight evenly distributed. Start to transfer your weight to your front foot as the ball is brought forward during the throw. Focus on driving off the back leg, and rotating your throwing-side hip forward to help transfer your weight and generate additional power.

3) Squaring Up: It is important that you have your head, chest and hip pointing in the direction of the target as the ball is released.

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Catching 1) Hand Positioning: When receiving a pass at or above the numbers, make sure your fingers are pointed towards the sky. Have your thumbs and index fingers of both hands touching, creating a diamond shape. Keep all fingers spread and your palms facing forward. Watch the tip of the ball, and reach out to grab the ball so it does not hit off your body.

When receiving a pass below the numbers, make sure your fingers are pointed down towards the ground, and that both of your pinky fingers are touching. Ensure your fingers are spread and palms are facing forward. Watch the tip of the ball, and reach out to make the catch.

2) Making Your Break: When making your break as a receiver, it is important to make sharp turns to allow separation between yourself and the defender. Make sure you lean slightly forward and bend your knees while running to stay low. As you turn, make sure to drop your hips and plant your foot hard into the ground to turn off of it.

3) Finding Space/Window Shopping: When running as a receiver across the middle of the field, be aware of your positioning in relation to the quarterback. k.

The quarterback needs a clear path to o deliver the ball to the receiver, so finding gaps in the defense is an important skill for you to master.

4) Secure the Ball: Secure the ball byy making sure you are applying the 5 points oiint ntss of pressure to the football. The 5 points ts off pressure include: (1) fingers, (2) palm, ((3) 3 3) forearm, (4) bicep, and (5) ribcage/chest. st. t.

Punting 1) Feet Positioning: When getting set to punt, it is important that there is a slight stagger in your stance. The kicking leg should be slightly back, with your non-kicking leg forward.

2) Ball Positioning: Before the punt, it is important that you have two hands on the ball, with the nose of the ball on a slight angle down and the laces of the ball towards the sky.

Once the ball is dropped, aim to connect with the ball on your shoelaces.

3) Kicking Plane: The kicking motion of a punt is straight back and straight forward, without your kicking leg crossing your body. It is important to follow through after you make contact with the ball, ensuring the toe on your kicking foot is pointed towards the target. Doing this will help you with power, accuracy and the arc of the ball.

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Kicking 1) Set Up: A great field goal starts with the kicker’s pre-kick set-up. Generally you will be three strides back and two strides to the side opposite your kicking leg.

2) Addressing the Ball: Once the ball and kicker are set, the kicker can start tracing their steps back to the ball, on a banana shaped angle. At the time of the kick, your non kicking foot should be planted beside the ball with toes pointed towards the target.

3) Kick: The three phases of the kick are: (i) Leg Cock: Bring your kicking leg back forming an “L” shape with your upper and lower leg, and place all of your weight on your non kicking foot. (ii) Leg Lock: When contact with the football is made, your kicking leg should be in a straight, locked position. The goal is to hit the sweet spot of the ball, (approximately the middle of the ball), with contact occurring near the toes of your shoe laces. (iii) Follow through: When kicking, the leg should follow across the body after contact, similar to a soccer kick.

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Blocking 1) 3-Point Stance: In a balanced position (feet slightly wider than shoulder width) with your feet slightly staggered, bend at your knees and hips.

Keep your chest up and eyes on the opponent. Place your hand on the side of the back foot, lightly on the ground, keeping your weight on the balls of your feet. Try to keep your back flat and your eyes and head up.

2) Hand Positioning: When engaging in a block, it is important to strike hard with your hands directly on your opponent’s chest plate. Fight to keep your hands on the inside of your opponents chest plate. If you have them out wide on your opponent, the referee will likely call a holding penalty.

3) Drive Blocking: To drive block you must explode forward from your 3-point stance. Focus on keeping your head up, butt low, and firing your hands onto your opponent’s chest. Take short, choppy steps, maintaining shoulder width stance to drive back your opponent. Finish by exploding through with your hips.

Always block until your hear the whistle.

4) Pass Blocking: The first step that the offensive player takes is backwards with the back leg to create separation from the defender.

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Tackling 1) Heads Up: Keep your head up! This will allow you to see the ball carrier, and keep you safe when tackling.

2) Squaring Your Body: As you prepare to make the tackle, you want to make sure your head, chest and hips are square to your opponent. If your body isn’t in square, you will not be able to generate the power to make the tackle.

3) Uppercut and Grab: Fire both your arms from the athletic position, like you’re throwing an uppercut with each arm, and grab onto the back of your opponents jersey. You want to be able to see what you are tackling! Continue to move your feet to drive the opponent back.

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oua football schools School

Team Name

Head Coach

Carleton University

Ravens

Steve Sumarah

University of Guelph

Gryphons

Stu Lang

McMaster University

Marauders

Stefan Ptaszek

University of Ottawa

Gee-Gees

Jamie Barresi

Queens University

Gaels

Pat Sheahan

University of Toronto

Varsity Blues

Greg Gary

University of Waterloo

Warriors

Joe Paopao

Western University

Mustangs

Greg Marshall

Wilfrid Laurier University

Golden Hawks

Michael Faulds

University of Windsor

Lancers

Joe D’Amore

York University

Lions

Warren Craney

Photo courtesy of Football Canada

OUA.CA/growingthegridiron growingthegridiron@oua.ca