In this conversation, Coach Tarp discusses with Abbott head coach Kyle Crawford what makes the Abbott J-bird offense unique. In doing this, Coach Crawford shares details on the large line splits popularized by the Abbott Panthers, as well as a overview of the “big 3” of the J-bird offense: hammer, weak sweep, and quick dive. Coach Tarp and Coach Crawford finish up their conversation with an explanation of the Abbott audibling system.
We encourage you to check out Coach Tarp’s YouTube Channel.
Coach Tarp with The Sixman Spotlight interviews Coach Stanaland of Jayton. The conversation breaks down the Jayton passing attack with a significant amount of time spent on the “option pass”. We encourage you to listen and to subscribe to Coach Tarp’s YouTube channel.
What’s it like going from 11-man football to six-man Texas high school football? We caught up with the head coaches at Springlake-Earth and Van Horn to see how they are adjusting to a new game.
This week I wanted to take a look at two teams making the transition to six-man from 11-man, so I reached out to head coaches Israel DeLeon of Springlake Earth and Brock Tyrell of Van Horn to get their perspective on how the season has unfolded.
I am sometimes asked about the proof of sixman football being a “successful” way for their son to “play at the next level”. The question comes in several forms, “Do sixman player get college scholarships?” or “What type of colleges will even look at a sixman player?”
My answer has been I am more concerned with the content of your son’s character then I am with their accomplishments. The world is full of accomplished tyrants and self-centered millionaires. When defining success, I look to Jesus’ definition of success:
I am often asked by officals at the start of a game what do I want to do if we win the coin toss. I let them know that I have no idea and to ask the team captains who will be on the field. They are always shocked to learn that I do not make this decision nor even care to know the answer. My rationale is that this is their game, their team and their season. I am simply along to guide them through Socratic “learner driven” coaching.
What makes learner driven coaching unique is the emphasis on self-directed learning. In creating a team of self-directed learners, it is crucial coaches hold the line on guiding and not teaching. To do this, requires coaches to develop new pathways of communication whereby we listen more and speak less. We should adhere to the old adage that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.
Athletes are the Captains of their own Heroes Journey and as coaches we are along for the ride. We are not to become the “petty tyrants” which rob athletes of the lessons best learned through self discovery. As learner driven coaches, we will hold each other accountable to these foundational points:
Point #1: A promise to each other
In the world of youth sports, few debates spark as much passion as the one surrounding when and how young athletes should transition to tackle football. With the rise of flag football and 7-on-7 leagues, many programs have delayed introducing full-contact play until high school. However, this approach overlooks a fundamental truth: a strong middle school tackle football program is essential for achieving success at the varsity level. Not only does it foster critical skills and safety habits, but it also lays the foundation for program identity and long-term player development. Drawing from years of coaching experience, this article explores why middle school tackle is irreplaceable for teams aiming to compete and win at higher levels.
The Starting Point: Why Middle School Matters
For most young athletes, tackle football doesn’t begin until middle school. Prior to that, options like flag football dominate, offering a low-contact introduction to the game. While flag football serves a valuable purpose in building basic athleticism and enthusiasm for the sport in elementary-aged kids, it falls short as a preparatory tool for serious varsity aspirations. The surge in popularity of flag and 7-on-7 formats has inadvertently reduced the number of tackle teams at younger levels, creating a gap in development that shows up starkly in high school.
Coach Hudgens with Hill Country Christian School of Austin spends time with us this week going over his 3-1 defense and some of the differences in his spread offense. He also sheds some light on the the three divisions in TAPPS while everyone else has two. We discuss the new crack back rules and how it will affect sixman football.
ABOUT SIXASONE
A series of interviews with the coaches, players and fanatics of sixman man football. Several times a week throughout the year Coach interviews the people who make sixman football the unique brand of football where iron man football is still the norm. Where the starting QB, is the starting DE and the kicker.
The series is for anyone who wants to know more about the game of sixman as Coach spends 45 minutes to an hour with each guest. Often, game film is reviewed and coaches discuss their strategies and coaching tips. Likewise, players are interviewed to better understand their perspective. Finally, coach spends time with athletic directors, fans and folks integral to making Friday nights special. If you are more interested in Coach Golemon you can visit his website at http://www.coachg.us .
ABOUT SIX AS ONE
A series of interviews with the coaches, players and fanatics of sixman man football. Several times a week throughout the year Coach interviews the people who make sixman football the unique brand of football where iron man football is still the norm. Where the starting QB, is the starting DE and the kicker.
The series is for anyone who wants to know more about the game of sixman as Coach spends 45 minutes to an hour with each guest. Often, game film is reviewed and coaches discuss their strategies and coaching tips. Likewise, players are interviewed to better understand their perspective. Finally, coach spends time with athletic directors, fans and folks integral to making Friday nights special. If you are more interested in Coach Golemon you can visit his website at http://www.coachg.us .
