Spring Skills & Evaluation Sessions
The Strong Center (thestrongcenter.org) will resume walkup skills sessions with our coaches this season. These sessions will be used for football skill development using progressive development each week, and will be used for evaluation of players that are on the waitlist for the fall season.
The focus of our walkup sessions are the progression of football terminology, form, and position. We believe it is important to understand the "why" in conjunction with the "how" in sports.
These clinics are open to all players ages 6-13 looking to improve their skills, NOT just those who have signed up to play with The Strong Center in the fall. The Strong Center is committed to providing skills training for ALL positions at every clinic, with specific instruction at each position.
The following Sunday afternoons are confirmed for skills clinics.
- Session 1 - March 9th (Optimist Farm Fields)
- Session 2 - March 16th (Optimist Farm Fields)
- Session 3 - March 23rd (Optimist Farm Fields)
- Session 4 - April 13th (Optimist Farm Fields)
- Session 5 - April 27th (Optimist Farm Fields)
- Session 6 - May 4th (Optimist Farm Fields)
- Rain Make-up (if needed) - May 11th (Optimist Farm Fields)
This year we are offering our skills for $5 for players under 7, and $10 for players 8 and up. Players can also register for ALL 6 sessions at a discount.
Location is Strong Center Athletic Fields at Optimist Farm, 2930 Optimist Farm Road, Apex, NC
Registration is available online (see below) and via walkup on Sunday afternoons.
Who should participate?
Our skills sessions are designed to "slow down" and focus on learning. The coaches are prepared for a progression of development. The sessions are perfect for beginning football players and for players that are still learning the mechanics of the game. Advanced players may be separated to work on higher level techniques.
What is covered in the skills sessions? Our coaching staff will provide targeted, position-specific instruction, including the following skills:
Quarterback: Throwing mechanics, accepting snap, drops, footwork, meshpoints/handoffs, coverage recognition
Offensive Line: Stance/starts, footwork, run blocks, pass protection, front recognition
Running Backs: Stance/starts, meshpoints/handoffs, ball security, tackle avoidance techniques, run blocking, pass protection,
Receivers: Stance/starts, proper catching technique, proper route running/breaks, coverage recognition
Defensive Line: Stance/takeoff, hand placement & usage, Gaps/techniques, pass rush techniques, block defeats, tackling technique
Linebackers: Stance/starts, communication, hand usage, pre-snap reads, post-snap reads, run fill, tackling technique, pass coverage
Defensive Backs: Stance/starts, coverages, communication, leverages, run support responsibilities, tackling technique
