The Benefits of In-Season Training

As practices and games get going for the 2013 season, one of the questions I am frequently asked is whether I think in-season training is beneficial for athletes. There are mixed opinions on the issue, but I strongly believe that athletes can benefit and improve their performance by continuing football training during their season. I recognize the challenges of finding time during the grueling fall schedule, but with focused effort and minimal time commitment, athletes can really hone their performance. At Riggs Premier Football, we have specifically designed some training options for athletes this fall to meet what I believe are athletes’ prime needs during the season, and I want to give some insight into why we chose to offer these options.

Fall is the best season of the year! I love hearing the whistles blow, the team chants and the excitement of football practice kicking off, and as a coach, I truly love practice. It is always exciting to know that the team has a chance to step onto a field, focus and work, and become better through their efforts. Most people involved in sports love participating in games, but I have always enjoyed the practice aspect of athletics. But just as practice can help prepare a team, it can sometimes set back an individual player. Practice times are limited and coaches have to figure out where to cut drills and times to condense all of a team’s performance aspects into their practice. Many times, the “individual” component is cut out and athletes will not get specific focus on their personal performance. In-season training is designed for this purpose.


Athletes work very hard during the off season to build strength, speed and skills, and in-season workouts can still be utilized to maintain the individual skills that were developed during the off season and to continue to enhance performance. The rigors of repeated practice, film, and games don’t leave athletes much time to tweak their game technique, so working with a coach who can observe their game and help with key performance adjustments offers a definite advantage during the season. Specific focus on fundamentals and key position skills can be very beneficial for athletes and can help minimize the risk of injuries. Athletes who pursue in-season training can also take advantage of extra “eyes” for film study to further enhance their understanding of the game and their contributions on the field. With even half an hour to an hour per week of training, athletes will be able to maintain their off-season gains, discuss and tweak their individual performance, and regain focus on position fundamentals.

Another aspect of the season that is challenging for young teams, particularly, is the inability to focus and develop a team’s passing technique. The full 11-man format limits the ability to pass the ball, so that skill often doesn’t get the attention it needs. Consistent pressure in a QB’s face prevents an offense from being able to open things up and get the ball to their skill position players downfield. A lack of practice time also makes it difficult for an offense to expand its schemes of attacking defenses downfield. We are offering a 7 on 7 Tournament on August 31st to allow teams to develop their offenses to work timing to stretch the field, and to allow a QB to develop confidence in his throwing without having defenders in his face. Teams can use the 7 on 7 in place of a regular practice, and the tournament format is fun and competitive.

Options are definitely available for athletes who think they need extra focus or training during the busy season. I hope that everyone is off to a great start with the 2013 season, and I hope you will join us for some of these training opportunities!

Coach Riggs on Quarterbacks

We are wrapping up our Think Football summer with a Non-contact Camp for K-5 athletes (July 29-31) and a Quarterback Clinic (July 26). It has been great fun for our coaches to work with athletes in all our camps and position clinics over the past few months. We have seen some tremendous talent and determination to improve! As we offered our position clinics this summer, Coach Riggs asked his coaches to share their insights with young athletes about the demands of playing and training for the various positions. We asked Coach Riggs to do the same as he prepares 

                                                          to lead his Quarterback Clinic this week.

What are the most important qualities in a QB?
Desire! Desire to be the best, desire to know the system inside and out, and desire to make your teammates better. If a young QB has the desire to strive in these areas, they are going to be successful.

What kind of workouts make an athlete a better QB?
Throwing is not the only area that a QB needs to develop. QB’s really need to remember that their feet are their greatest asset! QB’s should always start at the bottom and work their way up: feet, core, arm and then mental aspects of the game. QB’s should constantly work to improve their foot speed, strengthen their core, build up arm strength and then continue to learn all aspects of their team’s strengths and what might be a weakness for their team.

What advice would you give to a young athlete who someday wants to play QB?

Learn from your mistakes, but do not dwell on your mistakes. QB’s are constantly going to be put in the spotlight. They will experience failure in practice and games. How they are able to learn from these mistakes, correct them, and improve their performance is the key. There is intense pressure on athletes who play QB. Learning to handle performance in the face of that pressure is critical to success!

What was your favorite part about playing at QB?

Learning and Leading. The QB position has such a high expectation that athletes have to be “students of the game.” As a QB, you have the opportunity to learn offensive schemes, defensive schemes, all positions and their responsibilities, and lead your team through the highs and lows of competition. 

Why should athletes go to this QB clinic?

Playing QB is like coaching...you can never receive enough training. As a QB, you constantly want to learn new wrinkles and how they can help you improve your play and become successful. This is very true as a coach too. I will be coaching this clinic along with one of my most successful and experienced QB’s, Terrance Bryant. Coach Bryant just finished an extremely successful season with the Sioux Falls Storm, leading the team to another championship and winning MVP honors. I have enjoyed coaching Terrance during his QB career, and the two of us really enjoy working together to help develop young QB’s. This clinic will be a dynamic and fun experience for athletes who are serious about learning the QB position!

We are looking forward to working with athletes at our Quarterback Clinic and our last event of the summer, the Non-contact Camp. The Fieldhouse has been very busy this summer with athletes seeking to improve before the 2013 season. It is going to be a great experience watching them turn their dedication and hard work into success on the field this fall!

Heads Up with Kevin Kaesviharn

As South Dakota athletes prepare for their transition to Heads Up Football, I have spoken with many of the people who will be bringing that change to area athletes. The effort toward improved player safety is a joint effort between the NFL and USA Football, and I wanted to include the perspective of NFL players. I spoke with NFL Ambassador for Heads Up Football, Brian Hansen, and with Kevin Kaesviharn, another well known South Dakota athlete who enjoyed a successful NFL career. 

Kaesviharn graduated from Augustana College and went on to play in the AFL, XFL, and NFL, most notably for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New Orleans Saints. His career was affected by injuries, and he suffered a serious neck injury toward the end of his playing career. Kaesviharn played safety, which also seems to be one of the most scrutinized positions involving tackling. I asked him to share his perspective on youth football and on the current efforts to improve player safety.

How old were you when you started playing football? 
I started playing flag football around 7 yrs old and started tackle football in 9th grade.

How much work did you put in during off seasons growing up? What kinds of things did you do to train?
I didn't put a lot of time and training into football until 10th grade because I was busy playing other sports and didn't know that training would help me as much as it did at the time. I was content just being a kid. Basic strength training, speed development and agility drills were mostly what I did in high school and progressed from there.

Did you learn good fundamentals at a young age? How important is it for kids to work their fundamentals?
I learned the fundamentals of the positions I played (WR/DB) and also proper tackling. Fundamentals are essential to the development of any football player. You need a good foundation to build your skills upon and need to continue working on the fundamentals even when you think you may know everything about the game. It's the old saying "If you don't use it, you lose it." You will resort to your old ways when you get fatigued, and if you were taught good fundamentals, they will keep you safe and also help you to be successful on the field. If you have poor fundamentals and are fatigued, you put yourself at a higher risk of injury as well as not giving yourself the best chance to be successful.

You experienced serious injuries during your career, at a time when there was less emphasis on player safety. What are your thoughts on the NFL/USA Football Heads Up Football movement for kids? How will it affect the game?
I think they are bringing more awareness to the importance of proper tackling, which is good. I also think there are a lot of coaches that don't know the proper/safe way to tackle, maybe because they were never taught it as a player. As a football player, you are not always in the best position to make the "form/proper tackle" which is why injuries will always be a part of the game. However, if we can reduce the number through these educational programs, I think it is a step in the right direction.  I also feel that the NFL is feeling pressure from the public and former players about player safety, which is why they are being more proactive in this area. There is definitely a fine line when it comes to keeping the appeal of the game and the safety of the player in check by changing the rules of the game. The NFL is trying to set a positive and safe standard that will hopefully trickle down to youth football. I think the program is good for football at all levels and will help reduce injuries. My hope is that the program has staying power with good, consistent instruction.  

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My coaches and I are looking forward to starting the process of teaching kids Heads Up Football as SD Junior Football Camp gets underway next week. It is not an easy or small task to change the culture of football to increase focus on player safety issues. Given our increasing knowledge on the effects of concussions, the NFL and USA Football are taking reasonable and necessary steps to promote that change. At Riggs Premier Football, we are focused on teaching proper fundamentals to improve kids' ability to play well and safely. We are proud to be part of these essential changes taking place in youth football, and we look forward to working with coaches, athletes and parents in the coming weeks!

Heads Up with Sanford's National Institute for Athletic Health and Performance

One of the prime motivators behind Heads Up Football is increasing knowledge about the long term effects of concussions. The NFL has invested in research on player injuries, and its partnership with USA Football has led to additional investment and planning to promote a "better, safer game" for youth leagues. Both organizations are publishing their concussion studies, and we asked Thayne Munce, PhD, Associate Director of Sanford's National Institute for Athletic Health and Performance to weigh in on USA Football's recently published results. These are Dr. Munce's thoughts on the issue:

Many aspects of football that make it such a popular sport also put its players at an inherent risk for injury. Recently, there has been a lot of attention and concern about the risk and consequences of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury in football. While mainstream media has largely focused on the NFL and its high-profile players, the discussion on main street USA has turned to concerns about youth football.

Some of the questions being asked are:

How dangerous is football for kids?
How old should kids be before playing football?
Should kids be playing football at all?

While its natural for people to panic in response to scary headlines and nobody should ever fault parents for wanting to protect their children, it’s important for people’s decisions, ultimately, to be guided by scientific evidence. Unfortunately, we have many more questions than answers at this point, as the science on this topic is still in the very early stages.

Football’s national governing body, USA Football, recently released preliminary findings from a study it commissioned on youth football health and safety. The results are from Year one of a two year study examining injuries in youth football players (6-14 years old). Approximately 2,000 players from youth leagues in six states are being monitored by the Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention. After the first year of data collection, which comprised nearly 60,000 sessions (practices & games), it was found that 3.6% of the players sustained one or more concussions. Overall, 9.7% of the players experienced an injury that restricted their participation to some extent. Injuries were more likely to be sustained in games than practices. Fortunately, no catastrophic head, neck or heat-related injuries occurred during the season.

Around 70% of all football players in the US are younger than high school age, and surprisingly, there is very little information about concussion rates and risk among this population. The USA Football study is the largest of its kind among youth football players, making its findings very important. Furthermore, Datalys, the group commissioned to perform this study, also oversees the NCAA injury surveillance program, giving further credibility to this research.

While the preliminary findings of this study are limited, there are still some important observations that can be made.

First, the concussion rate of 3.6% is consistent with another recently published study of nearly 500 youth football players that reported a concussion rate of 4.3%. On a per player basis, these concussion rates for youth are relatively low compared to previous reports among high school players that have been as high as 20%. However, more recent findings have placed the percentage of high school football players who suffer at least one concussion during a season at 5.6%, which is much closer to the rate reported for youth.

Considering that youth football seasons are typically shorter and have fewer sessions (both games and practices) than high school football, the youth concussion rate may actually be higher than the high school rate on a per session basis, depending on what study is used. We’ll learn more next year when the study is complete. Finally, it’s important to note that many concussions, particularly among boys, go unreported. Without knowing the exact methods by which concussions were reported/diagnosed in the USA Football study, it’s likely that the actual number of concussions sustained in this group was actually higher than 3.6%.

USA Football estimates that approximately 2.8 million youth (under high school age) play tackle football. If the 3.6% concussion rate is extrapolated across the entire youth football landscape, that works out to be just over 100,000 concussions per year. Yet again, the actual number is probably higher than that due to underreporting and players who sustain more than one concussion during a season. Clearly, 100,000 or more concussions a year in youth football is a big number, and worthy of the attention this injury is receiving in the scientific and medical communities. Furthermore, it’s understandable why players and their parents are concerned about this serious health and safety issue. In order to keep football as safe as possible, coaches, league administrators and medical personnel need to have a better understanding of the risk of concussion in football so that it can be appropriately managed. This USA Football study, when completed, will be an important piece of that puzzle.

At Sanford Health, we have been working to advance health and safety in youth football in a variety of ways. In 2011, Sanford played a key role in championing concussion legislation that was passed in SD, ND and MN. We have worked with SD Junior Football for many years by providing the league and its coaches with educational information in wellness sessions and printed literature. More recently, we have engaged SD Junior Football in a series of studies investigating neurological function and head impact exposure in youth football players. These studies, being performed right here in Sioux Falls, are the first of their kind among youth football players in the entire nation! Some of this work has already been presented at national sports medicine meetings, and we hope to publish our complete findings later this year. Sanford Research has generously supported these important studies, and we look forward to making meaningful contributions in the future that will help improve the health and safety of youth football players, both locally and throughout the nation.

Finally, as a heads up, we are preparing for an exciting new concussion awareness campaign with a partner that people in the upper Midwest are sure to recognize. I can’t reveal any details at this time, but I can assure you that we’ll have some big shoulders to help us carry the message.

If you have any questions about youth football health and safety research, feel free to contact me at:
Thayne Munce
National Institute for Athletic Health & Performance
Sanford Health
thayne.munce@sanfordhealth.org (605) 328-4756

We are fortunate to be in a community where this kind of research is valued and ongoing. As SDJRFB progresses into HUF, we believe that young athletes in Sioux Falls will be on the leading edge of these important improvements to change the football culture to emphasize safety. There are big changes coming for our athletes, and we are excited to be part of that change. Next up in our blog series, we will be talking with Kevin Kaesviharn about his NFL career and his thoughts on HUF for SD athletes. Don't miss it!

Heads Up with NFL Ambassador Brian Hansen

Brian Hansen, SD State Director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, has been named as South Dakota's NFL Ambassador for Heads Up Football (HUF). Hansen played college football at the University of Sioux Falls and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1984 NFL Draft.  He played from 1984 to 1999 for the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and the Washington Redskins. He was selected to the 1984 Pro Bowl.

Brian is a perfect person for this role!  He brings a strong football background and community leadership to the program. Brian has always been proactive through FCA promoting the proper fundamentals of football. I asked him a few questions to help us understand his new role as the NFL Ambassador for HUF:

Brian Hansen

Will you explain what the HUF Ambassadors do as part of the HUF program?

The NFL Ambassadors have been selected as representatives of the NFL and USA Football's effort to bring awareness and education to Americas favorite sport. The former NFL players selected will work with local media, youth coaches, and parents in their area to speak on issues related to safety, tackling techniques, concussion awareness and encouraging parents to get actively involved.

What does it mean for SDJRFB to be a HUF league?

It means that there are now certain guidelines and expectations that primarily focus on educating and certifying coaches. Coaches will be required to go through the HUF training program that will equip them to be able to teach proper technique and ultimately enhance the level of safety for their players. They will also be able to recognize and manage concussions after going through the certification process. Master trainers will also be part of the program. They will work with coaches on an ongoing basis throughout the season to create accountability and ensure HUF policies are being utilized.

Riggs Premier Football is offering the SDJRFB camp, a special tackling clinic, and a non-contact camp for area kids to learn HUF techniques before the season starts. Are there other events planned for the area as part of this initiative? I will also be working with the Watertown Youth program but do not have anything scheduled there at this point.

What are your thoughts on being the NFL Ambassador for our region? 

It’s exciting for me to see the NFL and USA football take the lead on this and to be a part of a local and nationwide effort to enhance the game and change the culture of youth football. I'm also glad to see that education and training are going to be the new norm. The game that I played and loved will continue at a higher level providing opportunities for young boys to play the game that helped mold and shape me and taught me valuable lessons about myself, life and dealing with the challenges that ultimately make us better.

We are very fortunate to have Brian Hansen working closely with this effort in the Sioux Falls area. His involvement with FCA gives him a very clear understanding of the advantages and challenges faced by youth football programs in our area. He knows the athletes, the families, and the coaches involved in this effort, and he is well liked and respected as a leader for youth sports. Best of luck to him as he embarks on this venture for the NFL and USA Football! We look forward to his involvement during the 2013 season!

Next up in our blog series...Dr. Thayne Munce from the National Institute for Athletic Health and Performance will share his thoughts about USA Football's concussion studies and Sanford's research on concussions in youth football right here in Sioux Falls.

Heads Up with USA Football

USA Football and the NFL have worked cooperatively to develop and promote the Heads Up Football program to youth leagues around the nation in an effort to change the culture of the sport to be more focused on player safety. Check out this video to get a sense for how the organizations work together to bring HUF to communities:

Coach Riggs asked Joe Frollo, Digital Media and Publications Manager for USA Football to explain the background of HUF and explain the benefits of bringing the program to players and parents in South Dakota. This is his response:

Heads Up Football is a comprehensive approach to a better, safer game. Adopted by more than 1,800 youth football organizations across the nation already for 2013 – including SD Junior Football and Riggs Premier Football– Heads Up Football provides a safer environment for young football players to learn the basic fundamentals of the game.

By learning correct tackling techniques at an early age, athletes build muscle memory and take these skills with them as they progress through the sport. By involving parents in the learning process, Heads Up Football encourages everyone to know the standards, live up to them and engage to provide a great football experience for our youth players. Parents who know their coaches are certified to teach the game can feel confident that their organization is doing it the right way.

Five reasons players benefit from Heads Up Football:
• Coaches who properly teach football’s fundamentals make you a better player;
• Effective, organized practices keep you moving and having fun with your teammates;
• Coaches go step by step to make sure you learn a skill in practice before you do it in a game;
• Coaches aren’t asking you to do something your body isn’t ready to do;
• Good coaches and prepared players are keys to success on game days.

Five reasons parents should feel more comfortable because of Heads Up Football:
• Peace of mind knowing that the coaches are trained to teach football’s fundamentals in the safest possible way;
• Knowledge that coaches have access to an online drills library, film room and practice planner to facilitate teaching and manage practice time wisely;
• Confidence that coaches are teaching age-based instruction that help players reach their potential with drills appropriate to the players’ cognitive and physical skills;
• Assurance that coaches have a better understanding for concussion, heat emergency preparedness and equipment fitting;
• Improved communication between parents and coaches through a positive team environment.

--Joe Frollo

We are very pleased that SD Junior Football made the commitment to becoming a HUF league in the interest of training and safety for area athletes. Riggs Premier Football will be teaching HUF techniques at SD Junior Football Camp, a Non-contact camp, and a Tackling Clinic in July. Athletes who participate in any of these events will be ahead of the game for the 2013 season since they will already be trained in the HUF techniques for tackling and contact. Our staff will also be working closely with SD Junior Football this summer and fall to assist parents and coaches in making this transition. We stand solidly behind the principle that education and proper fundamentals will improve the safety of the sport without damaging the nature of competition.

Contact us with questions about HUF and the camp/clinic offerings in July. And stay tuned for Coach Riggs' interview with South Dakota's NFL Ambassador for HUF, Brian Hansen.

Heads Up with SD Junior Football

Youth leagues have the choice whether or not to get involved with Heads Up Football (HUF) and make the transition to teaching specific fundamentals and certifying their coaches. This year, around 900 youth leagues in the US made the decision to become HUF leagues including SD Junior Football and a youth league in Watertown. Given the practical concerns of certifying all the coaches, and the number of kids involved with SD Junior Football, the transition presented some challenges for SD Junior Football. Coach Riggs asked Ken Sproles, President of the SD Junior Football Board to share his thoughts on why the league decided to make the change and what it will mean for parents and athletes.

What factors went into SDJRFB's decision to become a HUF league?

I think the decision started with the question… What’s best for the kids? It was pretty much a no brainer. We felt that if we can help protect the players and make the game safer, then why wouldn’t we join the HUF program? The HUF program also provides league-wide coaching education and teaching resources that help to ensure a positive youth football experience for everyone involved.

What does this change mean for SD Junior Football? 

The change means that we will be investing more in our coaches than ever before. This year, Head Coaches and 1st Assistant Coaches will be required to become Level 1 certified coaches through USA Football and attend Heads Up Training Seminars. We want our coaches to be the best they can be so that players can have the best experience possible.

Coach Riggs teaching HUF

Explain a bit about who is involved in the community in the transition to a HUF league.
As the Coaching committee chair on the Board of Directors, Eric Garrow has been appointed to the task of implementing the HUF program in SDJRFB. Eric is selecting Player Safety Coaches (PSC) that will help mentor our coaches in the HUF tackling techniques. These PSCs will oversee the coaches that are assigned to them by both fielding their questions and encouraging them in their practices.

How are you getting the word out about HUF?

If we have learned anything about Coach Riggs, it’s that he is a marketing machine. Every time we turn around, he is promoting SDJRFB and the HUF Program. Coach Riggs has been a big part of the transition and in getting the word out. We can’t say enough about how much he is helping our League with this transition. Plus, by including the HUF tackling technique into his Summer Camp, he will be training kids before we even start the season. Those players that attend the camp will be walking into their first practice with the knowledge of how to tackle properly. That’s priceless.

Coach Siegfried working tackling drills

What can parents do to support the HUF initiative for SDJRFB?

First and foremost, we can use their encouragement. This is a big undertaking for our volunteer board to manage and for our coaches to implement. This program means that we will be training 260 coaches a new tackling technique. That alone will need encouragement. Secondly, we would like for parents to get involved. During Kickoff Weekend, we will be holding seminars for parents to learn about HUF and the proper way to tackle.

We are hoping for a great turnout at the SD Junior Football Camp, Tackling Clinic, and Non-contact camp so that athletes can get ahead of the game with HUF tackling technique. Stay tuned for Coach Riggs' discussion with a representative from USA Football, the organization behind HUF.

Heads Up at Riggs Premier Football

Have you heard about Heads Up Football (HUF) and the "better, safer game" for youth football programs? The NFL has been promoting the program since last fall, youth leagues around the nation are adopting HUF techniques, and Coach Riggs has written several blog posts about it, most recently 'Heads Up: Coaching for Change". The culture of football is changing to become more proactive with injury prevention, and HUF seeks to introduce that philosophy to every level of the game, starting with our youngest athletes.

Changing the culture of football requires change at every level and in every part of the country.  

Teaching Heads Up tackling

Athletes in the Sioux Falls area are fortunate to be on the forefront of that culture change, and we want parents, athletes and coaches to understand what this development in the sport means for them. Many people and organizations have been involved in bringing HUF to SD athletes. Coach Riggs has asked each of those involved in the HUF transition to explain their part in bringing the program to South Dakota and to help parents and athletes understand how the changes affect them. Coach Riggs will share his interviews with representatives from SD Junior Football and USA Football, NFL Ambassador Brian Hansen, and Dr. Thayne Munce from Sanford Orthopedics/National Institute for Athletic Health and Performance. While their roles in bringing HUF to SD vary, they are all firmly behind this important movement to improve safety standards in youth football.

Coach Hermanson teaching tackling

RPF is also on board and focusing on fundamentals for all ages in July! We have our Think Football QB Clinic July 26th and an all ages 7 on 7 Tournament July 19-20, and we are also working to get athletes specifically trained in HUF techniques before the 2013 season! The SDJRFB camp July 10-13 for 2nd-8th graders, our Tackling Clinic July 16-17 for all ages, and a Non-contact camp for K-5th graders July 29-31 are designed to specifically train area athletes on proper fundamentals the HUF way. No matter which events athletes choose in July, they are guaranteed careful emphasis on fundamentals and technique. We believe that is an essential component of teaching the sport to promote the changing culture.


There are many benefits to be realized from training and certifying coaches, increasing awareness of injury prevention, and improving athletic performance without affecting the competitive spirit of football. It is exciting to see this collective effort to improve safety in the sport, and we are proud to be part of that effort in South Dakota. Stay tuned for more on HUF during the month of June, and join us for our July camps and clinics to get a Heads Up on the 2013 season!

Think Football: Roundtable with the Kick/Punt/Snap Coach

We are following the OLine/DLine Challenge and Skills Clinics with a Kicking, Punting and Snapping Clinic on May 28-29.  Former All-American kicker from SDSU, Parker Douglass, is leading the clinic for Riggs Premier Football. Parker is one of the rare kickers that has been able to kick successfully at all levels. Parker had a successful career at SDSU, then was able to kick in the IFL, UFL and NFL. Certain kickers have the unique ability to get the ball in the air quickly off the foot, kick with distance, and kick with accuracy. Parker is definitely one of the those kickers! Over the years, Parker has worked very hard to perfect his craft, and he spends countless hours trying to make sure that he is prepared for all situations! Kids are very lucky to have the opportunity to receive coaching from this great Jackrabbit Alum!

What are the most important qualities in a kicking specialist, and how do you display those?

Some of the most important qualities of a kicking specialist include: a strong work ethic, desire to be the best, being coachable, and belief or confidence in one’s self.

What advice would you give to a young athlete who someday wants to be a kicking specialist?

Work hard and take advantage of your opportunities to get coaching and advice from someone who has had success at your position. I did not begin kicking until I was in high school, and I did not have any professional coaching until after college. I wish I had pursued professional coaching since high school because I believe I would have performed better.

What’s your favorite part about being a kicking specialist?

Being there for my team. The kicking game can provide a big advantage. Your team depends on you, and I enjoy doing everything I can to put points on the board and help put the team in a position to succeed.

Why should athletes attend this Kick/Snap/Punt camp?

I believe it would be a great advantage to any kicking specialist who attends this camp. As I stated earlier, I did not receive professional coaching until after I was done with college. I had to coach myself and learn from watching the NFL. There is only so much you can learn from watching, and I truly believe I would have performed much better in high school and college had I received more training.

We are looking forward to working with athletes who are focused on improving their skills as kicking specialists!  And stay tuned for our blog series leading up to our July camps and clinics.  Heads up! It's time to focus on tackling!

Think Football: Roundtable with the Skills Position Coaches

This Think Football summer is designed to give athletes an unprecedented opportunity to focus on their athletic development and off season training. Our position clinics provide athletes the chance to work closely with position coaches on the fundamentals of playing their position and technique development to improve their play. We focused on the lineman position with our OLine/DLine coaches to help athletes gear up for the Challenge Clinic, so now it is time for our Skill Position coaches to offer a few thoughts about attending their Skills Camp on May 22-24!

What do skill players need to focus on? Running routes, breaks, cutting, and tackling are just a few of the skills that are required to perform at a high level on the football field. As with any sport, athletes have success by repeating movements and techniques to train their body and mind to correctly perform fundamental skills at a high level. The Skills Clinic is a great opportunity to maximize reps and work on the "little things" that will improve your game. Football movements are unique, so we have to put ourselves in these positions in the off season to keep our skills sharp!

Josh Siegfried and Blake Wilson are two of our coaches who will be working to assist athletes at the Skills Clinic. Josh has an extensive background coaching and playing, and he will be working the defensive side of the ball to teach athletes the essentials of defensive skill positions. Blake Wilson had a very successful career at Southwest Minnesota State at wide receiver, and he is continuing his career playing with the Sioux Falls Storm and coaching with RPF. Blake's career has continued because of his work ethic and his ability to work on the "little things" required to play receiver. Blake does an excellent job setting up routes, blocking, understanding the defense and thinking like a quarterback. Both of these coaches are excited to work on skill development at their clinic!

Blake Wilson

What advice would you give to a young athlete who someday wants to play at a skill position?

Josh:  Deep Practice! There are a lot of good players out there, but if you want to separate yourself from the crowd, you must put in the time and effort to become great! You must focus on your deficits as a player and then practice those at a high level to train your body and mind to react in a way that improves your game and the success of the team.

Blake: Work, work, and more work! If you want to be the best at any position you play you have to be willing to put in the sweat and time.

What is your favorite part about playing/coaching at your position?

Josh: Defense is all about doing your job as part of the scheme. It’s really all about team, chemistry, and trust. When everyone does their job, the success is very rewarding. Defense is PASSION...getting excited about successes as a unit!

Blake: The satisfaction you get from the joy of your teammates when you pick up a key third down conversion or score a game winning touchdown. That is the best part of playing receiver!

Josh Siegfried

Why should athletes go to this special position clinic?

Josh: You must become an expert at your position and understand what is happening around you to help your team win! You need to keep these skills sharp in the off season to allow you to show growth year in and year out. These are not all movements and reads that you do on a consistent basis, and skills clinic will allow you to get a step up on your competition. Practicing these movements also gives you confidence, and when you combine ability to play faster with confidence, you will develop a football player that performs at a high level.

Blake: As a receiver you must know your strengths and advantages. Whether you are faster, quicker, or maybe just bigger than your defender, you need to utilize that advantage. This clinic gives athletes a opportunity to develop their strengths and learn details about the position that will give them a step up on their competition. They will learn from coaches that have been where they are and know what it takes to raise their game to another level.

We are looking forward to the Skills Clinic next week! Stay tuned for more discussions with our coaches. Next up is Coach Riggs’ conversation with kicking coach, Parker Douglass.

Think Football: Roundtable with the OLine Coaches

The OLine/DLine Challenge Clinic will be held May 20-21 at the Fieldhouse. In the last blog post, I invited the Defensive Line coaches to share their thoughts on their upcoming Think Football Challenge Clinic, and now it is the Offensive Line coaches’ turn to say a few words.

Shawn Flanagan played college football at the University of Oregon, then Eastern Oregon, and finished his collegiate career winning a national title at the University of Sioux Falls. After college, Shawn was signed by the New Orleans Saints. He currently coaches football and track at Colman, and coaches offensive linemen with RPF.

Charlie Sanders won two national titles at Valdosta State and then played for the Billings Outlaws. Charlie now anchors the offensive line with the Sioux Falls Storm. During his three years with the Storm, Charlie has been voted first team all-league and helped lead the team to back-to-back titles. He also coaches centers and other offensive linemen with RPF.

What are the most important qualities in an offensive lineman, and how do you display those?

Shawn: Work ethic, ability to change direction, strength, explosive hips, quick feet, and knowledge and ability to lower hips, stay square, drive through contact, hand and head placement, and understanding blocking angles. You display these by always being in a position to execute your assignment from snap to whistle with power and control of your opponent.

Shawn Flanagan

What kind of workouts do you do, and how does it make you a better offensive lineman?

Charlie: I do lots of footwork drills. As linemen, we are not required to run long distances but we have to be quick on our feet to put ourselves in the best possible situation on every play.




What advice would you give to a young athlete who someday wants to play at your position?

Shawn: Be involved in a long term strength program, work on specific football skills such as pass sets, and drive blocking. It’s important to do this because it takes an average of 10,000 reps of doing something before you can master a certain skill and not have to think. The more you think the slower you play!

Charlie: Don’t ever forget that the snap is the most important thing! The snap of the football starts every single play, and it can make or break every single play.

Why should athletes go to this special OLine/DLine Challenge Clinic?

Charlie Sanders

Shawn: These coaches have played or are still playing at a high level, and there is no one better that understands what correlates to football in terms of drills and knowledge.

Charlie: There is so much focus on the skills positions when it comes to specialized training, and it can leave offensive linemen behind the curve. Why should linemen be punished?

The OLine/DLine Challenge Clinic will allow specific focus on the techniques of playing on the line. There are not many opportunities for specialized instruction and coaching for linemen, so athletes will really benefit from the careful attention to fundamentals and skills at these positions. We hope to see a great group of linemen who are up for this challenge! And stay tuned next for advice from the skill position coaches on their upcoming Skills Clinic.

Think Football: Roundtable with the DLine Coaches

The Sanford POWER Football Academy is getting ready to kick off its Think Football summer with a series of position clinics, and two 7 on 7 tournaments. As we run our clinics this summer, we are asking some of our position coaches to share their perspectives on the game, training, and learning fundamental skills to play at each position. Our first clinic is the OLine/DLine Challenge Clinic, so we invited two of our Defensive Line coaches to share their thoughts.

Cory Johnsen is a local athlete from Aberdeen, SD, who went on to play in college at St. Cloud State University. He has been a dominant force at the Nose Guard position for many years with the Sioux Falls Storm. Cory coaches with RPF, and he has coached at Augustana College, working with their defensive line.

Rachman Crable brings college and pro-experience from many different levels. Rachman played D1 football at Ball State, then bounced around with NFL teams and Arena Football teams. He has played with the Sioux Falls Storm for five years. He has tremendous football ability and intelligence, and having Rachman playing is like having another coach on the field. Rachman coaches with RPF and also assisted Augustana's staff last year with the defensive line. Both coaches are well-loved and respected by the athletes they train at RPF!

What are the most important qualities in a defensive lineman?

Cory Johnsen

Rachman: Having a good attitude. Wanting to work hard and listening. Athletes display those by showing up ready to improve and work hard each session and by knowing their coaches only want the best for them.

Cory: Work Ethic! ‘Want To’! Toughness! Athletes display those by working their butt off during drills and practice, so during the game it comes easy and natural.



What advice would you give a young athlete who someday wants to play at your position?

Rachman: Pay attention to people playing your position, either on your team or another. Always be a willing learner and a resilient worker.

Cory: The key to being a successful defensive lineman is first, work ethic, then combine that with a good base set of DLine skills, and implement some special skills to complement the fundamentals, and you will have success!

Why should athletes come to the OLine/DLine Challenge Clinic?

Rachman Crable

Rachman: I feel it gives kids a great head start on bettering their skills and mentality. They will be getting great one-on-one coaching and interaction with trainers/coaches that have ‘been there and done that’ and want to see young athletes succeed.

Cory: Athletes should come to this clinic to learn the small key features and skills of being a defensive lineman. We will help athletes learn the key components to the position that a regular coach just does not have the time to implement.

Riggs Premier Football is offering the position clinics to give athletes the chance to do focused work on the fundamentals of every position. It is difficult during the regular season to do one-on-one work with athletes during regular practices, so the clinics will allow for specialized coaching and careful attention to fundamentals and skill development. It is a great opportunity for athletes to build their abilities and confidence before the season. Be sure to stay tuned for the next round of advice from our OLine coaches!

Work Those Skills! The Advantages of the 7 on 7 for Athletic Development

One of the most important concepts that coaches preach to their players is "maximum repetition." With limited practice time, coaches need their players to get as many reps as possible in a short amount of time. A regular football practice is often limited in the number of reps that skill players can get, and teams wanting to hone their skills in the off-season have found very few available options.

Those limitations resulted in the creation of  7 on 7 passing leagues. In a 7 on 7, we take away the Offensive/Defensive Linemen and allow the skilled positions to work on refining the passing game without the physical contact and pounding up front. QB's and WR's are given the opportunity to get the many extra reps that are not possible in a short practice. DB's and LB's are able to work their pass drops and strengthen their communication as they learn to improve their coverages.  It is a tremendous format for individual athletes to hone their skill sets and for teams to work together to enhance their technique and passing game.

The 7 on 7 leagues have been a big deal in the South and other parts of the country, both from the standpoint of improving athletic skill and giving recruiters the ability to see "best of" skilled positions playing at the same time.  In our area, 7 on 7's have been attempted in the past, but without an available year-round facility to house the competition, no one has ever been able to make it work long term.  The Sanford Fieldhouse changes that, and Riggs Premier Football is inviting athletes of all ages to get involved in these fun and competitive events this summer.

There are several options available for area athletes:

1)  Elementary/Middle School Tournaments - We have tourneys coming up on May 24th and July 19-20.  These tournaments give young athletes a chance to excel at the parts of the game that are difficult to duplicate in the regular season setting.  Offensive/Defensive linemen have the edge at this age, so the 7 on 7 format allows athletes to develop their position skills and complete plays to the satisfaction of a coach.

2)  High School Tournaments - We are hosting the 1st Annual Rise Above the Region Tournament on June 1-2, and a tournament for local athletes on July 19-20.  For the June tournament, there are over 400 invited coaches from the five-state area.  It will be a great opportunity to see how athletes and teams match up against each other in the region and for athletes to experience many different offensive/defensive looks.  The July tournament will allow athletes to fine tune their timing and continue to refine their skills before the regular season begins in August.

3)  Premier Passing - We are inviting area teams to bring players to the Fieldhouse on Sunday evenings now through July for a controlled 7 on 7 experience.  This is not a competitive tournament setup, but rather a chance for players to work their individual skills in the fast-paced 7 on 7 style under the direction of RPF coaches.  Athletes will develop their speed, agility and timing through the one-on-one play this format allows.  The focus of Premier Passing is on fine tuning the athletes' passing, catching, and defensive skills, and it presents a great opportunity for players and teams to improve their football aptitude in the off-season.

All of the 7 on 7 options are non-contact.  If individual athletes are interested, let us know and we can put together teams.  If a tournament team doesn't have a coach, let us know and we will provide one.  Athletes in the area have never before had the opportunity to focus on this level of skill development and competition in the off-season. We are looking forward to working with athletes and teams to build a consistent and successful 7 on 7 tradition in South Dakota! 

Heads Up: Coaching for Change

American Football Monthly recently ran an article entitled Safety First--Culture Shift: Changing the culture of football to reduce violent injuries. You can read it here. It is an excellent and timely reminder about the improved safety efforts being made at the highest levels of the sport. We are seeing a shift in football culture to be more about preventing injuries than just treating them.  Whether we are parents, coaches, fans, or athletes, we all bear responsibility to do what we can to reduce the risk of serious injuries to our players.

Changing the culture of football requires change at every level. As a result, the NFL has partnered with USA Football to place extra emphasis on the importance of teaching fundamentals to young athletes and concussion awareness to coaches through their Heads Up Football Program. USA Football is training coaches nationwide how to teach kids proper tackling technique and fundamentals, and they are working with the NFL to ensure that kids see and recognize those proper techniques and fundamentals when they watch their favorite NFL athletes. It is a comprehensive plan to emphasize proper form and safer play at every level of the sport, starting with our youngest athletes. They released this tackling video last fall to demonstrate the Heads Up Tackling technique:

The coaches at Riggs Premier Football stand solidly behind the efforts of Heads Up Football. The tackling techniques are intuitive and well explained, and kids learn fundamentals that will make them better overall players and reduce their risk of serious head injuries. Our coaching staff discussed what we could do to help promote changing the culture of football in our region, and we came up with several responses:

1) Coach Siegfried and I went through the certification process with USA Football to ensure that Riggs Premier Football’s instruction is in line with USA Football’s recommendations;

2) We are partnering with SD Junior Football to offer their summer camps, and for the first time in program history, the camps will be full pads. That will give our coaches the opportunity to do focused training for young athletes in proper tackling technique and fundamentals;

3) We are assisting SD Junior Football with their culture change of requiring all coaches to be USA Football certified. I, and several of my staff, will serve as Player Safety Coaches for the region and assist in training and certifying Junior Football coaches;

4) We launched our Think Football program with a full series of camps, clinics, and tournaments for athletes of all ages during Summer, 2013. Through this range of offerings, athletes can learn and develop proper fundamentals at every position, participate in a focused tackling clinic, or participate in camp or tournament style settings which promote safe play along with the competitive atmosphere. With Think Football, we are focused on athletic development, mental aspects of the game, and gaining understanding of how to improve individual and team performance. No matter which events athletes choose from this program, they are guaranteed careful emphasis on fundamentals and technique. We believe that is an essential component of teaching the sport to promote the changing culture.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been speaking around the country about the efforts to develop a safer game for players. In a speech to the University of North Carolina last month Goodell said, “There is a national conversation taking place about football. We welcome it. That’s how we approach our jobs every day: Looking at changes to the game not as something to be feared, but as something we need to do as if the future of the game relies on it. Because it does. The risk of injury in football is well known, but throughout history, football has evolved and become safer and better.” 

I agree with Commissioner Goodell that there is no way to completely eliminate the risks of injury in such a physical sport, but improving player knowledge and increasing concussion awareness will help reduce the risks without being detrimental to the sport. Riggs Premier Football is proud to be part of that changing culture in South Dakota.

Think Football: Roundtable with the Coaches

We are very excited to be bringing the Dale Moss Wide Receiver Camp to athletes in the Sioux Falls area. When I started Riggs Premier Football, I knew that the combination of exceptional area talent, a state-of-the-art Fieldhouse, and athletes with a strong desire to work their skills year-round would combine to create an entirely new way of thinking about football training in the region. Dale was one of the first athletes who trained with us, he continues to train and coach with us, and he exemplifies the combination of athletic talent and an unparalleled work ethic in a way that we think athletes should learn from. He has committed to putting on this camp for area athletes on an annual basis, and we are looking forward to continuing our work with him when he has time off from his NFL career.

We are fortunate to have extremely talented WR coaches, Will Powell and Korey Williams, working with our athletes as well. Each of these athletes brings veteran knowledge of the WR position, remarkable athletic talent, and a strong desire to work with young athletes. Dale and Will are from the area and know the opportunities kids have in our region and the struggles they will face. All three of our WR coaches are men who will always go the extra mile to make themselves and our Academy athletes better. These three coaches are very much shaping the way area athletes think about the position and the game of football. We are very lucky to have them on board, and I asked them to share some of their thoughts and advice on playing WR as we prepare for this clinic.

What are the most important qualities in a WR, and how do you display those?

Will: The best receivers are smart, physical, and efficient in their route running. Playing fast, but under control is crucial to being successful at WR. Obviously, a great receiver needs to have exceptional hands as well.

Dale Moss

Dale: I feel the top qualities in a WR are consistency, confidence, and attention to detail. You are heavily relied on to make plays for your team and to protect your quarterback, which is why it's so important to be confident that anything thrown is your ball. The timing between you and your quarterback is crucial, and you have to pay attention to all the small details (route depth, steps) so you and your QB are on the same page. Finally, consistency is what allows you to be deceptive in your route running and getting separation. If you make everything look the same, the defender never knows what route you are about to run.

What kind of workouts do you do, and how does it make you a better WR?

Korey:  I never stick to one thing because the game is always changing, but the fundamentals don't! I do cone drills to keep my breaking points crisp, ladder drills to keep my feet fast, route running on air to get my steps down for timing, and most importantly, watch video to see what I can add to my game to give me the edge on the defender.

Dale:  I do a lot of footwork drills as well as change of direction-type training. The better your footwork, the easier it is to get in and out of cuts. I also focus on the change of direction so I can control my body when breaking down and changing directions, which allows me to keep my routes consistent and all looking the same.

What advice would you give a young athlete who wants to play WR?

Will Powell

Will: Practice, practice, practice! Have fun! Wide receivers have more fun than anyone on else on the field! The more that receivers can perfect their routes and ball skills, the easier it will be to score touchdowns during the season. Nothing is more beneficial than running routes and catching balls from a QB!

Korey:  Get your parents to buy you a ladder! Practice on your own outside of school practice, that is what separates receivers. Keep your grades up so that you can get into any school that you want, and remember, football is just the beginning. There is a lot more to life than football, and you will need knowledge to crack into it.

Korey Williams

Why should athletes go to this special WR Clinic?

Will:  Athletes should go to this clinic because they will learn what it takes to be a successful WR at any level. I wish I had the opportunity to attend a clinic like this when I was younger, because I really I didn't understand what it took to run great routes until I was in college. We are going to teach athletes how to improve their footwork and ball skills, as well as helping them become efficient route runners.

Dale:  It's a great opportunity to learn things that I've been taught from some of the best coaches/players in the game. There haven't been many opportunities for kids in this area to receive a lot of individual attention on the basic skills of being a WR, and these are things that can really take your game to another level! We have a great staff that cares and wants to see kids from SD continue to develop and succeed!

We hope to see you at the Fieldhouse for this tremendous opportunity to work with our premier coaching staff and focus on the skills you need to play wide receiver! --Coach Riggs

Listen Up, Sports Parents!

I recently had a colleague tell me about the article that is circulating in social media from the The PostGame entitled, "What Makes A Nightmare Sports Parent -- And What Makes A Great One."  As I read this article, I could not help but reflect how many times parents would be deemed the “bad parent." Sometimes it takes an outside source and some self-reflection to realize that as much as we are trying to help our kids, sometimes we actually can make things worse.

In the article, Reporter Steve Henson shares the beliefs of Bruce E. Brown and Rob Miller of Proactive Coaching, LLC, who are devoted to helping athletes, coaches and parents. As much as we all hope that we fit the “Five Signs of an Ideal Sports Parent,” there are going to be times that we fall into the “Nightmare” category. We are fiercely loyal and protective of our kids, and we have strong opinions about what is best for them and how they will achieve their potential. Nobody understands them better than we do, right? And parents never intend to make things worse for their children. In fact, the intentions are completely opposite. We always want what is best for our children, but sometimes the way we go about achieving that goal overshadows the overall purpose of athletics.

 Kids who compete know when they have done something great and when they have done something that took away from their performance. Athletes are usually the toughest critics on themselves, and the last thing they want is someone pointing out the mistakes that they are already dwelling on. This totally goes against what parents want, which is the opportunity to teach and correct. Athletes, especially children, are not going to take their parents' dissection of their mistakes as a learning opportunity. As the article states, the worst memory of athletics was, “The ride home from games with my parents.” And I will admit right now that I have been that parent. Countless times, I have tried to point things out from an athletic event that could be easily corrected. Countless times, it has led to a disagreement. I thought to myself, “I am a coach, I can give advice on these things," when in fact, I should have been taking the role of a dad that is fully supportive of my child. There is a time and a place for the learning to occur, but in those times after a tough game, the most important thing we can teach them is that we are their biggest fans, no matter what.

After reading the article, parents have to wonder if they can ever be defined as the “Ideal Sports Parent”? I think any time children have the chance to compete at anything, then parents have a chance to redeem themselves. Just as our kids are learning their sport, we can stand beside them and learn to provide better support. Brown and Miller recommend these ideas for becoming the “Ideal Sports Parent”:

1. Cheer for everybody on the team, not just your child.
2. Model appropriate behavior.
3. Know what is suitable to discuss with the coach.
4. Know your role.
5. Be a good listener and a great encourager.

These are simple tips that we could all bear in mind as we cheer for our favorite athletes. I hope that parents, coaches and athletes will take the time to read the article and think about ways to improve. The reward for our efforts is a solid and supportive relationship with our kids, win or lose, and that is a goal worth shooting for!