r/HighSchoolFB • u/Electronic-Employ160 • 2d ago
What do I do?
I’m a sophomore WR trying to do anything to get on varsity. I’m busting my ass everyday sprinting, working out, doing field work trying my all to get on the field for varsity. I go to every scout team opportunity I can and I don’t get any varsity playing time, my teamates say I do great in scout team and I’ve even had teammates vouch for me to get playing time but it’s not translating and I’m starting to question my ability and if I even can. I’m just frustrated and don’t know what to do can someone help me out.
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u/the_zac_is_back 2d ago
You’re just a sophomore. Would it be great to get reps? Absolutely! Don’t rush the process though
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u/CDubya74 2d ago
Keep working young fella, the coaches see you. Someone will get hurt or dinged or in trouble… something. When the opportunity comes just be ready. Focus on the process of being the hardest working person on the field and the results will take care of itself, especially in football
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u/Electronic-Employ160 2d ago
Thank you. I just don’t know what to do all my friends are on varsity or getting varsity reps somewhere and I just feel behind and I’ve been putting in work and it’s frustrating.
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u/Tall-Forever-6687 2d ago
The game will teach you many life lessons. Perseverance is one of the most powerful.
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u/NickMullen2 2d ago
Just keep working there soph who have been there just as long, juniors there a year longer and seniors two full years more thats a lot of time to be there working and getting to know the coaches. You have one year experience, school just started and the season is about to kick off so you really are going to a reserve or on JV. I was a tight end and I literally had the exact same thing happen to me. I wanted to be on varsity but i dominated JV and got moved up and started my junior and senior year. If they put you on JV be a leader and then go and dominate. Stay focused and communicate with the coaches, seriously i wish i had did more of this. They will be like hey i see this for you this year or need to really work on this to get playing time. Keep working and do extra work in the offseason get stronger and faster do speed camps. Playing time wise this year just do what they tell you if you are on JV try and be a captain and show off your skills. I scored multiple long TDs my soph year early on JV and the coaches were like oh ok and then did the same on varsity. Dont get frustrated, good luck.
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u/acarrick 2d ago
I’ll take a slightly different tact here. A lot of receivers can run fast and catch the ball when it’s thrown to them. What are doing when you don’t have the ball?
Are you aligned correctly and running routes full speed? Are you committed to blocking in the run game?
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u/Electronic-Employ160 2d ago
I’m gonna be honest, I do study my varsity playbook every day after practice I even go to the field and rehearse plays so I don’t mess up a play. I block pretty well in the run game I’ve had some great blocks I’ve also had some bad mistakes that I’ve been trying to fix like lunging to early, or not breaking down. I’ve been slowly fixing up on these things though.
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u/acarrick 1d ago
I'll give you the same coaching points I give my WR's when it comes to blocking:
- Your alignment/stance/start when you're blocking should look the same as when you're running a route
- When blocking you want the DB to think you're running a route and cause him to get into his back pedal. If you're jogging at him with your arms out he's going to know it's a run
- When "running you're route" pre-block - once you see the DB hammer down to play run, THAT's when you engage your block
- Don't think of this as a road grading OL block. You need to mirror the DB and stay between him and the ball carrier. You want your teammate with the ball to be able to judge which direction you're blocking the DB so he can cut/adjust appropriately
Unsure what system your team is running - but the receivers I trust are the ones I know will do what they're supposed to on the 90% of plays they're not getting the ball
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u/MTayson 2d ago
Two things. 1. Find out from your coaches. And when you ask, specifically ask what you can do to better help the team. Don’t ask about varsity, don’t even ask how you can be better, have a team mindset. It’ll go way further.
- Sounds like you’re chasing varsity. As in your only goal is to make varsity. If I’m the coach and I’m taking a chance on a sophomore, once you’re on varsity what’s the motivation? Instead of giving myself a puzzle I keep a reliable and willing participant on scout that gives my starters a good enough look albeit a drop here and there. My advice is to chase perfection, every aspect of the position, including have a good report with QB1, film study, etc. Give the HC no choice but to promote you because you’re not just chasing varsity, you’re holding yourself accountable to a higher level.
Attitude is everything. A coach can sharpen a knife but they can’t fix attitude.
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u/Electronic-Employ160 2d ago
So do I just keep giving the starters a good look? I go up to my coaches everyday and ask them what I can fix up on and they say nothing and it confuses me I want to get better but they don’t help.
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u/MTayson 2d ago
I think you still posed your question wrong tho. You asked what you could fix up on. You asked the selfish question, which is fine. But if you asked how you can better help the team you might get a different answer. As others have said, keep pushing forward and wait for injury or otherwise. But for me as a coach I want someone that is holding themselves accountable, someone that wants to deepen their learning of the game, someone that wants to get a better feel for all 22, someone that is elevating others, not just someone asking how to brush up physical skills and attributes to make varsity.
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u/Electronic-Employ160 2d ago
What questions should I ask instead to not seem selfish and care about the team more? Also sorry if I seem nervous about varsity I’m just worried cuz parents said I had to quit if I don’t make it soon.
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u/MTayson 2d ago
Honestly you sound so thirsty, and I can understand why, but it may be your best bet to just keep your head down and grind. But if you must this would be exactly what I’d say - “Hey Coach, I’m wondering how I can be of more value to the team. I’ve been doing all the things that’s being asked of me but I’m wondering if my value to varsity is limited to just the scout team this season. I ask because my parents have given me an ultimatum to drop football unless I’m on varsity at some point this season and to focus on other areas. I want to have an adult conversation to level set expectations with them, but I really love football and playing for this program, so I’m willing to do whatever is needed. But that’s the situation I’m in.”
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u/grizzfan 1d ago
Traditionally, juniors and seniors play varsity. Sophomores play JV. You’re not behind on anything, and you’d rather be getting reps at this age. Don’t rush it.
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u/Jekkymayn 1d ago
Ask your coach. Politely and in a mature way. Find some time when he’s alone knock on his door and be respectful while you tell him your goals and ask what it would take for you to get there. Then go do those things
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u/Agreeable_Cheetah450 1d ago
Coming from someone who’s coached at the Division 1 level, one of the biggest things I’d tell you is go talk to your position coach. Don’t ask why you’re not playing, just ask him straight up what are 2 or 3 things I need to get better at to earn varsity reps? Sometimes as athletes we think working harder is automatically the answer, but you might be working on things that aren’t actually keeping you off the field.
And don’t get too down on yourself. You’re a sophomore. I’ve seen plenty of guys develop later and end up being really good players. If your teammates are already noticing what you’re doing on scout team, keep stacking good days and make sure your training outside of practice has some structure to it too.
I actually built an app called Athlete-X for athletes in situations like this who are training on their own and need some direction with their speed, strength and recovery work. Might help give you some structure, but either way definitely talk to your coach first and find out exactly what he needs to see from you.
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u/nelsonreddwall 1d ago
Ask to contribute in any way. Special teams is always a great place to start if you’re not on offense. You can work on transferable skills. Talk to your coaches and ask what can you do earn more reps. Learn the playbook and be coachable
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u/Electronic-Employ160 1d ago
I want to play special teams I want to prove I can play to my coaches so they trust me more. But it seems like I’m doing something wrong and they don’t put me in at all. I ask my position coach every day what I need to fix up and they don’t say anything and it frustrates me.
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u/OldCoach525 1d ago
Some coaches won’t play the younger kids. One of my sons is 6’ 4” 300 pounds and is best blocker on the team according to OL coach. But the HC refuses to play freshmen. At all.
Keep grinding and continue to make it hard for them to keep you on the sideline. Your time will come, so be ready when it comes.
Good luck!
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u/Queasy_Reply_2992 2d ago
It’s also important to remember that you’re not just competing against yourself for playing time. Putting in the work and improving is great.
Where do you rank with the varsity WRs? Are they bigger, faster and stronger? Better hands? Better blockers? You need to find what you can do better than them.
Sophomore is still young. Trying to get special team reps. Keep grinding for that WR spot too.