The 'surge' of success at Simon Kenton was apparent after watching the Summit View and Twenhofel MS teams win back to back to back championships in NKY. The success at MS was clearly evident as those kids matriculated through SK. Subsequent teams have been less dominating, making me nervous about the future. The first big test of this theory is this year, so it's TBD at this point.

I do not know the answer so I am not being sarcastic. I think there are 6 teams in that league, 4 of them are Kenton County schools, meaning they can go to any one of the three high schools, to me that is not a feeder program. I think that what G is looking for is, does having a defined MS program for your high school make a difference?

This should probably be a separate thread.

 

Why do some believe the MS should develop players for HS? If you are teaching the fundamentals within a competitive environment, what does it matter? Should HS teams be developing players for college?

You also have the advantage of running the HS defense and offense, basically providing a head start for those kids. Sad to see a booster or MS program not running the same stuff as the HS.

 

I see this a lot and I don't know if there is basis for it. The other part is that it is not as easy as people think. If your HS is a 4 wide team then that is tough to run at the MS level. You need at least 3 legit coaches to make that work. There is no place to hide a coach unless you have more than 3. If you HS is a wishbone non option team you only need one real good coach and at least one average one.

 

Bowling Green MS runs the bone unless they've changed in the last year or so. Collins MS doesn't run the same offense. That doesn't appear to of hurt their HS at all.

 

MS programs can run the HS offense/defense depending on the coaching staff and the systems used by the HS. In some cases you have to water it down. If kids know how to block and tackle well and have a good base in general ideas (pursuit angles, block destruction, stance) then their HS program will do just fine. Those factors and knowing how to compete.

This should probably be a separate thread.

 

Why do some believe the MS should develop players for HS? If you are teaching the fundamentals within a competitive environment, what does it matter? Should HS teams be developing players for college?

 

I agree with what you are saying. There are many parents though that believe it IS the HS to develop players for college. So if the HS is doing something different then what mommy and daddy see on Saturdays or Sundays then the coaches aren't doing their job.

 

As far as what another poster stated about running the option while the HS is spread goes. Does the HS run any read plays? Object reads in the passing game like the option. What happens if that coach doesn't have a solid WR or qb coach? Maybe that ms coach is running what he knows and that he feels gives his team the best chance to be successful. Can the kids in that ms program block and tackle?

Something else to consider is the amount of coaching turnover at the HS level in Ky. I believe someone said there were 40 schools that changed HC this year out of about 200 schools. So are the schools that did change and have a MS that runs their exact system bring in HC with a different philosophy, if so are this MS players now behind, I do not think so.

I do not know the answer so I am not being sarcastic. I think there are 6 teams in that league, 4 of them are Kenton County schools, meaning they can go to any one of the three high schools, to me that is not a feeder program. I think that what G is looking for is, does having a defined MS program for your high school make a difference?

 

They are 95% feeder in the sense that the vast majority do go on to play for the high school that the middle school feeds to. There are a few here and there that don't, but its not very many. There has traditionally been 7 teams in that league...Woodland (Scott), Turkeyfoot (Dixie), Summit View (SK), Twenhofel (SK), Holmes, Cov Cath, and Campbell County. This year Cov Cath in moving to the GCL and Tichenor (Lloyd) is moving up to the big school division.

You also have the advantage of running the HS defense and offense, basically providing a head start for those kids. Sad to see a booster or MS program not running the same stuff as the HS.

 

I've said it before, but I think this aspect is overrated. It's still about fundamentals, and kids even at the middle school age will sometimes grow and change positions. I've seen plenty of lineman become backs, and vice versa once they hit high school so many times they are learning a new position and terminology anyway. At this level it's all about developing and holding on to talent, not teaching the intricacies of the high school offense/defense. Kid's and teenagers really learn so quickly, for the most part, learning an offense/defense is not all that difficult.

I see this a lot and I don't know if there is basis for it. The other part is that it is not as easy as people think. If your HS is a 4 wide team then that is tough to run at the MS level. You need at least 3 legit coaches to make that work. There is no place to hide a coach unless you have more than 3. If you HS is a wishbone non option team you only need one real good coach and at least one average one.

Bowling Green MS runs the bone unless they've changed in the last year or so. Collins MS doesn't run the same offense. That doesn't appear to of hurt their HS at all.

 

MS programs can run the HS offense/defense depending on the coaching staff and the systems used by the HS. In some cases you have to water it down. If kids know how to block and tackle well and have a good base in general ideas (pursuit angles, block destruction, stance) then their HS program will do just fine. Those factors and knowing how to compete.

 

It's not as big of an issue for bigger schools with a sideline full of coaches. For smaller schools/programs having the MS and HS using similar schemes and terminology is a big help as it accelerate the learning curve for young players expected to contribute earlier than they would be in larger programs.

I think what will benefit the high school, as much as anything, is for the high school to "connect" with the MS age group. Reach out to them and let them know that they are part of the program even if they are still a few years away. By simply having a MS night, allowing them to be near the sidelines during Friday nights, coming to the occasional MS practice and on some of those days say a few words after practice, and attend some of the games. A HC can do a lot for their program by just being seen at events involving the future high school players.