FTJFL uses defenses and offensive formations that are similiar to HHS. The teams are divided somewhat evenly and are supposed to be balanced when it comes to big guys. No standings, no championship, but be sure everyone knows the scores. While the rest of the middle schoolers are battling for the league championship the FTJFL has the eighth grade showcase game, all the eighth graders dress in the blue and white and play a game. It concludes with an inspirational talk with coach Mueller.

from the KHSAA Handbook

Case BL-10-3– What are permissible contacts by

coaches, athletic directors and other individuals

with a connection (direct or indirect) to the athletic

program or school?

Permissible contacts include:

1) Public high school representatives contacting students at

feeder public schools (elementary, middle school, junior high

school) where there is a defi ned feeder pattern

Does each team run the same offense as the high school? Are there only certain defenses allowed?

 

Sorry, not really sure but maybe someone on here can answer that. My first gut reaction is that they do run the Birds offense and defense.

Sorry, not really sure but maybe someone on here can answer that. My first gut reaction is that they do run the Birds offense and defense.

 

No they do not run the Birds offense and/or defense. Each coach runs an offense that he feels comfortable with. The key requirement is that at each level a certain number of passes have to be made.

 

Defense is required to play a 5-2 with the nose tackle playing a yard off the ball and the linebackers playing 2 yards off the ball. Corners must be 7 yards off and safeties 10. There is no blitzing allowed until the 7/8 grade and that is the inside backers going on the snap. There is no stunting allowed on the line of scrimmage.

 

Dale holds a camp during the preseason for those kids that have signed up to play in the FTJFL. It is for 3 days and involves discussions on fundamentals and of course getting his face seen by those boys in the second and third grade.

 

Only issue that I see with the FTJFL is with the weight limit restrictions that are in place. There are and have been several kids over the years that have been limited to playing on the offensive line because they are over the limit. 140 pounds for a 7th or 8th grader is not very much IMO.

 

There are minimum playing requirements of 1 and 1/2 quarters in the 3/4 and 5/6 division and 1 quarter in the 7/8 division. The level of play does drop off some, but it allows those kids that may be late bloomers to continue to play and develop in a game that they love. And don't kid yourself, the coaches at all levels are playing to win because that is what Highlands football is all about. Play to Win and expect to win.

 

Season concludes with the 8th grade showcase game where two teams are formed so that the 8th graders can showcase their talent one more time in front of their parents, Dale, frosh coaches and most importantly the 3rd through 7th graders who also show up for the game to receive their trophies.

 

It is for these reasons that this program has been so successful for such a long time. Success breeds success and it all starts in the FTJFL.

I posted this earlier, hopefully this will help clarify some things -

 

Why the Union Raiders exist:

*When Ryle freshman come into our program we don't have kids developed at key positions. Instead of having two QB's every grade (like Highlands does), we have none over 2-3 consecutive grades. Our freshman have not played together ever, and none of them know Ryle's system or expectations. Union Raider coaches can put kids into positions they will be seen to play in high school. And then help that kid develop in that position. This vision for a kid's future will keep them playing football too.

*There are kids walking around Ryle high school that used to play youth football and no longer play because they quit when they were young. Some play soccer, some don't do any sports. I don't blame anyone for quitting if they were on a team with no minimum playing time requirements. No minimum playing time requirements creates a situation where a team with 35 kids only plays 15 the whole game. A good feeder program has minimum playing time requirements, not a joke of ten minute running clock after the real game is over. There are many great athletic high school kids that weren't that athletic as a 10 year old.

*Coaches must be professional in their behavior and attitudes, this helps create an environment where young players AND their parents feel positive about the program. A good feeder program will have coaches that are evaluated regularly and then appropriately dismissed or given more responsibility. Kids want to continue to play for good coaches. Coaches must care more about developing football players and character than winning. Winning is a goal, but not at the expense of development.

*Young players should be given a vision for themselves and their future program (when Anderson HS won the state championship their seniors were quoted as saying, "we seniors have been dreaming and working together for this goal for 10 years.") - this happens when Ryle coaches and varsity players visit and teach young Ryle players. This vision happens when young players play and practice at Ryle, in the RaiderNation. This vision happens when our young players are called the “Raiders” and wear the Raider Shield sticker on their helmets. This vision keeps kids from leaving or quitting and going to other things. Ryle's senior class this year was awesome, but right off the top of my head I can think of 3 seniors (that would have started and been impact players) that quit or left to go to other schools. When kids have a vision like this they become recruiters and recruit other kids into program too.

*Parents of young players can become involved in the whole varsity program if there is a good feeder program. This creates synergy and excitement for the Ryle football. This in turn keeps parents encouraging their kids to play. It also makes them recruiters for the program. More kids, more good players.

*As a program develops a reputation parents will make efforts to get their kids into the feeder program and eventually the varsity program. There are stories we have heard of parents moving or buying a second home in Ryle district so their kids could play football there. Any student whose parent works for Boone County schools also can choose any high school. Our reputation will help those kids choose Ryle.

*Having players come into our varsity program with years of familiarity with terminology and coaching points will be valuable to the varsity team. Players coming into the high school program with the off season workout traditions and attitude will also be beneficial.

*Keeping team sizes manageable (no matter what the playing time requirements are) is vital for development. If the team size is over 30 kids, kids will start feeling lost in the numbers. Teams with 40-50 kids on it will for sure hurt kids involvement. Team size must be restricted to manageable numbers to keep kids interested and enjoying the program.

*We met with over the last few years and tried to convince the local boone county youth program that these changes needed to happen. But they were unwilling or unable (its unclear which) to change. We gave clear warnings that we would need to start our own program if changes, even just small steps didn’t happen. Based on the research we did into other great high school football program we knew these things were a major part we were lacking. And this is based on what we have seen and been told from our interviews with other successful programs. My son's experience in the BCPWFL was excellent, we liked his coach and he did a great job. I have no idea who is to blame for why the BCPWFL is structured the way it is, and everyone we have ever met or worked with related to BCPWFL have been good, well intentioned people. I am sure that every great player to come thru Boone County could point to a great BCPWFL coach who helped them develop. I applaud all these coaches and volunteers who have given time to help young football players thru the program. They want to see kids develop as young men as much as anyone else.

 

Our first year we had open signups, but only for one team, cutting it off at 33 players. We did not want to start off with too much. We tried to spread the word as best as possible, we had several signups from people who just heard about it and went online. The only selection was the core group of 10-12 parents that were initially responsible for moving forward. I think you will see that our new feeder program will do all the things mentioned above. There is no guarantee that this will make Ryle a perennial state championship football team, but we feel that this is a major step in the right direction. http://www.unionraidersyf.com

 

Well said!!!!

 

As I pointed out earlier, my son's experience with the Union Raiders was incredible and rewarding. He has his helmet (Raider shield and all) proudly displayed in his room. He can't wait for next year to start and a lot of that is because of the coaches of the Union Raiders and his current Union Raider teammates and future Ryle Teammates. Being new to the Union area, I can let you know that we attended all of Ryle's games this year and the main reason was because of my sons experience on the Union Raiders and the 'family' atmosphere that surrounds the program.

 

Once a Raider always a Raider!

No they do not run the Birds offense and/or defense. Each coach runs an offense that he feels comfortable with. The key requirement is that at each level a certain number of passes have to be made.

 

Defense is required to play a 5-2 with the nose tackle playing a yard off the ball and the linebackers playing 2 yards off the ball. Corners must be 7 yards off and safeties 10. There is no blitzing allowed until the 7/8 grade and that is the inside backers going on the snap. There is no stunting allowed on the line of scrimmage.

 

Dale holds a camp during the preseason for those kids that have signed up to play in the FTJFL. It is for 3 days and involves discussions on fundamentals and of course getting his face seen by those boys in the second and third grade.

 

Only issue that I see with the FTJFL is with the weight limit restrictions that are in place. There are and have been several kids over the years that have been limited to playing on the offensive line because they are over the limit. 140 pounds for a 7th or 8th grader is not very much IMO.

 

There are minimum playing requirements of 1 and 1/2 quarters in the 3/4 and 5/6 division and 1 quarter in the 7/8 division. The level of play does drop off some, but it allows those kids that may be late bloomers to continue to play and develop in a game that they love. And don't kid yourself, the coaches at all levels are playing to win because that is what Highlands football is all about. Play to Win and expect to win.

 

Season concludes with the 8th grade showcase game where two teams are formed so that the 8th graders can showcase their talent one more time in front of their parents, Dale, frosh coaches and most importantly the 3rd through 7th graders who also show up for the game to receive their trophies.

 

It is for these reasons that this program has been so successful for such a long time. Success breeds success and it all starts in the FTJFL.

 

Thanks, it's been a while. Have things changed in the past few years? For some reason I didn't remember the defense having a nose tackle.

Thanks, it's been a while. Have things changed in the past few years? For some reason I didn't remember the defense having a nose tackle.

 

Been that way for at least the last 6 years or so.

I think Ryle should move Elliot to QB next year what does everyone think about that? You want your best player to have the ball.