Why can't middle school success transfer to high school?

 

Several middle school programs are very strong and produce really good teams year in and year out. Yet the high schools they feed never seem to have any sustained success.

 

As an example a couple of the really good middle school programs around here that I've watched over the past several years are North Laurel and Clay County. They are good to very, very good year in and year out, but the high schools they feed seem to struggle more often than not, at least as compared the success those kids had in middle school.

 

I know most of the strong programs in our area also have strong middle school teams, but why do some strong middle schools not produce better high school teams?

 

What are everyones thoughts on this.

Does your middle school run the same scheme as the high school they feed?

Does your middle school run the same scheme as the high school they feed?

 

From my view, that's a big part of it.

 

They run one offense in middle school, then to get high school and have to learn an entirely new offense. That, IMHO, puts them back a bit.

You also got to take in the option to work for some of those kids. Once they get to the age they can work, their parents tell them that if they want to have their own car, they must work to keep it. I've encountered this a couple times when I was real close to the Rockcastle County program and some of those that chose work over playing were guys with some pretty decent talent. I know that at that time it didn't really effect the Rockets that much cause they have been pretty consistent over the years, but it could be an even bigger factor at other schools.

I think a part of it is that in middle school and lower levels a team can get by with athleticism, or athleticism makes a bigger difference. If you have the fastest kid in your league, you have a good shot of being really successful. Athleticism plays a huge part in the high school game, but fundamentals, scheme, execution, work ethic are bigger parts of the equation in each higher level of football.

 

You also have philosophical differences. Different programs focus on different things at their youth levels. Obviously we would all love for all of our school teams to win, but I would much rather have the players in my system learn the fundamentals, learn to love the game, and send tons of players to high school that understand football than have teams that never lost a game if I were a head coach.

 

I think off-season work also makes a bigger difference in high school. Weight-lifting, spring ball, summer work-outs, pre-season practice can all dramatically effect the success or failure of a high school football team. I don't think weight lifting at youth levels makes much difference in the product on the field, though obviously it can better prepare players for high school when they can really begin to build and shape their bodies.

 

I think the community also plays a huge role. In places where the youth level programs are successful, yet the high school is not I would guess that community support is not that high in many cases. What I mean by that is that it would be parents supporting their kids, and little else. Obviously the community helps with younger levels of football, but I believe that to sustain long-term success at the high school level the community has to buy in and be willing to support the high school program no matter who is on the field. JMO.

What CATS said, plus, I think Little League is a double edged sword. It's great because you get kids involved and playing. It's bad, because you have teams of 15-20 kids who are either the same age or only a year younger than their teammates, so of course they are going to play. From Little League and all the way through middle school, kids are either 1) The oldest or 2) a year younger than the competition. When they get to high school, it's a whole 'nother story. They actually have to compete and pay their dues more time than not, not to mention the work that comes with the off season towards making yourself bigger and stronger.

 

Bottom line is, I don't think kids like to compete anymore. Much like our society in general. We have become an instant gratification type of society. Nobody knows how to work for anything anymore, and unfortunately, that type of attitude has trickled down to our youth.

Hold backs! When kids are older they are going to be faster and stronger. When they get to highschool all the other kids catch up. One of the teams mentioned in one of the other threads, had a young man that would turn 16 during the season a couple years ago. When you play 16 against 13 and 14, who do you think will win?

Hold backs! When kids are older they are going to be faster and stronger. When they get to highschool all the other kids catch up. One of the teams mentioned in one of the other threads, had a young man that would turn 16 during the season a couple years ago. When you play 16 against 13 and 14, who do you think will win?

 

That scenario is very rare and very unfortunate at the same time. If a kid turns 16 during his 8th grade year, he will be inelligble to play his senior year of high school under the current KHSAA by-laws.

How closely do most high school and middle school programs work together?

 

I know several years ago Meece (Somerset) started running a similar scheme to the high scholl and using the same terminology for the most part. They continue to try to work more and more of what the high school does into their practices and games.

 

I guess my question is, do some middle school programs just do their own thing without any thought of building for the future in high school?

 

Should middle school coaches even worry about the high school? or just do what they want and run what they want?

I am nit from mayfield but live close enough to hear a lot about their program. From what I hear they run the same types of things from little league through high school.

In No Ky the middle school teams--and now starting programs for 5-6 graders--follow the high school scheme. Ft Thomas-Highlands- has set the benchmark for success with that philosophy