Football Levels

[Corey90]

In Ohio they jump from Freshman to JV. Varsity if your good enough, no Sophomore teams. What do you guys think about this? Do you think it’s better or worse for developing the players and a strong program.
My grandson finished his freshman season last year playing LB we will see which team they put him on.

 

[ClownBaby]

I prefer Fresh, Soph and Varsity if you have the numbers. At the lower levels there is a lot of variation physically and I think giving younger kids more chances to play increases the odds they stick around for 4 years.

 

[JCHillmen]

In Ohio they jump from Freshman to JV. Varsity if your good enough, no Sophomore teams. What do you guys think about this? Do you think it’s better or worse for developing the players and a strong program.
My grandson finished his freshman season last year playing LB we will see which team they put him on.

I like the idea of frosh playing the undercard Friday night. Then JV playing Saturday morning.

That way JV can be for sophs and upperclassmen who didn’t get a chance to play Friday.

I think it makes the most sense especially in an environment with fewer players.

Of course if you still have 60 plus sophs it makes more sense to keep a dedicated soph level.

 

[woody6]

With varsity playing on Friday nights, Saturday morning JV can be problematic. That time can be very busy with certain team physical activities and game video breakdown, both of which consume staff resources. The same can be said for the Monday afternoon contests, too. A quality JV season experience seems to be the exception rather than the rule. It really functions largely as an afterthought.

 

[eagles2k3]

Most importantly you need an all frosh level with a B team if possible. There are so many kids who are late bloomers that may end up on a "JV" team as freshmen then quit after never seeing the field. IMO, best case scenario is frosh A and B, JV(sophs and juniors who don't play), Varsity.

I used to coach and hated going to the JV games on Saturday mornings. I had to break down film on saturdays and it ended up wearing on my family time because of those JV games.

Best case scenario is the Monday afternoon JV games. Sat and Sun should be film breakdown and game planning for the Varsity coaches. Saturday you bring in your whole team for film review of the previous game, as well as a lift.

Monday is install with your Varsity. I would send my young position coaches on Monday after school to coach the JV while my O and D coordinators run their install period. That works best because the JV guys are generally the scout guys so they don't need to be there for the install. Then you have your whole team together on Tuesdays for your most physical practices.

 

[mc140]

Monday is install with your Varsity. I would send my young position coaches on Monday after school to coach the JV while my O and D coordinators run their install period. That works best because the JV guys are generally the scout guys so they don't need to be there for the install. Then you have your whole team together on Tuesdays for your most physical practices.

Those JV kids can no longer practice on Tuesday if they play on Monday.

 

[Corey90]

I prefer Fresh, Soph and Varsity if you have the numbers. At the lower levels there is a lot of variation physically and I think giving younger kids more chances to play increases the odds they stick around for 4 years.

If the Sophomore doesn’t make Varsity he plays on the JV team. I like having the Sophomore level for the same reason you state. It gives the kids more opportunity to play. I am not sure why the jump to JV. The school my grandson goes to is large and wouldn’t have a problem fielding a Sophomore team. Does anyone know why Ohio does this?

 

[PowerI66_]

Most districts seem to be going to a frosh, JV, varsity model. It allows for a lot more flexibility calling it JV instead of soph. I like it, but I do miss the old days of frosh a, frosh b, soph, varsity, and JV.

 

[BataviaDogs1]

In Ohio they jump from Freshman to JV. Varsity if your good enough, no Sophomore teams. What do you guys think about this? Do you think it’s better or worse for developing the players and a strong program.
My grandson finished his freshman season last year playing LB we will see which team they put him on.

 

[jwarigaku]

BataviaDogs,

Sophomore football is pretty much an Illinois anomaly. That said the way the IHSA has setup play limitations for each week, development and the elimination of Sophmore football could be problematic. Maybe it’s time for the membership to take over(on a voluntary/expense coverage only compensation basis), eliminate so much of the overhead cost, and make meaningful policies and enforce them.