Passing leagues help prepare football players for fall

Pick-up games have always been one of the best ways to sharpen skills, no matter what the sport.

Some local high school football teams have taken pick-up games to the next level in recent years, turning them into more organized affairs in order to hone skills in preparation for the upcoming season.

The teams are taking part in a 7-on-7 passing league, with popularity rising over the years.

The league is aimed at helping offensives get in a rhythm, and for the defenses to learn its coverages. The offense consists of a center, quarterback, running back, and four wide receivers, while the defense consists of defensive backs and linebackers.

Franklin High coach and athletic director Brad Sidwell has been running his passing league for over 10 years now, and the rise in interest has been no surprise to him.

"I think the nature of football has changed and the throwing game is a bigger part now than it was in the past and everyone wants to do it," said Sidwell.

Sidwell and his players began playing in a league offered at Bellingham High under then-head coach Dale Capparasso before forming his own. Franklin?s league now hosts 12 teams, including Nipmuc and head coach Phil Schiloski, who just completed its seventh year.

"I saw Brad at a coaches clinic and he told me about the league," said Schiloski. "It?s a great start for the quarterbacks and receivers to get together and get their timing right."

While the focus is to improve its passing game and the overall look of the offense, the teams still put out a defense to match up. The games are two-hand touch, which is beneficial for teams that play younger kids like Nipmuc by helping them not feel overpowered or overwhelmed by the bigger and stronger upperclassmen.

"I think it benefits the younger kids defensively to get them used to the system," said Schiloski. "Gets them in the right spots on defense."

One team that was part of the Franklin league before branching out on its own was Framingham and head coach Gary Doherty. Doherty started his league to make it an easier commute for his players, and other local teams caught on.

"It was a long ride and I thought there was no reason we couldn?t do one closer," said Doherty. "We made it easier for the Framingham kids to participate."

The Framingham league is in its sixth year and host teams such as Ashland, Wellesley, Natick, and Wayland. While his numbers are smaller than Franklin, Doherty believes the competition and size is just fine.

"We aren?t out to grow the league," he said. "Six teams is plenty and we have had a couple teams over the years drop out, then others join in."

Doherty and the Flyers will have a very different look this year after graduating a majority of their starters from last season. The passing league is therefore beneficial to the kids because not only do they sharpen their skills, but begin to gel together as a team.

"It?s a good thing for the kids to do together because it helps to create a bond, which is great," said Doherty. "Defensively you?re not getting too much out of it, but offensively it?s good because the kids get a feel for the other kids on the team.

"Shows if someone can run, catch, get open and help them get comfortable, and it?s always good to compete against other teams."

The competition level is always high whenever you put two teams against each other, but wins and losses are not kept in the leagues and there are no playoffs that follow the season.

The main goal for these leagues has always been for the kids to have fun and get better.

"It?s really not about winning," said Doherty, "It?s all about the kids getting comfortable and going from there."

The leagues have been wrapping up over the past two weeks, which will bring the players into camp with a football mindset and a general knowledge of their respective team?s scheme. One thing is for sure - once the players put on the pads and see these teams again during the season, it won?t be for a two handed pick-up game.

Source: http://www.wickedlocal.com/framingham/newsnow/x1533298546/Passing-leagues-help-prepare-football-players-for-fall?rssfeed=true

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