Niagara Spears Football 2010 Try-Outs: Week Two

Written by James Ryan

“Search out the man and you’ve got the coach. Because the essence of the business is not playbooks and diagrams and the confusing jargon that mystifies even the most dedicated fan. It is emotion and purpose and sincerity; it is channelling [40 to 60] collective personalities and egos into the most violent game anyone has managed to think up.”

Week two of the Niagara Spears try-outs had finally provided me with the opportunity to observe the Niagara Spears Varsity team (ages 17 to 19), but also, it gave me the unique occasion to speak with the man himself, Head Coach Dave Howe.

Coach Howe has been coaching football for over 30 years total in minor football, high school, and eventually with the Niagara Spears (since 2003).

Throughout his time with the Spears, Coach Howe has amassed a record of 35 wins with only five losses (three of those losses were a result of last season).

Over the past six years, Coach Howe’s record with the Niagara Spears (on paper) has been:

• 1 OVFL Title (very first year in the league)
• 2 conference titles
• 1 conference finalist

Anyone who understands the difficulties and complexities of the wonderful game of football should be able to appreciate just how amazing these accomplishments truly are.

Immediately after the coach’s meeting, I had the pleasure of speaking with Coach Howe.

This is my interview:

JR: Hi Coach.

Coach Howe: Hello James.

JR: Well I must say, the Varsity players were looking very impressive tonight. Any immediate thoughts or expectations on how you see the upcoming season, based on what you have seen so far?

Coach Howe: Without a doubt, this is going to be a team with incredible depth. We have so many big and tall athletes with incredible strength and speed. I expect very good things this year.

JR: So how will success be measured this year? Is it all about the wins and losses?

Coach Howe: Definitely not. Success isn’t determined by winning. Each year, it’s how all of my players improve. Instead of focusing on actual “wins,” we focus on our system and as a result, the wins will simply become a by-product of all of the hard work that the players will put in.

JR: So, when all is said and done with the try-outs, how many players will you end up with on your roster.

Coach Howe: We will end up with 60 players.

JR: 60 players? Wow, that’s a lot considering that there are only twelve players on each side of the ball. I’m guessing that a lot of players will sit on the bench?

Coach Howe: Definitely not. For the most part, all of my players will get equal playing time. I will have my starters—yes, but I also make sure that all of my players are in great condition and ready to play. A team is only as strong as its weakest player.

JR: How do you decide on your starters?

Coach Howe: There are a few factors but in the end, attitude is everything. Positions are earned on this team, so showing up for all practices is a key component to making sure that a player gets priority playing time. We also look at a player’s work ethic, as well as their obvious skill levels.

JR: So if you have a tremendous athlete who rarely shows up to practices, you won’t automatically start him?

Coach Howe: I make no promises. Everything is earned on this team. For me, the benefit of playing all of my players is that we become more than capable of playing extremely well through six full quarters of football. Taking a game into overtime or even double-overtime is not uncommon. I never want conditioning to be an issue and if I keep playing the same guys, week in and week out, we won’t get very far before they just start to get too banged up.

JR: Do you ever play your best players both ways, on offence and on defence?

Coach Howe: Never. That strategy might work with younger players, but these athletes play so physically each week, if I did that, I wouldn’t have my best players playing at the top of their game by the end of the season when winning in the playoffs is what we work so hard towards.

JR: What are your personal goals this year?

Coach Howe: My personal goals are the same as always. To build a team atmosphere around the word “respect,” on and off of the field. I want my players to progress as football players so that by the end of the season, we are playing our best football and that every player has an equal strength that they can bring to the field.

Like I said, we are only as good as the next player to step onto the field. Therefore, they must all play as well as each other.

I really want all of my players to have a positive experience with our team and I hope to be able to push them to their limits, so that they understand what they can achieve beyond their own expectations, physically and mentally, thus making them a better player back at their high school at at University in the fall.

JR: That’s excellent. What do you love most about coaching football?

Coach Howe: The passion of it all. Football is an incredible sport to help athletes in their desire to achieve greatness in their lives.

JR: Very well said, Coach. Any final advice for your players as they try to make it through the demanding try-outs?

Coach Howe: It’s about what you do and how you do it, so show us your absolute best and you will succeed in making it on this team.

JR: Thank you, Coach.

Coach Howe: Any time, my pleasure.

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Word of the week: Teamwork

Teamwork is the capability to comprehend and recognize the diverse strengths and abilities in a group setting and then applying them to one final solution (winning as a team effort).

Coach Dave Howe clearly understands this concept and does an exceptional job of instilling a winning attitude into all of his players.

Colour me impressed.

And just a final reminder…

Registration for all three Niagara Spears teams will continue to be held up until this Saturday, March 20th. An extension will be given to the Varsity program to better accommodate any returning College or University players.

Pee Wee Spears hopefuls must be 14 or under, Junior Varsity Spears 16 or under, and Varsity Spears 19 or under as of June 1st, 2010.

On-line registration information may be found on the Spears website at www.niagaraspears.com.

See you at the game, football fans!

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Warm-up and stretching exercises are critical to player safety

A player gets ready in a Defensive Back Drill

The Plate Push Drill emphasizes driving and form running technique

The Plank Abdominal Core Drill

High Knee Running Drill (very fast)

Varsity Head Coach Dave Howe speaks with his players after the try-outs