Summer Brings Time to Compete

6 comments so far June 8, 2009 by Darren K. Carlson

June and July are long months for football fans. But, they are critical months for the development of a football team, because they are the heart of summer conditioning. Cliche though it may be, games decided in this fall are already being contested with every sprint, lift and drill run in summer. If spring is about individual player development with repetitions, summer is all about getting them physically ready and helping them come together as a team. With the coaches barred from working with the team, the strength coaches really take center stage. At Nebraska, it all happens under the watchful eye of James Dobson.

The Man In Charge
The strength and conditioning coaches are a vital part of any coaching staff, especially in the summer when the coaches can't be involved. At a program long known for pioneering the science and techniques of strength conditioning under Boyd Epley, it can be a revered and respected position. After just one year at the helm, James Dobson is putting up results and gaining the respect of coaches and players.

Last year at this time, Dobson began the task of reshaping the Husker squad. In his first year in charge, the results showed. Players were trimmer, stronger and more explosive last year than they were under the previous staff. It made a difference for the Huskers during the season. In year 2, Dobson has the respect of his players and peers, and NU may try to go to another level.

Few things are harder than breaking old habits and creating new ones. Work ethic is a habit. Competing is a habit. Dobson had to re-instill those qualities last summer. This summer, he can build on it. He can help make good players great, and it will be easier because they are ten times more likely to listen.

The football coaches respect Dobson. They call him one of the most important members of the staff. They say he has total command of the squad. They appreciate his results. Oh, and he absolutely looks the part. (nothing is more hypocritical than a fat conditioning coach). So yeah, I'd say the Huskers are in good hands this summer.

When Teams are Built
Total honesty - spring football only interests me so much. It's clear that under Pelini, spring is about developing players. And, while that's the right thing at the time, football is not an individual sport. It requires chemistry, teamwork and trust. Those are best built in the summer.

This August, we'll hear the tired and cliche stories from players about how they have "never worked harder." I'm sure those players mean it. But, working hard is just the price of admission. I'm more worried about the team building that goes on in the summer.

This is when quarterbacks gather receivers to go and run routes and throw balls. This is when linemen push each other in the weight room, and become a stronger unit. With each wind sprint, linebackers can go from individuals to a true corps. This is the right time for leaders to emerge across the roster. The team that toils together wins together.

Compete Every Day
While Dobson is officially in charge, and leaders will develop in summer heat, this is still Bo Pelini's team. He's not quite the all seeing Eye of Sauron. But, he's putting his imprint and his values on the team. And, he's not even subtle about it. This summer, he has made the message to the team very clear - compete every day.

The Huskers work out under a banner with a message from their coaches, it reads. "Focus on the process. Compete every day."

When asked about the banner, Pelini said he and the coaches came up with the message. "It's about every day. It's about succeeding. It's about what you're doing today, not in September, not October. Take care of business today."

This makes a great deal of sense when dealing with the psychology of sports and of young men. It can't be about some long range goal, off in the distance. It needs to be urgent and a reason to be willing to be in pain today, even right now. It can be very hard to dig down deep for something that is 3 months away. It's more relevant and real to try to be the very best football team in July.

You can compete for a starting spot right now. You can compete against Kansas and Oklahoma right now, today. Any idiot can be a competitor when the lights come on and the stands are full. The real competitors fight through pain on a field wet with dew and dimly lit from the dawn.

That's what is at stake this summer. It's Dobson time. It's Team time. It's time to Compete. There's nothing boring about it, no matter how little news we may hear.

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