St. Peter Football Philosophy and Player Development Plan

As you see below, the #1 expectation at every level of St. Peter football is to ensure playing the game is a thrill. The philosophy of playing football is explained well in this speech by a player from the movie "Varsity Blues."

"...lets go out there and we'll play the next 24 minutes for the next 24 minutes. And leave it all out on the field, we got the rest of our lives to be mediocre but we got the opportunity to play like gods for the next half of football, but we can't be afraid to lose, there’s no room for fear in this game. If we go out there and we (are tentative) because we're scared, all we have is an excuse, we’re always gonna wonder. But we go out there and we give it absolutely everything, that’s heroic….. lets be heroes."

Academically we'd like to see better grammar, but the point is playing football is a THRILL. Our program is structured to ensure the development of player's football skills without forgetting the purpose of co-curricular athletics - the positive development of each player's competitive spirit. When each football player completes his playing days in St. Peter they will have been a part of a thrilling experience and had the opportunity to establish positive social skills.

In St. Peter, the development of future Saint football players formally begins in first grade. The St. Peter Recreation and Leisure program in cooperation with the high school football program, manages the skill development of football players from grade 1 through grade 6. When players enter grade 7 player development continues under the direction of the St. Peter Public Schools.

Grades 1-4:

Experience the thrill of the game.

Increase agility

Increase eye-hand coordination

Learn basic rules of the game.

Grades 5-6

Experience the thrill of the game.

Continue to improve agility and eye-hand coordination.

Begin to learn the proper fundamentals of blocking, tackling, carrying, throwing and catching.

Introduction of the Wishbone Two Tight and Split formations

Learn to run basic plays of the wishbone offense: Quick dive, Smash, FB Dive, Quick Pitch, Out at 5, Slant using the “Zone” block.

Introduction of the 44 Split Formation.

Learn to use hands to shed potential blockers, read the flow of the offense and scrape to the ball and cover a receiver with man to man coverage.

Increase knowledge of blocking rules.

Grades 7-8

Experience the thrill of the game.

Continue to improve upon skills and knowledge gained in grades 5-6.

Offensively learn to run the Double Option, Scissors Dive, Fade.

Defensively continue to improve understanding of reads and responsibilities of the Split 44. Develop pass rushing skills.

Become familiar with special teams skills.

Have a strong understanding of the rules pertaining to the running and passing game.

Grade 9

Experience the thrill of the game.

Continue to improve upon skills and knowledge gained in grades 7-8.

In additions to the previously learned plays learn to run the triple option, midline option and trap versus even and odd defensive fronts. Add the base and trap block to the offense. Add the Belly Pass to the passing game.

Defensively, emphasis defensive linemen techniques to shed blockers, slant, pinch, spread and pass rush; linebackers improve reading through the guards to the key offensive back to recognize run and pass, become efficient A and B gap blitzers; defensive backs master man to man pass coverage skills which includes learning to recognize a run block from the receiver and supporting the run. Implement the Smash goal line defense.

Develop an understanding of the importance and techniques of all special teams.

Know all rules of the running and passing game. Learn the rules of special teams.

Grades 10-12

Experience the thrill of the game.

Utilize all the knowledge gained to win football games.

Add finesse blocking schemes and additional formations to give the offense an advantage over opponents.

Add defensive change ups including zone pass coverage to stop opponent’s offensive efforts.