Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
Friday, August 4, 2006, Washington Post

Take Some Tips From the Pros

The Washington Redskins' training camp opened this week. Training camp, with all the drills and practices, is not my favorite part of the football season. Like most Skins fans, I am looking forward to the real games.

But kids who like sports should pay attention to the Redskins' training camp. Lots of kids, from youngsters to high-schoolers, will be trying out for teams this month. I don't think kids should be cut from teams before they reach high school, but it's happening more often. Watching what professional athletes, including Redskins, do in training camp might help you make your team.

First, show up in shape. It's hard to make the team if you are sick or injured. In the next few weeks, listen how the Redskins' head coach, Joe Gibbs, praises the players who worked hard in the offseason and complains about the ones who didn't. Which players do you think will have the best chance to make Gibbs's team?

So, if you're trying out for a soccer team this September, don't wait until the first practice to get going. Start running and practicing your skills now. That way you won't be stumbling around when the coach is choosing the players.

Second, practice more than one position. Coach Gibbs will keep some players because they can play special teams or fill in at several positions if a star player gets hurt.

Let's say you play defense in field hockey. You still might want to practice your stickhandling and shooting so that you can play midfield if the coach needs you. A coach can keep only so many players. A player who can play more than one position has a better chance of staying on the team.

Third, study the game. Pro football players spend hours in classrooms studying film, trying to learn their offensive and defensive assignments. Kids' sports are not as complicated as NFL playbooks, but you still can be a smart player. How? Pay attention during practices and games to see what the coach wants each player to do. Then try to do it the coach's way.

Finally, don't be over-confident . Every August, some player who seemed like a sure bet to make the Skins gets released. Whether you're a pro in training camp or a kid trying out for a travel squad, you have to compete and try your hardest whenever you are on the field.

Anything less, and you might not make the cut.