Worland Football Camp starts next week

WORLAND — Summer is quickly zipping by with the fall sports season not far off and next week current and future Warriors football players will be attending the Worland Football Camp at Worland High School.

Starting on July 23-25 from 9 to 11 a.m. for grades 3-8 and 6-9 p.m. for grades 9-12, the non-contact camp will focus on positional techniques and tackling form.

“We have two avenues we’re going to be focusing on. We’re going to be working on technique, especially with the younger guys. We’ll go through drills for different positions. We’ll have blocking drills and ball handling drills that everyone will do. So even for the younger guys that might be a lineman, they’ll get a chance to experience the different ball handling drills, likewise for the other kids,” said WHS football coach Ryan Utterback.

“We’re aiming to have a well-rounded exposure for various skills for the younger guys. For the older guys, they’re going to be more position specific and focus on technique for those positions. Then at the end of camp we’ll bring out the flags and play some flag football. That will bring out the fun game aspect of it.”

As for tackling, Utterback and his staff will teach the players how to tackle in a way that reduces the chances of having head and neck injuries as well as concussions.

“A big point of emphasis that we’re going to focus on throughout the season is tackling. Even though we’re not going to be putting on pads we’ll talk about proper technique with tackling.

“We’ll talk about our head placement and the old train of thought that you’re using your head as a weapon,” said Utterback. “They’re finding that players are less likely to have a concussion and head and neck injuries if we’re taking our head out of the tackle.”

Added Utterback, “One of the anecdotes is to put your helmet across the bow. So if you had a guy running up the sideline, you’d put your head in front of them and you’re basically using your head and neck – two of the most vulnerable parts of your body – to try and be a barrier between, potentially, 200-pound runner and the end zone. Which again, in light of the head and neck injuries, that’s probably not a great strategy.

“We’re going to try and instill to take your head out of it and use your shoulder and the rest of your body to make the tackle. There’s also the rugby style tackling. Rugby has no pads but has a lower rate of head injuries and concussions. A lot of it is how they teach to tackle.”

Flag football games will also be on the docket for camp and for the younger players camp, current Worland Warrior players will help coach drills and the flag football teams.

“The first couple nights we’ll mix and match and on Wednesday we’ll have teams set up and have a championship set up that day,” said Utterback about the flag football games. “A lot of the high school kids will help coach the team. So that will be a fun element there.”

Registration for camp will cost $25 per player, contact Utterback at rutterback@wsh1. k12.wy.us for a registration form. There will also be an open registration period 30 minutes before the start of each session.