Coaches always talk about teamwork and its importance to the bigger picture. “No one player wins a ball game.” We spend a lot of time working on just teamwork and trying to convince players of its truth. Heck, we want you to not only buy into the concept but understand it as well. To that end we will give numerous examples of teamwork and will often point it out to you as and when it happens. The following is just one of those examples and is one of the best I’ve seen.

We are just 35 days away from camp. More importantly, we are just ten days from June 1st, which is the deadline for camp registration. I’ve been in phone contact with numerous coaches this past week regarding those registration forms and the deposits. Many have said they are still in the process of fundraising. Some player’s deposits and or camp fees are being paid for by their booster clubs. In some cases, the money is coming out of the schools football funds. Some players are fortunate enough, that their parents can cover the cost. And then there are those who have to earn it.

My partner and LinemenInc cofounder, Dave Reinders, has been working to help some of our players at Liberty, earn their camp money. Talking with neighbors, Coach Reinders found work that needed to be done and folks who were willing to help the cause by paying for the pleasure of having football players perform the work. Coach Reinders even contributed his backyard to the fundraising effort. However, this article is not about Coach Reinders.

It is about the seven teammates, one of whom isn’t even a lineman, who for three weekends worked their butts off to raise camp tuition. More importantly, it is about the three players who did not need to raise any money for themselves. Their tuition had already been paid. This piece, remember, is about teamwork. It’s about three guys looking out for and helping their fellow teammates in a time of need. It’s about the self-sacrifice of one for the betterment of the other. It’s about digging down deep and coming up with an extra effort. It is about three players helping out four other players and working together in a common goal. It’s about going the distance for another human being with no expectation of notoriety, publicity or tangible gain. It is about teamwork in its purest form and my hat goes off to this band of brothers. How proud your parents must be of you as their sons. I know Coach Reinders and I are beaming.

Like I said earlier, 35 days to camp gentlemen. See you in June!

Months ago I ordered a set of personalized license plates for my vehicle. Here in California that is not an extraordinary thing. Californians were the first to come up with the idea and have been personalizing their cars for years. Not wanting to stand in line for hours and deal with an uninterested DMV employee, I ordered my plates on line. The web site indicated it would take six to eight weeks and that I would be notified when they arrived at the local DMV office. I guess John Q. Inmate, at San Quentin, is backed up with license plate orders.

So, yesterday morning, with notification in hand, I got an early start for the DMV. My plan was to be one of the first in line outside of the office prior to opening. This, I reasoned, would guarantee a minimal stay and place me ahead of the hordes. The first set back was pulling in behind an old blue hair that not only couldn’t read the posted speed limit sign but probably couldn’t see her speedometer or me in the rearview mirror. Several miles later and one left turn and I was able to leave her in my dust!

Ah, freedom at last! The open road! Right. School traffic ahead and the speed limit reduces to 25 mph. Traffic backs up, I move at a crawl but not to worry as I have left early enough to accommodate for this second delay. Past the school and things open up again and then quickly shut down. The traffic light, 1 ½ miles ahead, is on red flash. It is the morning rush hour and this alone adds 15 minutes to my ride.

Through the flashing traffic light, down the road I go! However, at the next light where I turn left, a police cruiser traveling the other direction, turns in behind me and I of course, being a retired officer and never inclined to break the speed limit, slow to 35. He stays with me almost the rest of the way.

Finally, arriving at the DMV at what is now 20 minutes after the opening hour, I quickly park as close as possible. This is not a problem as the parking lot is fairly empty. Cool! Not many people here today! Grabbing a screw driver I rush to the rear of the vehicle where I remove the plate and then rush to the front and do the same with the front plate. With the notification and my old plates in hand I briskly walk to the front door of the DMV, which is closed. It seems they are closed one Monday each month and I have managed to pick May’s Monday. Let’s not go into what I said next.

So, today, this morning, without much fanfare, I again made my way back arriving just after opening. I stood in line only a few minutes and several minutes after that had my new, specially ordered, personalized license plates. I affixed the month and year tabs and then carefully attached the plates to my vehicle. Standing back I grinned from ear to ear with pride. These were special. They meant something important to me. I waited over two months to get them. Even went through some trials and tribulations to pick them up but now they were on my vehicle and I felt proud about that.

Pride is important. The things in our lives worth having are worth working for, worth waiting for and worth taking pride in, the way we conduct ourselves in public or with family and friends. It is important to take pride in our teams and our schools. It is important to be proud of our heritage, traditions and way of life. What you do in life many times may only matter to you but if you do it with pride, then everyone else will at the very least respect you for it.

Okay guys, there are only 40 days to camp! And only 14 days until June 1st when all registration forms and deposits are to be in. Welcome to the recently registered players for LinemenInc 2005, from the following schools: Don Bosco Tech, Rosemead, CA, El Diamante High, Visalia, CA, Leland High, San Jose, CA, Santa Ynez High, Santa Ynez, CA, and Mark Keppel High, Alhambra, CA. See you in June!

If you’ve been following this blog then you know Coach Reinders, LinemenInc cofounder, (he loves to see that in print) and I, spent the weekend with the Samoan Athletes In Action, at their free football clinic. The clinic was held at Abraham Lincoln high on the west side of San Francisco, where the weather was anything but Island like. Typical San Fran foggy, colder than you know what, and windy. That didn’t seem to bother the 150 plus participants at the event.

Kids from all over the Bay Area showed up for four hours of football, inspirational speakers and a ton of hamburgers and hot dogs! Frank Manumaleuna, former Kansas City Chief, was our Head Coach for the day. Frank was joined by former teammates, Dan Saleaumua and Art Still, who flew in to donate their time to this worthy event. Players were put through stretching, drills and skills and even ran some plays. Though it was freezing by Nor Cal standards and everyone was in shorts and T-shirts, I think Dave and I were the only ones showing the effects of the weather. You certainly couldn’t see any discomfort on the smiling faces of the players.

Our table was very busy with players and parents a like, asking questions about LinemenInc and taking brochures and registration forms home. We even saw a few coaches from Logan High and South City. Word at the end of the day was we would definitely be seeing some Oak Grove High players from San Jose at LinemenInc 2005, along with some of the South City guys. We’re talking some big boys here guys, so get ready to strap it on!

Thank you again to Lenora Hay-Muagututi’a and her husband, Kilangi, for inviting us to this event. Yes, we want to come back next year! All of our best wishes to Kilangi, a former standout at UTEP and AFL player, who has a try out with 18 NFL teams on the 21st. Kilangi has been working very hard under the guidance of Aaron Thigpen, www.gamespeed.net, and looks more than ready for this opportunity.

Thanks also to Frank Manumaleuna and the Big John Manumaleuna Foundation, for putting on this clinic and all the volunteers who donated their time and money to this free event. I also want to say mahalo, to O Samoa TV, for the on-air interview. Anytime this coach gets to stand next to a nani (pretty) Polynesian gal and get on TV, I’m there! I’m told you can see the interview by going to www.polycafe.com and then clicking on the link to O Samoa TV.

Only 43 days to camp! Let’s get those registration forms in by June 1st !

Okay, okay! I know! I haven’t written in a month! But give a guy a break would’ya? I’ve been busy working on LinemenInc 2005. You want the best camp possible, right? You want the best coaches possible, right? Hey, I know you want the best food possible!

This year’s camp, in a word, is gonna be awesome. I mean, have you looked at our
line-up of college coaches? Jim House, who is also doing our D-line coach’s clinic again this year. Darrel Funk who will be taking on the duties of the O-line coach’s clinic. Jim Michalczik, Jeff Hammerschmidt, Rob Gatrell, Matt Diskin, Rich James and Preston Walrath! These guys are some of the best and insure that players and coaches alike are going to learn a ton.

When a football player is being physically evaluated, especially a lineman, there are three areas of concern: size, strength and speed. As for size, well, whatever the good Lord gave you is what you get, work with it. Strength, however, is always in your control. More time in the weight room, a proper program and proper diet to assist in muscle recovery and growth and anyone can get stronger. Speed on the other hand has to be carefully and skillfully developed.

Who says you have to have been born with speed? First of all, we’re taking about linemen here not those front running; put my picture in the paper, running back guys. I said linemen! The last of the gladiators! The guys who are doing the fighting up close and personal. A lineman’s speed is a whole other thing gentlemen. To that end, LinemenInc is proud to announce that Aaron Thigpen, a performance-training specialist for the past 17 years, will be joining us this June. Aaron, a world class sprinter, has participated on 11 U.S. National Track and Field Teams, been ranked as high as number two in the nation and fifth in the world, brings an outstanding ability to get linemen up and moving. He has previously trained such notable NFL linemen as Junior Siavii, Kansas City Chiefs, Dwan Edwards, Baltimore Ravens, Martin Harrison, Minnesota Vikings, and Josh Taves, Oakland Raiders. To learn more about Coach Thigpen check out his web site at, www.gamespeed.net.

If you are going to be in the Bay Area on Saturday, May 14th, you might want to check out the Samoan Athletes in Action, FREE football clinic at City College of San Francisco. Did I mention this is a FREE clinic open to all football players, ages 12-17? Featured professionals will be Marques Tuiasosopo/Oakland Raiders, Isaako Sopoaga/San Francisco 49ers, Brandon Manumaleuna/St. Louis Rams, and Blaine Saipaia/St. Louis Rams. Registration is at 9AM and the clinic is from 10AM to 2PM. Yes, you can learn a lot in just four hours! For more info call Lenora @ (925) 366-6852 or email to lenorahay@yahoo.com.

Welcome to the most recently registered players for LinemenInc 2005, from the following high schools: Bishop Gorman Prep, Las Vegas, NV, David Douglas High, Portland, OR, Fairfield High, Fairfield, CA, Liberty High, Brentwood, CA, Manteca High, Manteca, CA, Pierce High, Arbuckle, CA, and Yuba City High, Yuba City, CA.

Hey guys! 59 DAYS TO CAMP!!!

There’s something happening with today’s kids. I see it at just about any youth sporting event I attend. Other coaches have made mention of it and even some parents. It’s what I call the “Wimpy Factor”. There are a lot of reasons a kid can succumb to the wimpy factor but first we need to recognize what it is. It is that displayed behavior of not wanting to join in, or afraid of becoming apart of the group. That fear of willingness to explore the unknown and take a risk. The inability to personally challenge one’s self and push the envelope, even just a little. It’s that kid, who during practice, runs over to mom for a drink during a break rather than hanging with the team. I’ve even seen mom get up from her lounge chair to let junior sit until being called back onto the field.

How did this happen in this land of pioneers? How have we as a society that forged a new frontier, fought world wars, raced to the moon and set the standard of independence for the rest of the world to follow, become a growing population of wimps? The times have changed for one thing. We have to worry about sexual predators, violent gangs, drugs, drunk drivers, disgruntled employees and children with guns. Not to mention food preservatives, A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. I mean, what’s a parent to do?

My eldest son has always been involved in sports, his younger brother as well. However, as younger siblings go, there was a period of time where he could only watch from the sidelines dreaming of his chance to be old enough and big enough to compete in the same forums. The elder was always one of the biggest on the team and based upon his early physique, I was sure the Michelin Man was his daddy and not I. The younger on the other hand was slight but taunt and built for speed. When his time came to play football, at the old age of eight, he was one of the smallest trying out. I watched as he worked his heart out and gave it everything he had to give. The kid was black and blue from head to toe and I’m not exaggerating. His coach had obviously made up his mind that this little tow-head wasn’t big enough to play on this team and it was apparent by the way he treated him. He regularly put the kid up against the bigger and older players at every opportunity. I would tell my wife that you can’t control who the other team is going to put across from you on game day, so, he might as well get used to it now. To his credit, my son never complained. He was finally living out his dream and achieving what his older brother had done before him. He couldn’t be happier!

One day before the team cuts, this coach walked my boy over to me and said the kid had something to tell me. Through a stream of elephant tears he said he no longer wanted to play football. He said it was too hard for him. As he was doing this, the coach turned and walked away. I was shocked at this revelation! Part of me didn’t want to believe it and the other was what to do if it’s true. We had one of those father-son talks about commitment, responsibility and seeing things through to the end. It was a lot for a crying eight year old but I felt my kid wanted to play this game. At any rate, I wasn’t going to allow him to quit something he had started regardless of how hard it may have become. And I suspected he had been convinced otherwise. In the end he told me he wanted to play and so we marched across that field to the coach. The coach told me he was going to have to cut three players and he felt my son was just too small. I told him he would have to cut him then because junior wasn’t quitting. I also told him that if he only had to cut three he better do it in person and not by posting a list. The following week we were forced to turn in the equipment and sit out the season. It was a tough time for my son but it was also a learning experience, which provided a deep burning fire. As an aside, to that coach, last year as a freshman this same kid rushed for over 1000 yards and scored 16 touchdowns.

I am the proud father of four children, two girls, two boys, age’s 15 through 25. I personally think they are great kids but by no means, perfect. Folks who know them will pretty much say the same thing. My partner, Dave, will say the eldest boy is a pain in the ass as he has had the pleasure of coaching him over three years of varsity ball. That aside, as each of them is different from the other, so has been many of the ways they have been raised. However, they are all independent individuals capable of taking care of themselves while knowing their mother and I are always there for them. I want them to experience life. I want them to fall down a couple of times and learn that you do get back up. I want them to know they will survive a broken heart. They need to know that you don’t always get what you want or feel you deserve. They need to know bad things happen to good people sometimes. That you don’t always win but you can strive to do better. I want them to take some risks and feel that rush of excitement. I want them to get a couple of bumps and bruises and know they can continue on. I want them to live life!
So, the next time you get the opportunity to push a little, let go a bit. Let’em fall down, help’em up, brush’em off and push them right back out there!

Well, heck, why not? First of all, it’s a chance to get away and cut loose a little bit. I don’t mean go crazy but I do mean an opportunity to stretch out a bit. Be on your own for a few days, a little independence. The LinemenInc camp is also an opportunity to learn and improve; an opportunity to be challenged and to step up to that challenge.

You players all know who the big man is on your team. You all know just how much you are going to be or not going to be challenged by the guys on your team. As for that one monster, just how challenged is he going to be by the rest of you? In camp there are lots of big men. There are players from all over the western United States from all types and sizes of schools. You either step up or get stepped on. It’s interesting to watch that evolution take place from practice to practice.

It is a gradual process taught step by step with each progression leading to the next. As you complete each practice you’ll begin to feel the difference. The guys around you and the coaches will start to take note. The tempo will be picking up. The hitting will increase and intensify. You’ll feel the valley sun beating on the back of your neck and your legs and arms will begin to feel heavy. And at the same time, you’ll have this sense of accomplishment, this feeling of belonging to something greater, of being apart of something special and unique. You’re a lineman. You are the last of the gladiators.

It is also an opportunity to work under some of the best college coaches in the business; Cal, San Diego State, Colorado State, Cal-Poly. Former players like Rob Gatrell and Preston Walrath. Where else are you going to find this type of opportunity and exposure? Did I mention the food? If an army runs on its stomach so does a camp of linemen. The University of the Pacific has one of the greatest cafeteria’s I’ve had the pleasure to chow down in. I’ve been to a number of camps at a number of schools and none compare. Just ask the guys who were there last year.

Here’s the bottom line gentlemen: you are only as good as you strive to be. If you are content to stay where you are then that is exactly where you will find yourself. On the other hand, if you want to be the best you can be, if you are willing to challenge yourself, then you will improve. It can’t be helped. The great Vince Lombardi once said, “Work and sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness, and respect for authority are the price that each one must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” LinemenInc camp is a great place to start working towards that goal. See you in June!