Program Philosophy

PURPOSE: At PEM, we feel that extra-curricular activities are part of the educational experience, an extension of the classroom, where student-athletes can work together for athletic success while developing character traits that will aid in successful lives beyond high school athletics. Within the football program, we intend to model behaviors that will bring about these characteristics of highly successful people in addition to teaching these traits intentionally. The game itself does not develop character; through specific instruction, discussion, and modelling with opportunities to emulate and practice what they’ve been taught, our athletes can develop and mature into adults.

Coach Lamb’s Mission Statement

I coach to help boys become fiercely competitive gentlemen of integrity and significance, men who will lead, take responsibility, and utilize personal strength to impact the world in a positive way.

I coach to support my athletes as they move forward into adulthood, to help them become fiercely competitive gentlemen, to teach them the difference between societal misconceptions on masculinity and true masculinity, to inspire them to work diligently, to play with passion, to collaborate purposefully, to respect and love unconditionally. I coach to model and teach the building of relationships as a teammate, son, brother, and eventually a husband and father, to model a faithful existence and a belief in the good in the world despite all the negatives, to teach them that obstacles are really opportunities for growth and learning.

I coach to support student-athletes as they move forward into adulthood, to challenge and love them as family while leading them toward their potential for championship character, academics, athletics, and leadership.

A Student-Centered Approach

This approach can be achieved for our football program by playing opportunities for many athletes at the varsity level, through platooning as much as possible. Athletes who are not yet ready to compete at the varsity level will have opportunities to participate in JV games to develop their skills and individual responsibilities. All athletes need the opportunity to play at meaningful times in a game and to learn from their mistakes as well as their successes. We will not pull a player off the field as a punishment for a mistake or poor execution. We will coach them up at practical times (perhaps between series, possibly even immediately) and allow opportunities to return to competition. At the freshman level, students need regular opportunities to participate and develop skills; game participation should be determined by the following criteria in this order: eligibility, work ethic, participation in practice, knowledge of position responsibilities, and lastly ability/talent. At all levels, coaches must work to educate their position players and put them in positions to be successful, positions when they can succeed individually and have a positive impact on the outcome of the game. Position coaches must provide positive feedback for successful participation and constructive coaching to improve the quality of their athletes. In the junior high, the playing time should be similar to that of the freshmen level. All levels should focus on developing athlete and providing opportunities for them to improve and succeed in game situations, with a focus and concerted effort on developing the individual in the important life values of integrity, diligence, responsibility, collaboration, and respect.

5th and 6th grade: This is the foundation of our program. It is vital to create an enthusiasm and love for the game and our teammates. This level should lay the groundwork for skills and values to be learned throughout the football program, with a focus on fun and a de-emphasis on competition. The more fun we have, the better we will perform. Fundamentals for safe blocking and tackling with be a focal point.

7th and 8th grade: Our philosophy at the Jr. High level is to get players excited about the game of football. Fun and fundamentals are the two main things for these grade levels. We want players that enjoy the game to continue into the high school program. All players that are in good standing should be participating in the games in a position that they can be succesful.

9th grade: 9th grade games are for freshmen only. The philosophy for this grade level is to teach the varsity schemes and terminology. This grade level does some skill work and training with combined grades 9 - 12, but is it’s own team. They frequently scrimmage with the 10th grade unit. We do not pull up jr. high players for this level, and rarely need freshmen to help for depth at the JV level for games. Freshmen will not dress for varsity unless they are needed for depth or have a rare ability.

Junior Varsity: JV games are for 10th graders and non-starting juniors in our program. 10th grade players may be used at the varsity for depth during games, but rarely do we start sophomores at the varsity level. We would only pull up sophomores if we have a need at the varsity level, or if it is suitable for a rare ability type individual. Players that are pulled up will play at the varsity level - they will not be pulled up to sit. This could be a week to week decision. Playing time at this level (JV) is not as equal as lower levels. This level is to prepare players to be ready for the varsity program, yet our coaches do a very good job getting everyone that is working hard and in good standing a place to contribute to the team. The JV players practice with both the freshmen (sophomores only) and the varsity. The JV level does spend a great time with the varsity for skills and training as well as scrimmaging.

Varsity: Our varsity program philosophy is to reach our potential as players and as a team, and a goal is always to contend for a championship. We want to play as many players as possible, and although all players practice both ways (offense and defense); we want most varsity players to focus on one side of the ball or the other (two platoon football). We strongly believe players that get extra reps at a position go from good to very good, or very good to great. We have very few two way starters in our program. With everything being equal, we will play seniors ahead of juniors and sophomores, but at the varsity level, we will play the best players in our program. If a sophomore is pulled up to the varsity, they will play (this could be a week to week decision). We as coaches realize all players want to contribute, and we will do our very best to challenge and develop all players.

We try to communicate this to our players so that everyone knows their role, but in the event players and or parents want to visit, our door is always open. Please communicate directly with the grade level coach involved before taking any issues to the head coach or athletic director. Player and parent input is always apprecitated.