Concussions – Part 1 – What is a Concussion?

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I’m not a medical doctor, so what you read herein are my own opinions based on information obtained from a number of resources. As a coach, and parent of a player, I want to ensure you have the resources you need to be as informed as possible, and that you know where to go for tools that can help you notice the signs of a concussion, and the steps you should take in the event it happens to one of your kids.

If you have ever been to a sporting event at any level, chances are you have seen an accident resulting in personal injury. A broken bone, busted nose, knock-out, scrapes, and bruises are all known to happen on occasion in sports, and I’m not talking about at just the professional level. These things can happen in practically any sport, and at any level. One of the most frightening things that could happen on the field would be to watch as your son or daughter take a hit to the head and not get up, or worse yet, not even move. The mere thought of it invites anxiety and trepidation. When it comes to head injuries, the concussion has taken center stage due in large part to the changes made in the NFL in the 2010 and 2011 seasons including fines imposed on players that spear or lead with their heads, or target opposing players’ heads. These changes are now finally trickling down through the NCAA, High School Sports, and into the junior programs around the country such as Pop Warner and our own AAU.

This past Saturday, I had the honor of attending a mandatory coaches clinic put on by our local Florida Youth Football and Cheer League, a member of the AAU. The entire first hour was a presentation about concussions by Chief Neurosurgeon Dr. Todd Maugans of Nemours Children’s Hospital here in Orlando. His presentation was one of the most informative and enlightening I have ever seen.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger told the AP why a concussion kept him on the bench: “You can get a knee replacement or a rotator-cuff operation, but you can’t get a new brain” – USA Today

One of Dr. Maugans’ first questions to the auditorium full of a hundred or so coaches was “How many of you think a concussion means you’ve been knocked out?” I really had to think about this for a moment. Growing up as a kid, I wrestled, played football and baseball, skied, and found numerous opportunities to bump my head on something. It never really mattered how hard I hit as long as I was never knocked unconscious. I remember teachers, coaches, and my own parents telling me that’s when it’s bad. My Dad used to say, when we watched George Forman or Sugar Ray Leonard duke it out in the boxing ring, that “getting your bell rung was one thing – but when you’re out, that’s just dangerous.”

I, like many others in that auditorium, grew up thinking that a concussion meant you were knocked out. Today – that’s just not true anymore.

So what exactly is a concussion?

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/sports/ ), a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.

According to About.com (http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/head/a/concussion.htm ) sports concussion are; traumatic head injuries that occur from both mild and severe blows to the head. Some head injuries may appear to be mild but research is finding that concussions can have serious, long-term effects, especially repeat head injuries or cumulative concussions. A concussion is typically caused by a severe head trauma during which the brain moves violently within the skull. The brain cells all fire at once, much like a seizure. Some studies show that patients who suffer a concussion appear to have the brain activity of people in a coma.

A concussion may result from a fall in which the head strikes against an object or a moving object strikes the head. A suddenly induced turning movement such as a blow that twists the head (like a punch to the side of the face) is more likely to produce unconsciousness. However, significant jarring in any direction can produce unconsciousness.

In 2004, data collected from the head impact telemetry system used in the NFL concussion studies found that 58 of 623 (9.3 percent) of professional football players who suffered a concussion also had a loss of consciousness.

Still yet another resource, and my personal favorite definition from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) through their Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) define concussions as:

You’ve probably heard the terms “ding” and “bell-ringer.” These terms were once used to refer to minor head injuries and thought to be a normal part of sports. There is no such thing as a minor brain injury. Any suspected concussion must be taken seriously. A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Basically, any force that is transmitted to the head causes the brain to literally bounce around or twist within the skull, potentially resulting in a concussion.

It used to be believed that a player had to lose consciousness or be “knocked-out” to have a concussion. This is not true, as the vast majority of concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness. In fact, less than 10% of players actually lose consciousness with a concussion.

What exactly happens to the brain during a concussion is not entirely understood. It appears to be a very complex injury affecting both the structure and function of the brain. The sudden movement of the brain causes stretching and tearing of brain cells, damaging the cells and creating chemical changes in the brain. Once this injury occurs, the brain is vulnerable to further injury and very sensitive to any increased stress until it fully recovers.

Common sports injuries such as torn ligaments and broken bones are structural injuries that can be seen on MRIs or x-rays, or detected during an examination. A concussion, however, is primarily an injury that interferes with how the brain works. While there is damage to brain cells, the damage is at a microscopic level and cannot be seen on MRI or CT scans. Therefore, the brain looks normal on these tests, even though it has been seriously injured.



I thought this was very interesting also – a collection of quotes about concussions taken from NFL players:

“You get a concussion, they’ve got to take you out of the game. So if you can hide it and conceal it as much as possible, you pay for it the next day, but you’ll be able to … stay in the game.” _ Washington Redskins fullback Mike Sellers.

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“I’ve had times where I walked up to the line, where I know the play, but don’t know what to do.” _ Oakland Raiders tight end Tony Stewart.

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“If you get a little headache or something, you’re not going to say anything. This is football, and everyone gets their heads rattled a little bit.” _ Indianapolis Colts safety Jamie Silva.

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“I don’t want to come out of games. I always feel that’s some kind of weakness. Somebody hits me and takes me out of the game, I feel weak. So if something happens, I take a minute to try to re-gather myself and then go back.” _ New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove.

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“I’m sure there have been guys who didn’t realize they had a concussion and just kept playing. It’s a violent game. The head injuries are the most dangerous to play with. We’re trained to play no matter what. If you can run, and you’re able to focus and know your responsibilities, you’re usually out there playing. You wouldn’t have enough players if no one played hurt. Especially if you’re, like, on special teams, you’re going to do everything you can to stay in the game.” _ Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Brown.

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“If you’re worried about concussions, you’re in the wrong business.” _ Carolina Panthers fullback Brad Hoover.

Read more: fxn.ws/OzrQKe

Sources/Resources:

http://theconcussionblog.com/what-is-a-concussion/

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/sports/

bit.ly/Ozss2o

http://www.popwarner.com/football/2012rulechanges.asp

http://www.nfhs.org/

Free Courses:

http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html

http://nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=15000

 

Coming up in my next posts will include concussion tools for coaches, a guide for parents, statistics, and return-to-play protocol so stay tuned.

Ethan’s Top 5 Coolest Things About Tackle Football

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We’re back! And to start us off, here are Ethan’s Top 5 coolest things about tackle football! Coming up – an in-depth look at concussions and what they mean to your kids.

Ethan’s Top 5 Coolest Things About Tackle Football

5.you get to use all your energy

4.you can yell as loud as you want

3.you can hit and bump all around

2.you are always in motion

1.you get to play with all your friends

 

Interview With University High Titans Quarterback Randy Cianciotto

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As a part of new series focused on providing more information about our local players at the high school level, the following is the first interview for our site. The interview was with Randy Cianciotto, Quarterback of our own University High School Titans in Orange City, FL.

–Enjoy! 

Welcome and thank you for joining us on our blog at NewFootballCoach.com

  • How long have you been playing football, and why do you like playing?

I have been playing football for 3 years, and I love playing this sport because it gives me such an adrenaline rush when I’m out on the field. The hard work and sweat that we as a team put into the sport is not only a team success but also a great personal achievement.

  • Where did you start and how old were you? What got you interested in the game?

I started playing football my freshman year of high school and I was 14 when I started playing. The thing that got me interested in football was all the football I watched on TV.

  • What position did you start in and why, and what positions do you like playing the most?

When I started playing football I always pictured me playing quarterback because they were the players that everyone looked up to, the one with the most leadership. But I played back-up quarterback freshman thru junior year. My sophomore and junior year I started at wide receiver. My favorite position is definitely quarterback because I like the leadership it needs to play that position.

  • What is your favorite professional team and player(s), and why?

My favorite professional team is the New England Patriots, with my favorite player being tom Brady. He is such an inspiration because he constantly performs flawlessly on the field.

  • In the upcoming season with the Titans, what are you looking forward to the most?
  • How do you feel about being a part of the Titans since it’s a new school and new program?

I think that being with the Titans is such an opportunity to show people what me and the team is made of. It is the perfect chance for us to surprise a lot of people. Coming from a new school we can really upset a lot of people.

  • What excites you the most when you’re on the field? What’s your biggest rush?

The thing that excites me the most is the look in the other teams’ eyes when you walk out on the field. The rush of the pads crushing together gives me such a rush of adrenaline and keeps me fire up as the game goes on.

  • If you didn’t have football, what sport would you rather play?

If I didn’t have football I would play my second varsity sport which is baseball.

  • Who or what are your inspirations for playing football?

My inspiration to do great in football is my parents. They inspire me to do great and be able to go somewhere with my future with the support they give me on and off the field.

  • What are your biggest motivations for playing football? What drives you to do your best?

My biggest motivations for playing football is my teammates, the fact that I am the starting quarterback ensures myself that I can give nothing less than my best on and off the field. Not only do I have to be a good football player but I also have to be a good friend.

  • How do handle playing when you’re just not feeling well, or not into it some days?

On the days that I don’t feel good or I’m just not into it, I know that I have to push hard through any pain I feel because if I give anything less than my best I know I’m going to be letting my teammates down and that’s unacceptable.

  • How do you juggle the responsibilities of practice and games with school work, time with family and friends, and your girlfriend?

With all of the events that go on in my life it is very hard to juggle it all, it’s almost like a second job. You really have to learn how to juggle everything, and I promise you it isn’t easy. But in the long run, anyone will learn to do it.

  • What do you think was the best play you ever made?

My sophomore year definitely held my best play ever. My last game of the year, final play of the game. Trent Reilly threw a 30 yard fade down field. Me against three defenders, jump ball, and the ball was tipped up and I turned and caught it with one hand and fell in the end zone. By far a play I’ll remember forever

  • What is your favorite thing about playing football?

My favorite thing about playing football is the feeling I get every Friday when I get to wear my jersey around school and I feel like all eyes are on me.

  • What do you think makes the best football player?

The thing that I feel makes the best football player is the player who will give nothing but their absolute best no matter what day of the week it is.

  • What are some of the hardest lessons you learned while playing football?

Some of the hardest lessons I have learned from playing football is that sometimes you’re going to be on your own and you have to find a way to push through the hardest

  • Of all the coaches you’ve had, who is your favorite and why?

My favorite coach by far was Coach Toaranto, he was my favorite because he wasn’t only a coach to me but he was like a mentor not only to me but to the team, I could go to him for absolutely anything and I know he would be there for me.

  • What kind of advice would you give the younger players just starting out?

To give 100% effort all day every day, even when you feel like quitting you have to be able to give it your best, or I promise you will regret it immensely.

  • If you had to do it all over again, what part of your experiences in football would you change?

The thing that I would change in a heartbeat is those few reps I skipped or that one sprint I jogged on. Not giving 100% every time is a must have thing in football and I hope the little kids learn that before they regret it like me.

Thank you Randy for taking the time to interview with us!

If you have questions or comments for Randy, or Ethan and I here at NewFootballCoach.com, please add your comments below. Remember, all comments can be viewed by the public.

Top 5 Things You Never Say To A Coach – by Ethan

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Here are the top 5 things I think you should never say to a coach. This is based on my experiences. All of these things are bad because every one, you pay in work and that’s not so fun because when they say work they mean work! For example, we had to do push-ups, sit ups, killer bridges, six inches (leg lifts), jumping jacks, and more when kids said these things.

5. “Coach I don’t want this position”

4. “This is to hard”

3.”I don’t want to do this”

2. “This sucks”

1. “I want to go home this is so boring”

8 Differences Between Flag Football and Tackle Football – What to Expect

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It happened again last week. I was on the field for Skills Camp helping run some drills when all of a sudden, this lady walks up to me and asks if her kid could step out to get water.

OK – Now I know I’m new at this whole coaching thing, but I’ve been around sports long enough to know that Mom’s don’t just walk out on the field to interrupt practice, right? She was quiet and soft-spoken that I almost could not hear what she was saying, and I just wasn’t sure what to do. My coaching instincts have not yet been developed so my Dad instincts were the first to show up. In my heart, I wanted Mom to feel better because she was obviously very concerned about the sweat dripping from her sons forehead. Then my brain kicked in and told me I better send her to Coach. And that I did.

Luckily, I chose correctly.

The Head Coach and two other Assistant’s spent a few minutes explaining to her the rules of tackle football. I didn’t get to hear them as they were explained to Mom, but I caught the recap after she left the field.

A word of advice to all you parents out there that feel you need to pull your kid from practice…

Don’t do it!

Unless your child has a physical limitation (like asthma) or a handicap preventing him or her from actually performing with their teammates (which should be listed on their registration forms), there is absolutely no reason for you to be on the field during practice.

This is referred to as Mommy Ball or Daddy Ball, and this action could be one of the most traumatic for your child when their teammates discover it. You must trust the coaches – they know what they are doing.

In line with this little piece of advice, here are 8 differences between flag football and tackle football to help you gain an understanding of what to expect. If you’re entering the tackle football arena and expecting it to be like flag, you could be in for a big surprise.

1. Tackle Football Coaches are Mean! Well, not really. They just seem that way. Almost all the coaches I’ve ever worked with as either an assistant coach or a parent across all sports get heated and bark commands to get their points across. In full-contact football, there is a higher probability that your child could be injured. The coaches need to make certain that their commands are taken seriously and the best way to do that is by breaking these kids down and building them back up. Yelling and screaming at them is the time-honored tradition effectively used on the field.

What it comes down to is this: In flag football you’ll find coaches are a lot easier on the kids than they are in tackle. I think it’s a combination of the competitive nature of the game and the need to keep the kids from getting injured that really drive the actions on the field. If a kid doesn’t drill and work out the proper way, they can get hurt. Coaches seem like they are mean but get them off the field and they’re like anyone else. Well… almost anyone.

2. In Tackle Football, Kids Will be Pushed to Their Breaking Point. In Flag, there is a whole lot of lovey-dovey going on. Kids are pushed to do well of course, but they are in no way pushed to the point where they could physically or emotionally break down. In tackle, I’ve seen kids start crying from the moment they started their first ten push-ups and straight through the four hours of practice. Yep – I said 4 hours! Lucky for most parents though, when a kid is going to quit full contact football, it typically happens in the first few weeks when refunds are still offered. Basically, some kids just are not cut out for it.

3. Practice 5 Days a Week or 1 Day a Week? Generally, flag football practices at most once or twice per week, and practice may last an entire hour. In tackle – in the early parts of the season there is an entire month of conditioning camp, long before the kids even touch pads or a football. This camp is usually 5 days per week, two hours a night, and lasts 4 weeks. Even after pads have been issued and the season is in full swing, coaches usually schedule practices at least 3 days per week for a minimum of 2 hours. It could be longer if you practice at a field that has lights. Saturdays are usually reserved for the games.

4. No Place For Bad Attitude. Has your kid got attitude problems? Is he or she a problem child? I suggest keeping them away from flag. Most coaches are ill-equipped to handle the psychological baggage that can come from a child with bullying issues or the know-it-all. If you’re lucky enough to find a flag team with a coach willing to deal with these issues, by all means take advantage. However, most coaches don’t want to deal with it and few will have the time with only one or two meetings each week. They’ll probably “sit” it out of him.

Tackle teams are different. I’ve seen a number of kids with problems; bad home lives, abusive parents, parents with drug problems. The list goes on. However unfortunate the life they have, in tackle, everyone is the same. If a kid can make it through the first month of practices, they stand a very good chance of being a part of something special that could carry on for years. The dedication and family environment that comes from some youth leagues can go a long way to becoming a form of counseling for kids in need. The bad attitude doesn’t become the primary focus of the team which leaves room to focus on play.

5. The Uniform. For flag football, the uniform usually consists of a jersey. Sometimes you may even get lucky and have a two-sided shirt that can double as either a home or away jersey. The shorts should not have pockets and along with the cleats and mouth guard, will have to be supplied by the parents.

Depending on the league, and in some cases even the team in full contact football, almost everything is supplied by the team and covered under your registration fees. Generally, the shoulder pads and helmets will have to be turned back in at the end of the season. Some leagues, like I experienced in Pop Warner, require you to turn in both the home and away jerseys and the pants with pads at the end of the season as well.

Other parts of the uniform like the undershirt, girdle, and rib-pads are not usually supplied by the team but promoted for use. Some leagues offer kits that consist of everything your child will need for the entire season and can usually get some kind of group discount or sponsorship.

6. Filth, Dirt , and Muck! Gotta love it. You know your kid is having fun when he comes home covered head to toe in mud, right? In flag, you might get some muddied-up cleats or a few grass stains. In tackle, every night after practice means the kid has to strip down before even being allowed back in the house by Mom. The uniform, cleats, pads, and helmet all get hosed down, and your kid is going to need shower a lot more than ever before. Unlike baseball where a few drops of rain shut down the field and send everyone home, football plays through everything but lightning. When it comes to weather, the general rule in football is – no matter what it’s doing at your house, show up anyways.

7. Spending Money. In flag, you can expect to pay a small fee for registration and the jersey. If you need new shorts and cleats, you’ll spend a few bucks on those too. Other than that, you’ll spend a couple dollars on a mouth guard and maybe have to buy snacks for the kids one day if the responsibility is spread around.

In tackle, be prepared to spend some cash. I don’t want to scare anyone away, especially since there are numerous programs out there to help get talented kids involved, but unless you qualify for assistance, you can spend hundreds of dollars through the season. To help you understand where your money can go, consider this:

  • Registration is usually $200 – $300 per child
  • Extra cost for the “kits” which consist of all those extras can run $60 – $100
  • Other items for the players like bags and water bottles: $10 – $40
  • Gas to and from practice and games: $20 – $40 each week
  • Some leagues charge you an entrance fee for the games: $5 – $10 per week
  • Snacks, food, and drinks at the games can run $10 – $20 per week

As you can see, depending on how involved you get, you can easily spend a lot of money. We used to get together for pizza and drinks on Friday evenings with a few other parents/kids at a local pizza joint which added another $50 or so each week.

I would be remiss however, if I didn’t say that every single dollar we spent was worth it in every way.

8. Fan Base: Bottom line here is – flag lasts a few weeks and teams change every couple of months. In tackle, the teams are more long term with a lot more invested. As such, they are often tied to local high-school programs and develop their own fan bases within the communities where they exist similar to pro teams. Often, and as is with our own Volusia Titans, the coaching staff may consist of high-school coaches too.

This was just a short list of differences between flag football and tackle football based on my experiences with both over the past few years. If you are a new member of or thinking about becoming a member of a full-contact program, I encourage you to give it a shot. Remember these things I pointed out here and hopefully it will make your transition a little easier.

All of the parents I know that allowed their child to play in full contact have no regrets from their decision. It is usually a little tough in the beginning because we are not used to the methods, but once you accept the fact that the coaches only want what’s best for the kids, you realize the kids can handle it. The kids are never really a problem.

 

All Best!

Dave

 

Game Day! and My Top 3 NFL Football Players by Ethan

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I couldn’t wait. So I stayed up all night, and then finally it was game time. I started wide receiver and Red was quarterback. First the score was us up by 1. 7 to 6. Then it was half time. We held them all threw the half. Then they scored but then we scored right after and were going to win. It was a tight game but then the dolphins got a safety and won the game. But I wasn’t down yet because we could still go to the playoffs if one team lost don’t know who but hoping we can still go.


So we still had Mondays practice and it was fun. We did a lot of drills but after it was awesome we did foot and throwing drills and did all kinds of plays and every one loves that. But it was pretty short still it was fun.

These are my Top 3 NFL football players:

#3. Brett Favre: because hes always in action

Brett Favre

#2. Peyton Manning: because no matter what happens he never gives up.

Peyton Manning

#1. Ronde Barber: because hes always moving and hitting hard

Ronde Barber

Here are some pictures from our flag game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAU Football – First Day On My Own With The Volusia Titans

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While I wait for Ethan to finish his write-up covering his Flag game last Sunday, which now takes days to get him motivated after a loss, I thought I would share a new experience with you – the first day on my own with kids as a coach.

Monday night during Skills Camp and after some of the most excruciating warm-ups I’ve seen thus far, Head Coach Derrick approached me with a couple of handouts full of plays and explained what drills he wanted run that night. My first thought was “Oh Crap! I’ve only  been doing this a few days and now and he wants me to start working with kids on my own?” Then I saw how they started splitting up the group by ages and my mind eased as I realized I was going to get the younger inexperienced boys. At least with these guys I could screw something up and no one would be the wiser.

I was a little reluctant at first, knowing that some of the returning players would know these plays better than I would. Reading x’s and o’s isn’t that hard – it’s the timing of the route, and the difficulty in getting the kids to understand the how and why a play is run that is considerably more difficult.

Facing my fears as a new coach, I jumped in and took the opportunity to learn as much as I could, yet hesitant in my approach because I’m still not completely certain that what I might teach a kid is actually proper form or technique. After all, as a kid myself I played only one season of junior football and it wasn’t until high-school when I really started following the game. Even so, I never spent any significant time learning regulations and drills so now I pay the price with my own foolish attempts at teaching something I had better learn fast.

The groups split up, and I ended up with three 8-year old kids. “They need to know these plays!” said Head Coach as he handed me the papers of at least 20 different plays. Really? Of course I only thought that – didn’t bother asking for more details like I knew I should have. Only I didn’t find out until practice ended that they didn’t need to know all of them in that one night… I know I’ll get the hang of this at some point.

Back up a few days to last Saturday. It was my first Coaches Meeting – scheduled along side a cleat fitting. Four of us showed up and I think just me and one other guy are new coaches for the upcoming season out of the dozen or so on staff.

Coach Shawn, the 2012 Spring Head Coach and now Football Director and Commissioner for the Fall 2012 season, decides to lay down the basic rules – a general understanding of what is expected from his coaches, dates for upcoming events, uniform requirements, and other pertinent and related information. Then, both Coaches Shawn and Derrick, the Head Coach for Fall 2012, tell us how it goes on the field… it really struck a chord with me.

“The way it goes is when we get the whole group together and call out a play, your kids need to know what the plays are and where to be or I’m gonna be looking at you. You need to work with them over and over until they get it right so they’re not walking around the field looking like they’re lost when everyone else is lined up.”

OK – I get it now. They were serious. This isn’t the football I remember as a kid, and it’s not the baseball Ethan played a few years back. Of course, everyone wants to win, but with these guys, you could see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices. If you weren’t going to be committed to winning as much as player development, they would likely toss you aside not unlike those unlucky souls in an episode of The Apprentice. As a position coach, Wide Receiver Coach more specifically, it is up to me to ensure these kids know where to line up every time. Almost immediately I felt a sense of urgency and intimidation staring down on me… but then it happened.

I don’t know if it was their way with words, the looks they gave us, or the tone of their voices, I felt a sudden sense of pride and family. Although I was a little scared not knowing what to expect, and a hope that I don’t fail, I still had the calming feeling that these guys were not going to let me down. I felt, at least for a moment, I couldn’t fail – as long as these guys had my back, and I listened to what they had to teach.

As the night wore on, I found myself getting more and more frustrated because two of the three kids just didn’t seem to get it. Even after I explained how a route should be run, including where to plant your foot and how to turn sharp, they still did their own thing. After about 10 minutes of drilling over and over the same two plays, I would switch up the players between ‘A’ and ‘B’ positions so each could get some time in different positions with a different route. After I thought they had it down, we’d switch it up again, then revert back to the original position and route… only for them to completely forget what they had just learned.

I felt my voice pitch up and I couldn’t help bark out a few commands as my frustration level continued to peek. I had to keep forcing myself to focus on the good and when I did that, everyone seemed to work a little better.

It seemed to be only 20 minutes or so before Coach Derrick called us all in to wrap up for the night but was actually closer to an hour. I found I was actually having fun trying to teach these kids. The mistakes happened time and again but those boys never quit. They knew they were getting it wrong but were not about to break down and go crying to Mommy on the sideline. They were 8 years old and acting more like men than some of the people I’ve worked with in my career. I really had to step back and realize what was happening. These guys wanted to play ball. They were serious about it.

I’m not quite sure why they didn’t get some of the things I was trying to teach them – maybe a combination of the fact that they’re 8, and that I’ve never done this before, but either way I did see progress. In only an hour of running routes, they ended up completing some simple runs with some decent catches so I guess above all else, we all came out a little better than we were when we first arrived. I think I’ll keep going.