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Friday, August 1, 2008
The Secret To Winning State Titles
Western Arkansas, AR
By: Mike Capshaw
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Photo(s) By: submitted
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It’s because for 16 days in July, players (and lots of other brave souls) participate in the FASDOGS program. The acronym Fundamentals Agility Speed speaks for itself, but inside the two-hour, four-times-a-week workouts is a mindset that is developed by the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing the rigorous camp.
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About 425 folks recently learned the secret behind Greenwood’s football success.
It’s not because Bulldogs skipper Rick Jones is one of the elite high school football minds in the country.
It’s not because Greenwood has produced top talent like Arkansas quarterback signee Tyler Wilson.
It’s not because of the school’s rich tradition or the town’s dedicated fan following that rivals any in the state.
It’s because for 16 days in July, players (and lots of other brave souls) participate in the FASDOGS camp. The acronym Fundamentals Agility Speed speaks for itself, but inside the two-hour, four-times-a-week workouts is a mindset that is developed by the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing the rigorous program.
It’s a mindset that separated Greenwood from the rest of Class 5A at season’s end for three years running.
It also doesn’t hurt that FASDOGS graduates are in the best shape of their lives just in time for preseason practices.
“Some of them don’t believe they’ll be able to run 56 sprints at full-speed by the end,” Jones said.
There are only 15-20 seconds between sprints, which is the time Greenwood takes to snap the ball between plays in its Hurry-Up, No-Huddle offense. Each sprint is between 5 and 50 yards for short plays, and big.
“Everything we do, we want to do it fast,” Jones said. “If a 4.6 is tired in the fourth quarter, he’s not going tor un a 4.6”
But it’s not just football players getting FASter in the camp that incorporates “toys” such as speed ladders, jump ropes, sleds, bungee cords and parachutes to promote lateral and linear quickness.
“Moms wanted to do it, so we let them and even a few dads have participated,” Jones said. “There’s also college kids and ex-players are always welcome, but it’s not jogging. It’s not aerobics. It’s a very high-intensity program that’s different every day that people here enjoy.”
Jones, who has 180 victories and a .763 winning percentage, adopted the program during his time as a coach in Oklahoma. It has evolved since he started doing it in 1983 thanks to input from many speed trainers and other coaches he credits.
Alma second-year coach Todd Dilbeck, another Sooner State coaching veteran, is putting his team through “17 Days of Commitment,” a similar program that utilizes fun to keep kids interested with things like stick wrestling on a mat, “zambonies” where a 45-pound weight is pushed and even a tractor tire pull competition.
“We take them through a pretty neat workout to make it fun for them and hopefully make improvements,” Dilbeck said.
Jones does plan to add about six of the giant tractor tires to FASDOGS next season. While the format will continue to evolve as Jones tries to stay on the cutting edge of speed teachings, one thing that will remain is the way the T-shirts that read “100 percent Dog” are doled out.
“Most camps, when you pay a fee, you get a T-shirt,” Jones said. “You only receive a T-shirt if you’ve been here all 16 days and made it through. They wear it around town with a lot of pride.
“Plus, they know when they walk off that field in July, they’re ready to play.”
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