Few youth programs take the time to clearly layout a set of principles that define and explain how they will produce successful results for their players. Bearden Club Football in conjunction with the Bearden High School staff recognize that we have a commitment that extends beyond the athletic field. We have an obligation and responsibility to produce a well rounded complete STUDENT-ATHLETE. We are making a life long commitment to our student-athletes. We believe the following principles will prepare our players for life long success.

    TRUST  -   FOCUS    -    EFFORT    -  TOUGHNESS

"What The Game Creates Is Dependent On The Design Of The Craftsman"

- Coach Shinlever -

        In order to build a successful program a solid foundation has to be laid first. These cornerstones of our program will be the building blocks that every player will begin to develop from. We believe football is merely a tool and if used properly we can achieve the ultimate goal of our program: To develop and inspire our players to become excellent husbands, fathers, and members of society.  In order to achieve our goal we must be deliberate in the design of our program.

TRUST:

        The first priority of our program is to instill trust. Players must trust their coaches and believe that what they are being taught and asked to do will make them successful on and off the field. Our players must also trust each other. So what is TRUST and how do we instill it in our players? Trust is the repeated experience of a coach, teammate, and parents doing the right thing all the time.

        Coaches have to earn the trust of both our players and the parents. We do this by being consistent every day with our players. If we tell a player to run a play this way one day and then tell the player they are doing it wrong the next day then we aren't being consistent as coaches. We aren't giving our players a repeated experience of doing the right thing. We aren't developing trust. So as coaches we must ensure we are consistent in everything we do. This is how we build trust as coaches.

        Teammates build trust the same way, through repeated experiences...If the quarterback has a repeated experience of his offensive line blocking the pass rush he will trust that he will have time to make the throw when the game is on the line. The receivers will trust that if they run their routes properly the line will give the quarterback time to make the throw and if he repeatedly makes the catch he is earning the trust of his teammates.

        Parents will see that our coaches are being consistent with our players on a daily basis and will begin to trust the staff. If our parents are consistent in having their child to practice on time, consistent in supporting the staff and program even when they disagree they will earn the trust of the staff. Finally the players will see this repeated experience between their parents and the coaches and will develop a deeper trust in the Bearden Program.

FOCUS:

        In order to build a successful program our players and coaches need to develop an unmatched ability to focus. This is often referred to as "attention to detail". Don't worry about the scoreboard, or what you are doing after practice...Don't worry about the last play or who the next opponent on the schedule is. Don't worry about the last grade you earned in a class. Focus on this play, this rep, this practice. Focus on this grade or test. Don't worry about what your teammate is supposed to be doing...TRUST that they will do their job. FOCUS on your responsibility and assignment.

EFFORT:

        Our players and coaches have to give their best effort in everything they do. Your teammates TRUST that you are FOCUSED on doing your job. Now give them your best EFFORT in everything you do. The average football play lasts 6-8 seconds. We have a plus 3 mentality

        This means we need 11 seconds of maximum effort. Any player who consistently gives great effort will find a way onto a football field at some point. Players who "take plays off" often find themselves losing playing time. Here is theunique thing about effort...Only you can decided what kind of effort you are going to give. Make sure your teammates and coaches can trust that you are giving your best effort in everything you do.

TOUGHNESS:

        Toughness comes in two forms physical and mental. Football is a physical sport and it's not easy. Players need to be physically tough in order to play this game. Player safety will always be our number one priority as coaches. However, there will be times a player will experience some physical pain such as sore muscles and bruises etc. This is just the reality of the sport. This DOES NOT mean a player shouldn't tell a coach if he is injured. Coaches would rather rest a player for a few days and get him healthy than risk causing further injury to a player or losing him for the season. ALWAYS tell a coach or trainer if you have an injury.

Mental toughness will teach you to say "SO WHAT"... You are going to compete against someone bigger, stronger, faster than you at some point. You are going to get held or someone is going to take a cheap shot at you at some point. A coach may yell at you at some point. You may think you got a bad grade because a teacher doesn't "like" you at some point. Learn to say SO WHAT.

        This is perhaps the greatest life lesson football will teach you. The ability to fight through adversity and hard times. Developing mental toughness will stay with a player long after their playing days are done. TRUST in what you have been coached to do and trust your teammates to do their assignment. FOCUS on your job, give your maximum EFFORT and show some TOUGHNESS. When we have instilled these 4 traits in our players...

"The Game Will Have Created What It Was Designed To By The Craftsman"

     - LIFE LONG SUCCESS FOR OUR PLAYERS-