National Combine Series - Dallas Regional - June 5, 2010

Dallas Regional - June 5, 2010

Parish Episcopal High School

Well as luck would have it we received our first heat wave of the summer during our Dallas 1 Regional. It was 99 degrees outside and about 110 on the field. Got to love Texas. Winds were about 10 mph out of the south and it was a nice cool breezy, ha ha.

Several returning kickers and punters to the Dallas regional showing how they have developed since last year. Brett Rattan in the JV group showed his accuracy and consistency going 9/10 in field goals while Cody Wicker of the JV group blasted his punts hitting 4 over 42 and 2 over 50.

Joseph Pickett who competed in the Varsity group even though only being a sophmore showed that he is one of the top kickers in the country at his age level going 8/10 at the varsity marks and dropping his 52 yarder which would have been good from 60, not to mention hitting a 3.9 72 yard kickoffs.

We had some newcomers at the Regional here in Dallas that could turn lots of heads in the College division this year. Fabian Soldevilla of Skyline High School in Dallas, showed that he was not to be taken likely, a small frame with a big kicking package hitting his KICKOFFS deep in the endzone, while Dylan Culp from Henderson HS showed serious D1 potential on his field goals.

A new addition to KICKNATION is SNAPNATION and Coach Aaron King who made a guest appreance getting to work with the NCS regional long snappers at this event. Coach King made a couple of adjustments on one snapper Flowers and he was snapping the ball straight at his target showing the coaches and players great potential for years to come.

All in all the Dallas Regional was a success and we look forward to seeing you at the next NCS event.

Social Networks and Potential Pitfalls for Recruits

Just about everybody is on one social network or another, if not all, these days. It is a great way to reconnect and/or stay connected with people. Facebook and My Space lead the charge with 150 million and 115 million users, respectively.

Being able to upload photos, videos, comments, etc. or being tagged in a video or photo is cool and fun. However, more and more colleges are using social networks, not only to communicate with prospects, but to do research and keep an eye on them as well.

The internet alone can be image damaging for athletes. Michael Phelps and Matt Leinert anyone?

However, when it comes to college recruiting and potentially $100,000 in scholarship money, student athletes need to very cautious about what is posted on their profiles.

I currently work with a college kicker who is graduating and hoping to get a shot at the pros. When I became his "friend" on facebook, I had the ability to look at his profile and all of his photos. I came across several where he had been tagged by others while attending a Halloween costume party. In several of the photos, he was holding a beer. He is over 21 and legal to drink alcohol, but I don't think that he would want NFL teams seeing photos of him partying...

Both NFL and Colleges want to recruit athletes with integrity, good character, etc. The internet in general, makes it easier for everyone to find and see people.

If you are actively using your social network profiles, exercise caution in what you post and be aware of what others may post about you. Ultimately, you shouldn't have to worry about if anything is posted or not about you if you are an upstanding citizen. However, high school athletes are still young and make mistakes from time to time. Believe or not, I made a couple in high school.

When those mistakes are made, just make sure that they don't find their way onto the internet...Here is a good article on this topic.

Be smart on the field, at school, at events and online.

Recruiting and Social Networks

The NCAA has been working hard to keep up with the advancement of technology as it relates to communication avenues and their bylaws.

For a few years, phone calls from coaches were not allowed during Non-Contact period. However, coaches could sent text messages. Those were before the unlimited texting plans came out. I heard stories of prospects' parents getting phone bills for hundreds of dollars...

More and more, college coaches are relying on social networks to do their homework on prospects as well as communicate. As we join more social networks with cool new applications for communicating, I suspect the NCAA will continue to make amendments to their bylaws to ensure that coaches are not finding "loop holes" to contact student-athletes.

With the meteoric rise of Facebook and others like MySpace, the ability to message people using their internal email platforms has become popular yet cumbersome at the same time. I find myself trying to remember if I sent a message through standard email or through one of the social network sites. Who is contacting me, where and how? It reminds me of the scene from the movie, He's Just Not That Into You, with Drew Barrymore when she mentions that she has to go around checking all of the different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies is exhausting.

Well, the NCAA has adapted accordingly. The NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.4.1.2, states that, "e-mail is not limited to a traditional e-mail service provided by an institution, Website or Internet service provider. Therefore, it is permissible for an athletics department staff member to send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete using a social networking Web site's (e.g., MySpace, Facebook) e-mail feature. All other electronically transmitted correspondence including, but not limited to, text messaging, Instant Messenger, chat rooms or message boards (e.g., a user's wall) within a social networking Web site or through other services or applications remain impermissible.

For example, a coaching staff member with a MySpace or Facebook account may send electronically

transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete's MySpace or Facebook account using the e-mail inbox feature located on that user's profile page. However, a coaching staff member may not send electronic correspondence to a prospective student-athlete via the comments feature on MySpace or the wall-to-wall feature on Facebook."

It goes on further by adding that it is permissible for a prospective student-athlete's name and/or picture to appear on an athletics department staff member's profile page of a social networking Web site to identify the prospective student-athlete as a "friend" of the athletics department staff member. Institutions should note that the identification of the prospective student-athlete as a "friend" on an athletics staff members profile page confirms only the institution's potential recruitment of that individual. However, institutions are reminded they may not make any public comments about the prospective student-athlete's ability, the contribution that the prospective student-athlete might make to the institution's team or the likelihood of the prospective student-athlete's signing with that institution.

The fact that colleges can contact you through social networks is good in that it provides another avenue for contacting prospects. However, it is a reminder to be careful about what you are posting to your social network profiles...College coaches are out there looking.

The Importance of Video in the Recruiting Process

In a recent survey, 100% of all college coaches responded that video is VERY import when evaluating talent. Especially when first assessing the athlete. Now check this out, in another recent poll only 2-3% of student-athletes have video readily accessible online for college coaches to view.

College coaches like to coach, but part of their job is to recruit and find athletes that fit their program. That involves looking at video, traveling, etc. The cost of traveling has affected every college program. The smaller programs don't have the budget to travel and visit all of their prospects. What do they do? They rely on video. What is fast becoming the best way to view video? Online.

Having video online is one of the most efficient means for coaches. DVDs and VHS tapes have been the norm for many years. However, the time it takes to open the package, then the case, insert it into the computer, wait for it to upload and then finally view ONE person can take up a lot of valuable time for coaches. Let alone that it clutters their office. They often trip over the stacks, get mad and throw them in the trash.

I am not saying that DVDs are not valuable. They are, but only if they are personally requested by a coach. There are two types of video from a coach's perspective:

• Unsolicited videos (those that many athletes just send out to colleges with their "fingers crossed")

• Solicited videos (those that a coach has specifically requested and are looking for it to come in the mail)

Why not make everyone's job easier and effective with an online video profile. Their are many great features that online video profiles can provide.

For athletes:

• The ability to constantly update your video

• Not having to produce additional DVDs and mail them out

• Sending emails with links to your video profile

• Tracking profile views by coaches

• Affordability

For college coaches:

• Easily managing player videos

• Viewing video quickly of athletes

• Creating watch lists of favorite athletes

• Searching for athletes that meet their requirements

• Receiving notifications when athletes sign up

How do you get video? There are many options to getting video.

• Your coach (if they film your games/matches)

• A parent (caution, the video can get shaky if they get excited while watching you perform)

• A friend (buy him lunch for every match he films)

• A professional videographer (you can split the cost with other teammates)

Video is critical to getting your "foot in the door." It is worth the time and effort to film your performance and post it to an online.

How are you going to do to separate yourself from the competition?

Marketing Yourself to Colleges

You have signed up with the NCAA Eligibility Center and identified you top 15 schools that you would like to attend. Now you have to let them know that you exist. Marketing yourself is vital if you would like to get on colleges' radar screens. If you are as good as Reggie Bush, stop reading this because you are good go. If you NOT Reggie Bush, you need to be positioned so that you separate yourself from the competition.

Where to start? First of all you need a resume. Now a days, having an online presence is vital. Many college coaches use the internet to get introduced to student-athletes. It is 1000x easier for them to view online profiles then to have to worry about getting paper cuts when opening your mail. Secondly, you need video. Having video is key in helping coaches during the recruiting process. In a recent poll taken by ActiveRecruiting.com, 100% of the coaches polled answered that video was very important. Next, you need to present your resume in a way that is user friendly for coaches. College coaches want to efficiently view your resume. If you make it hard for them or have incomplete/inaccurate information, chances are they will scratch you off their list.

The reality is that there are several student-athletes that they could recruit who are on a similar skill level as you. Again, what you need to do is set yourself apart from the competition. How are you going to do that? Work smarter. Work your way to the front of the line.

Take advantage of technology to spread the word that you are their "Answer." Every college sports team has a web page. Besides D1 Football and D1 Basketball, you can easily find contact information, phone numbers and email addresses, for coaches in most sports and divisions. They want to be contacted.

Yes, the NCAA has restrictions on when they can contact you. However, there are no restrictions on when and how often you can contact them.

• Start with an email to the coach

• Copy and paste a direct link to your online resume

• This puts them one click from being introduced to you and viewing your video

• Follow up with a phone call (Student-Athletes make the call not the Parents)

• When you reach them, chances are they are in their office and in front of their computer

• Direct them to you video profile

• Utilize this call to serve as an interview

• Be confident when speaking with them

• Keep calling until you reach them

My soccer coach used to tell us, "Keep shooting on goal. Eventually, you are going to score." I believe that this advice can be used in recruiting as well. There are hundreds to thousands of college programs out there. There will be several that will be a good fit for you academically as well as athletically, if you are willing to be flexible.

Sending DVDs can be helpful, but most coaches throw them away so they won't trip over them in their offices. These are called "unsolicited" DVDs and a waste of money. Think about the cost to produce and mail out DVDs to hundreds of schools? If you do have DVDs produced, wait until a college requests them.

With an online video profile, you can consistently update your video without having to produce a new DVD. Signing up to an online recruiting site that allows college coaches to search by filters can only increase your odds of being discovered. However, you still need to be very pro-active in getting your name out.

With the cost of gas, many colleges will cut back on traveling. However, they still need to recruit. Help make their jobs easier and increase your odds by working wisely in promoting yourself.

No one is going to market yourself better than you and/or your parent. If you are serious about playing college sports, then be prepared to do whatever it takes...

Recruiting Realities

There have been many good articles written on recruiting over the years. However, in the New York Times, there were several about college recruiting and scholarship money. The series of articles definitely highlighted the somber tails that some student-athletes experience. Like anything else, we usually only get to hear or read about the top 1% who have success.

I believe that there needs to be a shift of thinking in the college recruiting process, both by parents and student-athletes. As athletes we have pride. Sometimes that pride serves us well and other times it can hurt us. Most of us expect or hope for scholarships to play in college. Parents definitely hope for it and think that we are the next best player since Tom Brady (Coincidently, he was a 6th round draft pick.)

Yes, college tuition is getting more expensive every year. Therefore, we feel that it is important to get a scholarship. I know that I was looking to get one to help my parents. (I was also hoping that if I got a scholarship out of high school, they would buy me a Suzuki Samurai with wood paneling on the side.)

Neither happened. I ended up "walking on" at the University of Virginia and driving a beat up Ford Pinto with no A/C. The summer after I graduated high school, I received a call from Liberty University with an offer for a “full ride.” I respectfully declined.

It should not be about “show(ing) me the money.” I understand

that there are some people that cannot go to college for financial reasons

unless they get an athletic scholarship.

However, for this discussion, the shift in mind set should be focused on the benefits of playing college sports. Athletics offer more long term benefits then tuition alone.

Pursuing sports in college can increases acceptance opportunities. Once there, just a few of the traits you learn are:

• Time management

• Discipline

• Team work

• Self-Motivation

• How to deal well with pressure

Those skills and a college degree will ultimately land you with a great job when you graduate. Many employers look first to student-athletes for the above mentioned traits when hiring. If fact there is even a website geared towards hiring student-athletes out of high school: http://www.athletes4hire.com.

Read the series of articles in the NY Times .

Good luck!

Finding the Right College

Choosing the right college to attend is something that will take some

time. You will want to find a school that fits you both academically

and athletically.

The first step is to make a list of 12-15 schools

that you, initially, would like to attend. I would categorize them in this way:

• Dream schools
• Realistic schools
• Fall back schools

Of course, there could be some overlap between the Dream and Realistic schools. Having simple categories will help to organize your choices as you start this process.

Your Dream schools could be a big time college athletic program, like
UCLA, Notre Dame, Texas or Florida. Maybe you have grown up watching that program, members of your family have attended that school or you simply like their mascot and colors. There are many colleges that offer both big time athletics as well as incredible academics, Virginia, Cal Berkley, Boston College, etc. Therefore, attending one of these programs would appear to be ideal.

However, you need to be "realistic" with your athletic abilities and decide if you would get significant playing time by attending one of these programs. If so, great. If not, then you will need to decide if just being on the roster is good enough for you. Otherwise, finding a program, athletically, that will allow you to get a lot of playing time might be at a "Realistic" School.

Being a "Big fish in a small pond," is something that will provide for a great college experience. There are dozens of incredible academic institutions that play at smaller divisions, Amherst, William and Mary and all of the Ivy league schools.

You have heard or you will hear that "College is one of the best times of your life." The great thing is that you can do many things to ensure that you have an incredible experience.

Finally, have your "Fall Back" Schools. These are schools that you would still enjoy attending, but they are not necessarily the first ones that pop up in your head. They still combine the academics and athletics and offer the expected experience.

Do your initial research on these schools, their location (Do you want to stay close to home or leave the state?), student size, academic offering, players at your postition (How many? When are they graduating?),etc. Your list and rankings may move around after your research. Some schools may drop out and some new ones may be added.

Two sites where you can begin your research are:

• CollegeBoard.com
• NCAA.com

You have to work just as hard off the field, to find the right school, as you do on the field.* *

One of the most important questions that you should ask yourself when trying to select the right college is "If something were to happen that prevented me from playing my sport in college, would I still want to be at that school?"

Leveraging your sport to go to college is a great way to be a starter, get an education and have an incredible experience that will set the foundation for the rest of your life.

Once you have narrowed down your school options, the next step is letting them know that you are out there.

Detroit Semi Final Recap

One of the 2009 Combine Series Semi-Finals took place over the weekend in Detroit, Michigan. The morning and day prior to the competition was filled with some pretty bad storms and high winds but as soon as it was time for the competition, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and the competition was fierce!

Mitchell Bredberg from Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Central High School) started the semi-finals off with a bang going 10 for 10 on field goals. Michael McGowan from Sylvania, Ohio (St. Francis de Sales High School) followed and made his first 9 field goals before pushing his final 35 yard field goal wide right. All in all, the field goal portion of the combine was very successful for the 7 participants making 79% of their kicks (55 for 70).

The kickoff portion of the competition was led by 2 guys from Loveland, Ohio. Matt Eltringham (Loveland High School) averaged almost 65 yards per kickoff and Joe Reifenberg (Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy) averaged almost 63 yards per kickoff.

In punting, Kyle Pignatiello, from Tipp City, Ohio (Tippecanoe High School) was at the top of the leaderboard averaging 42.5 yards per punt, followed by Joe Reifenberg's 41.5 yard average and Adam Schaffer from West Chester, Ohio (Moeller High School) averaged 40.7 yards per punt.

North East Semi Final Recap

North East Semi-Final Event, Matawan High School - Aberdeen, NJ

Saturday August 8, 2009

Sunny / 80 Degrees / 5 mph Wind

Surface: Field Turf

More than thirty talented specialists from eight states gathered for the National Kicking Combine Series Northeast Super Regional at Matawan, NJ High School. Special Teams Solutions ran the event which featured player instruction, a recruiting seminar and combine testing. Staff included former division I standouts Lee McDonald (Rutgers ’99), Charlie Titus (Rutgers ’99), Jim Cooper (Temple ’84), Gerry McGroarty (Buffalo ’08), Chris Hanly (Hofstra ’07) and current Lebanon Valley College kicker Matt Narache. “The competition was fierce but several players separated themselves from the pack to show they are legit college prospects” said Lee McDonald, Director of Special Teams Solutions “I think the northeast will be represented well at the National Combine Series Super Camp in January.”

Among the college division kickers, numerous players shined after hitting eight or more field goals. Leading the way with nine successful kicks was Brad Prasky (Groton HS-MA). The soccer player turned kicker showed good lift on the ball with a long of 52 yards from a one inch block. After that, numerous performers hit eight field goals but top recognition has to go to James Devens (James Madison HS-VA) with a long of 52, Matt Maczura (Pittsburgh Catholic-PA) with a long of 47 and Jake Smith (Milford Prep-NY) with a long of 52 who were impressive in kicking off the ground. Anthony Cavallaro (Delaware Valley HS-PA) headed the charge on kickoffs by posting a 61 yard and 3.5 seconds hang time average from a one inch tee. Tyler Yonchiuk (East Brunswick HS-NJ) showed why several big time programs are in pursuit by averaging 43 yards and 4.5 seconds hang time per punt. Chris Mattos (Monroe HS-NJ) also dropped several bombs in posting a 44 yard and 3.8 seconds hang time punting average.

In the class of 2011 varsity division, the top field goal kicker of the day no doubt was Michael Branthover (DeMatha Catholic HS-MD) who hit 9 of 10 field goals with a long of 52 yards off the ground! Kyle Lawrence (Kecoughtan HS-VA) also went an impressive 9 of 10 with a long of 47 from a one inch block. Anthony DiPaula (St. John Vianney HS-NJ) once again showed a solid leg on kickoffs with a long of 62 yards and 3.5 seconds hang time from a one inch tee. Michael Branthover and Michael Beamish (Abington Heights HS-PA) finished 1-2 in punting by averaging 37 yards and 4.2 / 4.1 seconds hang time respectively. Among the underclassmen, class of 2012 kickers Eric Enderson (Phoebus HS-VA) and Jared Rondeau (Centreville HS-VA) both displayed great poise in connecting on 9 of 10 field goals with a long of 42 yards from one inch blocks. Enderson also averaged a notable 51 yards and 3.3 seconds hang time on kickoffs and 35 yards and 3.6 seconds hang time on punts. Class of 2013 performer Jim Cooper (Mainland HS-NJ) showed huge potential in hitting 8 of 10 field goals, averaging 53 yards/3.5 seconds hang time on kickoffs and 31 yards/4.0 seconds hang time on punts!

Lee McDonald, Special Teams Solutions

lee@specialteamssolutions.com

732-406-6409

Boston Regional Recap

Boston, MA Regional Event

Kraft Field

July 24, 2009

Sunny / 80 Degrees / 5 mph Wind

Surface: Field Turf

Some of New England’s top kicking prospects came through in the clutch at the National Kicking Combine Series Boston Regional Event. Special Teams Solutions, headed by former Rutgers University and Arena Football kicker Lee McDonald, ran the event at Kraft Field (named after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft who donated the field) in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Luke Faust of Roxbury Latin School (MA) showed a big leg on field goals among the class of 2010 kickers. Faust hit 7 of 10 kicks with a long of 52 yards off the ground and proved to be the best overall performer of the day after averaging 59 yards and 3.3 seconds hang time on kickoffs and 37 yards / 3.6 seconds hang time on punts. Erich Perfetti of Shrewsbury (MA) High School finished second by connecting on 6 of 10 field goals off the ground with a long of 39 yards. Brad Prasky of Groton High School (MA) displayed a strong leg on kickoffs by averaging nearly 58 yards and 3.4 seconds of hang time per kickoff. John Gardner of Darien High School (CT) was right there with a near 55 yard and 3.4 seconds hang time kickoff average. Among punters, Prasky averaged 38 yards and nearly 3.7 seconds hang time and Perfetti nearly 37 yards with 3.7 seconds hang time per punt. Arthur Azatyants of Brookline High School proved to be a solid punter as well by posting 35 yards and 3.8 seconds hang time per punt.

Among the class of 2011, Tim Weinclaw of Kellenberg High School (NY) proved consistent by hitting 8 of 10 field goals with a long of 52 yards off a two inch block. He also averaged 53 yards with 3.4 seconds hang time per kickoff. Joe Uglietto of the Governors Academy School (MA) turned over several punts and averaged 35 yards and 3.7 seconds hang time per kick. Class of 2012 kicker James Lincoln of Ocala High School (FL), a summer visitor to New England, was perfect on the day by hitting all ten field goals with a long of 42 yards. Lincoln also averaged 54 yards and 3.3 seconds hang time per kickoff.

Lee McDonald, Special Teams Solutions

lee@specialteamssolutions.com

732-406-6409

Pittsburgh Regional Recap

Pittsburgh, PA Regional Event

McKeesport High School

July 16, 2009

Overcast / 60 Degrees / 5 mph Wind

Surface: Field Turf

The weather as tough as steel at the National Kicking Combine Series Pittsburgh Regional. Special Teams Solutions, with the assistance former Rutgers punter Charlie Titus and former University of Buffalo kicker Gerry McGroarty, ran the event which was plagued by cool temperatures and rainy conditions. Despite a rain delay, severe thunder storms held up long enough for several local kickers to show they have what it takes to compete at the next level.

Among the class of 2010, Matt Maczura of Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA) High School was almost perfect after hitting 9 of 10 field goals with a long of 52 yards from a one inch block! Anthony Chiappetta of North Hills (PA) High School, Patrick Donoughe of Forest Hills (PA) High School and Sean Zippie of Hickory (PA) High School each finished a respectable 7 of 10 on field goals off a one inch block. On kickoffs, Zach Christensen of Bishop Hoban (OH) HS lead the way after averaging 54 yards and 3.7 seconds hang time per kickoff from a one inch tee. Without a doubt the top punter was Levi Reihart of Tyrone Area (PA) High School who turned over numerous spirals and averaged 38 yards a punt with 3.5 seconds hang time. Reihart’s best punt was a 49 yard / 4.22 seconds hang time effort. Kevin Wood of Knoch (PA) High School was a close second after averaging nearly 35 yards and 3.5 seconds hang time per punt. Among the underclassmen, class of 2012 kicker of Beaver Falls (PA) High School stood out after connecting on 8 of 10 field goals with a long of 42 yards and averaging 51 yards and 3.6 hang time per kickoff with both skills off a 2 inch tee.

Lee McDonald, Special Teams Solutions

lee@specialteamssolutions.com

732-406-6409

College Recruiting Tip #1: NCAA Eligibility

So you want to play sports in college? Whether you’re an All-American, All-State, All-District or just a starter because you were left off those lists by mistake, in order to play at the next level there are mandatory procedures.

The NCAA considers a Prospective Student-Athlete as “someone who is looking to participate in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or Division II institution in the future.” To play in college ALL Prospective Student-Athletes must sign up with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

As of August 1, 2008, NCAA Division I will require 16 core courses. Division II requires 14 core courses, but will increase to 16 core courses beginning August 1, 2013. View the NCAA Freshman Eligibility Standards Quick Reference Sheet for more information on these requirements.

This important step allows for college coaches to verify that you are eligible and provides them academic information on the student-athlete. You are encouraged to submit transcripts and test scores (SAT/ACT) for their review. You will be assigned a pin number that they can use to confirm this information.

Just like there are rules to follow in games, the NCAA is all about rules and guidelines to better serve student-athletes and their parents.

Once you have registered, it is time to let them know that you are out there. The internet is a great way to create exposure. Creating an online interactive video profile is a solid way to make that all important introduction to college coaches.

If you haven’t registered with the eligibility center, do so ASAP.