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Nevada Tiger football program holds camp
Erik Yoakam's Nevada Tiger football program held a week-long two session football camp June 20-26 for grades seven through 12.
The first session featured varsity as well as junior varsity student-athletes in grades 10 through 12. The second session was for grades seven through nine. Both sessions focused on fundamentals and conditioning as players and coaches hit the field despite the soaring heat index that hovered near triple digits.
"Our kids braved the hot weather and were very focused throughout the entire camp," Nevada assistant football coach Kirk Miller said. "The coaching staff was proud of how the athletes responded to the adverse conditions and were able to overcome them."
During the upper-level session (grades 10-12) the Tigers went through daily regiments that were developed with the purpose of introducing players to the upcoming in-season practice format.
Players were then divided into offensive and defensive positions while receiving individualized instruction in both areas. By week's end, each camp participant had been formally introduced to an offensive and defensive position.
Daily workouts were comprised of both individual and team periods. Each day concluded with a scrimmage.
The final day of camp was an important one, as coaches organized two scrimmage periods. Each player was filmed competing in the offensive and defensive positions they were previously introduced to.
At the conclusion of the scrimmages, athletes headed to the fieldhouse for film review. During the film review session, coaches critiqued players in the areas of alignment, assignments, responsibilities, and effort-level. Offensive coordinator, Chris Smoot, headed up the offensive film session while head coach and defensive coordinator, Erik Yoakam, presided over the defensive film evaluation.
The middle school and freshman camp-session took place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the camp primarily focused on football fundamentals and basics. Student-athletes participated in individualized football drills. The basic principles of blocking and tackling were the focal point, with defensive coaches stressing the importance of correct tackling techniques while emphasizing the importance of keeping your head up to avoid injury.
In addition, student-athletes received one-on-one instruction in passing, catching, and correct ball-handling techniques. Both high school as well as junior high coaches were in attendance giving the youthful Tigers plenty of individualized instruction.
Players going into the ninth grade worked out with the lower-level campers Monday through Wednesday. Beginning Thursday and on Friday, they were bumped up to the upper-level camp for an introduction to the high school practice format. Then, Friday, freshmen were able to scrimmage.
"The up-and-coming Tigers looked very impressive in their first live contact debut," Miller said.
When asked about how the week-long camp went, senior quarterback and safety, Jacob Hammontree replied, "I thought camp went very well and feel like we're coming together as a family."
The camp served as a springboard for the remainder of the summer. Tiger football players will continue throughout the summer with morning weights and conditioning.
Up next
The Tigers will hold their second team camp, for grades nine through 12, July 20-22. For the final day of the mini-camp, participants will travel to Lathrop, Mo., for a full contact team camp.
The full-contact team camp is the final evaluation period for the coaching staff before official practices begin Aug. 1.