We have had a great three days of practice. Our new practice segment called Crazy Love has helped to build a whole new level of team unity and fun. Tomorrow morning we will be shooting water balloons off the top of the grandstand at live targets (according to the warning label this is dangerous so we will wear our helmets). You might ask what this has to do with football. Football, like life, is about relationships. We have worked very hard in the heat but we have also laughed as we played duck duck goose, raced go-carts, played steal the bacon, shared stories, talked about the role models in our lives, learned crazy facts about each other and have strove to glorify God in all that we have done. Building men is a process and I am excited about what is ahead.

Theme: Purpose
Acts 17:26b “He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.”

Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Schedule
Thursday 8 to 10 AM Workout Clothing
Thursday 3:30 to 6:15 PM Full Pads (We will get out early so coaches have an opportunity to attend Inside Out Coaching)
Friday 8 to 10 AM Workout Clothing
Friday 3:30 to 7 PM Full Pads
Saturday 8 to 10AM Intersquad scrimmage - Full Pads

Inner City Football Camp
On Tuesday, August 9 we will be loading the bus at 4pm as a part of our regular practice and heading into the city to put on a little football camp for those who do not have the same opportunities that we have. We will be working in partnership with the Faith Center, a ministry of Houston's First Baptist Church. We will simply be hanging out with kids, throwing the football around and giving out hot dogs and drinks. As our program grows I would like to build this into a father son event and this year I would like to invite as many dad's as possible to attend with the team. We are planning to return to CCS by 7pm. This is not an optional event for players as I believe it will be a great team building experience. We are going to need a few grills, a truck to transport them, a lot of hot dogs, drinks and would like to purchase some footballs to leave behind. If you are interested in helping out please let me know.

Forms
We have a good number of players that do not have a physical on file with the school. I need that taken care of right away. There are also several other forms (handbook player and parent signature, transportation waiver, and TAPPS acknowledgment of the rules) that will eventually need to be filled out. All the forms can be found at: www.CypressChristian.org/Athletics/Forms.cfm

InSideOut Coaching
FCA and the Foundry Church are bringing Joe Ehrmann (Baltimore Colt All-Pro Defensive Linemen), to the Texas Tornados Practice Facility on August 4, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, $10 to attend and $15 for book purchase. I use a lot of material from Joe Ehrmann as a coach and even if the only coaching you do is with your own kids I strongly recommend this two hour seminar centered on his new book, InSideOut Coaching. For more information and to register for the event please visit www.dierkerschamps.com. I have asked my entire coaching staff to attend this event.

Football Booster Club, Sponsorship Opportunities and Season Tickets
I will be sending more information about our booster club, sponsorships and season tickets in the near future. However, you can read more about them and sign up on the website at: www.CypressChristian.org/Football/Support.cfm. The money raised through season tickets, booster club memberships and sponsorships is used to pay for a lot of the great things we do as a football program. The things that are supported by the booster club are so important to me that I personally join the Coach's Club each year. You are certainly not required to join but for those with the ability it is a great way to help our program.

I am not sure I have ever been more excited about a football season than I am right now. We have a great group of players, coaches and parents. I have also learned a lot of things in the off-season that I am excited to put into practice. We are going to put a renewed emphasis on building team and relationships. We are going to divide our team into small groups of 3 or 4 players that will work together in various ways throughout the season. We have even added a practice segment called Crazy Love where we will do different things to build team and build each other up.

Practice Schedule
Our first practice is 8AM on Monday, August 1. There have been some changes made to the practice schedule since I mailed it to your son. We have eliminated the morning sessions during the second week and changed the times a few practices to accommodate other activities. You can view the schedule on the website at www.CypressChristian.org/Football/Practice.cfm. I have also attached our generic in season practice schedule and our afternoon early camp schedule. Both documents are a work in process but I thought you might find them interesting.

InSideOut Coaching
FCA and the Foundry Church are bringing Joe Ehrmann (Baltimore Colt All-Pro Defensive Linemen), to the Texas Tornados Practice Facility on August 4, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, $10 to attend and $15 for book purchase. I use a lot of material from Joe Ehrmann as a coach and even if the only coaching you do is with your own kids I strongly recommend this two hour seminar centered on his new book, InSideOut Coaching. For more information and to register for the event please visit www.dierkerschamps.com. I have asked my entire coaching staff to attend this event and we are planning to end practice early to make this possible.

Team Pictures
On Saturday, August 13 we will be taking our team and individual pictures. We are trying something different with athletic pictures this year and you will be receiving more information about it in the future. In short your son will get a CD of all the pictures taken by our photographer that day and they will be yours to keep and use how you want. There will be a $20 photo fee that appears on your school account. We will also be watching film and having a team cookout for families and players on August 13.

Hair Cuts
Players should have their hair cut and in compliance with the dress code on Monday.

Physicals
A current physical must be one file with the school for your son to be able to practice. Your son can bring that form to practice on Monday.

MS Football Information

The start of the football season is right around the corner. We are planning for the biggest middle school team in school history with about 40 players. If you are getting this email I am planning on your son playing so if that has changed please let me know.

Practice Schedule
The first MS practice will be August 8 from 6 to 8 PM. The complete schedule can be found at www.CypressChristian.org/Football/Practice.cfm.

Last year I let select 8th graders come out and practice with the varsity during the first week of HS practice which starts on August 1. These were 8th graders that had been attending summer workouts. If your son is interested in doing that please talk with me and based on that conversation they may be allowed to come out to practice.

Equipment
Please remember that your son needs his own 5 pocket spandex girdle and 7 piece pad set. Some girdles do come with built in leg pads. Your son would still need new pads.

InSideOut Coaching
FCA and the Foundry Church are bringing Joe Ehrmann (Baltimore Colt All-Pro Defensive Linemen), to the Texas Tornados Practice Facility on August 4, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, $10 to attend and $15 for book purchase. I use a lot of material from Joe Ehrmann as a coach and even if the only coaching you do is with your own kids I strongly recommend this two hour seminar centered on his new book, InSideOut Coaching. For more information and to register for the event please visit www.dierkerschamps.com. I have asked my entire coaching staff to attend this event.

Team Pictures
On Saturday, August 13 we will be taking our team and individual pictures. We are trying something different with athletic pictures this year and you will be receiving more information about it in the future. In short your son will get a CD of all the pictures taken by our photographer that day and they will be yours to keep and use how you want. There will be a $20 photo fee that appears on your school account. We will also be having a team cookout for families and players on August 13.

Hair Cuts
Players should have their hair cut and in compliance with the dress code when they attend the first practice on Monday, August 8.

Physicals
A current physical must be one file with the school for your son to be able to practice. Your son can bring that form to practice on Monday.

HS Football - No Workouts on July 4th

Workouts
There will be no workouts on July 4th.

We have had great attendance at workouts the past week and I really appreciate all the help with the football camp. We had a great time working with the younger kids.

7 on 7
We will continue to have 7 on 7 at CCS on Tuesday nights from 5 to 6:30. We will be playing against ourselves and it is a great opportunity to get better as a team as we continue to prepare for the season.

Senior Retreat
I am looking to plan a retreat with the Seniors during the week of July 18 and hope to have more details soon.

TV
We have listed our giant screen TV that has been in the locker-room on Craig’s List. We would like to replace it with a smaller flat screen TV that can go on the wall and free up more space in our locker-room. I believe we are asking $100 for it and the money will be used to offset the cost of buying the new TV.

Volunteering
There are a lot of things that need to be done before the start of the season. We are not planning an official work day but if you would like to give a few hours of your time toward the end of July there will be a lot of things to get done. Please let me know and I will get you in touch with our Team Moms.

I will be traveling with my family the next couple weeks but other members of the coaching staff will be conducting the workouts as scheduled. Our first day of practice is just one month away on August 1.

HS Football 7 on 7 and Clothing Sizes

7 on 7 tournament

We have entered a state wide 7 on 7 tournament Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 at Houston Christian High School. There is a cost per player for this tournament and we are limited in the number of players we can take. Click here to view the bracket. Our first game is at 8 am on Friday morning. We will primarily plan to take upperclassmen to this event and I will be contacting individual players that we would like to go in a separate email.

Clothing Sizes

Click here to view the current 2011 roster that shows the shirt and short sizes for your son, they are a guess based on information from last year. Please double check the sizes and let me know if they need to change. The football program purchases a pair of shorts and a shirt for every player. Getting the right sizes is difficult so please help me out by responding by Tuesday if your son needs a different size. If your son is not planning to play please send me an email so that we do not incur the added expense of ordering him clothing.

Football Camp Help

I will need 4 to 6 high school football players to help with our Elementary and Middle School football camps. The camps are from 9:30 to 11:30 AM June 27-30. If your son is available to help one of those days please let me know. They will get a camp shirt for helping.

Workouts

Summer workouts and 7 on 7 are a vital part of what we do to prepare for the football season. We have had pretty good attendance compared to past years but it could be better. I know that our players are involved in many activates and understand that they will not make all the workouts (if they do it is Taste of Texas on me). Attending workouts is the best way to prevent injuries and 7 on 7 and the time we spend on the chalkboard are vital to understand our offense and defense prior to the start of practice. The off-season workouts also teach players a lot about the value of commitment and help to build team unity so please encourage your son to attend.

MS Football Summer Information

Roster
Click here to view the current roster for next season. It will be the biggest middle school team in the history of CCS with over 40 players. Please double check the sizes and let me know if they need to change. The football program purchases a pair of shorts and a shirt for every player. Getting the right sizes is difficult so please help me out by responding by Tuesday if your son needs a different size.

If your son is on this list and not planning to play please take a minute to let me know. We will be ordering 20 new middle school helmets and potentially some lockers and uniforms along with the practice clothing based on these numbers. A simple email will really help me out.

MS Football Camp
Our middle school summer camp will be on June 29 and 30 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM each day. This is a non-contact skills camp that will be coached by myself and members of the varsity coaching staff. You can register online at www.CypressChristian.org/Football/Middle-School-Warrior-Football-Camp-Registration.cfm

Physicals and Concussion Testing
If you missed the athletic physical day last Saturday, you can schedule a physical with Dr. Taher at Body Balance. He did physicals for the school last year that I heard very positive comments about. Space is limited and they only do them on Wednesday. You will need to call their office at 281-890-5599 for an appointment. I believe the cost is $20. Concussion testing and physicals are still available at the Center for Sports Medicine at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital 281-737-0902.

Parent Handout
Click here to view the parent handout from our parent meeting after the scrimmage. If you have any questions please let me know. I will continue to update some of the information over the summer.

Summer workouts are going on and 8^th graders are welcome to attend. We have had a few coming regularly. The workouts are from 8 to 10 AM Monday – Thursday. The first day of MS practice this fall will be Monday, August 8.

HS Football - Alumni Day and 7 on 7

Alumni Day Game
This Saturday, June 4, is an Alumni Day at CCS. At 9:30AM we will be playing a football game with the Alumni. The game will last about 45 minutes and I would like to encourage all our current players to come out, meet some Alumni, and play in the game.


7 on 7
Starting Tuesday we will be going to Fort Bend Baptist for 7 on 7. If your son play any position other than offensive and defensive line they should plan to attend. We will play two games each night at 6 and 7 pm. We will be taking the bus and leaving from the school at 4:45. A release form was sent home via email that your son needs to have signed by a parent and with him on Tuesday. This form is also needed for when we attend the TPSCA 7 on 7 tournament on June 24 and 25.


Program Recognition
Our football program continues to receive more recognition both for the caliber of our athletes and the philosophy of the program. I have had the opportunity to visit with two Division I coaches in my office this recruiting season. TCU (2011 Rose Bowl Champion) and Rice University have made stops at Cypress Christian. You can read more about their visits by clicking here. I was also interviewed on the Education Show, which airs weekly in Houston, about our programs philosophy. Click here to listen o the whole interview.


Tenacious Tuesdays
Only for the toughest and most dedicated football players. This summer will focus on speed training. The workouts will take place each Tuesday at 10 AM at the field house. We will give a special t-shirt to those that participate regularly over the summer.

Summer Workouts

Football is just around the corner. We had a great spring and I am looking forward to seeing a lot of hard work over the summer as we prepare for the 2011 season.

Summer Workouts
Our summer strength and conditioning workouts will start tomorrow. While these are not mandatory workouts and everyone will have a vacation or camp to attend there is a pretty direct correlation between the number of injuries and summer attendance. Most schools charge a fee to come to summer workouts but ours are free. We even provide incentives for those that make 20 or more of the 30 workouts. The workouts will be Monday – Thursday from 8 to 10 AM, although most players will finish up close to 9:30 or 9:45. Players should wear tennis shoes and PE type clothing. The full summer schedule is available at www.CypressChristian.org/Football/Off-Season.cfm.

Physicals and Concussion Testing
DR. Rand and The Methodist Hospital will be conducting physicals that include a concussion test for CCS athletes. The physical will be conducted at CCS on June 11 but you must register in advance. A packet was handed out at the parent meeting about the concussion testing and it contains information that needs to be filled out prior to the test. If your son did not get one they can pick one up in my office or at a summer workout. The cost is $20 and most of that will be donated back to CCS. While we wear the best helmets and purchase high quality mouth pieces concussions are a serious risk and everyone should have a concussion baseline test. You can get it done separately and the attached flier has more details.

Dr. Taher at Body Balance will also be doing physicals again like he did last year. I do not have the details yet but they will be on Wednesdays. Space is limited for these and all the slots were taken quickly last summer.

Parent Handout
Click here for the parent handout that was given out at our parent meeting after the scrimmage. If you have any questions please let me know. I will continue to update some of the information over the summer.

Alumni Day Game
This Saturday, June 4, is an Alumni Day at CCS. At 9:30AM we will be playing a football game with the Alumni. The game will last about 45 minutes and I would like to encourage all our current players to come out and meet some Alumni. This is the second time we have done this and a great time in the past.

Spring Game Film
The video from the spring game is on the website. It is less than 10 minutes long and I would appreciate your son taking the time to watch it. You can get to the video by clicking on the player login button on the football home page just below the headlines section.

Fianl Week of Spring Practice

We have one week of spring football practice left. While we have had limited numbers we have had some productive days of practice. The football season may seam far off to some, however, spring practice is critical to the coaching staff as we prepare for next season.

This Weeks Schedule

• May 16, Monday 4:00 to 6:15 p.m. (Full Pads)
• May 18, Wednesday 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. (Full Pads)
• May 19, Thursday 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. 7 on 7 (Skill Players Only in Helmets)
• May 20, Friday 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. (Full Pads)
• May 21, Saturday 10 a.m. Blue and White Spring Game (Full Pads)

Current 8th Graders
Unfortunately, TAPPS has limited the ability of current 8th graders to participate in full pad practices. They are encouraged to come out and watch practice and I would like for everyone to attend the spring game.

I am expecting close to 50 high school football players next fall. If your son is not planning to play next season please let me know as we have already placed a lot of equipment orders and will place the last of the those orders next week. I certainly hope everyone plans to play next season so that we can continue to expand our JV schedule.

There will be a short parent meeting following the Spring Game to go over the summer schedule and information about the start of the football season.

Elementary Fun Day

This Friday starting right after school and going to about 5 will be our football fun day for elementary students. I will need approximately 20 to 25 football players to help run stations and work with the elementary students. Players should wear their shirts and shorts from last season. We will have several players in track and baseball so if you are not in those sports we could really use your help.

After the fun day at about 5 we will hand out equipment for spring practice to those players that are able to help. Our first spring practice will be on Monday, May 9.

Current seniors will be autographing footballs at the fun day and are welcome to come out and help coach before they head off to Costa Rica.