‘It’s a chess game’ – Lynx football moms learn ins, outs of the game their kids play from the ‘big boys’ who coach them

By: 
Tom A. Savage, Contributing writer

Tom A. Savage/BV Journal 

Brandon Valley head football coach Matt Christensen talks to a group of moms on his team in the BVHS weight room at a special event on July 26.

 

Brandon Valley mom Jessica Garry asks a question, which erupts into laughter during a special event on July 26 at Brandon Valley High School to help educate moms on the game of football.

 

Tom A. Savage/BV Journal 

Brandon Valley defensive coach Jeremy Risty speaks to a group of moms on July 26 at Brandon Valley High School.

 

Football fans could be forgiven if they didn’t quite understand everything that goes into executing a football play, both offensively and defensively.

A quarterback in the huddle might call something like this:

‘Far west right slot X, short 200 jet smoke, X choice.’

There’s so many other mind-boggling variations that could tongue-tie a master wordsmith.

Or the fact that in football, there is a position called ‘tackle’ both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. ‘Tackle’ in that reference, is a noun. However, ‘tackle’ is also a verb when a player executes it on another player.

Or the fact that there’s a defensive position called a ‘safety.’ That term is also used for a two-point scoring play on defense. 

Although from the stands it may look like a bunch of guys running, passing and tackling, the amount of attention and detail is head-scratching once you dig a little deeper.

That’s why for the second year in a row, the Brandon Valley football coaching staff last week hosted moms of the Lynx football program so they can understand the game on a deeper level.

“It’s unfortunate that the people who care the most, know the least,” head coach Matt Christensen said.

Defensively, assistant coach Jeremy Risty led a group of moms in what their sons are expected to understand and execute each week. 

“Giving them an understanding of what their boys do and how involved it really is,” Risty said. “Not just moms, but I think people outside of football in general don’t understand how much kids are expected to know and do.”

In Risty’s session, there were several questions that understandably arose from the various schematics defensive coaches had drawn on the white board.

“It can be very intimidating. I give the ladies a lot of credit,” Risty said. “You don’t know what you don’t know. Admitting that you don’t necessarily know something is a bold first step.”

Although a borderline brain-teaser for many, Wednesday proved for many to be helpful when fans pack the stands next month when the Lynx host Harrisburg on Sept. 2 for the home-opener, the annual Pigskin Classic.
“There’s way more to the game than people think,” Garry said. “It’s a chess game and it’s so interesting.”

About 50 moms started in the Brandon Valley weight room on Wednesday, and then were divided up into classrooms where they met with the position coaches for whom their sons played.

There were varying degrees of knowledge of the game scattered amongst the moms, but clearly the depth and detail took some by surprise. Perplexed looks stared at white boards in almost every room.

“Everytime you pick up new information and you learn things about the season that spurs more questions,” said Jessica Garry, whose son Caleb plays linebacker for the Lynx. “Being with the position coaches is great. It’s so helpful to understand what’s going on.”

It takes months, even years, to master and understand all of the complexities that go into play-calling, schemes, and approaches to the game. Christensen said he understands that, but likes to make the offer to the Lynx moms to help build that community.

“It’s an extremely fun night knowing that we have that support. We need it,” Christensen said. “It’s especially fun to get on the same page a little bit. Not fully, but a little bit. We are for the same cause – it always goes better when people are informed.”

Several NFL teams do the same thing for fans of the game who don’t necessarily know the complexities of it. Christensen said the new Netflix series, Quarterback, is a great place to get a taste of what it takes from that position.

He said he’d love to see a similar show for every position on the field.

Defensively, assistant coach Jeremy Risty led a group of moms in what their sons are expected to understand and execute each week. 

“Giving them an understanding of what their boys do and how involved it really is,” Risty said. “Not just moms, but I think people outside of football in general don’t understand how much kids are expected to know and do.”

In Risty’s session, there were several questions that understandably arose from the various schematics defensive coaches had drawn on the white board.

“It can be very intimidating. I give the ladies a lot of credit,” Risty said. “You don’t know what you don’t know. Admitting that you don’t necessarily know something is a bold first step.”

Although a borderline brain-teaser for many, Wednesday proved for many to be helpful when fans pack the stands next month when the Lynx host Harrisburg on Sept. 2 for the home-opener, the annual Pigskin Classic.
“There’s way more to the game than people think,” Garry said. “It’s a chess game and it’s so interesting.”

 

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The Brandon Valley Journal

 

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