Future NHS Football Hopefuls Learn The Ropes At Summer Camp

By Andy Hutchison

The start of the high school football season is more than a month away. For elementary and middle schoolers, the start of their first high school football season is still years away. But it is a good time to get ready for pigskin battles on the high school grid iron whether you are a returning high school varsity player or a future high schooler.

Up-and-coming quarterbacks, receivers, blockers, and punters alike are getting some tips from Newtown High Coach Steve George — potentially their future head coach — along with strength coach Cody Foss — potentially their future strength coach at NHS —at the Football Preparation Program this month.

The camp’s second session wrapped up on July 17 and the third and final week of this fitness and football camp is scheduled for July 20–24. Open to 8-, 9- and 10-year-olds, along with middle schoolers, the camp is held in the mornings at Newtown High School.

Camp attendees tackle football techniques, strength training, and speed and agility exercises under the guidance of George, a third-year varsity coach at NHS and Foss, a 16-year professional strength coach from the Fitness Loft who works with the high school team members.

“It’s just like a perfect marriage because I work on the skills and football technique and he works on the strength training with the kids,” George said.

Each session runs for an hour and a half during each of the five days. Campers spend half of the camp working on football technique with George and the other half with Foss on strength- and speed-related exercises.

“If the young kids can have fun now, and learn these things, by the time they get older it’s a much easier transition,” Foss said.

The last day of camp features a flag football game. In last week’s camp, Julian Dunn, Jack Lago, and Griffin Davis all scored touchdowns. Foss and George divide the players and coach them during the scrimmage.

“It’s a bit of learning and a lot of fun — and it’s been very enjoyable,” Foss said.

It is all fun and games on the last day, but in the four days leading up to the end of camp these football enthusiasts are working hard.

“The biggest thing we’re trying to do from Coach George on down, from the varsity team to the young guys, is really teach them all the fundamentals,” Foss said.

This includes terminology, blocking techniques, conditioning techniques, and proper body mechanics for push-ups and other muscle-building exercises, he added.

“It’s good to get them out of bed too, in the summer — get them out doing something positive for themselves,” George said. “We have a good group of kids here who are really working hard and getting better.”

Registration remains open for the final session and prospective campers may sign up through Newtown Parks & Recreation. Visit thefitnessloft.org or email Coach George at georges@newtown.k12.ct.us for information.