Today was the biggest part of “Sound Mind Sound Body – Europe” in the sense that all phases of the platform were put into play.
The combine aspect of our project went off flawlessly with Curtis doing what he does so well. Organizing, directing…. but most importantly LEADING the young men through their events on the field. This is one talented man (Although his sister Jasmine – probably misspelling her name AGAIN) is his North Star helping him through the operation.
The Coaching session with Terry and “yours truly” conducting or respective sides of the “lecture” went very well. Obviously, the largest group of coaches attended his session! (Hmmm…go figure) Well, who wouldn’t – he is a gifted teacher and a great speaker. But, the interaction on both sides was very good.
Curtis’ introduction of the “SMSB” reflected his usual smooth presentation. He detailed the history of the program from inception until where the platform is today. He also showed how he could help athletes move forward in all phases of their lives. (That is why it is Sound Mind……. Sound Body!)
The afternoon featured coach and player training on the field with the visiting coaches working with the athletes following the lead of Curtis, Giorgio Volpi (Defensive Coordinator of Junior National Team of Switzerland) and Spencer Wood (Head Coach of Belgium Senior National Team).
Terry Copacia fired up his on-field teaching of his “All-State Quarterback School” (I think I will call it All State Quarterback School Europa!).
Since I was actually working (for once) I only was able to see a small portion of the QB training. Although these players were extremely raw you could see the steady progress throughout the day. (It was also great to see Richi Wartmann who started at QB in our National game against Germany last year in Amsterdam. He journeyed from Winterthur with Jack Muntwyler one of our stellar defensive players on that team.)
Terry took the QB’s out for an extra session in the evening which is typical of his commitment to the passion he has for coaching QB’s. One thing I can guarantee after working with him for thirty or so years – those raw QB’s he started with are a lot better than they starter – a whole lot better!
This camp kept getting better and better as Ricco Merola the Head Coach of the Torino Giaguari (Torino Jaguars) gave a lecture on Special Teams and drills he uses. Just and added benefit when you gather coaches together!
We concluded with the usual gathering of coaches in the local bar (actually in the complex itself.) Hey, I didn’t ever have a beer! (I know, hard to believe but it is true!)
Sunday will bring our first effort at Sound Mind Sound Body Europe to an end. We have a morning session which will include more QB training (hah! go figure – I love it). A talk by Giorgio Volpi and a film session for the players.
We will then wrap it up….say our good byes and head off to various places in the world!
Although we did not reach the number of players and coaches that we had hoped for this (ad)venture has succeeded on so many levels. It also served as a learning experience for all of us.
Especially me!
There is no doubt that the players gained a great deal from the teaching sessions both on and off the fields. I can only begin to wonder what could be if the teams in the SAFV would recognize what they could attain with what we attempted here in Tenero.
The coaches really benefitted from the Quarterback training Terry did. It was tremendously obvious just from the conversations we had afterward.
With Curtis providing the platform, but also showing the importance of what the combine numbers reflect and how they can be used to help a player move on.
It seems that there is a disconnect between the league, the teams and key individuals in the entire web of Swiss football. The rivalries and distrust are truly holding back the game of American football in Switzerland.
Oh well….as Chick Harris would say “We Do What We Do!”