Any other schools having issues with 7v7 teams?

[BDF]

I'm not sold on this 7v7 load of crap these boys attend every weekend. Don't get me wrong, getting in reps and continuing with your team for "chemistry" is great but claiming they are getting offers left and right, I just don't buy it.  Not one college has asked to see their transcripts? Not one College has watched a live game? But they offer a kid on "touch football"?

All this is doing, is sending the wrong message to these boys. At the end of the day, if you can't even handle going to high school,  how are you and why are you wanting to go to college? #D1bound

Half of these kids are ineligible academically if you take away their PE and electives...

[bounty hunter]

7 on 7 is to football, what horse is to basketball.  Unfortunately, kids and parents have taken the bait.  High school game film is all that matters.  HUDL is so easily accessible for colleges, that it is very tough for any kid to "fly under the radar".  But the 7 on 7 gurus (who are masters of the two deep, man under defense and the one step drop deep passing game) are often in cahoots with the "scouting" agencies that will charge athletes 3K to help them get scholarships to D3 schools (which don't offer athletic scholarships). 

For high school coaches, in order to keep your kids, you almost have to jump on the 7 on 7 bandwagon, or risk losing your athletes to someone that does.  It is very tough to try to run your actual schemes vs the bastardized defenses and empty set offenses you see in almost every game you play.  Add to that, the "touch football" all Americans, who are over aggressive without the pads on, but are non-factors in a real game, and you get a recipe for individualism and selfishness.

The good of 7 on 7 is kids get to run routes, drop into coverage, and break on a ball.  If you can do all that, and keep the focus on winning in the Fall, then it can be a good thing. 

[Sixtynine]

7 on 7 should forever be cancelled

[Coach Clements]

http://footballscoop.com/news/david-shaw-7-on-7-is-not-football/

[o-line]

7 on 7 should forever be cancelled

Now a kid that practices with his HS team and competes with his HS team I have no problem with same with linemen comp. I have a problem with these guys that come in charge parents an arm and a leg to get so-called D 1 coaching. Do you blame those guys for taking advantage of a system put in place with all the club sports or do you blame those parents whom are more concerned about their kids athletics and not so much about their academics and character.

[MiddleSchoolLegend]

Half of these kids are ineligible academically if you take away their PE and electives...

Half of those kids are academically ineligible when you include PE and electives.

[ThetruthBeTold]

I'm not sold on this 7v7 load of crap these boys attend every weekend. Don't get me wrong, getting in reps and continuing with your team for "chemistry" is great but claiming they are getting offers left and right, I just don't buy it.  Not one college has asked to see their transcripts? Not one College has watched a live game? But they offer a kid on "touch football"?

All this is doing, is sending the wrong message to these boys. At the end of the day, if you can't even handle going to high school,  how are you and why are you wanting to go to college? #D1bound

Half of these kids are ineligible academically if you take away their PE and electives...

Excellent points, and there was a time when I would have agreed with you 100%.  But the fact of the matter is simply playing high school football is not enough for a player to get noticed, or get the exposure he needs to be in a position to play at the next level.  Also, there is no guarantee that a players high school coach is going to lift a finger to help that player get a scholarship or contact colleges coaches for his players.  A lot of the time the players are pretty much on their own sending out film etc and making calls or emails.  Recruiting is a dog eat dog cut throat process and is mentally exhausting.  If a player has aspirations of playing in college then I would personally recommend taking all matters in their own hands.  Do not solely count on your high school coach to do your recruiting.  Go to as many show cases, combines etc as you can.  Get your name out to as many venues as possible. 

[valleyfbfan]

This is Urban Meyer's take on this topic.  He says high school coach is the most important person they talk to.

http://footballscoop.com/news/urban-meyer-tells-players-attending-camp-forget-exposure-camps-7-7s-go-earn-recommendation-hs-coach/

[Jazz]

It depends on who your coach is.  98% of the 7on7 coaches just have teams like dads do in travel baseball.  There are a few that actually have college coaches ears.  The only one in this area is Tony Perry.  The last three kids that got offers from DB Guru all said the coaches called Tony Perry, and they offered them on speaker phone.  You make your name on the field playing real football.  7on7 just gives you a chance to got against the 5* kids from around the country.  I wouldn't think you could get an offer playing tag, but it's all about who you know.

[ThetruthBeTold]

This is Urban Meyer's take on this topic.  He says high school coach is the most important person they talk to.

http://footballscoop.com/news/urban-meyer-tells-players-attending-camp-forget-exposure-camps-7-7s-go-earn-recommendation-hs-coach/

Good article, but that's geared towards blue chip recruits.  And interesting enough that in Ohio's 2017 recruiting class it was Myers who said he found 4 of his recruits at a nike 7vs7 camp when the players were only sophomores.  Not once did he say "i got a call from this kids high school coach".  Also, how about Buchanans super freshman Kindol Milton.  He was discovered last year at a combine held at Bullard high before his freshman year, and received tons of interest immediately. 

Here is a good example, say a school has a 6-4 WR who is fast and can catch, BUT he is playing on a team that only runs the ball and rarely throws.  How is that kid going to get to show case his talents?  By asking to do so will only create a "me" or selfish  persona for that player.  Will his head coach pick up the phone and sell his talents even though college coaches wont be able to see much film because the team only runs?  More often then not, that great talent will be left with nothing but a few good high school football stories.  7vs7 give that exposure.
I don't see the 7vs 7 slowing down any time soon, in fact it will only increase.  Only way slow it or stop it is for high school coaching staffs to put together some sort of recruiting path for their players.  For all divisions JC-D1, but i'm guessing the majority of programs wont do that.  And because they wont, more and more kids will go 7v7 or club.

[the football guy]

Ok. A few broke 7v7 down nicely.
Everyone on here knows I used to be a really big 7v7 guy.
The reason why I stoped is because it has gotten extremely commercialized. And some are right, I couldn't stand being around guys who do charge kids a arm and leg. And most are dads who dont know crap!! Or so called trainers who dont have a degree or experience to charge so much money. (This happens mostly in So.Cal) but here in Fresno if there is ANY 7v7 team that charges kids to train, practice is a joke. Unless you have a bussiness and thats the means of income for you,  then you do what you have to do. But other then Tony Perry there  is NOT a 7v7 guy who can really pick the phone up and call a coach. Just because a coach gives you his card, doesnt mean you have a relationship with him or them. Tony really does. And he doesn't charge players a dime...other then their entry fee to a tournament.  7v7 is no different then softball fowlks paying for pitching lesson or hitting lesson, playing travel ball, then school ball. Most softball fowlks know travel ball is a bit more important then school ball.
The biggest issue I have, is all these so called recruiting companies. Those are the real scammers!!! Who charge a arm and leg to post film on Facebook and Twitter..lol..smh.
Those guys need to be stopped . All the 7v7 guys in Fresno for the most part are good guys and most of them are HS coaches, so recruiting is very hard to do. (CIF) but the guys who are not HS coaches are question marks. Know one to hold them accountable.
Guys 7v7 does And I will say it clearly does get kids offers!! Period..Why does it....College coaches see a kids skill set. And evaluates them of his skill set. Like it or not.
David Shaw is not  being a 100% honest in that old Football scoop article.  I personally know this.
To me 7v7 is good for WR and DBs. Maybe a little bit for QBs. Some of the more experience coaches in Fresno gotta adapt. I do know coaches in So.Cal have created relationship with certain 7v7 coaches who they trust, that will not step on their toes, and do right by there kids. I suggest guys in Fresno do the same, or get left behind. Its 2017 unfortunately 7v7 is not going anywhere.
  Will I go back to doing 7v7.....nope.. do I think 7v7 is bad, depends who you roll with. Does 7v7 help a kid...yep. are there bad people in 7v7..yep. Are their fake recruiting companies heck yes.
That is why I think our local coaches need to work with someone they trust.

[the football guy]

Guys...After rereading some of your posts...You guys are way to much. I know for a fact some of you are not a coach or never coached. To say a kid has bad grades or has bad character or his parents dont care about academics just because they plays 7v7 is totally wrong and out of line. I dont know one kid who works his butt off all year round thats a bad character, ineligible horrible kid. You cannot be a coach or former coach and say that about your young men. Maybe the ones saying that are the problem and not so much the kids.
I can see if you take issue with trainers or 7v7 coached who are not a HS coach. But to talk bad about our young men because they are willing to work as hard as they have to, to maybe have a shot at playing some type of college ball is WRONG.  Some need to stop being dream killers and lets these young men go for it. 
JMO

[Forceuser]

If you pay me money, I will tell you whatever you want!!!!!!

5'6 130 lbs senior....you hand me a 250 dollars....Heck yeah your D1!!!!!

[bounty hunter]

It should be standard practice for these 7 on 7 "gurus" to list the athletes they have got scholarships for, and the coach's number that they contacted on that athletes behalf.  Then, the prospective athlete and parent can contact them to find out what roll the guru actually played.

There are good guys out there that enjoy working with kids and do teach solid fundamentals.  But, the street agent is nothing more than a snake oil salesman, taking advantage of clueless athletes and their parents for cash.

The best thing these parents can do,if they feel their kid is flying under the radar, is to go to camps on college campuses.  They usually cost between $40 - $80.  Go to UCLA, Fresno State, Cal Poly, and Azusa Pacific for about $200.  Also, read the bios, heights and weights of kids at the school you think your kid is good enough to play for.  If every OL they have is 6'4 or above, and Johnny is only 6'1, don't expect an offer any time soon (and see if he can play defense).

[ThetruthBeTold]

The "dream killers" are the coaches who are allowing these "alleged" coaches to take their players to these 7v7 tournaments and let these young men believe they are going D1, when in reality they are not. These high school coaches allowing these players who ARE INELIGBLE to get their grades changed so the program can continue on with a winning tradition. People often ask all the time, "Your high school has all the talent in the world, why don't your athletes go on to play college at a higher level"? Well, its because the coaches keep these boys eligible all the way until their Senior year, after football is over, the coaches are no longer eager to keep them eligible. A lot of the time these athletes do not walk across the stage.

Not sure about the other high schools in the valley. But our players were told they are now apart of a certain 7v7 traveling team. I started this thread, because I wanted to know exactly what this is about. When a head coach of your sons team tells you "this is who you will play for", I want to know exactly what my son is in for. And so far, I don't like what I see from the man who is running this 7v7.

So who are the dream killers? Coaches? Trainers? Parents? Players? If a student athlete worked as hard as he/she does on the field their grades should reflect the same. But when you have someone always telling you how great you are on the field, grades in the end will be their "dream killer".

I completely understand your concerns and can appreciate it.  Not sure what grade your son is in at the moment, but here is good idea of what he is in for.....if you want him to play at the next level.  First off, get rid of the idea that its only about D1.  Divisions 2,3 NAIA and JC are all optional choices and I would strongly recommend keeping them a possibility.  Think of his recruiting process as a game of musical chairs, a place when the music stops (Feb 1 2018) he has a place to sit (college team or choice of team).   Next understand that his grades are more important then his overall talent ...unless he is a 4-5 star then they can be overlooked to a certain extent.  But grades from freshman-Junior year are paramount.  Colleges only have certain amount of ATHLETIC scholarships they can give out per year BUT schools have tons merit in house money / scholarships they can give out.  This means that if a coach is unsure about a athlete and doesn't want to risk giving a full athletic scholarship on the player, he can break up that athletic scholarship to lets say 25% and have the rest paid by merit / academic.  Schools even give out tons of money based off of SAT or ACT scores.  Make sure that his grades and scores are up to par.  By doing so you will be giving him a edge on other recruits. 

Also, understand that it is his and your responsibility to monitor grades, not his high school coach.  Do Not and I mean DO NOT relinquish the grade responsibilities to coaches or counselors.  You MUST be proactive and monitor this yourself as a parent and #1 person in his corner.  If you or he slips on his grades then you can pretty much kiss his opportunities goodbye.  As far as film, make sure YOU are overseeing any emails, videos, or phone calls going out.  I would recommend that you send out and follow up weekly and make sure to get back to coaches emails immediately.  Ball park, your son needs to send out at least 25 emails per week, and remember to include all of the coaching staff as sometime a coach or two may not open your email.  You will have a better shot of getting some attention this way.

If I were you I would use the 7vs7 as a opportunity to rub elbows with another style of community. Another way of getting your sons name out.  Meet as many people as you can and ask around for advice.  But I would also be real careful of developing a bad wrap or complainer image not only with 7v7 but also in front of high school coaches as well. 

At the end of the day the dream killer is the person who is not willing or fails to do what is required to get to the next level, in my opinion its usually the parent, then player before its the coach.

[DarthVeer]

7-on-7 used to be for actual football teams but it has now become a money making opportunity. I had a player paying $1500 a month to his 7-on-7 recruiter/coach and he ended up with two offers from mid major d 1 schools. I spoke with 20 different coaches who came through my school about my 3 of my guys. All three were offered none by the major schools. I looked up the receivers that the major D1 schools offered up here and my guys didn't have the measurables that those kids had. My kids landed exactly where they should have for their talent. One thing I know is that if your kid is under the radar it is because his ht weight and speed are not in the D1 wheel house. I have a 6'2 Lineman who is too small for D1 he is aiming at the D2 level. He went to a camp and saw the kids they recruited and even offered that day and he knew he should change his sights. These 7-on coaches can get a kid's name on a list to be checked out but ultimately the kid gets recruited 1st on size, 2nd on speed, 3rd on film, 4th on High School Coach. I have only been doing this for 15 years though so what do I know?

[Bronco]

If you pay me money, I will tell you whatever you want!!!!!!

5'6 130 lbs senior....you hand me a 250 dollars....Heck yeah your D1!!!!!

That is EXACTLY right Coach !!! These guys are making money off of kids & even more then that PARENTS dreams !!! If kids & parents could actually  have a REAL concept of what NCAA athletes are like & what "real" NCAA Coaches are looking for then they would not be as big a "mark" for these guys who say- just give me $6000 &I'll get your kid a "free ride" just look at all the 5'6" kids I've gotten  convinced that I have !???! D1 athletes are not hard to spot & just because your kid is a "star" on there High School Team it does not mean that they are ANYWHERE near ready to play Collage Football !!! Here's a great idea - enjoy the HECK out of playing High School Football !! And Coach - if you have a guy who might be able to move on - do your JOB & get him noticed - otherwise you are not a COACH !!

[bounty hunter]

Here's a great idea - enjoy the HECK out of playing High School Football

This is the best advice I have ever read on this website.

[mw1]

This is the best advice I have ever read on this website.

Good luck trying to get kids to focus on just enjoying high school sports.  I don't care if it's football, basketball, etc.., there are a whole lot of delusional people (parents and kids) who think they need to do things to get the "exposure" for the next level.  The varsity basketball team at my son's high school was full of kids who expected to get scholarships to play college ball (and not one of the seniors got any offers). 

I like the post about informing these kids/parents about the "REAL" concept of playing NCAA sports... and what coaches are actually looking for in a prospect... because, that criteria knocks out about 98% of the kids hoping to play at the next level.  Also, these kids/parents should be exposed to this reality before the kids enter high school.. with the message being that grades are more important that sports (and.. again, good luck with that one).

The college recruiters also feed into this problem because, basically.. they have gotten lazy.  The practice of off-season, club-level, "exposure" showcase events (AAU basketball, club volleyball, club soccer, etc.) all have become the places-to-be if you want to get seen by recruiters... because those events are where the recruiters in that sport go to find talent.  Football, however, is the one sport that has been left out.. because of the tackling/contact aspect of the sport.  No recruiter is going to visit Kern County high schools to find talent in these other sports.. they go to these showcases in SoCal or Vegas.  This 7-v-7 / linemen competition are just modified events that create that club-type of environment. 

It is not about who is to blame.. it just is what it is.  The demand comes from the delusional kids/parents... and, if they want to throw good money down the drain on some "street agent" who strokes their delusional egos, let them spend away.  Some people need to bang their heads against a brick wall more than once to learn that it is painful.   

[ThetruthBeTold]

Good luck trying to get kids to focus on just enjoying high school sports.  I don't care if it's football, basketball, etc.., there are a whole lot of delusional people (parents and kids) who think they need to do things to get the "exposure" for the next level.  The varsity basketball team at my son's high school was full of kids who expected to get scholarships to play college ball (and not one of the seniors got any offers). 

I like the post about informing these kids/parents about the "REAL" concept of playing NCAA sports... and what coaches are actually looking for in a prospect... because, that criteria knocks out about 98% of the kids hoping to play at the next level.  Also, these kids/parents should be exposed to this reality before the kids enter high school.. with the message being that grades are more important that sports (and.. again, good luck with that one).

The college recruiters also feed into this problem because, basically.. they have gotten lazy.  The practice of off-season, club-level, "exposure" showcase events (AAU basketball, club volleyball, club soccer, etc.) all have become the places-to-be if you want to get seen by recruiters... because those events are where the recruiters in that sport go to find talent.  Football, however, is the one sport that has been left out.. because of the tackling/contact aspect of the sport.  No recruiter is going to visit Kern County high schools to find talent in these other sports.. they go to these showcases in SoCal or Vegas.  This 7-v-7 / linemen competition are just modified events that create that club-type of environment. 

It is not about who is to blame.. it just is what it is.  The demand comes from the delusional kids/parents... and, if they want to throw good money down the drain on some "street agent" who strokes their delusional egos, let them spend away.  Some people need to bang their heads against a brick wall more than once to learn that it is painful.

Very well put my friend. 

[ThetruthBeTold]