These NFL Star Receivers Are Holding 1-Day Camps This Summer
The NFL continues to expand its efforts to make the league part of local communities. Now, many players are doing the same. For example, numerous NFL star receivers are holding 1-Day camps this summer.
As someone who has been in and around football since I the ripe age of 10-years-old, I find this to be a rare and unique offering. Often, professional athletes seemed untouchable and off-limits to the general public. When I was growing up, they seemed like mysterious superheroes that were almost not real and only existed on the field or court.
Credit is due to today’s players who not only recognize themselves as impactful role models within their commutes but also put themselves out there in the middle of it. Many of these camps are in June and July when players, coaches (and much of the league in general) are on vacation prior to training camp starting.
Here Are The NFL Star Receivers Who Are Participating In Youth Camps This Summer
From rookies to pro bowlers, there are a wide range of fun options here. Let’s go in date order. Meaning that we’ll start our list with those camps that are coming up as soon as the end of this week.
Ohio State fans rejoice. On July 6 in Columbus, the Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Garrett Wilson camp will occur. Wilson will then hold his own camp on July 12 in Morristown, New Jersey.
On July 9 in Austin, Texas Cowboys fans can learn from CeeDee Lamb. This takes place at the Round Rock Multipurpose complex. Lamb will then hold one more session closer to Cowboys headquarters on July 20 in Arlington.
Jordan Addison from the Minnesota Vikings camp will be on July 14 in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Addison’s camp is held at the Breck School.
Although Keenan Allen has left the Chargers (traded to the Bears) and the Chargers are long gone out of San Diego, Allen will return to his roots and hold his camp in Carlsbad, California, on July 17.
On July 19 across the country on the East Coast, A.J. Brown will be showing campers the ropes in Haddonfield, New Jersey at their regional high school. This is just a short 10 miles from the Eagles stadium in Philadelphia.
Just down Route 95 South, Zay Flowers from the Baltimore Ravens is holding his camp, also on July 19. This is in Severn, Maryland, at local Archbishop Spalding High School.
Lastly in Michigan, newly re-signed star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will hold two camps. The first is on July 24 in Saginaw and the next day he will be in Ann Arbor for the second session.
Although receiver has become the more popular position in the NFL, it is worth noting that running backs Jahmyr Gibbs, Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, D’Andre Swift, James Cook, and Bijan Robinson are among the big names holding running back camps this summer as well.
For more information on each of these camps and to register visit Flexwork Sports. Regardless of the location or player, each session includes a camp photo with the special NFL guest.
5 Life Lessons From Coaching Youth Sports
The Meaning of Hard Work
There’s no better feeling than working tirelessly for something you really want, and then accomplishing it. Especially if you are an underdog. You learn to enjoy the struggle. It makes the reward that much sweeter. The most valuable lesson from this piece is that once you dedicate yourself to putting in whatever it takes, this becomes a mindset. No win comes for free. You aren’t entitled to playing time. Both of those must be earned. There’s nothing wrong with reminding yourself of that while preaching to your kids about how to get playing time.
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The Importance of Exercise
Your definition of exercise might be a sweaty cardio workout in the gym. But as a coach, exercise has a broad meaning. Certainly, getting yourself outside with a team and teaching them the importance of stretching and preparing your body is essential to physical success. Coaching a sport like football, for example, your two hours a day on the field are laser-focused on just that. There, you are giving yourself some mental exercise, taking a break from all the other work, stress, or life-circumstances. You can forget everything else when you hit the field, court, or rink.
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Treat Everyone The Same, But Coach Them Differently
Whether you manage a soccer team or a sales team, you’re leading a collection of individuals. What makes your top performer tick is not the same as what makes a lesser player (or employee) with potential, tick. This lesson centers around relationship-building and listening. How you run your team is about you, and how your players apply these guidelines is about them.
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Nobody Is Going Pro At 10 Years Old...
…Nor are they getting a full scholarship offer to a top NCAA college at this age. You may see things in your kid or another on the team where your experience makes you think a certain player has a shot at the big time. But that time is not right now. Your coaching duty is to give the best experience possible to your players. How does creating an entire game plan around one super-talented 10-year old give the other 20 kids a fair chance? How does it give them a memorable experience? Or something to build off for next year. Or confidence. Again, those refereeing your games are most likely high school or college kids themselves. They’re just trying to work and earn some money. Again, cut them some slack.
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You Matter
Your tone in addressing your players, the refs, and the other team matters, too. Be cognizant of how you deliver your messages. You may have an incredibly impactful point to make, but if you don’t articulate it correctly, and cater to your audience, it can be useless. Coaching youth sports is about the overall experience, not the final score, and not the final record. Your stats don’t matter, your voice does.
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