Making Vegas Travel Easy…

November 19, 2012 By

Making Vegas Travel Easy…

After 10 years of holding the Chris Sailer Kicking Annual National Kicking & Snapping Event at UNLV in Las Vegas, things have finally changed.  Although change sometimes isn’t easy to accept, we will make this transition as easy as possible for all of Kickers, Punters, and Long Snappers.  The NCAA has enforced a new rule that states outside services can no longer run camps on D1A college campuses.  So we move on. 

The 11th Annual National Kicking Event will take place at Faith Lutheran High School.  After months of research, we have found the ideal campus to host this huge event.  The days events and all scheduling will run just like in the past…exactly the same way you are used to. 

After hundreds of emails and phone calls answering questions about the location, hotel, etc., I decided it would be best to take a trip and map out exactly what it is you should expect.  Take a look and plan your weekend accordingly. 

Flight:
The amount of time it took me from the time the plane pulled in to get to baggage claim: 10 Minutes, 11 Seconds


The amount of time it took me to get my bags (2) from baggage claim once I arrived at baggage claim: 1 Minute, 4 Seconds



Rental Car:
The amount of time it took me to get from baggage claim to the Enterprise Rental Car Station: 12 Minutes, 1 Second


The amount of time if took me to get my rental car: 11 Minutes, 6 Seconds

Commute:
The amount of time it took me to get to Faith Lutheran High School from Enterprise: 19 Minutes, 40 Seconds
The number of miles from Enterprise to Faith Lutheran High School: 18.1 Miles

Hotel:
The amount of time it took me to get from Faith Lutheran to the Marriott Hotel: 6 Minutes, 35 Seconds
The number of miles from Faith Lutheran to the Marriott Hotel: 3.4 Miles

 
Everything ran very smooth, but as you know that may not always be the case.  Make sure to leave    plenty of time in your planning for any unexpected delays.  Faith Lutheran and the Marriott hotel are   ideal locations for the 11th Annual National Kicking & Snapping Event.  You will be very happy with the largest Kicking, Punting, & Long Snapping Event in the world!  See you January 19-20, 2013!

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Kicking, Punting, Traveling Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Recruiting Tiebreakers

October 26, 2012 By
Recruiting Tiebreakers
Chris Sailer Kicking sees more kicking, punting, and long snapping prospects per year than anyone in the business.  With the National Events in Las Vegas, Regional Nike Camps, College Camps with major programs such as Alabama, Oregon, LSU, Texas, and UCLA, overseas camps in Australia, etc. it is rare that a specialist prospect looking to play college football doesn’t pass through our program.  Having said that, believe me when I say there is a great college home for everyone that shows decent potential and understands the world of recruiting.

Did you know that over 800 colleges nationwide have football programs.  My advice for you is to use football to help you get into a college and graduate with a degree you might have otherwise never received.  It isn’t as difficult as you might think.  Hard work and reaching your full potential on the football field is the obvious first step.  Where most prospects miss the boat is understanding the tiebreakers.  What is a tiebreaker?  When all things are equal on the field, what does a college coach look for to make his choice! Take a look. 

1. Grades and Test Scores

Take school very seriously.  Make it your #1 priority.  Get the best grades that you can possible get and work hard to keep them there.  This starts freshman year and ends the last day of your senior year.  Even if you think your grades are high enough, work harder.  A 4.0 grade point average always beats a 3.90 grade point average.  It is that simple.  Also, take the SAT and ACT tests and take them both twice. Grades and Test Scores are the #1 tiebreaker.  Make is easy on yourself.  Reach your full potential in the classroom.  *Note: The classes you choose to take also play a major role, so don’t take the easy way out.  Honors classes are a major plus.

2. Character

It should go without saying that you better stay out of trouble.  Arrests, school suspensions, etc. are a major red flag.  Nothing will end your college football career faster.  When you are being recruited a college coach can and will talk to every character reference possible (high school coach, principal, teachers, kicking coach, etc).  They are making a major investment in you.  Be a leader and a great example in everything that you do.  If one person doesn’t like you, that could be the end.  *Note: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. is your online resume.
3. Qualified Recruit
Understand what it means to be qualified.  The sooner you know this, the better (yes, even you freshman).  Visit www.NCAA.org. Talk to your high school coach.  Talk to your high school academic counselor.  Know what it takes to be cleared at a minimum by the NCAA and know what it takes to be admitted to every single college that you may hope to one day play for.  Class requirements, GPA requirements, test score requirements, etc.  A coach loves to recruit a player that is ready to go, not one that is months behind taking care of business. 
4. Combo Players
If you are a kicker, at a minimum I highly recommend that become an adequate punter.  If you can help the team in more than one position, that makes you valuable.  In most every case you will be expected to be the team’s backup punter.  If you can excel at both kicking and punting positions, you hold the golden ticket.  If you are a punter only, you are already valuable.  But I can tell you that a punter that can also kickoff is a deadly combination. 
5. Extracurricular Activities
The more that you have to offer a college, the better.  Class president, leadership programs, service, Eagle Scouts, other sports, etc.  If your resume is impressive, a college coach has a much better chance of getting you accepted.  
Football is a very powerful tool that can and will help you get into college if you take the necessary steps.  It is up to you!  Set your goals as a freshman and refuse to be outworked by anyone.  The above tiebreakers will come into play at some point.  Print this out and hang it up in your room or on your refrigerator.  Make sure all the tiebreakers play out to your advantage.
 
 

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Filed Under: Article Archives, Kicking, Punting, Recruiting Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Tips To Make a Kicking / Punting Highlight Video

July 17, 2012 By

Tips To Make a Kicking / Punting Highlight Video

Making a highlight video is one of the major responsibilities an athlete has when it comes to recruiting.  Here are some simple tips that will help you start the process.

•    A simple highlight video is what a college coach wants to see from an athlete.  You DO NOT have to pay hundreds of dollars to hire a videographer.  You can make the video yourself.  It is all about the content, not the fluff.
•    Get a digital camera and ask your friend to film for you.
•    Start by standing in front of the camera and say, “My name is _________.  I go to _________ High School in _________ and will graduate in the Class of ____.
•    Make sure to be wearing your Chris Sailer Kicking T- Shirt at all times. This will show that you have been to my camps and have been taught properly.
•    Insert simple graphics (Name, High School, State, Grade Year, Simple Stats, References (Chris Sailer & High School Coach), Reference Phone Numbers (Chris Sailer 818-209-8921), and your cell phone number. Have it as a set screen so they can pause on it to see. Do not have it as a scrolling screen.
•    Put your best footage first.  If you have one or two GREAT game highlights, add those first.  If you do not, add some practice footage here.  I recommend one field goal off the ground, one kickoff, and 1 punt.  This should capture the very best of what you are capable of doing.
•    Next add a simple graphic that says, FIELD GOALS.  Add game field goals first.  Add practice session field goals to complement the game footage.  If you do not have any good game footage, just add practice footage.  If you can kick well off the ground…do it.  If not, use a tee.  Film these kicks from directly behind the kicker.
•    Next add a simple graphic that says, KICKOFFS.  Add game kickoffs first.  Add practice session kickoffs to complement the game footage.  If you do not have any good game footage, just add practice footage. Film these kicks from the bleachers.
•    Next add a simple graphic that says, PUNTING.  Add game punts first.  Add practice session punts to complement the game footage.  If you do not have any good game footage, just add practice footage. Add a few directional punts and Inside the 40 punts.  If you are just a punter, you will want to add more punts than a combo player.  Film these punts from the bleachers.
•    Finally, add simple graphics to close your highlight video.  I would recommend copying and pasting the Chris Sailer evaluation from your CSK Player Profile page.  Also add all of your contact information (Name, Cell Number, Email Address, Home Address).
•    The video should be no longer than 3-4 minutes total.
•    Do not include any more than 1-2 extra points.
•    DO NOT have any background music playing.  It is distracting and coaches do not want to hear it.
•    DO NOT add statistical graphics or voiceover to your highlights.  Coaches want to time kicks themselves.
•    Cut the video well.  Get rid of downtime.  Coaches don’t need to see you setting up the ball or chasing down the ball before and after kicks.
•    Only add highlights.  Don’t force game footage to the video if the footage does not represent what you are capable of doing.
•    Immediately load the video to www.YouTube.com  I highly recommend creating your own channel and adding new workout videos as often as possible.  This is a great way for a college coach to search you and get immediate access to your videos.  They want to see progress, so do not be afraid to keep old videos up. Simply date them when you add them.  Tag Chris Sailer Kicking when you add a video.
•    Send me the online link.  I will add it to add it to your Player Profile Page.

Good luck.  Do not be intimidated by this process.  It really is not that difficult.  Start making videos your freshman and sophomore season for the experience and to show progress.  College coaches will really start to pay attention your junior season.

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Filed Under: Article Archives, High School, Kicking, Promotion, Punting, Video, YouTube Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

College Camps – Part 2

June 4, 2012 By

College Camps – Part 2

It is that time of year again.  College Camps begin this weekend.  I wrote a blog on what to expect last year at College Camps.  Before reading this, make sure to go back and read my blog on COLLEGE CAMPS.

This blog will focus on exactly what to do before, during, and after a college camp.

Before
1. Be realistic when it comes to which camps to attend.  If you want to attend these camps simply to enjoy being on a college campus, that is fine, but there is no reason to read this blog any further.  Make no mistake about it, these camps are tryouts for that school.  If you are not a prospect at that level, you will NOT be looked at.  Advice: If you have been ranked a 4.5 Star Chris Sailer Kicking player or higher, the D1A camps are for you.  If you have been ranked a 3.5 Star Chris Sailer Kicking player or higher, the D1AA – D3 camps are for you.

2. Contact the Special Teams Coach AND Recruiting Coordinator about 2-3 weeks before attending.  Do so via email and phone call.  The odds of them answering your phone call are slim, but call and leave a message anyway.  The intent of the call and email is to inform them that you will be attending their camp and expressing your interest in the program.  The more they hear your name and intentions, the better.  Feel free to include in your email: general info, GPA, Test Scores, References (Chris Sailer – 818-209-8921) & YouTube Highlight Video Link.

3. Set up an unofficial visit a week, two days or even a day prior to camp.  Make a trip of it.  You can do so by calling the football office.  You will get to see the campus, meet with academic counselors, see football facilities, and possibly even meet with a football coach.  This is HUGE.  Not only will you see if the school is a fit for you, but you are showing your strong interest, and making your name known to the program.

During
1. Find a good time to say hello to the Special Team Coach and / or any coach that you met on your unofficial visit.  Simply introduce or reintroduce yourself and tell them how excited you are to be there and show them what you can do.  Make sure to find the right time.  There is a right time.  This should be you and you alone, not your parents or coach.

2. Be ready to kick / punt many balls.  There will be a lot of kids at these camps.  It is not easy to get noticed.  Watch your reps and kick / punt when the time is right.  Quality over Quantity.  If you are someone they are looking at / recruiting, believe me when I say that they will see every kick that you hit.  There are eyes everywhere (even the sky).

3. Great programs will be watching your attitude and character more than your actual performance with a football.  What do you do when you shank a ball?  Who are you hanging out with? How do you warm up? What do you do when you win a competition?  What do you do when you lose a competition?  Which kicks are you choosing to kick / not kick?  How are reacting to coaching?  Are you paying attention at the meetings?  What are you doing at lunch time?  This list goes on and on and on.  If the answer is negative to any one of these questions, the guy next to you got the scholarship.

4. No matter what happens, stay positive.  You will get your chance.  Yes, there may be bigger names than yours coming into camp, but that doesn’t mean that they will be the bigger name leaving the camp.  Whether you think they are looking or not, you will get the chance to chart and compete in competitions.  Simple: STEP UP and you will get noticed.

5. Fine the right time to say goodbye and thank you to the staff, especially the Special Teams Coach, any other University Coach, and the Kicking/Punting Coach.  They are watching and still recruiting. It is easy.  Shake their hand, and say, “Thanks again coach for the opportunity to attend the camp.  My name is …… and I really enjoyed the camp and love the school”.

After
1. Follow up.  Wait a week or two and follow up with an email and phone call.  This is a chance to once again express your interest in the school, ask for an evaluation of your performance, and let them know that you would enjoy staying in touch and coming to a game in the Fall.

2. At the end of summer, call / email again and let them know how your summer went.  Also let them know that you would like to be added to their recruit list for the upcoming season so that you can attend the games.  Let them know that they are on your very short list of schools.

Good Luck!

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Filed Under: Article Archives, College, Kicking, Punting, Recruiting Tagged With: , , , , , ,