Not sure where to put this, so..

[ilikebeef]

Ok, here's the deal. I'm a junior in high school, and will be a senior at the end of this week.

I'm signed up to play football this year. Everyone I've talked to about it has laughed and said I'm crazy, and I think so too. I'm 5'11", 160ish, and really need to get in shape this summer to be able to survive practices.

I have football on my schedule for next year, but I haven't talked to the coach yet, because I knew that if I did, he would have me get out there right now, and I would most likely get killed.

Now, the team has a summer conditioning program. Do you think I should go ahead and talk to the coach now and enter the program as probably the most out of shape guy there, or wait until right before summer practices start (late july I think) to tell the coach? By that time I should be capable of surviving a hellish practice.

Personally, I don't want to do the summer program -- I don't know anyone on the team well, and I would almost certainly be the weakest player there. I've sort of let myself slide athletically, but I know that when I am in top form I can at least be competitive with most of the guys.

So, what would you guys do if you were in my shoes? Thanks.

 

[Create Reality]

Screw football. Take up a man's sport, like ceramic plate tossing.

 

[Jariel]

There are no quick fixes. If you are determined and are willing to put the effort into it, I suggest you follow Diesel's bulking guide. You will see and feel results in a matter of a few months.

 

[coolguy676767]

Do the conditioning program with the team, its likely that there will be other players or other new people that are also way out of shape. Plus you need to build a repoire(sp) with your coaches and teamates, if you show that you want to play bad enough to show up and get better, and condition and learn, then they are more likely to give you a more fair chance to play. Yes the practices are going to be hell, but I going to be a senior next year too, started varsity as a junior, so I know what I am talking about. In football you need your teamates and coaches to like you as well as being a good player in order to get playing time. Plus you can do your own workouts later in the day, or after they finish, not only will it show you are extremely determined, but you will get into shape unbelievable quicker than you would expect.

 

[ilikebeef]

You bring up a good point coolguy.

I have played many other organized sports, and I know how important it is to build up a good reputation with the team. Unfortunately, I go to a huge school, so I really don't know anyone on the team well. I just don't want to have to deal with being labeled as "the out of shape guy" from the get-go, since that's basically all they will know about me.