Football coaches trying to stay in touch

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

While the coronavirus pandemic has closed local schools and canceled spring sports, it left a large void in the offseason preparation of local football teams.

Instead of meeting with their assistant coaches and teams in person and listening to iron clanging in their respective weight rooms, coaches are now forced to be creative trying to accomplish their offseason plans.

“I try to touch base with at least two coaches per day,” Belle Vernon Area coach Matt Humbert said. “And you put your faith in your players that they’re working hard when eyes aren’t on them. We’re lucky because most of our kids have some sort of workout equipment available to them. Those that don’t, we’ve been working on giving them workouts using things they can find around the house.”

Humbert said the Leopards had their first Zoom session last week. With the virtual meeting platform, Humbert said he had nearly 86 players and coaches participate.

“If you look at the positive, I think I’m going to utilize Zoom in the future, especially when it comes to playbook stuff,” Humbert said. “It’s so easy to pop on for 15 or 20 minutes and go over diagrams. It’s a lot easier than going and pulling a kid during the afternoon or waiting until after a lift.”

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