Coach Eric Ledbetter
Playing
football has changed so much throughout the years. From field goal posts at the
front of the end zone to arena football with nets and walls, so too has the
style of kicking changed. Accordingly the players have had to adapt. Even a
single kicker will change his style numerous times in the pursuit of his ideal
style. It is with a certain flexibility that I have learned the coaching skills
I implement now.
I was a place kicker
in middle school, a recent recruit from the soccer team. While on the team I kicked
the school’s first fieldgoal. During the summer to my high school career I
attended numerous camps across the nation. Each training camp had a different
coined style for the kickers, some going as far as converting players. I found
that tactic confused excellent athletes and set them back from their maximum
potential.
During high
school I joined the varsity team as a sophomore and began my streak of MHSAA
records. Still attending a variety of instructive lessons, I even drove to
Florida for a weekend of coaching from Doug Blevins, a coach of the Miami
Dolphins. In the end of my four years at Rockford, I held records for
consistency and distance at not only my school but the state as well.
I decided to
take an offer from Columbia University to play for them. I value academics
highly and I considered New York City to be a great learning environment. My
freshman year I started and lettered. After a couple of years I transferred
back to Michigan to focus on some pressing issues.
Since returning
I’ve been helping nonstop with lessons and camps, further expanding my
knowledge and experience with the sport. I’ve assisted in over 15 camps and
broadened my spectrum of teaching to encompass youth through collegiate.
I have an adaptive style of coaching with a player’s insight to mechanics and difficulties. Some aspects will need to be the same, but with different styles come different strengths. If you are a finesse kicker, you will be taught how to maximize your strength. If you are a power kicker, I’ll show you how to gain more accuracy. What the player requires to reach his potential is my final goal.
See you this summer!
Coach Eric Ledbetter
(616) 866-2608
(616) 460-8981 cell
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