Gerald D. Irons, Sr. Football and Leadership Development Camp

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- When I was a teenager in the 70s, I was a huge Raiders fan which means I got to see Gerald Irons play every Sunday. He also played for the Cleveland Browns. In all, Irons played ten years in the National Football League. However, Mr Irons football credentials are not the main reason your young athletes should attend his upcoming camp this Saturday. Yes, the information below describes the football knowledge that will be instilled in your athletes which will be huge in their development as players. That being pointed out, what inspired Coach Irons is not just what happens on a football field.

The longtime school board member that had a school named after him is about teaching leadership and character on and off the field. The majority of athletes who play football will end their careers after their senior year in high school. Some after their senior year in college. So, what these kids learn from their coaches can not be all about what happens on the field. Coach Irons and his staff help these players realize how important it is to be mentally and physically prepared for life after sports and it is never too early. Even elementary school kids are not too young to be taught how important leadership and character are.

Sadly, many young athletes will inevitably experience coaches who only care about winning and teach nothing about life. Sportsmanship 101 teaches how you act the exact same way after a game whether you win or lose.

I've known Coach Irons personally since 1996 when he would take the McCullough/TWHS offseason football team through grueling fitness drills of which he'd do along with the players and that includes every Shadow Gasser. After each session, he'd have a talk with all the players about football and life. Occasionally, he would have a former NFL teammate speak. The talks were about how it is important to go 100% in all you do and not just in the athletic arena.

The camp is this coming Saturday from 7am to 2pm and it's for kids 5-18 years of age. T-Shirt and lunch are provided. The best part is registration is only 75.00. The camp will be held at Irons Junior High School, 16780 Needham Road, Conroe, TX 77385 (I-45 North, exit 242 East, go 2 miles, Needham Road and school on left, meet at gym at 7:00 am). If a scholarship is needed, get with Coach Irons the morning of the camp. To sign up for the camp, click here.

"The dreams and visions my wife, Myrna, and I have had over the years of having Football Camps that also included Leadership Skills for student athletes has come to fruition. We want all athletes to be better prepared mentally and physically for football and life after football. My wife and I just wrote a book, "When Preparation Meets Opportunity." The premise is, it is not where you start but where you finish. Your success is not determined by your circumstances but by your decisions."

2015 Gerald D. Irons, Sr. Football and Leadership Development Camp

Students will focus on developing their Skill Sets on and off the field. Sessions will be taught by current and former NFL players, college players and coaches. Leadership Development Workshops will be taught by former football players, who are leaders in business.

Football Sessions
40 yard dash & Running Skills, Change of Direction Skills, Catching and Throwing, Blocking & Tackling Basics, Football Awareness, Explosion and Jumping, Football Drills, 7 on 7 Drills.

Camp Participants will learn to develop the following areas by Position:
Quarterbacks - Proper mechanics relating to throwing motion and footwork, reading defenses, handoff/pitch techniques, etc.
Running Backs - Receiving the handoff, reading blocks, finishing runs, blocking techniques, etc.
Wide Receivers - Getting off the line, route running, catching, blocking technique, etc. Offensive Line - Footwork, hand placement, blocking technique, etc.
Defensive Line - Reading the block, block shedding, tackling, pass rush technique, etc.
Linebackers- Proper stance, quickly reading pass or run, stopping the run, backpedaling, angles of pursuit, etc.
Defensive Backs- Press & zone coverages, backpedaling, body mechanics, how to play the ball, etc.
Safeties - Press and zone coverages, backpedaling, body mechanics, how to play the ball, etc.

Leadership Development Sessions
Leadership and Character
How to Mentally and Physically Prepare for Life on and off the Field
When Preparation Meets Opportunity
This a one (1) day camp. Camp will begin at 7:00 AM and end promptly at 2:00 PM. Medical professionals will be on-site to manage adequate water breaks, physical activity, and proper rest breaks for all students.