Junior Player Development

Developed to provide a template for high school football programs, as well as additional access to youth tackle football, the program provides step-by-step instruction for every team position to boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 14 in a fun and engaging environment.

The program integrates on-field skills development with life skills and character development. As they plan for future high school interscholastic activities, participants receive instruction from NFL-selected high school coaches, as well as counseling that focuses around a weekly life skill.

Each life skill theme is addressed through the context of football with instructors making connections between life skills as they are applied on the field, in school, at home and in the community.

JPD Instructional and Competitive Outline

All basic fundamentals, such as tackling and blocking, are taught and reviewed at every practice. They are best taught progressively, with the idea of “crawling” first, then “walking, jogging and finally running.” Fundamentals of form tackling and the six-point progression of blocking are first introduced six inches apart and then slowly separated by distance. This structured and controlled environment enables all players to learn at their comfort level.

All practices are broken into instructional segments lasting no more than 15 minutes. The particular assigned position of the day is taught in an upbeat tempo that holds a player’s interest throughout the entire practice.

Every practice ends with a review of skills. To further emphasize skills learned that day, there is also a weight-based competition between two adjacent teams on the field that have learned complimentary positions through one-on-one individual competition.

The objective of competitive play focuses on the execution of basic skills learned,not necessarily the end result of a play. Participants compete for points awarded by a referee for proper set up and stance, as well as proper execution of skill.

View 2006 Bills J.P.D. Photo Gallery>>

Watch 2006 Video of Bills Rookies Visiting JPD at Riverside High School>>

NFL Junior Player Development Program Website

Downloadable JPD Forms (PDF)

2007 JPD Parent / Guardian Form>>

JPD Medical Form>>

2007 BUFFALO BILLS JUNIOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT SITES

Orchard Park, NY @ Ralph Wilson Stadium from April 23-May 10

Buffalo, NY @ Riverside High School from May 15-June 7

Rochester, NY @ St. John Fisher College from June 18-June 23 & East High School from June 25-June 30

Hamilton, ON @ Cathedral High School from July 2-July 19

Auburn, NY @ East Middle School from July 9-July 21

Newfane, NY @ Newfane Middle School from July 9-July 26

Syracuse, NY @ Fowler High School from July 10-August 2

Camden, NY @ Camden High School from July 16-July 31

Ithaca, NY @ Ithaca High School from July 23-August 3