Rucci, Gilburg lead football camp at Universal

Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era

Jul 04, 2009 00:01 EST

Lancaster

By GREG CALDWELL, Correspondent

There are so many rules and strategies that are needed to become a good football player, but one former professional player is doing his part to help children get a better feel for and love of the game.

Todd Rucci, who spent eight years as guard for the New England Patriots before moving to the Lancaster area, led last week's Youth Football Camp at Universal Gym.

The gentle giant, who played in the NFL from 1993-2000 and at Penn State before that, was helped at the camp by former Franklin & Marshall coach Tom Gilburg, Parisi Speed School Director Troy Steffy, and other guests.

The 18 children participating in the camp were led through a variety of drills that worked on their agility, catching ability, vision and durability.

Thursday morning's class included an activity where each camper ran around a series of hurdles, switching the ball to the opposite hand without looking as they made each move. This was followed by a run where the campers hit dummy blockers with their left shoulder and then sprinted back the other way.

"We want the kids to have fun out here and learn proper form from professional athletes," said Steffy. "The camp focuses on total skills from blocking to swing moves to passing and catching the ball."

The camp moved from Parisi to the basketball court during the second hour. The students worked on a variety of catching and reaction drills. The "Rabbit" drill had one person following the movement of the other person, who had to touch five locations before the "rabbit" did. This drill worked on quickness.

The campers, who ranged in age from 7-14, then worked on catching the ball without looking at the quarterback.

Each student ran to a point, shuffled their feet and then broke in to the ball. They followed this up by running the length of the floor and trying over the shoulder catches on balls lofted in the air by Rucci and Steffy.

"We teach them to accelerate, break and then catch the ball. We can watch their eyes to make sure they are not looking at the quarterback. If they do, it is easy for the defender to knock the pass away," said Gilburg.

Rucci, who has led the camp the last four years, said it is great for both children new to the sport and ones who already have some experience with the game at the Midget level. "I want them to get excited about football at a young age. We try to get a little skill work in without the use of pads. It is hard to focus when you are worried about equipment," said Rucci.

Steffy, who is involved with a variety of sports camps at Universal, said that by teaching the children a whole range of football skills they become more valuable to their team.

"If you know more positions and understand all aspects of the game then you can help your team in many more ways."

Conestoga Valley and Maryland quarterback Jordan Steffy, Mickey Shuler and other coaches and players made appearances throughout the five-day camp.

Rucci said he prides himself on teaching more than football to the kids. "I like life skills that teach kids the importance of sacrifice and working hard," he said. "If they do that on the field and in the classroom then they will compete better as a team. I try to bring in as many other players as I can, so these kids will hear this message from a lot of different people."

Rucci told the campers who he was and talked about his career as a player on the first day of the camp. Call Universal at 569-5396 for information on other upcoming camps.