After missing it the last two years, Amador football’s Spring Ball will return and run from May 16-27. There are 10 practices total from Monday through Friday after school from 4:00-6:00pm, and is designed to prepare players for the upcoming football season in the fall. 

These practices will consist of individual workouts, group work, inside run, 7 on 7, and come together for team work at the end of practice. Players will be working on their skills as much as they work on building culture and relationships. 

“We want to get a good jump on our offensive and defensive concepts [like] the plays that we run. We want those guys to learn all of our base stuff in those 2 weeks. A big part of it is knowledge, just understanding the concept and the plays that we run. I think that’s always been a nice jump start to have before you get into your summertime,” said Head Coach Danny Jones. 

Spring Ball will also help coaches evaluate different skill sets for each position. QB Ryan Cannon (‘23) passed for 106 yards last season behind EJ Thomsen (‘22) and hopes to succeed in the starting QB role in 2022. 

“I’m getting reps before anybody else [with Spring Ball]. That’s a big thing especially being a quarterback, being able to make reads and get to know how your receivers are. The playbook, the scheme, everybody has to be on the same page at the beginning of the season so it’s good to get that in now,” said Cannon.

On the defensive side of the ball, Amador recorded 518 total tackles, 11 interceptions, and 15 sacks in 2021. This season, the defense will work hard in the offseason to lock down opposing offenses in the fall. 

“[Spring Ball] helps the players [as] they get a chance to learn the playbook. Any practice will help you, but working way before the season starts, you can just drill everything as much as you want. I think it’s great [because] you got underclassmen coming up and we’re all talking and hanging out,” said DB Nate Jetter (‘24).

As the players prepare for the upcoming season, fans are anticipating an exciting season including a key matchup at Foothill on 9/23/22. Before Amador gets its team together, they want Spring Ball to help build their confidence to win many games. 

“We want to value relationships that we have with each other and [Spring Ball is] just another opportunity for us to build those. I think the offseason is extremely important to how successful you’re going to be in the fall,” said Coach Jones.