Waltham High football coach Sean Brackett hosts youth clinic at Leary Field

It is almost time for the boys of fall to hit the gridiron.

For rising sixth- through ninth-graders in Waltham, football training is well underway as Hawks head football coach Sean Brackett hosted his first annual Youth Football Clinic last week at Leary Field.

The camp took place two hours each evening Monday through Friday, giving future Hawks a chance to learn what the Waltham High School football program is all about. The clinic hosted 20 to 30 student-athletes, showing the high levels of interest and dedication to the sport that is being developed in town.

“It was really, really good,” Brackett said. “The effort was good. Lots of young kids are buying into what Waltham football is all about. That is nice.”

Brackett and his staff designed the clinic to replicate what a WHS football practice looks like. The group went through offensive and defensive installs, walked through plays and formations on the whiteboard, and then split into individual sessions to work on skill training.

“It was just like a high school practice, very fast-paced,” Brackett said. “The energy was great, and we really worked on everything from technique to leadership and how to handle different situations that you might encounter during a season. Mental aspects, too, like being a good teammate, having effort and understanding how to practice.”

Rain got in the mix during Thursday’s session, but this gave the players and coaches the chance to convene indoors and drill into the Xs and Os of the game. The group spent this time doing some chalk talk, discussing different concepts and strategies.

“This was really beneficial,” Brackett said. “Learning how to be the all-encompassing Waltham football player. Overall you have to know where your eyes are, what your play is and what your read is. But you also have to have great technique while you are going through the play.”

The weeklong program garnered some local sponsorships. The companies involved included Creonte Tire and Auto Repair, Professional Physical Therapy, JC Hair Loft, Tricon Sports, Boston Scally Company and No Barriers No Limitations.

The Waltham High football season officially gets underway Sept. 4 with the regular season opener against Belmont High School.