Fire 7on7 Making Positive Impacts

South Florida is a major destination for athletic talents. What makes this specific region so enriched with innate able-bodied youth worthy enough for national attention? The answers will vary, but of late, one thing is for sure: The coveted South Florida needs more outlets to showcase all of the talent housed here.

As known, the offseason down here is just an additional season, but this time, without pads. Athletes embark on a season of combines, enhancement camps, individual workouts and 7 on 7 competitive teams in hopes of gaining exposure and being recognized as 'the next best.'

The Fire, a 7-on-7 team that emerged only three years ago, is among one of the competitive off-season teams instilling a sense of accomplishment and next-level preparation for their players.

I attended one of their early season practices, and must say I was very pleasantly surprised.

Coaches opened practice as any other new team would, teaching respectable hand signs to prepare for games, and making sure every player understood, thoroughly, what each meant.

Moving into individual drills, the Fire staff switched from teaching plays to teaching fundamentals. Defensively, in-game communication was emphasized and stretched. They broke down the different coverages and began to work cohesively as a team, which to me, was shocking to see. They worked early on as a team who looked as if they've gelled together ages ago.

Receiver coach Trevor Gaylor worked diligently with his group to make game time scenarios a norm in practice. He taught and instilled different moves and tricks that may slightly differ from padded play, as 7-on-7 is touch football.

7-on-7 scrimmage

In the latter of practice, both sides of the ball came together for a scrimmage. Defense and Offense alike showed optimum confidence in their play, a maximum effort was emitted on both sides and no one held back in fear of making an early season mistake, again pleasantly surprising me.

It wasn't hard to detect a sense of passion in this team. The upcoming season may be among the most innovative of the Fire's three years of existence, if what I saw persists.

Be on the lookout, as this young team sets out to make a name for themselves in South Florida and the nation alike.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICTURES OF THE FIRE PRACTICE
BY: DANIELLE LYN