About 49ers PREP
49ers PREP presented by U.S. Bank provides youth from ages 7-18 with the opportunity to experience football through a multitude of diverse programs aimed at creating young, healthy leaders on and off the field. With grassroots efforts that include hosting the annual Levi's® Stadium High School Football Series, free youth flag football programs, and free youth football camps, 49ers PREP has increased participation steadily year over year across all programs in all nine Bay Area counties and beyond. While promoting a more enjoyable, safer game for boys and girls, 49ers PREP directly impacted more than 130,000 participants since 2014 and hosted 147 events in partnership with the NFL's "Play 60" initiative in 2019, which encourages children to get outside and play for 60 minutes each day.
Thank you Seniors
California high school football coaches joined head coach Kyle Shanahan in thanking the Class of 2020 for their hard work and commitment on and off the football field. Coaches who have participated in a 49ers PREP event and program were offered the opportunity to thank their senior class in this video which was shared across all 49ers social channels and on 49ers.com.
Coach's Corner: Richard Hightower
Do you have a certain philosophy that you stick with from year to year, or do you try to switch it up to keep teams guessing?
"We have a certain philosophy we always play with and that is being smart, playing extremely sound and we want to make sure we always put ourselves in a position to help the offense and the defense. We're a relentless group, always playing with our hair on fire. In each phase we have a philosophy or a way to approach a situation, some people call it coaches speak or a philosophy of the way we'll attack people, but it's pretty much the same in terms of what we believe in because that's kind of who you are. You get players that fit and with different games you play that's when you'll have game-player specific stuff that you'll change up week to week depending on who you're facing and ultimately what's going to give you the best chance to win."
How do you manage players that have roles on multiple sides of the ball including special teams?
"What we try to do is look at what's best for the team. Our personnel department has done a wonderful job at getting the right type of players in so we have the right players with the right mindsets and attitudes and then it really takes care of itself. We will make sure a guy isn't being overused and that he has the most energy he can have whether that's on special teams, offense or defense. The guys know what it takes to win, they know we all play complementary football and we all want to help one another so the guys are really good in that aspect. We are very fortunate to have the players we have and to me that starts in the personnel department for the type of guys we have."
49ers PREP presented by U.S. Bank Video Coaching Series
49ers PREP presented by U.S. Bank brings together people from across the football landscape to talk about their experiences. Guests have included former 49ers offensive lineman Alex Boone and senior manager of football operations at USA Football and general manager of the United States National Team, Aaron Ingram.
Monthly Workout Tip
49ers PREP coordinator Ryan Dillard shows us how to strengthen our lower body by focusing on areas such as balance, explosive power, glutes, core and leg muscle. Coach Ryan has been with the 49ers organization since 2017. Before joining the organization Ryan attended the University of Southern California where he played Defensive Back from 2012 - 2015.
