Practice Considerations

By Roman Smith:

Approach To Practice
As a coach, my approach to practice would be one of meticulous detail. Everything that is being done on each particular day is being done for a reason; every drill, every rep, every coaching cue. If implemented and done correctly, nothing will go to waste, as we only have 4-5 days to prepare for our opponent. I believe that atmosphere is everything. Our staff approaches every practice with the right mindset so that our players can feed off of us. If we bring everything we have to the table in terms of atmosphere, preparation, drills, cues, etc. our players will respond well to this and help themselves become a successful team.

Setting
The setting for each practice will be one of high intensity, quick tempo, speed, and learning. No rep will go un-noticed, just as no rep will be wasted during the duration of practice. Our athletes will understand the importance of practice and the amount of reps they get. Each rep is important to the success of the individual, as well as the team.
Our coaching staff will adopt a “No Yelling Policy” throughout the duration of practices and games. This will help our athletes grow and learn rather than be scolded. Too many times coaches yell at players for doing the wrong things, or not completing a given task. The athlete already understands they did something wrong, just use it as a teaching and coaching moment instead of scolding them and degrading them in front of their teammates.
Repetitions will seem limited at times, but if utilized and done correctly they will help our program become successful with the time given. I do not believe in 3 hour-long practices. We want to have a quick tempo during practice, because the game that we intend to play will be that of quick tempo. Wasting our athletes by fatiguing them throughout the week will not help us to be successful.

Student-to-Student Interaction
Within our program the athlete, or student, to athlete interaction will be one of positive nature. Any negative or slanderous comments will only hurt the success of this program. As a coach I understand there will be quarrels and disagreements, but as in life we must be able to teach our athlete’s how to handle such things. We must be able to help them grow through these situations. There will be a no fight policy implemented within our program to ensure a team atmosphere, and a positive one at that.

Student-to-Coach Interaction
As I previously stated, practice is a time to learn and grow as an athlete and player. Our coaching staff will not yell at our players and will promote a positive, up-beat atmosphere. I want our coaching staff to teach and develop these young men, not bring them down on their mistakes. Through mentorship at many different levels the interaction between the coaching staff and athletes will be a positive and motivating one.

Teaching Methods/Drills
Our coaching staff will be well trained in the art of coaching, and each coach will bring with him the skills and knowledge of the game. Due to this overall knowledge they will be able to create drills that can be implemented during position individual periods. They will know how to progress and regress through the progressions that ultimately focus on what we are trying to do as a team. This will be true for each position group, and each position coach. Some drills and methods may be old schools drills, where as some may be made up on the fly. Each drill however, will again always correlate back to what they offensive or defensive schemes are trying to accomplish.

Practice Segments
Practice must be clearly planned out and organized each and every day before hand. This is going to help the coaching staff and team have a quick tempo and efficient practice. Even if you’re only allotted an hour for practice, being able to have a detailed plan will allow you to get the most out of that hour. I truly believe that 5-minute periods break up the flatness, of practice and help keep the energy and atmosphere up and moving. Football is a game of high intensity; your practices should reflect this through proper implementation, planning, and overall atmosphere.