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Post by shields on Sept 9, 2011 4:25:43 GMT -6
We are outscoring opponents by a favorable margin in the first half of ballgames this season. Problem is, we are getting dominated in the second half. We are a mid-size school where the majority of our players go both ways (including linemen). There is a significant talent difference between our ones and twos. I have called every coach I have ever worked for to get their oppinion on how to become a better second half team, and now I would like your imput. Should we two platoon the first quarter to give us second half legs, even if it will compromise the talent level on the field? We are a spread team so I feel we get plenty of conditioning during our practices. The August / September heat / humitity is obviously taking a toll on our kids. Suggestions?
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Post by lochness on Sept 9, 2011 5:06:05 GMT -6
Sub more often in the first half
Save some of your bullets in terms of offensive plays for the second half. Don't show all of your complimentary plays early. Have something to fall back on after the defense has made some halftime adjustments.
Emphasize more conditioning and keep your practices moving fast-paced at all times.
As simple as it sounds, talk about it constantly with the kids. If there's one thing I've found as truth in this game...it's that you get what you emphasize.
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Post by TMGPG on Sept 9, 2011 5:57:24 GMT -6
I agree that I wouldn't show everything in the first half but I wouldn't make a ton of changes either. Small adjustments if you winning and stick with what is working. Also you might take a look at your play calling on defense. Are you playing more a prevent (lets try and not lose this) defense or are you sticking with what worked in the first half?
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Post by coachwoodall on Sept 9, 2011 8:53:53 GMT -6
If you feel that your conditioning is adequate, then maybe look else where.
- Hydration. Are your kids hydrating in the days leading up to the game? They should be peeing clear, at least once every hours. They can't wait until game day to start doing this. Check with your admin and see if they will allow players to carry resealable water bottles to class that they can refill at the water fountain.
-Diet. What are your kids eating? Again not only on game day, which is important, but what about the day before? Also, they need to understand that yes calories are calories, but where are they getting the calories from?
There are a ton of ways to help make sure your kids are getting enough of the right kinds of calories. Pregame meal 3 hours before, team meal the night before, snacks such as peanut butter sammys, trail mix, etc.... Are your kids eating school lunch? It amazes me how often athletes don't eat lunch. Check also to see if they lunch room might allow the kids to get the 'leftovers'.
Another thing that might help is having a halftime snack.... 2 fig newtons, half an apple, half a banana, 16 oz. sports drink with extra salt. The drink for hydration, the cookie for calories, 2 halves of some kind of different fruit (doesn't really matter just need 2 different types) give both calories and micro nutrients.
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tlala2
Freshmen Member
Posts: 21
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Post by tlala2 on Sept 9, 2011 9:13:13 GMT -6
That's an interesting tidbit on the halftime snack... I think I like it.
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Post by davecisar on Sept 9, 2011 9:45:35 GMT -6
Why not use more clock, slow it down a bit. If you get 60 offensive snaps and use just 7 seconds more time to run each snap, that's 420 seconds, or 7 minutes of "rest" youve bought youre team. Of course if the clock is running, all the better. Sounds like shortening the game would be of benefit to your situation.
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Post by lochness on Sept 9, 2011 10:21:26 GMT -6
Why not use more clock, slow it down a bit. If you get 60 offensive snaps and use just 7 seconds more time to run each snap, that's 420 seconds, or 7 minutes of "rest" youve bought youre team. Of course if the clock is running, all the better. Sounds like shortening the game would be of benefit to your situation. That's true. I'm assuming by the original poster's statement "we're a spread team so we get plenty of conditioning" must be referencing a no-huddle up-tempo approach...otherwise I'm not sure why any particular offensive system is supposedly naturally superior to another with regard to team conditioning. That being said, if you ARE up tempo, no-huddle...how is that serving your team in it's current state? I'd say it's likely more of a disadvantage than an advantage, at least on game night. |
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Post by fantom on Sept 9, 2011 12:31:20 GMT -6
I believe that you have to go into each game with a plan to sub for your 2-way starters. We decide which side of the ball we can afford to sit a kid for a couple of plays and have a guy ready to play there. We think that it's important to rest them before they get tired. We also want the kids to know the plan in advance.
Last year, for example, our center was also our defensive end. We decided that our #2 center was better than our #2 DE so we planned accordingly. Since it was our center we obviously didn't want to sub for him during a drive. Before the game we'd tell the #2 C that he was starting the 3rd offensive series. Since our QB didn't play defense that gave them a chance to get snaps in while the D was on the field.
Even if there's a drop off in talent we felt that the sub could handle himself well enough for 3 or four plays.
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Post by TMGPG on Sept 9, 2011 13:23:36 GMT -6
The snack is a good idea. At one school that I was at the parents would have baskets of apples and bananas for the players to eat during half time.
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