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Post by zherteltherrien on Aug 16, 2013 20:51:18 GMT -6
Last season our head coach decided that we would hold pre-practice for a half hour before beginning practice. He never quite defined the process or what he wanted to see and last season it was a mess and a waste of time. The head coach typically shows up between 30 and 45 minutes into practice. I really want to give my kids a set list of things they should be doing. Here is what I have for the positions I'm responsible for so far:
RB-
Handoff lines
Mesh drill with the QB 1/2 Speed (Incorporate line reads.)
Routes on air (1/2 speed)
DB-
Opponents Routes 1/2 speed or walk through. Man + Zone Coverage
Standing ball separation drill
1/2 speed/ walk through run and pass breaks
Special Teams-
Snaps
Onside kicks
walk through/ 1/2 speed fakes and 2 point plays
Fielding Kicks- Emphasis when to fare catch
Releases for the punt linemen
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Post by rpetrie on Aug 16, 2013 21:54:51 GMT -6
Good topic as we are doing a "pre-practice" this year, but the discussion became...isn't it just really practice if it occurs during a scheduled practice time???
Anyhow, this came about in discussion with our Captains who wanted a bigger part in setting the tempo of practice. They wanted the responsibility of getting guys going with specific goals "other" than leading them through warm-ups. So each position coach happens to have a Captain in their group. We designed specific drills (non-contact...only agility, footwork and/or reaction based) that they progressively work through with increasing intensity for about 10 minutes. Start slow then pick up the pace like a dynamic warm-up. The Captains are responsible for setting up and running the drills, in addition to doing them as well. They know the cues for techniques and provide the reminders. We consider this "pre-practice" because it is NOT a Coach-led activitiy. So each day we post on the locker room door what pre-practice is being done (Offense or Defense) and what time they need to be on the field starting.
For example on Defensive Pre-Practice Days it goes:
DLine
1. Ball Reaction get-offs using snap-stick
2. Get-offs with re-direction
3. Bag agilities
LB's
1. directional changes over bags
2. Bag agilities
3. Handwork on shields (rip, turn-wheel)
DB's
1. Slow walk back/quick feel breaks
2. basic M-drill, directional change type drill
3. Man turns with partner
So far...so good as it leads right into short/quick Dynamic Warm-up & then into Special Teams stations.
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Post by zherteltherrien on Aug 17, 2013 9:17:47 GMT -6
Good topic as we are doing a "pre-practice" this year, but the discussion became...isn't it just really practice if it occurs during a scheduled practice time??? Anyhow, this came about in discussion with our Captains who wanted a bigger part in setting the tempo of practice. They wanted the responsibility of getting guys going with specific goals "other" than leading them through warm-ups. So each position coach happens to have a Captain in their group. We designed specific drills (non-contact...only agility, footwork and/or reaction based) that they progressively work through with increasing intensity for about 10 minutes. Start slow then pick up the pace like a dynamic warm-up. The Captains are responsible for setting up and running the drills, in addition to doing them as well. They know the cues for techniques and provide the reminders. We consider this "pre-practice" because it is NOT a Coach-led activitiy. So each day we post on the locker room door what pre-practice is being done (Offense or Defense) and what time they need to be on the field starting. For example on Defensive Pre-Practice Days it goes: DLine1. Ball Reaction get-offs using snap-stick 2. Get-offs with re-direction 3. Bag agilities LB's1. directional changes over bags 2. Bag agilities 3. Handwork on shields (rip, turn-wheel) DB's1. Slow walk back/quick feel breaks 2. basic M-drill, directional change type drill 3. Man turns with partner So far...so good as it leads right into short/quick Dynamic Warm-up & then into Special Teams stations. This is exactly how ours should end up working. Last year we didn't have great senior leadership which I think really hurt our process. Most of our guys are 2-way players,(we have a DE QB combo) so we would need 2 versions or stations. I love he idea of posting the workout each day. |
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Post by coachd5085 on Aug 17, 2013 9:37:56 GMT -6
For me, "Pre Practice" would be much more of the "walkthrough stuff" Maybe Monday prepractice would be aligning versus their formations (that we would see that week), and adjustments for motions/trades. Tuesday might be blitzes and checks versus the formations/motions/trades. Wednesday might be Nickel package work etc.
The things described here seem to be drills I would have in my individual part of practice. I consider the skills listed to be EXTREMELY important fundamentals, and I do not like the idea of athletes performing them without coach supervision, at the risk of ingraining poor habits and movement patterns into the nervous system.
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Post by fantom on Aug 17, 2013 9:54:49 GMT -6
For me, "Pre Practice" would be much more of the "walkthrough stuff" Maybe Monday prepractice would be aligning versus their formations (that we would see that week), and adjustments for motions/trades. Tuesday might be blitzes and checks versus the formations/motions/trades. Wednesday might be Nickel package work etc. The things described here seem to be drills I would have in my individual part of practice. I consider the skills listed to be EXTREMELY important fundamentals, and I do not like the idea of athletes performing them without coach supervision, at the risk of ingraining poor habits and movement patterns into the nervous system. Human nature being what it is kids are going to slack off during a prepractice session without coaches. It seems to me that this is just giving yourself another chance to get mad at the kids. |
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Post by powerfootball71 on Aug 17, 2013 10:07:59 GMT -6
Have done this sort of thing for a long time as a oline coach. 5 lines the 5 starters in front 1 step, 1st step get offs for all the various plays and bag agility or ladder drill type stuff.
I just look at as a way to get more reps and to put those kids in a consistent leadership postion. I do the same thing during the summer with each of the 5 acting as the coach for the day running a short 30 min on field practice after am workouts. I just think getting that group together as a unit working and communicating has more vaule then anything I could possibly coach them to do.
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Post by rpetrie on Aug 17, 2013 11:24:01 GMT -6
I can understand hesitation...but they have asked for the responsibility and we will see where it goes. It's not like we can't change on the fly if it becomes grab-a$$. We still have indy periods that emphasize footwork, technique & skill development. It just doesn't make sense to me to call something "pre-practice" if a coach is going to be involved during a regular scheduled practice time...that's simply practice. This is before Coaches take control of the situation in full. So far its working.
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Post by fantom on Aug 17, 2013 11:30:18 GMT -6
I can understand hesitation...but they have asked for the responsibility and we will see where it goes. It's not like we can't change on the fly if it becomes grab-a$$. We still have indy periods that emphasize footwork, technique & skill development. It just doesn't make sense to me to call something "pre-practice" if a coach is going to be involved during a regular scheduled practice time...that's simply practice. This is before Coaches take control of the situation in full. So far its working. Hey, if it works it works. Don't mean to be negative but what about liability? What if a kid gets hurt during prepractice while there are no coaches supervising? |
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Post by rpetrie on Aug 17, 2013 11:42:49 GMT -6
I understand but that is not the case as there are always coaches around the field & in locker room. The activity is just under the direction of the Captain's. For us school ends @ 1:52 & each day I expect them on the field starting warm-ups @ 2:15. In my mind this is a part of our dynamic warm-up as it is a slow/medium/fast progression activity. They would start @ 2:15 on the dot anyhow, because its what's expected. Simply put they wanted a chance to set the tempo & take leadership. We'll see where it goes. Not sure how this would create anymore liability than if they tripped doing high-knees & butt-kicks.
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Post by newhope on Aug 20, 2013 10:55:40 GMT -6
Our pre-practice period is long snappers, kickers, kick catchers, QBs and centers.
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Post by coachb0 on Aug 20, 2013 13:42:28 GMT -6
i think about using pre-practice instead of a warmup. the best way to warm up the specific muscles and movements of each position? do the specific motions and go from slow to faster.
flexibility is created through static stretching in the cooldown-period at the end of practice.
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Post by lions23 on Aug 20, 2013 23:29:00 GMT -6
O line works fronts and steps.
Snappers and punters punt to our returners working three situations. One step punts coming out. Middle of field. Pin punting where we also practice fair catching.
PK kicks PAT with snapper and holder. Works KO Wednesday and THursday. Returners catch.
Ball handlers not involved work ball handling drills with WR coach. It's never hard to get kids in these drills.
QBs who are not specialists throw. All our QBs learn to snap for oh shoot moments if all our snappers where down. Just a throw between their legs. Often our QB is also our punter.
Extra LBers work some footwork drills.
We do all of this for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile the sophs work scout offense.
Then starting and backups for the back 7 of D walk through formations and keys vs soph scout O. This has been extremely useful and productive for developing confidence in our D.
We do D walk through for 10-15 mins while everyone else continues to do their specialties.
We do a quick 5 minute stretch an quickly role into practice. Most drills have a coach helping but one or two groups may just have drills assigned and run by players. All drills and sequences are taught by coaches but then led by players. HC and coordinators use the time to relay info fix up strategies or heads ups to players by pulling them out of lines and having 1 on 1's. this a good time for developing autonomy and leadership for kids. It's also used to develop relationships while also working ball skills for others.
It can be very productive if coached properly.
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Post by coachb0 on Aug 21, 2013 3:13:25 GMT -6
do you make prepractice mandatory for your kids? if its optional, how do you get kids to come earlier and attend it?
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Post by Coach Huey on Aug 21, 2013 19:50:21 GMT -6
Period 1 has a set start time. Or pre practice is labeled as "zero period" and it "starts after meetings until period 1.
Example. We get out of school at 3:25. We meet/film from 3:30 to 3:50 every day. Period 1 starts at 4:10. So, "zero" is from 3:50 through when our HC blows his whistle & starts the segment timer at 4:10. Each day we have assigned zero period things to do... pat & go, ol boards, qb/rb mesh, etc. Coaches are present.
It is designed to give kids something to get dressed for...I.e. no more "hurry up and wait"for guys that dress fast waiting on whole team so we can start. Kids get dressed, come out, & there's something for them to do. Our hc rushes the kids out.
We end up getting about 10 minutes of work every day this way.
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Post by coachb0 on Aug 22, 2013 7:15:53 GMT -6
Period 1 has a set start time. Or pre practice is labeled as "zero period" and it "starts after meetings until period 1. Example. We get out of school at 3:25. We meet/film from 3:30 to 3:50 every day. Period 1 starts at 4:10. So, "zero" is from 3:50 through when our HC blows his whistle & starts the segment timer at 4:10. Each day we have assigned zero period things to do... pat & go, ol boards, qb/rb mesh, etc. Coaches are present. It is designed to give kids something to get dressed for...I.e. no more "hurry up and wait"for guys that dress fast waiting on whole team so we can start. Kids get dressed, come out, & there's something for them to do. Our hc rushes the kids out. We end up getting about 10 minutes of work every day this way. do you have kids that get dressed slow on purpose to miss some of the zero-period? |
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Post by wingtol on Aug 22, 2013 10:19:20 GMT -6
I had always thought the idea of pre-practice had filtered down from college as a way for them to get some more time in since they are limited in the hours they can practice. "No it's not practice that's our "voluntary" pre-practice" So when anyone brings up a pre-practice routine for us I always just ask, why don't we just start earlier or go longer? Now don't get me wrong our kids go out and kick and qb/centers snap and throw on their own but there is no real structure to it.
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Post by Coach Huey on Aug 22, 2013 11:49:58 GMT -6
do you have kids that get dressed slow on purpose to miss some of the zero-period? We have kids that dress slow... do they do it to miss zero? who knows, who cares. Our HC is running kids out, moving them along. It is an expectation to get dressed and get some work in. there are no 'players' that miss zero period. and, there are 'non-player' players that miss either. it's an expectation to get work done. when we started, i can't remember but i'm sure there were a lot of players that were still dragging to get ready for practice. over time, we raised the expectations, we were able to convince the players that getting a handful of extra reps made them better, which better served their chances of performing at a high level, which made our team better, blah, blah. we didn't lower the bar for the ones that didn't want to hurry up. at some point, they got on board does everyone come out at the same time? no, they come out when they get dressed and jump into the drills. it is laid back, warm up, get your mind ready, ease into practice stuff as well as polishing some of the simple fundamentals involved .... i.e. throwing quick game routes on air, dynamic stretching, hurdles, barrels, ropes, etc. whatever. if a kid is going to be late to zero, he's going to be late no matter when you start. we create an environment that gives players something to get dressed for ... i.e. if there we're all going to come out at the same time then why should i worry about being the first one dressed? well, now we preach - get some extra work in. you want to improve, get dressed, get a few more reps. you stress it - get more reps, put in the work, put in the time, etc. we don't ever make policy or procedure based on the exceptions, based on the negatives. those kids that purposely avoid the extra work will soon leave you anyway.... the environment, the expectations, etc. will be too much and they'll simply avoid it .. move on to something else. we have some quit every year because they haven't been willing to do work and they get left behind by their classmates. you win with character. you lose with characters. |
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