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Post by bigm0073 on Apr 23, 2016 20:52:01 GMT -6
Coaches
Going into my 13th year as a head coach. This is the NUMBER ONE question I ask EVERY coach I meet at clinics, camps, etc.. How do you structure your high school practice. Knowing that some players HAVE to play both ways and that all of my back ups on defense start on offense, etc...
How do you structure practice where your coaches coach one side of the ball
Offense - OL - RB - WR - QB - JV
Defense - DL - LB - CB - Safeties - JV
How do you structure it ?
Thoughts, ideas, etc... I think this is the biggest problem many of us face as high school coaches with maximizing time and reps but still making sure your best players are on the field..
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Post by chi5hi on Apr 23, 2016 21:34:50 GMT -6
Platoon. Why do some kids have to play both ways?
Seriously...First meeting I tell the kids to put their name on a roster, OFFENSE and DEFENSE.
The offensive team goes to one side of the field and the defense goes to the other. From there we separate out linemen and skills guys, and as the practices continue, we keep fine tuning personnel. Then practice is easy...it structures itself.
If you must have two way players you're stuck with something very basic on both sides of the ball. No one can specialize in a position. Then...its real easy to structure practice because whatever you're doing can be done by anyone. A half dozen run plays and a defense that has a couple of coverages.
What if your best players aren't as good as your opponents' best players? You might as well platoon and let as many kids as possible get on the field. If you have 60 to 70 players...why not?
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Post by blb on Apr 24, 2016 7:43:22 GMT -6
If you are going to practice Sophomores (or JVs) together with Juniors-Seniors (Varsity) you have dual problems of teaching both groups offense and defense PLUS finding time for both to do Team adequately (JVs especially).
When I was in similar situations we practiced Varsity and JVs separately. This of course required staff to coach both sides of the ball, which can be a good thing (aids in their development).
JV players did not get shorted on either Individual-Group or Team time, this set-up gave their coaches some autonomy, and no one had to "coach" two games a week (although Varsity coaches helped from Press Box during JV games and vice-versa).
So all the kids practiced both ways. We tried to two-platoon as much as possible. In particular I preferred our offensive lineman to start only on that side of the ball but we couldn't always do that. Most of the time you have to have your best athletes or Football players on the field on game night, not standing next to you, if you are to have a chance to win.
We rarely had a Sophomore who was good enough to start on Varsity. And frankly I didn't want to spend time during week coaching kids who would not be playing for us (Varsity) Friday night. |
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Post by mholst40 on Apr 24, 2016 8:11:28 GMT -6
We do what we call hybrid platoon (platoon most of our players but let a few hand picked ones go both ways). We also practice JV and Varsity together and our coaches all coach one side of the ball except for myself and our JV Head Coach.
Here is what a typical game week practice schedule looks like for us. Last season we had 55 Varsity players and 40 JV players.
Mon: JV Offense, Varsity Defense
Tue: JV Defense, Varsity Offense
Wed: JV Both, Varsity Both
Thur: JV Both, Varsity Both
Our Varsity players who go 1-way work with their Coach on both Mon and Tue and one of the days they do Indy work with JV players.
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Post by blb on Apr 24, 2016 8:21:00 GMT -6
coachholst, on what day do your JVs play games?
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Post by unc31 on Apr 24, 2016 8:34:34 GMT -6
We have an offensive staff and a defensive staff. When varsity is on offense, then JV is on defense. Then we switch. We do both O and D everyday but periods vary as the week moves forward. We practice about 2.5 hours. Sometimes slightly longer, but not usually.
Daily Segments:
Off:
Indy
Group Run
Group Pass or 7 on 7 (depends on whether it is install or script)
Team O
Offensive Special Teams (Punt, PAT/FG, KO Return) **one segment per day M-W......all on Thursday
Def:
Indy
Interior
Perimeter/ 7 on 7 (After the first week or two these periods are done simultaneously.....OLB's will split time at both)
Team D
Defensive Special Teams ( KO Team, Punt Block/Return, PAT/FG Block) one segment M-W-F....all on Thursday
Monday-Wednesday the periods may progress from more Indy and Small Group and less Team on Monday, to less Indy and Small Group and more Team on Wednesday. It is a progression depending on what we determine our needs to be.
The positive is that all of our kids (JV and Varsity) are getting coached the exact same fundamentals and techniques by the same coach every day.
Of course there are some kids that do not have major roles on the opposite side of the ball. They get enough reps to know the basics in case of emergency (usually in Indy and Group) but also serve as quality "scout" or "look" team players. When they are on scout team we make sure they play the same position that they play for us and we encourage great technique, fundamentals and effort.
One thing that has been good for us is that during Team Periods we have an actual defensive coach running scout team D and an offensive coach run the scout team O. This way they are getting coached up even though they are on scout team.
As far as structure staff-wise, we currently have 4 on offense and 4 on defense. I have had larger staffs but with 8 assistants this is how we do it.
Offense: QB, RB, WR/Slots, OL/TE (TE's with WR/slots during 7 on 7) Defense: ILB, OLB, DB, DL.......but they could be divided however you feel is efficient for your needs
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Post by coachirish on Apr 24, 2016 9:01:15 GMT -6
Try having around 50 kids 9-12 with 3-4 coaches.....gotta get creative.
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Post by poundtherock1 on Apr 24, 2016 10:37:34 GMT -6
We have an offensive staff and a defensive staff. When varsity is on offense, then JV is on defense. Then we switch. We do both O and D everyday but periods vary as the week moves forward. We practice about 2.5 hours. Sometimes slightly longer, but not usually. Daily Segments: Off: Indy Group Run Group Pass or 7 on 7 (depends on whether it is install or script) Team O Offensive Special Teams (Punt, PAT/FG, KO Return) **one segment per day M-W......all on Thursday Def: Indy Interior Perimeter/ 7 on 7 (After the first week or two these periods are done simultaneously.....OLB's will split time at both) Team D Defensive Special Teams ( KO Team, Punt Block/Return, PAT/FG Block) one segment M-W-F....all on Thursday Monday-Wednesday the periods may progress from more Indy and Small Group and less Team on Monday, to less Indy and Small Group and more Team on Wednesday. It is a progression depending on what we determine our needs to be. The positive is that all of our kids (JV and Varsity) are getting coached the exact same fundamentals and techniques by the same coach every day. Of course there are some kids that do not have major roles on the opposite side of the ball. They get enough reps to know the basics in case of emergency (usually in Indy and Group) but also serve as quality "scout" or "look" team players. When they are on scout team we make sure they play the same position that they play for us and we encourage great technique, fundamentals and effort. One thing that has been good for us is that during Team Periods we have an actual defensive coach running scout team D and an offensive coach run the scout team O. This way they are getting coached up even though they are on scout team. As far as structure staff-wise, we currently have 4 on offense and 4 on defense. I have had larger staffs but with 8 assistants this is how we do it. Offense: QB, RB, WR/Slots, OL/TE (TE's with WR/slots during 7 on 7) Defense: ILB, OLB, DB, DL.......but they could be divided however you feel is efficient for your needs So do your JVs serve as scout during team? |
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Post by unc31 on Apr 24, 2016 10:56:59 GMT -6
No. We attempt to start as few kids both ways as possible, therefore much of the time our 1st O or 1st D actually is available as scout team.And we also get them some reps on the opposite side if the ball if they are backups. We do not do a lot of full tilt live scrimmage anyway, so it is not as if we are spending a lot of time beating each other up.
So varsity kids service varsity and JV kids service JV.
The exception is that we will at times go Varsity vs. JV in 7 on 7.
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Post by buckeye7525 on Apr 24, 2016 11:22:35 GMT -6
We have an offensive staff and a defensive staff. When varsity is on offense, then JV is on defense. Then we switch. We do both O and D everyday but periods vary as the week moves forward. We practice about 2.5 hours. Sometimes slightly longer, but not usually. Daily Segments: Off: Indy Group Run Group Pass or 7 on 7 (depends on whether it is install or script) Team O Offensive Special Teams (Punt, PAT/FG, KO Return) **one segment per day M-W......all on Thursday Def: Indy Interior Perimeter/ 7 on 7 (After the first week or two these periods are done simultaneously.....OLB's will split time at both) Team D Defensive Special Teams ( KO Team, Punt Block/Return, PAT/FG Block) one segment M-W-F....all on Thursday Monday-Wednesday the periods may progress from more Indy and Small Group and less Team on Monday, to less Indy and Small Group and more Team on Wednesday. It is a progression depending on what we determine our needs to be. The positive is that all of our kids (JV and Varsity) are getting coached the exact same fundamentals and techniques by the same coach every day. Of course there are some kids that do not have major roles on the opposite side of the ball. They get enough reps to know the basics in case of emergency (usually in Indy and Group) but also serve as quality "scout" or "look" team players. When they are on scout team we make sure they play the same position that they play for us and we encourage great technique, fundamentals and effort. One thing that has been good for us is that during Team Periods we have an actual defensive coach running scout team D and an offensive coach run the scout team O. This way they are getting coached up even though they are on scout team. As far as structure staff-wise, we currently have 4 on offense and 4 on defense. I have had larger staffs but with 8 assistants this is how we do it. Offense: QB, RB, WR/Slots, OL/TE (TE's with WR/slots during 7 on 7) Defense: ILB, OLB, DB, DL.......but they could be divided however you feel is efficient for your needs Coach how much time do each of those periods get? Also, what is the difference between group pass and 7 on 7? |
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Post by unc31 on Apr 24, 2016 11:39:08 GMT -6
The time for each period is adjustable according to the determination of the OC or DC. We have roughly an hour on each side of the ball when you figure in a couple of breaks (required for us).
So, if you had 60 minutes for Offense, you may assign: (Same Philosophy for Defensive practice schedule)
Indy- 15
Group Pass/ 7 on 7- 15
Group Run- 10
Team- 15
ST's- 5
OR
Indy- 10
Group Run- 15
Group Pass/7 on 7- 10
Team- 20
ST's-5
As I said in the other post, we may not even do Team on Monday some weeks and have extended periods in Indy and Group Pass and Group Run......or we may decide that on Tuesday we do not need a Group Run period and extend Team or 7 on 7.....it just all depends on what you need. You can adjust it by team also. The JV schedule for offense doesn't have to match exactly the Varsity offensive schedule. The flexibility from day to day and team to team is a real positive.
In answer to the question regarding 7 on 7 vs. Group Pass......For us 7 on 7 is a typical 7 on 7 vs. our offensive or defensive script.........Group Pass for us is Passing Game on Air . We use this especially for installs or if adjusting routes that have already been installed but that we may want to tweak the routes.
Defensively we could go Group Pass rather than 7 on 7 to work on any zone spot drops, adjusting to motions and formations, etc. from a pass defense perspective.
Hope that is helpful.
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Post by blb on Apr 24, 2016 12:44:07 GMT -6
unc31, how much time-reps do your 2s/Back-ups get in Group Run, Pass, and Team?
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Post by mholst40 on Apr 24, 2016 12:46:54 GMT -6
coachholst, on what day do your JVs play games? Friday's before Varsity |
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Post by unc31 on Apr 24, 2016 13:38:26 GMT -6
unc31, how much time-reps do your 2s/Back-ups get in Group Run, Pass, and Team? [br Coach, in Group work they get 1 to 1 with starters. During Team the starter will usually get 3/1. I generally script each play multiple times to facilitate enough reps for backups to be solid. In group work we also get 3's and sometimes 4's enough reps to know and be able to execute the game plan. We run everything in practice from the LOS or with 2 huddles to insure lots of reps. We can realistically get in 30 plays in a 15 or 20 min. period. Offensively during group runs we will have 3 groups running the same play at the same time. |
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Post by jtimmerman53 on Apr 25, 2016 7:05:14 GMT -6
We have an offensive staff and a defensive staff. When varsity is on offense, then JV is on defense. Then we switch. We do both O and D everyday but periods vary as the week moves forward. We practice about 2.5 hours. Sometimes slightly longer, but not usually. Daily Segments: Off: Indy Group Run Group Pass or 7 on 7 (depends on whether it is install or script) Team O Offensive Special Teams (Punt, PAT/FG, KO Return) **one segment per day M-W......all on Thursday Def: Indy Interior Perimeter/ 7 on 7 (After the first week or two these periods are done simultaneously.....OLB's will split time at both) Team D Defensive Special Teams ( KO Team, Punt Block/Return, PAT/FG Block) one segment M-W-F....all on Thursday Monday-Wednesday the periods may progress from more Indy and Small Group and less Team on Monday, to less Indy and Small Group and more Team on Wednesday. It is a progression depending on what we determine our needs to be. The positive is that all of our kids (JV and Varsity) are getting coached the exact same fundamentals and techniques by the same coach every day. Of course there are some kids that do not have major roles on the opposite side of the ball. They get enough reps to know the basics in case of emergency (usually in Indy and Group) but also serve as quality "scout" or "look" team players. When they are on scout team we make sure they play the same position that they play for us and we encourage great technique, fundamentals and effort. One thing that has been good for us is that during Team Periods we have an actual defensive coach running scout team D and an offensive coach run the scout team O. This way they are getting coached up even though they are on scout team. As far as structure staff-wise, we currently have 4 on offense and 4 on defense. I have had larger staffs but with 8 assistants this is how we do it. Offense: QB, RB, WR/Slots, OL/TE (TE's with WR/slots during 7 on 7) Defense: ILB, OLB, DB, DL.......but they could be divided however you feel is efficient for your needs This is very similar to how we do things except we actually have our JV guys running scout for the varsity during team. We do this because typically when we do team sessions during the season the DEF will have their team session first against the JV scout team while the OFF is doing walkthrough. Once DEF team session is done they move over to a smaller field to do their walkthrough while the OFF team period gets cranked up. We do this twice a practice with the first team period focusing on run and the second on pass. |
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Post by runitupthemiddle on Apr 25, 2016 8:32:34 GMT -6
We have an offensive staff and a defensive staff. When varsity is on offense, then JV is on defense. Then we switch. We do both O and D everyday but periods vary as the week moves forward. We practice about 2.5 hours. Sometimes slightly longer, but not usually. Daily Segments: Off: Indy Group Run Group Pass or 7 on 7 (depends on whether it is install or script) Team O Offensive Special Teams (Punt, PAT/FG, KO Return) **one segment per day M-W......all on Thursday Def: Indy Interior Perimeter/ 7 on 7 (After the first week or two these periods are done simultaneously.....OLB's will split time at both) Team D Defensive Special Teams ( KO Team, Punt Block/Return, PAT/FG Block) one segment M-W-F....all on Thursday Monday-Wednesday the periods may progress from more Indy and Small Group and less Team on Monday, to less Indy and Small Group and more Team on Wednesday. It is a progression depending on what we determine our needs to be. The positive is that all of our kids (JV and Varsity) are getting coached the exact same fundamentals and techniques by the same coach every day. Of course there are some kids that do not have major roles on the opposite side of the ball. They get enough reps to know the basics in case of emergency (usually in Indy and Group) but also serve as quality "scout" or "look" team players. When they are on scout team we make sure they play the same position that they play for us and we encourage great technique, fundamentals and effort. One thing that has been good for us is that during Team Periods we have an actual defensive coach running scout team D and an offensive coach run the scout team O. This way they are getting coached up even though they are on scout team. As far as structure staff-wise, we currently have 4 on offense and 4 on defense. I have had larger staffs but with 8 assistants this is how we do it. Offense: QB, RB, WR/Slots, OL/TE (TE's with WR/slots during 7 on 7) Defense: ILB, OLB, DB, DL.......but they could be divided however you feel is efficient for your needs Sounds like us coach, we even go as far as the the offensive lineman that will never play defense stay on offense all practice same with 2 or 3 defensive guys too. As the season goes on usually weeks5-7 we stop doing this. We know who are players and main backups are plus jv season is finished by then. So we go back to coaching both sides of the ball during practice. |
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