Starting practice with something other than stretching!

Cautionary tale

A few years ago one of our assistants showed us an article where some study claimed that stretching prior to strenuous strength training actually decreased athletic performance, he brought this up in a meeting, and the science behind it seemed sound

Now it was only 1 article

He suggested we try not stretching but simply warming up prior to games etc,

That idea lasted about 30 minutes till I brought up the litigation happy society we live in, therefore we never did implement it  

Remember youre being judged on EVERYTHING you do, a kid gets hurt even if it has nothing to do with stretching, you can bet youre going to be at least answering some questions to your approach

we do a short dynamic warm up right at the beginning of practice and go straight into INDYs after

probably 5 minutes 

we do a static strecth after each practice 

Took stretch out many years ago. Too much talking and screwing around.

Music starts we do Agilities/Bags/QB’s loosen up-5 minutes

Then team form tackle for everyone-(helps with liability hopefully so that they have been told numerous times to not use their head)-5 minutes

5 minutes group installreview-whether it is def or off day depends or 2 minute offense.

Then Indy drills and the rest of practice.

I think you will find plenty of support for NOT static stretching, providing you have a proper warm up period.   Heck, you could easily flip your concerns and say that someone might question your approach for using outdated practices if you static stretch prior to practices and games. 

Mondays we start with Offensive Indy progressing from half speed to 3/4 to full speed in 10-15 mins
Tuesdays we start with an Offensive screen period with two groups going back to back getting as many reps as we can get in 5-10 mins full speed
Wednesdays we start with a special teams circuit usually either running kickoff/punt lanes or punt block take offs

Before games we don't do the all together team static stretch either

So far after 3 years we haven't had more than one hamstring, quad or calf strain/tears.

We start practice with practice, not any stretching. I guess we run from the end line to whatever group work is first if that's a warmup.

Scheme and injury prevention are (should be at least) a little different

Lets us not forget the Mike Leach TT saga, whether he was guilty of what he was accused of or not  

Scheme wise theres nothing preventing them from leaving the program if they feel the system we are using to said school will prevent them from going to a top progra,  and in this day and age, Id be stunned if a player actually stayed put in a school where they didnt like what the HC ran nyway 

Injuries on the other hand are a completely different situation ...if a kid gets injured, whether it be the result of stretching prior or not, whether it's your fault or not , if your program is doing something out of the ordinary you can bet someone's probably going to be asking questions

Then you have the trickle down , especially if the precious angel was indeed a div 1 prospect, then chances you are going to hear at least some discussion along the lines of

-Why don't they stretch prior ?

-Couldve this injury have been prevented if they stretched?

-Does the staff know what they are doing ?

-What are their qualifications/certifications (they'll most likely ask to be produced)

-Where is the data against stretching ? (likewise)

Again stretching may not hinder injuries at all, but if 10 minutes of your time prevents dealing with potential legal action through actual means or perceived means...thats what im saying 

I just find it odd to stretch on game day and not before practice. I would think that could lead to injuries.

At the very least, why a different routine?

We never static stretch.

I believe that proper strength training contributes to mobility as much as anything. Resistance through ROM builds mobility and strength in the ROM. Though hard to believe, even strength in somewhat less than full ROM helps mobility.

Plenty of information available showing that you don't improve flexibility/ROM trying to stretch a cold muscle. (Health teacher here) A cold muscle's natural inclination when stretched is actually to tighten up, which then reduces flexibility. Static stretching should only be done after a proper warm-up/increasing blood flow/increasing heart rate.

At that point, static stretching could be implemented at any point in the practice. Immediately after some dynamic warm-up drills, or like we do, at the end of practice.

Our warm-up is in individual groups. I have the QB's about 5 yards from the sideline. The WRs line up on the sideline and do some high knees for 5 yards. They then catch an easy throw from the QB, who is warming up his arm with this drill. They WRs go one at a time through the line and then repeat in the other direction. As the QBs loosen up, they back up. The WRs can do butt-kickers or any type of movement really for their 5 yard window. The QB stays light on his feet and waits for the WR to plant and turn before throwing.

We do this for about 5-7 minutes, and then they're ready to go.

Well chalk it up to experience, I've never seen a team not static stretch.  

Its possible, but I don't ever recall (24 years now) not seeing an opponent stretch, I know every team i've ever been on staff with did