Small School 2 A Days

We don't do 2-a-days and I haven't been involved in a program that does for a long time. When I asked why (I'm old school and always did them) I was told that it's not good for the kids to have an intense workout, a break, and then an intense workout. I'm not the chief, I'm just an indian so I didn't question it. Our total summer practice time is 3.5 hours - this includes a lift, offense, and defense. Our total in-school practice time is 3 hours and includes the above but we add in special teams.

I'm not taking a shot at 2-a-day guys, just sharing my experience. For stuff like this I stay in my lane.

Kansas got rid of two-a-days. Of course basketball can still do two practices a day...but not for football.

We don't do two-a-days anymore either, we stopped in 2009. We have one 3 hour practice including the warm-up, conditioning, and cool down activities. We typically do a 1 hour film session prior as well.

One long practice around 3 hours with a 20 minute break in the middle, plus film or lifting before.

I like the 3.5 hour idea. 30 minutes would be lifting and if non lifting day it would be practice film review /meetings

The problem is the recovery! You can do it but needs to be prepared the whole schedule to avoid injuries and be useful for the physical development aspect

No spring football and no summer "practices" allowed
Hell week- report at 7:00am- done at 5:30pm-
Day 1- gear hand out/locker assignment/photos--- lift- lunch- meetings- practice #1- shower- meet
Day 2- practice #2 physically demanding practice- meetings- lunch- dance contest- practice #3- mental practice(helmets only)- go jump in the River/Lake
Day 3- practice #4 (physically demanding)-meetings- lunch- community service- practice #5- mental practice (helmets only)- go jump in the River/Lake
Day 4- full pads- tackling day- done by 10:30- shower and lunch with community sponsor.

4 days of the following
2 a day week- Morning practice 7:00-9:00am(Individual/skills) lift 9:00 to 10:00 and then practice from 7:00-8:30PM(team concepts)
Day 5 Morning practice and kids get helmet stickers and meet with coaches to confirm team/depth chart etc..

No 2-a-days... first two weeks of practice we are 30 meetings, 30 min weight room and 2 hours on the field.

The only time in my life I've ever done 2-a-days was as a player, when we'd go for 1.5-2 hours in the morning (around 9-11), take a 1-2 hour break for lunch and lifting (11-1), then do 1.5 hours again as a late session (1-2:30).  That was part of teams that had from 30-40 on them.

The longer, early period would be special teams with either offense or defense, then the later session would be the other side of the ball.  We would alternate which side had the early period based on which one we wanted to emphasize that day.

Our state currently has rules in place that discourage, but don't explicitly outlaw, 2-a-days with contact.  Personally, I find them to be unnecessary if you're efficient with the time you have.  After about 2 hours, the law of diminishing returns sets in and kids start checking out, especially if it's hot.

If I were going to do 2-a-days, I'd go no longer than a couple of 90 minute sessions with one of those in shirts and helmets without contact.  The 1-2 hour rest period, as opposed to calling them back much later in the day (I've heard of teams start at 7 AM and then come back at 5 PM), is also a lot more efficient and allows players to recharge without a lot of weird logistical issues involving travel.

The last time we did 2 a days was 7 years ago.

Day 1: Practice #1 (2 hours), then a 3 hour mandatory recover/cool down period, Practice #2 (1 Hour Walk Thru)
Day 2: Practice #3 (2.5 hours), lift prior to practice
Day 3: Repeat Day 1
Day 4: Repeat Day 2

This went for two weeks

What's the gain of 2 a days? The law of diminishing return and the actual science behind building up to practice lengths says it's detrimental and will lead to injuries/fatigue.

30 min lift, 15 min break, 100 min practice.

It's hard to say how to run 2-a-days without knowing the situation.

If you're in a state where you're allowed full, mandatory practices during the summer, before the start of the actual season there's probably no need for 2-a-days.

If you fully platoon there's probably less of a reason for 2-a-days. You may need a few days with second sessions to work on special teams.

We're not in either situation so we think that we need 2-a-days. We feel that there just isn't enough time to get everything done without them.

As for the practice schedule that also depends on your situation. For us, transportation isn't an issue so we let them go from 7-9 AM on defense. We let them go home then come back and do offense from 5-7:30. If transportation is an issue that might have to change.