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Post by Coach Bennett on Jan 7, 2020 8:11:35 GMT -6
Coaches,
I'm interested to know how often you practice certain scenarios vs the likelihood to encounter the situation in a game to prep your athletes.
For instance, taking a safety during punt. Once you've installed it, how often do you actually revisit the concept during the season? Do you remind players about it during team meetings? Actually walk through every week? Every other week? Not at all once it's in?
Do you keep a binder of illustrations/plays to show during a timeout if needed?
There are so many potential situations to discuss...how do you...
1. Prioritize before game 1
2. Address throughout the season
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Post by larrymoe on Jan 7, 2020 8:24:44 GMT -6
This kinda stuff is why you guys can't practice in under 3 hours.
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Post by gccwolverine on Jan 7, 2020 8:46:06 GMT -6
Coaches, I'm interested to know how often you practice certain scenarios vs the likelihood to encounter the situation in a game to prep your athletes. For instance, taking a safety during punt. Once you've installed it, how often do you actually revisit the concept during the season? Do you remind players about it during team meetings? Actually walk through every week? Every other week? Not at all once it's in? Do you keep a binder of illustrations/plays to show during a timeout if needed? There are so many potential situations to discuss...how do you... 1. Prioritize before game 1 2. Address throughout the season I'm not the header so we don't actually do this but this is what I'd do if and when I am a header: compile of list of situations: (off the top of my head) punt backed up (bad snap, taking a safety, ball blocked into the EZ)
taking a safety on O
hail marry O/D
first touching punt return situation
Last play 2 seconds left down 4 O and KR situation (lateral play don't get tackled with the ball)
under a minute left on D up 4 opponent has no timeouts (tackle in bound get off the pile slow
kick return with kick right on the sideline (field it out of bounds)
up 1 2:25 left opponent has no timeouts and we break a run (fall down after getting the first DO NOT SCORE)
down 1 2:225 left no timeouts (let them score play on D)
Free kick situation
running the clock out from the -1 yardline
4 minute O (get what we can stay in bounds)
I'd need to sit down to really put a complete list together
I would take 1 unique situation a day in the summer and rotate through them and teach them and then during the season hit 1 or 2 a week in a rare situation period (doesn't need to be longer than 5 minutes).
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Post by bignose on Jan 7, 2020 8:48:09 GMT -6
On our Thursday walk thru, at the end of practice we have a 15-20 minute scripted set of situations that we go thru in rapid fire, to practice transitions, substitutions, and situations. This is a review of things we cover as a part of our regular practices during the week.
The kids are standing on the sideline. One of the coaches is checking the depth chart as we do this. We want the kids coming in off of the sideline.
We simulate a coin toss. If we win:
K.O. Return
Go to offense, run three plays on air,
Punt,
Go on defense, run three plays on air
punt return,
one play of offense
go to PAT, etc.
If we lose the toss, we start with K.O. return and go on defense.
You get the idea.
We will work in take -a-knee, take- a- safety, K.O. after a safety, 15 seconds left in game to get the FG team on, last play of the game, victory defense, etc. as we go thru the script. It varies weekly.
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Post by bleefb on Jan 7, 2020 9:25:07 GMT -6
On our Thursday walk thru, at the end of practice we have a 15-20 minute scripted set of situations that we go thru in rapid fire, to practice transitions, substitutions, and situations. This is a review of things we cover as a part of our regular practices during the week. The kids are standing on the sideline. One of the coaches is checking the depth chart as we do this. We want the kids coming in off of the sideline. We simulate a coin toss. If we win: K.O. Return Go to offense, run three plays on air, Punt, Go on defense, run three plays on air punt return, one play of offense go to PAT, etc. If we lose the toss, we start with K.O. return and go on defense. You get the idea. We will work in take -a-knee, take- a- safety, K.O. after a safety, 15 seconds left in game to get the FG team on, last play of the game, victory defense, etc. as we go thru the script. It varies weekly. We do the same. |
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Post by Coach Vint on Jan 7, 2020 9:42:48 GMT -6
We build situations into practice, and work special situations on Thursdays during our run through. We work take a safety every week on Thursdays. We work field goal cover in camp and review it three times during the season. We work a period called Fast Start which is 1st period of practice Monday, Tuesday, and Weds. We work a different situation. Monday we run our opening drive. Tuesday we have a third down competition. Weds. we do a two minute drill and 5 plays of goal line.
During our offensive practice we work a two minute drill on air on Tuesday. We actually go 1 minute from the -40. We work a four minute drill during camp which is good on good. Offense is trying to get two first downs. Defense is trying to get a stop and stripping the ball.
To build chain awareness we work a third down period pre practice during routes on air. We also have a third down period built into 7-on-7 1 time a week. On Wednesdays we work a team on air period with our last three plays. The last play is our Hail Mary.
I will be speaking about this at the Glazier Clinics in Chicago and Cincinnati.
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Post by bluboy on Jan 7, 2020 9:55:38 GMT -6
Here are the situations we rehearse.
1. Alignment and procedure for National Anthem
2. Coin toss
3. Kick Return
4. Run 4 offensive plays after the return
5. Punt and fake punt
6. Punt out of endzone
7. Defense vs scout offense-4 plays
8. Punt return with defense on field
9. Regular punt return
10. Regular punt return vs fake punt
11. Kick-off coverage
12 Onsides Kick
13. Hands team vs onsides kick
14. Field goal team with no time-out's
15. Offense taking safety
16. Victory formation
17. Last play of game/half
18. Muddle huddle
19. FG block
We do 2-minute and goal line during team offense/defense.
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Post by Coach Bennett on Jan 7, 2020 10:19:51 GMT -6
Here are the situations we rehearse. 14. Field goal team with no time-out's This is an example of what I'm talking about (in addition to what you all have listed). We do the same and when I reflect on our season I think about how many times we practiced this (every week) and never actually used it. Our kids obviously need to know what to do but am I short changing other more used "base" stuff to repeatedly rep a play that is seldom, if ever, used in our program. |
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Post by fantom on Jan 7, 2020 10:36:57 GMT -6
Here are the situations we rehearse. 14. Field goal team with no time-out's This is an example of what I'm talking about (in addition to what you all have listed). We do the same and when I reflect on our season I think about how many times we practiced this (every week) and never actually used it. Our kids obviously need to know what to do but am I short changing other more used "base" stuff to repeatedly rep a play that is seldom, if ever, used in our program. But when you do need them it's good to have them. They take maybe a minute each on Thursday. |
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jaydub66
Sophomore Member
Varsity D-Line Coach
Posts: 223 
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Post by jaydub66 on Jan 8, 2020 8:45:20 GMT -6
it shouldn't be a daily thing.
I prefer situational stuff on walk through days and keep the whole team involved for what to expect in certain situations as well as weird situations like when we're going to hard count, when we're going to kick field goals, etc.
The fundamentals should be the primary focus of tuesday & wednesday, monday should be game planning & install, but thursday should be a slower pace physically and more of a mental ramp up
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Post by MICoach on Jan 8, 2020 9:59:22 GMT -6
This is an example of what I'm talking about (in addition to what you all have listed). We do the same and when I reflect on our season I think about how many times we practiced this (every week) and never actually used it. Our kids obviously need to know what to do but am I short changing other more used "base" stuff to repeatedly rep a play that is seldom, if ever, used in our program. But when you do need them it's good to have them. They take maybe a minute each on Thursday. I haven't coached for that long, but I've never seen a team (let along my own) have to intentionally take a safety, intentionally fall down on a first down, let the opposition score, etc. We fit two minute, four minute, punt, field goal, and emergency field goal into our daily tempo period. Every special team has a five minute period devoted to it usually once a week - we include fakes, on-sides, etc. into those periods. In Thursday walkthrough we go through less common situations that we want to be prepared for, but it's 1-3 reps on hail mary, botched punt snap, take a safety, etc. |
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Post by bluboy on Jan 8, 2020 10:38:55 GMT -6
Here are the situations we rehearse. 1. Alignment and procedure for National Anthem 2. Coin toss 3. Kick Return 4. Run 4 offensive plays after the return 5. Punt and fake punt 6. Punt out of endzone 7. Defense vs scout offense-4 plays 8. Punt return with defense on field 9. Regular punt return 10. Regular punt return vs fake punt 11. Kick-off coverage 12 Onsides Kick 13. Hands team vs onsides kick 14. Field goal team with no time-out's 15. Offense taking safety 16. Victory formation 17. Last play of game/half 18. Muddle huddle 19. FG block We do 2-minute and goal line during team offense/defense. We go through this script every Wednesday (games are on Friday night) immediately following warm-up. Entire team aligns on sideline; everyone runs on/off the sideline. Before we go in after practice, kids line up on goal line and we call out what team is to align shoulder to shoulder on the ten. After we make sure we have everyone, subs come out and align behind the starter. Fantom is right; you don't have to do this every day. |
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Post by gccwolverine on Jan 8, 2020 11:25:38 GMT -6
But when you do need them it's good to have them. They take maybe a minute each on Thursday. I haven't coached for that long, but I've never seen a team (let along my own) have to intentionally take a safety, intentionally fall down on a first down, let the opposition score, etc. We fit two minute, four minute, punt, field goal, and emergency field goal into our daily tempo period. Every special team has a five minute period devoted to it usually once a week - we include fakes, on-sides, etc. into those periods. In Thursday walkthrough we go through less common situations that we want to be prepared for, but it's 1-3 reps on hail mary, botched punt snap, take a safety, etc. We were down 1 with 2:00 left and no timeouts this year only way we get it back was let them score, we didn't go down and score on offense but it gave us at least a chance to tie the game. We had a FG blocked behind the LOS this year and both teams stood around afterwards looking at the ball until a kid finally after 10 seconds of shouting "pick it up" picked it up and went and scored. The Titans should have not scored off the interception of Brady in the wild card game, scoring gave NE a chance to have the ball back while only down 7 going down up 1 100% ensures victory. Saw an FBS team (can't remember who) lose a game last season (2018) when they scored with under 2 minutes left instead of falling down when the opposition had no timeouts. They scored to go up 8 opposition comes down scores ties it wins it in OT. kid goes down instead of scores they win the football game. Win equity is a thing and our number 1 job as coaches is to ensure we don't beat ourselves by making unforced errors in situations that can and should be prepared for. |
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Post by MICoach on Jan 8, 2020 12:19:18 GMT -6
I haven't coached for that long, but I've never seen a team (let along my own) have to intentionally take a safety, intentionally fall down on a first down, let the opposition score, etc. We fit two minute, four minute, punt, field goal, and emergency field goal into our daily tempo period. Every special team has a five minute period devoted to it usually once a week - we include fakes, on-sides, etc. into those periods. In Thursday walkthrough we go through less common situations that we want to be prepared for, but it's 1-3 reps on hail mary, botched punt snap, take a safety, etc. We were down 1 with 2:00 left and no timeouts this year only way we get it back was let them score, we didn't go down and score on offense but it gave us at least a chance to tie the game. We had a FG blocked behind the LOS this year and both teams stood around afterwards looking at the ball until a kid finally after 10 seconds of shouting "pick it up" picked it up and went and scored. The Titans should have not scored off the interception of Brady in the wild card game, scoring gave NE a chance to have the ball back while only down 7 going down up 1 100% ensures victory. Saw an FBS team (can't remember who) lose a game last season (2018) when they scored with under 2 minutes left instead of falling down when the opposition had no timeouts. They scored to go up 8 opposition comes down scores ties it wins it in OT. kid goes down instead of scores they win the football game. Win equity is a thing and our number 1 job as coaches is to ensure we don't beat ourselves by making unforced errors in situations that can and should be prepared for. So do you guys practice all of those situations? Let's use intentionally letting the opposition score as an example - do you practice it? If so, how much time do you spend on it? If not, do you think practicing it more would have helped your kids to let them score more? I'm not saying the situations don't happen, but devoting more than a couple reps to intentional safety/fall down after you catch the first down/go down with the interception seems like an inefficient use of time. |
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Post by gccwolverine on Jan 8, 2020 12:35:42 GMT -6
We were down 1 with 2:00 left and no timeouts this year only way we get it back was let them score, we didn't go down and score on offense but it gave us at least a chance to tie the game. We had a FG blocked behind the LOS this year and both teams stood around afterwards looking at the ball until a kid finally after 10 seconds of shouting "pick it up" picked it up and went and scored. The Titans should have not scored off the interception of Brady in the wild card game, scoring gave NE a chance to have the ball back while only down 7 going down up 1 100% ensures victory. Saw an FBS team (can't remember who) lose a game last season (2018) when they scored with under 2 minutes left instead of falling down when the opposition had no timeouts. They scored to go up 8 opposition comes down scores ties it wins it in OT. kid goes down instead of scores they win the football game. Win equity is a thing and our number 1 job as coaches is to ensure we don't beat ourselves by making unforced errors in situations that can and should be prepared for. So do you guys practice all of those situations? Let's use intentionally letting the opposition score as an example - do you practice it? If so, how much time do you spend on it? If not, do you think practicing it more would have helped your kids to let them score more? I'm not saying the situations don't happen, but devoting more than a couple reps to intentional safety/fall down after you catch the first down/go down with the interception seems like an inefficient use of time. I'm not the HC so I don't get final say on the structure of our practices. I play my part and do my job to bring the HC's vision to life the way HE wants it. So all that being said. No we do not practice all those situations. Should we? Yes. Would I? ABSOLUTELY. But that's not my role. I'll say this the blocked FG deal we never did more than briefly cover standing on the field in the summer during FG work. It was "talked" about. Never actually repped the kids were never put in that situation. FG gets blocked week 8, 22 guys just standing there lots of shouting yelling screaming for 10 seconds then TD. Then there were people upset with the kids and shocked at halftime that, that could ever happen. I said, "fella's when did we every do that? When was it repped? did anyone go block a FG live in practice and then force our kids to react to and play the situation? Then we can't be surprised and pissed at them. They're 15,16,17 year old kids and they know nothing only what we teach them and have them actually physically do. And telling isn't teaching." - that's my view on everything. The let them score situation we practice defensively since I'm the DC and that's under my control very easily we do it maybe 4 times a year twice in the summer, 2 other times throughout the actual season. It takes a minute maybe 2. "OK guys here is the situation, (Their ball 21-20 them we have no timeouts there's 2 minutes left what has to happen Billy? Why Tommy? Alright here we go here is the call "surrender D" make it look good) and then we rep it once or twice." Again that's my view on everything. I'm type A I want to be overly prepared. I don't want to wake up Saturday morning and say "we lost that game because our kids weren't ready for __________. Or we as coaches didn't do our job to the best of our ability." For instance 1 thing that a lot of people don't cover that I believe needs to be covered is what your kids are supposed to do if a fight breaks out and someone takes a swing. It's 1 thing to talk about it its another thing to pick a random Tuesday practice in the summer pull to kids off the to side during stretch and say after the 2nd play of team O start a "fight" with each other. Not saying it has to be inefficient and it shouldn't be but to make it efficient and intently done and taught you need to devote some time to planning and teaching to make it all come together. |
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Post by bjohnson on Jan 8, 2020 12:48:21 GMT -6
We install/discuss those situations during the first four days of no padded practice at the beginning of the season. During the season we go through those special situations (hail mary, taking a safety, free kick, etc) once a week during our Thursday practices. It's usually one rep per situation.
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Post by MICoach on Jan 8, 2020 13:05:12 GMT -6
So do you guys practice all of those situations? Let's use intentionally letting the opposition score as an example - do you practice it? If so, how much time do you spend on it? If not, do you think practicing it more would have helped your kids to let them score more? I'm not saying the situations don't happen, but devoting more than a couple reps to intentional safety/fall down after you catch the first down/go down with the interception seems like an inefficient use of time. I'm not the HC so I don't get final say on the structure of our practices. I play my part and do my job to bring the HC's vision to life the way HE wants it. So all that being said. No we do not practice all those situations. Should we? Yes. Would I? ABSOLUTELY. But that's not my role. I'll say this the blocked FG deal we never did more than briefly cover standing on the field in the summer during FG work. It was "talked" about. Never actually repped the kids were never put in that situation. FG gets blocked week 8, 22 guys just standing there lots of shouting yelling screaming for 10 seconds then TD. Then there were people upset with the kids and shocked at halftime that, that could ever happen. I said, "fella's when did we every do that? When was it repped? did anyone go block a FG live in practice and then force our kids to react to and play the situation? Then we can't be surprised and pissed at them. They're 15,16,17 year old kids and they know nothing only what we teach them and have them actually physically do. And telling isn't teaching." - that's my view on everything. The let them score situation we practice defensively since I'm the DC and that's under my control very easily we do it maybe 4 times a year twice in the summer, 2 other times throughout the actual season. It takes a minute maybe 2. "OK guys here is the situation, (Their ball 21-20 them we have no timeouts there's 2 minutes left what has to happen Billy? Why Tommy? Alright here we go here is the call "surrender D" make it look good) and then we rep it once or twice." Again that's my view on everything. I'm type A I want to be overly prepared. I don't want to wake up Saturday morning and say "we lost that game because our kids weren't ready for __________. Or we as coaches didn't do our job to the best of our ability." For instance 1 thing that a lot of people don't cover that I believe needs to be covered is what your kids are supposed to do if a fight breaks out and someone takes a swing. It's 1 thing to talk about it its another thing to pick a random Tuesday practice in the summer pull to kids off the to side during stretch and say after the 2nd play of team O start a "fight" with each other. Not saying it has to be inefficient and it shouldn't be but to make it efficient and intently done and taught you need to devote some time to planning and teaching to make it all come together. OK we're definitely closer in our visions than it originally seemed. I'd say we cover most of these things somewhat in depth during two-a-days and then weekly we run at least one rep of most of them. Our field goal practice always involves practicing what to do on a botched snap, and we discuss/walkthrough what to do on a block as well. But those things are really just another rep for us because we do it once or twice a week - as such they only take 30-60 seconds during the week. We do the same with most other things - kneel down, time-wasting punt safety, out of the ordinary on sides kicks. What I can't really abide would be spending an entire period just on intentionally taking a safety or whatever else. Just 2-3 reps, but we do them every week. |
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Post by bleefb on Jan 8, 2020 22:31:31 GMT -6
First, you can't assume your players know ANYTHING about football rules and situations. Years ago we lost a game because our kick returner thought a kick-off was like a punt and let the ball roll to the one where the other team recovered it. It ended up being the difference in the game. We were all mad at the kid, but realized we never covered it. We just assumed he knew. That SAME weekend, we saw it happen in an NFL game.
As far as the other stuff, we've taken a safety with the punter, we've intentionally not scored to run out the clock, (And one time our RB who knew better wanted the TD and scored. The other team immediately went own and scored and we only won by breaking up the 2 pt play), we had our kicker whiff so bad on a chip shot FG that the ball rolled down to the 5 yd line and sat there while the other team stared at it like a punt. When they finally picked it up we were able to cover it because we had practiced it. This was in a Section Championship game.
Bottom line, if you coach long enough, you will see these things and you'll better if you at least mentioned them.
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Post by fantom on Jan 9, 2020 10:42:56 GMT -6
First, you can't assume your players know ANYTHING about football rules and situations. Years ago we lost a game because our kick returner thought a kick-off was like a punt and let the ball roll to the one where the other team recovered it. It ended up being the difference in the game. We were all mad at the kid, but realized we never covered it. We just assumed he knew. That SAME weekend, we saw it happen in an NFL game. As far as the other stuff, we've taken a safety with the punter, we've intentionally not scored to run out the clock, (And one time our RB who knew better wanted the TD and scored. The other team immediately went own and scored and we only won by breaking up the 2 pt play), we had our kicker whiff so bad on a chip shot FG that the ball rolled down to the 5 yd line and sat there while the other team stared at it like a punt. When they finally picked it up we were able to cover it because we had practiced it. This was in a Section Championship game. Bottom line, if you coach long enough, you will see these things and you'll better if you at least mentioned them. LOL. Been there, done both. In the state championship game once our returner backed off a kickoff TWICE. We also had the situation with the FG. Our guy horribly shanked one that rolled dead at the one. Ref looked around and there no players on the field. Both teams had run off of the field. He finally just whistled it dead. We'd covered all of that but they're still kids. |
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Post by blb on Jan 9, 2020 10:50:21 GMT -6
Heck we once had referee blow whistle immediately after we blocked a FG attempt as if it were a PAT so that we couldn't return it for a TD.
Good thing for him we won anyway.
Even adults screw up rules-situations in HS football.
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Post by fantom on Jan 9, 2020 10:55:04 GMT -6
Heck we once had referee blow whistle immediately after we blocked a FG attempt as if it were a PAT so that we couldn't return it for a TD. Good thing for him we won anyway. ' Even adults screw up rules-situations in HS football. Oh yeah. Lost one that way. |
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Post by bobgoodman on Jan 11, 2020 19:03:18 GMT -6
We were down 1 with 2:00 left and no timeouts this year only way we get it back was let them score, we didn't go down and score on offense but it gave us at least a chance to tie the game. We had a FG blocked behind the LOS this year and both teams stood around afterwards looking at the ball until a kid finally after 10 seconds of shouting "pick it up" picked it up and went and scored. The Titans should have not scored off the interception of Brady in the wild card game, scoring gave NE a chance to have the ball back while only down 7 going down up 1 100% ensures victory. Saw an FBS team (can't remember who) lose a game last season (2018) when they scored with under 2 minutes left instead of falling down when the opposition had no timeouts. They scored to go up 8 opposition comes down scores ties it wins it in OT. kid goes down instead of scores they win the football game. Win equity is a thing and our number 1 job as coaches is to ensure we don't beat ourselves by making unforced errors in situations that can and should be prepared for. So do you guys practice all of those situations? Let's use intentionally letting the opposition score as an example - do you practice it? If so, how much time do you spend on it? If not, do you think practicing it more would have helped your kids to let them score more? I'm not saying the situations don't happen, but devoting more than a couple reps to intentional safety/fall down after you catch the first down/go down with the interception seems like an inefficient use of time. Letting the opposition score works only if the opposition doesn't know to kill the ball -- unless you get into a situation where they land in your lap and you can carry them into your end zone. You might say, that could happen, let's practice it, huh? |
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