Jumpstart poor practice -methods used

Make things more competitive, also even if you gotta fake it, you and your coaches have to display alot of energy

We have put the ball on the 5 yard line, told the offense they have 4 tries to score against our defense, if the offense scores, defense runs and vice-versa

During individuals..
Board Drills for OL
DL vs OL pass pro drill
LB vs RB 1 on 1 tackling

Tackling drills with an emphasis on best war cries. Think that part in Full Metal Jacket ("let me see your war face"), kids shout as loud and fiercely as possible while tackling one another or the bag. It's funny and fun, breaks up the somewhat monotony of a practice, and reinforces being fierce and expressive, which has been a problem at the freshman level in my experience.

It also uses skill repetition/acquisition to help fix the problem, rather than resorting to push-ups or running, etc. I try to keep their conditioning type exercises separate from discipline, reinforcing one of my things I preach "conditioning is a privilege, not a punishment".

towards the end of the season, after all of the coaches had done everything they could think of, we pulled our leaders in to the mix. We talked to them and they agreed that there was a lull in practice from time to time. We told them that we expected the leaders to help pick up the boys and police themselves. Some of the leaders were a little reluctant at first. However, after having just the leaders run a gasser the next time we had a lull, that was the last lull we ever had this season.

I like the idea of taking time out and refocusing without any kind of temper tantrum type moment. Sweet alliteration there by me. If nothing else, it's pseudo conditioning them for those moments where you need a timeout in a game to get them to calm down, breathe, and refocus. Good stuff.

If it's starting bad I'll let them know this kind of effort won't get it done.. Of course, this warning won't be enough to shake them out of it, they're kids & this stuff tends to go in one ear & out the other with them.. so when it continues to go poorly I'll start practice over.. From the beginning- meaning warm-ups and everything.. IF we're 45 minutes into a crappy practice, we start over.. We only have to do this once- after that when they hear us tell them they're not practicing at the intensity level we need they know we mean business and the team leaders, whether he's a captain or not-just a kid willing to lead-, makes sure they step up their game.. Yeah, AC's, players, a few parents, (and one time even a kids boss) get mad for a little while- but they learn real quick that this is serious business & they need to arrive with their head straight and ready to go from the beginning.. This might have more effect with us because I do try to keep the practices as short as we can & still get everything accomplished.. Not sure why, but this method has always solved that issue for us as a team.. When individuals are having a lackadaisical practice that's another story altogether, but as a team that's how we handle it.. Once early in the spring or summer & they get the message..

I've tried this as well and have seen good results. It is tough for a guy like me to relearn what all my old coaches used to do, holler, throw their hat and clipboard, etc. All that just sapped any enthusiasm from me, which wasn't the intended effect. So I can imagine that doing the same things would make my players feel the same way. So I resolved awhile back to find other ways.

I've also tried once the technique that John Wooden used with all those UCLA teams. He'd just huddle them up and tell them "We just don't got it today guys, let's call it a day and pick it up tomorrow when we're ready to play some ball." Coach Wooden said almost all of the time the players would take it as a gut check and get back to it, refocused and ready to practice.

Not for everyone, I understand, but it works for me.

I also agree with the comments about making practice more competitive throughout.

Good thread!