Dropping all 7v7 from practice.

I think you are on the right track, but I definitely wouldn't eliminate from practice. I wouldn't do 7v7 though.


I would have a controlled offensive pass period and a controlled defensive pass skell. Both of these periods could resemble 7v7, but aren't 7v7.

Beginning of the year we use routes on air only. As practice progresses we start utilizing 7 on 7. From there we progress to using kids with handshields to simulate a rush during our 7 on 7 time. Sometimes they come, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they make him step up, sometimes they make him scramble. During our team time we will have the scout team bring pressure about 90% of the time on all our passes.

I wouldn't totally scrap it. I get that its frustrating at times and not always realistic. But it does help with getting REPS. All your WRs are running routes. Its a period where EVERY play is a pass. So it helps your passing game while the OL can use it for INDY (which your OL coach LOVES).

We do 20 mins a week. It is scripted and controlled. It is the primary concepts that we want to use that week against the look that they give us.
One day is half field. It is just about all quick game since full field concepts aren't really worth it. 3 man combos against 4 defenders (Corner, Safety, OLB, Inside Backer). The 3rd route could be from the back. We also throw in an occasional RPO so the QB can make that read and we get mesh reps there too.
***This is how we get the best scout look as we make it a best vs best period instead of having our JV scout***

The other day is full field. So more deep and intermediate concepts. RBs are gone - they are working with OL at this time. Downside is the scout team is usually poor.

But both days we have some kind of simulated pressure. For the half field skelly stand up stuff is great since its mostly quick game. For the full field I like 1 rusher that the QB has to step up or skate to avoid.



Its just like teaching in the classroom. Part-Part-Whole. One bit at a time and then you put it all together. So I wouldn't scrap it.

I structure my offensive practices for the most part like this:

7v7 like 10-12 reps
REDZONE 7 on 7 (understanding how tight the field gets down there, shots from certain landmarks, etc)

(we do 7v7 more for reps, knowing what to do, seeing coverage, working on new wrinkles, making sure they understand signals, etc)

Team Pass we throw with ppl in his face along with Team periods

MON- Inside Run, PUP, 7v7 , Team
TUE- Team Run (w/PA and RPOs) , Team Pass (w/ Screens), 7v7 (REDZONE), Team (REDZONE)
WED-7v7 (REDZONE), Team (3rd Downs), Goalline, 2 Min

We have gone to 11-on-11 "blitz pickup" passing session 1-2 days a week. I think we get better reps for everyone involved - the QB sees actual pressure, the OL sees better reps than in indy/group, screens can get sniffed out from DL, etc.

When we ran the Double Wing, we looked at 7 on 7 as the place to get our defensive backs some work against what they might see from our opponents and the chance to evaluate them.

I had us run some routes from the double tight formation and one of the wags wanted to know if we were gonna run passes from a tight punt formation. lol

Its week to week for us. If we are playing team that passes a lot we do more 7 on 7. If we are playing a "ground and pound" team we don't do much if any 7 on 7.
We do 7on7 3 days a week. Our focus during this period is covering the right man/zone. It's a drill/teach period and not a competition period.
Monday is a best vs best 7on7. The offense gets the first perimeter players and runs our passes versus our defense. We do this 'for about 8 minutes, then flip so the defense has the best perimeter players, but the offensen still runs our passes.
Tuesday is a regular 7on7 with the scout team running the opponent's offense. We start this period by having the offense run the patterns and NOT THROWING the ball. About halfway through this period we will throw ball. Wednesday's 7on7 is with the ball thrown.

We do team pass sometimes and when it's for defense there are strict rules foe pass rushers. Not only is the QB not live but they have to stay an arms length away. Don't want our QB breaking his hand on a helmet. They can bat balls down but can't hit the QB. 

I used to not like 7-on-7. I hated it. Now I love it. Our QB's can focus on their feet and eyes without being disrupted by a defender. We will have guys simulate a rush at times, so our QB has to work throwing lanes, but we rarely do it. I really want out 7-on-7 period to be an eye and feet period for our QB. During 7-on-7 our OL and DL are working 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 pass rush. They also work a 1-on-1 base blocking period.

We also do a pass under pressure period twice a week that is scripted. We also have a team pass period that is scripted. We have a team 3rd down and team goal line pass period each week.

What I really like for our pass game and working with our QB reads and WR route adjustments is Half-line Pass. It is 7-on-7, but working one side of the field. It is 4-on-3 or 3-on-2. We go one side, then the other. We work versus each look our opponent will give us.

I will be speaking at the Glazier Chicago in February on our pass game and some ways we teach thing. I am actually looking forward to 7-on-7 this spring and summer as we will work all of our pass concepts. I know the LB's cheat and play at 8 yards, and guys don't take read steps, but it gives us a chance to get really good at what we want to do in the pass game when people know we are going to throw.

With that said we will mix in an RPO or two reading the safety during 7-on-7.

 Coach,

I'm 68 years old. I've got a feeling that in 20 years, I'm not gonna give a rat's butt about High School football. Lol

BTW, while I can't say I hate 7-on-7, I sure don't like it much, especially when it starts taking priority over other football related skills.

Someone on here years back said they ran defense 7 on 7 without throwing the ball. They were just looking for the defense to cover. They could get through a lot of reps in a short period of time and didn’t waste time chasing dropped passes.

Thanks for all the great ideas gentlemen! Y'all really gave us a lot of things to think about.

I totally see what OP is saying... last year we looked really good in 7 v 7 in june and july... However, our QB is on the short side and our OLINE wasnt great. so when we went live it wasnt even close to the same as 7 v 7. I do think it has its place, but we are at the very least gonna have 4 guys stand in front of him during all 7 v 7