Practice Planning for Low numbers

The hardest thing for us was getting any kind of scout team look at all. I’m used to getting a bad look (freshmen and sophs get beat up by jr/sr), but one year we didn’t have enough to field a scout team. We did ½ line for drills, which was OK for power plays- not good for LB reads and counters. We also incorporated a lot of toss and option plays in to our 7 on 7 time, so the DBs/LBs would at least have to get some kind of run/pass read (we had our managers stand in as guards and run or pass block). One thing we do is always have a coach as scout team QB- which would leave you one short, but if all 20 are available, you could have another person (coach, mgr., etc.) stand in as a split end (as long as no fade routes are required). It is tough (especially for your defense)… but once games start, you will have a good idea on what to emphasize. We have enough guys now, but when you are a small school, it is tough to simulate “game speed” (our scout team TB is 5’3, 105#… he runs about a 5.8 40. we get confidence….not much else).

I've been at this school for 5 years, but this is the worst numbers have been. We got to the point last week where we couldn't even run full 1/2 line or inside drill. We also most went to a 1/2 line inside drill. For team stuff we do perfect plays marching on the field and pursuit on defense.

I coach a team with 20 and a few things we will do periodically to keep it real for scrimmages is to break down our players in teams and go 8 on 8. We will have three linemen(must have 4 on LOS and 1 lineman on either side of the ball is eligible) and go from there. You still get a reasonable look, and the kids a have some fun. We will let them call plays with the coaches help. It is a defensive emphasis day when we will do this, so I don't care what the play call is, we have to get to the ball and cover receivers. This is also a good way to develop your younger guys in a mixed(veterans and new guys) set up. Your seniors will also show their leadership, or lack of it, as well. We will keep score, down and distance, a running clock, and call penalties. We will usually have something on the game like extra conditioning for the losers. Another drill we do is to start the defense with no safeties(9 players), and the drill is that they lose a player of their choosing each down until they stop the scout team offense(The MLB picks a player to leave the drill). We will double the yards gained by the scout squad on each play except third down, and that puts the pressure on your top LBs and DBs to come up and make a play before they run out of players. It is interesting to see how they distribute 5 players on 3rd and 5 against 11. It works and our defense understands the importance of getting the offense stopped quick.