7 Keys to Efficient, Effective Practices

Posted on July 8, 2012 by xandolabs in Practice

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By Sonny Wolfe, Quarterbacks Coach, McGill University

Sonny Wolfe, Quarterbacks Coach, Retired Head Coach, McGill University Researchers Note: Coach Sonny Wolfe is a 43 year college coaching veteran with over 20 years serving as a head coach. We think that right now is the perfect time to share with you his 7 keys to efficient, effective practices.

Key 1: Prep, Plan & Prepare

Great preparation is required to manage efficient and effective practices. To an extent each week is a race against time. The team either yours or your opponents who best uses their time, will give their athletes a much needed advantage. To insure that your

practice time is maximized, planning is of the utmost importance; a daily meeting is required input from all staff should be encouraged.

Key 2: The Right Kind of Communication

The next step is to get the practice plan into everyones hands ASAP (assistant coaches, players, student managers, equipment managers etc.); this will allow everyone to arrive at practice ready to go. Players should have structure explained to them in pre-practice meetings, and the plan should be posted for the players.

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Key 3: Set Clear & Specific Practice Rules
Practice rules and tempo must be clearly defined and understood. Every program must determine rules based upon their philosophy, level and needs. All rules are designed to have the most efficient and safe practice environment. Heres a list of our rules:

Tempo Options: o LIVE regular football rules (might consider QBs not live) o THUD live on the LOS modified rules elsewhere see below o TEACH walk through or speed drills with form contact if any Stay Away From the QB: Defenders if they beat their man, or are unblocked due to an assignment error, do not try to get to the QB if they beat their man run past the QB. The QB is the key to most offenses we need our best guy healthy game day. No Collisions: No one follows through on a potential knock out shot. Examples if an offensive player has a potential ear hole block he will break down and insure the defender cannot make the play, but will not blow him up. Defenders will not unload on a defenseless receiver. Tackling: No offensive player is taken to the ground. If the ball carrier (running back or QB on run plays, or receiver on completed pass plays) is met head on, the defensive player will form tackle him. If the tackler is approaching on an angle he will tag the ball carriers near hip this will help our pursuit as the B.C. will continue downfield.

All Players Stay on Your Feet Always: Offensive players will not cut block; defensive players will not leave their feet to make a tackle. No player will leave their feet to jump on a fumbled ball in the backfield this includes fumbled QB/Center exchange, QB/RB fumbled exchange and poor Gun snaps. The lone exception is a receiver attempting to catch a pass. No Grabbing Jerseys: Grabbing jerseys encourages poor technique and can result in twisted ankles and knees. No Bull Rushes: We prefer that our d-linemen work on other techniques to improve their skill level. This will also help keep the QB clean. In order that our O & D linemen work some bull rushing and pass protecting against the bull rush; we do work some during 1-on-1 periods. No Batted Balls: Having d-linemen bat a ball during a team period is a disruption we encourage our D linemen to raise their arms, forcing our QBs to find a throwing lane. During defensive periods, you might allow batted balls; however by so doing, you cannot evaluate the coverage as effectively. Stay Away From the QB: Stay Away From the QB: Yes we repeat this message twice.

Key 4: Answer the Contact Question

A decision must be made on how much contact will be included. The age of the players and the experience of the team must be considered. Additionally, the time of the year the most contact will take place in the spring, somewhat less during the summer training camp, and still less during the season we want our players well prepared, physically and mentally tough; however it is very important that they have fresh legs and a high excitement level on game day. This Report Continues Below ______________________________________________________________________ ___________________________

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14 Keys to Efficient, Effective Practices

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Key 5: Dont Waste Time, Use Scripts

Use of scripts can be a great aid. We will attempt to maximize the number of reps we get in all drills. Scripts help with no time being required to make decisions by coordinators, because everything has already been decided. Additional advantages:

All coaches can look for their players techniques and assignments knowing down and distance field location; as well as offensive play (formation/player package/motion/shifts) and defensive call (front/stunt/blitz/coverage). Speeds up the ability and accuracy in breaking down and evaluating practice film. Coaches can relay calls to players not involved in drill to insure that mental reps are taking place. If the QB is the team leader and most important offensive player consider giving him a copy of the script (without defensive call and coverage). I believe this helps his preparation and his ability to succeed during practice. His practice success will help his confidence and team confidence! Quality control is also aided throughout the week, coordinators can insure they are getting to see (recorded on paper) the looks they require to prep their team.

Key 6: Reps, Reps and Then Get More Reps

Whenever possible emphasize the repetitions in all segments of practice; in particular the team periods (pass skelly, inside run, and 11 on 11). Coach on the fly, and make corrections with film post practice. Teams using a fast paced no huddle scheme have a huge advantage they will be able to run significantly more plays in practice, than will a team using a huddle.

Key 7: Develop Great Competitors By Developing Competitive Practices

Attempt to make practice as game like as possible examples

Drills should be realistic e.g. monkey rolls have no real application to the game Keep score have winners as often as possible encourage competition If possible have yard sticks and down markers Drills should be run on the field according to the appropriate field location (goal line, red zone, coming out etc.) Insure that penalties are called do not allow holding, illegal formations etc. in practice.

Conclusion:
I developed these keys to effective practices through years of trial and error. Im sure that through trial and error of your own youve developed a strong checklist of musthaves for practices as well. Now that Ive shared what Ive learned, Id like to hear from you. What are some additional keys or steps that you or your program does in developing efficient and effective practices? Please post in the comments section below

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