7 keys to efficient

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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
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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 runpast 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.


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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 canresult 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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Get Coach Wolfes Full Report:

14 Keys to Efficient, Effective Practices

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How to Best Manage the Starts and Stops of Practices

7 Simple Ways to Bring High Energy to Your Practices

The Great Cooperation Agreement That Will Super-Boost Your

Effectiveness

The Single, Most Important Thing You Must Add to Your

Practices Plus Much, Much More!


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Continued From Above

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
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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 must-

haves for practices as well. Now that Ive shared what Ive learned, Id like to hearfrom 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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