Video: 6-foot-7 350-pound lineman rushes for 3 TDs
Hopefully your team doesn't need to prepare for this on Thursdays.The excitement. The nerves. The intrigue. The butterflies. The day before!
What does your Thursday practice look like? Is it just like every other day of the week? Or do you dial down the length and intensity of the practice, and go more in to "game mode?"
That's the way many programs around the nation do it. They go helmets only, put on the game jerseys, and focus more on the mental side of the game than the physical side of the game. That is exactly how I like to handle Thursday practice. I have seen it done different ways at different places I have been and have picked up some different ideas from different head coaches I worked for, or different friends in the business.
A few years ago I shared this script idea (see below) with a head coach I was working for as his special teams coordinator. He loved it, and we instituted it right away. Our philosophy was to simulate a game in terms of getting kids on and off the field. By Thursday, you should have all of your teaching done. If you're still teaching things on Thursday, I believe you're going to be in for a long Friday night.
The transitions in football can be brutal to a team that doesn't practice them. A big punt block for a touchdown, a lost onside kick - those things can turn a game around. Do you practice how to get through that stuff?
We have a 34 minute practice. It goes very quick to simulate game night. Coaches are on the sidelines except when we need to help the scout teams. We want to put some mental duress on the kids during this 34 minutes. Again, to get their brains to think about the game.
Our kids wear their helmet, their game jersey and a pair of shorts. If they wear gloves on Friday night, we want them wearing gloves on Thursday. It make zero sense not to. Many coaches overlook even this detail.
Full equipment is not necessary for a Thursday practice if you make it more of a mental day.
Photo by Ming Chung Lin
Our script is below. The first column is what we are focusing on. The next column tells our coaching staff what needs to be set up. For instance, if "Defense 3 plays" is coming up, and you aren't a defensive coach, then you better be setting up that offensive scout team while the kickoff is happening. And a coach on the sidelines should be setting up a scout team pro style punt team while the defense is out there for 3 minutes, because that is the next thing. The staff must talk through this script before implementing it. Assign every coach a job. No standing around. You better make sure every coach has a copy of the script with them during the practice.
Kickoff --- Need Return Team 1
Defense 3 plays --- Need Offense 3
Punt return (SWORD) --- Need Pro Style Punt Team 1
Offense 3 plays --- On Air 3
Punt - To pin inside 10 No Defense --- On Air 1
Defense 3 plays --- Need Offense 3
Punt return (RALPH) --- Need Pro Style Punt Team 1
Offense 3 plays, Score TD --- On Air 3
PAT 1 time No Defense --- On Air 1
HALFTIME --- HALFTIME 2
Kick Return/Macho Man --- Need Kickoff Team 1
All State Team --- Need Kickoff Team 1
Offense 3 plays --- On Air 3
Punt, Fake --- Need Defense 1
Defense 3 plays --- Need Offense 3
Punt Return (LOUIE) --- Need Pro Style Punt Team 1
Offense, Goal line --- Need Defense 3
PAT, ? Times No Defense --- On Air 2
I love this script. It ensures that you aren't forgetting anything. Make sure you don't overthink it. You can get that paralysis by analysis if you put in too many things to work through. It's important to put your team in a variety of positions, but you can't practice EVERY one of them the day before every game.
Be smart, and be wise about your time and the team's focus.
Chris Fore is a veteran Head Football Coach and Athletic Director from Southern California. He consults coaches and programs nationwide through his business Eight Laces Consulting.
