Welcome, Coaches to the Tuesday Night #swarmfbchat We are talking "must do's" at practice - what keeps your kids focused and ready to go! Feel free to say HI and follow someone new tonight. Use our hashtag in all tweets - like/retweet as much as you want!
As always, feel free to follow-up with a coach if you want more info on a tweet you read. We ask Qs on the 7s - we utilize the Q1/A1 format. Welcome! Let's be chatty tonight and steal some great ideas. #swarmfbchat
A1 post practice plan on scout board along with scripts 2. pre practice meeting 5 min highlighting goals expectations, theme for the day . No secrets hated not knowing as a player we r in this together so let’s be together #swarmfbchat
A1: Prepractice walk through covering opponents top formations and plays.... we then do dynamic in position groups and get together at the very end to run the bags, we break and BURST to first session which has to be ready to go
#swarmfbchat@rmacblue
A1: guard reads, always more guard reads. Also I LOVE coming out at different times during pre practice to keep them on their toes. They say if I’m staring at my watch, trouble is coming “because we should’ve started already.” #swarmfbchat
A1: I've always liked taking a few minutes in the locker room to go over the practice plan. I also like going over new drills (team drills) before heading out. #swarmfbchat
A1: We have a short team meeting every single day before we go outside. I feel like it helps gets focused on the goals of the day. Going to add film to that meeting this season so we can point out quick positives and negatives from the day before. #swarmfbchat
A1: Pre-practice for us consists of Specialist getting reps in, and QB's going through their fundamentals with each other. The left overs sometimes will have instructions from indi coach on stuff they want them to work on. #swarmfbchat
A1: while warming up I will quiz them on items in the scouting report. During the period 2 times a week we also get to watch film which gets them@locked in as well. #swarmfbchat
A1: Every practice begins with a team meeting. We review/install new concepts and preview the practice plan. Once on field, begin practice with individual pre-practice drills, then flex by position. TTO right afterward to set the tempo! #swarmfbchat
A1: in AZ we are on a time limit with practices due to heat. So we usually don't have pre-practice routines. I would like the boys to work long snapping and shot gun snaps if they get out early. Also like to see receivers catching the ball and kickers kicking #swarmfbchat
A1: We have a pre-practice meeting. Our warm-up has some #juice and our start of practice is routine, so our kids know what is going on and can be "in the moment!" #swarmfbchat
Try to lighten the mood, joke and ask kids how their day was. We will also try to have a 5-10 walk thru period for the 1st team guys and guys who rotate in. Very beneficial if playing a different type of team or a team you may have checks with. Kids bought into it #swarmfbchat
A1 Pre practice we have 5 min of walk through followed 5 min of “law of extra” by position they work with a partner on their craft can be anything . Give them ownership #swarmfbchat
A1 cont: we always did alignment and assignment in pre practice in college. And if you were late for pre practice you didn’t get all the A&A. That kept us on OUR toes. Always a minor little thing you’d miss! #swarmfbchat
A1 pt 2.) I like to ask my DBacks what they noticed on film study on their own time and what advantage points they have based off of film. #swarmfbchat
A1. Like to do pass drops & work on INT’s with my GBLB’s. Or do a series of agility moves (drops, shuffles, 45’s, sprint) to get loose & ready.
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A1: We bring all the kids into a big huddle so the HC can set goals, challenges, and needs out of the day's practice so the players know what is expected of them that particular day. #swarmfbchat
A1: we do hand fighting and some block avoidance stuff to get them moving a little. This stuff also works their eyes. Tackle ring too. All before our dynamic warm ups. #swarmfbchat
Every defensive practice we start with a team pursuit drill. That is followed by a short alignment period. This sets the tone of what we expect.
#swarmfbchat#playwithanEdge
A2: We switched to a 1 position team last season, so each individual coach has everyday to build relationships with their guys. As a head coach I try and let them have freedom with their relationship with the units. #swarmfbchat
A2: I like to joke around with my guys - let them have some fun while stretching out or getting loose. Nothing specific, but it's good to just see how their day was - check for any withdrawn guys. #swarmfbchat
A2: We have DB film at a house after practice. I host the first one and maybe more, but parents have us over and we eat dinner and then go over position film as that group. If we earn a playoff bye, that week's dinner is at Chuck E Cheese. #swarmfbchat
A2With the DB’s we come up with a theme identity, handshakes and each kid gets a nickname. We also spend 5 minutes each practice on hip mobility and that is chance to just talk about anything but football. As a head coach u miss out on that i ❤️that part #swarmfbchat
Regardless of who is a prime time player or who isn’t, I try to make sure to talk to all my guys and see how they are doing. I think you build those relationships more off-season than anything. The kids know if you truly value them as a person. I LOVE OUR players #swarmfbchat
A2: I talk a lot from what I understand (I don’t agree). So generally a dumb story rises to the surface and the kids poke a little fun at coach. Impressions always keep me laughing too. They’re actually pretty good #swarmfbchat
A2: each position group is named/has a mascot that the players pick and announce to the rest of the team. The D watches film together at a rotating senior’s house with food! #swarmfbchat
A2. We break with “GBLB” everyday. Other positions try to copy it. 😂
Even hear it in the weight room, at Basketball games, & at wrestling matches.
Have T-shirts made each season for my LBs.
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If you don’t get the players laughing before practice and having some fun then they won’t want to work. Let them get loose and enjoy themselves while working! #swarmfbchat
A2 We try and take a picture after every game win or loss wish I would have started doing it earlier in my career, open and honest communication with each other, and pre game moments together have always been special #swarmfbchat
A2 might sound weird but each week we pick a DB to wear a Batman mask during Thursday warmups because we he is the Dark Night and the D is the dark side #swarmfbchat
A2: It's not something I plan out, but we try have fun in our Indy time. We can joke or laugh at someone's (including my own) mistakes or brain lapses. I talk about myself to them, my mistakes or fun stories. I don't yell and scream, we just work & are a family. #swarmfbchat
A2 cont. Also keep it light during down times with our group. Check with each one each day in the weight room, & they come up with a pregame handshake each season. #swarmfbchat
A2: I just consistently communicate with my guys via group chat and we always have a brief meeting as a position group after every practice/game to discuss grows and glows #swarmfbchat
A3 Any of the DL not involved in SPT are back with me for INDY. We get so much more work in with the guys that aren’t on SPT and those minutes add up over the year. #swarmfbchat
A3: each coach takes an aspect during this time one has front line KR blocks, one has snappers, one has kickers, one puts a scout team together, if a player is not used, they go with DL coach and work a tackle or agility circuit (got that from NDSU) #swarmfbchat
A3: I've struggled with this - which is why I asked :) It's hard to get full reps for multiple players - you have to make an honest effort to get all players reps on ST. I just don't have a good answer. #swarmfbchat
A3 in the summer we do no specials scheme. Only focus on skills sets for each phase. Every coach is charge of a position n every player w exception of OL play one position on all specials this makes it 100 % participation every day n all specials n kids develop skill #swarmfbchat
A3: When we do scout kick return we always have a fatty return team. But next season we need to do a better job with activities during ST. Too many coaches and players Huddle's on sideline. #swarmfbchat
A3: We have a lot of our coaches that aren't teachers, so some miss the first minutes of pre-prac and specials period first thing as well, so we may not be at full staff for first 15 min, but those that are there grab their kids not participating and do indi work. #swarmfbchat
A3: Always try to have individual drills going on with the players who aren’t involved on certain special teams. For example, while working on KO/KOR, OL/DL are in individuals. #swarmfbchat
A3 stole this from @NIU_Football every player must be a 1 or 2 on 1 special teams by end of summer in order to start at an o or D position . This gets me fighting for the L5 on kick off #swarmfbchat
A3: I'll stand back with the punt returners for our scout unit and rotate four to six guys in that spot. Keeps those kids engaged in practice, and gives them a chance to make a play in practice. #swarmfbchat
Early in year extra install or Indy but mid way through let the big boys field punts /kickoffs and block punts. Can’t beat the big boys down all the time #swarmfbchat
A3: not “special teams” but we do a drill called ‘uptempo’. Every position does it. There’s a tackle, a strip, a scoop/score, and a catch. Seen it work several times in game action. RB ran 50 yds on his own fumble and made a game saving tackle a few years back. #SwarmFbchat
A3) Early in camp/season our ST Coach has a great drill that involves all players-gunners, 2 blockers, ball carrier - shows who will run hard down field, who can break down, who blocks in space #swarmfbchat
We always breakdown every practice with playmakers and triangle. I coach the safeties, and i tell them all the time how they are the heart and soul of the 4-2-5
#swarmfbchat#playwithanEdge
A3: We start every practice with a special teams Indy. Returners catch kicks, kickers and punters kick, skill guys work on shedding and avoiding blocks, and OLine has Indy. Everyone does something. Then we come together and work 2 units 11 on 11. #swarmfbchat
A1: Offensively, we used pre-practice to work screens & tempo. Going to add a 5 min. Pre-Pre Practice period for position coaches to go over individual & group goals for the day with their position groups.
#swarmfbchat#gahsfbchat
Q4: What is a MUST DO during your FULL TEAM period that keeps ALL players involved/focused? This seems to be the time where trouble brews on the sidelines. #swarmfbchat
A3: If you are not apart of the special teams unit being worked, you are back on defensive indy. I have a laugh when you get freshmen JV 3rd string punt team players hovering over by the varsity unit to avoid going back to indy. #swarmfbchat
A3: We have; kickers, snappers, and returners working, and our OL/DL are down in pit working during SPT Indy. When we work on our individual teams, we run 1st and 2nds, a scout, and our OL/DL are in the pit, if not on a team! #swarmfbchat
A4: We generally split our kids up so that JV kids get work on air/scout; we really try to roll backups when doing Team sessions. When starters come out, I make them coach up their backups. #swarmfbchat
A4: with O’s going so fast we TRY to have two full O’s going rapid fire. So when they’re out they’re getting the next play. Same with #2 D. They’re splitting time. So there are bodies moving everywhere. Better lock in! #swarmfbchat
Q4: What is a MUST DO during your FULL TEAM period that keeps ALL players involved/focused? This seems to be the time where trouble brews on the sidelines. #swarmfbchat
A4.) We have our 1’s on O vs a Scout D. On the other side of the field our 2’s are running vs another Scout D. We’re running roughly 40 guys so it keeps everyone engaged and off the sideline #SwarmFbchat
A4: We usually do not have too many guys on the sideline. With everyone playing 1 position, we get alot of 1s versus 1s. We play our system and got after it. Lots of situations. Less worry about what the other team does and focus on what we do! #swarmfbchat
A4: Try to incorporate special teams & sudden change situations during full team. Helps keep everyone on their toes, even if they’re not a rotational player on offense or defense. Scout team coaches also substitute as much as possible to keep those guys fresh. #swarmfbchat
If your not a 1 on D but start on O your scout team and vice versa. Creates good vs good. Always allows for different guys to rotate in more often. Our kids also are directly behind scout rather than on sidelines quick rotations in and out #swarmfbchat
Q4: What is a MUST DO during your FULL TEAM period that keeps ALL players involved/focused? This seems to be the time where trouble brews on the sidelines. #swarmfbchat
A4: With our #'s between D and scout, there are not a lot of spares. Keeping everyone locked in usually comes after the first guy gets subbed in and makes a mistake we have already corrected. The tone of our team sessions gets set very early in the season. #swarmfbchat
A4: We implement "Sudden Change" & Special Teams within our Team script. During offense, Punt & PAT & KO must be on alert. During defense, Punt Return, PAT Block & KO Return are on alert. Can be called at any time.
#swarmfbchat#gahsfbchat
A4 we have 2 scout teams posted allows for 22 -30 kids to rotate in, its denoted on practice script. Also have “show time” segment where the o/d that wins the situation wins a sticker for their helmet. That was huge motivation but expensive #swarmfbchat
A4. We started doing a whole team modified “scrimmage” with 1’s vs Scouts. Switching between D & O every 4-6 plays. Will throw an occasional special team in also. Keeps everyone engaged & still allows us to get our team work in with movin the ball up & down field. #swarmfbchat
A4: We introduced Pods this year in lieu of 11 v 11 team sessions. That way, every position group is working fast-paced, sessions with as every sub group getting reps. #swarmfbchat
I talk with a few coaches about this . Seems intriguing some don’t even use opponent scout D use their scheme up until big district games Trinity catholic in Kentucky I believe #swarmfbchat
We will mix in some specials. Also We will sub often, we have guys that are getting two reps to the starters 4/5. Also we have had times when we say to the guys on the side if they aren’t switching in on scout every three plays they have to run.
#swarmfbchat#playwithanEdge
Agree with a bunch a guys above, solid beats to warm up to followed by a competition period of situational football. Get everything thinking right away and get everyone excited to get going #swarmfbchat
A5: Head Coach - DC - position coach. Each has a break. LB’s have always had their own break. Sometimes you just let them go too “I’ve got nothing, go home!” But sometimes you’ve got quite a bit lol #swarmfbchat
A5) look em in the eyes and tell them the truth! But we always shake hands and we look each player in the eyes and it gives you a chance to remind them good job/get better/keep working/etc... #swarmfbchat
A5: I stole this from UM practices when I attended them - have position coach meetings at the end of practice for this purpose. Good to get the pulse of the guys once practice is over. #swarmfbchat
Q5: This year we are going to extend our practice into our film room. We film everything, so we’ll watch 10 min offense, 10 min defense from that day. Then finish with opponent for that week. #swarmfbchat
A5: Players meet with their position coaches after practice for a debrief of what went well, what still needs work, etc. I meet with captains once or twice per week for our leadership discussion. #swarmfbchat
I’ve said this before but we film every practice. We will meet certain days for front 6 and back 5. Then one day bring altogether. Will review opponent film as well as practice film. Will also send out hudl notes each night of the days practice #swarmfbchat
A5 Each day has a different theme ie effort wed. We have a coach on “Effort patrol” +\- each play during team on Effort at end we run a perfect 40 for each total minuses if any. Kids don’t know who is on Effort patrol so it works #swarmfbchat
A5: We had a player of the day and gave them an NFL pennant for their locker. Next season we need more team building at the end of practice. We are usually very hot at the end of practice, running to the AC. #swarmfbchat
#swarmfbchat A5:film. Simple as that. This goes back to other question. We build relationships and trust in the film room. Teach them how to watch film. Joke around. Tell stories about the good old days. Talk about schemes. We don’t pull any punches: perfect or not?
A5: Hudl has been a great tool! We made position groups on their for messages and film stuff for practice and opponents. We also use it to communicate with the whole team and the like it and use it! Coaches are asked to use it as much as possible but also set a min. #swarmfbchat
Sorry for being late to the party.
Kevin Stein, HC @ Grand Island Northwest
A1: We meet quickly with Individual position coaches to talk through practice plan and set expectations.
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A1. 3 downs of no huddle. D aligns on barrels, get call, execute and chase rabbit, to whistle. Sprint 25 yds to another set of barrels and get call on run. It's a 5 min period. 3 downs for each group...1s, 2s, and 3s. #swarmfbchat
A5: We have no Post-Practice. Tues & Wed, most groups have a position film session, so get out so we can get there and get home. Thursday is Team Dinner! Some kids will stay after to work on something, like a few extra catches or G Reads, but on their own. #swarmfbchat
A5.) Individual meetings with position groups. A refresher on what was learned and what else can change from their thoughts from opponent film #SwarmFbchat
A2: 2 Defensive Assistant Position Coaches last year started there own 'Break' at the end of Indi time. Players really bought into in. Surprised me, but it was good.
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A3. Anyone not involved in spec ops goes with their pos coach for more Indy. If their pos coach is involved in spec ops team, they go with another pos coach for tackling #swarmfbchat
A5 start each Monday with 3 questions
1. What r recognizing that we doing well
2. What r we recognizing that we need improvement on
3. What e we ignoring that will hurt our culture and get us beat?
Not rhetorical let them talk
2 ears 1 mouth for a reason #swarmfbchat
A5: Our practice plan has notes prior, then during practice, I add or remove, and our Asst. Coaches speak before me at the end and I add to their points or observe the team and adjust accordingly. #swarmfbchat
A4: Defensively we really never allow our 1 ways guys to just stand on the sideline and watch the offense we we replicate what we do on gameday emphasize key’s, technique’s alignment’s & assignments #Trainedbehaviorbecomesinstinct#swarmfbchat
A3: We are not 'hard core' on special teams, stay basic and not shoot ourselves in the foot. But if you are not involved during that time...you go do drill work with Indi Position coaches. Nobody is on the sidelines. #swarmfbchat
