Call What You Practice. Practice What You Call.
You might be surprised at how many football teams practice something different than what they call in the actual game. Yes, it is as counterproductive as you think it probably is. However; this mistake can creep into an offense or defense quicker than you think. Special teams coaches are usually not as guilty because they never get enough practice time. (we digress). A good football practice must be planned out.
This is why good coordinators chart the number of reps that they practice for a particular play or defense. They also chart the number of times that same play or defense was called in the game. This tells them if they are dedicating practice time wisely. It takes a lot of disciple to do this and it can be humbling when the stats show you are not giving your players a chance because of practice reps.
We are not just talking about your group or team periods either. If a coordinator is not careful, the offensive line coach will be working the heck out of a down down and around scheme. The only problem is you expect to throw three step passes 30% of the time. It is obviously important for the head coach and or the offensive coordinator to have a plan. This way you will know ahead of time what needs to be taught in your individual periods.
Your Football Practice Should Look Like What You Call In Your Game
As a youth football coach you have to be even more alert for this. It’s just common sense. Your coaching staff does not have as much time together and may be teaching what they know. Unfortunately, that might not be the techniques you need to be successful in the game.
It is hard for your players to understand when they are asked to go to a team period and execute a technique they have never been taught. It is also confusing for a player when they work their tails off on a technique in individual period and get to group period and never use it. This happens all the time in a youth football practice. Flag football coaches… We are looking at you too.
Keep your practices practical. Practice what will be needed in a team period or more importantly in the game that week. Don’t practice something just to practice it. Not going to throw the ball much? Take that into consideration as you plan time for your receivers to work on catching as opposed to blocking.
12 Youth Football Offenses To Consider
Once again, this seems like common sense, but you would be surprised. Coaches are creatures of habit. They teach what they know and what they are used to teaching. As the head coach, it’s your job to make sure that what your team is learning will be practical when they reach the game field.
Remember: Call what you practice and practice what you call…
FirstDown PlayBook offers you 6 different defenses for your youth football team. You should consider one or two of these for your Pop Warner defense. Tap on any one of the tiles below to visit the article describing that formation. After reading the article then go join FirstDown PlayBook and get busy coaching your Pop Warner team with the best football playbook available!
