Football: Practice Policies and Procedures

You're only as good a the way you practice. If you allow your players to "slop through it" in practice, then that's what you will get in a game. Practice does not make perfect if you're practicing bad habits. What you will find in the end will be perfectly bad players.

The things I have listed below are not new. They have withstood the test of time and been used by truly great coaches at all levels. After you go over this list, you might want to put it on a large sign and post it in the locker room.

This list is meant as a starting point. Many coaches will find they will need to add or subtract from it to fit their own unique situation.

PRACTICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

1. Players never walk. Once they hit the field, they hit it running. They must run between drills and always run on and off the field.

2. Players always tell their position coach if they’re injured. Then report to the trainer.

3. Players always pay attention to their position when not involved in a drill. They should know any and all corrections the coach has made by the time it’s their turn to perform.

4. Players talk with their helmets. No trash talking, cursing or fighting. If a fight does break out, no other players jump in. (I blow my whistle three times and everyone takes a knee). Let the coaches break it up.

5. Players never criticize a teammate when he makes a mistake.

6. Defensive and offensive players never ridicule or make fun of teammates on either side of the ball.

7. Players must know the tempo of a drill. Not all drills will be full speed. Especially drills involving the quarterback. Defensive players must be aware when the QB is not live.

8. Defensive players must communicate with one another. Yell “pass”, “draw”, “ball”, etc, etc.

9. Players keep their helmets on with their chin straps snapped unless told otherwise.

10. Players practice to get better, not just to endure it.

11. Players learn to overcome fatigue by mentally shutting it out. –“Fatigue makes cowards of us all”– is only true if you allow it to be.

12. Players practice with all the equipment required in a game. This includes knee pads, hip pads and mouth pieces.

13. When not in a drill players may “take a knee”. But, never sit on the ground or equipment.