Pad Popping!

There is something magical about the first day in pads.  Today, we began the process of separating the men form the boys (to use and old cliche)  As usual, it is always interesting to see the kids as they dress out in full equipment for the first time.  Some of the kids just look good in equipment....period.  We had the usual issues with players not being familiar with the equipment, and the usual missing mouth pieces, but all in all it was a good day.  I had a great surprise today.  John Calhoun (University of Miami) and JD Pierce (Webber) visited practice and helped me out with the RB's.  I loved the help.  It was great to see JD.  He blew out the ACL on his knee early in his senior year; therefore, he really missed the entire season.  The surgeons did a great job, and he is playing college ball right now.  Big John played 5 years ( at fullback) for Miami, and he is starting law school in the fall.  I got PAID today.  Every coach will understand what I just said. 

I worked the QB's and RB's during our "Indy" or individual period.  I love the Indy period, and I usually get in some good teaching during this period.  This is my time to develop a good working relationship with the kids.  Not much yelling going on during this period.  Usually, all you here is the voices of the coaches instructing the players on technique.  We follow the practice plans pretty closely.  Before practice, Bethel will give each coach a practice plan for the day.  The entire practice is usually divided into different periods which will begin exactly on time.  In our case (the offense) we have specific plays of the day which we will usually introduce during our Indy period.  When we come together as "unit"  the entire unit will be up to speed on what we are trying to accomplish for the day.  A practice plan looks something like this: 

2:45 Pre-Practice
3:00  Team Stretch
3:20:  Score/pursuit
3:30  Indy
3:50  Together
4:00  Special teams
4: 20  7 on 7  Passing
4:45  Unit O / Unit D
5:05  TEAM O vs Team D
5:30  Off 

Each section of the practice plan has specific instructions for each position.  When we come together as "TEAM" the entire offensive series is scripted.  The practice times MAY vary a little bit, but it is usually pretty close.

I hate to cut this short, but I am falling asleep at the keyboard.  We scrimmage in the morning.  I will write something good  tomorrow. 

GZ