Sample Traditional Approach Season Plan Week 1 (preseason) Practice 1 Practice 2 Practice 3 Practice Introduce basic offensive skills for all position groups that support inside running plays (power game); introduce basic skills for special teams that focus on the punt. Introduce basic defensive skills for all position groups; review basic special teams skills from practice 1, focusing on the punt. Introduce basic offensive skills that support passing (the short game) based on the offensive installation schedule; introduce basic skills for special teams that focus on the punt Ball Security Running to the Gap Drive Block Double-Team Block Protection Coverage Zone Pass Drops Reads and Reactions in Zone Pass Coverage Pursuit Angles Protection Coverage Releases the Defending Against the Bullets
Week 1 (preseason) (continued) Practice 4 Practice 5 Practice 6 Build on skills from practice 2 by adding new skills based on the defensive installation schedule; review basic special teams skills from practice 3, focusing on the punt Build on the offensive skills from practice 1 by focusing on skills that support perimeter running plays for all position groups (speed game); continue to refine special teams by working on the kickoff. Introduce skills to defend the option; review basic special teams skills from practice 5, focusing on the kickoff. Man Pass Coverage Pass Rush the Defending Against the Bullets Option Pitch Mechanics Ball Security Running to Daylight Reach Block Down Block Double-Team Block Kickoff Kickoff Coverage Playing Force on Kick Coverage Open-Field Tackling Feathering Linebacker Reads Force Kickoff Kickoff Coverage Playing Force on Kick Coverage Open-Field Tackling
Week 1 (preseason) (continued) Practice 7 Practice 8 Practice 9 Build on the skills from practice 3 by adding skills that support offensive passing (the long game) based on the offensive installation schedule; continue to refine special teams skills by focusing on the kickoff The primary focus of this practice is to refine tackling mechanics; this is the first opportunity for live tackles. Reserve time for gap plays and deep balls, and refine special teams skills from practice 7, kickoff Build on practice 5 by focusing on skills that support misdirection running plays; focus special teams on PAT. Throwing Progression of Receivers Releases Reach Block the Kickoff Wedge Return Tackling Spilling Blocks Force the Kickoff Wedge Return Center-Quarterback Exchange Ball Security Running to the Gap Evading Tacklers Down Block Pulling Place Kick PAT and FG Protection Short Snap Holding for the Place Kick
Week 1 (preseason) (continued) Practice 10 Week 2 (preseason) Practice 11 Practice 12 This practice focuses on both the offense and the defense. Emphasize full-contact drills in gradually larger groups (two-on-two, inside run); reserve time for a controlled team scrimmage. Build on practice 9 by focusing on skills that support playaction routes; build on practice 2 special teams skills. Instruct defense on down and distance; review special teams skills from practice 11, focusing on the punt. Picking Up the Blitz Hard Corner Route Adjustments Combination Block Press Man Route Adjustments Blitzing Pass Rush Evading Tacklers Faking Progression of Receivers Reach Blocking Against Defensive Movement Protection Coverage Sky Corner Press Man Coverage Defending the Play-Action Pass Defending the Draw Play Playing Third and 12 Protection Coverage Sky Corner
Week 2 (preseason) (continued) Practice 13 Practice 14 Build on skills from previous passing practices by refining the passing game; focus special teams on the kickoff. Build on defensive practices by refining the defensive game; refine the kickoff for special teams. Practice 15 Pads Build on skills from previous running practices. Focus special teams on the kickoff Throwing Releases Picking Up the Blitz Crossing Route vs. Man Crossing Route vs. ZoneReach vs. Gap Exchange Against a Twist Onside Kick Tackling Pass Rush Taking the Inside Rush Choosing the Spill or Squeeze Reacting When Unblocked by the Tackle Zone Pass Drops Free Kick Onside Kick Drive Block Reach Block Pass Run Option Scramble Curl Route Adjustments on the Edge Onside Kick the Kickoff Wedge Return
Week 2 (preseason) (continued) Practice 16 In-season Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays and shoulder and shoulder Conduct a game-style scrimmage (include officials and simulate an overtime). Review scouting report on next opponent; run opponent s offensive plays on your defense (walk-through of carded plays). Review special teams, hurry-up offense, conditioning. Review individual offensive skills; review crossover in groups, seven-on-seven, inside run; review special teams; conduct team vs. scouts scrimmage with emphasis on offensive blocking adjustments and defensive alignments and reactions. Review individual defensive skills; review crossover in groups, seven-on-seven, pass rush; review special teams; conduct team vs. scouts scrimmage with emphasis on down and distance, red zone, goal line. Review game plan; review special teams.