The purpose of practice is to prepare an offense to be successful each week against all opponents. The main objectives of a practice are scheme development and the improvement of players’ condition and technique. Many components in practice organization vary from team to team in regard to offensive scheme, philosophy and personnel.

In this module, pre-practice organization will be presented as it relates to a no-huddle four-wide-receiver spread offense. The no-huddle practice is similar to a traditional practice with the exception of attention to tempo and repetitions. The no-huddle has emerged into a high-tempo style in recent years, and if a team can’t practice fast, then it can’t play fast.

Each day, practice begins with a pre-practice period where players warm up their legs while doing certain drills to improve technique and get reps at game-specific situations, all while listening to loud music that is selected for the day. Offensive linemen are doing their everyday individual drills, which includes sled work, footwork and such.

A noose passing drill is done daily. The centers snap shotgun to the quarterbacks, who throw the ball to the receiver’s shoulder away from the nearest defender to develop the receiver’s trust in turning away from the defender. The receivers work on release, hand battles and dropping the hips to cut, knife upfield and catch the ball high and tight.

Another pre-practice drill is a warm-up pat and go, where we throw one-step fades, and receivers catch the ball about 15 to 18 yards downfield. They work hard staying on track and adjusting late to the ball.

Another pre-practice drill is to run short throws that include a variety of routes. Bubbles and wide receiver screens can be thrown during this time. All of these drills are rotated and done within three to five minutes.

Next on the daily list is to do play development (PDs) in which specific plays from the 10- or 15-yard line going in are practiced. Five quarterbacks are throwing to five receivers, and they must score and practice all technical details of each pattern and receiver techniques. This period is ramped up with effort, and the players should be going full speed and giving full effort.

After each player catches the ball and scores, he sprints back and snaps the ball for the next group to run the route called. If a pass is incomplete, and the ball needs to be retrieved or a coach must be ready to yell for another ball and get in position to snap it to maintain tempo. Each day cocuses on different routes to develop.

Stretch

The pre-practice routine to warm up the players’ bodies, while getting lots of work done to improve repetition, is used at the top levels of competition. Basic everyday drills are done in pre-practice to warm up the legs, and then dynamic stretching is implemented for seven to eight minutes at the beginning of each practice.

The stretch at Saddleback is done in a dynamic way (with music playing as in pre-practice) with very little static stretch occurring. By the end of this short period, the players are ready for full effort throughout the rest of practice.

Install

The offensive implementation period is where any new plays or concepts that need to be taught for that week are discussed with the entire offense and run against air. Game plans, tempos, new series and any unique play adjustments to the no-huddle are introduced at this time. This offensive period is practiced on Tuesdays only.

During this period, scout players are given their wristbands and explained the nuances of the defense that they will be simulating during the next week.

Individuals

Individuals are fundamental techniques that need to be developed, and we keep up the effort through tempo. These periods vary in what is accomplished in each period.

On Tuesdays, the offensive line works on pass pro technique while running backs get individual work on drills and cut blocking, and wide receivers are with the quarterbacks working on pattern development.

On Wednesdays, the quarterbacks are with the running backs working handoffs for the first five minutes. The running backs are with the offensive line for the next five minutes. The wide receivers and quarterbacks are working individual drills at a high pace, and the quarterbacks are throwing vertical and back shoulder throws for the last five minutes.

Conclusion

Teams looking to run a fast-paced, no-huddle offense needs to practice that way, Use your periods so they are all laced with effort, passion and intensity.

Develop a routine and get the players moving. One the routine is set, it rarely has to be adjusted, through it could be altered slightly if the situation requires it.

G. Mark McElroy is the head coach at Saddleback College. He also has served as an assistant coach at Brigham young University and Whitworth College as well as on the high school level.