Deliberate Practice with co-host Andy Ryland is a weekly podcast which will run throughout the season. Activity does not always equal achievement. Deliberate Practice is focused on a specific topic for the week and then an explanation of how to drill the different aspects of those skills and schemes. Included in each week’s conversation are specific drills/practice considerations for offense, defense, and special teams.

Confidence

Heading into this week of the season, the focus is on confidence. This is a time where a team is starting to settle in and gain confidence in what they do on the field. However, it could also be a time where a team needs to find some confidence. The show focuses on strategies to help players find confidence on offense, defense, or special teams.

Offense

01:33 Focus on the quarterback

01:45 Half side drill

02:32 Keys to the set-up to build confidence

00:32 The quarterback must do all of his progression work

04:15 How to build in cues for the part of progression not being run

04:50 Application of ideas to one on one

05:11 Giving the QB control of the calls in the drill to gain understanding of his confidence

06:13 Helping as the coach and set-up of the drill and variations

06:56 Keep the pressure on the timing

07:32 Learning about the QB’s development by what he calls

08:13 Coach understanding vs. player understanding

08:41 Confidence level of players in each other

09:00 Andrew Coverdale’s “Like it/Love it” list

10:04 Tom Brady and Peyton Manning

10:45 Extending quarterback input into the team script in practice

11:28 "What were you thinking?”

11:45 Chemistry through player and the QB developed in practice

Defense

12:23 Building confidence in the safeties and communication

12:45 Adding a competition element

13:19 Let the safety be the quarterback of the defense

14:21 Quarters coverage checks example

15:22 Feeling good about checks and using others as a change-up

16:04 Make sure you allow for debrief between groups

17:25 What did you see? What did that mean to you?

18:41 Making calls that supports the players

19:03 The debrief period/feedback

19:30 Using tempo with planned breaks that simulate the pace of the game

Special Teams

20:30 Developing the punt returner’s confidence in order to win hidden yardage

21:00 Limitations of the tradition

22:17 The pressure catch drill

23:27 The drill set-up and variations to give a game-like feel

Conclusion

26:06 Building confidence at every position

26:58 The importance of the debrief

27:20 Play to your players strength