Spring Practice Begins...

[birdcol]

JB, or anybody who knows for sure....
Is the public welcomed to go to the local high schools of their choice, and watch spring practices? Or are they closed? I know that college coaches attend spring practices...I would like to head out to a few schools and sit in the bleachers and watch. I am new to tgis area. In Texas, spring practices at high schools had MANY people watching each afternoon in May! What do yal think...and if it is ok, will I be the only one there?

 

[DuckDitchTiger]

I am not an expert, but most schools in the Lowcountry have open practices. The only one I know of that doesn't is Ashley Ridge.

 

[Rod Dangerfield]

Only the holier than thou programs close any of their practices in S.C.

 

[dacoach]

It is purely at the discretion of the coach. I have been to schools where the head guy didn't give a rip who was on the sideline or bleachers, and I've been to schools where we wouldn't even stretch if there was an "unknown" person watching. A couple times an assistant or SRO has been sent to identify and either allow him to stay or escorted off campus.

Would be a gentleman's thing to do and give the head coach a heads up (call or email) that you are coming, or atleast (when you arrive) you let someone know who you are and that you're just watching for the love of the game.

That brings up another interesting question... what's everyone's opinion of Spring practice? Some coaches use it as conditioning, some use it to install new offenses, and others use it to spit-shine what they already do. If YOU were the head man in charge, what would YOU use Spring ball for?

 

[BallCoach17]

That question can be answered differently depending on school and situation. If you're the new guy, you need spring to install your systems and maybe even to try and drum up some interest in the program in general. In some places, unfortunately, you need spring to teach fundamentals.

 

[Bearcat77]

Only the holier than thou programs close any of their practices in S.C.

I know one coach does that in the up state area, he thinks all the schools are trying to steal his plays. (ha-ha)

 

[ShivaBlast]

Very true, BallCoach. I've always looked at Spring Practice as a combination of heavy evaluation (seeing the rising Freshmen for the first time, teaching them the basics of your system, seeing who fits where, etc.) and reviewing the basics in a way that is exciting and fun (so as to drum up interest from the hall-walkers who may be considering football and want to use Spring as a way of dipping their toe in the pool to see if the water is nice). I have been in situations where the school is in such dire straights that it has to coach fundamentals, and if you're a coach in that situation, then you already have an idea of what your season is going to look like. I've also seen several times situations where a new coach comes in with a new offensive regime, and Spring is spent installing and fine-tuning the playbook signature plays and essentials.

 

[amosmouzon]

JB will you be at Ft. Dorchester's spring game on May 22?

 

[birdcol]

Only the holier than thou programs close any of their practices in S.C.

And which teams would they be? I am in the upstate this week and low country next week...

 

[birdcol]

I know one coach does that in the up state area, he thinks all the schools are trying to steal his plays. (ha-ha)

Do tell!!

 

[birdcol]

Do tell!!

Or at least give a hint!!

 

[birdcol]

It is purely at the discretion of the coach. I have been to schools where the head guy didn't give a rip who was on the sideline or bleachers, and I've been to schools where we wouldn't even stretch if there was an "unknown" person watching. A couple times an assistant or SRO has been sent to identify and either allow him to stay or escorted off campus.

Would be a gentleman's thing to do and give the head coach a heads up (call or email) that you are coming, or atleast (when you arrive) you let someone know who you are and that you're just watching for the love of the game.

That brings up another interesting question... what's everyone's opinion of Spring practice? Some coaches use it as conditioning, some use it to install new offenses, and others use it to spit-shine what they already do. If YOU were the head man in charge, what would YOU use Spring ball for?

Good Idea on the email..and I'll let him know I'll be wearing my favorite yellow ball cap so he will k ow who I am!! Thanks!!
And if I were the head man, I would really want to use the time to do much more than conditioning. I would be wasting my returning and starters time by not working on plays and schemes for the season! Yet basics are also very important for first time varsity players....and back ups..we all know that actually playing on Varsity is a BIG change from JV! If I had the staff, I would evaluate each kid and separate them into groups that would work on what they need For the first week, integrating them all together and have the last week to scrimmage game situations..