Do they watch too much film?

[chirurgo]

When I played we watched film of our performance the day after the game on VHS. We learned all the things we did wrong and right. If the wrongs outweighed the rights we ran extra sprints. The next day we practiced in full pads learning the offensive and defensive schemes of the opposing team. We never watched the upcoming opponent’s film but the coaches did. We learned the schemes from our perspective on the field. The game has gotten too analytical. Do the players and coaches on this team lack perspective? Why is it that when asked questions immediately after a loss, the coach defers opinion until after watching the film? How much more does one need to know in the progression of the play?

Decision-making can be sorted out on film but not execution. As a lineman, you have to know the blocking schemes based on what’s in front of you, not a birdseye view. Sure you can gather from film whether a D end likes to rip, swim or twist, but you still have to call a blocking scheme on the line. A QB has to audible based on what the secondary presents when the line is set. Then it all comes down to execution. Watching all of this film doesn’t make you execute anymore than watching Grey’s Anatomy makes you a doctor.

The coaches can watch the film.

The players should practice until they learn to execute. More than half the articles written about players talk about how much film they watch. That’s become the new measure of how coaches view player preparation. I’d rather know how hard they practice and how well they execute.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

When I played we watched film of our performance the day after the game on VHS. We learned all the things we did wrong and right. If the wrongs outweighed the rights we ran extra sprints. The next day we practiced in full pads learning the offensive and defensive schemes of the opposing team. We never watched the upcoming opponent’s film but the coaches did. We learned the schemes from our perspective on the field. The game has gotten too analytical. Do the players and coaches on this team lack perspective? Why is it that when asked questions immediately after a loss, the coach defers opinion until after watching the film? How much more does one need to know in the progression of the play?

Decision-making can be sorted out on film but not execution. As a lineman, you have to know the blocking schemes based on what’s in front of you, not a birdseye view. Sure you can gather from film whether a D end likes to rip, swim or twist, but you still have to call a blocking scheme on the line. A QB has to audible based on what the secondary presents when the line is set. Then it all comes down to execution. Watching all of this film doesn’t make you execute anymore than watching Grey’s Anatomy makes you a doctor.

The coaches can watch the film.

The players should practice until they learn to execute. More than half the articles written about players talk about how much film they watch. That’s become the new measure of how coaches view player preparation. I’d rather know how hard they practice and how well they execute.

I don’t suspect they practice all that hard either. Even summer camp, 1/2 the practices are in shorts. They probably aren’t going live in mid season. With ncaa rules limiting practices, practices can’t be all that grueling.

 

[PittFamily2]

When I played we watched film of our performance the day after the game on VHS. We learned all the things we did wrong and right. If the wrongs outweighed the rights we ran extra sprints. The next day we practiced in full pads learning the offensive and defensive schemes of the opposing team. We never watched the upcoming opponent’s film but the coaches did. We learned the schemes from our perspective on the field. The game has gotten too analytical. Do the players and coaches on this team lack perspective? Why is it that when asked questions immediately after a loss, the coach defers opinion until after watching the film? How much more does one need to know in the progression of the play?

Decision-making can be sorted out on film but not execution. As a lineman, you have to know the blocking schemes based on what’s in front of you, not a birdseye view. Sure you can gather from film whether a D end likes to rip, swim or twist, but you still have to call a blocking scheme on the line. A QB has to audible based on what the secondary presents when the line is set. Then it all comes down to execution. Watching all of this film doesn’t make you execute anymore than watching Grey’s Anatomy makes you a doctor.

The coaches can watch the film.

The players should practice until they learn to execute. More than half the articles written about players talk about how much film they watch. That’s become the new measure of how coaches view player preparation. I’d rather know how hard they practice and how well they execute.

Not long ago I was at a sports banquet and spoke with two college football coaches about just stuff in general.

We swerved into concussions, new rules, and both coaches said they get HS players who don't have basic fundamental football skills since they haven't had a lot of live practice, hitting with pads, because of the fear of injury, HS's an coaches getting tagged with lawsuits so they go slow in HS practice, watch a lot of film, run through a lot of plays with shorts and shirts, shorts and shoulder pads, with minimal live drills.

They also said this is prevalent in the college game as a result of the same concerns.

Both coaches agreed teaching fundamentals is one thing with shorts and shoulder pads in walk thru's and another with in live full contact drills.

 

[DonDaJewla]

Practices in shorts are way worse in a way for linemen. Still go full speed and would much rather have had shoulder pads on to combat the bumps and bruises involved with going live without pads.

There are still live practice periods in mid season. 11 on 11, OL/DL pass rush, inside run periods. Granted these are “thud” where you don’t take ball carriers to the ground but the blocking and hitting is still full go and it’s a grind.

the schedule and practice grind are rigorous no matter how you want to dissect it.

As far as film study, players have to study the mechanics of their opponent. Certain things they do, strengths/weaknesses, how they may be tipping assignments/alignments, etc. Yes the coaches craft the game plan by studying film extensively but the players are also responsible for knowing their individual matchups inside and out.

 

[pittdan77]

When I played we watched film of our performance the day after the game on VHS. We learned all the things we did wrong and right. If the wrongs outweighed the rights we ran extra sprints. The next day we practiced in full pads learning the offensive and defensive schemes of the opposing team. We never watched the upcoming opponent’s film but the coaches did. We learned the schemes from our perspective on the field. The game has gotten too analytical. Do the players and coaches on this team lack perspective? Why is it that when asked questions immediately after a loss, the coach defers opinion until after watching the film? How much more does one need to know in the progression of the play?

Decision-making can be sorted out on film but not execution. As a lineman, you have to know the blocking schemes based on what’s in front of you, not a birdseye view. Sure you can gather from film whether a D end likes to rip, swim or twist, but you still have to call a blocking scheme on the line. A QB has to audible based on what the secondary presents when the line is set. Then it all comes down to execution. Watching all of this film doesn’t make you execute anymore than watching Grey’s Anatomy makes you a doctor.

The coaches can watch the film.

The players should practice until they learn to execute. More than half the articles written about players talk about how much film they watch. That’s become the new measure of how coaches view player preparation. I’d rather know how hard they practice and how well they execute.

Film tells you a lot. It's why the NFL uses pictures in game. You can see things that aren't always apparent. A guy's first step. Where someone's hands are at. You'd be amazed what the new software does with film. They can actually break things down by play and by formation. Any player that doesn't think film is important is kidding himself. The game is much more technical today. You just don't block or run a pattern based on the play call. You adjust based on what the defense gives you and call the scheme at the line. Receivers are running routes based on how the DB is covering. All based on film study. The Patriots are absolutely the best at it and it shows.

So far as practice is concerned, I never met a coach that doesn't want to be on the field 8 hours a day. Blaming HS coaches is silly because most are just "has been" hacks that think they know the game. Al Bundy with a whistle. But college coaches also don't like their meal ticket to be on the sidelines either so they cut back. Pitt lost their best DL-men before he ever made it to a game this year. Yeah, practice hitting has really gone down but the number of mistakes you see is a result of the decrease in practice time. It's a double edge sword.

 

[pittdan77]

Practices in shorts are way worse in a way for linemen. Still go full speed and would much rather have had shoulder pads on to combat the bumps and bruises involved with going live without pads.

Yeah. Always hated that crap. Was nice for all of the BS drills but there was always that one DL-man that didn't understand pain and went full speed.

 

[DruidTM]

It’s like students trying to be great drummers by watching the flavor of the month hot shot drum video...sure you’re going to pick up some stuff but...

You can’t play a double stroke roll without woodshedding for hours....

 

[PittFamily2]

Yeah. Always hated that crap. Was nice for all of the BS drills but there was always that one DL-man that didn't understand pain and went full speed.

On my team his name was Rocko.
Dumb as a box of rocks.

His waist and his head were about the same size, both were filled with the same thing and it wasn't brain matter or anything remotely related to that.

The coaches were constantly yelling Rocko, Rocko these are shorts and pads walk thru's and half speed drills.

Rocko was always trying to take someones head off.

But he was a great Frat House bouncer.

Slow learner.

 

[Ski11585]

It’s like students trying to be great drummers by watching the flavor of the month hot shot drum video...sure you’re going to pick up some stuff but...

You can’t play a double stroke roll without woodshedding for hours....

That's... not the same thing at all.

 

[pittdan77]

On my team his name was Rocko.
Dumb as a box of rocks.

His waist and his head were about the same size, both were filled with the same thing and it wasn't brain matter or anything remotely related to that.

The coaches were constantly yelling Rocko, Rocko these are shorts and pads walk thru's and half speed drills.

Rocko was always trying to take someones head off.

But he was a great Frat House bouncer.

Slow learner.

We would say those guys were "dummy strong" because they weren't smart enough to know they couldn't lift anything that heavy.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

We would say those guys were "dummy strong" because they weren't smart enough to know they couldn't lift anything that heavy.

They probably put him at D nose guard some D's call it nose tackle.

All they have to do is key off pulling offensive guards and follow them to the ball, slant left or right or pass rush based on the D signal calls from the sideline coaches sent in to the D signal caller.

Perfect spot for an angry box of rocks.He only had to remember three maybe four things.

 

[Pizzaboy2]

Film tells you a lot. It's why the NFL uses pictures in game. You can see things that aren't always apparent. A guy's first step. Where someone's hands are at. You'd be amazed what the new software does with film. They can actually break things down by play and by formation. Any player that doesn't think film is important is kidding himself. The game is much more technical today. You just don't block or run a pattern based on the play call. You adjust based on what the defense gives you and call the scheme at the line. Receivers are running routes based on how the DB is covering. All based on film study. The Patriots are absolutely the best at it and it shows.

So far as practice is concerned, I never met a coach that doesn't want to be on the field 8 hours a day. Blaming HS coaches is silly because most are just "has been" hacks that think they know the game. Al Bundy with a whistle. But college coaches also don't like their meal ticket to be on the sidelines either so they cut back. Pitt lost their best DL-men before he ever made it to a game this year. Yeah, practice hitting has really gone down but the number of mistakes you see is a result of the decrease in practice time. It's a double edge sword.

77 you hit the nail on the head because I'm a "has been" hack that though I knew the game!Now after being on this site I realize how dumb I am.

 

[pittdan77]

77 you hit the nail on the head because I'm a "has been" hack that though I knew the game!Now after being on this site I realize how dumb I am.

What do P5 coaches tell you about all the kids you've coached? Do they praise you for having them ready to play in a power conference?

 

[Pizzaboy2]

We actually got more praise from DIII and DII coaches.In all honestly where I coached we didn't have an abundance of P5 players but lots of DII and DIII.

 

[Upg bobcat]

The problem with watching too much film is that it can result in "over coaching" ... I had a special teams coach that made us watch so much film and showed us a million examples that if a player from the kickoff return team of our one opponent tried to block you to one side, it was a sure signal that return was going the other direction so you need to cross his face. What happens in the game? He tried to block me one way, I crossed him, and ended up totally taking myself away from the point of attack. The return man probably had the easiest TD run of his life. If we hadn't watched all that film and I could have relied on my instincts, I'm sure I would have been in position to stop the returner.

 

[DruidTM]

That's... not the same thing at all.

Actually it is

And if you were aware of how many people try to become expert at anything from you tube you’d understand

It’s all about doing the physical work and time in yourself

 

[Ski11585]

Actually it is

And if you were aware of how many people try to become expert at anything from you tube you’d understand

It’s all about doing the physical work and time in yourself

Except it’s not at all the same. Watching game film provides insights into what you and your opponents do. Watching good drummers just gives you an excuse to watch good music.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

You learn something new everyday. Watching too much film? Film never replaces what you do on the field, but if you're disciplined in your approach to film study, the game slows down big time.

 

[franklinman]

I asked Nate about watching film one time, Said he watched every DE he would be going up against, college and pros and it helped. At Pitt going up against Sheard and Romeus everyday in practice was the best thing that helped him with his technique.

 

[chirurgo]

Appreciate the responses everyone. I can see how watching film is beneficial.

Does anyone have a sense of whether film time counts toward practice time? I am sure there are limitations to how much they can practice. Is film time taking away from practice time?

The prevalent theme of this offense is to come out flat. In all but 2 games this season. With all of the formations Whip has for running the ball alone, I have to believe these players don’t have enough repetition to master it. They either have to practice more or scale the offense back.

 

[pittdan77]

We actually got more praise from DIII and DII coaches.In all honestly where I coached we didn't have an abundance of P5 players but lots of DII and DIII.

Then you're an exception. You know exactly the kind of coaches I'm talking about.

 

[pittdan77]

Appreciate the responses everyone. I can see how watching film is beneficial.

Does anyone have a sense of whether film time counts toward practice time? I am sure there are limitations to how much they can practice. Is film time taking away from practice time?

The prevalent theme of this offense is to come out flat. In all but 2 games this season. With all of the formations Whip has for running the ball alone, I have to believe these players don’t have enough repetition to master it. They either have to practice more or scale the offense back.

You watched the Steelers QB throw for a record number of yards last year but they struggled to convert clutch first downs. That's not a film or practice issue. It's not even a talent issue. It's a matter of getting everyone to be disciplined and execute. We found out later that you had a rogue WR that wouldn't run the plays the way they were drawn up and a couple of really costly turnovers kept them out of the playoffs. No amount of practice or film study fixes that.

Pitt's problem is a little unique. Without being inside the program, it appears that there are some issues with talent -- too many dropped passes or just poor passes plus a mediocre line -- and that the HC gets conservative too quickly. You can only coach a kid up so much. One dropped ball on a play that could have gone 40 yards is a killer. But even if you don't turn it into points, you don't flip the field. I also think that Narduzzi is meddling in the offensive play calling. I struggle to believe that the OC wants to run that much because it's evident to everyone that Pitt's running game is lacking.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

Remember an NFL coach saying they actually practice on the field less hours per week than college players. But go well over the 20 hour limit college athletes have by having nearly unlimited film time.

The best coach I've ever been around was sort of like a good high school teacher who used film neither as a call out nor a hype session, but as a way to get players to articulate themselves what the heck happened on a play. Same way a good history teacher uses class to get students to articulate why Italy did this or that in world war I. We were a wing T team and it was critical to be precise.

The stuff they do with hudl or whatever today sounds crazy, they're looking at tendencies based on foot placement and shit

 

[chirurgo]

I can remember when I was recruited that coach sent VHS tapes to colleges so they could evaluate what my technique was like. I had a tremendous O-line, D-line Coach in high school that was well-known for teaching technique. But he did it on the field. Film was only used to demonstrate how when we broke down with technique the play busted up. You didn’t want to be that guy the day after a game because the whole team paid for it the following practice.

This team gets penalized more than any Pitt team in recent memory. They are horribly inconsistent on offense. I’d like to know how they get disciplined so they learn to execute.

 

[pittdan77]

I can remember when I was recruited that coach sent VHS tapes to colleges so they could evaluate what my technique was like.

Every coach that recruited me wanted to watch my game film in 1987. Maybe you were good enough they didn't need yours.

 

[chirurgo]

Every coach that recruited me wanted to watch my game film in 1987. Maybe you were good enough they didn't need yours.

We are saying the same thing.