Why the BYU Cougars Practice the Way They Do

I was a freshman in 2004 when we went to play Stanford at their place. The Thursday before the game, the defense was in the indoor facility and we were running play after play after play. We probably ran 80 plays at least, which is like playing a complete game.

Now I know fans would love to hear about all the reps we went through and how prepared we were for the game, but all that work actually hurt us. By the time we got to Stanford, the defense was just plain tired. We could not get our legs underneath us, and it hurt us in that game. But that was the practice model that had been accepted.

Fast forward a few years to coach Bronco Mendenhall’s second year as a head coach. He started to realize that there was some truth to the revised saying, “Practice doesn’t make perfect...PERFECT practice makes PERFECT.”

Coach told us going into the ’06 season that we were going to run X amount of plays each practice, so long as they were done right. Right execution, right intensity, etc. Everything had to be right or we did that play again. When we made the switch, a miraculous thing happened—we got crisper in our execution because we actually had enough energy to think and play.

This new model is new to BYU, but not to football. The NFL practices in a very similar manner. During the season, they have what are called 10-10-10s. Where the O runs 10 plays, then the D runs 10 plays. In all they maybe run 30 plays in team segments. Why? Because it's a long season, and every rep takes a toll on your body, whether you like it or not.

So, in closing, let’s take a gander at what the point of practice really is. Is it to hone your skills? Learn the opponents' offense/defense?

During the season, the time for honing your skills is over. That is done mainly in spring ball and off season. Learning the opponents schemes is more for the film room. The real point of practice is for the coaches to run through play calls against different opponent looks and see how they go together so they can formulate a game plan. Players do get a feel for the other team’s plays and motions, etc. but if you pay close attention players will realize they are always running the same blitz/coverage against the same plays.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that in-season practice is not to make you sharp, but to keep you sharp. So why waste time being redundant and wear out your bodies?

These short practices have been one of the best things coach Mendenhall has changed in the program. I was never tired going into a game and never got tired during a game because I peaked on Saturday. That is why I know the Boys in Blue will peak on the 20th!

By Markell Staffieri

Photo by Douglas Pizac