How to watch training camp practice: Ten tips for seeing the game through eyes of a coach by Marc

Trestman, July 27, 2007 Marc Trestman is a former NFL offensive coordinator who's writing a weekly scouting column for SI.com. One of my great thrills growing up in Minnesota was taking the 90-minute drive with my dad to watch Coach Bud Grant's Vikings train in Mankato, a small college town in the southeastern part of the state. It was a thrill to cross paths at camp with my boyhood idols, Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, Bill Brown and Carl Eller. Part of the fun was getting autographs, and a large majority of the athletes were cordial and took the time to shake hands and spend a minute with fans. The same can be said of most of today's players. The tradition of visiting training camps has changed over the years. There are fewer players in camp than years ago, and teams might already have met three or four times with OTAs and minicamps. But it's still a big thrill to see your favorite players up close. That said, what else should you really be looking for during these trips. Here are 10 tips for watching training camp like a coach and looking for the things they consider important: 1. Protect the QB Most head coaches will tell you that as much as they want tough, physical practices their most important job during practice is player safety. The Collective Bargaining Agreement and salary cap makes an injury to a starter a catastrophic event. The staff tries to instill a "common respect" in players and demands they make a conscious attempt to avoid a situation that could lead to a teammate's injury. This starts with the quarterbacks. They wear different colored jerseys in practice for a reason. Obviously an injury to the starting QB would be devastating. Therefore, the defensive coaches must be specific on a daily basis, clearly communicating to all pass-rushers (including LBs and DBs blitzing) that they must avoid the QB. The quarterback should always be allowed to complete the entire throwing motion on every play in practice. You should never see a defensive player "ducking" in front of the quarterback, because the QB could get his hand caught. A defensive player should run by the QB if the defender gets free. Also, a defensive lineman shouldn't be pushing an offensive lineman back into the QB with a "bull rush." This not only can cause injury to a QB's throwing arm, but also exposes his legs to injury. 2. Players should be finishing This is so big in NFL practices. Everyone should be going as fast as they can until the whistle blows. When a ball is thrown: 1. All 11 defensive players run to the ball, taking the appropriate "pursuit" angles to get to the ballcarrier. 2. Offensive linemen turn and run to help the ballcarrier get a block (and to be in position to cover a loose ball). This is a time when you may hear the line coach yell, "cover!" 3. All non-catching receivers, which include all other players, "go to the ball" to get that key block to spring the receiver free.

4. The ballcarrier must explode and score. How far the pass receiver or ballcarrier runs is relative to the field position, but I have seen some players "finish" the entire length of the field, and do it explosively. 3. The ball should stay off the ground This can be accomplished by the quarterback throwing the ball in the optimal location for the receiver to make the reception and get yards after the catch. It means the QB has kept the receiver's body between the ball and the defender. An NFL quarterback should be able to properly locate the ball 100 percent of the time in practice. This also applies to the wideouts. If there are no dropped passes, it is a sign the receiving corps is focused and concentration at practice is high. 4. It's all about tempo Coaches want a fast tempo for most practices. This relates to game tempo and the fact that the quicker they get through the practice, the faster they can get the players off their feet, which increases recovery time for a player before the next practice. Plays must practice at "game speed" so timing issues can be addressed. When a player runs from drill to drill, he's keeping his energy up. That kind of pace promotes a "faster" start, practice and play-fast mentality. More specifically: 1. Once the whistle blows, see how quickly the coaches get their players to the next drill (this goes to practice organization). 2. The manager (ball boy) should have the ball spotted instantly. 3. Everyone should be running to the ball. 4. See how quickly the next drill starts. The only time there is a delay is if the coaches allow a break for the heat. In training camp, coaches coach "on the run." This is a term used to describe the fact that the tempo or pace between plays isn't generally stopped for a coaching explanation. Points are hit on quickly and then discussed in a meeting later, often with video of practice available. 5. Watch for pre-snap penalties Are players jumping offsides? This is a sign of a player that is not focused for practice. It could mean: 1. An offensive lineman jumping a snap count. 2. A defensive lineman being drawn offside. 3. A receiver in motion headed upfield earlier, or not seeing the ball and leaving before the it is snapped. 4. A QB pulling out early on a snap count. Players are taught that pre-snap penalties cannot be tolerated because they are not subject to an official's interpretation. 6. Look at matchups

Are starter working against starters? Are the top receivers matching up in one-on-one routes versus the top corners. The level of intensity is at the highest when players of equal ability are practicing against each other. And that gives the first-string guys their best chance to improve. Also, when starters practice against starters they are less likely to get injured. They know how to practice. 7. Look at the turnover battle It is arguable that whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game. Grade the practice on how the team handles the ball. 1. Were there any center/quarterback exchange problems during practice? 2. Were there ballhandling errors between quarterbacks and running backs? How about when guys were running downfield. Listen for coaches yelling "put the ball away." 3. Did the quarterback ever expose the ball to the defense in the pocket? When in the confines of the pocket, the QB should have two hands on the ball in a throwing position as well. The QB should never have the ball in one hand and never drop it below his waste. With one hand on the ball there is a clear potential for turnovers by exposing the ball to oncoming and blind-side rushers. 4. Does the quarterback look the ball all the way in to the ballcarrier's hands, and do ballcarriers have the ball securely tucked away? This is not easy for the untrained eye to see, but with practice you'll start to recognize signs the ball is being loosely protected. When in a crowd, the good players will cover the ball with two hands. 8. No grabbing or pulling jerseys When players are taught to finish plays, they are taught never to grab or pull jerseys. If defensive players grab jerseys, they prevent both squads from "finishing" the play. The result: 1. Pursuit angles cannot be established. 2. Defenders learn improper tackling position. 3. Ball carriers can't finish. Just as important, when a player's jersey is grabbed while he is running free, it also becomes a safety issue. This is how leg injuries occur. 9. Players should stay off the ground Once again, back to the safety issue. When players are on the ground, leg and shoulder injuries can occur. Good teams have players who know how important it is to keep their feet moving. NFL players know that if their feet are moving an injury will be prevented during a collision. 1. You won't see lineman reaching to cut a teammate, even if it would have been a legal block. As much as the line coach wants to see a play succeed, it won't be at the expense of a defensive player. 2. When WRs are blocking a defensive back, they should never block below the waist. This avoids leg injuries. A receiver should also keep his feet moving to avoid a leg injury from a rear-end collision. From an early age, players are told to keep their feet moving until the whistle blows, thus avoiding leg injuries. 3. You should not see receivers or pass defenders leaving their feet and diving for the ball. Coaches want them to avoid landing awkwardly.

4. Players shouldn't dive or pile up to retrieve a fumble. Players are taught individually how to get on a fumble. This relates to a QB falling on a fumbled snap or a fumble elsewhere on the field. 10. Fighting is generally not tolerated In the old days, fighting during a training camp was almost a right of passage. The dog days of August is when training camp starts to wear on the players and tempers get short. Some players, especially offensive and defensive linemen, are blocking the same guy every day, and a player can finally blow a fuse. Coaches used to have strong feelings that this was good for the team. It broke the monotony of practice and built up a competitive spirit and tempo. Today it is often seen as a lack of discipline and a way of causing injury. If your $6 million-a-year left tackle breaks his hand, who will replace him? http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/07/27/howto.watch.camp/index.html