Mailbag question: What’s going on this time of year for the team

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the insight you provide.

I’m wondering what’s going on this time of year for the team. Are players allowed any contact with coaches (other than strength and conditioning)?
Your description of the “Trojan” passing game got me to thinking how complex our offense really must be and how in the world does a freshmen learn all of this in time to contribute. While athletes are studying in the film room, are they in there with coaches or are they on their own?

Regards,

Duane

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Thanks for the question and comments. We know the "coach speak" goes over people's heads sometimes, but we need to explain it that way because we have both intelligent readers and people who really understand the game reading our blog as well.

For the most part, at this time of year teams give players a couple of weeks off to help with studies (meaning after spring football to get ready for finals) and to allow the bodies to heal and recover from the spring practices. It is also time off for those who had surgeries or bone breaks. After the school year is completed they belong to Coach Barwis.

There can be no actual coaching. 7 on 7's are player organized and self monitored.

Much of film room work is run by graduate assistants and there are periods where coaches can work with players in film room, and some completely dead periods.

Coach Barwis is the one in charge of the players from now until fall practices start. He will give them time off to get mentally and physically sharp again because he knows the toll that these players take on and off the field.

Then they will hit the strength and conditioning hard this summer -- a lot harder than last year because he does not have to teach every player a new system -- but only a few incoming freshman (which are suppose to arrive in June for work-outs and summer school).

One thing about Coach Barwis is that he will have these players in shape and ready to go this fall.

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Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine