Star "practice" players?

[SpeedsterX 653]

I have always remembered guys like Joe Montana was not a very good "practice player" but when he got into games, he lit it up. I have been always surprised that more Head Coaches don't give some backups, #2's serious game time and significant plays to see what they have in these players. Even when things aren't going so well, it usually takes a miracle for a coach to replace a "starter" with the #2 and give them enough plays and time to get settled and see if they play beyond what they see at practice. What's your take?

[vangordersmustache 63]

21 minutes ago, SpeedsterX said:

I think coaches want the most talented players to start (most of the time). Joe wasn’t a good practice player because he used his legs a lot early to open things up, and find the open man. That doesn’t show in a constructed practice .  Certain positions , skills look better in practice vs a game or live scrimmage. Some guys are just good football players, but not athletes. Some have hated practice. Depends on the player.

[IrishGuy 184]

I get what you are saying, but the reality is that most coaches believe you have to earn your spot. If you don't practice well, then there is no reason to put you in ahead of a guy that puts forth the effort and out performs you in practice.

The whole idea that someone is a game day guy and not someone that shows up in practice is similar to recruiting 2 and 3 star guys and "coaching them up" to an elite level.

[SDIrishFan 607]

There’s been several spring game stars over the years as well and then are never to be seen or heard from again.

[jbrown_9999 1,069]

Depends on the structure of practice. In college, our best DE did not usually like going hard but would turn it on during certain drills. Our OL coach knew this and tried to create situations where that DE felt inspired to crank it up (knowing that it would help the OL going against him).

[FaithInIrish Forever 4,867]

8 hours ago, jbrown_9999 said:

Depends on the structure of practice. In college, our best DE did not usually like going hard but would turn it on during certain drills. Our OL coach knew this and tried to create situations where that DE felt inspired to crank it up (knowing that it would help the OL going against him).

Agreeing and building on this.

A critique of last coaching staff was they ran their practice around plays with perfect looks.

Example:

Say if the teams in cover 2. Safeties are split middle of the field open

You might run a play that accesses the middle. lets say a deep post

Image credit to Pro Style Spread offense

 

You practice your deep post all week. On Gameday you get

Image Credit to Bleacher Report

On gameday you call your deep post and get this , Cover 3. The safety is in your deep middle post play space.

 

If your team hasn't practiced your deep post vs Cover 3(a non ideal look, they might not check it down and move on. If you jam that post in there it might be a turnover. )