Kill's approache to spring practice: How unusual is it?

[LonelyIowaGopher]

If you haven't already done so, please read the ESPN 1500 interview with Tracy Claeys, the new Gopher coordinator. He says many important and revealing things in that piece.

One of the most interesting items is what Claeys said about Jerry Kill's approach to spring practice, "We'll practice every other day in the spring--not consecutive days, so the kids can review film. We'll then adjust the chart based on how they practice."

Does anyone know if this is an unusual approach--practicing every other day, that is, and reviewing films with the players on off days? I have no idea, but it makes a lot of sense to me. Also, Claeys makes it obvious that Kill and his staff are as open and honest with their players as they have been with the media in recent weeks.

 

[GopherRube]

I don't think it's that unusual. I'm pretty sure Nebraska does the same thing where it's MWF one week and one of the weekend days, then Tu Th the next week, etc.

 

[GRGOPHER]

Not exactly answering your question, but Adam Rittenburg has the spring schedules for every B10 team and a reader sent him this question (and his answer):

"Rolf from Kirkland, Wash., writes: Hello Adam,I have a question about the spring games. How come Ohio State gets practice started so late (March 31st) in the year? Then they have their spring game april 23rd. Does this mean they don't practice as much??? Other teams get started earlier and finish at the same time.

Adam Rittenberg: Rolf, every FBS team gets 15 spring practices, and you better believe they use all of them. Ohio State tends to use more practices in a smaller window because it's on the quarter system and wants to start spring ball after spring break. Spring quarter classes at Ohio State begin March 28 and practice kicks off three days later. Some teams will begin spring practice before spring break, take a chunk of time off and then resume the workouts. Nebraska and Northwestern are both going this route with their spring practice sessions. "

 

[GophersInIowa]

My understanding is you are allowed 15 practices over a 30 day period. At the D2 school I was at, we did pretty much what Claeys described. We went MWF and sometimes Saturday. I think that's pretty common.

 

[LonelyIowaGopher]

I googled for more information on this subject and found out that USC will be conducting spring practice about every other day according to the schedule they've published. I also checked Big 10 information. Since there are only 15 practices allowed and most teams conduct them over more than a month, it must be the norm to run practices about every other day. I simply didn't know the answer to this question.