An Insider’s Perspective

Winning Half-Time Procedures
by: Tommy Condell
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I have been involved with many staffs that have different ways of handling half time. Some did not have any organization, while some were very strict. All in all the procedure that is most comfortable for the coach is the best.

There are numerous different situations that your team can come up against as you are entering half-time – behind, ahead, tied and with different subtleties within each that was aforementioned. No matter what the situation a team must come out as fresh, informed, and on the same page as the coach.

The procedure that I enjoyed the most included information from each coach. A coach left early to put up on the board:

• Top fronts
• Top coverage’s
• Top dogs and blitzes
• Best plays
• Defense by personnel
• Defense by down & distance

A critical component to this procedure is well thought out charts that are easy to use. Only pertinent information needs to be on the charts. As the other coaches come in a quick discussion with a series of questions that include the following: any key injuries, what we did well, what we need to fix, and any adjustments needed. We come away with only three main points that we want to emphasize to the unit. We make sure to listen to other coaches comments and fortify that we are all on the same page (extremely important)!

The next step is meeting with the offensive unit. Your approach must be consistent and information must be clear and concise. The main point is to keep them focused on what you are saying and know they understand. We then separate by groups: QB and Rec. / OL & TE/ & RB. During this phase I have learned to listen to the players comments on what their seeing.

This procedure must be done in 10 minutes. Time is a critical factor but we must not forget the reason for halftime: to regroup, to adjust if needed, to REST! Practicing a mock half-time procedure was of extreme value to make sure everyone understands the time constraints as well as the importance of sharing critical information.

Tommy Condell is the Receivers and Quarterbacks Coach of the Ottawa Renegades...you can reach him at tdcondell@earthlink.net.

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