Coaches use 7-on-7 competitions to improve skills
For most high school athletic programs, the summer months are for practicing and playing roughly the same way they will in season. Basketball teams play full games – sometimes three in a day. Volleyball, baseball and softball are the same.
For football, however, things are different.
There are no pads or contact during the summer. There are no 11-on-11 football games. Football programs have to find different ways to hone their skills in the dog days of summer.
One way football programs help their players get competition experience in the summer is through 7-on-7 tournaments, or scrimmages. To better understand 7-on-7 football, think flag football. It is mostly throw and catch. There are no linemen, no tackling and no pads.
So, what’s the purpose? Can a coach or fans learn anything about their teams based on 7-on-7 competitions?
“Basically, it gives our skill guys reps throwing and catching the football,” said Red Bay coach Michael Jackson. “We get to see them playing one-on-one and see their ability to make plays on the ball in space.”
Russellville coach Mark Heaton said, “It’s not real football, obviously. But it is good healthy competition and allows players to grow as competitors.”
He added, “It allows us to install parts of our passing game and defensive coverages. I think it helps show how our guys will react to each other in adverse situations and gauges how guys will compete.”
Phil Campbell coach Ryan Swinney who will have to replace a lot of skilled players, said it helps him evaluate how guys look at different positions.
“In our situation we get to see new skill guys on offense and defense and move people around to different positions to see how they will perform,” said Swinney. “I like it as much for evaluating defensive players as offensive players. You gain some insight into your skill positions.”
But all the coaches agreed, it’s not very useful to make predictions on how their season will go.
“It’s not a main factor in evaluating the talent level of a player or team,” said Jackson. “I’ve had teams that were good at 7-on-7 but not good in season, and I’ve had teams that were bad at 7-on-7 and turned out to be good football teams. About 50 percent of the stuff you do in these competitions, you can’t do in a real football game.”
Swinney agreed. “They are really just passing camps. You can’t run the ball,” he said. “Same with defense – you can’t work on stopping the run.
“It is not a good measure for evaluating your team … There is no contact. The quarterback doesn’t feel any pressure. They don’t have to worry about being blindsided or tackled.”
Heaton said he thinks it a very good tool for player growth and team building.
“I believe it helps build team chemistry and develops who our leaders are going to be,” said Heaton. “It also shows how receptive kids are to being coached.”
The summer of 7-on-7 is almost over. The fall of 11-on-11 begins Monday as teams begin the first official day of football practice to prepare for openers in late August.
