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Does FAU Start Practice Too Late In Comparison to Other Schools?

Does FAU Start Practice Too Late In Comparison to Other Schools?

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Does FAU Start Practice Too Late In Comparison to Other Schools?

It's no secret FAU is a late bloomer on the practice scene each year…and no surprise to read this article put out today in which Steve Irvine of The Birmingham News states:

"Florida Atlantic has taken a different approach to fall camp. Howard Schnellenberger's team didn't practice for the first time until Saturday. By that time, UAB was already on its sixth practice overall and second in pads.

We'll see on Sept. 2 which team's approach worked best."

A short while back, FAU SID Katrina McCormack issued this statement for posting, in reponse the issue:

"Each year I read comments on the various message boards concerning when FAU starts its preseason practice. Fans typically see that a school starts preseason camp sooner than FAU and opens the season later than FAU.

I have had similar questions, but have believed in the knowledge of veteran coaches. Prior to the start of this season, I consulted the coaching staff to get an explanation for everyone.

Here is the reason. The NCAA has set the number of practices prior to the first game. The window varies according to when school begins and when the team opens the season. Once school begins, teams are allowed one per day and fall into the 20 hour rule as well as the mandatory day off. That is important to understand and here is why. For example, a school on the quarter system begins classes prior to a school on the semester system. Schools vary across the country when they begin so to compare is comparing apples to oranges. The clock starts when schools starts and compliance must count backwards to get the practice start date. There are several schools across the country that are already in camp and that is because they begin school earlier not because of when they open the season.

Days-off: Some schools build in days off. When they are off, they are off. Players are not supposed to be required to do anything on their day off. FAU elects not to schedule a day off prior to when school starts. That way they can meet with the team and lift should their practice schedule be altered due to weather. A day off is also a reward for working hard rather than being built in.

It is a system put in place to provide as much contact with the players under NCAA rules and a system that test the players as much as possible under NCAA rules.

Should you ever doubt the strength of FAU’s preseason and the reasons and culture that is instilled in FAU’s preseason, take the time to watch “Junction Boys” a movie based on Paul “Bear” Bryant and the preseason workouts at Texas A&M. You can draw a direct line from that movie to Howard Schnellenberger, FAU’s head coach, who was an assistant coach under Bear Bryant during his days at Alabama
."

What says you??

Keeping poll responses to a simple "yes", or "no" so everyone can state their argument within comments.
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Re: Does FAU Start Practice Too Late In Comparison to Other Schools?

Yes,

I would prefer to drop the 3 a days and even 2 a days. More chance for injury with people pushing themselves while tired.

Lets be honest, in moden college sports its not like these kids are taking an "off" season/summer and have to get back in shape during fall camp. In fact they are working out very hard ALL year.

I love coach, and I love his "old school" mentalitiy. But this is one area I feel should be changed.

Start earlier and drop the 2/3 a days.

I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick @$$ and I'm out of bubble gum.

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Re: Does FAU Start Practice Too Late In Comparison to Other Schools?

especially when there's so many holes and problems. i don't get it and i don't really like it but what can you do. just seems like it would help people learn positions if they start doing it earlier. when guys are off they're still practicing.
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Re: Does FAU Start Practice Too Late In Comparison to Other Schools?

Michigan State just started YESTERDAY…

Spartans Conduct First Preseason Practice
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Re: Does FAU Start Practice Too Late In Comparison to Other Schools?

Yes.

With modern day strength and conditioning programs, it gets less and less important each season to actually get your players "in shape" come August. All of the conditioning is done in the summer workouts by running in the morning and lifting weight's.

I understand that the coaches would like to get the team ready and work them hard all day long, but it's a little silly to try and practice three times a day in Florida. How often does a day go by in South Florida when it doesn't rain?

I would like to see the program kick three-a-days to the curb and settle for a series of two-a-days. Programs like Georgia, have even gotten rid of two-a-days and now focus on watching film in between the designated 29 practices allowed by the NCAA.

With the new strength coach Rod Payne in place I think we can make this transition and focus more on spread out practices in August.


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Re: Does FAU Start Practice Too Late In Comparison to Other Schools?

I'll let Howard handle this one…I think he is qualified.

Teambeer is the most knowledgeable FAU sports fan I know, way smarter than me.
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