Nov. 9, 2006
by Cassie Arner, Illinois Sports Information
Each Saturday during the college football season, fans arrive at stadiums all around the country to watch their favorite teams compete for victories and championships. But what isn't always seen is the week-long preparation that goes into those three-hour contests--the blood, sweat and tears of each team. Take a brief look behind the scenes of the Illinois football program in a typical game-week.
Sunday
Yes, the game week begins just hours after the completion of the previous contest. Coaches arrive bright and early Sunday morning to review tape and compile grades for each position group. After rehashing the last week's mistakes and successes, the staff turns full attention to the next opponent and game plans begin to take shape.
The players use Sunday to recuperate and get treatment for any ailments. However, it is very common to see most of the team around the football complex reviewing their own performances as well. It is also a very valuable day for academic catch-up. During all hours of the day, you will see the Illini going from film rooms to the computer lab to complete papers and assignments.
"These players know they only have 12, and hopefully 13, days to play this game a year," said Head Coach Ron Zook. "To make the most of those days, they have to make a commitment to bettering themselves every day and becoming self-motivated. The more you dedicate to your own improvement off the field, the more evident it is on the field."
Monday: Practice #1
Before the team hits the practice field, there is still lifting and conditioning to get done. Every player works out two days a week in the weight room during the season. It is important that the Illini continue to improve their strength and not just maintain the work from the off-season.
"We have goals during the season as well as the off-season," Strength Coach Lou Hernandez said. "We may decrease the time we are in the weight room during the season, but the intensity continues to rise."
For the coaches, the game plan gets the finishing touches in time for a late practice. At 5 p.m., the team will install the defenses and offenses for the opponent in an up-tempo two-hour practice.
Tuesday: Practice #2
Once again the coaches arrive early, and after a staff meeting, they break to watch film of Monday's practice and prepare for Tuesday's full-padded session. For the most part, upon arrival in the morning, coaches won't leave the premises until around 11 p.m. that night. So you often see wives and kids of the staff around the noon hour visiting for lunch breaks.
"We work hard," Zook said. "But we believe in a family environment. Everyone's doors are always open and I encourage the coaches to have their families around as much as possible. I don't know what I would do without Denise (Zook). She is up here to have lunch with me nearly every day."
The players spend most of the morning and early afternoon in class, working with tutors or on class assignments. They turn their attention to football each day around 2 p.m. as they prepare for team and position meetings.
Wednesday: Practice #3
Another staff meeting jump-starts the morning for the staff as the players get early morning weight lifting and treatment and head to classes. More talk about the use of different personnel and refining game plans, then the staffs head to their respective offensive and defensive meeting rooms. Meetings and practice get started around 2:30 p.m. and another intense practice ensues.
Thursday: Practice #4
The players look forward to a little bit lighter practice, but are expected to bring the same energy, focus and enthusiasm of a full-padded session. At the completion of the workout, Zook addresses the group in a team meeting before sending them off to dinner. For Thursday's meal, the players are treated to steak, pork chops and ribs in the Varsity Room, a reward for a hard week's work. It is on Thursdays that the coaching staff heads home after practice to spend it with their families.
Friday: Gameday Eve
Meetings begin later in the afternoon to go over the final touches on the game plan and each player takes a test for his position group. Around 5 p.m., the dress squad will take the field without pads to go through a practice walkthrough of game situations and top plays and formations. After the 45-minute session, the travel squad heads to the Country Club for its regular home-game dinner. Players sit together as position groups, mentally preparing for the next day's battle. After thinking about school and football for five straight days, the team gets the entertainment of a movie, usually an action-adventure to get the juices going. As the group heads to the hotel (both road and home games), thoughts turn once again to the task at hand---go after a Saturday victory!
