I’m sure you’ve heard the news that NFL training camps are open. And I’m beyond ecstatic! Although this pandemic has taken away so much from us, it doesn’t have to take away the pleasure of football. But as with any positive news, there are sure to be some downsides too.
For starters, NFL training camps will be very different this year. For starters, free agents and rookies will have to spend their time at home instead of actually meeting and shaking hands with their coaches and team-mates. Next, players and staff must take multiple coronavirus tests throughout the week in order to even be on site for camp. This means long lines, heightened anxiety and an overall tornado of emotions.
On top of that, each team has to follow strict guidelines to ensure the safety of its players. This includes temperature checks, face masks, and no physical contact of any type during team functions. That means no team meetings in hotel rooms, no team dinners, and no pre-practice huddles. It’s certainly a sobering reality of the time we’re in.
But, these changes don’t have to be a negative thing. Training and practices will look a lot different this year, but the same maniacal passion that fuel the NFL will remain alive and well. Teams will still have the chance to battle it out on the field and run through those same plays every week. That can still give us a sense of normalcy and a reminder that we can still find moments of joy and love in the slightest of things.
It won’t be business as usual, but it doesn’t have to be. This could be an opportunity for teams, coaches and players alike to stretch their wings and adjust to the changing times. Perhaps safety protocols during training camps can inspire new creative formations and plays for teams to try out.
Plus, with no pads needed, it makes the risk of using all the new twists and turns and player types a little bit lower. All these little differences could add up to a happier and heartier atmosphere during training camp, giving players a chance to come together as a team and learn more about each others’ play styles.
At the end of the day, NFL training camps are open – and that’s something we should all be celebrating. Sure, it’s not a normal year, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be a great one.
Now let’s move on to the broader picture now. With the opening of these training camps, teams are readying for an entirely new experience. Pre-season games will be few and far between, if any, and practices usually reserved due to their importance may be a prime opportunity to install new plays and mimic game situations.
Also, fewer players on the team will mean more opportunity for deeper film study. Players will have the chance to watch their movements closely, learn from their mistakes, and really get a sense of what kind of player they are.
One interesting change that comes with the shortened pre-season this year will be the implementation of joint practices. Usually teams only practice against one opposition or their own team twice. With joint practices now allowed, teams will have the chance to go against different opponents, enabling them to gain more insight into how different teams play.
But, with the unknown factors of the 2020 NFL season, teams, coaches, and players alike will have to scramble for new methods of preparing. This means in-depth fitness regimens, creative ways of analyzing opponents, and finding new way to communicate and connect.
It’s very possible that this fight against the pandemic may lead to significant changes in NFL team operations and training regimens. Practice squads and rosters may be larger, as teams rely on their depth to overcome the long, grueling season. With no pre-season games, teams may use film study more often, investing more heavily in their scouting departments.
At the same time, training camps may become more heavily innovated to use technology that can both limit physical contact between players and act as a heightened scouting device. For example, wearables that record and track the performance and movement of players will be at an all-time high.
Practices may also be more heavily scrutinized, given the unique circumstances this season. Both coaches and players will have to be extra diligent in their preparation and analytics, as teams will most likely not get as big a sample size as years prior.
Finally, with the current state of the world, teams will have to adapt to innovations posed to them in the form of remote activities and virtual training sessions. It’s easily conceivable that teams will use virtual reality simulations and chat rooms more heavily as a way to stay on the same page.
In closing, with the NFL training camps open, there’s a lot of uncertainties. But, this can also be a chance for teams and players alike to get better than ever. We’ll just have to wait and see how the league will adjust the 2020 season.