Through six practices the 2011 Balers’ football team is doing
exactly what coach Chris Cameron wants them to do: Get better every
single day.
Hollister
Through six practices the 2011 Balers’ football team is doing exactly what coach Chris Cameron wants them to do: Get better every single day.
And it’s that goal that has the team of more than 70 players getting ready for the new season one practice at a time – but the team is a long way from game-ready.
“We are no where close to ready for the first game,” Cameron said. “But we’ve got a ways to go still.”
For now, Cameron is happy with the day-to-day improvement of his young team that will need to replace more than 30 players from last year’s squad – including the starting quarterback, running back and multiple linemen.
“The rest of the way we need to get a little better each day,” he said. “We are taking small steps.”
Through the first week, individual practices are divided into three sections – offense, defense and special teams. During each session, players are split into positions to work on individual drills or techniques.
Individual sessions make up the majority of practice – only 10 minutes are dedicated to complete defense, offense or special teams.
“We spend a lot of time on individual parts,” Cameron said. “The individual parts are bigger than the wholes.”
The position segments also give coaches a better chance of watching the technique and ability of each player. So far, that idea gives insight to positional battles – specifically at offensive line where there are no official starters.
“This is an important week of practice,” Cameron said.
The team hopes to have its starting lineup by Sunday night, he said.
“We don’t really have an idea right now,” he said.
One of the few positions set in stone is starting quarterback Michael Bocksnick, who takes the majority of snaps during practice. Bocksnick is the only quarterback with a sole position – backups play snaps on defense.
Regardless of individual positions, the team has a long way to go implementing its playbook.
“All of the tools in the tool box haven’t been assembled yet,” Cameron said.
Over the next two weeks of practice, leading up to the season and road opener on Sept. 2 against Palo Alto, the team will install more of the playbook. But practices will still rely heavily on individual drills to help refine technique.
The second week of camp will be slightly different with emphasis in preparation of Friday’s scrimmage in Gilroy. Part of that process will also include designating team captains and starters.
Regardless what happens over the next two weeks, Cameron’s goal is make sure the team gets better each day – even if it’s only slightly. So far, Cameron has seen big improvements over one but important piece of the team: Hustle.
“We are getting the team to play harder,” he said.
Instead of going full force for only portions of a play, the team is playing throughout the play.
“We finish plays off a lot more,” he said. “If a play last 3.5 seconds players don’t stop at 2.987 seconds.”
And that hustle is allowing players, and the team, to get better each day.
“We were better on day six than we were on day one,” Cameron said.
