Biggest issue with the lack of Week 0 scrimmage games?

[EdgyTim]

Last night on the WJOL Preseason Coaches Show we talked to over 20 head coaches and asked everyone of them what they thought about the Week 0 scrimmage. The large majority of coaches not playing a scrimmage game against a different program is basically the timing. Several coaches said they would reconsider it if they could be played earlier in the summer or say at the end of the 25 allowed summer contact days. Several mentioned how the in team scrimmages are considered a big night for all fall sports and didn't want to take that away.

In some ways I can see more schools looking at this but also some of the coaches are dead set on not having any outside the program scrimmages.

Thoughts?

 

[ClownBaby]

It’s better to get a look against kids that aren’t your own it’s a better look and gives you a chance to correct flaws before the games count.

The whole big night for fall sports thing that has been mentioned multiple times is stupid your job is to coach the football team not help out the girls volleyball team. Come year 2 when there is a noticeable difference between teams that play week 0 and those that don’t it will become a non issue.

 

[mc140]

If you have a full group of backups that can actually push for playing time, I could see why you wouldn't see the need. If you are like most teams where the drop from 1 to 2 is drastic, a scrimmage will prepare you better for week one.

 

[colin2229]

I think it needs teakering and would like to see the scrimmage evolve to what the pro’s do. Offer a practice opportunity for anytime during camp vs another program.

Scrimmage doesn’t need to be a Friday night a practice game.

 

[SWsuburbs4]

Most coaches look at this night as a dress rehearsal. Working on pre-game mechanics, uniform issues, technology on the sidelines, personnel logistics, etc. Health is way more important than banging heads in a competitive scrimmage. That's what the coaches that I've talked to have said.

 

[EdgyTim]

I think it needs teakering and would like to see the scrimmage evolve to what the pro’s do. Offer a practice opportunity for anytime during camp vs another program.

Scrimmage doesn’t need to be a Friday night a practice game.

this has definitely become more and more popular this summer

 

[Bobby Boucher 9]

Preview night for all sports I would agree is one big reason why more havent. Another reason is the schools cant have back to back days with contact otherwise you could do all sports preview on Friday and Scrimmage on Saturday. Id say the scrimmage is more beneficial in the smaller schools where program numbers are low. You get really next to nothing out of trying to scrimmage your JV squads.

 

[wesbreton]

When I played 30 years ago we used to have a Jamboree game where we would bring in 8 teams and we'd all play 1 half at the same location. It was a lot of fun. You'd bring in teams from out of conference and out of state. You could team up with 4 conference teams and all play a team that you wouldn't see during the season. It was a great way to start the season. Personally I think the Intrasquad scrimmages are a little dumb. You need to see a different color jersey to dial up the intensity and If you have your best players playing both ways it doesn't give you a great look.

 

[crazylegs777]

When I played 30 years ago we used to have a Jamboree game where we would bring in 8 teams and we'd all play 1 half at the same location. It was a lot of fun. You'd bring in teams from out of conference and out of state. You could team up with 4 conference teams and all play a team that you wouldn't see during the season. It was a great way to start the season. Personally I think the Intrasquad scrimmages are a little dumb. You need to see a different color jersey to dial up the intensity and If you have your best players playing both ways it doesn't give you a great look.

NW Indiana has or had an O’Rama & not sure what they called the ones in Illinois. I know for some years instead of playing 9 games Bremen,Hillcrest,Tinley Park & Oak Forest would have some scrimmage in week 1 amongst themselves

 

[SiuCubFan8]

It’s better to get a look against kids that aren’t your own it’s a better look and gives you a chance to correct flaws before the games count.

The whole big night for fall sports thing that has been mentioned multiple times is stupid your job is to coach the football team not help out the girls volleyball team. Come year 2 when there is a noticeable difference between teams that play week 0 and those that don’t it will become a non issue.

In most schools, the HC for football does not have all power. The AD might be a roadblock and want the "fall sports" thing. AS much as we love HS fball here, it's not the end all be all at most schools.

 

[EdgyTim]

NW Indiana has or had an O’Rama & not sure what they called the ones in Illinois. I know for some years instead of playing 9 games Bremen,Hillcrest,Tinley Park & Oak Forest would have some scrimmage in week 1 amongst themselves

EDGYRama?

 

[AmbroseBlack]

Scrimmage doesn’t need to be a Friday night a practice game.

I agree. I am unsure how scrimmages turned into Friday night lights for some schools. I would much rather do this without the crowd distraction.

 

[Cyclone630]

Most coaches look at this night as a dress rehearsal. Working on pre-game mechanics, uniform issues, technology on the sidelines, personnel logistics, etc. Health is way more important than banging heads in a competitive scrimmage. That's what the coaches that I've talked to have said.

Same here, but some here think those coaches are idiots and don't know what they are doing.

 

[saints78]

Alot of teams did this in the summer were if injury happened the chances the kid could recover quicker. I know one school that scrimmaged 3 teams over 3 dates.

 

[PowerI66]

I agree. I am unsure how scrimmages turned into Friday night lights for some schools. I would much rather do this without the crowd distraction.

A lot of schools look at it as an extra opportunity for the band, cheerleaders, etc.

 

[Hernandez03]

If this came before the rule for team camps in the summer every school would do it if possible. The reality that some people don't want to hear is that most schools have had 200 reps in summer camp already lined up with different schools. If this was 10 years ago when team summer camps weren't allowed you'd get 90% schools matched up. Some coaches with thin teams don't want the risk an injury or two a week before the games count on the record whether that's right or wrong.

 

[colin2229]

Unpopular opinion…

People way overthink safety for IHSA football.

It’s ok to go full padded and tackle to the ground several times a week during camp. You have to learn to play the game physical and have to learn how to tackle and hit people.

If you teach your kids the correct way to tackle…they are fine to practice full go.

My team of choice didn’t do a scrimmage for fear of player injuries. They also don’t tackle during practice for fear of injury. They also….have become a very average and soft program.

 

[crazylegs777]

EDGYRama?

I looked up on newspapers.com & it was called a Jamboree but I like O’Rama better but EdgyRama is catchy lol

 

[johnndoe]

NW Indiana has or had an O’Rama & not sure what they called the ones in Illinois. I know for some years instead of playing 9 games Bremen,Hillcrest,Tinley Park & Oak Forest would have some scrimmage in week 1 amongst themselves

And during which year(s) might this have occurred? It did not happen between 1975 and the present plus OF did not open until 1972.

 

[crazylegs777]

And during which year(s) might this have occurred? It did not happen between 1975 and the present plus OF did not open until 1972.

No might. Did!!!! I know my stuff especially Sica & Illini 8. 1973 to 1976 I believe but I think 1973 possibly 1974 was when they did it week 1 but 75 & 76 maybe have happened the week before the regular season when other schools had inter squad scrimmages. I checked Tinley for 73 & 74 & they had 9 games back then well Tinley had 10 I think in 73 as they did some sort of 10th game with some teams matching similar records. I know Hillcrest counted that jamboree so only had 8 regular season games. Not sure on Bremen or Oak Forest doing that

 

[Kevin JCHS 81]

No might. Did!!!! I know my stuff especially Sica & Illini 8. 1973 to 1976 I believe but I think 1973 possibly 1974 was when they did it week 1 but 75 & 76 maybe have happened the week before the regular season when other schools had inter squad scrimmages. I checked Tinley for 73 & 74 & they had 9 games back then well Tinley had 10 I think in 73 as they did some sort of 10th game with some teams matching similar records. I know Hillcrest counted that jamboree so only had 8 regular season games. Not sure on Bremen or Oak Forest doing that

Disclaimer: my memory sucks for when & how this event took place (for Joliet) but I remember it happening while I was in the 5th thru 8th grade (maybe). But because my memory of this event sucks my info is very suspect.

The 4 Joliet teams (Catholic, Central , West & East) all played each other for like 1 Quarter at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

Your time frame of 1973 to 1976 seems accurate. I do know it was no longer happening in 1977 when I started High School. That's pretty much ALL of the suspect info in my memory.

Basically, everything you wrote sounds accurate.

 

[SEHSSTORM1]

It’s better to get a look against kids that aren’t your own it’s a better look and gives you a chance to correct flaws before the games count.

The whole big night for fall sports thing that has been mentioned multiple times is stupid your job is to coach the football team not help out the girls volleyball team. Come year 2 when there is a noticeable difference between teams that play week 0 and those that don’t it will become a non issue.

You do not understand today's administrators. You're right, but you would be vetoed at most places.

 

[SEHSSTORM1]

I agree. I am unsure how scrimmages turned into Friday night lights for some schools. I would much rather do this without the crowd distraction.

Resume builder for aspiring administrators.

 

[DisgustingSounds]

I agree. I am unsure how scrimmages turned into Friday night lights for some schools. I would much rather do this without the crowd distraction.

How weird. It’s almost like high school sports are for kids to have a fun time and be involved in the community.

 

[DisgustingSounds]

Resume builder for aspiring administrators.

As a former assistant principal at a high school I assure you this is a piss in the pool to what would be used to pad a resume for admin. They are expected to be available for all extracurricular activities and undoubtedly would love a night off.

The best ones are onboard because they know it is in the best interest of making the student’s high school experience the best it can be. Can’t beat strapping them up with your buds and knocking down the dudes from the town over under the lights as the band cheers you on.