When Stephen Bell took over at Augustana College, he didn’t tweak the schedule—he restructured the entire practice model. At the center of that change was wave-based practice, built on intensity, clarity, and real competition.
Instead of draining players with constant reps and generic conditioning, Bell introduced purposeful work. He focused on building practices that actually prepared players to compete. Injuries dropped. Energy went up. And players bought in.
From Grind to Guided Intensity
Old-school practices often run players into the ground. Bell took a different route. He structured intensity in waves to match the natural rhythm of competition.
“You can’t go 90% the whole time during individual time… We’ll have waves because we have competitive periods on Wednesdays.” — Stephen Bell, 55:37
He doesn’t expect full-speed effort in every drill. Instead, he tells players what intensity each segment demands—50%, 60%, 90%, or a jog-through. That approach gives players space to recover while staying locked in.
It also trains their bodies and minds to peak when it matters.
Injecting Chaos: Competitive, Fast, and Real
To raise the stakes, Bell brings controlled chaos into practice. One of his most effective tools is the third-down competitive period. It’s short, intense, and unpredictable.
“It’s best on best, three reps… I’ll go from third and one to third and 15. That flips your whole mentality.” — Stephen Bell, 59:44
Every rep carries weight. Players don’t know the situation until they line up—third-and-short becomes third-and-long without warning. It forces quick thinking, sharp execution, and full effort.
Bell doesn’t simulate pressure. He creates it. Practice starts to feel like game day.
Fewer Reps, Higher Quality
Bell doesn’t believe more reps mean more progress. In fact, he cuts reps for top players to protect their performance and keep them healthy.
“Be short, sweet and to the point… You can’t ask your best sprinter to sprint in eight different races.” — Stephen Bell, 58:00
He trains with purpose, not volume. Fewer reps. Higher standards. And better results.
The payoff? Fewer soft-tissue injuries, fewer cramps, and players who hold their speed deep into the season.
Conclusion: Build Smarter Practices
Wave-based practice isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing it better. Bell built a system that controls intensity, raises competition, and values quality over quantity.
Coaches who want fresher players, sharper execution, and fewer injuries don’t need to add more. They need to practice with intent.
Related:
Less Is More: Strategic Practice Management
Coaching Through Chaos: Designing Game-Like Drills That Actually Transfer