Great offensive line coaches don’t just correct mistakes—they teach players to self-correct. In today’s fast-paced, rep-limited football practices, the ability to recognize mistakes in real time and make adjustments is a superpower for any athlete. That’s where the power of feedback comes in.
At McKendree University, offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator Nick Holton has built a development system that relies on more than just physical reps. He teaches his players to feel what went wrong, think critically about the correction, and apply it immediately—on their own.
“I’m going to ask them questions—did you feel that first step? Where did you feel it land?”
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This feedback approach goes beyond fixing mistakes — it develops players who think for themselves.
Empowering Athletes to Think on the Field
Most coaches focus on correcting errors. Holton takes a different route. Instead of telling athletes what went wrong, he asks them to reflect on their decisions and execution. This process helps players see the game more clearly, make quicker adjustments, and grow their football IQ every rep. He believes in coaching the action—not the player—and helping them develop internal awareness.
“You’re not yelling at them. I’m coaching the action, not the person… being able to get them to self-correct.”
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This strategy encourages ownership and accelerates learning. When players understand what good technique feels like, they can correct mistakes in real time, even without coach intervention. That becomes vital on game day—when the sideline can’t fix a mistimed step or missed leverage.
Micro-Goals That Deliver Macro Results
Coach Holton takes this feedback-based model further by assigning each player a “1% goal” every day during camp or spring ball. These goals are laser-focused on one small technical detail—like a perfect first step.
“They may miss every single block, but if they’re focused on that first step… well now the next day, hey, my second step.”
(11:03)
Over 15 practices, that’s a 15% improvement in targeted areas. These micro-goals help players internalize progress and stay locked into their development, one rep at a time.
Why the Power of Feedback Matters
Football is a game of adjustments. The best linemen don’t need to be reminded to fix the same mistake twice. Through the power of feedback, Holton builds players who can self-assess, self-adjust, and self-improve.
The approach doesn’t just accelerate development. It deepens trust between coach and player. It ensures that practice time—especially individual periods—isn’t just about volume, but value. And it reinforces the connection between drills and performance, helping players see why the little things matter.
Final Word for Coaches
Ask players to describe what they felt in the moment. Push them to think through their choices. With steady reps and purposeful coaching, they’ll start making adjustments on their own. When that shift happens, practice turns into true learning.
Related:
The Focus to Rise Above the Pressure in the Postseason
The Art of Practice- The Blueprint for Efficient Practice- Noel Dean, Head Coach, Chelsea HS (MI)