The Art of Practice Presented by GoRout | Coach and Coordinator Network
Wheaton College has climbed to the top of Division III football, and its defense has been a major part of that success. Under defensive coordinator Mikey Swider, the Thunder rank seventh nationally in total defense (211.9 yards per game), fifth in scoring defense (8.86 points per game), and seventh in rushing defense (50.1 yards per game).
In this episode of The Art of Practice, presented by GoRout, Keith Grabowski talks with Swider about how Wheaton structures its practice week to maximize meaningful repetitions and prepare players for the challenges they’ll face on game day.
Swider explains why repetition must be intentional, how he progresses from specific opponent looks to more unpredictable situations, and how using the second-team offense creates faster, more physical scout-team periods.
He also shares how GoRout has transformed Wheaton’s preparation by eliminating traditional scout cards, reducing downtime, and allowing the defense to see more plays throughout the week. That added efficiency gives his staff time to prepare for opponent wrinkles and potential adjustments without sacrificing the fundamentals of the game plan.
Key Takeaways
- Build repetition with purpose: Progress from normal down-and-distance situations to third down and red zone, using focused periods to teach specific formations, motions, and shifts.
- Progress from recognition to reaction: Start with predictable looks before introducing variety that forces defenders to identify threats and make adjustments.
- Create better scout-team competition: Use the second-team offense to replicate an opponent’s top plays and critical third-down concepts with greater speed and physicality.
- Eliminate wasted practice time: GoRout helps players align, communicate, substitute, and execute without interruptions caused by traditional scout cards.
- Prepare beyond the base offense: Additional repetitions create opportunities to address opponent tendencies, explosive plays, and potential wrinkles. Make preparation a full-team effort: Swider emphasizes the contributions of his assistants, scout-team players, and the entire roster in creating an effective practice environment.
GoRout helps football programs maximize practice efficiency through on-field communication technology. By replacing traditional scout cards with digital play delivery, GoRout helps coaches increase repetitions, improve scout-team execution, and spend more time coaching.
Learn more at GoRout.com.
Connect on X:
Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski
Mikey Swider: @_CoachSwider
GoRout: @Go_Rout