When you’re coaching with a small staff, every second on the field matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike major programs with graduate assistants and student helpers around every corner, small-college and high school coaches must make the most of limited personnel. The key isn\u2019t doing more\u2014it’s doing things smarter. Maximizing practice efficiency with a small coaching staff<\/strong> isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity if you want to compete at a high level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dean Pauley, defensive backs coach at the College of DuPage, knows this reality well. On an episode of The Art of Practice<\/em> with Keith Grabowski, he shared the systems and mindsets that allow his team to practice like a bigger operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you’re short on numbers, every coach\u2014and player\u2014must embrace flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have all the GAs with you\u2026 so it really is all hands on deck,\u201d Pauley explained (00:56). \u201cWhether it\u2019s grabbing equipment or helping in other areas of practice\u2026 the smoother that practice is going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n At DuPage, every coach has a clearly defined role, but they work together before the season to lay out responsibilities. This clarity ensures that game week runs efficiently and that nobody is wondering who\u2019s in charge of scout teams or breakdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Players, too, take ownership. Pauley empowers his DBs to act as on-field coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI tell them, there\u2019s one set of eyes\u2014maybe two\u2014but I can only see so much,\u201d Pauley said (15:51). \u201cIf you see something, don\u2019t let it go. Make sure you\u2019re pointing that out to the other players.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This culture of accountability speeds up corrections, enhances player understanding, and increases reps without burning out coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Efficiency starts in the meeting room, not on the practice field. Pauley and his staff plan each practice based on what matters most: fundamentals and situational work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe want to keep the main thing the main thing,\u201d Pauley said (08:44). \u201cPursuit, tackling, creating turnovers, and getting aligned\u2014those are fundamental to our defense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than running generic drills, Pauley pairs his DBs\u2019 individual periods with the day\u2019s team focus. For example, if they\u2019re seeing red zone work in team, then their man coverage drills reflect that same area of the field. This alignment ensures that practice drills translate directly to what players will see on game day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another way DuPage maximizes time? Technology. Pauley uses GoRoute Scout to eliminate delays between reps by sending scout looks directly to players’ devices. This allows them to rep at game speed without huddles or paper cards\u2014doubling reps with minimal added time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In smaller programs, communication breakdowns are costly. At DuPage, Pauley trains it deliberately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He slows things down during individual periods and gives DBs a variety of looks\u2014forcing them to make coverage checks out loud and adjust in real time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou see one thing, you gotta yell another,\u201d Pauley said (18:12). \u201cTraining the eyes as a DB is just as important as training anything else. You\u2019ve got to be able to trust what you see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That level of trust and confidence comes through consistent reps and intentional teaching. By taking time to walk through calls and checks slowly, players develop faster and fewer mistakes make it to Saturdays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maximizing practice efficiency with a small coaching staff demands more than hustle\u2014it takes coordination, communication, and a relentless focus on what matters most. Whether it\u2019s leveraging your players as extra eyes, tying drills to team periods, or using tech to double your reps, these strategies can help any staff punch above its weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Pauley and the DuPage Chaparrals prove, small staff doesn\u2019t mean small results\u2014it just means smart, intentional football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insight into the Preparations and Teachings of a Top Defensive Passing Game Coordinator<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The 90-Minute Practice Revolution<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBuilding a Culture of Shared Responsibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSmart Planning Meets Flexible Execution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCommunication Is the Backbone of Efficient Practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFinal Whistle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
See our sponsor GoRout in action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n