NFL coaches prioritise targeted drills over rhetoric to build team culture
A Fox Sports feature reveals that head coaches rely on repetitive, high-intensity exercises rather than verbal instruction to instil toughness and prepare rosters for game-day realities.
A new feature from Fox Sports examines the operational strategies of twelve National Football League head coaches, arguing that the repetition of targeted drills is the primary mechanism for building team culture and technical proficiency. The report suggests that while the coach’s whistle maintains order, it is the consistent execution of specific exercises that instils toughness and prepares players for the competitive demands of the season.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, whose team is described as the overwhelming favourite to win the Super Bowl this season, begins every practice with a full-speed ball-security circuit. In this drill, offensive skill players weave through agility pads while coaches attempt to dislodge the football using utility sticks. McVay stated that starting practice with this high-intensity exercise ensures that the team’s actions align with their stated priorities regarding ball protection.
The efficacy of this approach is reflected in the Rams’ recent performance, with the team tying for fourth-best in the league with 15 giveaways last year. This marked the third consecutive season the Rams ranked in the top 10 for ball security. McVay noted that the offensive coaching staff, led by Nate Scheelhaase, designs these drills to emulate game-like situations, ensuring that every practice segment translates to on-field reality.
Another prominent example highlighted in the Fox Sports report is the “Mamba Period,” a competitive 11-on-11 exercise where starters compete against each other in simulated down-and-distance scenarios. The drill was originally established by McVay in 2020 to honour Kobe Bryant, who was described as one of the fiercest competitors in professional sports.
The feature notes that the drill has since been adopted by other coaches, including one identified as Coen, who was a Rams offensive assistant when McVay first introduced the exercise. Coen conducts the Mamba Period every Wednesday and Thursday, citing an homage to Bryant’s competitive spirit. The report frames these individual coaching choices as part of a broader trend in the NFL, where specific, repetitive drills are viewed as essential tools for creating confidence through preparation.
