motife
10-28-2006, 06:55 AM
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061028/PKR07/610280311/1989
Mike McCarthy column: My pregame includes cardio, Mass, review
During training camp this past summer, I spoke at several news conferences about the importance of developing a routine for the players. I believe we're all creatures of habit, and we perform at our best when we work a consistent routine.
The same can be said about game day, for both players and coaches. I go through my pre-game routine to develop a finality and comfort on what is potentially the most intense day of every week.
I wouldn't say I have any crazy superstitions, like baseball players who put their socks on the same way every single day, but I try to keep my routine the same whether we're at home or on the road.
I'll get up around 5 a.m. and get in a cardio workout to clear my head and start my day.
Next, if the game is at noon, I go to Mass (4½ hours before the game) and might stop in at the pregame meal, but I usually don't eat much before a game. I might have a bowl of oatmeal, or I'll look for a Starbucks, even though I probably shouldn't.
I then head to the stadium. I like to get there on the first bus, about three hours before the game, and settle in to wherever my area is  my office at Lambeau Field, or a locker room at the road stadium.
For the next hour or so, I focus on my final step of pregame preparation  I go over my play-calling sheet one last time.
I've been through it a number of times Friday and Saturday, but I like to go through it one last time on game day.
I have a system of highlighting for my final run-through, and some of you have probably seen the different colors on the call sheet when I'm on the sideline. I highlight all my starting points for every situation in the game, and I rethink all the different directions the game can go  if we jump ahead, fall behind, if there are injuries.
I really enjoy the quiet time to sit and review everything. I've always done that since I've been calling plays. If there are any plays the quarterback and I don't feel good about, I'll throw them out, because those are decisions you don't want to be making on the sideline.
There's enough to think about during the game already that you have to feel good about every play on your call sheet before you hit the field.
Next, we finalize the inactive players for the game and turn that in just before meeting with the officials, during which we go over a lot of basic info. They'll ask if we have any special concerns regarding the rules or the other team, or if we have any trick plays or strange formations they should be aware of ahead of time.
Then I have my pregame radio interview with Wayne Larrivee for the Packers Radio Network, and if it's a Monday night game, I might have another radio interview with the national network.
I always find the time to call my daughter and parents before every game. We don't talk about much, but it's just a chance to say hello, and they wish me luck.
About an hour before kickoff, I go out onto the field for the pregame workout. I believe there needs to be a tempo and a rhythm to preparation, so I observe a lot of guys. I also make sure the quarterback is getting enough throws to feel ready and has established a rhythm and timing comfort.
A lot of times, you can tell when guys are ready to play based on the way they go through pregame. You watch their body language, and you can tell whether there's a sense of urgency in their approach. You also need to guard against over-analyzing pregame.
When we do our team reps, I'm in the offensive huddle and really watch how the guys execute the snaps. You watch how guys are focusing on their technique and fundamentals. Are the receivers looking every ball in and then tucking it away? Are the linemen keeping their pads down?
Football is always won and lost on fundamentals. That's one thing I know never will change about this game.
Then about 20 minutes before kickoff, we head back to the locker room, and I start rehearsing in my head the three or four points I want to emphasize, to reinforce the message I've delivered to the team throughout the week.
As the pregame wraps up, we call the team together for The Lord's Prayer.
Then I give the final talk I've been thinking about, we get back together, break down with "Packers on 3," and we hit the field running.
There's sometimes a lot of anxiety before a game, but you have to not only get yourself ready but need to enjoy the experiences of competing on an NFL game field.
Professional sports is such a unique way to make a living, and success is certainly demanded, but you have to remain conscious of how special it is to be a part of the Green Bay Packers and the NFL.
Mike McCarthy is coach of the Green Bay Packers. His column appears each week in Packers Preview.
Mike McCarthy column: My pregame includes cardio, Mass, review
During training camp this past summer, I spoke at several news conferences about the importance of developing a routine for the players. I believe we're all creatures of habit, and we perform at our best when we work a consistent routine.
The same can be said about game day, for both players and coaches. I go through my pre-game routine to develop a finality and comfort on what is potentially the most intense day of every week.
I wouldn't say I have any crazy superstitions, like baseball players who put their socks on the same way every single day, but I try to keep my routine the same whether we're at home or on the road.
I'll get up around 5 a.m. and get in a cardio workout to clear my head and start my day.
Next, if the game is at noon, I go to Mass (4½ hours before the game) and might stop in at the pregame meal, but I usually don't eat much before a game. I might have a bowl of oatmeal, or I'll look for a Starbucks, even though I probably shouldn't.
I then head to the stadium. I like to get there on the first bus, about three hours before the game, and settle in to wherever my area is  my office at Lambeau Field, or a locker room at the road stadium.
For the next hour or so, I focus on my final step of pregame preparation  I go over my play-calling sheet one last time.
I've been through it a number of times Friday and Saturday, but I like to go through it one last time on game day.
I have a system of highlighting for my final run-through, and some of you have probably seen the different colors on the call sheet when I'm on the sideline. I highlight all my starting points for every situation in the game, and I rethink all the different directions the game can go  if we jump ahead, fall behind, if there are injuries.
I really enjoy the quiet time to sit and review everything. I've always done that since I've been calling plays. If there are any plays the quarterback and I don't feel good about, I'll throw them out, because those are decisions you don't want to be making on the sideline.
There's enough to think about during the game already that you have to feel good about every play on your call sheet before you hit the field.
Next, we finalize the inactive players for the game and turn that in just before meeting with the officials, during which we go over a lot of basic info. They'll ask if we have any special concerns regarding the rules or the other team, or if we have any trick plays or strange formations they should be aware of ahead of time.
Then I have my pregame radio interview with Wayne Larrivee for the Packers Radio Network, and if it's a Monday night game, I might have another radio interview with the national network.
I always find the time to call my daughter and parents before every game. We don't talk about much, but it's just a chance to say hello, and they wish me luck.
About an hour before kickoff, I go out onto the field for the pregame workout. I believe there needs to be a tempo and a rhythm to preparation, so I observe a lot of guys. I also make sure the quarterback is getting enough throws to feel ready and has established a rhythm and timing comfort.
A lot of times, you can tell when guys are ready to play based on the way they go through pregame. You watch their body language, and you can tell whether there's a sense of urgency in their approach. You also need to guard against over-analyzing pregame.
When we do our team reps, I'm in the offensive huddle and really watch how the guys execute the snaps. You watch how guys are focusing on their technique and fundamentals. Are the receivers looking every ball in and then tucking it away? Are the linemen keeping their pads down?
Football is always won and lost on fundamentals. That's one thing I know never will change about this game.
Then about 20 minutes before kickoff, we head back to the locker room, and I start rehearsing in my head the three or four points I want to emphasize, to reinforce the message I've delivered to the team throughout the week.
As the pregame wraps up, we call the team together for The Lord's Prayer.
Then I give the final talk I've been thinking about, we get back together, break down with "Packers on 3," and we hit the field running.
There's sometimes a lot of anxiety before a game, but you have to not only get yourself ready but need to enjoy the experiences of competing on an NFL game field.
Professional sports is such a unique way to make a living, and success is certainly demanded, but you have to remain conscious of how special it is to be a part of the Green Bay Packers and the NFL.
Mike McCarthy is coach of the Green Bay Packers. His column appears each week in Packers Preview.