Aug. 17, 2011
It wasn’t too many years ago when two-a-days were a common occurrence on every football field each August. Today, the chances of finding a football team staging two practices in a single day grow slimmer by the year.
Earlier this month the NFL and the players association agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement that allowed teams to start training camp, but among many other changes also banned two-a-days. While two-a-days are not banned in college or in high school, they are becoming less common at many schools. But not at Vanderbilt where the Commodores have embraced the opportunity of getting two practices in per day during preseason camp.
Because of the decrease in the occurrence of two-a-days in recent years, the concept has been new to many Commodores once they arrive on campus.
“In high school we didn’t do two-a-days,” redshirt freshman receiver Chris Boyd said. “Our coaches didn’t believe in them so last year was my first experience, and it took a little while to get used to it. I can say this year has been harder, but it is good for us and we need it.”
Beginning last Thursday, Vanderbilt has staged two practices every other day – the maximum number of two-a-days permitted by the NCAA. The Commodores’ will hold their final two-a-day practices on Wednesday and Friday.
For Head Coach James Franklin, two-a-days play an important role in building the program, but he is also mindful of the strain it can place on the players’ bodies.
“I don’t really change my style, but what we will do is modify practice,” Franklin said. “We might go 24 periods on a single day; we aren’t going to go two practices of 24 periods. So it is my job to make sure that we have a practice that challenges them and pushes them, but also be smart as a coach that it is something that they can handle and have a chance to be successful because that is part of building confidence.”
Finding that balance can be a challenge, especially early in camp because even for those who have been through two-a-days before, there is always an adjustment period that takes place.
“It is difficult at first, but it comes to a point when my body gets immune to it,” sophomore receiver Wesley Tate said.
To get to that point, members of the team make sure they are taking the necessary steps needed to care for their bodies. One of the first steps is spending a few minutes in the ice bath after each practice.
“Ice baths are lifesavers,” Tate said. “I’ve been taking ice baths since when I was in high school. I also watch what I eat and make sure I am getting the protein and electrolytes that I need. It is also important to rest and stay off your feet.”
The rest is needed for days that begin with a 6:15 a.m. wake up call and end with close to four hours of practice time. The first of the practices begins at 9:20 a.m. and the second is held at 5:25 p.m. Between practices and meetings, players have a few hours in the afternoon to eat and relax. “Some guys sleep in between, but I usually don’t go to sleep because then I will wake up feeling more tired,” Boyd added. “I try to stay up, watch TV and study my playbook.”
For the players, the added time on the practice field can be productive but also extremely taxing. However the team knows that the long hours put in now can pay dividends down the road.
“I wouldn’t say I enjoy two-a-days, but I wouldn’t say I dread it,” Boyd said. “No one is complaining because we know what we need to do. We want to win games and we are willing to do whatever it takes.”
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