How to Memorize a College Football Playbook
- 1). Read the play and visualize it, especially focusing on your responsibilities. Draw the play several times and then close the book and run the play in your mind repeatedly. Because a college playbook can have hundreds of plays, and each play may provide you with several possible assignments based on the situation, this method will take a lot of time and concentration. You can do this in the evenings before you go to bed, or in the mornings before class.
- 2). Use modern technology, such as video games and smart phones to help you. You can program your team’s plays into a football videogame and then learn it while you play. You can also watch a recording of the game, or record yourself explaining plays on your smart phone, then replay it while waiting in line somewhere or during other dead moments. You can visit the coaching staff to obtain a more detailed recording, as opposed to a normal television feed. This will let you see the plays develop from a better angle.
- 3). Use your college resources. Ask teammates and coaches to go over the plays with you, or simulate running the plays with a few people to make sure you get your assignments right. Be aware that coaches are only available for on-field drilling during certain periods during the year. However, the coach can study film with a player at anytime, as long as the player volunteers. In the offseason, players can get together for informal meetings and work on the plays together without coaches present..
- 4). Find a partner who can quiz you on the various aspects of the playbook. This does not need to be a teammate or coach, but find someone who is familiar with football plays. Just have someone read the play to you, and try to recite your assignments and any options you may have for that play.
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