Football Focus

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Tue Aug 16 09:27:20 GMT-04:00 2016

Football Focus

One of the biggest changes in the football program at Clemson in recent years is the attention to detail and the focus you see in practice.

Dabo has what some may think of these corny little sayings like "football focus" and the practice field has several signs posted reminding the players of this phrase. As corny as they may seem, the results speak for themselves.

I hear all of the time about how the younger generations can't focus, and we continue to prescribe drugs to help with ADD and ADHD. I have professor friends that complain that college kids can't focus on tasks. Apparently, some of these people need to take in a football practice.

There is very little wasted time or energy. I am amazed that every player is always in the right place, and everyone is focused on the teaching.

Monday the media got our final visit to practice and that focus was my biggest take from the morning. It was extremely hot and more humid as the team practiced at Jervey Meadows instead of the normal practice fields. The morning practice was the first of two practices in the final two-a-days. It would be easy to take a mental day off on this kind of morning, but I payed close attention to those details and was impressed with what I noticed.

The staff was coaching minute details and players were focused and listening. Maybe it was the fact that the staff got their attention after a scrimmage. But maybe this staff has mastered the task of keeping this many young people focused. I do know that they have studied tactics on how to do that, but it isn't easy.

Maybe this team is excited to have the opener at Auburn instead of playing a lesser opponent at home. Auburn is a big enough name to keep the players' attention.

Maybe this team is mature and saw how close they were last season and are determined to take the final step. I did mention last year how valuable the experience of being number one that long may have been and we would see dividends for several seasons.

The reality is that Clemson does not have to play focused every game this year. Many times this coming season the Tigers can get away with less than their best. But as last year's team found out, the slightest lack of focus against top competition can cost you the ultimate goal.

Focus doesn't equate to a national title, but a lack of it may cost you one.

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