As the San Francisco 49ers gear up for training camp, with their first padded practice scheduled for Monday, attention will turn to one-on-one drills, a staple of football training that garners a lot of attention but also has its limitations.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan views one-on-one drills as valuable for player development but acknowledges their limitations compared to full team drills. Shanahan appreciates the opportunity for players to refine their skills, particularly with hand techniques and quickness. However, he notes that one-on-ones can be misleading because they don’t fully simulate the complexities of team play. In these drills, a player often appears to win because there is no immediate consequence like a bull rush or defensive pressure. He believes that once the team practices with pads, it will provide a more accurate assessment of player performance, as one-on-one drills can sometimes obscure a player’s true capabilities due to their isolated nature.
In contrast, offensive line coach Chris Foerster has a more critical stance on one-on-one drills. Foerster expresses frustration with how these drills are perceived and reported. He recalls past experiences where media and front offices would highlight individual successes and failures from these drills, which he believes is unfair. Foerster argues that one-on-ones are inherently disadvantageous, especially for offensive linemen who are at a significant disadvantage. He is particularly annoyed when players are judged solely on these drills without considering the context or the specific areas they are working to improve.
Foerster stresses that while one-on-one drills offer a chance to address weaknesses, they often result in players being unfairly criticized based on isolated performances. He emphasizes that the goal of these drills should be personal improvement rather than simply surviving them. He acknowledges that some players may not excel in one-on-one situations but can perform well in game situations where team dynamics are in play. Foerster advocates for a broader perspective on these drills, recognizing them as a tool for improvement rather than a definitive measure of a player’s ability.
As fans and analysts review the results of these drills in the coming weeks, it’s important to remember that they represent just one aspect of a player’s development and performance.
Leave a Reply