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Old 01-08-2021, 07:39 AM   #1289
Dr. Sak
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA
My normal game week (assuming I have a Saturday game) is below. This year for me was different as my employer would not allow me to get on a plane so I had to drive to every game.

Monday: Our first of 2 weekly training tapes comes out. I'll watch this and it will range anywhere between 60-90 minutes long. This is also my weekly massage day. After work I have a 60 minute massage.

Tuesday: The grades for my game are usually out. I'll review them and start to prepare for the upcoming week. I'll find 1 or 2 interesting plays for our Friday pregame as well as scout one of the two teams I have this week. This is also the day I have my 5am personal training session.

Wednesday: Scout the other team by watching film of them.

Thursday: Our second training tape comes out and this one is the plays that the coaches send in. Usually around 30 minutes long. I'll finish packing my bags and make sure I have all my preparations to present my part of the pregame meeting for Friday.

Friday: In a normal year I usually take the first (or second flight out), if flying, or leave real early to drive. I like to get to the hotel before noon that way I can get a workout in and watch more film. For games that kick off at 6pm or earlier on Saturday we have to be at the hotel by 6pm on Friday. For games after 6pm on Saturday, we don't have to be at the hotel till midnight. Mike Pereira usually sends out a tape of some interesting plays Thursday night intended for the media but he'll also send it out to some officials. Our pregame usually starts at 4 or 5pm. In the beginning of the year it is around 2 hours long but as the season progresses it shortens to around an hour. After pregame we will either go out to dinner or have it brought in. I'm an early bird so I like to get to sleep around 830-9pm.

Saturday: I get up early (530-6am) and go to the gym for some light strength training, take a walk outside or on the treadmill. Go to breakfast (love Cracker Barrel since we don't have many in the North)...and depending on the game time take a nap (watch Game Day) or prepare my "meals" of either a protein shake or something light to eat before the game. The van picks us up for the stadium (we are dressed in our uniforms) 3 and a half hours before the game.

An hour before leaving, I have a routine of stretching (yoga or Pilates) that I like to go through. After arriving at the Stadium I kill time by going out on the field and visualizing plays in my head. I'll go through my steps at the pylon and think about every scenario that I can...I'll imagine what a hold is in my head or what pass interference is so that I already draw that line. 90 minutes before the game I have to be on the field to babysit and make sure no one fights or causes issue. As the teams come out I'll go and watch their drills to start getting my mind ready.

Game happens and immediately after we hop in a van and get a police escort back to the hotel. We will review the foul report and on member of the crew will input it into the system. If I can get out, I will catch a flight or drive home, but if it is a late game or I am too far away to drive I will stay Saturday night. If staying, we will usually "fellowship" as my southern friends call it. I refuse to go out anywhere within vicinity of the hotel or school, especially with social media the way it is these days. We'll get pizza and watch games in someone's room

Sunday: Travel home and spend time with the family. I have until 6pm to go into the grading system and add explanation to any of my fouls and add any "specials". Those involve tight plays where I decided to pass on a foul. It's a way to tell your grader that you saw it but maybe your angle didn't allow you to see what really happened instead of them assuming you just didn't see it at all. If I have any plays that I wrote down on my game card that I feel are ones that I either missed or one that I called and wanted to review, I'll do that on Sundays.
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