Five Keys to a Successful Spring Game for Indiana

image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle) 

The Indiana Hoosiers will hold their spring football game on Thursday in Memorial Stadium. It has been awhile since the Hoosiers held a traditional spring game and they released the roster and scoring details late last week. Spring games are all different and what makes them successful varies based on the team. Here are five keys to a successful IU football spring game.

1. Keep Players Healthy

The number one aspect of a successful spring practice season for Curt Cignetti is player health. So far, it seems like the Hoosiers have survived the spring with no major injuries.

“Number one, we want to keep them all healthy. We don't want to have any significant injuries, especially to guys we think can make major contributions to the football team.” Cignetti said at the start of spring practice.

While there are players who are supposed to be significant contributors recovering from end of the season surgeries, IU cannot afford to lose a significant contributor to injury at the end of the spring.

2. Continue the Learning Process on Offense and Defense

“Number two, we have to install our offense, defense and special teams schemes, and teach the way we practice. We have a certain way we practice, a certain way we play the game and things that we emphasis that we think are important in being successful. And practice should emulate the game a little bit.” Cignetti explained.

This will be practice number 13 for IU, so the foundations on how to practice and what the expectations are have been set. It is now time to see what was learned over the last six weeks and apply to a game situation.

3. Put on a Good Show for the Fans

Spring football games are largely for the fans and to give them a glimpse of what could be possible in the fall. It is a time to build on excitement and the momentum of an offseason full of changes. Make this event fun for fans. Make it exciting even without showing all your cards.

So what exactly does that look like? Fans want to see what players who could make an impact in the fall. They want a little more than vanilla and they certainly do not want a two hand touch football game. This should be as close to a game day Saturday from an operations standpoint as possible.

4. Building Depth with Repetitions

In order to be successful in 2024 the Hoosiers will need to have better depth than they have had over the last couple of years. A spring game is a perfect opportunity to see how the two’s and three’s play in a game setting. Now the spring game is not an indicator of future success, but it is a chance to have game-like reps for players who have not seen much of the field yet.

5. Find Out What You Need for the Fall

By now the coaching staff should know what the Hoosiers need as the next portal window opens. However, the spring game is a chance to confirm those thoughts and see who may step into a role that could be vacated by a player leaving.