According to an article in the LA Times (Kessler aims to improve on footwork) quarterback Cody Kessler will be working on improving his footwork this week in preparation for the game against Idaho. But is it possible to make technique changes in season?
Coaches may give him some pointers on what to do and he may carry them out in practice. However, when it comes to throwing the ball in a game situation, there will not be any thinking about footwork. All of his concentration will be on getting the ball to the receiver, not on footwork technique changes.
The reason for this should be obvious. To make technique changes or learn a new skill such as proper footwork, takes much practice after initial effective teaching and going through the correct or more effective actions. It takes time to develop a new pattern as well as breaking the old pattern. Hundreds if not thousands of repetitions may be needed.
Thus any instruction at this time in skill execution will not be productive. In fact they could be disruptive. During the season it is only possible to tweak relatively small aspects of technique, not to learn new patterns of movement. In fact, this is the kind of work that should be done in the preseason.
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