LSU Football Practices Underway

BATON ROUGE – LSU wrapped up its first day of preseason practice here Thursday with a pair of split-squad workouts as the Tigers started the day with the veterans outside followed by an afternoon indoors workout for the newcomers.

The Tigers will keep the same practice format for the next three days before coming together as a full squad for the first time on Monday.

Thursday’s practice was the first of the required five days of acclimatization and the Tigers worked out in shorts and helmets. The team will be in shorts and helmets again on Friday, followed by helmets and shoulder pads on Saturday and Sunday. Monday will be the first day in full pads practice.

“We had a good, productive day,” LSU coach Les Miles said following the second practice on Thursday.  “We had a number of quality performances from our young guys. We’re awfully excited about this freshman class that’s just taken in their first practice.

“This is a very talented class and we’re excited to finally get them on the practice field. The freshmen offensive line looks big and athletic and they certainly need some coaching. This is a great class and I look forward to seeing them grow and mature.”

Miles said some of the areas that LSU worked on during both practices were two-minute drills, the short passing game, including screens, “and all the things that you would do when you don’t’ want to bang on each other.”

Miles explained that the reason for the split-squad workouts is to provide a better environment for teaching and learning for the newcomers. Miles said part of the teaching process is to have some select veteran’s workout in the afternoon session with the newcomers.

“Sometimes there’s a piece where you want a veteran to teach an underclassman,” Miles said. “The coach demonstrates and then he works with the young guy who never gets to see a snap where the veteran did it right. When you bring them (freshmen) with the veterans, they get to see (the drill) demonstrated the correct way. It’s all about teaching and making sure there are a lot of reps to go around.”

LSU opens its 11^th season under Miles on Saturday, Sept. 5 against McNeese State in Tiger Stadium.

(Courtesy: LSU Sports Information)