Adapting on the Fly: Adjusting Game-Day Primers Without Losing Intent
#51 - Strength & Speed Coaching - Pursuing Your Best ⚡️
Game-day doesn’t care about your plan.
The weather shifts.
The bus is late.
The warm up area is small.
The field is in a different location than the locker rooms.
Energy is off.
You’ve got 12 minutes instead of 25.
Sound familiar?
This week’s newsletter is all about staying flexible without losing focus. Because even when conditions change, your pre-game primer doesn’t have to get scrapped—it just has to get smarter.
When we coach with intent, we can adjust structure without losing impact.
What Makes a Primer Work?
Before we talk adaptations, let’s revisit the real goal.
A good primer isn’t just a checklist of movements—it’s a game-day switch.
Done right, your primer:
Sparks the nervous system
Reinforces speed and control
Builds energy and confidence
Creates a shared rhythm and focus
Whether you’re in the hallway or on turf, with a full warm-up or a shortened window, those goals don’t change. The structure can.
1. When You’re Short on Time
Running behind? Here's how to stay effective.
Cut Fluff, Keep Force
Drop anything that’s just filler. Keep 3–4 high-impact movements that prep the nervous system.Lower Sets, Not Lower Standards
If you normally do 3 sets of jumps, do 1–2 at full intent. The quality matters more than the quantity.Condense, Don’t Cancel
A primer doesn’t have to be long.
If you’ve got 8 minutes, hit a short mobility flow, one jump, one throw, one sprint, and finish with a focused huddle.
2. When Space Is Tight or Weather Gets Ugly
No field? No gym? No problem.
Hallways & Classrooms Work
Use line hops, wall med ball throws, band-resisted movement, or BW power movements.Use Portable Tools
Mini hurdles, bands, and med balls are easy to move and make a big impact.Try Station-Based Flow
Four mini stations, 30–45 seconds each, keeps athletes engaged and moving. Think:Jump variation
Med ball throw
Footwork/low level plyo
Upper / Lower Dynamic Strength
You’re training readiness—not replicating practice.
3. When Energy Feels Off
Sometimes the biggest challenge is mental, not physical.
Let the Primer Build the Energy
Don’t wait for them to be “locked in.” Use explosive drills with the right music to flip the switch.Model the Intensity You Want
How you coach—your tone, urgency, and confidence—sets the tone.Finish with Unity
Even a 15-second huddle can bring it together.
Eyes up, heads in, reminders of who you are and what’s ahead.
A Real-World Example
Here is an example from an away game from last season.
No confusion. No wasted time. The team hit the field sharp and unified.
Final Thoughts
Adaptability doesn’t mean lowering standards.
It means knowing what matters—and protecting it.
Game-day conditions will always shift.
Great coaches adjust without losing intent.
If you train with purpose, you can prime with purpose—whether you’ve got 30 minutes or 5, a perfect turf or a crowded hallway.
Want more?
I’ve written a full guide, The Ultimate Pre-Game Primer Guide, packed with sample routines, best practices, and strategies we’ve developed at Mount Vernon to help athletes play fast when it counts. Guide Includes: eBook (28 pages), Video Presentation (50 minutes), Slideshow PDF (39 slides)
Keep pursuing excellence.
— Preston ⚡️