The Alabama Crimson Tide, under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, have steadily built momentum since their week-one loss. And now one subtle, under-the-radar move by the coaching staff perfectly illustrates DeBoer’s authentic and effective leadership style. While some might dismiss this as a deviation from the Nick Saban era’s norms, it is a strategic maneuver designed to break player monotony and improve focus, especially as the season morphs into a months-long slog.
Following the season-opening defeat to FSU, there was outside speculation that DeBoer’s tenure was doomed. Instead of panicking or attempting to mimic his predecessor, DeBoer has stabilized the team by being authentically himself and integrating his own successful strategies. For example, per SI.com, DeBoer has tasked his receivers during practice to work on their catching uses rugby balls instead of footballs. The use of unconventional practice balls is not new to the Crimson Tide head coach. He noted that this tactic predates his time at Alabama but is part of his normal in-season and offseason regimen.
This authenticity is crucial for team morale and mental toughness. DeBoer’s refusal to try to become a different coach after the initial loss has fostered trust, keeping the team steady and leading to four consecutive wins, including a key victory over Georgia. The players recognize and respect a coach who trusts his own process, and they are buying in.
The primary tactical benefit of the rugby ball drill is breaking the monotony of an intense, long football season. Routine, while necessary, can lead to a grind where players perform drills mechanically without true engagement. Anyone who has played college football knows this feeling well, as daily practice schedules are rigid and the individual drills remain the same for months on end.
As DeBoer himself explained (per SI.com) , using different types of balls, from tennis balls to rugby balls, serves as a “focus tool.” It changes the feel, requires different hand strength, and forces the players to concentrate on the fundamental act of catching the object rather than thinking ahead to their next move.
This strategy has already yielded positive results for sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams, who has openly admitted to struggling with drops this season. Williams, who has been specifically doing extra work with the rugby balls, led all Alabama receivers in the win against Vanderbilt with six catches on seven targets for 98 yards and a touchdown.
DeBoer’s overall passing scheme, run by offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, is succeeding at a high level. According to True Media analytics, Alabama ranks among the best in the SEC in Expected Points Added (EPA) per dropback, showing a strong correlation between their passing volume and efficiency.
Furthermore, the team boasts the third-best receiving percentage in the SEC, trailing only Georgia and Missouri and sitting ahead of other passing offenses like LSU and Texas.
The evidence suggests that DeBoer’s approach is inherently effective, and the introduction of focus-driven drills like the rugby ball catching is the smart, targeted coaching necessary to iron out the remaining execution wrinkles. It is a subtle, yet powerful, example of a smart coach adapting to his program and keeping his players mentally sharp, perfectly positioning the Crimson Tide for their critical road matchup against Missouri.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the SMI College Football Show YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
