It’s that time of year. The lights aren’t fully on yet, but the pads are popping and the scoreboard is running. Scrimmages. Every team has them, every coach loves to talk about them, and every player thinks it’s their moment to shine.

But let’s keep it real: scrimmages are a tool, not the truth. They can tell you a lot… and sometimes they lie to you.

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✅ Why Scrimmages Matter

Scrimmages are valuable because they give us what practice can’t.

• Put the offseason work to the test. All those lifts, sprints, and summer reps? Here’s where it shows up.
• Sort out positions. Who belongs where? Who’s going to compete for playing time? This is where depth charts start to take shape.
• Safe experimentation. You can try things without the sting of a real loss. Blitz packages, new fronts, new wrinkles on offense — let it fly.
• Staff chemistry. A new staff needs to gel under fire. Scrimmages are a stress test for communication on the sideline.
• Healing window. A few guys dinged in camp? Scrimmages let them rest while you evaluate the rest of the roster.

Scrimmages = controlled chaos. And that’s exactly what you need before Week 1.

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❌ Why Scrimmages Don’t Tell the Whole Story

On the flip side, let’s not pretend scrimmages are the gospel.

• Injuries happen. Nothing worse than losing a key piece before the real season even starts.
• Some guys flop. You’ve invested all offseason in them, then they don’t perform under the lights. Hard pill to swallow.
• No real game prep. You’re not scouting the opponent like you will in-season, so you’re vulnerable to looks you’ll be ready for in September.
• Film games. Teams might not trade legit film… or they hide things. Don’t expect to walk away with perfect intel.
• Limited starters. Most of your ones only play a handful of snaps. Hard to get a true feel for tendencies.
• Jersey games. Teams switch numbers — linemen in single digits, DBs in 90s. Fun? Yeah. Useful? Not really.

Bottom line: a scrimmage is not the real deal. It’s a dress rehearsal — and sometimes the costumes are fake.

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🔑 The Big Picture

Scrimmages are what you make of them. For a new staff, they’re gold. For a young player, they’re a chance to prove they belong. For a team trying to build trust, they’re a step forward.

But don’t crown yourself a champion — and don’t bury yourself — based on a scrimmage. The season is long. The work has just begun.

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💡 Call to Action: Get Organized, Get Ahead

If you’re not happy with where you are on the depth chart, or if you just want to lock in this season with better notes, film study, and organization… check out our Get To The Football notebooks.

📓 Whether it’s tracking plays, writing down adjustments, or just keeping your head clear, our notebooks are built to help you play faster and smarter.

👉 Don’t let the season get ahead of you. Raise your IQ & Get to the football.