Clinic season is in full swing. Football coaches across the nation are gathering to improve professional development, discuss latest trends in the sport and network among peers.

Most clinics offer a wide variety of topics with anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds of topics available depending on size. It’s easy to get lost in the mass of bodies and diversity of sessions, so planning ahead is important before walking through those doors.

Here’s five things coaches should do to properly prepare before attending a clinic.

1. Self-scout ahead of time. This can be the most overwhelming part for many coaches, but doing it right allows staffs to properly plan their time at clinics. What are your team’s strengths? What are its weaknesses? Are you looking for a complete overhaul or pearls of wisdom? Have a game plan for what you want to learn.
2. Balance topics and speakers. There are big names and dynamic presenters at every clinic who will draw large crowds. There may come a point, though, where your time is better spent somewhere else. Even if you are happy with your base 4-3 defense, listening to Dick LeBeau discuss 3-4 zone blitz schemes will offer jewels of knowledge. However, if you identify pass blocking as an area of need and a little known high school coach is discussing just that at the same time, you may have to pass on the big name.
3. Sit as a staff vs. divide and conquer. This is a debate coaches need to have ahead of time. Sitting next to familiar faces can create impromptu brainstorming sessions that help in the long run, but it also can easily lead to distraction during a long day in folding chairs. Splitting up gives coaches the chance to cover more ground but make sure everyone takes proper notes to share knowledge at the end of the day.
4. Mix it up. Defensive coaches can learn a lot by attending an offensive session that discusses something that has traditionally given that unit trouble – and vice versa. Struggle to stop the zone run? Attend a session that discusses blocking schemes for that system to learn some intricacies of how it works. Inside blitzes giving your running game fits? Pick the brain of a defensive coach to help your offensive plan get better.
5. Have your questions ready. Know ahead of time the answers you are looking for. There will be topics that come up during discussions, but if you and your staff planned ahead, you should have a set list to work from and get addressed first. And don’t be afraid to get into the weeds. Most coaches enjoy getting wonky about their expertise. Use the time available the best you can.