The Gators complete the first phase of their offseason program Thursday, and Florida coach Billy Napier will meet with the media Friday to discuss the start of phase two.
Napier has an eight-phase, year-round football plan that he calls ‘The Journey.’ The first phase, Foundation, began on Jan. 18 and the second phase, Identity, will take place in UF’s indoor practice facility over the next four weeks.
“We’ll start phase two on Friday. It’s what we call our identity program,” Napier said in an interview with ESPN Gainesville’s Steve Russell. “It’s 15 sessions. One hour, between 4 and 5 o’clock, four days a week. It’s really to kind of create momentum for spring practice. The first half of that is probably the most difficult and challenging thing we do the entire year from a mental and physical toughness standpoint.”
The difficulty of phase two makes it one of Napier’s favorite times of the year because it pushes players to their limits and builds camaraderie.
“We’re trying to create intangibles on our team. We’re creating leadership opportunities. We want to really work on the integrity of each player, the togetherness of our team, the effort, discipline and toughness and then the certain belief that each individual can do it,” Napier said.
“It gives an opportunity for the coaches and players to build some relationships on the way towards spring practice. So, in general, it’s one of my favorite times of the year because 75 percent of your team — the ones you’re going to play with in the fall — they’re in that indoor for every one of those 15 sessions.”
After the ‘identity’ program ends in early March, the Gators will begin the third phase of their offseason: Spring Ball. Napier discussed what he will look to accomplish during those 15 practices.
“Well, I think what we want to do here is really get expectations established,” Napier said of phase three. “I think it’s important that we define expectations for everybody in the organization. Obviously some of these people have been with me before. For the players, a lot of it is going to be brand new. So defining expectations, being consistent, being fair.
“I think it’s important that we really spell out what discipline is, we spell out what attention to detail is. The simple things like getting our offense and defense and special teams systems taught, I think those are really important. But, we want to get into our year-round plan.”
The Gators will conclude spring football with the Orange & Blue Game on April 16 at 1 p.m.