practice squad
Team's training reserves
A practice squad is a group of players maintained by a professional football team who are not on the active roster but train with the team and can be called up if needed.
These players are under contract and paid, but they don't play in games unless promoted to the main roster.
The practice squad serves as a developmental pool and provides bodies for simulating opponents during weekly preparations.
He spent two seasons on the practice squad before finally making the 53-man roster.
Shared seating surface
- backupsDuplicate files or substitutes
- alternatesBackup people or rotates
- substitutesReplacements for originals
- second-stringSubstitute team members
understudies · reserves · non-starters · fill-ins · replacements · standbys · auxiliary · relief
Repetitive training routines
- scrimmagePractice match with contact
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
- simulationImitation of real processes
walkthrough · preparation · repetition · workout · regimen · exercise · routine · scout team
Learning trade through employment
- progressionSequential forward movement
- improvementPositive change in quality
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- coachingGuiding others to improve
mentorship · skill-building · cultivation · grooming · seasoning · refinement · growth · maturation
Expected future outcomes
- rookiesInexperienced beginners in profession
- undraftedNot selected in allocation
- raw talentInnate ability before training
- untappedNot yet utilized
emerging · budding · promising · upside · developmental · late bloomers · diamond in rough · sleeper
Distance below surface
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- farm systemPlayer development organization
- feederSource of input
- pipelineLong-distance fluid transport tube
bench
Shared seating surface
- backupsDuplicate files or substitutes
- alternatesBackup people or rotates
- substitutesReplacements for originals
second-string · understudies · reserves · non-starters · fill-ins · replacements · standbys · auxiliary · relief · spares
drills
Repetitive training routines
- scrimmagePractice match with contact
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
simulation · walkthrough · preparation · repetition · workout · regimen · exercise · routine · scout team · reps
apprenticeship
Learning trade through employment
- progressionSequential forward movement
- improvementPositive change in quality
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
coaching · mentorship · skill-building · cultivation · grooming · seasoning · refinement · growth · maturation · experience
prospects
Expected future outcomes
- rookiesInexperienced beginners in profession
- undraftedNot selected in allocation
- raw talentInnate ability before training
untapped · emerging · budding · promising · upside · developmental · late bloomers · diamond in rough · sleeper · tryout
depth
Distance below surface
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- farm systemPlayer development organization
- feederSource of input
- sports teamsLakers, cricket team, Celtics, national team, football team
- roster spotsstarter, starters, reserve, roster, starting lineup
- semi-prosminor leaguer, minor leaguers, development league, amateur boxer
- NFL seasonregular season, preseason, playoffs, Super Bowl, offseason
- listslist, roster, listing, register, grocery list
- Backup TeamsB team, reserve team, second team, backups, substitutes
practice squadactive roster
Eligible players currently available
starting lineup · injured reserve · taxi squad · starters · first team
practice squadstarting lineup
Initial player selection
first team · starters · All-Pro · franchise player · star player
practice, squad, practices, practiced, practicing, practitioner, practical, practically, impractical