I'm thinking of changing the defense for one of my teams within the next couple of seasons. Assuming that my players have the optimal attributes to run the new defense, what is the least disruptive way to bring their IQs up to speed with the new defense while avoiding playing poorly during the transition?

Should I wait until I have a class with a fair amount of turnover (say I need to bring in 4-5 new players) and bite the bullet then, or is there a fair way to do it with a smaller class of new players?

Well, a large class is a relatively good time, especially if you think you are going to struggle anyway that season ... or practice the new set but run the old set until it's IQs cross over and become better than the old one across the entirety of the roster.

Tec, I changed my offensive and defensive sets the first season I joined the Little East. I had a 4 or 5 player class. I did what a in the b said and used the old sets for games but practiced the new ones up until the end of the season. As you probably remember it didn't go great. I went 6-21, I believe.

Posted by tgblackw on 8/24/2017 9:24:00 AM (view original):
Tec, I changed my offensive and defensive sets the first season I joined the Little East. I had a 4 or 5 player class. I did what a in the b said and used the old sets for games but practiced the new ones up until the end of the season. As you probably remember it didn't go great. I went 6-21, I believe.

This is correct and what I am doing at Mass Liberal Arts. I'm playing press and practicing zone.

Personally, I just go ahead and switch because I always have some new players, and I want them to get up to speed in the new defense so that when they are seniors they are fully developed. I usually practice 25 minutes on the defense.

You aren't implying that playing the D helps develop player IQ, are you? It's been stated many times in this forum that is not the case. Which doesn't make it true. Just a stated fact.

Posted by a_in_the_b on 8/24/2017 12:13:00 AM (view original):
Well, a large class is a relatively good time, especially if you think you are going to struggle anyway that season ... or practice the new set but run the old set until it's IQs cross over and become better than the old one across the entirety of the roster.

This is how I do it when I take over a team. Prepare for a few lumps, and the emails your assistant sends you. No sense playing Off or Def you do not like or feel comfortable with.