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Clay Helton’s USC is exchanging music for football silence as they head into this season

(This story was also published on Annenberg Media here)

Football is a game consumed by way of the eyes, a game wherein the visuals keep us engaged and attentive to every move that occurs. Yet football is also a game familiarly known by way of the ears; the sounds that emanate from the gridiron being unlike any found in other sports, let alone other human settings.

At USC, the past few years of both spring and fall practice have been filled with sounds of music. Drake, Lil Wayne, Bob Marley, even the Dropkick Murphys have been blared through the speakers staff used to bring to Howard Jones Field.

This year, however, as camp begins, new head coach Clay Helton has made sure the only “music” heard throughout the field is that which is self-produced by those wearing cardinal, white and gold.

“The music was cut out for communication, to be able to build that up,” said linebacker Cam Smith. “You hear people talking, and they feel more comfortable to step up because they know what’s going on.”

On a daily basis, there’s the clicking and clacking of cleats on the cement, as players make their way out from the John McKay Center. There’s the clapping, in unison, that prefaces every session when players stretch. The talking from player to player to coaches is incessant and with good reason: On a field where music now has no place, the sounds of football have loudly taken its space.

“There is a totally different feeling in camp right now,” said running back Justin Davis. “This is probably the most optimistic I’ve been … I know it’s a lot to say but just with the talent we’ve got and the coaches that we have, the sky’s the limit.”

That feeling is at least partially due to the new culture Helton has tried to instill in the squad. One that preaches fundamentals and eschews outside distractions such as music, even if science says it could be a boon for athletic performance.

In 2008, Georgia Southern professor of sports psychology Dr. David Czech conducted a study on the experience and impact of music in sports. According to Czech, there is a definitely a correlation between musical tempo and an increase in energy, though there are plenty of other factoring variables.

“Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning [IZOF, for short] are important to understand,” says Czech. “Everybody has a specific zone of arousal that is optimal for them. Some need low arousal, some need high arousal. Music can help put you in these zones.”

In the context of sports, the “zone of arousal” is the level of physical excitement that vaults an athlete into a mode of peak performance. Like taste buds and sweat profusion, though, it’s all relative from one individual to another.

“I may need to have arousal as a linebacker, “ says Czech, hypothetically. “Joe needs low arousal as a golfer. Music, let’s say Metallica, might get me to my optimal level. Enya might get Joe to his optimal level.”

In essence, music can be beneficial, if applied correctly, and Czech says a specific song or tune picked out as a group can bring a team closer together. But sometimes, that Jay Z track may be a hindrance more so than an audible enhancer.

“If music is too arousal inducing, it can take athletes out of their zone.” he said. “One of the hardest aspects players in the Super Bowl deal with is over-arousal during pre-game.”

At USC, as the music-less practice goes on, there is certainly not a lack of energy to be found. Without the tunes permeating the air, more football sounds abound.

There’s the pads, slamming against one another following the daily drills, the helmets cracking as players are placed in live, red zone scenarios, mouths grunting as they exert themselves until the horn obnoxiously blows loudly to signal the next phase of practice.

The talking, or shouting in some cases, is led by Helton, his voice booming and carrying, his comments ranging from patented coach-speak to instructions and corrections.

“Make that play, keep it close to your chest,” he tells a wide receiver who drops a pass.

“Shoulders squared up,” he reminds a defensive back.

The hyper-aggressive defense under new defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has quickly made their voices be heard as well. Their communication with each other during 11-on-11 drills, is a crucial part of their identity, according to Pendergast and Co.

“Even from spring until now, there is a huge difference in verbal communication,” says linebacker Michael Hutchings. “Guys feeling a lot more comfortable, guys knowing they have to step up and communicate and know that that’s a key aspect to us succeeding as a defense.”

Then there is the special teams portion of practice, where the colorful John Baxter, cowboy hat in tow, parses through kicking minutiae with a command and expertise the players respect.

“Your toes have to be lined up!” he yells during a field goal drill. “I don’t want to correct that again!” His attention to detail and technique, says wide receiver Steven Mitchell, “It’s awesome.”

Technique and fundamentals. Two of the traits that Helton cloyingly preaches daily and touts as the cornerstones for the team he wants USC to be.

“It’s about culture,” Czech agrees. “If fundamentals are the principal foundations and everyone buys in, well, that will be beneficial. It seems like last year a principle focus was emotional music.”

Though that supposition may be somewhat far-fetched, it’s undeniable that this season, the focus has shifted from the accessories to the basics. With Helton at the forefront of the movement, music is just one of the things that has gone by the wayside as the Trojans look to start on their 2016 blank slate with a more focused approach. Whether the changes produce results, however, is another question altogether.

“It’s a very professional staff right now and they’re leading us the right way,” says Davis. “I can’t wait to see what we can do.”

Toward the end of practice, there’s the short-lived quietness of a lull in the action, a rare moment amid the madness to appreciate the calm Los Angeles afternoon.

It lasts only a quick minute before another whistle blows, another ball is snapped and another tackle is made. The synthesizing symphony back to signaling that football is at the forefront of this USC season, and football is indeed back.