 }})
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
- Messages
- 199
- Reaction score
- 229
- Points
- 43
Football is in my blood. I have been playing since I was 8 (#44 for the Jr Redskins at BRYC) played through college to '92 and then have coached since '94 with a year off here and there. My wife has been a football widow longer than some have been alive. Son went off to play college ball but sadly he broke in too many places and his career ended prematurely. So to say football is life is a bit of an understatement. My first real Redskins memory was watching Riggins breaking a long one vs the Cowgirls I believe on Thanksgiving. There, thats a quick look at me. And Yes, for you very few that have been on the boards of ES and here, PCS is my brother and we have been around for a long time.
With that all said for context, I just finished up my 2nd teams end of year scouting and consulting about direction and focus with the coaching staffs. So I figured, if your bored and curious what a simple minded coach does with all this info that helps during a year and during games and how a brain gets trained for the moments, I thought I would share my process. And let me say, this is more for me than for public consumption, but I have a fondness for the board. So here we go:
So, I am not a fan of the reaction of PFF. Yes there is good in what they do, but my general feeling towards stats is its a crutch for the non-active participant of football. Both coach and player. Stats are an emotional response to a logical situation. A basic understanding example is the fact that in order for one guy to add stats, 10 other guys and play call have to be in harmony. With that basic mindset, I use stats as a direction finder and focus.
I'll put this in game form just for reference. And remember the key part to every part of football for success, is control what you can control. Live with cause and effect.
The first thing I look at is TOP. While this is a result stat, it is the effect of preparation. Everything we did leading up to the game, resulted in this stat. Of course, there are many factors that make this happen, but again, we need to focus our attention on what did and did not work. Did we win TOP and the game? Did we win the TOP and lose the game? and vice versa. All leads us to breaking down where the results came from. We also take this information during the game as well and that helps with adjustments through every drive and of course halftime. Again, all of this is a broad stroke look at factors in a game.
Field position. Where did we start and where did they start. And also, where did we end our drive and where did we stop them. The basis for this is how did it effect our play calling, how did it effect our TOP and how did it effect our energy. (Yes, its very important when you hear DQ mention this during his news conferences. Big factor in direction coaches go.)
# of drives per Qtr and result. This is about opportunity. A huge factor in how to implement the game plan you spent all week prepping for execution.
Penalties. Duh. But there is a lot of detail that goes into this. For instance, this past week, the Eagle had 10 while we had 6. OK. When did those penalties happen and what was their result. Did we get a drive extended or did we shoot ourselves in the foot? For instance, 2 PI on the same drive for Lattimore and then the 2 dead ball on the S for the Eagles. Did they have a positive or negative effect and how did we handle that moment. Again, broad stroke to narrow down focus to correct, especially during games.
TO. The absolute killer of a team.....100% of the time. Unless you have JD5 apparently. This stat is a back breaker for opportunities. You only get so many chances a game so very high priority throughout the week on ball security and decision making by the QB on throws. However, keep in mind as a stat, it has value but needs to have context. Obviously a deep thrown ball INT helps Field Position as long as they don't get much of return. Circumstances will give that value. Turn over on downs also has many layers to it and can make it acceptable. A lot to unpack with TOs.
Obviously, there is a lot to go into detail about with each of these basic stats. We can break them down even more and how, at least with my experience, to correct, prepare and execute those details. Football is a results driven sport. The stats scream at people the apparent answer as to what does and doesn't work. However, the phrase "Any given Sunday" exists for a very specific reason. The great Excel sheet of information doesn't tell me a damn thing about what CAN happen on the field. It just tells me what DID happen on the field. When you take the information, align it with what your talent level brings to the table and then get everyone and everything on the same page......you have a CHANCE at success. Welcome to every play in football.
One quick thing about talent and everyone wanting better talent. I am so fired up that AP is here and in lock step with DQ on the make up of the players we have. Talent is simply the guy who has a positive result more than not. At the high school level, you do not get the chance to pick your players.....unless your Hayfield apparently, so you must create an atmosphere where your players by choice, decide to do what they can not to let down their teammates. We have always taught the kids the priority tree being Faith, Family, School, Team and then yourself. Look though those glasses as you make every choice in your life. In the pro arena, we are a glowing example of how putting a bunch of young men in a situation where you will get their maximum talent out of them because the fear of letting down their brothers is stronger than their desire to be on the front page. Of course I want the BFS (Bigger, Faster, Stronger) players so that we can cover up mistakes with just being the better athlete. However, I want guys who don't depend on their abilities more than their mind because I am not sure I have ever met any one who helped their team win when they didn't put the other 10 guys in front of them. AP and DQ are after that and we know its possible because we have #5, 17, 54, 4 etc.....We get to be picky and we don't always want the shiny object.
Random thoughts so far in this rough post....but super excited about where we can go and what we can be. Bring on the Falcons.
With that all said for context, I just finished up my 2nd teams end of year scouting and consulting about direction and focus with the coaching staffs. So I figured, if your bored and curious what a simple minded coach does with all this info that helps during a year and during games and how a brain gets trained for the moments, I thought I would share my process. And let me say, this is more for me than for public consumption, but I have a fondness for the board. So here we go:
So, I am not a fan of the reaction of PFF. Yes there is good in what they do, but my general feeling towards stats is its a crutch for the non-active participant of football. Both coach and player. Stats are an emotional response to a logical situation. A basic understanding example is the fact that in order for one guy to add stats, 10 other guys and play call have to be in harmony. With that basic mindset, I use stats as a direction finder and focus.
I'll put this in game form just for reference. And remember the key part to every part of football for success, is control what you can control. Live with cause and effect.
The first thing I look at is TOP. While this is a result stat, it is the effect of preparation. Everything we did leading up to the game, resulted in this stat. Of course, there are many factors that make this happen, but again, we need to focus our attention on what did and did not work. Did we win TOP and the game? Did we win the TOP and lose the game? and vice versa. All leads us to breaking down where the results came from. We also take this information during the game as well and that helps with adjustments through every drive and of course halftime. Again, all of this is a broad stroke look at factors in a game.
Field position. Where did we start and where did they start. And also, where did we end our drive and where did we stop them. The basis for this is how did it effect our play calling, how did it effect our TOP and how did it effect our energy. (Yes, its very important when you hear DQ mention this during his news conferences. Big factor in direction coaches go.)
# of drives per Qtr and result. This is about opportunity. A huge factor in how to implement the game plan you spent all week prepping for execution.
Penalties. Duh. But there is a lot of detail that goes into this. For instance, this past week, the Eagle had 10 while we had 6. OK. When did those penalties happen and what was their result. Did we get a drive extended or did we shoot ourselves in the foot? For instance, 2 PI on the same drive for Lattimore and then the 2 dead ball on the S for the Eagles. Did they have a positive or negative effect and how did we handle that moment. Again, broad stroke to narrow down focus to correct, especially during games.
TO. The absolute killer of a team.....100% of the time. Unless you have JD5 apparently. This stat is a back breaker for opportunities. You only get so many chances a game so very high priority throughout the week on ball security and decision making by the QB on throws. However, keep in mind as a stat, it has value but needs to have context. Obviously a deep thrown ball INT helps Field Position as long as they don't get much of return. Circumstances will give that value. Turn over on downs also has many layers to it and can make it acceptable. A lot to unpack with TOs.
Obviously, there is a lot to go into detail about with each of these basic stats. We can break them down even more and how, at least with my experience, to correct, prepare and execute those details. Football is a results driven sport. The stats scream at people the apparent answer as to what does and doesn't work. However, the phrase "Any given Sunday" exists for a very specific reason. The great Excel sheet of information doesn't tell me a damn thing about what CAN happen on the field. It just tells me what DID happen on the field. When you take the information, align it with what your talent level brings to the table and then get everyone and everything on the same page......you have a CHANCE at success. Welcome to every play in football.
One quick thing about talent and everyone wanting better talent. I am so fired up that AP is here and in lock step with DQ on the make up of the players we have. Talent is simply the guy who has a positive result more than not. At the high school level, you do not get the chance to pick your players.....unless your Hayfield apparently, so you must create an atmosphere where your players by choice, decide to do what they can not to let down their teammates. We have always taught the kids the priority tree being Faith, Family, School, Team and then yourself. Look though those glasses as you make every choice in your life. In the pro arena, we are a glowing example of how putting a bunch of young men in a situation where you will get their maximum talent out of them because the fear of letting down their brothers is stronger than their desire to be on the front page. Of course I want the BFS (Bigger, Faster, Stronger) players so that we can cover up mistakes with just being the better athlete. However, I want guys who don't depend on their abilities more than their mind because I am not sure I have ever met any one who helped their team win when they didn't put the other 10 guys in front of them. AP and DQ are after that and we know its possible because we have #5, 17, 54, 4 etc.....We get to be picky and we don't always want the shiny object.
Random thoughts so far in this rough post....but super excited about where we can go and what we can be. Bring on the Falcons.
