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Saturday, September 3, 2022

The Truth of the Draft Choice Analogy

"Talent Uber Alles." Coaching helps talent succeed. How many "lottery picks," first and second rounders, and free agents appear on the roster? 

Consider this framework during roster assessment: 

Lottery pick = future All-League player or better 

First rounder = legit multi-season "varsity" starter

Second round = fringy varsity player

Free agent = developmental player

Without multiple "first round" talents, teams struggle

Players come as a tangible mix of size, athleticism, and skill. Excellence favors at least two of the three, and size is God-given not made. 

The goal, the vision is transforming 10-80-10 "middle roster" players of Urban Meyer into the top ten percenter. That doesn't happen just by coaching, as it relies on player-dependent commitment, discipline, sacrifice, and unrequired work. 

None of this renders coaching irrelevant. In fact, when we can't recruit, we depend on development and strategy to improve execution. Coaches impact organization, player development including game knowledge, strategy, physicality (strength and conditioning), and psychology.  

And we can dissect the 'strategy' of spacing, ball and player movement that establish the 'scoring moments' by available talent. 

Lagniappe (something extra). Twitter shares coaching pearls daily. 

Ball pickup tip: for example on jab or jab and rip, consider practicing with the player's eyes closed until the pickup is completed. They become independent of vision on the pickup and can focus on targeting.