Scouting Info and Self Scout

If you're going to get detailed during film study, now's the time to do so...

Offensively-

Here's what goes on each game's report after each week's game (that way it's done and if I want to self-scout I can do so at any point during the season):

Down
Distance
Hash
Yard
Formation
Play
Result

I do this because not everything is as good or as bad as it seems- one year I thought our jets sucked and I was completely unhappy with the play. I self scouted and saw that we were averaging 8yds/carry with it, but on 1st down it was only averaging around 3. Defenses were obviously sitting on jet 1st play, so I stopped running it.

In the offseason we took a page from Denny Creehan and started charting every play of every game from the past season. It takes time- another coach and I could get through a game per day, working after school from 3-6.
Each play gets its own page.
On the page we draw in the formation, the defense by jersey numbers, circle who makes the play, and disect the play result - why did we lose yds here? why did that DT beat our G on that reach?
This allows us to either address the player mechanics that caused the failure or the scheme itself.

I have a freshman coach break down every game on Saturdays during the season on DSV. I can then self scout every week. At the end of the year we will filter plays by most productive(run & pass), D&D, Hash, coming out, red zone, goal line so forth.

Well defensively speaking, I think I am a little different than most of you. I do look at the tape but look at it not from a numbers point of view like you would a typical scout. I look at it as how I can teach my stuff better. I have been running this defense for ten years, it has evolved over time but in the end we are going to do what we do. I know where the weaknesses are. so even if you don't show something we still might practice a weakness that week in case we happen to see it. Only one team that we faced this year in my opinion really took the time to adjust what they did to us last year. so why am I going to spend alot time on last years stuff. This is a function, IMO, of OC's having to have the latest and greatest instead of making their stuff better so they never get good at anything. half the teams we faced last year changed their offense. again, we try to look ahead as much as possible with a mind towards our inherent weaknesses associated with any defense

Thought you guys would like these quotes

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.


All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
- Sun Tzu, the Art of War

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
- Sun Tzu, the Art of War

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys.
Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!"
- Sun Tzu, the Art of War

www.military-quotes.com/Sun-Tzu.htm

I like Sun Tzu as well, but I use the Shillelagh Law, which relates to Irish stick fighting.

1. Never trust anything you can count on
Pertains to the number one target of the stick fighter - the hand. (i.e. You can count by using the fingers on your hand.) Hit your opponent's hand and he drops his stick. In football I use this to illustrate creating turnovers.

2. Evermore Alee against those who oppose
Never retreat when stick fighting, always move in or stand your ground. Be a proactive player. That's why we blitz. We're not going to react, we're going to force you to.

3. Enter each match with a {censored} of the tin
Pertains to the act of wheeling before each match - a verbal battle of wits. Confidence.

4. Always leave the table with the hunger in your stomach
When your opponent is no longer a threat, step away and allow them to retreat. In other words, sub your players.

5. Remember "Skibbereen"
For every blow you sustain when fighting, return with two of your own.

6. Give the Come Hither
When factions meet, call out their biggest or their best stick fighter immediately to make an example of him. You have to want to play the best team and against the best players.

7. Tell of the One Fear
Warn the other stick fighter if the fight is to the death. i.e. "The only fear I have is the fear of killin' you."

8. Never walk from a Dogfall
Never end a contest in a draw or an unknown victor; there must be one sure winner.

9. Blaze abroad your clan with might
Announce to your foe that you are of Doyle blood so they know from where the blow fell. Be proud of the team. Make sure they remember you.

10. Through Fortitude We Conquer . It's not easy. You have to endure their best efforts.

I see you couldn't sleep again. were you dreaming of blitzes ;D