Area Not Covered Enough

Agreed I would love to hear what everyone looks for when they are scoutting and what they put in their scouting reports.

I completely agree there's a shortage of scouting info. Of course, game planning and scouting are related, but considered separate. With scouting being the data collection phase, while game planning is the translation of that collected data. There's lots of info on game planning, but very little on scouting. IMO the best offesnsive game planning book is Developing an Offensive Game Plan by Brian Billick -- very detailed and focused. I've been on a pre-order waiting list for Scouting Methods for over a year. I'm hoping the new Belichick book gets to someone who owns a copy and they think about selling it.

We have been able to video scout out opponents for the past couple of years. We still have mandatory exchanges, but filming your own copy also allows us to film tight, wide, etc. The only stipulation we have is that it is illegal to film from the end zones..you must be in the stands. I send all my freshman coaches out each Friday night...whoever does the worst job, I send them the farthest next week. We now don't have to depend on wondering about splits, techs---4i vs 5..ect.

In addition, our staff can break down film prior to our exchange. We use digital cameras, so we don't have to take plays from an analog VHS copy. Also, we don't worry as much about some of the rotten exchanges we have received. This has helped us tremendously, especially on D.

We take our opponents 3 best running plays and try to stop them. We also pay alot of attention to formation. Just what we do..more than one way to skin a cat.

I have a few general thoughts about scouting particularly as a DC. First, I think that you need to remember that it's an art, not a science. I think that too many guys get so involved with the process that they miss the big picture. Of course, I want to get the basics: formations and base plays. More importantly, though, initially I want to get a feel for the other guy. What's his overall philosophy? How committed to it is he? How patient is he? Does have quirks, like mirroring or repeating successful plays or running play-action or complementary plays after a good play? What's his philosophy in special situations: what does he like coming out? On short yardage? On the goal line? End of half? After a takeaway? After we've scored? Where on the field will he go for it on 4th?
Scouting live, I'm mostly interested in looking for things we can't get from video so I'm not scribbling like mad. One thing I am scribbling is pass patterns, since in HS we often don't see them well on video. Other than that, besides getting formations, I'm looking at intangibles: How is their sideline discipline? How do some guys react to adversity on the sidelines? Is there dissension or friction? How cool do the coaches stay? How's their conditioning? Do receivers dog it if they're not involved? If there's an injury, how hurt is the guy? I also like to get down by the field house when they're coming on to the field to get a feel for how big they really are. Getting there early enough to see warmups allows me a chance to get their snap cadence.
Watching video, again, unless I'm throughly familiar with a team, the first time I see them I'll only be writing down basics and otherwise will watch the film through to get a feel for them. When it comes to inputting data, there are situations when I may stop writing alotgether or be very skepitcal: bad weather; a big mismatch if I'm scouting the better team; a big lead by either team (I'll stop inputting after a while but keep watching. Watching seconds gives you an idea about what their basic philosophy, IMO); injuries to key players who may be back for us; scrimmage tapes for early games (lots of teams are looking at players or working on things rather than trying to win.); a defense that's giving up something that we won't.
When scouting live or watching video, one thing we do is try to predict what they'll do as the game goes on. How good of a feel do we have for them? We'll break it down and see what the computer says but rarely do we find a serious tendency that wasn't apparrant while we watched them. It does happen, though, especially with regards to formations, so you do have to look at the breakdowns.
Anyway, I know that I wasn't very specific but that's how I feel about it FWIW. Like I said, it's an art not a science.

The Steelers coach, Chuck Noll?

Chuck Knox?

;D Are you so old you're having a senior moment...

Chuck Knox was ground chuck ;D

sorry folsk...i can spell, just cant type

all it says is OPPS!