Game Planning: Reflecting on Strategies

As coaches, we constantly look for ways to improve our team's performance on the field. A critical aspect of this is game planning, or developing a strategy for how your team will play against a specific opponent. To gain insight into the methods used by experienced coaches, I conducted a survey asking coaches about their game-planning practices.

From the responses, I identified several key themes that emerged, including:

• Importance of verbal and written communication - Many coaches emphasized speaking and writing the game plan to their players. This allows players to clearly understand what is expected of them on the game day and provides a reference for them to review during the week.
  
• Utilizing technology - Many coaches mentioned using technology, such as Google Classroom, Hudl, or Google Slides, to share game plans with their players. This allows for easy access and collaboration and will enable players to review the game plan on time.
  
• Emphasizing the "why" - Many coaches mentioned the importance of teaching players what to do and why they are doing it. By understanding the reasoning behind a play or strategy, players are more likely to execute it correctly and make adjustments as needed.
  
• Incorporating position coach feedback - One coach mentioned the importance of obtaining position coach feedback and considering it when developing game plans. This allows coaches to tailor their strategies to fit best their players' strengths and preferences and the specific needs of the position group. Additionally, seeking out feedback from position coaches can provide valuable insight and perspective on the team's performance and help identify improvement areas.
  
• Breaking down the game plan - Many coaches emphasized the importance of breaking down the game plan into smaller, teachable components for each position group. This allows players to better understand and execute their responsibilities within the overall strategy.
• Utilizing scouting reports - Many coaches mentioned using scouting reports to analyze their opponent's strengths and weaknesses. This information is then used to develop a game plan that takes advantage of the opponent's weaknesses and neutralizes their strengths.

Given these themes, coaches should ask themselves the following thought-provoking questions:

• How do you currently communicate your game plan to your players? Are you utilizing various methods, such as verbal, written, and technology-based options?
  
• How do you ensure that your players understand the reasoning behind each play or strategy in your game plan? Are you regularly reviewing the "why" with your players?
• How do you gather feedback from your coaches on your game plans? Are you open to incorporating their suggestions into your strategy?
• How do you break down your game plan for each position group? Are your position coaches equipped to teach their players the specific components of the game plan?
• How do you use scouting reports to inform your game planning? Are you utilizing all of the information available to you in these reports?

By considering these questions, coaches can reflect on their game-planning strategies and adjust as needed. The responses from the survey demonstrate the importance of clear communication, utilizing technology, understanding the reasoning behind a play or strategy, incorporating player feedback, breaking down the game plan for each position group, and using scouting reports. By implementing these strategies, coaches can improve their team's performance on the field.

Share your thought on the reflection questions in this thread. Also, DM me if you have another idea for a future survey.