Evaluating Talent In The Pre-SeasonEvaluating Talent In The Pre-Season(Knowing What You Have!) (Knowing What You Have!)

2009 Nike Coach of The Year 2009 Nike Coach of The Year Jack Gregory Jack Gregory © 2009© 2009

Why?Why?

1)1) Know your talent pool and depth of talent pool.Know your talent pool and depth of talent pool.

2)2) Know your athletic kids. Key role players?Know your athletic kids. Key role players?

3)3) Know your non-athletic kids. Developmental Know your non-athletic kids. Developmental players/Minimum Play Players?players/Minimum Play Players?

4)4) Find your hidden gems.Find your hidden gems.

5)5) If you know your league you can compare talent to If you know your league you can compare talent to known organizations.known organizations.

The initial evaluation will not answer all of your questions but it will answer a large part of The initial evaluation will not answer all of your questions but it will answer a large part of them.them.

Why?Why?

How many coaches have Drafts? (mandatory evals)How many coaches have Drafts? (mandatory evals)

How many coaches have Rosters larger then 16 players?How many coaches have Rosters larger then 16 players?(player placement)(player placement)

How many coaches have Limited Pre-Season Practice How many coaches have Limited Pre-Season Practice Time? (small window to get it right – less than 3 weeks)Time? (small window to get it right – less than 3 weeks)

How many coaches have Parent Agents? How many coaches have Parent Agents? (hard data and facts keep them out of your hair)(hard data and facts keep them out of your hair)

Key Contributors to Athletic Key Contributors to Athletic DevelopmentDevelopment

You need to do evaluations that give you hard data.You need to do evaluations that give you hard data.• This gives you evidence based data to show your coaching staff, org. officials, This gives you evidence based data to show your coaching staff, org. officials, and parents (player agents).and parents (player agents).•It allows you to keep annual records of players to spot individual trends in It allows you to keep annual records of players to spot individual trends in player development.player development.•It allows you to set up a focused athletic development plan for your players.It allows you to set up a focused athletic development plan for your players.•It helps takes emotion, guess work, and nepotism out of your decision making It helps takes emotion, guess work, and nepotism out of your decision making process. Fact based testing that allows for consistent decision making within process. Fact based testing that allows for consistent decision making within the coaching staff.the coaching staff.

Nothing based on speculation or supposition.Nothing based on speculation or supposition.• If you are using evaluation methods that allow you to decide or guess how If you are using evaluation methods that allow you to decide or guess how good a player is then it is not a FACT.good a player is then it is not a FACT.• That leaves the door open to be seconded guessed, overlook a player, or That leaves the door open to be seconded guessed, overlook a player, or over estimate a player. It destroys credibility with parents, coaching staff, and over estimate a player. It destroys credibility with parents, coaching staff, and often your league and organization.often your league and organization.

Key Components to ConsiderKey Components to Consider

Athletic Development and Factors that Affect It:Athletic Development and Factors that Affect It:

Physical Development – biological maturityPhysical Development – biological maturity

Motor Skill Development – basic movement skillsMotor Skill Development – basic movement skills

Balance & Body Awareness – proprioceptive awarenessBalance & Body Awareness – proprioceptive awareness

Cognitive Development – intellectual skills, concentration, logicCognitive Development – intellectual skills, concentration, logic

Emotional & Social Development – maturityEmotional & Social Development – maturity

Mental, Emotional, and Physical ToughnessMental, Emotional, and Physical Toughness

Confident & AggressiveConfident & Aggressive

Simple Method for Testing a TeamSimple Method for Testing a Team

Factors to consider when doing evaluationFactors to consider when doing evaluation1)1)Limited TimeLimited Time2)2)Quality DataQuality Data3)3)Large Group Large Group 4)4)Covers Key Components Covers Key Components 5)5)Allows you to compare and contrast easilyAllows you to compare and contrast easily

Seven tests using a weighted score.Seven tests using a weighted score.Uses a time based scoring system with small times being high scores.Uses a time based scoring system with small times being high scores.Useful in Drafts, Team Evaluation, and Self-Evaluation Useful in Drafts, Team Evaluation, and Self-Evaluation Allows for trend analysis within an organizationAllows for trend analysis within an organization

Make every test competitive based. Competition incites maximum Make every test competitive based. Competition incites maximum effort. It allows you to see how a player responds to success and effort. It allows you to see how a player responds to success and failure (emotional/mental/physical toughness). failure (emotional/mental/physical toughness).

Make It CompetitiveMake It Competitive

All drills will be done with two players at a time racing against each other.All drills will be done with two players at a time racing against each other.

Inform players that at the end of the testing session the top four player from each event Inform players that at the end of the testing session the top four player from each event will have two round playoff to determine the champion of each event. This gets will have two round playoff to determine the champion of each event. This gets every player used to competing and learning how to handle success and failure. It every player used to competing and learning how to handle success and failure. It allows you to evaluate their reaction to success and failure. It will highlight your allows you to evaluate their reaction to success and failure. It will highlight your competitive players and your meek players.competitive players and your meek players.

Each drill is done with a stop watch. The person keeping time needs to be consistent. Each drill is done with a stop watch. The person keeping time needs to be consistent. Time keeping method needs to be consistent. Stop watch or motion activated/laser Time keeping method needs to be consistent. Stop watch or motion activated/laser stop equipment (NIKE stop equipment (NIKE SPARQ XLR8 Digital Timing System) ($300.00) (extra cone SPARQ XLR8 Digital Timing System) ($300.00) (extra cone for split times $125.00) ($425.00)for split times $125.00) ($425.00)

Seven TestsSeven Tests

Linear Speed/PowerLinear Speed/Power10 yard Dash – measures quickness, starting power/technique, Line10 yard Dash – measures quickness, starting power/technique, Line20 yard Dash – measures speed, everyone20 yard Dash – measures speed, everyone40 yard Dash – measures break away speed, BC/DB40 yard Dash – measures break away speed, BC/DB

Lateral Speed/AgilityLateral Speed/AgilityPro-Agility – 5x10x5, measures COD, lateral speed, BC/LB/DBPro-Agility – 5x10x5, measures COD, lateral speed, BC/LB/DB6 Tire/Cone Zig Zag (tires/cones 2 feet apart) – measures COD, lateral 6 Tire/Cone Zig Zag (tires/cones 2 feet apart) – measures COD, lateral

quickness, everyonequickness, everyone

Explosive Power/Coordination/AggressivenessExplosive Power/Coordination/AggressivenessBearcrawl 20 yard – coordination, power, everyoneBearcrawl 20 yard – coordination, power, everyoneBag/Tire Flip 20 yard – power, aggressiveness, everyoneBag/Tire Flip 20 yard – power, aggressiveness, everyone

Measuring Time with A Stop WatchMeasuring Time with A Stop Watch

1.1. The coach measuring time will stand at the finish line perpendicular to the The coach measuring time will stand at the finish line perpendicular to the line. His foot and hand near the starting line will be on/over the starting line. His foot and hand near the starting line will be on/over the starting line. line.

2.2. An electronic stop watch using LAP TIMING should be used as you can An electronic stop watch using LAP TIMING should be used as you can mark multiple runners (two in this case). mark multiple runners (two in this case).

3.3. The stop watch is held up and the coach has his line of sight be the stop The stop watch is held up and the coach has his line of sight be the stop watch and the finish line. watch and the finish line.

4.4. Coach will say READY – SET – GO and time will start when first Coach will say READY – SET – GO and time will start when first movement occurs from either player.movement occurs from either player.

5.5. Time will be marked when any part of the runner’s body crosses the field of Time will be marked when any part of the runner’s body crosses the field of vision of the coach as he looks down the finish line with the stop watch in vision of the coach as he looks down the finish line with the stop watch in front of his line of sight. Second runner’s time is marked in the same front of his line of sight. Second runner’s time is marked in the same manner.manner.

6.6. Time is reported to the record keeper who is keeping stats.Time is reported to the record keeper who is keeping stats.

Measuring Time with A Stop WatchMeasuring Time with A Stop Watch

Ready---Set---Go!Ready---Set---Go!

< Lap 1< Lap 1Lap 2 >Lap 2 >

Recording DataRecording Data

I use a simple EXCEL spread sheet. The sheet is set up to allow me to list I use a simple EXCEL spread sheet. The sheet is set up to allow me to list times and the spread sheet does a simple SUM and AVERAGE of all data.times and the spread sheet does a simple SUM and AVERAGE of all data.

Each individual athlete’s times are summed and this amount is a TIME BASED Each individual athlete’s times are summed and this amount is a TIME BASED SCORE. The lower the total score the better the score.SCORE. The lower the total score the better the score.

Each separate test result is AVERAGED so that we have a TEAM AVERAGE Each separate test result is AVERAGED so that we have a TEAM AVERAGE to compare our individual results. It allows us to measure each individual to compare our individual results. It allows us to measure each individual score to the team average to note a high or low score.score to the team average to note a high or low score.

Athletic Ability, Intangibles, and Complete Assessment have Averaged results.Athletic Ability, Intangibles, and Complete Assessment have Averaged results.

I will always compare the Athletic Ability and the Complete Assessment I will always compare the Athletic Ability and the Complete Assessment together when making decisions as I hold the Athletic Ability in much together when making decisions as I hold the Athletic Ability in much higher regard than the Complete Assessment.higher regard than the Complete Assessment.

Spread Sheet – Basic Ability Assessment Sheet – Basic Ability Assessment Sheet

2008 52008 5thth Grade Prince of Peace Team Grade Prince of Peace Team

Prince of Peace – One play off appearance in football since 2000.Prince of Peace – One play off appearance in football since 2000.

Milestones for this year:Milestones for this year:8-3 (6-2 season/2-1 playoff record; loss in Championship 38-26)8-3 (6-2 season/2-1 playoff record; loss in Championship 38-26)#1 Offense in Points Scored (29.8 ppg)#1 Offense in Points Scored (29.8 ppg)#1 Defense in Points Allowed (9.4 ppg)#1 Defense in Points Allowed (9.4 ppg)11stst POP team to win more then 5 games in a regular season POP team to win more then 5 games in a regular season11stst POP team to play in championship POP team to play in championship

At beginning of the year – 27 man roster At beginning of the year – 27 man roster At the end of the year – 21 man rosterAt the end of the year – 21 man rosterLosses = 2 due to medical reasons, 1 due to grades (was aware of Losses = 2 due to medical reasons, 1 due to grades (was aware of

grade issue), 1 due to parental issues (was aware of the issues), 1 grade issue), 1 due to parental issues (was aware of the issues), 1 due to not liking contact/play, 1 player issues (was aware of due to not liking contact/play, 1 player issues (was aware of issues). issues).

2008 52008 5thth Grade POP Grade POP Athletic Test ResultsAthletic Test Results

I note the top four scores from each event. To note top performers in I note the top four scores from each event. To note top performers in each event and to create the two round playoff.each event and to create the two round playoff.

I note all players below the average (good athletes) and all players I note all players below the average (good athletes) and all players above the average (developmental athletes).above the average (developmental athletes).

SEE EXCEL SPREAD SHEET OF 2008 PRINCE OF PEACE 5EXCEL SPREAD SHEET OF 2008 PRINCE OF PEACE 5thth GRADE GRADE TEAM TEAM

What Have I Answered So Far?What Have I Answered So Far?

1)1) Know your talent pool and depth of talent pool:Know your talent pool and depth of talent pool:2)2) Know your athletic kids…Know your athletic kids…3)3) Know your non-athletic kids. Developmental Know your non-athletic kids. Developmental

players/Minimum Play Players? players/Minimum Play Players? 4)4) Find your hidden gems. Find your hidden gems. 5)5) If you know your league you can compare talent to If you know your league you can compare talent to

known organizations. known organizations. New to league and these are entry level New to league and these are entry level players. Will have data for next year (6players. Will have data for next year (6thth).).

2008 52008 5thth Grade POP Grade POP Intangible ResultsIntangible Results

There are seven intangibles that I monitor and note for each player. It might There are seven intangibles that I monitor and note for each player. It might take an entire season for me to properly assess these intangibles for each take an entire season for me to properly assess these intangibles for each kid but once I get a good feeling of each tangible for each player I do note kid but once I get a good feeling of each tangible for each player I do note them. Often it is not uncommon for me to make changes to my initial them. Often it is not uncommon for me to make changes to my initial assessment if made early on in the season. assessment if made early on in the season.

The seven intangibles: Experience, Attitude, Aggressiveness, Dependability, The seven intangibles: Experience, Attitude, Aggressiveness, Dependability, Parents, Grades, Adaptability.Parents, Grades, Adaptability.

I weight these via seconds. Positive scores are deductions in time and I weight these via seconds. Positive scores are deductions in time and negative scores are additions to time. That means players with a net of negative scores are additions to time. That means players with a net of positive intangibles will have a reduction in total time. positive intangibles will have a reduction in total time.

SEE EXCEL SPREAD SHEET OF 2008 PRINCE OF PEACE 5SEE EXCEL SPREAD SHEET OF 2008 PRINCE OF PEACE 5 thth GRADE TEAM GRADE TEAM

What Have I Answered Now?What Have I Answered Now?

1.1. Know your talent pool and depth of talent pool: Know your talent pool and depth of talent pool:

2.2. Know your athletic kids (-3 or better).Know your athletic kids (-3 or better).

3.3. Key role players? Key role players?

4.4. Know your non-athletic kids (+3 or worse). Know your non-athletic kids (+3 or worse).

Developmental players/Minimum Play Players? Developmental players/Minimum Play Players?

5.5. Find your hidden gems. Find your hidden gems.

6.6. If you know your league you can compare talent to If you know your league you can compare talent to

known organizations.known organizations.

7.7. Time for 5 to 14 year olds Time for 5 to 14 year olds

Questions?Questions?

Contact Info:Contact Info:

coachgregory@live.comcoachgregory@live.com

My Website:My Website:

www.gregorydoublewing.comwww.gregorydoublewing.com

You can purchase my new book at www.Amazon.com by simply searching for You can purchase my new book at www.Amazon.com by simply searching for Youth Double Wing.Youth Double Wing.

You can find my new YDW DVD SET at You can find my new YDW DVD SET at www.championshipproductions.comwww.championshipproductions.com

Visit Visit www.doublewingsymposium.comwww.doublewingsymposium.comStreaming coaching clinic presentations on line!Streaming coaching clinic presentations on line!