Communication Under Pressure
Watched the MaxPreps Game of the Week on Friday – St. Joseph’s (PA) vs Brentwood Academy (TN). And St. Joe’s second series was a good example for what Communication Under Pressure can look like with the right analytics.
They started at their own 20, down 7–0.Own 20: On 1st down, the 4th down recommendation was “PUNT”.
After picking up a first down:
Own 30: On 1st down, the 4th down recommendation again was “PUNT”.
A few plays later, after picking up a big chunk and another first down:
Opponent 25: On 1st down, 4th down recommendation was “GO on 4th & 10 or less”.
A few plays later, they picked up another first down.
Opponent 7: On 1st down, 4th down recommendation was “GO on 4th & 8 or less”.
And after a 5-yard gain on first down, the message to the head coach is simple:
“4th & 2 or less is a DEFINITE GO. You’ve got three plays.”
The point is that game-day analytics shouldn’t add more information for a head coach to process.
The right analytics should make game day simpler.
As score, clock, field position and the game situation change, the analysis changes with it. But the communication doesn’t need to be complicated:
Punt
Punt
GO on 4th & 10 or less
GO on 4th & 8 or less
We’re in definite-GO territory. You’ve got three plays.
By the time 4th down arrives, the goal is for the head coach to already know what he’s willing to do.
Good analytics shouldn’t give a coach more to think about. It should give him less.