Sustainable Competitive Advantage

Sustainable competitive advantage occurs by blending the "Big Picture" with the "granular" details. Explain. 

• Technique (skill)
• Tactics (strategy)
• Physicality (strength and conditioning)
• Psychology (resilience)

For example, strength and conditioning training is integral to high performance for today's athlete. Many of Melrose's first State title game finalists did weight training. Multiple players could bench press over 125 pounds. 

Over the past two decades, Melrose wins consistently by attracting, retaining, and developing good players. That is often a function of coaching continuity. 

Roster composition mixes experience and youth. Starting the season on JV doesn't mean you won't finish with a varsity role. 

Upperclassmen with small roles are on the roster only if they are great teammates and highly competitive practice players. 

"Every day is player development day." Starting the last game doesn't guarantee the same role the next game. 

Competitive advantage can only occur in a "performance-focused, feedback-rich" environment. Coaching applies not only to the player receiving it but to every player at every level of play. "This is what we do; that is how we do it." 

After the Alabama game yesterday, an Alabama player gave a disparaging sign to the Texas players. Coach Nick Saban ran onto the field screaming what cannot be repeated at that player. 

"This is who we are; that is who we are not."