Team Selection

Coaches constantly seek edges. Edges arise from experience, study, attending clinics, speaking with trusted advisors, and so forth.

I'm reading Ed Smith's "Making Decisions," an examination of his process as English cricket chief "Selector" from 2018-2021. Smith turned around the fortunes of the English team.

The Cambridge-educated former professional cricketer advocates for using data analytics and the human elements of creativity and intuition.  

Smith quickly rewarded England's prescience. 

During the selection process, Smith came to rely on the Hawk-Eye video system employed for officiating in the Indian Professional League. But he used the system for scouting, particularly a young 'bowler' Jofra Archer. 

For team selection, Smith asks:

• "Is this the right question?" 
• "How accurate is your information?" (Science helps)
• "What is the extent and the limitation of your knowledge?"

By analogy, NBA analysts learned three factors determined a prospects success:

• Age at the time of the draft (younger is better)
• Program attended (elite college basketball programs were better)
• Performance during their college career

High school coaches don't have the same "official" data sets as pros, which is why the experience "eyeball test" makes a difference. Player selection, player development, and team coordination determine effectiveness. Coach Scott Celli brings a wealth of experience in all of the above and continuity, an undervalued part of "legacy programs." 

On a long-departed website, authors noted that postseason performance often related to the number of players playing on elite off-season teams. 

What would a team selector seek?

• Skilled players who impact winning both offensively and defensively
• Consistency of effort and performance
• Resiliency, the will to fight through adversity
• A diversity of skills where players complement each other
• Finding the above in context of players with character and teamwork

Lagniappe (something extra). Move to the ball, partner drill.