I got my start in coaching by scouting for Ron Chambers and Doug McElwain at Winfield High School while attending Marshall University. The junior high coach Brad Hodges took me early to show me the ropes, how to best scout and what RC and Mac were looking for. I also spend some time with my junior high coach Allen Osborne and picked his brain on the topic of scouting.
I learned so much from scouting -- in part because I was taught what to look for and also because I loved doing it. While at LSU on the staff of Dale Brown, in-person scouting was still a part of the game and I rarely was on the bench for an LSU game as I traveled the country as an advanced scout. Again, I learned so much from observing others.
Here is a great list from Coach Belichick:
What is
Expected of the Scout
·
A scout should be static in his methods, since the
frequent changes in football should cause him to re-evaluate his methods as
well as seek ways to improve them from time to time.
·
The kind of information that the scout seeks should
not be left entirely to his discretion, but should be spelled out in detail by
the head coach, or those assistants entrusted with formulating game plans. It
is not enough for the head coach to say, “Scout the game and bring back all the
information you can.” Each head coach should have definite items that he wants
to know about. Often, what is of importance to one head coach is of little or
no concern to another. It is to be expected that every head coach will want to
know the basic offense and defense used, and on the basis of this, what can be
anticipated. However, the degree to which the offense and defense is to be
analyzed for tendencies varies among the head coaches. Some coaches will want
every analysis possible, while others will be content with the basic alignments
and adjustments. Each head coach has his own requirements; these are dictated
by his philosophy of the game.
·
In order for a scout to do a satisfactory job, it is
important that he know thoroughly the head coach’s philosophy, as well as have
a complete understanding with him as to what is expected in the scouting
report.
·
In order to enlighten the scout as to what will be
expected of him, some head coaches, at times with the aid of the rest of the
staff, will prepare a check list for the scout to follow. This will enable the
scout to have a complete understanding of what is expected of him insofar as
his search for information is concerned.
·
There are other head coaches who will have a final
report form prepared for the scout to use in determining what knowledge he is
to seek.
·
Regardless of what type forms are used, it is
important that the scout know where to place the emphasis in his work. Some
coaches will want a detailed report on the personnel, while others will stress
as complete a picture as possible of the offense and defense, along with the
tendencies in each phase of the game.
