Selecting the Athlete

Size of the SquadUnstructured SelectionStructured SelectionInforming the Players

Selecting the AthleteThere can be no game without players. There does not have to be a coach but there must be players, and a coach's success depends on them.

Many coaches do not seem to mind judging whether or not a player is good enough to make the squad, but others find this most complex and distasted task.There is always the possibility that injuries, illness, or players quitting will deplete the squad. It is also possible that a potentially good player will be turned off by not being kept on the squad and never play again.The size of the squad will vary with individual situations. Primary consideration has to be given to the number on the sports team, rules accompanying the sport, and the type of the play involved.Another factor to consider is the extent of the funding. This would determine such things as the number of coaches assigned to the sport, available equipment, schedule of contest, the number of teams in the sport, as well as the number of players on the squad. The total number of players competing for positions, as well as their skill levels and ages or classifications, are contributing elements.The number of available uniforms, spaces for practice, number of lockers, and the amount of equipment will often force the coach to make decisions about selection.Size of the SquadThere are advantages and disadvantages in having larger squads with several teams. Advantges:Players try harder because there is mobility among the levels of the teamsLower skilled and late developing players have the opportunity to improveMore players usually means greater support for the teams.More students have the opportunity to be a member of the team.Disadvantages:Constant pressure on the coach evaluating players moving up or downConstant pressure and uncertainty among the playersIncreased numbers to organize and teachIncreased numbers of coaches which may result in lack of unity among the staff.NoCut Policy

SelfCut PolicyRecruiting

unStructured SelectionNoCut Policy:There are times when a nocut policy will be in effect; this may be the administrations or the coachs policy. In some leagues, general those established for younger players, the rule is that all who want to play become members of a team.Coaches who have a nocut philosophy may find this works very well with age-group or feeder teams. Often this will be done with younger players in a junior high/middle school when the primary objective is to develop interest and skill in a sport.Self-Cut Policy:Some coaches do not cut players but let the players cut themselves. A coach may think that a player is going to quit so the player is dropped. In this way a coach can say, I have not had a player to quit on me yet.A coach must be prepared to make decisions concerning those who quit and then elect to try again. Players should not be going and coming at will, but it may be wise to leave an opening for those who would like to return, if not this season, then next year.Recruiting:There are times when the coachs selection is limited because the try-out group is small in number, or those who are considered to be the better athletes are not among the prospects. Coaches who want or need additional team members must go after them; the method will vary with the coach and with the situation.Of course, a coach can always talk with the sought after individuals. The potential athletes may have felt that they simply were not skilled enough to complete, or perhaps needed the added encouragement of being asked to join the team.Structured SelectionObjective Selection:

Skill

Other FactorsSubjective Evaluation:

Personality TraitsPersonal TraitsPeer evaluationsIf the plan is to select player, a certain sequence or structure has to be established, and the decision on what is to be measured should be made. Then the coach must design drills and situations in which players can be judged fairly, and develop a method of scoring so that valid performance information can be used in evaluation.Objective Selection:

Some attributes or skills can be objectively measured in simulated or drill situations, but using these nongame situations is not always functional because they are quite different from contest conditions. Other attributes having specific application to the sport may also be measured, such as speed, endurance, or strength.

SkillOne thing is certain-the player must have fundamental skills. How are these measured? First, a question should be answered. What do I want to measure and why these? the major physical elements and basic skills required will vary with the sport. All sport do not make the same demands on the participants, so the important aspects for each sport must be isolated. Major physical elements may be assessed by giving tests.There are always those who will not pass some of the skill tests but be very good game players. Performance of skills outside the contest situation is not always an accurate indicator of an athletes playing ability, so these tests should be just one of several selection criteria.Coaches of individual sports may have less difficulty selecting squads. Time trials, challenge matches, ladder tournaments, swim-offs, and so on, can be held to determine the better performers.Whatever the methods, all players deserve to be given a fair and equal chance. Tryouts need to be long enough to allow all players an opportunity to be seen by the coach, with equal time for participation in intra-squad games, which permits equitable recording of the game statistics.Other factorsWhat else should be considered in addition to performance? Body build is vitally important to any sport. Coaches usually consider height and weight and conformation in their selection process.Additional factors that must be considered are age of the player, year in school, and experience. Most coaches will select a younger player, in a lower grade in school but equal ability, over an older player.A coach should make sure that the players selected will be available for practices and games. If a player works, has difficulty with transportation, or in unsure of parental permission ton pay, problems will arise.Subjective EvaluationThe factors that are in the eyes of the beholder are equally as important as those measured objectively, but they are more difficult to evaluate. The personality traits, behavioral characteristics, personal character, and attitude that determine how an individual will react to coaching, adversity, and competition could be more important than a players physical attributes.Personality TraitsAttempts to determine personality traits or profiles unique to the top athlete have resulted in disagreement among researchers. Reports regarding personality differences in athletes in different sports and events and those who play different positions within a sport are inconclusive and contradictory. Coaches would like their players to be coachable, self-disciplined, enthusiastic, dedicated, determined, mentally tough, adaptable, compatible, and proud. How can these traits be measured? Experienced coaches observe players actions on and off the field of play; generally, they are concerned with what happens during practice times because this is similar to the real thing.Personal TraitsCoaches need and want to know about the personal lives and personal traits of their prospective team members; however, they must seek other sources of information. Talking with teachers, fellow coaches, parents, members of the community, and other students can provide answers to some questions.Teams are like families. There is a place for almost every kind of individual but, as in families, there are certain traits that seem characteristic. In the selection process, coaches will want to consider the values in having a diverse group.Peer EvaluationsSome coaches permit players to evaluate their teammates. If this method is used, the process should be early explained and a list of the criteria and/or rating scales to be used should be supplied.Informing the PlayersDifferent methods are used to inform the players of who is on the final squad list. A few coaches seat the players before or after practice and read the names of those who are to remain on the team. Others post a list of those who made the team, with players names listed alphabetically or in order of choice.A time consuming method, but one that some coaches prefer to use, is to call the players into the office and talk with each individually. Players are told whether or not they made the squad, why or why not, and given words of encouragement or discouragement.Whatever the method, it should be devised with the players welfare in mind. There is no easy or simple way to inform a player that he or she did not make the squad, but all coaches should try to be humanistic in this difficult situation.

Prepared by:Mark Jornel AcuaBSED IV-U(MAPE)