To my knowledge this term is given to a player that has the ability to be a "big playmaker". However over the course of my coaching career I have learned that there is a huge difference in "the ability to make a play" and "making the play".
After talking in length with my brother, deemed a "homerun threat", and speaking to a couple of the playmakers on the team I coach, I realize that they all have the same frame of mind; "I gotta score." Which to me is totally understandable being that they feel they have the ability to do so at anytime. Now as an offensive mind when plays are created or drawn on the board, they are most definately illustrated to a degree where it looks like the back or receiver scores everytime. Which would be great! But unlikely. This is where understanding the needs comes into play.
For example: After watching a screen play that Money caught in the 1 quarter (Yes the one where he was spinning in a circle:biglaugh
I got the impression that he wanted to make a lot out of a little. Well the problem is on a play like this we dont necessarily "need" too much, all we "need" is positive yards. Positive yards on a screen play then open up further down field passes because it forces the defensive to respect the screen. Riddle me this: What's the difference in a 6 yard run and a 6 yard screen? Results are the same correct? Can you imagine if we handed the ball off to A-Rob, or any back and they proceeded to go east and west to try and elude every tackler when they potentially could have just lowered their should for an easy 6 yards? This is the same question I posed to Money because it is in fact what he is having the tendency to do. If he would just barrell forward after catching the screens he's sure to progress the ball at least 5 or 6 yards to move the chains! Initially I was getting frustrated with the play calling concerning the screens until I went back and looked at the tape. "Take what the defense gives you!" Is what I preached to him. Even when the itch to juke the 1st 3 guys in your face is present, just take what the defense gives you.
Now I realize that there is a certain load to carry called "expectations", however this load must match your ability. It would be outlandish to think that a coaching staff would have high expectations of a player if they knew that the player's ability didn't parallel that. The ability to be a "Homerun Threat" comes after you've 1st established yourself as at least a base hitter. Losing yards or one or 2 yard gains would label you a "swing and a miss" in my book.
Things will begin to slow down or shall I say settle down for everyone Offensively soon. We have to find a rythym. Defense sets the tone, Offense moves to a rythym and by the end everything is in perfect harmony.
I'm hoping this week things start to sink in and someone can hit a "Homerun" with the bases loaded!
Don't give up on our boys!!!!
After talking in length with my brother, deemed a "homerun threat", and speaking to a couple of the playmakers on the team I coach, I realize that they all have the same frame of mind; "I gotta score." Which to me is totally understandable being that they feel they have the ability to do so at anytime. Now as an offensive mind when plays are created or drawn on the board, they are most definately illustrated to a degree where it looks like the back or receiver scores everytime. Which would be great! But unlikely. This is where understanding the needs comes into play.
For example: After watching a screen play that Money caught in the 1 quarter (Yes the one where he was spinning in a circle:biglaugh
I got the impression that he wanted to make a lot out of a little. Well the problem is on a play like this we dont necessarily "need" too much, all we "need" is positive yards. Positive yards on a screen play then open up further down field passes because it forces the defensive to respect the screen. Riddle me this: What's the difference in a 6 yard run and a 6 yard screen? Results are the same correct? Can you imagine if we handed the ball off to A-Rob, or any back and they proceeded to go east and west to try and elude every tackler when they potentially could have just lowered their should for an easy 6 yards? This is the same question I posed to Money because it is in fact what he is having the tendency to do. If he would just barrell forward after catching the screens he's sure to progress the ball at least 5 or 6 yards to move the chains! Initially I was getting frustrated with the play calling concerning the screens until I went back and looked at the tape. "Take what the defense gives you!" Is what I preached to him. Even when the itch to juke the 1st 3 guys in your face is present, just take what the defense gives you. Now I realize that there is a certain load to carry called "expectations", however this load must match your ability. It would be outlandish to think that a coaching staff would have high expectations of a player if they knew that the player's ability didn't parallel that. The ability to be a "Homerun Threat" comes after you've 1st established yourself as at least a base hitter. Losing yards or one or 2 yard gains would label you a "swing and a miss" in my book.
Things will begin to slow down or shall I say settle down for everyone Offensively soon. We have to find a rythym. Defense sets the tone, Offense moves to a rythym and by the end everything is in perfect harmony.
I'm hoping this week things start to sink in and someone can hit a "Homerun" with the bases loaded!
Don't give up on our boys!!!!
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