Player Development

[SoonerNorm]

A lot has been said about a lack of player development by Sherri. Although I readily admit we don't know everything that Sherri does or fails to do in this regard, I do think that charge is somewhat/mostly unfair.

Let's assume that at the end of the season Sherri gives every player a written list of things they need to do to improve before the start of play in the fall. Knowing how Sherri likes to write I can envision her doing just that. It is then up to the player to work hard on her instructions. Sherri can only do so much. If the player chooses not to give 100% effort to improve each of the items listed, it is then on the player, not the coach.

The shooters who are struggling shooting the ball all know what they have to do to work their way out of the slump. They need to do what Buddy or Cousins would do...get their early to practice and stay late working on their shot. They would not wait until Lon sat them down and spelled it out. Now, if Sherri or Lon saw something in their mechanics that needed to be tweaked, the coach might be able to offer some help. Otherwise, the player is responsible.

I think it easy to blame the coach when players fail to reach their potential but, IMO, the vast majority of the blame should be on the shoulders of the player.

 

[35TangoTango]

It's pretty rare for a player to be averaging more in college than they did in high school; but I believe that's true for both Kaylin and Vivi.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

A lot has been said about a lack of player development by Sherri. Although I readily admit we don't know everything that Sherri does or fails to do in this regard, I do think that charge is somewhat/mostly unfair.

Let's assume that at the end of the season Sherri gives every player a written list of things they need to do to improve before the start of play in the fall. Knowing how Sherri likes to write I can envision her doing just that. It is then up to the player to work hard on her instructions. Sherri can only do so much. If the player chooses not to give 100% effort to improve each of the items listed, it is then on the player, not the coach.

The shooters who are struggling shooting the ball all know what they have to do to work their way out of the slump. They need to do what Buddy or Cousins would do...get their early to practice and stay late working on their shot. They would not wait until Lon sat them down and spelled it out. Now, if Sherri or Lon saw something in their mechanics that needed to be tweaked, the coach might be able to offer some help. Otherwise, the player is responsible.

I think it easy to blame the coach when players fail to reach their potential but, IMO, the vast majority of the blame should be on the shoulders of the player.

Really insightful thoughts, Norm. Thanks for helping us think about this.

I wonder which players are self motivated enough to do what you suggested. Certainly not all college age kids will be that mature. I'm sure the most frustrating thing coaches - and all college professors - deal with, is seeing what some extra work can do for a particular student, but watching them just not step up and do it.

And for coaches it would be particularly difficult, because they get much of the blame when things don't work well.

 

[cedarsooner]

A lot has been said about a lack of player development by Sherri. Although I readily admit we don't know everything that Sherri does or fails to do in this regard, I do think that charge is somewhat/mostly unfair.

Let's assume that at the end of the season Sherri gives every player a written list of things they need to do to improve before the start of play in the fall. Knowing how Sherri likes to write I can envision her doing just that. It is then up to the player to work hard on her instructions. Sherri can only do so much. If the player chooses not to give 100% effort to improve each of the items listed, it is then on the player, not the coach.

The shooters who are struggling shooting the ball all know what they have to do to work their way out of the slump. They need to do what Buddy or Cousins would do...get their early to practice and stay late working on their shot. They would not wait until Lon sat them down and spelled it out. Now, if Sherri or Lon saw something in their mechanics that needed to be tweaked, the coach might be able to offer some help. Otherwise, the player is responsible.

I think it easy to blame the coach when players fail to reach their potential but, IMO, the vast majority of the blame should be on the shoulders of the player.

I agree to most of this but what Sherri can do is sit down the players that are not playing well. Maddie Manning is 42/129 32% and has 36 turnovers. She is not playing well at all and has not all season. Treece sits on the bench when every time she is given a chance she provides a spark. Would love to see her get more minutes.
Manning is not the player Sherri wants her to be. She was 1 for 9 today. We need players who can score.
She may be a great practice player but is not showing up when the lights get bright.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Doesn't the saying go, "Coaches get to much credit when teams win and too much blame when teams lose."?