Coaches Sharing Scouting Reports ...

Curious what is accepted and normal procedure out there. Once teams get out of their conference, they are often playing opponents "blind" ... in what scenario's, if at all, do coaches share info ? Are there situations where it is / is not appropriate ?

 

No position on this

It is appropriately neither encouraged nor discouraged. Might be inadequately prepared if coach does not get all information out there. I did it every chanch I got.
These days, if a coach avoided this, I might just be "scouting" for a new coach.

 

I'm sure you look at the teams the opposition played and see if they played any of the teams you played. At that point in time, I'm sure some things are talked between those coaches.

 

Some coaches make dozens of calls trying to get anything they can. Personally, I have always had the "get in your car and go scout" mentality. (Not that it always helps - we lost in RD1 - but we look at the brackets in the last two weeks of the regular season, figure out 3-4 teams we would probably see in the first 3 rounds, and we go see them play. Planning and a little extra leg work. Again it doesn't guarantee a thing.)

In my conference we have an understanding that no information should be given about a conference team. Though I have been called by a few coaches in the last couple of weeks asking about teams from my conference, I have not given any scouting report. Most of them respect my reply. A couple still try to small talk into some scrap of info - comical.

Now, if someone approaches about a team that was played non-conference, that may be a "somewhat different story" so to speak. Again, however, there are friendships that would keep me from ever giving a report on a team, say from my county.

In the end, I typically refer back to the "get in your car and go scout" ideology - though I would not come across that way to someone calling. I am cordial and just tell them I don't have anything.

Final thought:
In one of my first years as a head coach, my team was fortunate to beat a tremendous non-conference team in the regular season. It was one of only three losses for them that entire season. They put us out of the playoffs the year before in a great battle. I had no "ties" to that team or coach, and regretably, probably a little jealousy/resentment. Anyway, In the 3rd or 4th round, a coach who was about to face them called me. He was like a brother to someone I was close to. He asked for a scouting report. I gave it. He beat them. While I'm not saying I was the key to the win, the coach called to thank me for a perfect report and helping out.

Flash forward: That losing coach I had reported on had proven himself to be a "solid" guy and even shared his Christian testimony with me as we got a little more contact. Long story short, one day while mowing I got off the mower and called the coach I had given info about. It just felt like I had somewhat betrayed a good, new friend. I told him what had happened. He was dissapointed and a little hurt. He forgave me. Did I do something "wrong"? Football coaches share film - right? Anyway... I have done it a couple time since, but oddly, I have done it for both of two teams actually facing each other - giving reports on each to the other. Kind of "even Steven."

For most it's irrelevant, other than in your on conference.

Boy - did I just type all that. TMI, huh...

 

Depending on the friendship will determine what and how much info is given. However, most of your better coaches will have scouted most teams they are facing, but they are always looking for that edge (or tendencies.)

 

Great response catcoach, and personally I like to see things for myself too. But honest question about your football coach comment (because Im not a football guy) but I think theres a distinct difference in football. Because I thought HS football coaches only share game films because the NCHSAA mandates them to do so, and further I believe they must share their last 3 games (they cant pick and choose which games to share). Isnt this correct?