Should coaches only schedule teams that could go either way and teams that they probably won't beat and avoid teams that seem like obvious wins? What should the "mix" be in order to classify a schedule strong or weak? To what extent should geography and fan appeal ($$ at the gate) be considered?

You also have to look at previous schedules when you talk about this. Some teams schedule a 4 game series, two home and homes. Lets say one team is great the first couple of years but not so much the next two. You cant really judge a schedule sometimes just based on the year its played. Then again I believe you play the best schedule you can to get you ready for the tournament, just my opinion.

A wise man told me once he tried to schedule 4 games per year where he was pretty sure he would get drilled, 4 games he was sure he could win, 4 50/50 games. the rest was usually made up of natural rivalries, conference games, etc.

If you want a good record, schedule cupcakes. If you want to go deep in the tourney, you better play the best(especially the top teams in your region).

A wise man told me once he tried to schedule 4 games per year where he was pretty sure he would get drilled, 4 games he was sure he could win, 4 50/50 games. the rest was usually made up of natural rivalries, conference games, etc.

 

I would agree with your "wise man". The hard part comes into factoring what you're going to be getting with the "rest" of the schedule. Knowing you're going to be facing a bunch of cupcakes in your conference/district may allow you to bump up elsewhere, and vice versa. But, that's a good starting point.

Some teams do not have a choice. Because of a lack of talent every game is a challenge!

I'd say that if a program is down for a few years, then it is a good idea to schedule some definite wins in order to establish a winning attitude and build confidence. Players don't full comprehend tough schedules and weak schedules. They see the opponent and try to beat them.

I argued with Coach Kinmon at Grant over that. I felt like he overed scheduled for years. They had some good talent in the early 2000s but was always just above 500 because he played Scott Co, Lex Cath, Shelby, Oldham, Anderson, and some tough 9th region schools. I always thought that was a little too tough for them.

I argued with Coach Kinmon at Grant over that. I felt like he overed scheduled for years. They had some good talent in the early 2000s but was always just above 500 because he played Scott Co, Lex Cath, Shelby, Oldham, Anderson, and some tough 9th region schools. I always thought that was a little too tough for them.

 

I'll disagree with you on that. I'd rather go into the district tournament "battle tested" than have an overinflated record against a bunch of cupcakes. I think the quote is something like "To BE the best...you've got to BEAT the best." You have no idea how your team is going to react to tough competition, until they PLAY some tough competition.

As a former High School coach, I believe that it is imperative that you schedule strong opponents. The main reason is that its too hard to motivate your kids to play a cupcake. Plus you learn more from playing and competing against good competion than beating up on weaker opponents.

I am all for playing good competition i just thought they played too tough a schedule that didn't allow the kids to play with confidence at times because they were losing

Playing good teams and varying styles, will help any team wanting to improve. Size, speed, shooting, press and varying defenses, give a Coaching Staff differing looks verse his team.

 

I believe you schedule good opponents when you can, to make your team better.

Playing good teams and varying styles, will help any team wanting to improve. Size, speed, shooting, press and varying defenses, give a Coaching Staff differing looks verse his team.

 

I believe you schedule good opponents when you can, to make your team better.

 

Excellent post.

What I really wanted to bring to the forefront with this thread is that there is a lot that goes into preparing a schedule - timing, previous committments, district requirements, fan appeal, team preparation, team morale.

 

When the casual fan and parent compare teams based on their "weak" or "strong" schedule, they should remember these factors.

What I really wanted to bring to the forefront with this thread is that there is a lot that goes into preparing a schedule - timing, previous committments, district requirements, fan appeal, team preparation, team morale.

 

When the casual fan and parent compare teams based on their "weak" or "strong" schedule, they should remember these factors.

 

My guess would be there are between 4-6 games a year that are "individually scheduled" (perhaps on a two year basis) that can make/break a strong/weak schedule. A school that schedules a team like Covington Latin will likely be looked at having a "softer" schedule than one that might schedule a Shelby County type of team. (No offense to any schools! Just trying to give an example!)

 

But, yes, to the casual fan...there are a lot of reasons why your team is playing the schedule they have. Some may be obvious...some may not. But, for most schools, there's a majority of games that you're "expected" to play, for whatever reason. You really have to take a serious look at the rest to get a true understanding.