Elliot Stabler

HAHA...it could be the case.

I agree 100%. I was just referencing the fact that in some cases a film could be a bad one and you couldn't tell anything aside from the hash and if they scored. I know a lot has changed in the era of film trade since I last coached, especially with the use digital trades using Hudl and XOS Thunder Football systems. However, some films aren't worth using and stats could be the only indicator as to any type of scouting report.

Thanks, cat.

All teams are supposed to trade film, but quality of film is not defined nor do all fulfill it. I've seen so many doctored films from the "blimp-cam," field level, with cut out plays, missing halves, etc. Teams can pretty much hand over garbage and still be fulfilling the "trade." However with the stats, one could save 5 plus hours of deciphering and go straight to the report to determine who do they need to stop and who do they need to run the offense around.

I think some coaches, especially older coaches, feel that reporting stats is almost an easy scouting report for their opponents. Being a former coach, I can see that. If one team has one or two guys with the majority of the touches, there is a reason for that. Defenses can scheme to ensure they have their best on best to shut them down. However, with Johnson Central running a veer offense, I truthfully don't think stats would help opposing teams. With the veer, you take what the defense gives you so the stats could be somewhat distorted. But by not reporting stats, I do think that it could hinder a student-atheltes chances at getting the publicity other players do since there is no official record available. Good thread, could lead to an interesting discussion.