Re: How do you scout Defense?
 

I think they are not mutually exclusive terms. In the truest sense, defense is anything that inhibits the opponents from scoring.

Re: How do you scout Defense?
 

I'd like to throw in: talk to people on the team. I throw it in every year, and it is effective if done right. Just rarely done right. Of course, this is just half the story. But it helps to fill out the questions on individual matches. Most teams will tell you why they struggled in a match. It might have been the "elite" team or it might have been overall teamwork of the alliance. There might be something you haven't considered. However, you should really send one of your scouts to the pits to talk to the teams. If you use much more your being wasteful, but one is well worth it. Keep the rest in the stands getting data.

Now, I fully expect the usual 5 disagreements to follow. It happens every year, but I still think that it is a valid method that should always be brought up since most overlook it.

Re: How do you scout Defense?
 

But, teams that play in the far zone don't have to play defense and teams that play defense don't have to stay in the far zone.

I'm also not sure I agree with your definition of defense, either. Like my previous football example, a run-focused, ball controlled offense does inhibit the opponent from scoring, but I've never heard anyone call it defense. As would rebounding in basketball is not generally called defense. In my opinion, defense is an action where the main purpose is to not let the opponent score points. Thus, clearing balls from the far zone is not defense because its main purpose is to score or get balls into scoring position. There are many actions or stratigizes that does have some aspect of defense, but I wouldn't call them "defensive strategies".

Re: How do you scout Defense?
 

At CMP, I think the best defenders will be different than what was scouted at average regionals.
A simple back and forth motion to prevent scoring was enough to win regionals. Definitely not the case at CMP during eliminations.
The best defender in the far zone, MUST effectively grab and shoot balls out of the far zone quickly while trying to play defense. Or better yet, as was displayed in the MSC or certain other regionals, the best defenders played the middle zone, consistenly passing balls to the near zone.
"Instead of blocking you, we will outscore you.":D

Re: How do you scout Defense?
 

Glenn, you are exactly right. Clear the balls and the opposing team will have nothing to score.

Re: How do you scout Defense?
 

First, I definitely question your assertion that the "main purpose" of clearing balls is to get balls into scoring position. That may be one purpose, but I'd be willing to say that, for many teams, it's not the primary purpose. Especially when facing opponents who are great in the offensive zone (or 469).

Secondly, you can disagree all you want. I don't care what you consider to be "defense" or not (especially in terms of only somewhat equivalent sports analogies). I don't care if I'm playing excellent "defense" or a "ball possession offense" if my opponent's score is low. They both accomplish the same thing, and in my book, it's defense.

Re: How do you scout Defense?
 

I think it is obvious that we will have to agree to disagree on a minor difference of opinion. I certainly agree that at the end of the day (or match) it is about scoring more than your opponent and there are many ways to do that. It doesn't matter if you call it 'defense', 'ball possession offense', "all offense", "rush", or whatever. I think we both understand and agree on what good strategies are but just label differently. No worries.



I think that the original intent of the thread was to discuss how to scout for the 'traditional' ( pushing, screening, blocking, pinning...) defense. I'm not sure ball possession and clearing fulfill the critera. If it is included in scouting for defense, than I think keeping track of balls advanced is clearly the best option.

Re: How do you scout Defense?
 

Which is exactly why we picked you.:D
....and the results were great.

Re: How do you scout Defense?
 

Funny, I came here to post the exact same thread.

What we will be implementing for Atlanta is a scale of 1 to 3 on how defensive they are. Last year, we tried counting pins and everything (they were more applicable then), but of course it was extremely tedious.