The final element of quality coaching is attention to detail. Like fitness, the evidence of attention to detail is a little trickier to define and may be more readily understood by those involved, but can be discerned over time in a team’s execution. In this instance, it is often easier to discern a lack of attention to detail as opposed to its more positive counterpart. We can often sense a lack of attention to detail when we see players used out of position, or in ways that are counter to their natural skills or inclinations. We see it when players are used repetitively in situations or circumstances that they are not comfortable or productive in, or when a team makes no attempt to understand the underlying ideas that the opposition is employing to fuel their success.  We all have a pretty good idea about what a poorly organized team looks like. The important distinction then is to get a firm grasp on when we are watching a team that pays attention to detail.

The first point is not to confuse attention to detail with execution. Often we feel that if a team executes its system, with proper spacing or the right defensive principles, then attention is being paid to detail. After all, the players are doing the right things. Attention must be paid if the players are all moving in the same direction. As we have discussed earlier, proper execution often has less to do with quality coaching and more to do with the experience level of the players involved. The coach may pay no attention to detail but have a group of veteran players that understand the importance of knowing their lines. These players have enough collective service to know that if everyone is doing whatever they want, there is little chance of a positive outcome. However, if everyone follows the script and does their job, much can be salvaged. The cursory contemplation of whether a team executes well does not necessarily reveal attention to detail.  

Attention to detail is more revealed in the way a team prepares to play. This is often what is referred to as situational coaching. I not only prepare my team in the standard means of what we do and how we do it, but I also make sure they understand as many of the various situations we can find ourselves in and what we want to do in these circumstances. In basketball, if we are up 1 point with 30 seconds left and are on defence how aware are we of what the other team will attempt and how ready are we to break-up the play. In football, how well do we know the other team’s goal line plays and what they will run in crucial situations. This knowledge is often the direct result of a coach’s willingness to engage in meticulous tape study and create a knowledge base of what are the opponent’s tendencies and crutches. Taking away these tendencies, or least the attempt to take them away, is the attention to detail that often separates the quality of coaching we are watching. In various sports, the manipulation of time outs or clock management can also be important signs of attention to detail. Knowing your players to the point that you are aware of when they can play through difficult situations versus when you need to interject yourself into the process to change the course of events. Often lesser coaches will use timeouts or make play calls like it is from a manual. In this situation, you are less likely to be second guessed after a negative outcome if you follow this set of choices. In situations where jobs are on the line, this may even be understandable. The real quality coach has a feel for execution and when their input has real value and will make decisions to reinforce the confidence they have in their players when in a situation where things do not look good for them.  They know that if they allow things to continue unchecked, the opposition will eventually make a choice that favours them if they are left without the ability to consult their own coach. All of these situations are better indications of attention to detail then plain execution.

In the same vein as the above, is the ability of a coach to understand how to tilt those few crucial possessions in their favour to help their team be successful in a close game.  They may create a match-up that seems to favour the other team, but when the team bends their offense to try and take advantage of the match-up, it disrupts their flow and allows the coach's team to enjoy a crucial period of success.  Similarly, they will know which players they can allow to have certain opportunities because it detracts from the concepts or players that help that team be successful and win games.  These subtle disruptions of a game's flow are often the small advantages that add up to a team being able to have success.  

Another thing that you see in teams that pay attention to detail is the ability to be calm or composed in key situations.  When attention is paid to detail and the situations that arise in games, then players grow comfortable with these situations and what must be done.  They may or may not be able to execute, but they do not fail because they are flustered or rushed.  Their awareness of what needs to be done gives them a sense of calm.  You will also see growth in young players, while they may be flustered in one situation, the next time they encounter that situation adjustments will have been made and they will know their role and understand what they are trying to accomplish. These teams just seem to understand what needs to be done and who needs to be in charge and what they are looking for.

Finally, a coach who pays attention to detail understands what their teams need from them.  In many cases, any coach can detect that something is not going properly or execution is off.  The key is in knowing what each player needs to hear to help them get to the right place.  A coach who pays attention to detail will have studied enough solutions and spent enough time on various skills and tactics that they will know what the problem is, how it can be fixed and what a player needs to hear to make those adjustments.  Coaching is often the ability to get someone to do what is in their own best self interest even if they do not understand that.  In this regard, you have to know how to phrase things to help players get to where they need to be in order to enjoy success.  This comes from paying attention to the details of who you are talking to and how they need to be redirected.

We know we are looking at a well coached team when we see evidence of physical fitness, player improvement and attention to detail.  Is the team we are watching able to wear down their opponents with superior physical play or pace?  Do the players we are watching improve from year to year, or game to game, or even shift to shift at times?  Does the team have a level of composure and seem to understand what needs to happen in order to undermine the opponent and create an opportunity to be successful?  In evaluating the quality of a coach, it is not the cleverness of their plays or even the innovation of their system that matters.  Creativity and innovation are important, but these types of coaches, because their loyalty lies with the system and not the players, can sometimes struggle in leadership positions.  The three key components of good coaching - fitness, development and detail - are universal.  They may or may not lead to a winning situation and talent deficits may lead to a losing record, but in that situation, we can see the seeds of success if a team upgrades their talent or natural development takes place over time.