I was wondering to myself the other day about the nature of week two depth charts, human nature, and coaching motivations. I'm an ardent reader of "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. And one of it's premier principles relates to human nature.
Essentially a leader wants his charges to not assume their position is safe or that "starters are starters". If a player is a starter at seasons end, he has to prove he's still the starter in the spring. Otherwise the next guy on the depth chart has less reason to work as hard given he's already behind player "A" with little chance of advancement. It's a bit like "socialism". When one group of people realize they don't have to work to get money, and the others realize that regardless of how hard they work or perform, they won't benefit from the fruits of their labor.. Everyone stops working.
So player "A" (unless he's got an incredible work ethic) slacks off because he's the stater and nothing outside injury will change it.
Players "B, C, and D" realize that regardless of how hard they work, "A" is coaches "guy" and they are sunk.
So in the spring and early in practice, coaches make sure everyone has a chance to outwork and out-perform everyone else. Earn their time. Great in theory and often in practice. If "A" knows "B,C, and D" are busting it to take his spot. He's likely to work harder to keep it. And if "B, C, and D" realize if they out work and out perform "A", the coach will reward them. The team benefits.
I don't know if Ben Bach is better than Rashard Fant. He could well be. Fant came highly regarded. But that accounts for nothing when the chin strap goes on. Fant has a lot of skills and natural ability. He's also very thin. There's a reason he wears sleeves folks. As did Christian Watford. He may be of the Greg Graham school of body type. He can eat and eat and doesn't gain weight till he's over 40.
So how much of the depth chart is real or scripted. I have no idea. Only the coaches know for sure.
I DO know that I'm anxious to start playing so I can start writing something substantive.
Go IU football.....
Essentially a leader wants his charges to not assume their position is safe or that "starters are starters". If a player is a starter at seasons end, he has to prove he's still the starter in the spring. Otherwise the next guy on the depth chart has less reason to work as hard given he's already behind player "A" with little chance of advancement. It's a bit like "socialism". When one group of people realize they don't have to work to get money, and the others realize that regardless of how hard they work or perform, they won't benefit from the fruits of their labor.. Everyone stops working.
So player "A" (unless he's got an incredible work ethic) slacks off because he's the stater and nothing outside injury will change it.
Players "B, C, and D" realize that regardless of how hard they work, "A" is coaches "guy" and they are sunk.
So in the spring and early in practice, coaches make sure everyone has a chance to outwork and out-perform everyone else. Earn their time. Great in theory and often in practice. If "A" knows "B,C, and D" are busting it to take his spot. He's likely to work harder to keep it. And if "B, C, and D" realize if they out work and out perform "A", the coach will reward them. The team benefits.
I don't know if Ben Bach is better than Rashard Fant. He could well be. Fant came highly regarded. But that accounts for nothing when the chin strap goes on. Fant has a lot of skills and natural ability. He's also very thin. There's a reason he wears sleeves folks. As did Christian Watford. He may be of the Greg Graham school of body type. He can eat and eat and doesn't gain weight till he's over 40.
So how much of the depth chart is real or scripted. I have no idea. Only the coaches know for sure.
I DO know that I'm anxious to start playing so I can start writing something substantive.
Go IU football.....
