Pulling Back The Curtain On The Rankings
For the most part, I’d like to think that I have the state of Indiana pretty well covered. Today’s article, as a preview of the upcoming updated rankings this month, I’m letting folks know what I see, what I want…
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Continue ReadingFor the most part, I’d like to think that I have the state of Indiana pretty well covered. Today’s article, as a preview of the upcoming updated rankings this month, I’m letting folks know what I see, what I want to see, and what I don’t know. Look, none of us are perfect. Furthermore, none of us have all of the answers when it comes to rankings. I felt, after over two years of doing this, it was necessary for the readership to get into my head for a bit and understand where I’m coming from. Here goes nothing.
Call Me Solo. Scout Solo.
OK, an old reference, but a true one, nonetheless. I am, and continue to be, the ONLY full-time scout for the entire state of Indiana. I realize it’s hard to believe, considering how many different pockets of the state I’ve written about over these two-plus years, but it’s absolutely true. As an entity for volleyball, we pride ourselves on getting kids of all ability levels noticed. However, it is physically impossible for me to be everywhere and see everyone for every class throughout the state. I have blind spots, the two biggest being northwestern Indiana (“the region”) and southwestern Indiana (the Evansville area). If for whatever reason, I manage to miss someone (which I will emphasize this week for a couple of big time class of ’23 players), let me know! The more the kids are noticed, the more likely they are to play at the next level. Period. Some coaches and parents around the state have already done so, and I thank them very much every time I see them. Guess what? It’s free to let me know! My feelings don’t get hurt if I miss someone, but I am affected with the vitriol and insults received because of a mistake I made or an athlete I missed. Let’s stay classy, Hoosiers.
Rankings are Future-Based, not Present-Based.
Most rankings out there, no matter the subject, are based in the now. How good is this individual NOW. Our rankings are based on what their projection is at the next level. So, If a taller-than-average kid, who might be new to the sport, starts playing high-level club ball, there’s a reason, and those club coaches see it too. We therefore listen to what those individual coaches say, and rank those kids accordingly. I realize that there are 5’5″ setters out there that have set every record in the book and are four-time all-state honorees. However, that setter will not see playing time at a high-level large volleyball program in college. Full stop. Smaller college programs beg for kids at that level of skill that get overlooked. But, for the most part, the larger the program, the higher on the rankings you will see that particular athlete on our rankings.
That Being Said, These Lists Are Subjective.
Yes, these are opinions, and are not the be-all, end-all to who’s-better-than-whom. These are not final answers for a kid’s future. However, there has to be a bias based on the scout’s personal experience. I favor primary-passing outsides, taller-than-average setters, fast and athletic middles, and defenders that you can’t live without. If you have a three-rotation pin player who hammers everything but is underdeveloped in other skills, there will be changes to the rankings. If your middle is the biggest out there, but slower, you will be beaten by faster and (most likely) smaller middles. Taller setters get to more tight passes, which is where the better defenders pass the ball. If your defender can receive serve on half of the court, then you’re getting a boost from me.
Commitment Equals Proof.
As far as I’m concerned, the chief evaluators in our sport are the recruiting coordinators at four-year schools around the country, at every level. Once you fully commit to a school, you receive a boost in the rankings from me. Rarely does a committed athlete change once the commitment comes, and that’s mostly because of an error of evaluation on MY part. Keep in mind, high school stats are NOT the evaluating tools colleges use. Yes, it’s a place to start. And yes, they’ll attend high school matches to watch kids play. However, that’s not where the majority of the “fair” evaluation occurs. Club ball at its highest levels match similarly skilled kids together to see what will actually happen at the next level. It’s not my system, and not all recruiting coordinators are the same, but I would like to think that they know better than yours truly.
Be Kind and Supportive and Have Fun.
That’s what I do. I’m kind in every article of every athlete I mention. I support every kid putting themselves out there to be noticed at the next level. I have fun no matter what I’m doing or where I’m going. Unfortunately, not everyone sees this awesome sport of ours the same as me, so the reminder I give is this:
This is a game. The kids are giving their all to have fun with it and turn it into a lifelong passion. Our job as adults and parents is to give them a better childhood than what we had as kids. Let’s have fun doing it.