The Value of Things: Gaming the Defensive Line

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty ImagesWatching different sports brings it all back. Roster construction is one of the most challenging parts of coaching. This is particularly true when you don’t have a specific limit to your roster. One of the things I was good at was finding a way to get as many different kids on the floor in any one game. It meant mixing and matching to put as many kids into positions they could succeed in as possible.

My biggest weakness was in saying no. I often carried kids I didn’t need to on the roster. Telling someone they weren’t good enough to make the team was never a pleasant experience. However, it is something I learned the hard way. If you don’t cut someone that is…