Making Better In-Game Adjustments: A Coach's Guide to Strategic Decision Making

The ability to make effective in-game adjustments can be the difference between winning and losing. But how do you know when to adjust, and what changes will have the most impact? Let's break down a framework for making smarter in-game decisions.

The Pre-Adjustment Checklist

Before making any tactical changes, ask yourself these three crucial questions:

1. Are we playing hard enough?

2. Are we executing at a high level?

3. Do we have the right people on the floor?

If the answer is "no" to either of the first two questions, that's your adjustment right there. Focus on effort and execution before making strategic changes.

The Power of Personnel Changes

The quickest way to impact game flow is through personnel adjustments. There are two primary approaches:

• Substituting different players

• Repositioning current players into different roles

Many coaches underestimate the impact of simply moving their "chess pieces" to different positions on the board. Players will naturally do what they're good at, so putting them in positions to maximize their strengths can create immediate advantages.

Making Tactical Adjustments

If you've confirmed strong effort and execution, and you have the right personnel in place, consider these tactical adjustments:

• Changing defensive coverage

• Modifying offensive actions

• Adjusting spacing and ball movement

• Altering tempo and pace

Remember: Every adjustment has a trade-off. When you choose to take something away defensively, you're giving up something else. The key is understanding what your team does well and leveraging those strengths.

Quick Tips for Better Adjustments

✓ Have clear keys to winning and measure them throughout the game

✓ Make personnel changes before tactical ones

✓ Trust your preparation and system

✓ Look for simple solutions first

✓ Monitor the impact of changes immediately

The Bottom Line

Great in-game adjustments aren't about completely changing your identity—they're about making small tweaks that create big returns. Focus on putting your players in positions to succeed while maintaining the core principles of your system.

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