Scout's honor: Wilton works as players play
| • | Warriors slip to No. 2 |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Study hall was pau and practice at Cal State Northridge was hours away, leaving the University of Hawai'i volleyball players with one thing to do: Hit the mall.
On road trips, shopping is a planned activity. UH coach Mike Wilton listed "mall prowling" on yesterday's itinerary.
"I think they're out there shopping and getting lunch," Wilton said yesterday afternoon in a telephone interview from his hotel room. "Me? I'm looking at videotape. Thrill a minute. There's a time to enjoy stuff, and I want them to enjoy themselves. For me, the day before the game is prep time."
Wilton, who awakens before 5 every morning, does not like surprises. To that end, he has spent hours preparing for today's match against Northridge.
The living area next to his hotel room could serve as a Circuit City outlet. There is a lap-top computer, printer, VCR, DVD, editing machine, projector and screen. He has set up a snack table for the players.
In meetings leading to a match, he distributes a detailed scouting report, complete with diagrams. For instance, the Northridge report will note that right-handed Billy Allen, who will start in place of injured setter Ty Tramblie, can hit efficiently with his left hand. There also is the statistical breakdown of when opposite hitter Dan Rhodes, who averages 4.8 kills per game, will attack the line.
The players will watch "cut-ups" — digitally edited isolated highlights of opposing players — during video reviews.
Before each practice, he will go over the scouting report, quizzing players on where a certain opponent is likely to attack.
"I think 'three' is an important teaching tool," he said. "I want our players to read it, hear it and see it. The best one is seeing it, when you're actually playing. We want it to be familiar to our players. All teams are different. If you can see it ahead of time, it makes it easier to play."
During matches, Wilton will seek input from his players.
"Our sideline view is pretty good, but (the players are) right in there. Their instincts and observations are very important. For sure, we're listening to them. Then we input what we notice. Then we throw in a good amount of praise. We try to stay away from (criticizing players). That's not something we want to do during a (match)."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
