I think Shorts biggest problem is his own self. I just get the feeling that he is trying to psyche himself up whenever he knows, undoubtedly, that he is going up against the other team's #1 pass defender that he ends up getting in his own way. I think that the conversation that G. Bradley had with him -- "...Bradley said he spoke to Shorts on the sidelines after the drops about trusting his preparation and athleticism
..." -- really got him away from thinking too much and simply executing the play.

 

I can say that a lot of times, this is an effect that "tough coaching" can have on a player, especially if the player doesn't have an awareness that the person laying out the tough coaching has confidence in him. As a coach, you absolutely must be demanding and set expectations for your players, but it is just as critical that they know that you have confidence in them. Without that, the player will be scared of defeat and not striving towards execution.

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