Ep 30: Building the Perfect Schedule with Leon Kasperski

Did you ever wonder how clubs create tournament schedules for teams?  If you have ever found yourself scratching your head or irritated about anything related to your schedule, you don't want to miss this episode.  In Episode 30, Season 3, Chuck and Brian talk to the schedule maker extraordinaire, a.k.a The Unicorn, a.k.a Leon Kasperski to discuss all of the things that need to be considered when creating the tournament schedule for a team.  The panel discusses important factors such as travel costs, availability, picking the right level, and college coach exposure among other things, and how they all factor into building the perfect schedule.

We also welcome to BSM our FIRST podcast sponsor - Udis and Tokasz Orthodontics, located in Spring House, PA!  Say Ahhh!

Segment 1 focuses on planning, process, and goals when engaging in development of tournament schedules for a season. Leon shares info about when the process begins in advance of a reason, the process of registering teams for tournaments, and challenges resulting from registration that often occurs even before teams are formed. Chuck expands on TNT's approach to "responsible scheduling" and how that may differ from some other clubs. The discussion then moves towards the presence of college coaches at tournaments and how to go about that as a club, especially when wanting to put players in front of coaches they could potentially play for at the next level.

Segment 2 delivers insights into the decision-making process with regard to creating individual team scheedules at each age group and level of competition. Leon presents a scaled approach as the players get older to increase their exposure, vary the experiences to some degree, and maintain appropriate levels of competition to ensure positive experiences for the teams. Chuck discusses some of the history of scheduling at TNT, how the club has evolved over the years, and balancing team and club needs with a desire to avoid unnecessary expense to families. Leon shares the reality of why teams from the same club can still sometimes end up playing each other in a tournament despite a club's best efforts. The importance of communicating realistic expectation to parents in advance of tournaments is also discussed, and Chuck and Leon present a positive view of the tournaments that provide medals for winners at various levels of competition.

Segment 3 discusses how feedback from coaches and families can be an important part of the scheduling process. Some examples regarding tournament experiences received by the club from coaches are shared. Leon presents insights as to reasons why tournaments can be appealing to a club, including venue, location, attractions in the local area, and level of competition. An important point is also brought up regarding how a club really only learns about a tournament by sending teams there, especially for new events. Parent feedback about tournament destinations received from TNT parents at the end of last season is also presented. A few sucessful examples of TNT players being seen by college coaches at tournaments are mentioned, with Leon and Chuck sharing the reality of how players get noticed at tournaments, especially the importantance of a club having coaches on staff with connections to college coaches as part of that process. The group then shares some final thoughts about scheduling before wrapping up the episode.

Segment 1: Scheduling for a Club Season (0:00 - 18:40)

• When the Process Begins in Advance of a Season
• The Tournament Registration Process: Insights and Concerns
• Issues to Consider When Building a Season Schedule
• Thinking About The Different Levels of Teams a Club Offers
• TNT's Approach to "Responsbile Scheduling"
• College Coaches at Club Tournaments, the Impact of Blackout / Quiet Periods, and Putting Players in Front of Coaches They Could Play for at the Next Level 
• Additional Concerns With Regard to Tournaments at a Distance

Segment 2: Tournament Options and Decision-Making Factors (19:10 - 43:22)

• A Scaled Approach to Selecting Different Events for the Various Age Groups and Levels
• Defining a "Better Schedule" --- Providing What is Needed vs. a Schedule with Unnecessary Expenses
• Finding Appropriate Competition and the Reality of What Can Occur When Teams Attend High-Level Tournaments 
• How and Why Teams from the Same Club Can Sometimes Play Each Other in Tournaments Despite a Club's Best Efforts
• Communicating Realistic Expectations to Parents in Advance of Tournaments
• The Benefit of Tournaments that Provide Medals to Winners at Different Levels of Competition

Segment 3: Considering Feedback from Coaches and Parents When Building Schedules (43:52 - 61:43) 

• Examples of Tournament Feedback Received from Coaches
• Reasons for Choosing Tournament Venues: What a Club Looks for
• Live and Learn: Trying to Gauge the Level of Competition Especially with Regard to New Tournaments
• Discussion of and Reflection Upon Tournament Feedback Received from TNT Parents
• More Insights Regarding Cost Considerations Related to Tournaments
• The Truth about How College Coaches Recruit at Tournaments, How Players Really Get Noticed, and Some TNT Success Stories
• Final Thoughts About Scheduling
• Wrap-Up