The Winning Edge: Winning Texas High School Football, What Really Matters and How Much

By Jacob Rodriguez

The Winning Edge is a must have for all coaches, players, and fans of Texas high school football. It is a scientific investigation of the game. The book clearly explains what really matters in terms of winning and scoring and tells the reader exactly how much those things matter. The Winning Edge is as entertaining as it is informative. After reading it you will never look at Texas High School Football the same again.

Additionally, educators will find this book useful for encouraging both young men and women to further their education beyond high school. The fifth chapter, in particular, is about much more that football. It provides detailed information on the importance of education and the impacts, both tangible and intangible, higher learning has on peoples' lives. The topic of the book may grab the attention of young readers, but the fifth chapter will inspire them to achieve success far beond the athletic field.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacob Rodriguez
• Release date: Jun 5, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458033512

Jacob Rodriguez

About the AuthorDr. Jacob Rodriguez was born in Austin and grew up in a small Texas town. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, where he also taught economics. Upon graduation, he received his commission and became an Air Force intelligence officer. He continued to pursue education in conjunction with his many assignments in the Air Force. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Texas State University and a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Oklahoma. He earned his doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Rodriguez believes in the value of education and the potential of every young man and woman. He is also an avid fan of Texas high school football.

Book preview

The Winning Edge

Winning Texas High School Football

What Really Matters,

And How Much

by

Jacob Rodriguez, Ph.D.

The Winning Edge

Copyright © 2011

Jacob Rodriguez, Ph.D.

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any electronic system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

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Cover art by:

Arion Hypes

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FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jacob Rodriguez

[e-mail]

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Please visit our web site at

www.winningedgesys.com

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Published by Jacob Rodriguez at Smashwords

About the Author

Dr. Jacob Rodriguez was born in Austin and grew up in a small Texas town. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, where he also taught economics. Upon graduation, he received his commission and became an Air Force intelligence officer. He continued to pursue education in conjunction with his many assignments in the Air Force. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Texas State University and a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Oklahoma. He earned his doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Rodriguez believes in the value of education and the potential of every young man and woman. He is also an avid fan of Texas high school football.

In memory of Jaime

Jaime Adan Rodriguez

May 1, 1974 – June 28, 1999

Dedicated to my wife Stephanie and our children Seth, Leanne, Elle, and Evan

For my brother, Captain Alan Rodriguez. I loved watching you play.

For my sister Nadia, and my parents Ralph and Virginia Rodriguez

Coach Les Davis,

Thank you.

I will always be grateful for everything you taught me.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The First Edge: What Contributes to Winning, and How Much?

Factors that Increase the Probability of Winning

Factors the Decrease the Probability of Winning

The First Edge Revealed

The Second Edge: What Impacts Scoring?

Factors that Increase Your Team’s Score

Factors that Decrease Your Team’s Score

The Second Edge Revealed

The Third Edge: What Impacts the Number of Points a Team Allows?

Factors that Increase the Points Your Team Allows

Factors the Decrease the Points Your Team Allows

The Third Edge Revealed

A Sharper Edge: A Framework for Coaches

Levels of the Game

Questions Raised by the Framework

The Ultimate Edge: Advice for Players

The Value of High School Football

The Importance of Education

Conclusion

Appendices

Appendix I: Using the Win Equation

Appendix II: Using the Points Scored Equation

Appendix III: Using the Points Allowed Equation

Man’s flight through life is sustained by the power of his knowledge

-Austin Dusty Miller

Introduction

The Winning Edge is a scientific investigation of Texas high school football. The information that follows was derived using applied mathematics to precisely measure parts of the game in terms of winning and scoring. This book, for the first time, identifies those components of the game that really matter and quantifies exactly how much they matter. There are no opinions in this book. Every assertion is backed by a number.

Coaches, players, and fans of the game will find this book both informative and entertaining. It is a new way of looking at the game - a new paradigm. Coaches can use this book to develop informed strategies designed to maximize their chances of winning and to increase the number of points their teams score. They can also use this information to minimize the number of points they allow. For players, this book will help them understand what matters most in winning. The information can help influence how they prepare. Fans of the game will find this book compelling. Those who read it will have a more insightful view of Texas high school football. By becoming more informed observers, fans will have a greater appreciation for the importance of each play and its contribution to the outcome - and they will have even more fun watching the game.

The Winning Edge is organized into five chapters. The first chapter identifies the aspects of the game which significantly impact whether or not a team wins. It also values those aspects as fractions of a win.