4th and 1 – What would Brady do?

4th and 1 – Peyton Manning asks Tom Brady how to select the best play, “Do [your coaches] call those plays or [do you decide]?” The winningest player of all time answers “I obviously have the option [to choose]. I believe that if [the defenders are] all inside go outside, if they’re all outside go inside. If they’re all deep throw it short, if they’re all short throw it deep”. 

Well of course. 

But to most, football is overwhelming. It uses strange terminology, dozens of coordinated plays with different player alignments, and countless variable game situations. It takes seven officials to oversee.

Tom Brady doesn’t mention any of that. In a blink he sees it all. He knows where all 11 defenders will be. He instantly recognizes their assignments. He’s a master. 

The best performers rise above the complexity to identify what matters and make the clear choice.

The situations you face are complex. An expert can make them simple.