BUSC Trial Prep, February 16, 2026¶
1. Overview¶
- Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
- Location: BUSC (Ballistic United) facilities, Pleasanton, CA
- Point Person: Shane De Flores
- Key Contacts:
- Brady Taylor, Technical Director (day-to-day champion, built custom IDP system)
- Mike Nieto, VP Board (decision-maker, said "you have a potential buyer here")
- Game1 Staff: Amir Donath (CEO), Shane, additional staff TBD
- Purpose: Free first trial to demonstrate Game1's testing and predictive platform. Goal is conversion to paid SaaS engagement.
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2. Pre-Trial Logistics Checklist¶
By Feb 14 (Friday) at latest:
- Confirm exact time and location with Brady Taylor (which fields, indoor/outdoor, start time)
- Confirm number of players and age groups participating (need 12+ for 5v5 + goalies)
- Confirm field availability and dimensions
- Confirm Amir's attendance and any additional Game1 staff
- Ensure all testing equipment is ready and tested (see Section 7)
- Ask Brady if parent communication is needed or if BUSC handles internally
- Send Brady any waivers/consent forms for data collection (or confirm BUSC's existing waivers cover it)
- Print hard copies of data collection forms as backup
- Confirm weather forecast and indoor backup plan if outdoor
- Share white paper with Brady if not already sent (action item from Feb 5 meeting)
- Confirm Brady has his Game1 platform account (action item from Feb 5 meeting)
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3. Testing Protocol Summary¶
Testing Stations (2 reps each, run in parallel):
- Sprints, speed/acceleration measurement
- Agility, change of direction, quickness
- Dribbling, ball control under pressure/speed
- Juggling Parkour, technical skill + coordination
- Small-Sided Games (5v5), game intelligence, decision-making, positioning
Biological Age Data Collection (per player): - Height (standing) - Seated height - Weight - Chronological age (date of birth)
Parameters: - Ages: 10-16 - All positions except goalkeepers - Minimum 12 players needed for small-sided games - Can process up to 120 players in a 2-hour window running stations in parallel - Minimum session length: 90 minutes
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4. Talking Points for Brady Taylor¶
Frame: Game1 complements his existing IDP work, not replaces it.
- Brady already built a custom IDP system with performance wheels, coach grading, player self-reflection, and smart goals. Game1 adds an objective, data-driven predictive layer his current tools can't provide.
- His IDP is subjective (coach grading, self-reflection). Game1 is objective (standardized testing + algorithm). Together they give a complete picture.
- He already sees this, he called Game1 "a niche that no one else is hitting" and distinguished it from Darkhorse and Taka (video/subjective).
- Data integration: Explore connecting Game1's output with his IDP system. His performance wheels + Game1's predictive pathways = powerful development tool for coaches.
- Predictive modeling: ~95% accuracy predicting professional contracts based on top 10 European leagues. Algorithm trained on ~decade of academy data. Transfer learning applied to US leagues (MLS, NCAA D1/D2/D3).
- Development pathways: Algorithm generates counter-intuitive recommendations (e.g., double down on strengths rather than fix weaknesses). Shows % chance of D3/D2/D1/pro and projected improvement after 1 year on the development plan.
- Biological age adjustment: Players are evaluated relative to biological maturity, not just chronological age. This prevents late developers from being overlooked.
If he asks about sharing predictive data with parents: - This came up with Mustang SC (Fred Wilson raised sensitivity concerns). Be ready. - Approach: Frame results as developmental pathways and growth potential, not hard predictions. Emphasize "here's where they are and here's how to improve" rather than "here's their ceiling." - Parents see actionable development plans, not raw probability scores. - Club controls what data parents see and how it's framed. - Position it as a retention tool: parents stay because they see a clear development path.
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5. Talking Points for Mike Nieto¶
Frame: ROI and competitive advantage for the club.
- ROI: Game1 becomes a value-add that justifies club fees and differentiates BUSC from competitors. Parents pay for development visibility.
- Player retention: When parents see objective development tracking and clear pathways, they stay. Reduces churn to rival clubs.
- Recruiting edge: Data-backed player development attracts serious families and top talent.
- Parent value proposition: Parents get personalized development plans, biological age context (their "late bloomer" might be on track), and pathway projections. Tangible output they can't get elsewhere.
- Pricing framework (Bethesda benchmark):
- Standard: $150/player/year (2 tests, Game1-supported)
- Elite: $250/player/year (4 tests, fully Game1-executed)
- Volume discounts: 200+ players 10% off, 500+ players 25% off
- Revenue model: Can be embedded in existing club fees or offered as an add-on. First trial is free. SaaS subscription with personalized onboarding.
- Mike said to be "all over Brady" because Brady thinks ahead. Reinforce that this trial is the proof point Brady needs to champion internally.
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6. Key Metrics to Highlight¶
- ~95% predictive accuracy for professional contracts (top 10 European leagues)
- No wearables or video required, standardized on-field combine only
- Biological age adjustment, evaluates players relative to physical maturity, not just birth year
- Standardized testing protocol, repeatable, objective, comparable across sessions
- Transfer learning, European academy model adapted for US leagues (MLS, NWSL, NCAA D1/D2/D3)
- Counter-intuitive development paths, algorithm finds optimal growth strategies coaches might miss
- Mental strength assessment, coming soon (Nik White building it), adds psychological dimension
- Scalable: 120 players in a 2-hour window
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7. Equipment and Staffing Needs¶
Equipment (confirm with Amir what Game1 provides vs. what Shane needs to source):
- Speed gates / timing system for sprint and agility stations
- Cones and markers for agility and dribbling courses
- Bibs/pinnies for small-sided games (2 sets of colors minimum)
- Measuring tape or stadiometer for height (standing + seated)
- Scale for weight
- Chair/stool for seated height measurement
- Tablets or devices for data entry (primary)
- Printed data collection forms (backup)
- Balls (confirm if BUSC provides or Game1 brings)
- Clipboard, pens
Staffing (minimum):
- 1 person per testing station (4-5 stations = 4-5 staff)
- 1 person for biological age measurements
- 1 person for check-in / data entry
- Minimum: 5-6 staff on site. Confirm with Amir how many Game1 can bring and whether BUSC coaches can assist.
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8. Post-Trial Follow-Up Plan¶
| Timeframe | Action | |,-|,-| | Day of | Collect all data. Double-check completeness before leaving. Thank Brady and Mike personally. | | Within 24 hours | Send thank-you email to Brady and Mike. | | Within 48 hours | Deliver initial results/report to Brady. Include sample player profiles and AI map visualizations. | | Within 1 week | Schedule follow-up meeting with Brady and Mike to discuss findings, answer questions, and present engagement options. | | Goal | Convert to paid SaaS subscription. Use Bethesda pricing as framework. |
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9. Risk Factors¶
| Risk | Mitigation | |,-|,-| | Weather (if outdoor) | Confirm indoor backup with Brady. Check forecast Feb 14. | | Player no-shows | Need 12+ for 5v5. Ask Brady to over-invite. Have modified protocol if fewer show. | | Technical equipment failure | Bring backup timing devices. Have printed forms for manual data collection. Test all equipment night before. | | Parent questions about data privacy | Prepare a clear, concise answer: data is club-owned, used for development only, parents control visibility. Reference how other clubs handle it. | | Insufficient staff | Confirm headcount by Feb 14. If short, ask Brady if BUSC coaches can help run stations. | | Time overrun | Stick to 90-120 min window. Pre-assign player groups to stations to minimize downtime. |