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Monday, March 20, 2017

Messages I Want Players to Remember: Competitive Fury


I'm working on a "multipurpose offense" drill; I haven't figured out the rotations yet. It will include UCLA cut, give-and-go, back cut, and pick and roll. 

We never know when players really listen. We remember events best in an emotional context. The dynamic interaction of the amygdala and the hippocampus sear memories into our core. 

Can we activate the amygdala (our emotional hub) and deliver core messages to our players? My daughters had a terrific coach who would remove players after a negative or selfish action, saying, "that's not how we play." Conversely, I remember "extreme effort" plays. Anson Dorrance calls that "competitive fury."



"A player's most important quality isn't skill."

"How you play is how you live." 

"The summit is not the only place on the mountain." 

"Our choices define us." (Decisions determine destiny.)

"Everyone can be a great teammate."

"The best players make others better."

"The magic is in the work." 

"Don't cheat the drill." 

"Become your better version."

"We can always give more."

"Will and skill."

"Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson




"Remember the guys who quit? Nobody else does either."

"Say yes to opportunity." 

"Invest your time don't spend it."


"Chop wood; carry water." - Zen proverb

"Do more of what is working and less of what isn't."

"Is what you're doing now getting you closer to where you want to be?"

"Learning doesn't stop."