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Saturday, November 21, 2020

Basketball: Coach, How Can I Contribute More? 12 Ingredients


Why do we coach? Messages from a former team (7th grade girls) found on office cleaning. TIA - teamwork, improvement, accountability. 

You want to make the team, earn minutes, contribute on the floor. But you haven't. Don't ask for more minutes. Earn them. Ask how to fix the problem. Do you care enough to change? 

  1. Play harder. "The magic is in the work." Win every sprint. "Don't cheat the drill." 
  2. Take better shots. "Kill your darlings." Improve immediately by not shooting bad shots, forced shots, "my turn" shots, $h*t Shots. Take ROB shots (Range, Open, Balanced). 
  3. Cut urgently. Don't stand. Don't drift. Separate with change of direction and pace. 
  4. Play smarter. You don't know the offensive and defensive techniques and tactics; you have no claim on minutes or role. 
  5. "Winners want the ball." If you can't handle pressure, you will stand out...in the wrong way. Good teams apply and withstand pressure. 
  6. Become more skilled. There's only one way to build skill...quality repetitions. 
  7. Adapt. Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Change our attitude, choices, effort, and process to increase the chance of changing results. What are you prepared to sacrifice for your dream? 
  8. Write out your plan. Pick it, stick (to) it, track it. "Winners are trackers." 
  9. Be specific. "Shoot better" isn't a plan. Prioritize the drills, time, and followup on results. Yesterday, I shared the "Celtics 32" drill. Do it, again and again; set your "PR" (personal record). 
  10. Get help. Find a mentor, the only shortcut to excellence. Whether you adopt the Mr. Rogers, "look for the helpers" or more, do it.
  11. Invest time don't spend it. It's going to cost you time and sacrifice. 
  12. Think for yourself. Each of us becomes our researcher and coach. 

Lagniappe: Fat. Salt. Acid. Heat. There's a lot going on here, like my roasted butternut squash and onion into pasta (spinach ravioli) with plain yogurt sauce with cumin, topped with diced tomatoes and garlic oil drizzle. Hint: roast the vegetables 35 minutes at 450 to caramelize! 

Lagniappe 2: I know this as the "Hoiberg Speed Drill." Every day is player development day! 


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