Mental models are frameworks for thinking. Individually they are powerful. Collectively, they offer a chance at special.
Let's use the video to assist us in thinking better.
1) First principles. "This above all" stuff or "the main thing is the main thing."
Application: What's our brand? When people hear "brand x" what will they see? And from our vantage point, what is our identity - who are we and how do we play? Teams need clear philosophy, identity, and understanding of "Commander's Intent."
2) Inversion. "Invert, always invert." Consider the opposite. The classic is the Seinfeld episode, "Opposite George," where Jerry's loser friend does everything opposite and ends up connecting with a stranger in their restaurant.
Application: That could mean changing tempo, changing defenses, changing personnel.
3) Thought experiments. "What ifs." What if we substituted more defense in for more offense? Would that favorably impact winning?
Application: Coaches seek edges via recruiting, trades, player development changes, and so forth. Many Power 5 coaches have made it clear that they're doing transfers not freshmen in the NIL era.
4) Multidisciplinary thinking (come at a problem from different directions)
Application: For example, habit formation and loyalty to team. Habits make us who we are. Group workouts bond players, improve competitiveness.
5)** Psychology of Human Misjudgment (e.g. sunk costs, self-serving actions, denial)
Application: Selfishness hurts offensive cohesion. High draft choices get more run, even if they've proven limited.
6) Lollapalooza - exponential results require multiple inputs. Home runs may take risk, patience, and luck.
Application: Usually this takes multiple player acquisition and often a philosophy change... smaller number of shots means "everyone eats."
Use your spreadsheet program (e.g. Google Drive)... I've lightly colored in some entries but you should use what you believe.
Lagniappe. The video to study...
Lagniappe 3. Long rebounds off threes can create opportunity."I wake up worrying about what they think when they're 28 not when they are 18.
— The Winning Difference (@thewinningdiff1) February 26, 2025
Are they going to say that I cared about them - enough to be hard on them and try to teach them right from wrong."
Holding someone accountable is something done for them NOT to them. pic.twitter.com/0gzFKrlDGu
Lagniappe 4. Rear foot elevation exercises can strengthen quads and posterior chain. They're easy to work at home, too.COACHING TIP: Taking early 3s and not crashing the boards is the equivalent of going 3-and-Out in football.
— Mark Cascio | SAVI Coaching (@coachcascio) February 25, 2025
When you do grab the offensive board, hunt "dagger 3s." Kick it out, make the one more pass, knock down the 3. pic.twitter.com/u1Z0jVHT3q
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