"Measure a thousand times, but cut only once." - Turkish Proverb
To improve, measure what you're doing.
At Saturday's UCONN Women's practice, players tracked their free throw percentage. Admittedly, block practice and no pressure increase results, but nonetheless during that segment the team shot 92 percent...not too shabby.
During other segments, the coaches tracked shots made during time frames or consecutive shots made during a variety of drills. Coaches challenge players to improve by raising their benchmarks and by having the "blue" team compete against the "white" team in drills.
The Huskies practice intensity, concentration, tempo, and communication was striking. Maybe it shouldn't have been, but the sausage-making in Storrs is neither effortless nor random. They push the envelope with every drill. That's how 'Championship DNA' works.
Need help? The UCONN women's team had at least six part-time managers. Everyone understandably loves being associated with a winner. But winning begins with our individual commitment.
After practice, Coach Auriemma took questions from the audience. Someone asked about plays. The coach responded, "we don't run a lot of plays." What he meant was that he and his staff teach players how to play...spacing, cutting, passing, screening, and finishing.
"Make the big time where you are."