Practically, turnovers have to be on our "pregame checklist". I've discussed turnovers at more length previously.
The 'checklist' above shows symmetrical offensive and defensive goals.
1. "It's NOT okay." A player makes a negative play (e.g. throws the ball away). Teammates say, "It's okay." Don't confuse being sensitive with being sensible. I don't want players looking over at the bench because they make a mistake. I want them to redouble their engagement, not double down on mistakes. Whether it's Coach Krzyzewski's "Next Play" or "be in the moment", the message remains "do the next right thing right."
2. Technique before tactics. In The Vision of a Champion, UNC soccer coach Anson Dorrance writes, "The game is ultimately won with fundamental technique: receiving, passing, shooting, dribbling, and heading. You can't get good enough at those basic skills." Turnovers are the antithesis of good technique. They are the personification of bad technique, a consequence of poor decision-making, poor technique, or both.
3. We never depart the basics. Turnovers must be a priority at practice. I've heard of some coaches who remove a ball from the ball rack with every turnover at practice. When the rack empties, they switch to conditioning drills. I don't like to use conditioning as 'punishment' because conditioning is fundamental and I want all fundamentals practiced enthusiastically. Players must understand that turnovers affect their position in the rotation.
4. Shot turnovers is Doc Rivers' expression. Forced shots. My coach, Sonny Lane, called them "#$%& shots." Bad shots are the equivalent of turnovers. Every player should know what a good shot is for herself and for each teammate. Jay Bilas' Toughness article counseled, "it's not your shot, it's our shot."
5. Be specific and detail-oriented. I don't ever want to see steals off wing-to-top passes or top-to-post. We had traveling issues, so we worked on pivoting, upfakes, and jab steps. Zone defenses are taught to keep hands up. Don't throw through hands. Fix what's broken.
Players accept what we accept. We cannot tolerate looseness with the ball. Remember the adage, "One mistake - bad play; two mistakes - bad player; three mistakes - bad coaching."
