We hold these truths to be self-evident. Or do we? I'm not talking politics, but about our representations (mental models) among many domains. What is an apple crisp, driving conditions (personal or environmental) too hazardous to confront, a safe distance to make a left turn, investment margin of safety, or the best "playing style" for our team?
I'm driving, stopped at an intersection, signal to make a left turn. The intersecting road has no traffic coming from the right and oncoming cars from the left. The speed limit is 30 mph (44 feet per second). Under normal circumstances, I allow four seconds of clearance (certainly over 150 feet) to make the turn. But what if I'm distracted by a conversation (no phone involved), visibility is impaired (fog), had a drink at a party, or the oncoming car is speeding along at 45 mph (66 feet per second). My 'mental model' of safety acquires potentially lethal holes.
And so it is with playing and coaching. We 'represent' expectations and experience from our past. That past (model) strengthens or poisons our perception, plan, and adaptation. Others (administration, fans, critics, writers) have expectations as well. What they 'see' in their hearts and minds may not jive with current conditions. They may underestimate or exaggerate our skill, condition, preparedness, or 'readiness'. Maximizing performance may not square with their collective view. We may 'read' our opponent and team wrong...in either direction.
Laurence Gonzales writes in Deep Survival, "psychologists who study survivors of shipwrecks, plane crashes, natural disasters and prison camps conclude that the most successful are open to the changing nature of their environment. They are curious to know what's up."
Changing conditions belong to every basketball game. Players must know the score, situation, and time, their assignment, strengths and weaknesses, and personal and opponent tendencies. Often, the demands simply outstrip the 'working memory' of those involved. What they practice daily can become a byzantine exercise.
We miss the obvious when focused on a task. How often have you seen a player catch-and-shoot a mid-range shot when she had an open driving lane? Gonzales further explains, " Some people update their models better than others. They're called survivors."
The best players not only execute better, but create a better, adaptive model of basketball in real time. They have a plan, but as need arises, they change the plan. A transcendent player may score at one point, facilitate, rebound, or make an epic defensive play. Every play becomes an awareness test.
As coaches, we reformulate players' representation of 'play'. A player falls in love with the outside shot, abandoning penetration and passing. We do the player a disservice when we allow that model. She may feel rejection or dissatisfaction.
To improve players, they have to want the truth as we enhance our and their mental models.