Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' what to throw away
And knowin' what to keep.
'Cause every hand's a winner
And every hand's a loser
And the best that you can hope for
Is to die in your sleep.
---Kenny Rogers, The Gambler
We craft substance and style over a lifetime, constantly adding and subtracting. Seek a better way. But it still has to be our way. Pete Newell said something like, "trying to copy how you were coached usually ends up being a poor reproduction of the original."
Do you have a terrific transition drill? I'm listening. Executing a better full court press? Show me. Have a better motivational technique? Share the wealth. One ingredient doesn't shape the secret sauce.
Kevin Eastman preaches, "don't be a know it all, be a learn it all." I'd add, "share something great."
We're all looking for solutions, ways to share the answers to the test. When we do that we add value, make players more valuable, and feel more valued. Feeling valuable isn't the same as feeling valued.
We don't have to be jerks to make points. A calm spirit doesn't mean an empty vessel. "Never be a child's last coach."
Players should leave with clarity about the process.
- "The magic is in the work."
- "Everyone can be a great teammate."
- "This is who we are."
- "You don't play for me; you play for each other."
- "Your defender will always give you something. Read them."
- "Success demands finding ways to wear down your opponent."
- "Better process, better results."
- "Toughness is a skill."
- "Invest your time, don't spend it."
- "How you play reflects how you live."