Blend spontaneity with programmed messaging.
Brian McCormick tells us to avoid the three L's at practice - laps, lines, and lectures. Be efficient. John Wooden prioritized sandwich technique. Put a correction in between legitimate praise. "Great hustle. Run the lanes wider. Way to move the ball." Maybe it was Coach K who said, "keep the message under seven seconds."
A single word makes a difference. Which connects better? "Good play, but you can give me more" or "Good play and you can give me more."
Avoid try and cannot.
Praise the praiseworthy. Players benefit from public praise to media or in front of teammates. Be intentional. Dean Smith singled out difference makers who weren't the scoring leaders or stars in postgame comments. Players benefit from private kindnesses. "You really gave it your all tonight." Everyone wants to be valued.
Be demanding but not demeaning. Cursing out players is neither necessary nor acceptable. We get what we give. Disrespect earns disrespect. Calling a person or player worthless defines us as much as them.
Remember impressions from your playing days, themes drilled into your heads. My coach Sonny Lane preached "The ball is gold," "I'm pleased but I'm not satisfied," and "sacrifice." Nothing sticks with a player more than, "I believe in you."
Leave your signature. "I heard a moving eulogy. The speaker tearfully described teenage work for the departed. The job was in a crawlspace (that the boss couldn't access) and the boss asked about the quality of the work. "Was your work good enough that you would sign your name to it?"
What will our players remember from us fifty years from now? Make a difference.
Lagniappe: The Celtics are becoming unwatchable. Why?
The quality of an offence is directly related to the quality of passing— Chris Oliver (@Chris__Oliver) August 15, 2013