Find online mentors and pick their brains. "We all learn from other people." Chris Oliver interviews Randy Brown; I share some highlights.
Anchors (core contributions to winning): "what comes out (of a funnel) is what we stand for."
Sources: For Brown HoF Iowa HS coaches, Lute Olson, and others
1. The Game (90% without the ball)...uses driver as analogy from golf...Steve Nash says, "empower the weak side." Applies equally to defense...where is your value to the team? Think about the game of TAG. You fake to avoid being tagged.
2. Communication. Most coaches realize our communication isn't good enough. Do we spend time on it? Teaching versus telling. Early...WHAT...where...action (under, switch, etc.) Be loud.
3. Puzzle. What matters is what players get. Do the practice pieces fit together? E.g. how does defensive transition transform into shell drill? Ask ourselves how can practice pieces fit together better?
4. Words. What do players understand? Oliver, "words are your culture." RB, "most abused word is toughness." What does this mean to us? Be specific.
5. Roles. "Here's what we need you to do." RB works in concert stage erection as a hobby...coordination of many groups...structure, sound, lighting, pyrotechnics, video.
6. "Top 3." Teach 3 things better than anyone...your absolutes. Inventory your top 3, e.g. rebounded, took care of the ball, shot more free throws. Usually, strong teams have an obvious top 3. "Everybody is different."
Reminds me of Pete Carril's defensive themes are containing the ball, controlling screens, challenging shots. Or David Mamet (MasterClass) saying "if you could master the five things they teach in the first month of martial arts, nobody could defeat you."
7. School bus rule. What mattered when you got off the bus?
8. "Rule of sticky." Does it stick?
9. Low, medium, or high accountability. "We get what we tolerate." Glue stick (talk), Elmer's glue (emphasis), SuperGlue (non-negotiable).
10. Free shooting idea. If you miss. You MUST move in. We all tell players not to start out from distance. And they mostly don't listen.
11. "Coach yourself." As a player, help yourself by coaching yourself. Execution wins...
For me, that's KNOW THAT versus KNOW HOW. Everything applies to everyone. Disengaged players repeat other players' mistakes. When you hear a name, IT APPLIES TO YOU. No exceptions. Kerr story...at U of A. He was always coming closer so he could hear what was going on. Oliver, another coach noticed his players coaching each other.
12. Enjoy. Players should be enjoying the experience. Where are the smiles? How many kids who are disabled would love to be playing? Friendships and experience stay with you.
Lagniappe: Randy Brown YouTube channel.
Lagniappe 2: Randy Brown website dot coach is a new extension. His book is about adversity.