As basketball coaches (or players), what is our intent and what blocks us from achieving it?
If we overreach for intent, we likely get what we 'deserve'. Legendary coach Chuck Daly remarked, "Never never get in a fight with a guy who buys ink by the barrel."
Intent states, "This is who we are. This is what we do." We're not the Patriots who are a power running team one week, a West Coast offense team the next, and hybrids the third. Most teams lack the personnel, experience, and practice time to implement chimeric schemes. Plus it returns the Steve Kerr principle, "Run six or eight things really well, instead of 20 things in a mediocre fashion."
Intent favors simplicity and clarity. Years ago on our cable sports show, we interviewed Richard Barton, an area Hall of Fame volleyball coach. He explained how he teaches hitting - emphasizing intent. "Hit the ball as hard you can. Figure out where it's going later."
Barton's teams won the Division 1 State Championship three of the past five years. His offseason program is called SMASH.
The corollary to intent is understanding the inverse. "This is not who we are, that is not what we do." Mental toughness and lack of sportsmanship don't overlap.
If we're a speed and finesse team, don't play like we're a power, brute force team. Do well what we do a lot. Edit and delete practices, strategies, and drills that don't advance the story. As Ron Howard says, "the movie is made in the cutting room."
What obstacles do we face? Overcome existential threats - ego and stubbornness. We've all heard, "those kids will run through a brick wall." That's not the smartest way to go. Is winning a youth basketball game apocalyptic or apocryphal? Don't sacrifice children on phony altars of performance or toughness. We know bad behavior when we see it. "Never be a child's last coach."
Control what we control. We can't control injury, illness, and other force majeure events. We had practice time reduced because of school scheduling changes. Fighting back got additional practice but not previous levels.
Do we see parental oversight as barrier or opportunity? Parents know their children best. Their support and encouragement help make strong programs succeed. Yes, conflict and rivalries can emerge, when we allow them. Madeleine Blais' In These Girls Hope Is a Muscle chronicles how a team and a community overcame friction to become champions. "We didn't get the encouragement we give you boys. If you were a girl and you liked sports, you could be a cheerleader.”
We choose our intent and how we minimize obstacles. Choosing well makes everyone's experience better, not perfect.
Lagniappe: Coach Daniel with the Rockets Attacking the Hard Hedge
You can already see how Harden will read the hard hedge here.