Schema is framework, real or imagined. When you say, the play in the style of John Thompson, Gregg Popovich, Nolan Richardson, or John Wooden, basketball ‘people’ have a mental representation.
When we watch a team, see their intent, how they plan to wear you down or leverage an edge in skill, size, or athleticism. I’m disappointed when our play deviates from our desired schema. Do our players share that vision?
There’s no right or wrong, but mismatches occur between schema and talent. If you want a “three and D” style but lack shooters, do you pound the square peg into the roundball hole? If you have a dominant post player, do you ignore her?
Players are like actors because they inhabit roles. As the directors / coaches, we often understand how we want the role played better than the player. Successful teams collaborate via shared, aligned schemes. “Synergy is not innate; it I learned.”
Special coaches get players to reveal their desires. This scene from Akeelah and the Bee shows a great example of motivation and elite communication.
In the Hans Zimmer MasterClass, he discusses the high probability of failure and need to know “there is no Plan B.” He says, you have to fight for each note. Maybe we don’t have elite talent, so we compensate with elite effort, study, preparation, and persistence. If a program and coach lacks those intangibles, they can succeed yet not achieve their best.
Having players adopt our vision presents a formidable challenge. But spacing, movement, and shot quality are easily watched. Defensively, scam dribble penetration, proximity to receivers on the catch, and weak side help. That’s a simple schema.
Lagniappe: I’ve often shared Chuck Daly’s message, “I’m a salesman,” because we are. Here’s a tip from Words That Change Minds,
Ask “what’s important to you?” Find out the player’s goal - improvement, playing time, becoming a starter, whatever. It shows interest and connection. But be sure not to over promise. One technique to ranking is to hold out hands separately, asking whether a player wants A or B.
There’s no right or wrong, but mismatches occur between schema and talent. If you want a “three and D” style but lack shooters, do you pound the square peg into the roundball hole? If you have a dominant post player, do you ignore her?
Players are like actors because they inhabit roles. As the directors / coaches, we often understand how we want the role played better than the player. Successful teams collaborate via shared, aligned schemes. “Synergy is not innate; it I learned.”
Special coaches get players to reveal their desires. This scene from Akeelah and the Bee shows a great example of motivation and elite communication.
In the Hans Zimmer MasterClass, he discusses the high probability of failure and need to know “there is no Plan B.” He says, you have to fight for each note. Maybe we don’t have elite talent, so we compensate with elite effort, study, preparation, and persistence. If a program and coach lacks those intangibles, they can succeed yet not achieve their best.
Having players adopt our vision presents a formidable challenge. But spacing, movement, and shot quality are easily watched. Defensively, scam dribble penetration, proximity to receivers on the catch, and weak side help. That’s a simple schema.
Lagniappe: I’ve often shared Chuck Daly’s message, “I’m a salesman,” because we are. Here’s a tip from Words That Change Minds,
Ask “what’s important to you?” Find out the player’s goal - improvement, playing time, becoming a starter, whatever. It shows interest and connection. But be sure not to over promise. One technique to ranking is to hold out hands separately, asking whether a player wants A or B.
