We have to defend our script - the idea, the characters, the plot, the twists, the ending. Before our blueprint becomes reality, it must pass a series of hurdles.
We all see basketball through different lenses, believing our vision the correct one. But can we fool ourselves?
The idea. What's our basketball philosophy? If we think "the game is meant to be played fast" but lack the thoroughbreds, do we adhere to that approach or adopt a different one? If our mission is development (e.g. youth coaching), do we sacrifice players to the Lady of Victory?
Coach George Raveling shares, "Every single day our society will attempt to make you be someone you do not want to be. Life is a beautiful and transformative struggle to become our true self. Oscar Wilde once said, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken." Being yourself and living in your most authentic truth requires self-awareness, self-knowledge, self-love, self-mastery, and graceful patience."
The characters. The game is for the players. An unspoken contract exists between the coach and players that she will act in their best interest - adding value, teaching, communicating respect for the game and for each other. Success is the byproduct of doing the right things the right way.
The plot. We help the players write their narrative. An uninspired story reveals itself soon enough. As Rick Blaine said, "You'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life." Our job is understanding what our team needs now and seeking simple answers to that complexity.
The twists. Heartbreak is part of the game. Basketball reflects life. The ball takes an unexpected bounce. Injuries happen. A key call doesn't go our way. The hero fails.
Trust the process, because we can't trust the results.
The ending. Each practice train for endings. We play offense-defense-offense three possession games rotating among BOBs, SLOBs, and free throws. Some coaches use time-and-score games, like "down 8, three minutes left." Practice must score situations with short clock possessions (1 to 10 seconds). Because many games are decided by one to two possessions, attention to detail for every possession (possession by possession play) defines us.
We need a best (two) BOB, SLOB, ATO, man, and zone offensive set. For the average game, the Patriots have a pair of two-point conversion plays. For the Super Bowl, they have three.
As coach (director), we are the keeper of the story.
Lagniappe: What was that? Coach Nick @BBallBreakdown shares a defensive twist on a SLOB.
Check the defensive switch off the inbounder in the beginning. Interesting pic.twitter.com/SQXfReIm7U— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) September 2, 2019
