The best teams play basketball; unhappy teams work basketball. If basketball preparation, training, practice, and games mean suffering and distraction, then "something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
Design practice to build knowledge, improve decision-making, and grow skilled integration (vision, decision, execution). That doesn't mean drudgery. Pat Summitt's version of "Four Corners" (punitive running with trashcans in each corner to collect vomitus) has historical meaning but contemporary anathema.
Director Ron Howard says, "the director is the keeper of the story." Everything we do and say (nobody's perfect) should advance the team's story. David Mamet says Hollywood comedy writers spend a career shaving syllables. And many authors, like James Patterson advise us to kill your darlings (favorite anecdotes, scenes, or drills) that don't push the story ahead.
John Wooden preached, "never confuse activity with achievement." Brian McCormick calls some activities Fake Fundamentals. We can debate three-man-weave but there's no direct corollary within game play. Hours of defensive slides do less for defenders than a quicker hip turn and run. Neither NFL defensive backs nor cheetahs slide after their prey.
Shared sacrifice toward worthy goals can be joyful. Sacrifice can mean more passing, fewer minutes, taking charges, exchanging mediocre shots for better ones, and going to the floor. Sprinting back in transition shows up on the scoreboard not the scorebook.
There's no joy as a verbal punching bag. There's no joy riding the pine alone during blowouts. There's no joy in caring about the team while not being cared for on the team.
No child deserves cursing, racism, sexism, taunting, or sometimes harshest, neglect. If we can't separate coaching from child abuse, then it's time to look elsewhere.
Lagniappe: via @gchiesaohmy
Sharp teams finish quarters or halves, positively, on both sides of the floor. Ball value, shot clock mastery and securing D stops helps generate hard earned points. These scenarios are learned, w/ focus during team practices.— Gordon Chiesa (@gchiesaohmy) September 23, 2019
Each quarter end brings a potential six point swing. #SituationalBasketball
Lagniappe 2: @Coach_DeMarco
Lagniappe 2: @Coach_DeMarco
Actually made one of these from the top of the the key in high school (1973)... fortunately, my coach didn't suffer a stroke at seeing it.GET BETTER 🏀 SUNDAY SHOOTING CHALLENGE— Coach DeMarco (@Coach_DeMarco) September 23, 2019
Quick stop 🚨 Progression
➡️teach technique
➡️drill on air or compete vs time/makes
➡️add guided D
➡️incorporate decision/read
➡️use in live 1 v 1, blind closeouts #GetBetterEveryDay pic.twitter.com/WYqRbKXsLn