Fill in the blank...best offense, defense, attitude, practice. Or substitute something in your life, best meal, best date, best marriage. What would it take?
Your idea of "best practice" probably isn't the same as your team's, or mine. But we might agree on parts...most independent of talent!
Coaches would see enthusiasm, smell perspiration, hear squeaking sneakers and defensive talk.
What players belong in the best practice ever? Pete Carril said:
"So much depends upon their attitudes. What kind of guys are they? Do they love to play? Do they understand what we're trying to do? Do they realize what the word 'commitment' means? Do they understand teamwork? Do they realize they have to be responsible to each other? All those things - I call them the life parts of the game - goes into it. The technical parts of the game are affected by the life parts. What kind of guy is he? Because no matter what you do, the most important thing is who's doing it. You can make almost anything work if the right guy is doing it." - October 13, 1994
What would players say makes the best practice ever? Many would say "scrimmaging," but looking back half a century, I'd argue for teamwork, execution, and selflessness.
Summary:
- How can we have the best ________ ever?
- Excel at the intangibles.
- Energy is irreplaceable.
- Maximize the "life parts of the game."
- Collaboration makes greatness.
Lagniappe: "I don't like dealing with people who are trying to impress me." - Presidential Chief of Staff Leo McGarry in The West Wing
Players don't want handling; players want respect and to be valued. Authenticity doesn't work with arrogance.
Lagniappe 2: "I believe that SHOT is "A" in your basketball alphabet."
"When you think SHOT, your footwork gets better." Kelbick emphasizes that shooting position is the action position.
