"Imagination leads to innovation leading to differentiation." - Bill Russell
Where will innovation arise in a COVID-19 world? Obvious early answers include "virtual" individual and team training.
ZOOM took the early lead but Facebook responds with a virtual platform. Other free alternatives will emerge. Technology-challenged coaches and players need to catch up.
Coaches responded to the lockdown with virtual Masterclass clinics. A modest investment (contribution to charity) reaped long-term access to premium basketball education.
Team members can organize voluntary 1) virtual education and/or 2) virtual practice. I don't know where the next technological breakthrough will arise, but suspect it will be from Microsoft, Apple, Google, Facebook, or Twitter not ZOOM.
Drop knowledge via a virtual platform to create competitive advantage.
I don't consider this comprehensive or a model for virtual team activities (VTA), but rather a springboard for discussion.
I don't consider this comprehensive or a model for virtual team activities (VTA), but rather a springboard for discussion.
1) Program philosophies - servant leadership, teamwork, accountability
2) Player presentations - players assigned detailed presentation (e.g. PnR coverage)
3) Strength and conditioning ideas (as simple as jumping rope)
2) Player presentations - players assigned detailed presentation (e.g. PnR coverage)
3) Strength and conditioning ideas (as simple as jumping rope)
4) Individual workout activities from the warmups like the Villanova GET 50 (form shooting, Mikan/Reverse Mikan, Bradleys, 1-2s), to the Curry warmups, box drills, Pierce wing series, etc. The virtual group leader can explain, demo, see the imitation, and repetition.
5) Group film review from last season (presuming program film available for breakdown). The goal isn't "gotcha" but "got your back" reviewing everything from transition to half court defense, PnR defense, stance, positioning on the ballside and helpside, etc.
6) Group teaching using other video (FIBA, etc)
7) Study a player. Watch video of an exceptional player and focus on how they excel.
6) Group teaching using other video (FIBA, etc)
7) Study a player. Watch video of an exceptional player and focus on how they excel.
8) Team bonding. Be inclusive. Feelings are easily hurt (GOK).
9) Innovative resilience education (e.g. Mindfulness).
10) Group book review (everyone has a chapter to summarize, e.g. Jay Bilas' Toughness
11)Virtual guest speakers (other coaches, player development person, sport psychologist). Well-connected players could arrange outstanding guest speakers to discuss specific player development concepts, team offense or defense, special situations, and so forth.
12) Virtual "competition" (free-throw and shooting contests, weight training, etc.)
The possibilities are limitless. It's unfortunate that coaches can't participate because we can learn from group dynamics as well as what players know and don't know through Socratic teaching.
"Leaders make leaders."
Lagniappe 1: "Rebounding comes down to one basic fact of life - how much do you want the ball." - Coach George Raveling, War on the Boards
Lagniappe 2: Ball fakes. Cultivate a few.
"Leaders make leaders."
Lagniappe 1: "Rebounding comes down to one basic fact of life - how much do you want the ball." - Coach George Raveling, War on the Boards
Lagniappe 2: Ball fakes. Cultivate a few.