Two great sharers, Chris Oliver and Mike Neighbors, teach the game. Neighbors is a great reader and innovative thinker.
Coach Neighbors is back home in Arkansas his alma mater, joking "went to school for seven years..."
Oliver contrasts "set fast break positions" in transition, which may not be great for development. Neighbors acknowledges the need to "challenge ideas."
Two curses, "try to do everything" or "dismiss" other ideas. "I want everything to be challenged." He doesn't argue just to argue.
Refers to the "red team" side, recognizing the value of war games.
Whys.
Believes in Functionally Fast offense (only if able to function). He doesn't describe positions but rackers, locks, rabbits, and dragons. "We see you as a dragon" a precursor to explanation. "Setting the tone for the behaviors that we're going to teach, reward, and play."
"Racker" thinks take it to the rack.
"Locks" are people that run to the "lock spot" and have feet and hands locked.
"Rabbit runs to holes and set screens"
"Dragons" are dragging behind and are "killer shooters."
They are positionless in a defined sense. "We speak a different language."
Studied football coaches who have their own terminology. "We want her (the defender) chin on the (dribbler's) shoulder."
Oliver, "using colorful terms helps" memory and comprehension. "Common language speeds learning."
Low focus players become easily distracted with low chance to execute.
Little things (incremental gains) can turn losing teams into competitors.
"Coaches are trying to cure cancer during a live ball." Doesn't help decision-making and distracts from the primacy of NOW.
"Dead ball management" (e.g. timeouts) is the coaching time.
"We do what we do better than they do what they do."
"Cut practice 5 minutes every Monday from the previous Monday." (E.g. if the first practice takes two hours, the next week practice is shortened...when went with U of W to the Final Four, practice was only 35 minutes at the end.) Upperclassmen understand the need to teach younger players.
They give their kids TWO days off a week. "Became a healthier, happier team..." Kids have time for sleep, schoolwork, and relationships.
Oliver, "Workload management doesn't just apply to the physical."
Doesn't set team goals...was until 2015...meeting a goal may cause complacency. Picks one concept to study... e.g. body language, decisions, goals...
Burn Your Goals challenged him to think that goals can limit you. He took their goals, crumpled them and put them on fire (not recommended). He set standards for accountability (process) instead. #EvidenceforExcellence
Set standards, e.g. airplane rides. Were we communicating, courteous to airport staff? We held each other to accountability standards. "What's next?"
He discusses the British cycling experience with Dave Brailsford recently shared here.
Wants coaches referred to as "Coach" including graduate assistants. He doesn't want slippage between the message and its delivery. (For me, it's not the title, it's the degree of influence that matters.)
He doesn't rank books, reading as much as he can, figuring out works what for him. But he has high regard for Mindset by Carol Dweck.
He lists a lot of favorites, because he believes in the search for truth. E.g. his favorite television show was The West Wing. Listing forces us to reason, to develop criteria. If one against another, which would he choose?
How does organization impact his coaching? Kids understand that the coaching staff has filtered the information presented. Credibility follows study and review. Kids don't need us for information but for context. Kids understand that we're trying to do the right thing. (Aside: does the team always think about how it impacts the team, winning, or them personally?)
Functionally fast opposite, wants the opposite on defense (I preach basketball symmetry, stop what we want to do). Ergo, don't give up layups, free throws, and guard the arc.
Theories that don't work don't deserve our devotion. Tangible success creates credibility.
"If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready."
Readiness carries into other areas of your life.
Acknowledge that what works for him may not work for the next person.
Sends a folder to his former players that become coaches. Where you keep thank you notes from players.