See the ending. Write a story to get there. That's the formula for a joke, an advertisement, a two-hour movie. It's the game plan for a possession, a game, a championship. Craft a beginning, a middle, and the end.
(Beginning) - What did George Washington last tell his men before crossing the Delaware?
(Middle) - <Pause>
(End) - "Get in the boat."
The coach's difference is that we have years to write the narrative. Or not. What is our "discipline of execution?"
I don't know if there will be a season. And should I coach? When medical office activities resume with higher levels of patient care, will I be permanently in quarantine? The current estimate of transmission with patient and provider "masking" is about one-percent.
Script the ending and look for players willing to see the story from that ending.
Eric Spoelstra summarized his Heat goals: "Be the toughest, nastiest, best-conditioned, most professional, least-liked team."
Personnel. We are only as good as our people, our administrative support, our coaching staff, and our players. What would the end state of players look like?
1. High basketball IQ. Be curious; become a learn-it-all. #KevinEastman
2. Effort is a given. Coach execution, not effort. #DeanSmith
3. Core skills arise from commitment. "Repetitions make reputations."
4. "All in." Shared sacrifice. If you're not in, better to leave. Aim high. #SaraBlakely
5. Engage fully on the same page.
Strategy. "This is who we are. This is what we do."
1. "Win this possession" mindset, over and over. "Pound the rock." #GregPopovich
2. Defend "one bad shot." Take away the opponent first intent.
3. Attack with player and ball movement, get 7s (high quality shots). #TJRosene
4. Be good at what we do a lot. Packer sweep mentality. #PeteCarill
5. Attack with hard to defend actions (PnR, give-and-go, off-ball screens, back cuts)
6. All good teams apply and defeat pressure.
Operations.
2. Consistent process. Accountability adheres to high standards. #BillWalsh
3. Teamwork first priority. Simplify. #BillBelichick
4. Highly conditioned through drills. #PeteCarril
5. Relentless, tough, and resilient. #TimSGrover #JayBilas
Lagniappe: Feinman Technique. Name, define, research, simplify the teaching. What are we going to teach and why?
