Focus without distractions. Disconnects and distractions blow up our best plans.
"Discipline creates freedom." "We're gonna miss you." Work we do today allows choices for our free time. Coach Wooden had grooming standards. Nobody became a distraction. In another era, no haircut, no practice.
Young players unsure of role sometimes try to define themselves as high volume shooters. A freshman takes nine threes in his first game, making one. Selfishness, confusion, or lack of understanding of role? Tell players what behaviors give the team the best chance to succeed. "Just because I want you on the floor doesn't mean I want you to shoot." Turn the shot clock in your head off. "There are no my turn shots."
Fill in the blank. Basketball is __________________
- "Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson
- "Basketball is a mental game."
- "Basketball is a game of mistakes."
- "Basketball is a game of cutting and passing."
- "Basketball is a game of player and ball movement."
- "Basketball is a game of getting and preventing separation."
- "Basketball is a sprinting game."
- "Basketball is about getting more and better shots than your opponent." - Pete Newell
Disconnected teams find the opposites. They're selfish, make bad decisions, and execute poorly. They stand around, cut poorly and lack athleticism or effort. They take poor shots. Good teams fill in the blanks well; bad teams have blank stares.
Chuck Daly knew players cared about money, minutes, and shots ("48 million, 48 minutes, and 48 shots"). When players bring individual agendas, collaboration becomes impossible. Most players at EVERY level are role players. Disconnected teams have a team full of wannabe stars.
You've heard "play the game, not the scoreboard." Decisions matter in the context of time, score, and situation. Disconnects happen when players ignore the situation. They turn down two for one or hold for one situations. Shorten the game by using the clock, yet a player shoots early in the shot clock in hero ball mode. Practice situational basketball.
We had a team with a 15-7 lead in a sectional championship with the ball in the final fifteen seconds of the quarter. The team took an early shot and missed and the opponents scored a late three and the first hoop of the second quarter. A possible double digit lead vaporized into a mere three point edge. Half a minute turned connection into defeat.
Be on the same page. We disconnect with lack of clarity about core concepts leading to easy baskets. Who goes to the offensive board? How do we defend transition? How do we cover the pick-and-roll and off ball screens? The pandemic era will challenge younger teams who have less time to get everyone pulling in the same direction.
Summary:
- Connect.
- "Discipline creates freedom."
- Teach players to fill in the blanks.
- Connected teams understand time, tempo, and decisions.
- Be on the same page.
Lagniappe: Chris Oliver @BBallImmersion shows actions off the Princeton "Chin Series"
I like the wing DHO into second pick-and-roll. The problem with "getting your feet wet" is that slip-ups happen.