Basketball: Super Six - Lessons Taken Forward, The Boys of Fall

Global pandemic produced a wealth of shared information. What tools expanded our toolbox? What "sticks" and what goes? Carry these forward.

1. Dave Smart's comment that "every day is player development day" resonated. Players define their commitment. This reminds us of Don Meyer's comment about having better players or better plays. Smart noted that player improvement makes accountability easier. Improving players pressure starters for their spots. 

2. Matt Gordon shared Rick Majerus' teaching that "fouling negates hustle." Good teams commit fewer bad fouls. Coach Kevin Sivils has a saying, "foul for profit." Emphasize good technique to avoid fouling. Remind players how fouls damage winning (one of Dean Oliver's 'four factors'). "Show your hands" and "reach for the sky." I don't care if it's corny if they learn it. 



3. Mano Watsa restates "a man distracted is a man defeated" as "don't major in the minors." Details matter. Do well what we do a lot. For example, transition defense needs constant reinforcement, along with pick-and-roll defense, especially for man defense teams. We have to get quality shots in the half-court. Don't waste time on minutia. 

In the MUST, NEED, WANT hierarchy, satisfy the MUSTS.

4. Doug Brotherton shared many great tips, including timeout organization. 

Coach Brotherton lines up players 1 through 5 (sitting is easier)... I'm stealing his organization to communicate more clearly. One small detail might change everything in a key situation. 

5. Among other ideas, Zak Boisvert asked, "How healthy were our possessions?" 

I teach that it's a game of possession (getting the ball) and possessions (efficiency with it). 

6. Get 7's. TJ Rosene talked shot selection and more. 

When someone shows me a better way and I'm too stubborn to listen, that's bad coaching. And that's on me. 

Lagniappe: Jon Bon Jovi is hungry to make a difference. 

Lagniappe 2: two key quotes from Simon Sinek, Leaders Eat Last

"Your main constituencies are your employees, your customers, and your products." - Jack Welch, former GE CEO

"Customers will never love a company until employees love it first." When the whole experience is tedious and unfulfilling, the basketball won't reward players, families, fans, or us as coaches. Find the kids who outwork the other guys. 

Lagniappe 3: Small steps (Kaizen) help us find success. Success demands higher level thinking. Fear blocks the neural pathways to complex thinking. 

Large step - fear - access to cortex blocked = failure

Small step - fear bypassed - cortex engaged = success

Source: One Small Step Can Change Your Life, Robert Maurer, Ph.D.