Given a choice of adding two great plays or two all-state players, we know the answer. But nobody drops star players into our laps. Design and build better ones.
Some coach and practice based upon our early experiences. The great Pete Newell commented that often produced "a poor copy of the original."
Teach players to see the game in terms of geometry not just functional options. Attacking space with skill translates across team sports (soccer "through" pass, backdoor cuts/attacking the front foot, hit-and-run, crossing and delay routes).
Each dawn awakens us with a dynamic toolbox. Reading, observation, and study refresh us. But two obligations challenge.
- First, what do remove - baggage, outdated, or ineffective methods?
- Second, what do we add?
Addition by subtraction. Limfac. Limiting factors include player personnel, time, assistants, and our personal portfolio of skills.
- Redeploy the people.
- Eliminate drills and teaching that don't advance the story.
- Reduce physical errors (e.g. turnovers, fouls, bad shots) and emotional setbacks (e.g. negativity, fear, lack of confidence). Tracking can change behaviors.
Change is hard. Like weeds, dissatisfaction grows in less fertile soil. Our humanity says we are capable; our methods are sound. Our ego compels confidence. Results may or may not reflect that reality.
Don't hoard junk. Consider posting a practice schedule for critique, asking peers what doesn't belong. Be open to feedback.
Growth and Innovation.
Samin Nosrat says a great dish comes from salt, fat, acid, and heat. The most basic bread arises from flour, water, salt, and yeast. What belongs? What ingredients are we missing?
How do we take players beyond?
Teach players to see the game in terms of geometry not just functional options. Attacking space with skill translates across team sports (soccer "through" pass, backdoor cuts/attacking the front foot, hit-and-run, crossing and delay routes).
"Basketball is a game of symmetry." Practice 'reading/executing situations' while growing individual talent.
- ***Defeat and apply pressure.
- Run and stop transition.
- Score at three levels (we can argue about midrange scoring) and defend it.
- To win in the halfcourt, see what works - exploit or contain it.
- Have a delay game and a plan to fight delay.
- ***Play longer and harder than opponents (implies physical/mental edge).
The Future. Deep understanding of cognitive-behavioral development is the key to developing playmakers. Great "trainers" and coaches will study and translate cognitive-perceptual growth. Unlocking playmakers using specialized cognitive training at all ages is in its infancy. This is the future.
Key concepts:
1) Remember the two things.
2) Assess our subtraction and addition.
3) Embrace a cognitive-perceptual model of pattern recognition.
Lagniappe. Dallas Offense from SVG.
Lagniappe 2. Building Focus
Thomas Frank shares focus concepts. Make a short list:
1) Put the phone aside.
2) Make a distractions list (things to avoid, e.g. watching TV while reading)
3) “Intention is the bouncer of your attentional space – it lets in the productive objects of attention and keeps the distractions out.”
4) He advocates for a timer (e.g. a chime) to ring at intervals as a focus check
5) Mindfulness, avoid judging.
