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Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Basketball: Relationship Science (Yes, It Is a Thing) and a Killer Shooting Drill

"Everyday experiences matter a great deal." 

What we see, what we say, how we say it, all matter a lot. Coaching is about relationships. 

Harry T. Reis described the triad of understanding, validation, and caring. Relationships need nurturing. 

The Heath Brothers discuss this in The Power of Moments. They inform the transformation of a failing urban school via teacher home visits to their students. Teachers shared scripts with parents. But teachers weren't allowed documents. 

"Tell me about your child's experiences in school. Tell me about yours." Understanding

"Tell me about your hopes and dreams for your child's future." Validation

"What do you want your child to be someday?" Validation

"What do I need to do to help your child learn more effectively?"  Caring

Coaches have parent meetings to share our purpose, philosophy, intended culture, and special requests (e.g. let us know if your child will be unavailable). I have gone to meet with a player's family at home on rare occasions. But few coaches make routine home visits. Maybe we should.

A few points on the athlete-coach relationship:

  • "The practice of coaching in the UK will be elevated to a profession acknowledged as central to the development of sport and the fulfillment of individual potential"
  • "Effective relationships include basic ingredients such as empathic understanding, honesty, support, liking, acceptance, responsiveness, friendliness, cooperation, caring, respect and positive regard
  • "Sports coaching implies an achievement situation, where the performance of both coach and athlete is evaluated."
How do we unpack the core of these statements? Separate the "liking" component and "production". 


1. Open lines of communication give us a chance. 
2. Positives and media affirmations provide validation. 
3. Opportunities for growth and failure get counted as caring. 

Summary:
  • Coaching is about relationships.
  • Everyday experiences matter.
  • A role for home visits? 
  • Tell me about your hopes and dreams.
  • What can I do to help? 
  • Both the athlete and the coach are under evaluation.
  • Separate the liking and the production components of relationships. 
Lagniappe. Player development...


Training decisions requires options and defense. 

Lagniappe 2. Track your personal best, percentage, fewest misses. 
















 

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