Star performance beats star ego. I won't lie and say I'd rather have a team with great attitude over great talent. As coaches, work on both. Reward both.
Stars outwork the competition. "The best player on a team should be the hardest worker." Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer preached the 10-80-10 system, 10 percent of players at the top and bottom. But he demanded the top 10 percenters bring an 80 percenter to workouts. Drag a teammate into the top 10 percent.
Stars are great teammates. In Teammates Matter, walk-on Alan Williams describes being shut out of a Wake Forest travel bag. He later discovers one in his locker, "gifted" from the team star. Everyone can't be a great player, but everyone can be a great teammate.
Stars are focused. They use tools like mindfulness to improve their concentration. Focus translates into the now of "winning this possession."
Stars are coachable. Remember The Four Agreements and "always do your best." The sign in the UNC Women's soccer locker room reads:
EXCELLENCE IS OUR ONLY AGENDA
They've won 21 National Championships. The next closest have won 3.
"Stars do extra." Kobe Bryant's summer workouts were legendary, 1000 shots a day for a hundred days. Bill Bradley's teen years included three hours weekdays and all day on Saturday.
Stars have elite preparation and training. "Massive success requires massive action." They might miss an occasional session but remember James Clear's mantra, "don't miss twice."
Stars pay attention to detail. They know their assignments and their teammates'. They know good shots for themselves and teammates. They study and learn the nuances of the game.
Stars have a GO TO and COUNTER move...and more. Stars have a catalog of scoring actions.
Stars DRAW 2 and finish or find the open teammate.
Stars do more and become more. Stars make everyone around them better.
Drills.
Pitino "quarters" / 168. Shooting drill that gets 84 shots up.
2 on 2, "Four on the floor."
Set Play. Horns "Pindown Roll"
Pindown with roll and clear through if nothing for isolation for 2.
- Stars outwork the competition.
- Stars are great teammates.
- Stars are focused.
- Stars are coachable.
- What Stars do extra.
- Stars have elite habits.
- Stars pay attention to detail.
- Stars have a catalog of moves.
- Stars finish plays.
- Stars make everyone around them better.
Lagniappe 2. What works for you?
Bill Buckner had over 2700 hits including two seasons with over 200. He also batted over .300 seven times.
