Learn across disciplines. In Gridiron Genius, Michael Lombardi explores his thirty years with Al Davis, Bill Walsh, and Bill Belichick. Mike Lally shares a lengthy review.
Here are translatable highlights:
1. "Champions behave like champions before they’re champions." —BILL WALSH
As a young player or young coach, develop "professionalism" or something less leaves us short of our best version. Professionals are on time, "off book" and thoroughly prepared. If a player doesn't know her job, how can she do it?
2. "You start first with a structural format and underlying philosophy, then find people who can implement it.”
Develop a philosophy and complementary approach. Refine and revise. "Basketball is a __________ game" or a "game ____________." What and why?
Fill the blanks with your beliefs and values:
- 'sprinting'
- 'separation'
- 'cutting and passing'
- a "game meant to be played fast" (Wooden)
- a game of finding and exploiting edges
- a game of "wearing down your opponent" (how?)
3. "Exhibit a ferocious and intelligently applied work ethic directed at continual improvement."
Excel at what we do a lot. No football winners are poor red zone teams or bad at special teams. Solid basketball teams must:
- control transition
- defeat pressure
- defend in the half court
- get quality shots in the half court
- execute via player development
4. "Be willing to go the extra distance for the organization."
Chuck Daly said, "I'm a salesman." Sara Blakely said, "Make it. Sell it. Build awareness." Representing and promoting the institution is critical to attract, retain, and develop players. It's unrealistic to think players will care more than we do.
5. Peter Drucker: “Culture can eat strategy for lunch.”
Culture is the product of how we do what we do with whom we do it. Culture translates into ACHIEVEMENT = PERFORMANCE x TIME
That equation applies to a short workout, a full practice, or a career.
6. "Coaches are first and foremost great leaders."
We earn the right to have followers and leaders make leaders. Not everyone wants to assume the burden and struggles of leadership.
7. "If someone needed to be critical of a player’s talent, he was to keep it professional. Stay clean and to the point, and don’t denigrate."
Be positive. Grow the time difference between perception and response. Set expectations for coaching to sustain competitive advantage.
8. "Never begin with the end in mind."
Many factors affect player performance - talent, effort, coaching, level of competition, fatigue, injury history. Lombardi warns against groupthink and confirmation bias. Bill Belichick often responds to a question, "We'll see how it goes."
9. "The best teams force players to prove their value."
A patient who played college football explained that players know who can play and who can't. It's frustrating for players who can't get more opportunities because of bias (e.g. seniority systems) and scholarships (draft status).
10. Find your guys. "Moss displayed another Belichick staple: mental toughness, which the Patriots define as “doing what is best for the team when it might not be best for you.”In New England, Moss was a “program guy”: someone who works hard, is a supportive teammate, and cares deeply about winning. In other words, someone with football character.
Set high expectations. Create opportunities for growth. Be specific in what you're looking for and your plans to add value for individuals and teams. Some coaches constantly lower expectations in hopes of exceeding them.
Lagniappe (something extra). "Fundamentos" shows short clips of execution of a variety of moves. It's worth a look.