Simple can work. As a young director Ron Howard learned from Jason Robards in "Parenthood." Robards had no rehearsal. Howard wasn't feeling good about the scene and Robards said, "Ron, do you want a sadder face?" Sarcasm. On the retake, Howard realized that Robards identified more emotion to reach that place.
Howard did an experiment with a lie-detector test comparing non-actors and actors. 3/20 non-actors could "move the needle" and 17/20 actors summoned emotion causing physiologic change.
Coaches help players and teams "reach that place."
Core concept 1: Help players understand game structure.
Sport performance expert Dr. Fergus Connolly asserts the major moments in sport are:
- Offense
- Transition to defense
- Defense
- Transition to offense
Be competent in each area and seek areas to gain advantage. Consider the great Wes Unseld and his brilliant outlet passes.
Core concept 2: Edges are specific. Years ago we played a playoff game (7th graders) against a more talented team with three tall girls at least 5'10". Create advantage through spacing, player and ball movement ("movement kills defense"), and execution. During a timeout, "horns" was implemented.
Core concept 3: Get action going to the basket against "man" defense.
I explained, we need layups or to get fouled.
Using double downscreens off horns, we occupied defenders and got drives or passes to an open cutter (2). We scored 7 points on 5 possessions (1.4 points/possession), forcing the opponent into a zone and won 45-42.
Use movement to create more space.
Screening is another simple way to create separation.
Simple actions can create big headaches for defenses.
Lagniappe. Simplify. "Daily development can mean subtraction."